There are so many ways we can stay fit. Whether it’s running, walking, cycling, hiking, lifting weights, yoga, pilates or whatever. The key thing is it has to be something YOU enjoy. You may enjoy the challenge of learning something new, or you may be pretty good at it and that’s why you enjoy it. Maybe it makes you happy getting better or faster.
Whatever it is, you must enjoy it, because if you don’t, you may simply stop doing it, and hopefully find another way to stay fit, or you may hop back on the couch and do eight hour marathons of watching Big Bang Theory reruns while eating a Costco sized bag of Doritos.
Everyone has their thing, but recently I was invited to try out something I have NEVER tried before. I have a very open mind about trying new things when it comes to fitness. As long as I can get my regular workouts in and I don’t think I’ll get hurt, I’m game. I’ve lifted weights, crossfit, mountain biked and lots of other things with friends just to try out their workouts. It’s fun. Seriously.
Nicole Archibald invited me to try out this dance fitness program called Zumba. I’m sure you’ve seen it at the AES Fun Fair and other functions. The first class was free. I was welcomed by everyone at the door and everyone was so enthusiastic. I seemed to be the only male, though.
The class runs about one hour with a series of choreographed dance moves. You start off a little slow to warm up, then as class progresses, you move a faster.
It reminded me a lot of doing line dancing in the country bars: You follow the instructors moves to the beat of the music all while getting a great workout. The music is a series of Hip-hop and latin music. You end up getting a great workout hitting pretty much every part of your body, legs, arms, core, back etc.
I had a bit of trouble keeping up with all the different moves, but I tried my best to keep moving. The dances are choreographed so the more times you go, the easier it is to follow along. The faces of the people easily showed me that they were having a boatload of fun dancing, all while sweating and burning off calories. You can go at your own pace or really get into it and get a serious workout.
Recently Nicole, the instructor, was injured. I asked some of her students what they did while she wasn’t doing the classes. One person said she would go for walks. I tell you, unless you were walking up to Elephant Mountain on summer day, you wouldn’t get the workout that the Zumba class would. She had lost almost 60 pounds from going to Zumba, with a happier and healthier lifestyle to follow.
So you’re sitting at home wondering how you can lose some weight and you’ve tried everything you can think of to stay motivated and keep falling off the wagon, give Nicole a call at 250-319-3620.
Is it worth it? I think so.
Wayne Little