Sometimes things in life don't go as planned and sometimes life is just hard. When life throws you a curve ball what do you do? I exercise. Running, spinning, swimming, weight lifting, dancing, soccer-- you name it and I'm there.
Awhile back life threw me a curve ball and as you probably guessed, I started dancing. More specifically I started doing Zumba. I found an instructor that I loved and started attending her classes twice a week. There were days that I was tired (working full time can do that to you) but I had committed to myself that I was going to go, so I would get myself up off the couch and out the door to class. Each class I attended I would give 110%.
I think Steve Prefontaine said it best, "To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift." (This is one of my all time favorite quotes and worthy of its own post sometime in the future). What is the point of exercising if your not going to give it your all? Right?
The first few Zumba classes I went to I felt kind of dumb. I didn't know what I was doing and I lacked coordination. My friend Fenima told me that I had to go to at least 3 classes, after 3 classes I was hooked.
I'm not ashamed to admit those first few classes really did a number on me, talk about delayed onset muscle soreness (it's a real thing I promise--I'm a science nerd). I would hobble into work and my co-workers would ask what I had done and I would smile and say Zumba. *Note some of my co-workers and their wives started coming to Zumba with me. Zumba is contagious!
After each class I felt at peace with life and with the curve ball that had been thrown my way. I am a firm believer that exercise is a great way to relieve stress and clear your head (I learned this running track and cross country in high school). Between healthy eating and doing Zumba I lost fat, built muscle, and gained more self confidence.
If you have never done Zumba before you should try it. Remember, you have to go at least 3 times before you decide you don't like it. If your self conscious about dancing in front of people you can always attend a black light Zumba class, they are a lot of fun! Did I mention that I love Zumba and that it is a lot of fun? I really do love it!
In case you think Zumba is just a sissy dance class, it's not. We workout our abs, arms, and legs. Typically we do quite a few squats too! Zumba is not just for girls either my Dad and husband have both attended classes with me.
If you live in Orem and want to go get a really good Zumba workout let me know and I will tell you where to go.
Here's to Zumba!
