Joining the Party
Zumba is seemingly the craziest most carefree workout on the market. After an hour of bootyshaking my BodyBugg tells me that I have burned over 600 calories! It seems pretty incredible that I could burn so many calories without feeling like I am working out, in fact, I feel like I have been hitting the club sans cocktails. I am certainly sweaty, but much more energized than if I had just spent an hour on the treadmill. After one class I am hooked.
I find myself taking several classes a week and still wanting more, so I decide to become a certified instructor. The morning of the instructor training I have no idea what to expect. When I arrive at the gym I am greeted by Zumba professionals decked out in Zumba attire (BRIGHT colors, cleavage, and wild accessories) and full make-up. I am one of the only gals that showed up without make-up and in ordinary gym clothes. I had never seen women so done up and colorful in Portland! I feel like I am back in LA at a dance audition and completely unprepared.
The training begins with a two hour Zumba class to get things warmed up before the instructor breaks-down the formulas involved in choreography. Zumba is far more complex than I ever imagined! While it seems like a spontaneous eruption of hip shaking and shimmying, it is actually a carefully planned out hour long routine.
Eight hours of workshops later I am handed a diploma and certified as an instructor. Do I feel that I could stand in front of a large crowd and lead them through an hour of Zumba? Not exactly, but I have a new found admiration for the instructors and know that a couple more months of classes and I may just be ready. Until then I will continue to join the party!
I find myself taking several classes a week and still wanting more, so I decide to become a certified instructor. The morning of the instructor training I have no idea what to expect. When I arrive at the gym I am greeted by Zumba professionals decked out in Zumba attire (BRIGHT colors, cleavage, and wild accessories) and full make-up. I am one of the only gals that showed up without make-up and in ordinary gym clothes. I had never seen women so done up and colorful in Portland! I feel like I am back in LA at a dance audition and completely unprepared.
The training begins with a two hour Zumba class to get things warmed up before the instructor breaks-down the formulas involved in choreography. Zumba is far more complex than I ever imagined! While it seems like a spontaneous eruption of hip shaking and shimmying, it is actually a carefully planned out hour long routine.
Eight hours of workshops later I am handed a diploma and certified as an instructor. Do I feel that I could stand in front of a large crowd and lead them through an hour of Zumba? Not exactly, but I have a new found admiration for the instructors and know that a couple more months of classes and I may just be ready. Until then I will continue to join the party!
Making Family Fitness Fun
Worried that your family isn’t getting enough exercise? Many families find it hard to make the time for fitness. Between work, school, and extra-curricular activities it can be hard to squeeze in gym time for yourself and “running around” time for the kids. Busy lives often lead to evenings spent sluggishly in front of the television. The key to working fitness into regular family life is to make fitness fun for everyone!
As humans, we have an intrinsic need to exert energy. With stress levels created by today’s troublesome economy, and the loss of physical education in many public schools, the need to get out and run free is even greater. Increased physical activity can lead to better sleep at night (for you and the kids), and who doesn’t want that?
Fitness can be fun! Start a family sports league with neighbors or other families looking to get in shape. Practicing a couple of nights a week and playing games on the weekend can not only get you moving, but it is also a great opportunity for family bonding time.
Embrace your inner child! Activities like jumping rope, hula hooping, ice skating, and sledding are not just for the kids. Rather than superivising the kids while they play, join them! Playing equals buring calories while having fun!
Explore your world! Hikes, walks on the beach, and jogs through parks can be wonderful forms of exercise that not only get your heart rate up, but also indulge your humanly desire for adventure. Young children love to go for nature walks, exploring their surroundings, turning over rocks and making discoveries. Making fitness an adventure is so fun that you won’t even realize you are exercising. Before you know it, you will be the fittest family on the block!
As humans, we have an intrinsic need to exert energy. With stress levels created by today’s troublesome economy, and the loss of physical education in many public schools, the need to get out and run free is even greater. Increased physical activity can lead to better sleep at night (for you and the kids), and who doesn’t want that?
Fitness can be fun! Start a family sports league with neighbors or other families looking to get in shape. Practicing a couple of nights a week and playing games on the weekend can not only get you moving, but it is also a great opportunity for family bonding time.
Embrace your inner child! Activities like jumping rope, hula hooping, ice skating, and sledding are not just for the kids. Rather than superivising the kids while they play, join them! Playing equals buring calories while having fun!
Explore your world! Hikes, walks on the beach, and jogs through parks can be wonderful forms of exercise that not only get your heart rate up, but also indulge your humanly desire for adventure. Young children love to go for nature walks, exploring their surroundings, turning over rocks and making discoveries. Making fitness an adventure is so fun that you won’t even realize you are exercising. Before you know it, you will be the fittest family on the block!
Exercising With A Bump!
The benefits of exercising during pregnancy are remarkable. Although bed rest is a medical necessity for some women, the majority of us can use exercise as a tool to maintain healthy weight, increase/maintain strength to support an easier labor, strengthen our backs and core to prevent back pain, and just keep you feeling good overall. Now, I am not trying to tell you what to do, but this is what worked for me and I welcome you to give it a try!
