The Spotlight!
    

I am finally putting pen to paper about what Zumba has done for me. Here is my story.....I was always involved in some kind of sports: bodybuilding, aerobics, racquetball, hapkido or just dog walking. Then after I hit my 40s my main sport became couch-sitting. My weight gradually climbed up to where I finally realized I was pretty unhealthy. I knew I was becoming a high risk for developing high blood pressure, diabetes, and/or high cholesterol/heart disease.

So, I joined a gym. Well, that was pretty boring. I could only do the treadmill or elliptical for so long. Plus, I had a sit-down job which didn't help. Growing up I belonged to the "clean your plate club" so even now if I ate healthy I would eat too much. Up continued my weight. Then life hit me hard.

I lost my 28 year old son to brain cancer. He was sick for 2 weeks and gone. This was in 2007 and I sank into a depression that few people realized I was in. I continued to eat but now just did not care. I guess I felt better eating. At this same time wham! menopause came along and made things even harder for me health-wise.

Then in 2009 my friend and co-worker Trace Belew told me her story about Zumba and what it had done for her. I (finally) gave it a try in October and really liked it. For that hour I could forget my grief. I would sweat and gasp for breath but feel not only physically better but mentally. However, Zumba wasn't a routine for me. I went off and on until June 2010. I'm not really sure why but at that time I decided I had really better get with it and change myself for the better. I started going to Zumba regularly. I made friends who encouraged me and when I realized I could do 2 classes back-to-back I was thrilled. That's when I started losing inches and then weight. At this point I've lost 30 pounds and its incredible how much healthier I feel. I am thankful to the Fitness Fuzion for paving the way to a healthier, happier me. Without Zumba I'd still be sitting on that couch!
Debbie Lloyd

I am 67 years old and have been involved in every fitness program you can name. None of them has been as much fun as Zumba at The Fitness Fuzion. Because it is fun and because all of the instructors are so friendly and encouraging, I have made Zumba a regular party of my life(every day). I lose at least a pound a month while having fun and without dieting. I will be going to my 50th High School Reunion in 2011 feeling well and looking younger than I would have without Zumba. Thank you for all you do for me everyday.
Bev

The Spotlight!
    

Seven months ago, I was 80 pounds overweight. I was tired, uncomfortable and very depressed. My clothes were too tight, and every time I walked past a mirror, I was reminded of how unhealthy I had become. I knew I needed to take better care of myself, but I hate dieting and I hate exercising even more! So, my life revolved around where to take my family for dinner and what to watch on TV when we got home.

A coworker of mine had told me about Zumba a while back, but I didn't think anything that was a "work-out" could be fun for me. When I finally decided to give it a try. I dragged a couple of girlfriends with me to the local recreation center and we found a spot in the back row of the class where no one would be watching us. As much fun as I was having and enjoying the music, I watched the clock like a hawk...praying for it to be over! I was sweating profusely and I was short of breath from the time I started. I got through it, though...and it was fun! I went back a few days later and tried Zumba again, and again a few days after that.

Soon, three classes a week were not enough for me! That's when I discovered The Fitness Fuzion, where all of the classes were Zumba. I started attending four to five classes a week and my life now revolves around my Zumba classes. Now, you will find me in the front row, shakin' it with pride! I am down 60 pounds and have lost over 30 inches total! I feel amazing and I am grateful for the supportive instructors and friends I have made at The Fitness Fuzion.
Julie Dorn

Hi, my name is Jenny Egan, I'm a wife and a mommy to my precious baby girl, Alyssa. I don't really even know where to begin on what Zumba has done for me & how its changed my life!

I have struggled with my weight for years and as a lot of women know, struggling with weight, comes struggling with emotions! Some of my friends always talked about going but never went. As I pulled out a picture of myself one day, I couldn't help but cry of embarrassment and being so ashamed of how I looked. That was the day I got online, looked up classes and went that same night!!

Diana taught the first Zumba class I ever attended & I couldn't believe what a workout it was, how soaked I was:) and how AWESOME IT MADE ME FEEL!!

Since that class I have become a ZUMBAHOLIC, and go 3,4,5 times a week, (my husband is so supportive, I might add, but thinks I've gone Zumba crazy!) I've dropped weight & inches & feel GREAT about myself! Zumba for me isn't just a workout, its been a life changing experience for me in every way!

Thanks Diana, Trace Belew, Tracy Verner, DeDe & Lorna!! You guys are so positive & I Love seeing you guys on a daily basis! Your such a Wonderful & Positive motivation for me! I don't know how I ever lived without Zumba. If your reading this & haven't tried it , GO, GO RIGHT NOW, IT'S AMAZING!!!

I began going to Zumba shortly after having my daughter. Going through IVF to get pregnant caused me to gain a tiny bit more than I wanted. I have always been athletic but hated weight lifting, jogging, etc. But DANCING I Love! Soon as I heard what Zumba was I knew I wanted to try it.

