new shoes!

hello zumba go-ers:

I wanted to share with you all my new Zumba shoes I just recently got! I love them, and I love the colors, they feel good and I enjoy the mesh on the shoe, so my feet can breathe a little. I got them at Kohl's and they're adidas!

What kind of shoes do you Zumba in? What do you like most about them?

if you're interested: my shoes on the kohls webite

good humor!

if you're like me you can't help but move your feet when you hear that zumba song from class on the radio!

drive safely! ;)

I'M BACK!

HELL0 ZUMBA FRIENDS!!

• how was your summer?
• how's your Zumba Class going?
• what challenges have you faced?
• what do you enjoy the most about Zumba?
• how much weight have you lost?
• if you haven't lost any weight, are you getting results?

first I want to apologize for not posting anything since June! I'm pretty shocked myself, but in case you were wondering, my summer was fantastic! I hung out with friends, family and ben (my boyfriend), also went on vacation to hocking hills, not to mention a lot of county fairs! but don't worry, I still made it to my Zumba classes! with all the fair food, constant snacking from vacation, and the ever-so-popular smores by a campfire, there's no way I could miss a Zumba class. I learned a lot of new fun dances and I can't wait to hear about the new dances you've learned too!

DID YOU KNOW:

What Are You Doing This Weekend?

i KNOW WHAT i'M DOiNG!!

Great News

Tonight, at my Zumba® class, I was asked to help instruct our class tonight because one of the girls couldn't make it. You can imagine my answer to her question! YES, PLEASE!! My Zumba® class lasts about an hour, which in my opinion, isn't long enough. I am never catching myself looking at the clock. It's back to back songs, and I barley have time to grab a drink of water or catch my breath. I thrive off those moments! I had so much fun dancing in front of the class and I can hardly wait to become a Zumba® instructor. In case your wondering how you can become a Zumba® instructor too here is the website to get registered!

Zumba Instructor Link

This was my favorite Zumba® dance tonight, give it a try!

This is not me, nor is it my video. Something similar to our dance though!

HAVE FUN!!

Why Zumba?

Hello Everyone!

I just wanted to give you a few reasons why I love Zumba and why how it's different from any other workout you can do. Please don't misunderstand me, as long as you are getting out and being active, weather it's taking a small walk around your block or a few files on the treadmill. My boyfriend and I love to take hikes with his dog Brandi. But I just wanted to point out that Zumba can be so much more fun than a 15 minute walk or a hike. As I mentioned before in my previous posts, Zumba is a dance! You're working your legs when you do the cha-cha and/or jumping jacks. You are getting a workout in your arms when you are just moving them and getting them toned. In my previous post I told you how you can work your glutes and get a tighter behind by doing what? Squats!! Work that core by tightening your tummy when you bend. Now if that's not a workout I don't know what is!! If there is anything I left out or you feel is your 'problem area', let me know, I'm sure we cover it in class!

Get Squattin'

HELL0!!

I just remembered I should let you in on a little secret. In my Zumba® class, we do a little thing, that make a big difference called squats. Squats are just what they are. 

• Stand with your legs a little far apart from each other.
• Bend your knees like your sitting in an invisible chair.
• Make sure your knees don't go past your feet!
• I like to keep my balance by putting my arms to my chest or I've seen people just hold their arms straight out, whatever's comfortable with you.
• Stick that booty out, don't be shy!
• Hold it about 10 seconds and come back up.
• Repeat!

Sometimes I wish there was a chair under me because the burning in my legs is intense; a good intense though. Do you feel like your butt is just flat as a pancake? Try doing some squats for a whole song. Make it a fast song so you can do a little dancing too. In my Zumba® class we do our squats during the chorus of the song and we do about 5. Give it a try!  I have yet to see results on me, but I do feel the soreness in my legs and glutes the next day. You should see  results within a month, if you don't keep squattin'. .won't hurt ya!

HAPPY SQUATTING!!

How's It Going So Far?

I would love to hear about your Zumba® experiences so far. It helps to write about your experience from when you first start to the end to see how far you've come.

• Are you struggling? What is your biggest struggle?
• Are you having a blast? 
• What's your favorite song to dance to? 
• What excersices are giving you the best results? 
• Are you going to to a Zumba® Studio or a local gym? 
• What find of Zumba® class are you attending? (Zumba® Fitness, Zumba® Gold, Auqa Zumba)
• Are you making friends and getting to know people?

I WANT TO HEAR ALL ABOUT IT!!

