One of my 2014 resolutions was to try new experiences that pushed me out of my comfort zone a bit. My love of music combined with my new-found zest for life propelled me towards my local community center to try out my first ever Zumba class. After commissioning a friend to come with me, we headed out to our first class last night.
I had a mild panic attack during the day. Everyone would be a size two, right? All of them would know the steps? And wear matching leotards? It would surely be like something out of a movie. Like Step Up? Save the Last Dance? I sifted through my workout wardrobe and settled on comfortable black cut-off pants, a t-shirt (after switching out of one with a bleach stain), and a newly acquired runner’s light-weight hoodie from Old Navy.
We arrived on time and I was pleasantly surprised to find two things: 1. There were more than the two of us which means {fingers crossed} the focus would NOT be directly on us and 2. NO ONE (except the peppy instructor) wore a size two. I breathed a sigh of relief and picked my spot. After 50 minutes of sweating and moving, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I LOVED it and cannot wait for next week! I thought I’d offer a few helpful suggestions if you decide to try one out yourself (heck, I’d love to go with you somewhere! send me an email!).
1. This is the absolute truth.
Several times throughout the class, the instructor was moving and as much as I wanted to believe I had swagger, I didn’t. In fact, I had two thoughts – I’m either going to throw out a hip (and I’m not even that old) or the fact that my body has never moved in those ways and I have two children.
2. Regardless of number one, keep moving as Melisa at Suburban Scrawl says.
No one’s looking at you. Not really anyway. The music is too fast-paced for anyone to be concerned about anything other than what they are doing. The important thing is to have fun, keep moving and TRY!
3. The mirror is not the enemy.
Having never taken an official fitness class before, this was terrifying. Seeing the full-lenth of my body contort itself as I sweat profusely is not usually my idea of a good time, but eventually, I used the mirror to see if I was mimicking the moves correctly. Help not a hindrance at that point.
4. Learn any and every Pitbull song and practice at home.
Okay, this is my favorite because I already love Mr. Worldwide and any chance to Do-Si-Do is a win-win in my book.
5. Feel Amazing! Break a Sweat! And convince your husband or Channing Tatum to massage you afterwards.
And if you add Channing Tatum in at the end, it’s just like Step Up anyways.
Have you tried Zumba? I’d love to hear any suggestions or what you thought of your first time!
This made me giggle.
And YES, one of the things I love about Zumba is that you will find all sizes, all ages, and even both genders in any given class.
The other thing I would mention to people who aren’t familiar with Zumba is that the choreography for each song stays the same with that particular instructor, so once you’ve been to a class a couple of times, you know what you’re doing…until they switcharoo and remove one song to add a new one! ha!
So glad you loved it. Wish we lived closer. You and I in the same Zumba class? WHOA.
I love zumba! I even have a wii game but it’s definitely not the same at all!
I love that song TIMBER. When I hear it I dance. I cannot help it, and that kind of music usually isn’t my scene. Anyway, CONGRATS! I am glad you had fun and are inspiring me to try.
Good for you!! You are doing so great. I hope to add some sort of fitness to my year once my ankle heals. I’ve often thought about zumba but I have a lot of fears about doing something like that…in public. Maybe xbox has a version?? 🙂
OMG, that first picture! That is exactly why I only Zumba in the safety of my living room!
Giggled throughout this post 🙂 My Zumba instructor also shakes it to “Timber!”
Your hilarious first photo sums up my experience (been three times), but I always to go back for more… You’re so right about the mirrors! Go Zumba Samantha!