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I began to get ready for the day and knew I had a decision to make. It was a busy Thursday with double school, carpool, and football. I also needed to get to the post office, bank and grocery store. As I drank my coffee during the bustle of getting everyone ready for school, I contemplated going to the gym or the grocery store.
On one hand, I really felt like (and wanted) to work out and on the other hand, it would be nice to run an errand with only one child while the others were in school.
When giving myself a choice I usually decide against the gym. I have found that I just need to plan on going without thinking about it. I can usually talk myself out of exercising. But that wouldn’t happen today.
So I dropped my son off at school, raced to Mountainside Fitness with the baby and signed him into the child care. I could still see him crying at the door after the ten minutes it took me to run to the bathroom and wait outside the class. I starred at the tv screen that had the image of the child care area, as I bit my nails. He was still crying at the door, should I give up on the class and go and get him? Leave the gym and get a coffee and a muffin? I began to waiver until I saw the instructor, Natalie.
I had taken classes from this instruction before and knew that she was good. Today she was teaching Zumba, a class I hadn’t attended in a while. Zumba uses unique Latin dance moves and rhythms to offer a fun and fast-paced work out.
When she saw me, she smiled, we chatted for a few minutes and I followed her into the room. I yawned as I started to stretch out my legs. I knew that I would not know the moves but remembered that this was a pretty good class. I forgot just how good it really is.
I am reminded as soon as the playlist starts, the music is enchanting and the energy in the room is high. The instructor is graceful and natural as she moves to the lively music. At first, I feel clumsy and awkward doing body rolls and shaking my hips, but it doesn’t take long before the music has taken over and I am moving with it. The funny thing about dancing is that you feel sexy, even if you are not doing it very well. I was jumping and spinning and moving all over and in between songs, I was panting to catch my breath. When I finally thought to look at the clock, the class was nearly over. It is a really fun workout!
If you have never tried it, you owe it to yourself to have an hour of fun while getting exercise.
Add a Comment3 Comments
I agree--Zumba, along with changes in my diet, definitely helped me lose extra weight. It was fun, the instructors were extra energetic, and it was so much fun to exercise in this way. I actually looked forward to going to the gym, and it was a great physical activity to add to my repertoire to balance other types of exercise.
May 2, 2010 - 1:19pmThis Comment
Thanks for your comment, Brenda. Yes, Zumba is a very enjoyable way to lose weight and remain active. It is great music, fun dance-like steps and overall, a good time.
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May 1, 2010 - 9:56amThis Comment
As the author states ZUMBA is a fun way to burn calorie and tone the body. I've only had 2 classes at our local Bally Fitness Center, and I had a great workout, and I had not even learned the dance steps, routines, etc. I'll definitely keep ZUMBA as my main exerecise! I must say, I'm very surprised that no one, before me, has left a comment regarding this article. I'm a mother with no small children for day care, but I can relate to the author's thoughts regardig her crying child versus whether or not she should attend the fitness class. I'm sure the child didn't cry for long, as, if they're like my gym, the daycare professionals are excellent with getting children involved in fun activities. Thanks for writing the article - Sincerely, BRENDA in CHARLOTTE NC
May 1, 2010 - 9:52amThis Comment