Zumba in Cancun MX

Zumba instructor "Junior" at Aventura Spa

Some people from Zumba class at the resort

Zumba instructor from Arkansas - we know how to rock!!!

ZumbaWeen Rainbow

ZumbaWeen @ West Sahara

ZumbaWeen @ the YMCA

Nevada WildFest @ The RIO

EVENTS!!!! EVENTS!!

Wow - we have event after event coming up. First off today was amazing at LVAC, we had two ZUMBAWEEN classes that were so fun. Pictures to follow. Thank you to everyone for participating and making it fun....and putting up with my forgetfulness.
So this weekend is LVAC's first ever ZUMBATHON!!! It will be held at the RIO Hotel/Casino during the Nevada Wildfest Event this weekend. Proceeds go to the Lilly Claire foundation for children with disabilities. There are two Zumbathons, both Friday & Saturday from 3-5p.m. Admission is $9 but if you bring your LVAC membership card its only $5. I'm teaching Saturday so come over! It'll be so fun!

Monday October 29th, 2012 at 1:45 join me at LVAC Rainbow/95 for ZumbaWeen (dress up for class and get entered into a drawing for awesome stuff!!)

Join me for the same thing, Tuesday October 30th, 2012 at Centennial Hills YMCA 11:45a.m.
It's not too late, drop by the dollar store and pick up some wings or a Halloween headband?

In the mood

Finally I feel somewhat motivated to blog again.  Life is just like that, don't ya think?  For me it is anyway, I get on these "up hills" of doing things and then plummet to the valley of nothing-ness.....
I found myself in the diet pill section of Sam's Club, desperate for a quick fix after three weeks of gorging myself in Florida (vacation - why?) and a road trip to Yellowstone that was filled with snacks, rich food, cakes, chips and soda, which I don't even normally drink.  All reason had gone out the door and I was spiraling into the valley of nothing-ness aforementioned.  Don't judge me......I am human and have a hard time finding balance when it comes to food.
In that oh so familiar moment, I yet again talked myself out of buying some "cheap shot" that doesn't work and talked myself into getting back on the wagon that I'd fallen of over summer vacation.  Whooohoooo...bottom is hit, motivation sets in, vegetables are bought, and a workout schedule for the upcoming week planned.
All of that went wonderfully until the weekend.  Weekends are the worst for me but I'm not going to whine and moan about that.  I am going to tell you what worked.
PREPARE
A serious key for me!  If I don't have good food & snacks to turn to, I will eat anything in sight, including nasty tasting candy or those cheap Walmart knock off snacks.  I find when I load my fridge up with vegetables (corn doesn't really count) and fruit (but take it easy on the fruit), I am actually more likely to eat them.  Another tip I learned during Weight Watchers is to wash, divide, measure...whatever you have to do to your fruits & veggies and put them in baggies.  Then they're ready to go.  My new favorite is slicing up green, red, yellow peppers and mixing them with snap peas.  I've also thrown tons of red cabbage into stir fry's and its super yummy!
SCHEDULE
If you didn't know already, I LOVE to workout.  It just makes me feel so good and I have energy (for a few hours anyway) after.  Teaching Zumba is a blast and I sweat buckets so that covers the cardio, but cardio alone will not cut it.  I find the best results when I partner cardio workouts with weight training of some sort.  Please refer to a previous post about Pump class.  You will not end up like a bodybuilder from pump class.....I promise.
I haven't taken a spin class for months and haven't been regularly cycling (indoors) since February.  From my experience, NOTHING makes you're legs look better.  Cycle class should be a good combination of cardio endurance and strength building.  My endorphins soar when I'm done with a cycle class.  It's exhilerating and wonderful.
BUT my new obsession is 8 Strikes, a cardio kickbox class at LVAC.  Kicks my tail - in a good way.  Sweaty doesn't even describe what I look like when I'm done, more like I just got out of the pool. It is a complete body workout, arms, legs, butt and core!  AMAZING.....try it. 
TRACK
One of the most vital keys in Weight Watchers is to track what you eat and the points value of every item you put in your mouth.  Whether you do weight watchers or not, you should track your food and your activity.  Just write it in a journal or ask me about a tracking app for your phone.  You will be amazed how many things you eat that you're not even aware of.....left overs from the kids, the samples at the store, tasting the frosting from your kids birthday cake just to make sure its yummy - guilty.  If we get in the habit of thinking before we eat, we will make better choices with what we eat.  THIS IS TRUE!!!  Tried and tested......  Tracking activity makes you feel good about the work you've done and allows you some more calories to eat if you want.
CONSISTANCE
This one is my least favorite and the least fun.  So the first two weeks of my brave new world went pretty good.  I try not to judge progress by the scale but its hard not to.  I didn't loose much weight, a pound or two of my 6 vacation lbs.  I definitely felt better and feel a difference in my body and strength and energy.  This week (week 3) not so hot!  New things are always exciting.......then they loose their sparkle.  Hmmm what to do?  Do what works......start over.....go buy veggies, make a workout plan, track, be positive.  That's what I'm going to do.