Pregnancy is not the time to try and train for a triathlon, but there are many exercises that can be done easily and effectively throughout the three trimesters. Swimming has been the most amazing relief for me. I have had the lovely experience of enjoying parts of my second and third trimesters during the summertime. You don’t know what hot is until you’ve experienced summertime pregnancy! Swimming not only cooled me down, but it eased the pressure on my joints and gave me a wonderful feeling of weightlessness. There are many options when it comes to exercises that can be done in the pool. I have never been a good swimmer. In fact, as a child I was kicked out of swim class because I threw hysterical tantrums every time I was told to put my face under water. (I have a feeling karma is going to back to me on that one when I try to place my little one in swim lessons one day.) A great way to swim laps, if you’re no Michael Phelps, is to buy a kick board and use it senior citizen style. Sure, you might get some strange looks from other people in the pool because you are using a kickboard and you are under the age of 65, but it makes for a great workout! Water aerobics is another wonderful option if it is available in your area.
Yoga and Pilates can also be very enjoyable while pregnant. The gentle stretches of yoga can be quite soothing on tired and stretched muscles and can leave you feeling like you’ve just had a nice little massage. There are several dvds on the market for pregnant yoga, and many stretches can be found on yoga websites for free! Pilates is a great way to strengthen your muscles without the risk of lifting too much weight while pumping iron. In Pilates you are using your own body weight and can retire to a seated position at any time during the exercise. Many studios offer prenatal Yoga and Pilates classes that are a great way to get your exercise while meeting other expectant mamas.
Walking is the most obvious and easy form of exercise. Studies continue to show the benefits of walking whether you’re Prego or not. A simple walk can help you de-stress, and let’s face it, pregnancy is stressful! Now that I am nearing the end of trimester number three, the home stretch, I find that walking and stretching are the only forms of exercising I enjoy. Walking my dog and going for easy hikes have become my favorite activities recently. If you are lucky enough to live near the ocean, a lake, or river, then I recommend walking along one of these. There is something very calming and peaceful about large bodies of water. Walking through beautiful scenery can make you forget that you are even exercising.
Of course, you should always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program, but as long as the doctor gives you the green light, I strongly recommend physical activity throughout your pregnancy. During my first trimester I exercised with the gusto of my pre-pregnancy days, but I have definitely tapered off as my bump has grown larger. I have not had a rough pregnancy. Luckily, there has been minimal sickness and I could fit into my pre-pregnant jeans until I was seven months along. I attribute these wonderful things to my healthy diet and exercise. Staying active is important for your physical and mental health and can help you maintain your sexy body and look even better after your bundle of joy arrives!
Pregnancy is not the time to try and train for a triathlon, but there are many exercises that can be done easily and effectively throughout the three trimesters. Swimming has been the most amazing relief for me. I have had the lovely experience of enjoying parts of my second and third trimesters during the summertime. You don’t know what hot is until you’ve experienced summertime pregnancy! Swimming not only cooled me down, but it eased the pressure on my joints and gave me a wonderful feeling of weightlessness. There are many options when it comes to exercises that can be done in the pool. I have never been a good swimmer. In fact, as a child I was kicked out of swim class because I threw hysterical tantrums every time I was told to put my face under water. (I have a feeling karma is going to back to me on that one when I try to place my little one in swim lessons one day.) A great way to swim laps, if you’re no Michael Phelps, is to buy a kick board and use it senior citizen style. Sure, you might get some strange looks from other people in the pool because you are using a kickboard and you are under the age of 65, but it makes for a great workout! Water aerobics is another wonderful option if it is available in your area.
Yoga and Pilates can also be very enjoyable while pregnant. The gentle stretches of yoga can be quite soothing on tired and stretched muscles and can leave you feeling like you’ve just had a nice little massage. There are several dvds on the market for pregnant yoga, and many stretches can be found on yoga websites for free! Pilates is a great way to strengthen your muscles without the risk of lifting too much weight while pumping iron. In Pilates you are using your own body weight and can retire to a seated position at any time during the exercise. Many studios offer prenatal Yoga and Pilates classes that are a great way to get your exercise while meeting other expectant mamas.
Walking is the most obvious and easy form of exercise. Studies continue to show the benefits of walking whether you’re Prego or not. A simple walk can help you de-stress, and let’s face it, pregnancy is stressful! Now that I am nearing the end of trimester number three, the home stretch, I find that walking and stretching are the only forms of exercising I enjoy. Walking my dog and going for easy hikes have become my favorite activities recently. If you are lucky enough to live near the ocean, a lake, or river, then I recommend walking along one of these. There is something very calming and peaceful about large bodies of water. Walking through beautiful scenery can make you forget that you are even exercising.
Of course, you should always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program, but as long as the doctor gives you the green light, I strongly recommend physical activity throughout your pregnancy. During my first trimester I exercised with the gusto of my pre-pregnancy days, but I have definitely tapered off as my bump has grown larger. I have not had a rough pregnancy. Luckily, there has been minimal sickness and I could fit into my pre-pregnant jeans until I was seven months along. I attribute these wonderful things to my healthy diet and exercise. Staying active is important for your physical and mental health and can help you maintain your sexy body and look even better after your bundle of joy arrives!
