Get Up Off Your Ass

AND DANCE!!!!!

Merry Meet Friends and Lurkers (and I do know who you are :)

One word! Zumba!!! What???? You've never heard of Zumba???? Ok, well firstly, it's pronounced Zoomba" and what it is, is a workout system that fuses international rhythm and dance and that turns every workout into a party!

Let me tell you how I discovered Zumba. About 6 months ago, I was lifting weights about 3 days a week and running about two miles on the treadmill on alternate days. Yes, it was definitely an effective workout, but it also had become mind-numbingly boring. Not to mention that I injured my shoulder, got a stress fracture in my foot and my hips ached on a daily basis. There just had to be a better way!

One morning, I dragged myself into the gym, dreading the idea of working out, when I overheard one of the group fitness instructors talking about a new class that was being added to the schedule. Well, I NEVER take the classes at the gym. Not that there's anything wrong with them, but I always felt that you couldn't really get a great workout in one an hour a day. Ok, so now I'm eavesdropping, and I'm hearing the word "dance". Wait a minute!!! I absolutely love to dance!!! I decided at that moment that I would give it a try. Well, all I can say is that I haven't missed a class since!!! I'm currently taking Zumba classes at 4 different facilities. As for not being able to get an effective workout in an hour, well, I hate to admit I'm wrong, but in this case I am thrilled!!!

Finally, while perusing one of my Zumba instructor's websites and I noticed that an instructor's workshop was being taught in our area by Tanya Beardsley, who is an internationally known Zumba Specialist (that's Tanya in the video) and I thought to myself, "Self, you can do this!". Just to reaffirm though, I ran the idea by a couple of my instructors who told me in no uncertain terms that I "had" to become an instructor!!!

I have to confess, at 40 something years old, I was a bit trepidatious. I kept envisioning myself walking into a group of 20 year-olds and making a complete and utter ass of myself or alternatively dying on the dance floor. I quickly put those thoughts aside when I realized that not only were there 20 year-olds, but 30, 40 and 50 + year olds as well!!! Well, to make a long story short, after dancing for 9 hours, I am proud to say that I am a certified Zumba instructor!!

All I can say is, if you're looking for a workout that's fun, easy and effective....Get Off Your Ass and DANCE!!!!!