Party In Pink For Breast Cancer

 

 Zumbathon - Movin' to end breast cancer

Location

THE MAYAN CLUB

2797 S. MARYLAND PWY

LAS VEGAS, NV, 89109, US

Contact info
Victor Rios
zumbaking79@hotmail.com

Date
Friday, September 28, 2012

Time
From 8:00pm to 10:00pm

Ticket Price

$10 USD Advance
$15 USD At the door 

Kitty Chow!

 

Kitty Chow!

Calories- 100 Total Carbs- 18 Fat -2g Fiber-5g Protein- 2
You know that Puppy chow stuff that is really yummy!? Well it’s also 365 calories a cup! So here is my version but its only 100 calories!

Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups Fiber one Honey Squares
• 4 Tablespoons “I can’t believe it’s not butter”
• 2 Tablespoons Creamy All Natural Peanut Butter
• 2 Servings Truvia all Natural Sweetener.
• 1 Package of Fat Free Sugar Free Vanilla Pudding Mix
• 2 Squares of Reduced Fat Chocolate Almond Bark

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl melt butter, chocolate almond bark and  peanut butter. (I used the microwave)
2. After melted pour cereal into mixture. Stir gently
3. Let the mixture cool for a good 20 minutes.
4. After mixture has hardened pour the mix into a large zip lock bag, add the box of pudding mix and shake gently until coated.

Chica Sexy? Whaaaaa?

You know me....can't go anywhere without finding a Zumba class and can't go anywhere without my camera. The great thing about Florida is you don't have to move AT ALL to sweat....the humidity is ridiculous and I hope each time I wipe sweat off my face I've burned at least 20 calories - wish it was that easy!
BUT I know I burned hundreds of calories with my girls, Vanessa & Yana, my two favorite instructors from New Smyrna Beach. They are awesome!  I took some other great classes while I was there, like Pump....umm and couldn't walk the next day?  Between Zumba & salsa dancing, with my kids saying "really you're going to work out again???"  I had to remember to take time to do nothing.  We had a blast!

9th Annual Vegas Salsa Congress

Honestly, I don't know if words can describe how awesome Salsa Congress was..... but I will try.....
Both Friday and Saturday I attended workshops all day.  I was definitely "star-struck" by some of the instructors, ahem....Fernando Sosa, ahhhhhmaaazing.............but tried to contain myself and not act like a wacko stalker.  Every workshop was great, my favorites were the Advanced ON1 & Salsaton with Fernando Sosa.   I really liked Alma Latina, MX, they taught a musicality class that was very  cool and I feel like I learned some good ladies styling from them.  I took a Salsa Divas women's workshop on Saturday but pooped out by the end of that because I was SO tired from two days of workshops and a night of dancing.......that didn't hold me back Saturday night though, a quick nap Saturday afternoon and I was ready for more Saturday night.  The nightly performances are always great but my favs are Tropical Gem & Yamulee, no surprise because they are the best in the world ON1 & ON2 respectively.  Shout out to our Las Vegas teams who did great also.
I love social dancing at congress because you have no clue who you are dancing with, how well they dance/or not, and its just fun to go out there and enjoy the music and meet people from all over.  EVERYONE, including the world famous, are so down to earth and friendly.  It just makes for a great learning atmosphere during the day and a fun time at night.  My toes on the other hand, were not able to keep up with the fun.  By Friday night I had bad blisters, so much so, I walked to the Valet in my bare feet all the way through the Tropicana casino.  It was a cheap price for the fun and memories!
I wrapped 'em up and danced anyway on Saturday.  The salsa scene just makes me happy.  I love the music.   I love dancing.  I love meeting new people and trying to keep up with them.   Ok....... I might not have loved this one poor guy that asked me to dance and was literally all over the place dancing like he was having a seizure, nothing resembled salsa but I think HE had a good time.  And that's what its all about......having a good time and that I did over and over last week.  Now I am starting to save my pennies & band aids for next year!

