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Why Zumba Fitness?

7/25/2013

3 Comments

 
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If you are  are looking to lose weight, reduce stress, strengthen your heart, improve your endurance and energy, and even sleep better...exercise is your answer! And, the good news is we are enjoying such a growth in the fitness industry now-so many different kinds of classes to try!

Fusion fitness...paddleboard Yoga (yes...yoga using a paddleboard!)...circuit training...Plenty of things to catch your interest. 

Dance fitness continues to be rated among top fitness trends, too. And the Zumba® Fitness program is stronger than ever. Why?  Simply put, it's fun, and it gets results! I read an article that offered thoughts on the top ten reasons people love Zumba® classes. Take a look:

1. Zumba® combines resistance training with fast and slow intervals to keep your body confused, increase fat burning, and sculpt muscles. The varying rhythms keep your body from learning the routine. If you keep your body confused, you won't hit a fitness or weight-loss plateau.

2. Zumba® is easy to follow. You repeat a lot of the same moves, so Zumba® is easy to learn. You can head to your first Zumba® class and still get a great workout because you won't be completely lost.

3. Zumba® is credited with improving coordination. Zumba® will get your body moving all together and definitely improves your muscle tone.

4. Zumba® improves mental clarity. Learning new Zumba® routines gives your brain a good workout as well as your body. Zumba® releases your inhibitions and lets you let your mind go. Zumba® provides a little mental vacation while working your body, mind, and spirit.

5. Most exercise routines focus on a specific area. Not Zumba®! Zumba® gives your core an intense workout creating killer abs, while increasing long, lean muscle growth in your arms and legs, and firms up the glutes.

6. Zumba® is fast! You'll burn tons of calories. Depending on your fitness level, you can burn hundreds of calories in one Zumba® session! That is powerful fuel for weight loss.

7. The fun, fast-paced Latin beat puts you in a good mood. Zumba® rhythms make you feel free and happy.

8. The Zumba® format allows you to customize your workout, move at your own pace, and exercise at the best level for you!

9. Zumba® is fun! A lot of workouts feel like a punishment. You almost forget you're working out when you take a Zumba® class! When you have fun with a workout, it makes it easier to stick with it!

10. Because Zumba® is an easy program to stick with, you will actually start seeing results and experiencing the long-term benefits of a regular cardiovascular workout faster than you might with other programs. Zumba® allows the people who have never been able to stick with a diet and exercise plan to sleep better, have more energy, increased stamina, increased bone density, lower blood pressure, and all of the other benefits of a regular cardio program.

Do you connect with any of those reasons? What do you love about your Zumba® classes?

j.


3 Comments

Summertime is a GREAT Time to Lose Weight!

6/2/2013

1 Comment

 
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      Most often, you hear about people dieting to lose weight in time for summer...but...some interesting research shows it may be better to diet in the summer, to boost your chances of success! 

Celebrity Doctor Oz made the rounds on TV talk shows discussing this concept, saying that dieting may be easier in the summer because sunlight increases serotonin levels, and that can help to curb some people's cravings-especially for stress-related eating.

Studies also show people seem to eat less when the weather's hot, and that summer encourages more movement because people spend more time outdoors.

Summertime can also be beneficial for weight loss when it comes to eating...the seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables at lower prices can fill a diet with healthy choices.

And, psychologists say it's possible to increase your chances of reaching your weight loss goal by attaching it to a holiday.  Let's see how much we can accomplish by the 4th of July!

j.








1 Comment

Summer Cookout Calories!

5/26/2013

1 Comment

 
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Memorial Day weekend...the official, unofficial start to the summer season...

Many of us like to mark the day by honoring our military and their families for the sacrifices they've made for our freedom and safety.

The weekend's also a time for family gatherings and backyard barbeques! As we continue to want to slim down and tone up so that we can feel confident, happy, and healthy this summer, it's important to keep calorie counts in mind, to be aware of what we're putting in our mouths, and how it will work for---or against---our fitness goals. 

There are lots of healthy options to reduce the calories in cookout food...and that's a good thing...because some of the most popular basics can pack quite a punch!

