February is Heart Health Month and tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and a great way to celebrate is to do some physical activity. Now we have all heard that exercise is great for the heart, but I’ll admit it right now- I HATE to sweat, but what I LOVE more is Zumba®.
As someone who spent most of her childhood and young adult life classified as “obese,” I cannot tell you how annoyed I used to be when someone would tell me to exercise. My journey to my love for Zumba® started in 2004 when I took a Nutrition class required for my degree. As a part of the “healthy lifestyle” mantra given in the class, I joined a gym and exercised, because I knew I had to. As the weight came off, I continued to exercise, but I can’t say I enjoyed it.
Fast forward to 2009. In August of that year I was involved in a near fatal accident. After 9 months of intense physical therapy, I was released, BUT I had to continue my therapy. My therapist’s suggestion- join a gym. I did as I was told, and two weeks into my routine, my gym advertised a new class, Zumba®. I had heard great things about the Zumba® craze going on, but I wasn’t really sure it was for me. I could never move my hips the way I saw Salsa instructors move.
From the moment I stepped in the door in my very first class, I found my passion for exercise. There is nothing about Zumba® I don’t love. Not only are the classes full of energy and the music fun, but where else can you go for an hour and shake everything and call it exercise. I may sweat, but I feel sexy doing it. There are no fitness requirements, and everyone is invited to join the party. Zumba® isn’t about exercising; it’s about feeling great and finding that passion inside of you. This Girl Can is a great video showing women embracing physical activity. Watch this Zumba® video to get an idea what it is about!
In 2012, I took my love for Zumba® further and completed instructor training. Twice a week for the last three years, I have been thrilled to teach my classes at Einstein Medical Center-Philadelphia. Together we laugh, cry, share stories, and by the end of class, we have wiped away the stresses of the day. We are a Zumba® family, and the best thing about it all is that we’re healthier for it. To date, I’m down 70 pounds, and I have several students who are right there with me.
Here are my tips to finding your journey to a happier, healthier Zumba® heart:
- Find an instructor near you by visiting the Zumba® website.
- There are different classes for different people- Zumba®, Zumba® Gold (seniors), Zumba® Step, Zumba® Toning, Zumba® Gold Toning, Aqua Zumba®, Zumba® Sentao (sitting), Zumba® Kids, Zumba® Kids, Jr., and Zumbini™ (babies and toddlers).
- Try a few different classes to find the right instructor for you.
- A good instructor will show you options for different fitness levels.
- You don’t have to be an athlete to take a Zumba® class. All fitness levels or no fitness experience are fine.
- Stay at your own pace in a class. Just because an instructor stays at a very high intensity doesn’t mean you have to go with them. Work your way up to higher intensities.
- Smile, have fun, and shake it!
Zumba love,
Megan
Megan Carrier
Eat Fit Health Intern
Graduate Student, Drexel University
MS in Human Nutrition