Did I mention I love how this guy dances?

Fernando Sosa (Italy) & Mi

  Amazing, Amazing Joe Figueroa from Philly
and my new friend Luana from Texas

 Friday night - Moms night out :)

Tash, Honeylyn, Me & Albena

 

Saturday Night with Alice & Wendy

Sam came with me but didn't want a picture :(

Ouch.....this is how my feet looked on Monday...two days later!
 Notice the popped blisters on my big toes.....grosssssss!

Here's a clip from the ON1 workshop with Fernando Sosa & Tatiana - LOVE. IT.

Belly Skirts

Belly Skirts at Fantastic Swapmeet

On Decatur/Oakey

Go to Lilia @ booth C-06

Only $5

Tell her Zumba instructor Kim sent ya!

"Zumba Love"

I've heard that phrase over and over but its a real thing......  Its that feeling of comfortableness, of non-judgement, friendship, party & fun!  It exists in most all Zumba class rooms around the world and it was host at the YMCA Zumbathon today.

Wow!

So much fun.  7 instructors, tons of energy, dancing, love & happiness, kinda like Woodstock or the E.D.C without the drugs.....hahaha!

The fundraiser was amazing.  My legs are hanging off after our four hour zumba-fest but it was great.  Thanks to the instructors, you are all outstanding and thanks to all participants, what a great turn out & support of the Y Strong Kids Foundation!  You all ROCK. 

Zumba Love & Hugs

Kim 

YMCA ZUMBATHON

6601 N Buffalo Dr, Las Vegas, NV  89131

I'll be teaching along with 

6 other Zumba instructors.  

Come join the party!

20 days and counting....

SALSA CONGRESS is coming to Vegas.  The 9th Annual Congress will be in town at the Tropicana beginning July 5th through July 8th.  This is the crowning Salsa event in Vegas so start saving your "dinero" and get your dancing shoes ready!!!  I'm seriously so excited.  I don't go dancing much, mostly because the late starting hour but once a year, I plan on congress.  There will be workshops, performances, live dancing, and great people from all over the world that love salsa as much as you!
You can pick and choose what you come to, workshops are offered during the day Friday, Saturday & Sunday.  Dance shows begin at 8:30 nightly and social dancing into the wee hours of the morning. It's reasonably priced and worth every red cent!  Check out the website HERE
I'm going to some workshops Friday & Saturday and will be at the evening performances and social dancing Friday & Saturday evening also if you wanna hang with me.

If you happen to wear a size 8/8.5 in Latin Dance shoes, I'm selling two brand new pairs (that were too small for me when I ordered them and a hassle to return) for $20/each.  Pictured above, one pair is beige/nude and the other is a redish/orange.

Also just for fun, check out the Youtube congress promo 

and notice who is dancing at 0.08 funny!!!

SR Boys Dance/Zumba Class

Me and Ms Woo...the Dance Teacher!

I've been teaching Zumba at Shadow Ridge for two years now and I really LOVE it! The kids responded to the relaxed format of the class and let loose once they got over their shyness. I've worked with the P.E. classes for two teachers, the cheer team, the swim team (dry land days) and 7 Dance classes including the dance team. Its so much fun!  This year they added a mostly boys class that was my favorite. I loved all the others so not to take away from that, BUT these kids just had awesome energy and willingness to do something out of their comfort zone (most of them are Hip Hop/BBoys). Sometimes after class they would just start free styling and I wanted to hang out to watch them because they're really good, then I had to remind myself that I am no longer high school age and would never actually want to go back to all that drama anyway......hee hee. This video I took today doesn't show all their talent or their tricks but its still pretty cool so I thought I'd share!