I have always suffered with bad headaches & would have days I couldn't even get off the couch. Since beginning Zumba my headaches are next to gone, and my energy level is very high now. Next to my daughter and my family, Zumba is my life. It has helped me get that nice muscle tone back in my body and has really boosted my cardio! I have since then become a Zumba instructor and love to motivate and show people they can enjoy Zumba and come to love it just like me!
Ashley Powell

The Spotlight!
    

My name is Diane and I have been a Zumba-holic now for about five months.

Funny enough I was introduced to Zumba on accident (or rather Zumba found me). I was working at a local banquet center and came across a "Zumba" event featuring Beto Perez. I had never heard of "Zumba," but began to stare at the nearly 400 women dancing (and sweating) to the energizing Latin music. I couldn't't get over how much fun everybody was having.

That week I did some online research and found that The Fitness Fuzion specialized in Zumba classes. I decided I would try out a class (in the very back mind you) and see how it would go. After one class, I was hooked. I began attending a few times a week, and quickly became an addict!

Over the past few months I have lost nearly 40 lbs. all thanks to Zumba! I owe an enormous thanks to DeDe's toning class, Lorna's arm workouts, and Trace's hip shaking.

I struggled trying to lose weight at various gyms and training centers, but have finally been able to find my niche in Zumba. Exercising is no longer a chore, but rather I find Zumba as a fun hobby.

I plan to continue my weight loss journey and potentially one day become a certified instructor.

Diane

The Spotlight!
    

Hi My Name is Trace and I'm 47 on this day. I'm a wife with 3 great children and a grandchild on the way. A full time coder by profession is what I do through out the day. Computer desk is where I sit for 10 long hours everyday. At 40 went through treatment due to cancer of the breast. Any sense of being women gone, plus all hair for none was left. Weight gain from 5 years therapy so no cancer does return. Plus sitting on my tosh all day, found my body no longer firm. So when first I started Zumba class, I hid way in the back. And after just one hour thought "Oh no, I can't do that".

But weekly calls from Kate I get as 3 more months go by. "Oh come on my dear cousin, please give Zumba one more try". So one more turned to two more, then to three and then to four. The next thing that I know is everyday I'm through that door. Now, here just 10 months later, in front of class is where I'll be. But you'll have to look much harder now 80 lbs. are gone from me. From once a pants size 24, to now a slender 10. From heavy panting going thru that door, to now I'm skipping in. Feminine, you bet I feel it. Sexy just watch my back, When I'm out there doing Salsa to a lively Zumba track. Now I'm Zumba instructor and glad I gave it one more shot. Cause now I'm Zumbaholic, I'm Zin Member, Zumba hot.

I AM Women! See me Zumba and hear me roar!

LOOK WHO'S ZUMBA HOT? Who does this thing called Zumba? Only dancers you may say. Well, just take a look around you when you're out about today. We're your neighbor, we're your Doctor, we're your mailman, we're your boss. We are sometimes feeling lonely from a spouse that we have lost. We are mothers, we are brothers, we are daughters, we are wives. We are fathers, we are grandma's who have worked hard all our lives. We are young, and we are old, and we are heavy, and we are thin. And most of the time, we are just struggling to fit in. But here we have a family when we walk thru that Zumba door. And we shake it with the best when we are on that Zumba floor. We go to Zumba weekly sometimes two times sometimes more. And on the days we can't go, we're home doing Zumba on the kitchen floor. Once, we could barely move, but now we shake it with the best. What's that, you don't believe me? Well come put us to the test. Just come on by. We can't be missed. We are not that hard to spot. We will be shaking it on the Zumba floor and we are feeling Zumba hot

Trace

I am not a dancer and being 54 years old and overweight I did not really want to move it and shake it. However with Kate's insistence (I have never been one to join in) and a few classes under my belt, I was hooked. Everyone is so nice and there for the reason I was but they were working harder than I was. After a couple of months, I noticed Kate (now certified to teach) losing weight, Emily (now instructing) shrinking, and Tracy's (now an instructor) tassels really starting to move. I started to get serious; after 9 months attending class an average of 3-4 times a week I have lost 43lbs. and down 3 pant sizes. My eating habits have changed but I did not diet.

Since becoming a Zumba-holic I have discovered it is much harder to be overweight unhappy and make excuses for being that way, than it is to go 3-4 times a week for one hour to The Fitness Fuzion. It is so much fun being around nice people and good music. I do not realize I have just completed one hour work out until I hear "the cool down". When I leave I am already thinking about the next class and when I can get back there. I now plan my activities around Zumba instead of Zumba around things I need to do. And as you know, I too am certified to teach.

I want to express my sincere thanks to Lorna and DeDe for all their support and encouragement. They both have made a difference in my life.

To Kate James for making me join her for Zumba classes and to all the people I have met through The Fitness Fuzion that keeps me coming back for more.

