Why I Decided to Become a Licensed ZUMBA Instructor

Growing up, I was always an athlete; I played soccer, tennis, volleyball and even a year of basketball. Weight loss was never an issue because I was an energized stick who could outrun all the boys. However, once high school rolled around, I dropped all sports except volleyball and thanks to emerging hormones, I put on some love handles, and those strong soccer thighs because jugs of jello. I didn't understand why I put on pounds, and why my teammates could run the mile in record time while I was one of the last girls to finish. Believe it or not, I went through four years of high school having NO IDEA that girls my age went to gyms and worked out. 

I always thought that working out was something older people did when they wanted to lose weight. I was blind to the idea that people looked a certain way and excelled in sports because they maintained and toned themselves after school rather than going home and eating an entire box of mac n cheese as a snack. When I got to college, I made friends with sorority girls who all made use of the free campus gym memberships, and my eyes opened up to the world that I had been missing out on. And let me tell you, it was not easy to get into the swing of working out. 

I started off on the elliptical. That was exhausting, and 20 mins made me feel like I was really pushing the limit. I emerged into some treadmill work and realized how hard running fast was. I tried to keep myself going for 15 minutes, and I probably looked at the time at least 18 times. As the years passed, I worked my way up to 3 miles in 30 minutes, but running became boring. I switched it up by trying cross fit, which was a great workout, but it built my body up in ways that made me feel uncomfortable with how I looked. 

I was in a rut. I was in a dead end job after college, I was broke and tired, and the few times I went to the gym to work out, I was so bored with what I was doing that I would cut my times short until I eventually stopped going. I gained 20 pounds in 3 months. I went from a size 6 to a 10. I was miserable and I knew I had only myself to blame. 

That summer, I moved back home and my sister introduced me to Zumba Fitness. At first I was incredibly annoyed. I couldn't get the moves, it was hard to see the instructor, and, being the overachiever that I am, I was irritated at the thought of looking stupid. Even though I probably spent half the class rolling my eyes, I left there out of breath but I realized that I actually had fun working out. I knew I had to come back. I went to four different instructors classes and I when got to know the moves, I was able to really get into the songs and up my intensity to get an insanely amazing, sweaty, beyond belief exhausting but enjoyable workout.  

My mom, whom I had been going to water aerobics with, was also trying to lose weight and I knew I had to get her to a Zumba class. She was hesistant at first due to knee problems and the fact that she's not an athlete, but we went to class together, stood in back, and like me, she was hooked. That year, we encouraged each other to attend classes. I lost those 20 pounds and went from that size 10 to a 4. My mom lost over 35 pounds, dropped from a size 14 to a 6 and had more energy than I had ever seen her have in my whole life. I was so proud of my mom, as well as myself for sticking to our routine and getting in shape. 

Not only did Zumba strengthen the mother-daughter bond, but we were able to bond with our instructors. They truly became inspirations to us; always showing up to class positive, energized, and excited and that got us pumped to work out. They made it fun. FUN! No boring treadmills, no exhausting ellipticals, no instructors down your back urging you to lift more weights. They never pushed you when you were tired, never made you feel stupid for not knowing the moves, and even though I was in a room full of 20 other women, I always felt I had individual support from my instructor to aim beyond my limits and achieve an amazing workout. 

Zumba hasn't just changed the way I look, but it changed my attitude. I had more energy, I felt healthy, and it could completely flip a bad mood upside-down. I was addicted and I knew that as I moved across the country, I could never give up Zumba as part of my lifestyle. But I wanted more. I wanted to be the person that could give people what my instructors gave me; that feeling of fulfillment and accomplishment.  

I have currently had my Zumba license for over a year and I quit my job to start up 6 classes this fall. I love what I do and I love my class regulars who I can tell depend on me for their fitness needs as I did on my instructors. I am constantly listening to Zumba music in the house or in the car to the point that my husband can recognize the songs and sing certain parts. Zumba is my passion, and I encourage everyone to at least try one Zumba class. It doesn't have to be my class, but do not be afraid to walk in, find the instructor and tell them you have no idea what is going on, but you're there to give it a try. Worst case, you don't like the class and you go back to your regular routine, or you can gain a whole new perspective on your abilities to work out, have fun, and find out what the Zumba bond is all about.