$6 Zumba Dance Fitness Class Thursdays

Hey everyone! Have you jumped on the Zumba train yet? If not, you have your chance on Thursdays at 7 pm at the All About Dance Studio right here in Colorado Springs!

In case you haven’t heard, Zumba is a program that fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a one-of-a-kind fitness program that will blow you away! It’s a lot of fun, and an entire body work out! You’ll definitely feel the effects the next day, but while you’re in class, you’ll be having too much fun to notice any fatigue! I would suggest going with a group of friends, as it’s more fun to workout together!

So, what can  you get out of a Zumba workout? Quite a bit, actually: you’re burn a lot of calories, tone your muscles and strengthen your core, improve cardiovascular health, meet new people, and you’ll have an absolute BLAST while doing so!

Best of all, there’s no experience needed to join the class! Just drop on in and join the fun! The cost of the class is $6.

Directions from Talon Hill Apartments:

Head east on Ramtron Dr toward Lily Lake Dr. Take the 1st right onto Voyager Pkwy. Turn left at N Academy Blvd. Turn left at Vickers Dr. Destination will be on the left.

photo credit: Cimm

5 Minute Body Tone for Arms!

Any exercise geared to a short amount of time is okay in my book. Dieting and exercise are not my cup of tea, but ever since I’ve gotten older, it is a must if I want to stay in shape. Maybe some of you feel the same way. Take a look at this video, “Training with Tammy.” She is an excellent instructor and her techniques get results.

5 Terrific Tips To Torch Calories

Because it’s Spring, I will soon be trying on those swimsuits. That means I can’t stay in denial any longer and must get up off my rear and get in gear! I will have to fortify myself with healthy food in the morning and fight the urge to put one Peanut M&M in my mouth after lunch.  I can no longer ignore the rows and rows of swimsuits in the retail stores. I must press on and face my fears. So, in lieu of quitting and not meeting my goal, I will persevere. Here are a few tips I have found that can save calories!

1. Be sure those flavored waters you like so much don’t have sugar. Some of them advertise being healthy, but further reading of the ingredients show they have over 15 grams of sugar. Also, check out the number of carbohydrates as well.
2. Don’t skip breakfast. A single poached egg with a piece of light whole wheat toast is good brain food.
3. Skip the croutons on your salad, cut the dressing in half and swear off the cheese.
4. Roll up your low-cal, low-fat deli meats in a lettuce leaf and eat it. Boston Lettuce works well for this.
5. Cut up vegies like carrots, broccoli, celery and cauliflower for munching. Find a low-fat dip for dipping purposes.

Photo courtesy of  Alan Cleaver

Renew Your Spirit: Rest One Day Each Week

As our busy lifestyles continue to grow by leaps and bounds, so does our need for rest and rejuvenation. It is, however, a mystery why we, as humans, cannot recognize our body’s distress signals. These signals, which may come in the form of  headaches, nausea, heart palpitations, numbness in the fingers and hands, fatique and depression, all provide us with warnings of a body in severe distress. Where did the practice of “Resting One Day a Week” go?

Any physician will tell you rest and relaxation is key for sustaining good physical health. It doesn’t matter if you are an accountant who crunches numbers every day, a Wall Street stock broker or a college student with too many credit hours for the term; the bottom line is – if your are deprived of sleep, your body can’t recharge adequately and eventually it will give out.

If you ask an athlete, they will tell you rest is imperative for muscles to repair themselves and rejuvenate. This process prevents injury. Muscles must rest.

Rest is also essential for the mind. Leonardo daVinci said, “Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgement will be surer.”  Not a truer word could be spoken! Even taking several small breaks during the course of your work day will clear your mind and help you to concentrate.

Most religious leaders will tell you rest is essential for the soul.  Your soul also requires rest.
Corporate leaders, if asked, will tell you rest is necessary for productivity. All in all, rest is important and essential for a healthy, human life.

If you ask most people in today’s frenzied society if they consistently take time time for rest, they will ultimately tell you they don’t because there are just too many demands to get things done and with too much urgency. Unfortunately, this is not only causing damage to our bodies, souls and minds; but we continue to fall further and further out of balance and harmony within our lives. We must reclaim the right to take a day off, a day to rest, a day to rejuvenate, a day to be creative, a day to love ourselves and be loved by others.

For more information on relaxation, visit ZenHabits.org.

Photo by Flickr.com

Apolo Anton Ohno’s Dream Comes True!

Apolo Anton Ohno has succeeded in becoming the Most Decorated Olympian in US history. He won this honor tonight during a battle with Korea and Canada in the Men’s 1500 Short Track Speed Skate. He probably would have been a contender for the gold, had he not slipped and lost his speed. However, being a great athlete, he recovered and came back to slip into 3rd place, where he won the Bronze. If humility, good sportsmanship and integrity count, (which they do), Apolo Anton Ohno has won the Gold in all American Hearts, including mine.

For more information about his accomplishments, visit the official website of the Vancouver Olympics.

Photo courtesy of  commons.wikimedia.com