Thank you,
Donna Hollingsworth

July 2008
    

STORY OF A ZUMBAHOLIC....by Kate James

Hello my name is Kate James and I AM a Zumbaholic. I am a 46 year old mother of two. Sales Manager of a building materials company. I am on the road a lot with my job and through the past few years had packed on quite a few extra pounds. I was looking to make a serious change in my eating and exercise habits, when I was introduced to Zumba by my cousin Bonnie. She thought that I might be interested in the Zumba experience. Boy was she right. I try to attend classes 3 times a week. I love the results that I have received. Shortly after starting Zumba, I also began a program with Jenny Craig.

To date I have lost 26.6 lbs. and 17-3/4" inches overall. I feel like a new person. Thanks to the support of both Lorna and Dee Dee I am a success story. I truly believe that Zumba has played a BIG, BIG part in my weight lose and lose of inches. If you want something bad enough you can get it. I really needed to feel better both physically and mentally about myself. Zumba does that for me. I try on a daily basis to spread the Zumba word. I love that I have a place to go and unwind, chat a little, and dance A LOT!!! I do know that the more I shake it, the more I lose it. So as the saying goes....EVERYONE IS LOSIN AT THE FITNESS FUZION.

Kate James

June 2008
    

I am a single mother of two grown children and will turn the big "50" this September. I am a legal secretary for a law firm in St. Charles and unfortunately, because of my job, spend a lot of time sitting in front of a computer.

I found The Fitness Fuzion through a girlfriend of mine that encouraged me to give it a try. With some hesitation . as I am not "Miss Coordinated". I said I would go with her and try it out. It was a blast! The music is very upbeat and it is a great hour workout. There is no way that I would have done this at home for a full hour and stuck to it. The encouragement of the instructors and all the fun ladies at Zumba class has kept me on track. So what if I am not ready for "So you think you can dance". it is a great workout and you can have so much fun with it no matter what your level of dance skill might be.

DeDe and Lorna formed the "Biggest Losers Club" at The Fitness Fuzion. A 10 week program of tracking our weight loss and total inches lost. We had weekly weigh-ins and several gals brought in low cal recipes and with much encouragement from everyone, I have lost 30 lbs. and 18¾ inches in 10 weeks. Although I have not quite reached my goal .my new motto is.Fit and Fifty .not Fat and Fifty. It is just amazing how much better I feel. Zumba class is a great workout and a way to have fun at the same time. I have also added workouts on the elliptical machine, long walks at Ft. Zumwalt Park, lots and lots of gardening and I am trying to eat a much healthier diet. It is all about making small changes and sticking with it. The rewards of how much better you feel makes it all worthwhile.

A big thank you to Beth for suggesting Zumba Class and to DeDe and Lorna and all the ladies at Zumba class for your encouragement...couldn't have done it without you.

"The Happiest Loser"

Sam

May 2008
    

I am the mother of three grown children and the grandmother of Dominick, a precious five-year-old boy. I'm a full time social worker in a community health clinic and a part-time artist and crafter. And of course I love the STL Cardinals!!

I've battled with my weight my entire adult life and tried every diet imaginable. Walking had always been my favorite exercise, until I discovered Zumba at The Fitness Fuzion. The first time I came to Zumba class I couldn't imagine doing aerobic exercise for an entire hour; I hadn't done that in 20 years. Amazingly, I did it, and then I was hooked. Zumba isn't like any aerobics class I've ever experienced. It's fun and it's a great workout. I love the music and I love the results. I have lost 14 pounds since starting Zumba classes in February and the pounds are continuing to drop off. In addition to losing weight, I feel stronger, have more energy and my clothing is fitting better. An added benefit is the encouragement of the instructors and other women in Zumba class. Along with two Zumba classes each week, I have been following Weight Watcher's program, eating healthy, drinking lots of water and walking on the treadmill several times a week. Its working and I feel great! Thank you DeDe and Lorna for introducing me to Zumba. And thank you, my dear friend, Carol, for saving the news clip about The Fitness Fuzion's opening and going with me to class!!

Merry

April 2008
    

I am a 25 year old mother of one strong-willed, two year old boy and a proud punch card member of The Fitness Fuzion since January 08. I absolutely can not get enough of Zumba and how much fun you can have doing it! I have such a good time working out without doing the "traditional" workouts and adding my own unique flare and personality to the already exciting Zumba moves. I have been pushing myself hard lately to maintain my current weight of 135 lbs, after recently losing 30+ pounds!! I love the way my abs and arms are getting shape & definition due to Zumba, sometimes I can't believe I am looking at me in the mirror.

I have been maintaining my weight loss by doing a Zumba class twice a week (normally Tuesdays and Saturdays), proportioning meals, and keeping myself active. Outside of keeping up with my son, I work full-time for TrustBuilder Services as an Administrator of trust owned life insurance and excitedly own my own greeting card company LittleLion Design, www.littleliondesign.web.officelive.com where I hand-make custom greeting cards and invitations. Did I mention Zumba is a great stress relief as well...

In my spare time I enjoy scrapbooking, going out with my sister & close friends and of course Zumba! Thank you Lorna & DeDe for your help and for making me your first spotlight.

Emily Ernst