Part III: Confessions of a Supplement Junkie and a Weight Loss Heroine

I remember salsa dancing in my late teens, early 20's at Latin Palace in Baltimore, Maryland. Everyone in the club (young, old, big, small) was moving the to rhythm and enjoying themselves. I recall one particular evening when this 50-something couple came out onto the dance floor. Everyone clapped and whistled when they approached, including the band. The young, athletic, full-of-myself Kertney couldn't imagine why? The wife was a busty size 14+ and her husband was a leaner, balding man, in short slacks and a button down yellow shirt. Maybe it was an anniversary party? Maybe they were the club's owners? Or maybe it was because they were AWESOME!?  Those two worked that dance floor like it was their job! They looked at each other in such a sexy, flirtatious way that you couldn't help feeling all warm inside. He looked at her like she was the hottest mamacita in the club and she made him work for it! Yes! Latin music just makes you feel sexy, energized and confident. It's what I love about it. Latin music makes you want to move your body... and it's what attracted me to Zumba.

It was the winter of 2008, nearly 10 years and 50lbs later, when I attended my first Zumba class. If you haven't heard about the latest aerobic, latin dance inspired fitness craze then visit THIS website and check it out for yourself. Be prepared to S-W-E-A-T your you-know-what-off and most importantly, have fun!

After I started my Flat Belly Diet and supplement regiment, I was cleared for exercise. Okay, okay... I was ALWAYS cleared for exercise, physically, just not mentally. Once upon a time I was a slim, theatre professional who would jump at the chance for a good workout... not anymore. I needed something that would keep me interested and help me shed this extra weight.

My first Zumba experience was at the YMCA and it was nothing less than hysterical! I didn't know what the hell was going on, what the steps were or why I thought I had any business being there? Just pathetic. I was like many first timers and asserted my BACK ROW positioning. Unfortunately, I am nearsighted and should have placed myself front row to see the instructor- as I was squinting the entire time. I was also:

1) Gasping for breath.

2) Wishing I brought a bigger water bottle.

3) Rethinking those fajitas I ate for dinner.

4) Prying my panties out of my tookis.

5) Insisting that the dance mirrors made me look 10 pounds heavier.

6) Praying that no one else noticed me goofing up during the jumping/shimmy/merengue/kick-thing.

7) Understanding why kegels (and Poise Pads) are so important.

8) Realizing just how heavy my boobs feel in a sports bra and how they resembled a speed hump.

9) Praying that I wouldn't fart during squats and...

10) Sincerely thinking I would die of exhaustion.

Yes, I was a hot mess and I was way, way out of shape. Still, I loved the music and continued to go. After a few weeks, I was comfortable with the moves and pretty impressed with the results. I was doing great with this diet/exercise routine, losing weight, toning up and feeling the healthiest I had been in a long time. February of '09 would prove to be quite the endurance test, however, when I had a run in with an extremely rare and vicious illness that almost cost me my life: Herpes simplex encephalitis.

Many people have there own theories on why I am still around, somewhat unscathed: 

Ironic how this sign is above the water fountain in the 'Zumba' gym

1) I'm tougher than cat piss.

2) My neurologist is top notch.

         3) Thoughts and prayers. 

But my favorite hypothesis is... 

4) ME. I started taking care of myself and prepared my body for a pretty nasty endurance test... an endurance test that I wouldn't wish upon any friend or foe. 

Mark my words: A healthier lifestyle helped to save my life.

The problem was that I wasn't cleared to do Zumba for a while. With all of that movement and my "new brain" being what it was... probably not the best idea... so I stayed away for a while. When I returned to Zumba, I ditched the YMCA and joined Julie DiMatteo's Zumba class. It was way, way, way more fun than the YMCA class. Women were hooting and hollering and greeted each other warmly- a camaraderie! There were men (okay... ONE man... and he knows who he is) and women of all ages and physicality's. No one was afraid to be there and people were smiling, sweating and enjoying themselves. It reminded me of Latin Palace- only less swanky.

The hour blasts by and you don't even realize that you have just burned off anywhere from 600-1000 calories (depending on intensity). Which brings me to another great thing about Zumba: You can work at your own pace. Believe me, I didn't start full out! I took my time and modified the routines. I still modify the routines.

Ironically, Zumba helps Kertney to be friendly. After a day of work, kids, teaching, crafts, cleaning, T-Ball, swimming, bills, grocery shopping, cooking, laundry... I turn into an evil bitch. Zumba helps me to sweat her from my body. I could be in the worst, slouched, PMS-fueled mood before class and I can walk out feeling alert, energized and positive.

Positivity, in my opinion, is the key ingredient to successful body transformation. You have to find what works for you.  The Flat Belly Diet worked for me. Supplements work for me. Zumba works for me. But the thing that helps me the most is a positive attitude. Without it, I could not have accomplished a 50lb weight loss and a new lease on life. This three part blog acts a pat on my back (I think I deserve it) and inspiration to anyone out there who needs a push in the right direction. Put yourself first, think positively, and you'll find that rest just falls into place... and off of the scale.

For more inspiration, visit my other community based blog at The Beaver Countian. There you can read the stories of a handful of the women I Zumba with, who have amazing stories to tell about their own personal success stories... with Zumba's help.

PS: Guess what I did in October of 2012 after I reached my 50lb goal??  ------------>



Check out my ZIN page at http://courtney123.zumba.com/