Jus Sayin'

I get all tingly when I think of the protein style burger at In-N-Out! Its sooooooo good.  I didn't know you could order these until recently, my brother in law told me "the secret".  You just order your burger "PROTEIN STYLE" and they wrap the yumminess in lettuce instead of a bun.   It tastes delish.  I had one for the first time, late,  the other night after we were salsa dancing but I didn't wanna feel like a waterbuffalo the next morning - I used to order the double double....don't judge, I have a huge appetite!  I'm happy to report I felt unbloated the next morning. Here's the breakdown in case you're wondering....

Protein® Style (Bun replaced with Lettuce) 

Calories: 240

Fat: 17g

Carbs: 11g

Fiber: 3g

Protein: 13g

For my weight watcher friends thats a mere 7 points - Happy Day!!!!  If you add cheese then its obviously going to be extra points and calories.  But shoot compared to a greasy burger from another joint this is pretty good, don't ya think?
While I'm on the free advertising kick.....have you tasted those new POP CHIPs?  I think they're really good.  I've never been a big chip person (we call them Crisps in Ireland).  Chips are fries where I come from....as in fish N chips.  Side note....back to the popchips....I kinda went through a phase of eating handfuls of LAYS BBQ chips....I was weak.  I knew after a week of binging on the greasy mess, I needed to change my ways so I looked for an alternative.  These are what I found.  The texture kind makes it where I don't want to eat more than about the serving size of 20 or so and they have a really good coating of BBQ flavor that hits the spot.
The WW points value for 20 chips is only 3. Much better than a wod of Lays greasy BBQ chips shoved in my mouth, I'm sure.  Ha ha....

My blog in Spanish

Notice on the top right hand corner of my blog.......you can now read in Spanish or any other language!  I'm so excited.  I know some of you, my friends prefer to speak & read in Spanish but I have not learned yet to speak or write in Spanish.  Just click to translate, pick your language and go.  Yay.......

It's just a number

I could care less how old I am.....I tell people proudly that I just turned 24!  That is because I kinda stopped aging (well in my head at least) around my early 20's.  Seriously most of the time I forget how old I am.  I stink at Math....like, bad enough to have graduated college with a Math 100 class.  I swear I didn't pick my major based on that.  I majored in Sociology and Social Work, by the way, and was required to take a crazy Statistics class that I think a great professor and tons of prayer helped me get through.
When people ask how old I am, I usually say 32....in fact I will be 35 this year.  It's not that I'm slicing years off on purpose, like I said, I suck at Math (2012-1977 too much work) and I honestly forget my age!  Haven't you seen me bouncing around like a 16 year old?  Age is just a number to me.  I've always said, "you're as young as you feel," or in my husbands case "As young as you act," which is usually like an adolescent boy!  Jk.....he's awesome!  I like to tease!!!!
With all that being said, I am honestly AMAZED at how well some people age.  I know quite a few "mature" and "wise" friends/members at the gyms where I work and they look FABULOUS!! 
For real!
Zumba does not have a targeted demographic, it's for young, old, male, female, Latino, Irish girlies like meself, coordinated and uncoordinated alike.  This is why I love it.  It's for everyone.  In each of my classes, there are a handful of AMAZING women and men who are in their 70's, I kid you not.  You are my HEROES!  I've asked some of them how they've kept looking so great and still able to move so well?  There are days that I feel immobilized as I wake up and the thoughts of "boogying on down" definitely does not appeal to my aching, aging body!  The responses are usually along the lines of "A CLEAN LIFE"  "NO SMOKE OR DRINK"  "ALWAYS ACTIVE" even if it wasn't at the gym....walking, hiking, dancing....  Sometimes they'll say, they've slowed down a bit, well for crying out loud, you deserve that much!  I see them moving, shaking and shimmying and I love it.
Good for you and good for the rest of us around you..........you inspire us to keep going, live every day to the fullest and enjoy the journey.  To each of you I say, well done and keep it up!  I hope I can be just like you as I approach my golden years!

