Women, and a few men, moved through the glass doors into the open space and gravitated to their spots. I hung back, choosing a space near the closed doorway. Self-consciously I pulled my t-shirt down and breathed an internal sigh of relief as I noticed that I was not the only overweight person in the room older than 30. I had steeled myself for months to join this class. Twenty years ago I would have been one of those women who walked through the door with confidence. But now? I knew I would not be able to keep up the pace.
“Welcome to Zumba. If you are are here for the first time, don’t worry if you can’t keep up. Put your feet to the ground, move to the music, and have fun!”
Five minutes later I was looking at the clock. My breathing was laboured, my heart was racing, and it was difficult to move my feet at the speed of the instructor’s. Ten minutes. Fifteen minutes. I kept at it, determined that I would once again move like I did twenty years ago. Not only did I want to lose my excess weight, but I also wanted to regain my fitness.
The class ended with sweat dripping down my face. I had not been able to keep up – the moves were unknown to me, and many of them were fast. But I finished. And decided to go back for more.
It had been seventeen years since the last time I had done any type of cardio exercise. I chose to do Zumba because it is a dance-based exercise and I have always loved dance. It is not quite the same as what I used to do when I danced Latin and Ballroom but in joining a Zumba class I can move rhythmically to the music.
I danced my first Zumba class six months ago – and now no longer look at the clock after five minutes. My legs are stronger and I am therefore able to do most of the moves. I still get lost with the choreography, but not as often. I have not lost weight, but have lost centimetres. I join a class twice a week when I am able – and would go more often if there were more classes available at my local gym.
I love it! Zumba is definitely for me. During the winter months, the obstacle I have to overcome is getting there. It is not pleasant leaving the warmth of our home to walk through frigid temperatures to the gym. In the argument to myself, I always bring up my word of the year: Discipline.
Have you tried a Zumba class?
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2017
Yes I have, and it was very energetic indeed. I’m so happy you’re seeing results and are enjoying your class.
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Yes I am. There have been moments when I know the choreography, am able to do it, and can just let myself move to the music. Such a good feeling.
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congrats and I am glad you have found that this is for you – I only tried it twice – and was not for me – however, I am going to try again some other time. 🙂 cos we do change….
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It is not for everyone. I love dancing and I miss it (before I had children I used to dance Latin and Ballroom). At least with Zumba I can get to do a little of it.
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oh you must have some sweet coordination.
and I do like this exercise class called “centergy”- which is like yoga with aerobics and upbeat music.
but I need to try the zumba with a few different teachers before I decide officially.
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I do – and I pick up dance moves quite quickly.
Now that ‘centergy’ exercise sounds interesting. They do not offer it at our local gym – yet 🙂
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well it has a little “R” next to the name – so I think it is a local registered thing. But I had to ease my way into it – I guess I do not like super fast – but getting to like it.
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Good for you Yvette.
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xxoo
one day at a time – one workout at a time
one water bottle at a time – one recovery day at a time – ha!
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😀
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I took my first Zumba class five years ago, and I liked it so much I started teaching it. Welcome to the dance floor, sister!
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That is amazing! I am sure you make many people happy as they dance with you to the music.
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I love it, Colline! I’m twitching to go from the second I hear the music 🙂 We have a great instructor, who does lots of stuff for charity. I don’t always get it right but it’s not competitive and it’s great fun. It makes all the difference to do exercise you enjoy. 🙂
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I agree with you Jo. And I love that the instructor encourages us to have fun. You can see that she loves it too by the huge smile she has on her face when dancing.
Time to get ready to go and Zumba. I am wondering what songs we will move to tonight 🙂
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Bravo for you’re trying Zumba! A friend’s mother, who’s older than you, came to really love it and it got her back to the level of health she was seeking.
I tried Zumba one summer when the Chicago Park District had free Saturday exercise classes. It’s too fast paced for me, but I would like to do some cardio. I like how the Chinese dance in their parks every like you see here: https://youtu.be/CLRcBuXOByw
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I love it! I would definitely join in 🙂
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I photographed a Zumba class once- I don’t think that counts! Keep up the good work
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I am sure you got some lovely shots Ruth.
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I’m happy to hear you’ve found an exercise you love. I’ve been walking some. This weekend I’m going to start a yoga video at home. I’m so not coordinated enough to dance.
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I have heard that yoga is a good form of exercise. I hesitate to do it as I am not very supple 🙂
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I’ve found a beginners yoga that I’ve done years before. It’s good for the not-so-bendable 😉
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This what what I need to find 🙂
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Good for you Colline, for sticking it out. I just tried a yoga class for the first time, and have some sore muscles today, but I plan to go back for more. Hoping it will help with my anxiety and panic attacks. I think caring for my menagerie gives me enough cardio!
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Most definitely!
I haven’t tried yoga yet but may add it to my exercise regime once my body is used to zumba and I recover more quickly. I have heard that the stretching is good for you.
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Zumba is wonderful. I love to dance and get the exercise in at the same time. Unfortunately, the closest class is quite a drive from me making it a bit challenging to keep up with attending. Enjoy your moments 🙂
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What a pity Jacqueline. I found classes a 15 minute walk from where I stay – so I get in a little walking before I exercise 🙂
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I would love to do Zumba. It looks like so much fun and I’ve always danced. Unfortunately my back, knees, and feet no longer can take the beating of anything that energetic. Good for you, Colleen.
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What a pity Michelle as it is such fun to move to the music. We do have a couple of people in the class who don’t move as energetically as others but instead just walk through the steps. The instructors don’t seem to mind.
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Hey C- me again – I also wanted to share that I think it is awesome that you do not look at the clock anymore.
🙂
baby steps – or zumba steps…?
and with my yoga (and now pilates) I saw my stamina increase at different points and it is the best feeling.
and also wanted to share that a while back I was reading about how good it is for the brain to try and follow along with stuff – like choreography – because it helps fine-tune balance and can clean out dirty webbing in the neurons. so keep that in mind as you keep on going – the benefits are many…
xxoo
and cheers
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I like that – clean out the dirty webbing!It definitely helps after a day at work Yvette. And the exercise does rejuvenate me 🙂
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Hi, Colleen. I’m glad you found Zumba! The best way to stay fit is to find an exercise you like. I am a bit of a gym nut, so I go several times a week. Still, I’d go back to running, if my knees were better. Oh, the joys of an older body. 😦
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And I do like it. Before I married and had children, ballroom dancing was my form of exercise. I often miss those days of moving across the floor.
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