Chapter 6 - Zonked after Zumba

Tonight will be one of those rare nights where I´m in bed before midnight. To say I´m tired is an understatement. I´m absolutely shattered. To top it all off I´ve got a headache developing and my feet are exceptionally sore from my new trainers. In a nutshell - I am zonked after zumba. 

Just before six this evening, I met my friend Glo and off we headed to experience the new aerobic-dancing-sensation which has now finally swept over from America. Zumba is a combination of aerobic style moves from dances such as salsa, merengue, flamenco, cha-cha-cha, reggaeton, samba, belly dancing, hip-hop and many more....accompanied by latin music. 

Of course, it all looked so easy when I watched the clips on youtube. But there I stood infront of the mirrors in the dance studio and didn´t like the reflection which greeted me. After ten minutes into the workout Glo and I went from exchanging giggles to glances of desperation. I was tempted to make an exit shouting „I´m a fatty, get me out of here“ but those of you who know me, know that I don´t give in easily – so I kept on going.

Feeling as uncoordinated as the back end of a pantomime horse, on and on I wiggled my hips, often unable to keep to the dance moves and mixing up left and right. The reggaeton music and exotic tunes, which reminded me of Caribbean cocktails and holidays long gone, kept me going and soon the sixty minutes of torture fun were over.

Before I could change my mind, I registered for another 5 sessions. There´s no backing out of this now.

I watched a few infomericals online which showed some mega-brainwashing content of women who lost 20 or 30 kilos just by doing zumba. I didn´t think it was possible. It probably isn´t. Good old QVC and the likes always have a way of making you believe the good in their anti-acne potions / vacum storage systems / milk frothers / hair straighteners and all the other things they sell by playing with your conscience. I have been a victim of brainwash TV. (I even almost presented a series of products on one of these home shopping channels in a previous job, but luckily found a presenter to do it for me....long story .....another day!)

After tonight´s sweating session, I´m still hoping there´s an inch of truth in there. Seeing sweating is believing. I´m off to search the net for a practice-at-home DVD before I fall into bed. Zumbaaaaaaaaaaaaa!