Check out my friend Esther (middle) who just celebrated her 77th birthday yesterday.
Case in point! Feliz Cumpleanos :)

Its not too late.....

....for you to sign up and join the RACE FOR THE CURE this Saturday May 5th 2012 on Fremont Street.  If you're looking for a team you can join LVAC's by logging onto LVAC.com
I'm kicking off the warm-up on the 3rd street stage at 7:20a.m. with some other Zumba instructors (JOE...whoop!) before the race.  This is a great cause and a lot of fun! Come join us.....cya there :)

Zumba Instructor Training

On Saturday I took another Zumba Instructor Training but got to take it with some awesome people. Two of my members from LVAC came with me, as well as my co worker and friend Amie. It was a long but fun day. We sat so long on the dance floor, I think my legs and butt will hurt till next week.  BUT we danced and moved so much I think we may have burned 2500 calories.....so its a wash!
Abraham Hernandez was our ZES (trainer) and I learned some great new things from him. I'm so excited for my friends Angela & Marissa to be certified and can't wait for them to teach.

SALSA CELTICA - AMAZING

Its like my two worlds combined.  I LOVE salsa and all things LATIN but my heart was born in IRELAND.  This is one talented group.  A combination of celtic music with a Colombian Salsa band.....nothing could be better!!!

Happy to Fail

 

these notes are stuck on my mirror to see ever day 

Sometimes it does a body good to fail....I know that doesn't sound like my usual peppy, motivating, excitable self but never fear....failing sometimes propels you to a place you want to be.  Not the chocolate section of Walgreens........back on track, back to what you know works, back to happiness and all things great!!!
What am I talking about?  I am not sure but this morning I went to weigh in at Weight Watchers (who btw had moved their location since I had been there a month ago....that was annoying....) anyhooooo, last day of the month - I have to weight in monthly to maintain my lifetime status - and that last day would be TODAY!
I knew I was going to be over.  I knew it because I had been to the Silverton Buffet and gorged myself on crepes, drowned in berry sauce and melted chocolate (just gained 2 lbs typing that...lol...jk) we've had company, i don't wanna cook at home, I can't stop eating bread and its the season of chocolate eggs and such - grrrrrr.
I didn't expect to be up 4 lbs.  Dang it!  I always weigh in in the morning so I hadn't even eaten.  The receptionist said "ok, you're up 4 but you're still 3 less than your goal weight, so you're ok"
That was nice of her, because inside I was ticked - ticked at myself.  No one else to blame (other than the crepe guy at the Silverton)!  Immediately I remembered feeling this way another time at Weight Watchers.  I had been .2 YES point 2 over my max weight and FAILED!!!  I know that sounds ridiculous, really I didn't fail because if you know anything about Weight Watchers, if you have a bad week no one ridicules you or calls you a looser, they encourage you to do better next week.  I was mad at myself though.  I came home and stuck my weigh in on my bathroom mirror.  I seriously didn't want to feel that way again.......
I kinda felt like that today.  I guess its accountability and that's why I continue to check in monthly.  I know all heck might break loose if I didn't have that scale waiting for me monthly.  With that being said.....tomorrow is a new month (you know how I am about new starts....) so I will turn this "failure" into a MOTIVATOR to be a more moderate with my choices in April.
The pitfall for me is telling myself I work out so much that I can eat what I want.  This is a myth.....umm unless you have magical metabolism (which you may have) but for the majority of us, even if we work off our crappy food, the sugary/greasy grossness lingers somewhere between the head and toes....I hate that feeling! 
I don't even know if anyone reads this blog.....hahahaha but if you do and you've ever felt this way, don't feel alone.  I know many people struggle with eating habits, motivation to workout, wanting to be a certain weight or feel a certain way in their clothes and body.....IT IS ACHIEVABLE, I know it is. I will tell you IT IS NOT EASY....but is definitely worth it.
Lets go get 'em.....tomorrow!

