and you know what, I never had this kind of energy before. I was pregnant the last half of my 20s and working crazy stressful deadlines with night feedings...I was a zombie for awhile. When I turned 30, I was sad to kiss my 20s goodbye. I found Zumba when I came to DC, and said, ok, I'm going to make my 30s kick ass!

oops meant to put "to" instead of "too." It's been a long day : )

Oh thanks again, but really, I am just inspirED....so just passing it along.

I teach four to five 1-hour classes a week (all cardio dance) plus I take a yoga class, sometimes pilates. I don't do any weight training (I hate machines and cold metal), but I get plenty of toning from merengue arms, planking chattarangas (spell?), and picking up children!

I don't follow a strict diet. I love food. I have a very small breakfast (biscotti and tea). Lunch ranges from salads, bare veggie burritos, to potbelly subs (sans mayo). I have a glass of red wine every other night and drink tons of water and green tea.

I do yoga with my kids at least twice a week and walk to the park on Saturdays. DH is a black belt, so he does martial arts with them.

My philosophy is too keep the muscles and all the layers of tissue as LOOSE as they can be so any extra calories, second helpings, fat, germs, toxins can easily exit its way out of my body and not get stuck in "problem areas." Many don't associate yoga with strength and toning, but believe me, it takes alot of strength to sustain many of those poses correctly. If the poses are not done correctly, you will not benefit from them....so it's important to find a really good teacher.

thanks everyone.

PP that is great you tried the yoga! PErsonally, I think yoga is just basic common sense for the body. Keep it relaxed, keep it aligned, keep it well circulated and it well help things function the way they are supposed to. I bet if you do yoga everyday this week, your flexibility/energy will significantly increase by next week.

If you are not looking to join a gym, I know there is a Latin dance studio in Takoma Park called RODA Movements, that offers several Zumba classes. I'm sure there are more in MoCo, you can look for them on Zumba's website: www.zumba.com

Also craigslist has some listings for non-gym Zumba classes.

I'll also add, that Zumba has opened so many opportunities for me to get involved with the community. It feels great to be helping others get fit and raise money for great causes....I've done programs for teen moms, cancer survivors, animal welfare, battered women, etc.

This month I am teaching a class at the House of Representatives on Inaugural week....woo hoo! I'm so psyched to Zumba with the politicians...haha!

my website is www.zumbadistrict.com

Just show up! Bring water!

Plus in this economy, the extra classes help to put food on the table. It's only an hour and I go straight back to my mama job.

I teach 3 classes in Arlington, and two in Silver Spring. The SS ones are on my lunch break. In Arlington, I teach Sunday afternoons, Tuesday nights (but I alternate with another instructor), and tonight I start my new Zumba job at Sport & Health.

It helps that I have lots of family and a supportive husband. He sports his bumpersticker: Zumba changed my wife. haha!

Zumba's whole motto is "fun and easy to do." But we realize everyone has different capabilities. Some people have no dance background and some do. So I tell the newbies, don't get discouraged if you don't get all the moves the first time around. Most moves are easy enough to pick up at the first class, others will take a few more classes to nail down. The more you come, the easier it gets....because your muscles are "learning" the movements.

Also, no two Zumba classes are the same. You should try different instructors to see what style fits you the best. There is Zumba for seniors, kids, aqua Zumba, Zumba for hospital patients. Some instructors are more fitnessy, some more dancey. I'm def. more dancey!

And there are always Zumba parties going on, Zumba fundraisers, charity events.

Also, I am part of the Zumba instructor network, and they always have inspiring stories to share. This is what I sent to my students in my newsletter this month to motivate them:

ZUMBA INSTRUCTOR WEIGHT LOSS STORIES:

5 POUNDS Within a month of starting my first Zumba classes (as a student), I'd lost that stubborn 5 pounds and inches around my waist. It was amazing. Before that I was doing my weight training 3-4 times a week and had just run the Columbus marathon (my 10th marathon) and ADDED 4 pounds and just stuck on a plateau; Zumba kicked my rear end right off that plateau! â??Centerville, OH

20 POUNDS I've maintained a 20 pound weight loss since I started zumba about 2 years ago. But since I started teaching last April my pants size has been shrinking - I'm down from size 12/14 to a 10! I also reversed a diagnosis of pre-diabetes, which is a big deal for me since I love to eat and have a glass or two of wine with dinner! Yeah for zumba!

