The Today Show's Hoda Kotb on Her New Favorite Workout: Zumba Fitness!
The co-host of Kathie Lee and Hoda's fourth hour of the Today show, Hoda Kotb, shares her obsession with Zumba fitness, music, and raising awareness about heart disease.
-Faye Brennan, BettyConfidential.com
Hoda Kotb makes me laugh every single morning. I never know what crazy topic she's going to bring up (or what cocktail she's going to sip) when she hosts the fourth hour of the Today show opposite Kathie Lee Gifford. But, I do know that my mornings are a lot better when Hoda is a part of them.
I recently had the chance to speak with my morning buddy at the Grand Ballroom in New York City, where she participated in a Zumba Fitness Party Hearty "Zumbathon" to benefit the American Heart Association's Go Red Por Tu Corazón. The program raises awareness about the dangers of heart disease among Latina women - a cause that Hoda cares deeply about.
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Now, if you've never heard of Zumba before, it's the latest dance craze that's sweeping the nation. It involves a lot of high-energy booty shakin', pumping music, and fun, neon workout gear. If you know Hoda, you know exactly why it's right up her alley.
Here, the morning talk show host shares exactly what it is she loves about the innovative workout, as well as what's playing on her iPod, and what she wants you to know about heart disease:
Party Hearty "Zumbathon"
How did you discover Zumba fitness and what do you like about it?
"It was one of those things - anything that involves dancing, music and sweating and all that. I like to exercise; I just don't like the 'exercising' part. I like the fun feeling of it, and there's something about Zumba that's unique. When you're dancing and you don't realize that a half hour or even an hour has gone by, it's shocking! I think anything that makes it go by quickly is good. Plus, it's infectious. You meet people who've done Zumba, and it's like they're all drinking the Kool-Aid! They say, 'You haven't done it? Why aren't you doing it?'
There was one woman here who said she lost 300 pounds from Zumba! Another one told me she dropped 50 pounds. It seems to be the only thing that's working for people, and I enjoy it."
Hoda meeting Zumba fans
You love music! You even have "Hoda's Playlist" on your show. What are some songs you're listening to now?
"That is my favorite thing on our show! If there's music involved, I love it. One of my favorite songs right now is 'Get Me Bodied' by Beyonce. It is so crazy great. I love Katy Perry's new song, 'E.T.,' and I love 'Black and Yellow.' I can play that on the Stairmaster over and over. I also like the old school stuff, too.
You have such a busy schedule. Are there any days when you can't find the time to get in a workout, and what do you do to make up for that?
"I actually work out at five in the morning before the show. I get picked up and go right to the gym. It's the only way to do it. I think when you realize that your days can get complicated - like today I had a Dateline shoot and something else after it - one thing follows the next and pretty soon the day is over. So I like to front-load my day. Since our show is at 10 a.m., I try to do a workout at five, have breakfast and read the paper. I make that the important part, and then, who cares after that? The wheels fall off at the end of the day - it's over anyway after eleven!
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What about Kathie Lee? Do you ever share weight loss tips with each other?
"She stops eating everything! She's like, 'I don't eat bread, I don't eat cheese, I don't eat that…' And I say, 'What is left to eat?' Because she cuts things out - she cuts out certain food groups that she likes, and it works! She works out, too - she does Pilates, walks and runs. Look, you know, everyone has their own way of getting calories in, and you know exactly what her way is! Don't tell anybody I said that!"
Why is raising heart disease awareness important to you?
"It's one of the things that means a lot to me. My dad died when he was very young from heart disease and it was one of those things that you didn't pay that much attention to. You don't realize how easily preventable it is - if you just take some basic steps you can really take care of yourself. You picture a man clutching his heart and dropping to the ground, but heart disease kills more women than anybody. It kills more women than cancer. So, when you think about that, you want to remind women of the little things they can do to prevent it. We always put ourselves last - first, we make sure the kids are OK, the husband is OK, and then, who's left? Me!"
Faye Brennan is assistant editor at BettyConfidential.
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