Weight Loss

1) Calculate how many calories you body needs to consume to maintain your existing weight. This is called you maintenance calories.(Search Google with "calorie needs" and you will find a few different calculators to help you with this)
2) Initially deduct 10%(to a maximum of 500 calories) off the total maintenance calories. Drastically reducing your calories will result in muscle and water loss - not fat loss.
3)Divide you calories over 5 or 6 meals rather then 2 or 3. You should aim to eat every 3-4 hours.
4)Cut out all simple carbohydrates (except straight after exercise, eat whole grain, high fiber foods.)
5) Exercise at least 3 times a week, doing 30 minutes of cardio to a reasonable level of intensity. This will help to create the calorie deficit and encourage your body to lose fat.
6)Make simple replacements in your diet, Sweetener in place of sugar, diet drinks in place of full sugar drinks, use leaner cuts of meat etc. At first these changes may be difficult but you will get used to them and make vital calorie savings every day.
7) Drink plenty of water - at least 8 glasses of water every day - if you are dehydrated your body will be less efficient and will make fat loss more difficult.
8) Try to eat low carb (complex only!), low fat and moderate protein.
9)Keep a food diary to monitor how many calories you are consuming - it is very easy to over eat.  This is one of the best things that keep me on track :)
10) Supplementing you diet can make fat loss easier. A diet high in protein can help preserve muscle (more muscle means an increase in metabolism).
Always consult a doctor before starting a new fitness or weight loss regimen.

Read the Label Please

You know that moment when you're just about to put something in your mouth but a little voice says, "don't do it, it's not worth it?"  I'm there quite often!  As many of you know, I have a problem with sweets, I LOVE them and over indulge almost every time we encounter each other.
The other day I picked up a cookie from Fresh N Easy, against my better judgement, because I had been doing good (in the sweets department) all week prior to this.  That nudge to put it back came and....I ignored it, bought the cookie and devoured it in my van in the parking lot.  Mind you, I justified this by tell myself it was OK because I had taught two classes that day....  I didn't check the label or calorie count or WW points prior to stuffing the monster, chocolate filled yummy down my throat.
Later on I thought I would be accountable and calculate the points for my decision.

12 points....WHAT?????  

ok people so whether or not you are familiar with Weight Watchers, 12 points is HALF of MY daily allowance....HALF!!!!  Whyyyyyyy???  480 calories worth of cookie!
The moral of the story....read your labels, calculate your points, ask if it's worth it (if you decide it is, then own it and enjoy), if you decide its not, put it back.  Listen to your inner compass and be strong my friends.

Photo Shoot

My sweet friend and LVAC member, Marissa, offered to take some head shots of me for my Zumba.com profile and my blog. She is a very talented and beautiful photographer, model and dancer. Her smile is contagious!
To be honest, I am not the most comfortable in front of the camera.  I'm usually behind it taking pictures of my cute kids..... so I felt a bit awkward.  She made me feel relaxed as we chatted and laughed about our lives.  Here are some of my favorite ones.  Thank you so much Marissa!
If you'd like to check out her website click HERE

Zumba Wear

I am going to be placing an order with Zumba.com in the next week or two.  If you're interested in ordering some of their super cute and sassy dance/workout gear let me know.
As a Zumba instructor I can pass on a 10% savings to you PLUS there will be no shipping costs.
Check out the Zumba Shop and contact me (by email or in class) if something catches your eye!
They have a sale section.........and who doesn't love a deal?  I've worn their clothes over the years and they are comfortable and durable.  Some of the merchandise does run small, especially the tops.  Order a size or two up on those.  The pants are pretty true to size.
Heres some of MY favs......



Feel the Thrill Racerback $20 (Various Colors) Discount = $18

Flash Spaghetti Bra Top $30 (2 colors)  Discount = $27

Fast Dash Flare Capri $40 Discount = $36

If you're looking for a new pair of shoes for Zumba and other classes, these are the way to go.  I hear they are super comfy, have just the right amount of traction, as well as lightweight and way CUTE! They come in two different colors (black & pink ) and cost $74.95 or with my discount only $67.50.
To shop click HERE