I've recently had a lot of (unwanted) changes put on me in my life, and I have decided that I want to take control and change my OWN life.

I have gotten a job, and I am about to start a diet and exercise regimen. Problem is I have trouble doing running/jogging/typical exercise because I have CRAZY bad shin splints and a bad ankle. (It actually kept me out of marching quite a bit as well).

The point of all of this is that I'm trying to find a more unconventional method of exercise/weight loss, such as Zumba.

Has anyone tried it? Is it fun? Does it actually work?

Yeah, it seems like a good way to get your heart rate up and burn some calories. My wife has shin splint problems as well but loves doing Zumba. If you like to dance like she does you'll most likely enjoy it.

Relying solely on Zumba won't get it done though. Losing weight really starts in the kitchen and you'd need to incorporate some weightlifting into your exercise regime.

Find a gym that offers Zumba classes and definitely try out other classes as well. Don't any of that high-rep, low-weight crap when lifting weights.

(09-24-2011 05:12 PM)ashellab Wrote:  Yeah, it seems like a good way to get your heart rate up and burn some calories. My wife has shin splint problems as well but loves doing Zumba. If you like to dance like she does you'll most likely enjoy it.

Relying solely on Zumba won't get it done though. Losing weight really starts in the kitchen and you'd need to incorporate some weightlifting into your exercise regime.

Find a gym that offers Zumba classes and definitely try out other classes as well. Don't any of that high-rep, low-weight crap when lifting weights.

Right. I understand that. That's why I'm making some DRASTIC changes in the things I eat. Cutting out all the fast-food, junk food, etc. I know that Diet + Exercise = Weight Loss. I have just never really had the motivation to actually DO it until now.

My church hosts Zumba classes 4 nights a week and people really seem to love it. Like Ashellab said, it's seems to be a good way to get a solid cardio workout in while maintaining some fun in he process through music and dance.

I've not done it myself but people really seem to enjoy it

swimming as well as well as water aerobics. easier on the joints

(09-24-2011 05:51 PM)Maiamire Wrote:  

(09-24-2011 05:12 PM)ashellab Wrote:  Yeah, it seems like a good way to get your heart rate up and burn some calories. My wife has shin splint problems as well but loves doing Zumba. If you like to dance like she does you'll most likely enjoy it.

Relying solely on Zumba won't get it done though. Losing weight really starts in the kitchen and you'd need to incorporate some weightlifting into your exercise regime.

Find a gym that offers Zumba classes and definitely try out other classes as well. Don't any of that high-rep, low-weight crap when lifting weights.

Right. I understand that. That's why I'm making some DRASTIC changes in the things I eat. Cutting out all the fast-food, junk food, etc. I know that Diet + Exercise = Weight Loss. I have just never really had the motivation to actually DO it until now.

Best of luck to you. I'm doing the same thing now.

if you have a smartphone, download the 'my fitness pal' app. it's free, and is basically a food diary, but it has TONS of options, so you're not spending tons of time looking up things.

it will calculate your BMI, and what your caloric intake should be each day based on your activity level.

it's really kept me accountable. you also load your exercise in (has cardio & weight options), so it's easy to see where shoving a handful of wheat thins in my mouth at my desk for a snack means ___ amount of extra time on the treadmill, and you start to think twice about the mindless snacking.

good luck!

I love Zumba. Lots of fun. I also lift weights 1-2x per week.