Take a look:

 Fried chicken:
1 breast = 423
1 wing = 102
1 drumstick = 280

Deviled eggs: - 1/2 large = 62

Baked Beans:
1 cup regular= 382
vegetarian = 239

Barbecued ribs:
4 oz. beef = 288
4 oz. pork = 273

Hamburger:
with condiments = 272
cheeseburger = 295
veggie burger = 124

Hot dog:
1 plain = 250
1 with ketchup and mustard = 284
1 with chili and cheese = 390

Pasta salad: 1 cup = 358

Potato salad:
1 cup = 358
with egg = 262
German style = 154

Brownies:
1 plain = 129
1 with frosting = 170

Lemonade: 1 cup = 99

Life's too short to deprive yourself of the things you really want---enjoy your family...AND your cookouts! Staying informed allows you to make smart choices, so that you can stay happy, healthy, and strong...and enjoy even more! :)

And remember...come and work out with me...at our special Memorial Day Morning Zumba Class! Looking forward to a fun---calorie burning---stress relieving hour with you!

j,




1 Comment

Commit To Fitness, Especially During the Holidays!

11/9/2011

9 Comments

 
Holiday ads are already hitting us---it's an even busier time of year. And, although this is a happy time, it can also be a stressful period, where we end up feeling overworked and burdened. There just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to fit everything in...but... now is not the time to abandon exercise! 

Remember that exercise is an excellent, efficient trigger for stress relief! Moving more helps you feel better fast. That in and of itself can be a great motivator for sticking with a fitness plan! 

Here are some other tips to keep you moving through the holidays: 

Exercise with a Friend:  You've heard it before, but research continues to support the idea that the buddy system works when it comes to working out! Research shows people are more likely to exercise regularly if they do it with a friend, or as part of a group. This is a great time of year to treat a friend to a fun Zumba class with you!

Make it Routine:  Consistency counts when it comes to making fitness part of your lifestyle.  Block out your exercise time as fiercly as you would any other important event. Treat it as an appointment that simply can't be moved.  If you start to allow yourself to think that your workout is optional, it becomes optional!

Break it Up:  If the thought of committing to going to an exercise class twice a week for the next two months is too much to handle, Focus on a one month, or one week goal instead.  Create a program that is achievable for you, for your best chances of sticking with it! 

Schedule Smart:  When's the best time for you to workout? When it best fits into your day.  Many people find that time to be first thing in the morning, or right after work---before the day sucks you up.  Trying to make it to a class at a time that forces you to choose between that and other responsiblities will be hard to stick with long-term. 

Celebrate Milestones:  Success isn't measured only on the scale! Are you following the routines better? Did you get yourself to class this week? Are you making healther choices outside of class? Slow down and take a few minutes to think about how you feel during and after a workout.  Registering those good feelings goes a long way in keeping you going back for more.

As a guide, make it a priority to exercise at least once or twice a week from now through the new year...and when you're short on time, tap into the power of research that shows even ten minute bursts of activity can bring positive, healthy benefits. Ten minutes are better than zero!
9 Comments

Fueling Up: What to Eat Before a Zumba Workout

11/2/2011

2 Comments

 
If you're trying to lose weight, you want to lose it fast, right? And many people think to lose weight fast, they need to drastically limit their calorie intake, but starving yourself is NOT the way to go for the biggest, healthiest, longest-lasting weight loss. Nutritionists agree, you have to eat to lose! But, what to eat, what to eat?

About an hour before a workout, for an energy-boost, go for a combination of complex carbohydrates and protein.The carbs give long-lasting energy, and your body will need the protein after muscle protein is broken down during your exercise program. Have fun trying different combinations like these:
  • apple slices and peanut butter
  • oatmeal and raisins, cranberries, or blueberries
  • baked pita chips, hummus, and grapes
  • whole wheat pita stuffed with grilled chicken and avocado
  • scrambled egg on toast with orange slices
Remember, calories are needed to maximize your workout. If you go into it hungry, you won't have the energy you need to give it your all. And, depriving yourself, causes your body to work harder to let go of the extra weight, because you're making it wonder when you're going to feed it again!



Eating something everything three-four hours, and drinking plenty of water (experts say half your body weight in ounces of water/day is a good guide) is the best way to keep that energy flowing, and the metabolism going!

2 Comments
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    Jennifer Antkowiak

    Jennifer Antkowiak is a nationally certified Group Fitness Instructor, and is licensed to teach a variety of Zumba fitness classes, as well as Bokwa fitness. Jen is also a Walk Live leader, and CPR certified. Caregivers, visit jenniferCares.com.  To learn about how to take care of yourself naturally with Essential Oils, visit jenniferCaresESSENTIALS.com

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