The Night Before Zumba

Last night I wrote to all my Zumba for Life instructors to run my training blog idea by them and I received enthusiastic responses all round.  In fact I am already booked for my first Zumba class tomorrow at 9 a.m. with Melissa Lopez the "fitness chica"  in White Plains. When my wife Debbue heard me say that I was taking the class she hollered from 3 rooms away "You'll never make it!"  It's funny she doesn't hear me or talk to me when we are in the same room, but when I'm talking to someone else and she is a few rooms away she hears everything and joins the conversation.  Anyway,  I'm not really sure what to expect since Melissa will be my first Zumba class ever! I thought the 9am class was a good idea since in then gives me about 48 hours until I have to go to work, which should be sufficient recovery time to at least walk. In anticipation of the class I started today off by trying to eat right throughout the day in an effort to mentally commit myself to these workouts. My mental committment suffers each time I glance at myself in the mirror so it's harder than you think.  I even finished the day off by getting me some new "Zumba Sneakers".  I hope they will add a little pizazz to the shapeless black workout gear I have.  Finally, to top things off I recruited by friend Mikey B to take the trip up to White Plains in the morning to help me with the media end of this blog.  So I am all ready to go.  I don't think Zumba will effect my fingers so look for an update tomorrow! By the way, the under/over on how long I will last for this first class is 10 minutes.....what do you think?
 

                                   My new "Zumba" Sneakers.  I hope they come with oxygen!

Check out Fitness Chica Melissa's Website!
http://funfitchic.net/2011/09/a-fit-chica-tells-her-story-v-8/

This Is Where It All Begins!

So this is where it all begins.  While that statement is not entirely true, today I begin my journey to Zumba for Life.  Zumba for Life was born just about two months ago.  As co-chair to the Bergen Beach, Mill Basin & Marine Park Relay for Life https://www.facebook.com/BergenBeach1?ref=hl I was trying to come up with some uniquely fabulous way to Kick-Off our 2013 fundraising season for the American Cancer Society.  I had just finished viewing a music video by my friend Donnie Klang from MTV's Making The Band for a song he had written called Zumba Tonight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CbWraAzO28.  The song was kind of catchy and I remembered everyone having fun with Zumba at our first Relay For Life this past summer and well.....Zumba for Life was born.  On top of that, we had just attended a regional meeting for ACS where the weekend theme was RELAY BIG IN 2013. So since it had to be big I decided that not only would we Zumba for our Relay for Life Kick-Off, but we would try to set the world record for the largest indoor Zumba class at our Kick-Off.  Our committee went full speed with the idea.  We created a Zumba For Life Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/events/282940285139192/   and the buzz hasn't slowed since. Great idea right?

Well, just today we were talking about our event which will take place on January 6th at the Brooklyn Aviator Sports Complex at 3159 Flatbush Avenue from 2 to 4, when it occurred to me.  How would it look if the guy who organized this record attempt couldn't do a Zumba class.  After all, I'm all about credibility.  The only problem is I am nowhere near Zumba ready.  I have never even taken a Zumba Class.  I can't dance. I'm not over the hill but I can see the top of it.  Plus, I've been gearing up my physique to play Santa Claus at my annual cookie swap!

I decided then and there, that  I will spend the next several weeks getting Zumba ready!  And since it is all about the buzz I will blog my efforts.  I will visit each of my participating certified Zumba instructors to take their classes, to get to know them, to get their tips and advice, to take some pictures and even some video, and then share it all with you! Good or bad (probably more bad) pretty or ugly (probably more ugly) I will let you accompany me on my journey to have at least some credibility on Zumba For Life day.

So stay tuned. Follow my blog. Join us on Facebook. Join us on Zumba For Life day.  Help us set the world record.  Help us raise some money for the American Cancer Society. Join me in creating a world with more birthdays!  It can be a lot of fun to be all in, so come along with me!