As they say, ‘The rest is history!” – my story about Zumba fitness

  What did Zumba fitness do for me…

 There seems to be a story behind everything and here is the story about Zumba fitness.

 Knowing that I needed to burn more Calories in a day than what I put in made me realise that Cardio was the solution.  I would be in the gym everyday for about 2-3hrs.  1st session at 5am and the 2nd in the evening after work.  I would usually do my cardio in the morning and my weight training in the evening but sometimes I would change it around.  In the beginning it was a rule to do it in the morning when I was the lightest before breakfast. 

 I personally love the treadmill, don’t really like the bicycle or the stepper or the rowing machine but I would force myself to do 20min on the treadmill, 20min on the bike and another 20min on the rowing machine or the stepper.  I started to get bored very quickly.  On the days that I knew I would only have an hour of training I would do 20min of the treadmill and 40min in weight training but I would use my weight training as a cardio workout.  I would use lighter weights and faster repetitions and add a 4th set to my training.

 Once I realised I was bored of the treadmill and other cardio equipment I decided I needed to do something….The gym offers classes so why not do them…they would add to my fitness too.  I did Katabox classes and loved them.  High energy and a major sweat, I love sweating in the gym as it makes me feel like I am doing something.  My friend who teaches spinning classes told me about the Zumba classes that were new to the gym and I decided to go.  I HATED every second of it.  Each instructor is different in the way they teach and I realised the ‘sweat’ was not enough for me.  The beauty behind Zumba is that we all teach differently and we all have a different approach and different dance background.  I came to realise that I love the music and the vibe. 

 None the less, I decided to go to a dance class at a different gym, I was standing at the back, as one does, in the corner.  She welcomed everyone, introduced herself and said “hope you enjoy your hour of Zumba fitness”.  I looked around for the door and plotted how to get out.  I know it is rude to leave and I couldn’t get out fast enough.  Alas, I did not leave, I argued with myself that I have come to sweat and if I do not stay in this class i will need to say hello to the treadmill. 

 I stayed, I sweated and I LOVED IT!!! It was amazing…the music was great, the steps are easy and the vibe in the class was electric.  I went back again and again. 

 One day I heard the instructor talking to a member of the gym out the corner of my ear…”You can also become a Zumba instructor”, as I have previously said, do not be shy, ask questions to anyone and everyone that you can. 

 I became an instructor and as they say…”The rest is history!”

 I remember the day the gym called me looking for an instructor, I agreed to come teach, my nerves were shattered.  I needed to use a microphone, which I never have – I don’t know how to plug it in, let alone switch it on and use it.  I turned on the music and it filled me with joy, it was the most fun I had had in a long time, I let everything go and danced and danced, my class had a great time. 

 All in all, I was pretty selfish about becoming an instructor, I thought to myself that I will be forced to do an hour of cardio, if I wanted to or not, and the bonus was to be paid for doing it (Not much ill add – but it wasn’t for the money).  Things changed the day a member came up to me and said that she has lost 3kg’s after doing my class every week for a couple of months, from that day on, my focus had shifted and has become being about others and not just myself.  If others can achieve their goals and have a fun time doing it with me in my Zumba fitness classes, it just expands my heart and soul, and makes me happy to know.  I once had a goal and it took a lot of hard work and discipline, but I got there so I know that you can too. 

 It’s great to dream, but make your dreams a reality and live your dream….

 Yours in a healthy lifestyle

 ”The guy in the green shorts”