Zumba Firsts

On Sunday, I posted a funny little video, a public service announcement about the dangers of addiction to distance running. I mentioned there, that I think I am safe from any running addiction (although I know there are those of you out there in trouble) ... but Zumba? I DO think I might have a slight addiction. Not enough that I need an intervention just yet.

I had never been to a Zumba class before this year. I never thought I would. I can't dance, and I exercise on my own. When my church offered a free class, I pushed myself (and believe you me, I had to PUSH) to give it a try (I Hope You Dance). I wasn't hooked after the first day, it took a few times. But then ... I wanted more. In addition to my Tuesday class, I started attending a Thursday class. Then I added a Wednesday class. I figured I'd be fine with my Tues/Wed/Thurs schedule ... but I wanted MORE.

I had a few Zumba "firsts" this past weekend ...

• ANOTHER NEW: All three of the classes I'd been to had a common denominator ... my original instructor. She was the one who introduced the additional classes. She attended them all and taught a couple numbers at the Wed/Thurs.  So I had some familiarity even as I attended them for the first time. On Friday morning, I went to a completely new class all on my own. I'd found this one through a Facebook group. It's a little further, but I think I'll go again if I don't have an option closer to home.
• IN THE EVENING: One of the instructors from the Thursday class was holding an evening class. All my Zumba to date had been in the mornings. This was my first evening class ... and my first double day (this was also on Friday).
• 1ST PAID CLASS: So far ... all my Zumba classes have been free ones, at local churches. I was in the mood and had some free time Saturday morning, so I found a class. It was $2. It was different ... in a studio. In the dark with flashing strobe lights. The music was more modern (lots of Top20 type hits). It was a single instructor, but she sure kept up the energy! It was pretty crowded (a smaller room). I don't know if I'll do this every Saturday, but it's nice to have the option there.

I am NOT one for change or trying new things, so these are pretty big moves for me (NSVs for sure!)! My Zumba experience so far has been interesting. I've now gone to eight different locations, over a dozen different instructors, so many different songs and steps.  I'm enjoying it all!  I've found out about a couple Monday classes, so I'll be adding that into the rotation. I keep all my numbers (HRM and Fitbit Stats) and it's so interesting to compare them class to class ... sometimes they line up to how I feel, other times I'm a little mystified, unsure why I'm not getting the heart rate up for a better calorie burn (just like weight loss ... or the lack thereof after adding up the numbers).

Yesterday's numbers ... 450 calories burned according to the HRM. 487 according to Fitbit (sometimes these two estimates are very different). In the "zone" 45minutes  of the hour, over 7000 steps and my average and max heart. One of my best days.

 Today ended up being ANOTHER first ... a little outdoor Zumba. The church it was supposed to be held at had it's floors refinished, so we relocated only to find that church also just had it's floors refinished. So we just danced in the parking lot! My first outdoor Zumba ... it was actually quite fun!

Do YOU Zumba?
If you live in Utah, be sure to check out my Free  Utah Zumba Classes post!

Linking up with WorkOutWednesday and The Hump Day Blog Hop.