Ask Dear Gaby

I am in my early 50s and worry about weight gain especially around my middle which is not healthy.  I have just started to do a exercise dance class called Zumba and love it. It is a wonderful alternative to the elliptical, treadmill, stair stepper and spin; AND more importantly you can burn up to 500 calories in just one hour.

I am not a dancer and have no prior dance experience.  But if you love music and are willing to try something new, Zumba is something worth considering. Everyone seems to be getting into it.  People of all shapes and sizes and ages.  So I figured why not give it a try?  I really needed to mix up my workouts since I am getting so bored with the usual cardio machines and spin.

So far, I have taken about a half dozen Zumba classes and am starting to pick up the feet movement.  I am just having a blast.  Everyone seems to be having as much fun as I am in the class.  As a result, I went out and bought a pair of dance sneakers and Zumba clothing to dance in.  Now I look like I know how to Zumba, and have made a commitment to myself to do 4-5 Zumba classes weekly until I feel comfortable with the dance steps.  I take Zumba classes at the Sports CLub LA in Miami and also now at DAF Studios in Miami.  Between these two locations, I am able to easily find 4-5 classes each week that can fit into my schedule.   I will report back next month on  how much my Zumba movements have improved.

So, if you are bored with your workouts and you want to do something fun and burn off a ton of calories, give Zumba a try.