60 POUNDS My ADD meds caused me to gain 60 pounds...totally sucked. I was wearing a size 22 clothing (I'm 6'2"). I have a heart condition as well (Mitral Valve Prolapse). I was working with a trainer (paying $$$ big time) and was working out 2 hours a day, 5 days a week. It was 30 minutes treadmill or eliptical, 30 minutes doing circuit/Curves type thing, 30 minutes weight training and then 30 minutes in a infrared sauna. FIVE DAYS A WEEK..and guess what? Not ONE inch lost and not ONE pound lost.

Plus, the meds made me a zombie. It took every single bit of energy I had to do the work out everyday, the rest I was asleep or on the recliner. When I discovered Zumba as well as a holistic drink that had natural de-stressors, etc., the doc took me off my meds COMPLETELY. I've been doing Zumba and NOT dieting (eating healthier, but not dieting) since May and I've lost 38 pounds..don't know how many inches but I'm now wearing a size 14/16. AND...my ADD and anxiety disorder has been GREAT - NO problems whatsoever! The endorphines released from Zumba (plus my natural drink) is better than the drugs I was on!! â??Red Oak, TX

90 POUNDS Started Zumba in November of 06. I have lost 90 pounds. Went from a size 24 to 6. Lots, and lots of inches!! Check out my bfore and after picture!! http://www.zumbajunkie.com/Testimonies.html â??Tallahassee, FL

98 POUNDS funny thing is last night i was just talking to my class about this, i've lost 98lbs with Zumba. but what i've gained is so much more, the energy is unbelievable plus now i love to shop =) â??Kansas City, MO

200 POUNDS As of Sunday I've lost 200 lbs! Obviously I didn't do Zumba at my heaviest. I started taking Zumba in Oct. 2007 at 315 lbs. I had alreaday lost about 135 lbs. I got certified in Oct. 2008 and now, Dec. 08 I finally hit the -200 lbs. mark!
You can see my weight loss journey at www.freewebs.com/infectiouslaughter â??Fircrest, WA

wow, thanks! I am so flattered!

Several things keep me motivated:

1) I love music — whenever I hear it, I WANT to move. Music plays a big part of it. I'm a rhythm junkie. Even when I used to run...I couldn't do it without my favorite tunes.

2) I know if I stop exercising, I will gain the weight back and get sick. I took a week off during the holidays. I ate lots of junk and barely moved. I felt awful, gained a couple pounds and caught a cold. I went all year without getting sick, and the week that I stop moving, I could feel myself digressing.

3) I made it my job to exercise. When you are a student, it's easy to skip a workout. It's cold outside, I'm tired today, there are a million excuses to stop you. But I don't have that option now that I teach. Sure I have days when I don't feel like working out, but I can't let down my students. And I know as soon as I turn on the music, I will feel like moving.

4) Yoga keeps me from burning out. It's not as fun as Zumba, but I do believe it keeps my muscles conditioned enough to teach 5 classes a week. Preventative maintenance, I guess, so that I don't hurt myself in being so cardio-active.

MY ADVICE TO YOU:
I realize that not everyone is going to love Latin music or become a teacher to make themselves workout. So my advice is to find something that you LOVE to do so that you won't want to stop. FUN is the key. What activity is fun for you? This is why I love Zumba so much...it's fun! I feel like I'm 18 again!

Also workout buddy can also help keep you in check when you don't feel like it. Try exercisefriends.com.

And I have my "before" picture on my fridge to remind me what I used to look like. I've dropped 6 sizes in my weight loss journey and never want to gain them back!

yeah that sucks. Someone stole my year-old Zumba shoes from the gym last week. My scatterbrain forgot them in my locker, and they are nowhere to be found. I can't imagine who would want to put their feet in someone else's foot sweat?! ew!

I have also had music stolen from the gym too. I know who took it, but can't prove it.

Be super careful at the gym!!!

For me, I am allergic to many antibiotics. I had UTIs for many years in my twenties. So, I went to the acupuncturist (usually went to him for colds)—a very reputable one (trained/certified in China, Germany and US with a 40 yr practice), and the pain was gone by the end of the session. I kid you not. I took the herbs he prescribed for about 2 weeks. I've never had one since then, and that was 6 yrs ago. I'm not saying this will work on everyone, but it sure did for me!

No...I wasted $200 on baseball camp.