Zumba.. I'm in Love!

So I had heard about this so-called Zumba workout before and usually associated it with old chubby latino women (what can I say.. I stereotype) and so somewhat dismissed it as a valid legit workout. The name itself, when applying onomatopoeia, it alludes to some sort of tubby activity, no? Well as I am continually learning.. I have no idea what I'm talking about. Anyway the details are boring but one Saturday I found myself participating in a 90 minute Zumba class... and then about 17 minutes after that.. I found myself joining the Fitness Centre.

I adore Zumba! It's a fantastically fun way to burn calories. Loud, pumping music, creative dance moves, high intensity songs followed by lower intensity ones, 60-90 minutes of sweating and shaking.. and not to the oldies! I am not a person who particularly enjoys working out, I have been known to crack a smile during a run but that's pretty rare. I usually just love the feeling of being done and that's motivation enough for me. Now I actually look forward to Zumba class. I don't mind heading out the door after getting home from a long day of work. I do watch the clock sometimes but it's not in a "only 13 minutes have passed?" sorta way.. It's just a lot of fun!

I should clarify that I'm not a dancer. Not by any means. I'm the tallest and blondest in the class and most likely the least coordinated but I'm too busy watching the instructor and myself in the mirror to know what anyone else is doing. The nice thing is that I don't feel awkward or embarrassed and I can wiggle my hips and sing along with the songs like the best of em. The more one "zums" (?), the easier the moves get but the fun thing is that the more I go and learn what I'm doing.. the more calories I'm able to burn. Did you know you can burn up to 800 in an hour?? I have never dripped with sweat so much in my life!


Zumba is fun and right now I'm probably in a bit of a honeymoon stage with it but I like having it as an additional part of my workout regime and have loved the results I've been already noticing!

Here's a song that we dance to in my class. Just so you get a bit of an idea..