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Just watched some zumba classes clips on youtube - wow they move fast!!

plaingirly - don't make yourself panic by watching YouTube video's. Go to a class, give it a go - you'll have a great time.

joanie that's not helpful. That's the second post I have read from you today where you have just posted out of sheer nastiness. Now eff off back to your bridge, there's a dear

Go go go for it! Zumba is so much fun and a bloody good work out. At my class there are the while range of sizes and abilities and a fantastic, very welcoming instructor. First class is always hard because you will spend all your time trying to follow the moves so it won't feel like you've worked v hard but give it 3 or 4 classes and you'll be hooked. Find a large ish class so you don't feel conspicuous.
Once you are exercising regularly you will feel more inclined to eat well as you don't want to undo your good work!
Have fun.

Are there any Zumba Gold or over 50's /beginners classes around your area during the day?
These would be a really good introduction to learning the steps, as it can be a bit demoralising when you spend the whole session just trying to learn. Then you could move up to the more energetic sessions after a couple of those.

I tried out three different places/instructors before finding one that I really liked and was at my level.
Doesn't take long to get the hang of it, I have no rhythm but still really enjoy it!

I do Zumba twice a week. Lost a stone, the last of the baby weight in a few months, just by doing that (and now weigh 7st 7lbs so was a big proportion of my weight).

Really depends on the class too though. My instructor works us very hard. One lady had one of those calorie burner count thingies which showed that it burned around over 600 cals in the hour long class. It is very intensive, certianly much more than any aerobics class I've gone to. Went to a zumbathon recently where my instructor, plus a few others did their routines, and our classes were definitely harder, so it does really depend.

It's loads of fun too! I look after 2 small kids all day on the days I go to Zumba and I'm totally shattered by the end of the day, but I still go cos it's so much fun!
Go and enjoy and lose weight!

Have you thought of trying spinning, it is intense but you can control your resistance, no coordination required! I come out sweating buckets.

I went tonight and survived!

There were 8 of us so I didn't feel intimidated and managed to follow a few of the steps.

I had worked it up in my mind as this scary thing and thought that I would have been the worst looking, least fit and fattest.

There was another lady there who was about a 16/18 so I felt much better!

Nice one plaingirly glad you enjoyed it. Now change your name to Zumbagirly

I spent my whole first class laughing like a loon at my ineptitude.

Also, if your pelic floor is a bit compromised, maybe slip in a Tena Lite.

Wait, so you're less than a size 16 but need to lose 5 stone?

I'm a size 16 and need to lose 4 stone. I'm not particularly tall, so I suppose it is possible.

Suppose so. I'm the same tbh. I just thought if you were, say a 14 that's a lot to lose!

Love your name Uterus

I'm 5'2! So the weight really shows plus I am almost an 18 on the bottom half.

I am going to weigh myself once a week as I don't want to get obsessed!

The nurse at the Drs office said I should lose about that much - brings me to the middle of "normal" then.

It does sound like a huge amount to lose and that is what intimidates me.

Same height as me. I was an 18 and have lost 4 stone. I wouldn't miss another if I lost one.

Good on you for going plaingirly - pleased you enjoyed it. We have such a giggle at ours - there is a lot of 'whooping'.

I was over 3stone over weight 2 years ago. I now have a BMI of 26 - on paper I still probably have over a stone to lose, but I have made a real effort to get fit rather than diet. Obviously I watch what i eat, but I'm not obsessive about it.

I now exercise 4 or 5 times a week and love it. Once my general fitness improved, I added other classes (toning etc) and my body shape has changed massively.

If I can do it, anyone can !!

That's true Northumberlandlass I've struggled with my weight all my life and have gone up and down. Now that I am actually happy with my body (it's all relative!) I don't think I could let myself get bigger again. I realise just how much I hated it. It's like I'm finally myself.

I began Zumba classes about 18 months ago & I was & still am unfit! I went once a week and I really enjoyed it. I have it on the wii which is where I do it now as the people I use to to the class with font really go now & it's awful when I've gone on my own, talk about billy no mates! It's a shame as I really enjoyed the classes much better than at home on wii. You get out as much as you put in, I've been super lazy now for a while so need to get my ass in gear & get back into it. But I believe when I started doing Zumba classes & doing it at home in the first stages (coupled with side effects of new meds I was on) I lost around 20lb or so. I just haven't got any motivation at the moment or feel like i have any energy.

AH HaveAGoodDay - do you have to go with someone to class. I go to all my classes alone and bend the ear chat to everyone.

Part of zumba for me is making friendships & giggling! I wouldn't do it at home, alone as that just doesn't appeal to me.

If I don't go to zumba I feel lethargic.... then I don't want to go to class..Whereas my energy levels are hugely increased if I can shake my booty a few times a week (and giggle).

Went to zumba again last night - bigger class! It was fun. I still can't follow the steps though. Bit of a giggle with some of the moves!

I slept really well last night too - added benefit!

Pleased you're enjoying it. You'll get the hang of the steps just in time for them to change routine.....all part of the fun!

<high fives plaingirly>

I reckon you need a new name though. Plaingirly I bet you're not

Yy everlong

I think I am going to go to the Monday class every week. The Tuesday class was really good too ...... Shame they are on consecutive days!

Still plain! Was plain even when I was a "reasonable" weight. Just want to feel healthy and fit now!