User Post: Taking the work out of the workout

Well it's been almost 3 months since I have gotten off my booty and excercised. And after trying many different things (like Step Aerobics and walking/jogging on a treadmill), I finally found the exercise I absolutely love. ZUMBA! For those that don't know what Zumba is, is a dance aerobics class that incorporates moves inspired by Salsa, Belly Dancing, Raggaeton, Merengue, Cumbia, Chachacha, Tango and many others. Even though I don't have a dancers body, I love to dance. So this was the perfect choice for me. I originally started to go to Zumba classes only twice a week in addition to trying other fitness classes. But I quickly became bored with the other fitness classes, they seemed like it was work. It was to the point that every 5 minutes I would look at the clock and think, "Crap, it's not even half over yet". But in Zumba I rarely look at the clock and before I know it I have worked out for a whole hour and barely noticed.

Because of this experience I have come to the conclusion, that exercising doesn't have to be hard work. At least not all the time. It can be fun and exhilerating. It can be looked forward to instead of dreaded.
So far, I have only lost a few pounds, that flucuate. But I have noticed the difference in my stress level, my energy level, and my husband even mentioned that he noticed me losing weight. And the measurable difference has been in my blood work. My total cholestoral dropped 61 points from being above normal to below and my HDL dropped 16 points to the normal range as well. Of course some of that has to do with me working towards changing my diet as well. But me exercising has sure helped a lot.

So I encourage you to find a form of exercise that is fun and that you look forward to, instead of just plain work and that you dread. And if you do have a form of exercise that you love, what is it? and why do you love it?