Stretching

Before you start your workout and after, that doesn't necessarily have to be for Zumba®, it's very important to stretch! Stretching will reduce the chances of you pulling a muscle. Why do you need to stretch before AND after? I like to stretch before my workout because it gets my muscles warmed up and it's the most important to stretch after so that you don't pull anything. Your breathing while you stretch is important too. Make sure that after your workout you feel calm and relaxed with yourself.

What Have You Got To Lose?

Here's one of my favorite Zumba® songs to dance to! This is not me in the video, nor is it my video. The moves are a little different than what I do, but it's still fun. GET OFF THE C0UCH, turn it up and try it out!

WHAT HAVE I GOT TO LOSE?

.nothing but weight.

Which Zumba® Class Is Best For You

You might not have known, but there are many different types of Zumba® classes that fit perfectly for your age or what type of workout you'd like to focus on.

ZUMBA® FITNESS: I attend this type of Zumba® class. It's just your regular fitness dance that welcomes anyone of all ages.

 ZUMBA GOLD®: this class is for the baby boomers. It's a slower pace and easy-to-follow moves.

 ZUMBA® TONING: this class is based on body sculpting. To high-energy cardio, to focus on your arms, abs, glutes and thighs.

AQUA ZUMBA®: Also known as the Zumba 'pool party'. Water based workout that's cardio conditioning and body toning.

ZUMBATOMIC®: Designed for kids (ages 4-12). Kid friendly routines with all the music kids love. Parents love Zumbatomic® because it boosts kids self esteem and their self talk. Parents also love Zumbatomic because it gives them an excuse to go to the gym.

ZUMBA® IN THE CIRCUIT: 30 minutes of high-energy with a series of strength exercises at timed intervals

• What's the difference between Zumba® and Zumba® in the Circuit?

Zumba® is usually 60 minutes, if you want the quick workout, Zumba® in the Circuit is only 30 minutes of a fast and effective workout.

ZUMBA® GOLD TONING: great for baby boomers and beginners! Zumba® Gold Toning helps build muscle strength, increases bone density and improves mobility.

ZUMBA SENTAO: chair based choreography to strengthen, balance and stabilize your core. Grab a chair and shimmy and shake as you work your core.

Now that you know about each individual Zumba® class, which fits best for you?

Are You Motivated?

MOTIVATION is the most important key to Zumba®. 

I'm curious, who/what motivates Y0U?

Here are some ways I stay motivated:

• SET YOURSELF A G0AL--ideal weight, or how many times you want to attend Zumba® a week
• REACH OUT FOR SUPPORT--make some friends when you go to class or introduce yourself to the instructor and make your self known.
• ARE YOU GETTING RESULTS?
• STAY COMMITTED!!
• WAS THAT A GREAT WORKOUT OR WHAT? HOW DO YOU FEEL AFTER?
• ALWAYS PRACTICE YOUR SELF TALK! 'I can do it! keep going! _ more minutes!

'YESTERDAY YOU SAID TOMORROW'

Zumba 101

It's almost April and thank goodness spring is here! I don't know about you, but I'm ready to put my ice scraper away and pull out my flip flops. Want to get a jump start on summer by getting into shape now?

Zumba® is a fun and effective way to shed that winter weight. What is Zumba®? Where can I even Zumba® at? How is Zumba® going to be any different from running on the treadmill or my regular routine? All you're questions will hopefully be answered soon!

Zumba® is a fitness program that combines Latin music along with different kinds of music. Also known as a 'fitness dance party'. I personally enjoy hip-hop or today's pop music. Check your local YMCA or closest gym near you to see if they have any Zumba® classes. You could even have a Zumba® Fitness Studio and you didn't even know it. Once you find a place that has the classes, call the number provided or look up the schedule online for when to attend. Things I would bring to class are:

• workout pants/ yoga pants
• A t-shirt or dri-fit shirt will be just fine (I like to wear a sweatshirt too so i can sweat more) or if you want to really get in the spirit here are some cute zumba tops.
• Make sure you have a good pair of tennis shoes too, you'll be dancing for 60 minutes or less depending on the class.
• Most important, you cannot forget your water! here's the water bottle my boyfriend got me for Valentine's Day. I love it because it filters the water and keeps it cold. Also my favorite thing about the bottle, it has numbers 1-10 so I can keep track on how many bottles of water I can drink in a day!

Make sure you're staying hydrated and keeping water on you all the time even when your not doing Zumba®. By eliminating pop and just drinking water, you can lose weight.

My number one rule you must do when you attend Zumba® is to HAVE FUN!! Don't worry about who is around you, or what steps your getting wrong just enjoy the fact that you're burning calories and loosing weight!

Has it been a long day and you don't feel like getting out?

workout at home----->NO EXCUSES!