Yesterday marked a return to the fitness regime that started in April and ended in May on a beach in Portugal. With the marathon staring at me from seven months in the future, I felt it was time to attempt to shed some pounds and gain some strength.
As it stands currently, I can’t run a mile.
I entered the gym with apprehension in my mouth. Around me, stood individuals with bodies like Adonis’s, sweat glistened on their brow, and they played with intimidating looking weights and they pounded at the treadmill in fury. Me? I stood, self conscious, with my Natalie Cassidy leggings on and an oversize t – shirt that caught on the bulge in my middle.
I didn’t fit in.
However the plan is to get marathon fit, so I shoved my misgivings aside, swallowed a glug of watery mixed with bravery, and entered the studio where my first class was waiting for me.
Zumba.
I thought this was a nice way to get back in the zone, a bit of dance, a bit of jumping, a bit of getting fit. I looked around the room and saw others to be of similiar age or more mature and figured I could handle it. My one concern was that my sports bra had mysteriously disappeared that morning, last seen on BB’s head as she cried ‘ear muffs, mummy, ear muffs’ and I was wearing a regular over the shoulder boulder holder with a tight fitting sports top over the top.
I was a little bouncy…
In fact when the first song kicked into action, and I realised that Zumba is all about dance moves I have never been able to comprehend, coupled with a fair amount of jumping and leaping about, I became aware that my body was like a huge ripple, starting at the chest, wobbling down through the tummy and finishing at my ample sized arse.
With the huge glass mirrors in front of me, I looked like a huge, vibrating, lycra, frog. With bells on.
Yes, as a treat we were given scarfs with bells on – so we could go all Bollywood.
I found a spot without a mirror in front of it, found my inner chime, and went for it. The teacher went left, I went right, I collided with a lady a few decades older who took my apology graciously, but still left the class rubbing her thigh. I threw myself into the dance moves like it was the millennium and I was celebrating the turn of midnight.
I looked a fool, and my bells were out of sync with the class.
But….
I loved it, I rang out loud and clear, and I could feel my body awakening after months of not working.
I am so going back next week….
If they will have me!
I blooming LOVE Zumba! Although I have been known to bust out a couple of the moves after a glass or two of wine on a Friday night, much to the NLM’s horror. You know what we should do… a Zumba party!
No!
Maybe share with your reader via the medium of video? yes???
No!!
I agree with Gemma, we need to see video evidence to really share in this new found love of yours… Bravo to you though, I really need to shift my arse into action, I am SO unfit and pant just walking up the (can’t really be defined as a) hill at the end of my road! Go back next week and shake those bells for all of us! x
and more no!!!!
I have done one session on Zumba – played through my wii and done in the comfort of my own home. Hubby played along. It was beyond hilarious but made me realise I could NEVER go to a class…
Oh go on!!!!
love this!! wonder if there is a les mills sh’bam class offered near you? you may enjoy that one!!!
a what?
‘a vibrating, lycra frog’ – LOL. You are such a funny writer…. I’ve so wanted to try out Zumba – it looks great. Did you find your sports bra? X
*Points at black eyes* – no
Good for you! Good luck. I’m still wetting myself at the lycra frog comment. Reminded me of your Kermit avatar.
I love kermie
Well done you!!! I always found with zumba the problem was I don’t look quite as good doing it, in the real world as I do in my head!
I look awesome. If everyone has their eyes closed
Good on ya for trying it. I have been wanting to do Yoga for years (you know in an effort to focus my chi) but I honestly haven’t had the balls! So you may have just given me the push to get on with it and do it!