Zumba

Anybody else Zumba? I've been Zumba-ing for about 3 weeks (3-5 times a week for an hour each day) and following the MFP app but have only lost 4 pounds :( Maybe I shouldn't be sad about this but I guess I had big expectations of losing more? Just wondering anybody else's experience with Zumba and if you noticed muscle gain? I'm hoping that is where the weight fluctuation is coming from.

Replies

  • missxlisa
    missxlisa Posts: 70 Member
    that sounds like success to me! weight loss will mostly depend on your diet, though
  • purpleipod
    purpleipod Posts: 1,147 Member
    Isn't Zumba cardio, not strength training? You're not going to gain any significant amount of muscle in 3 weeks.. that takes several months, especially as a woman. 4 pounds in 3 weeks is over a pound a week, isn't that better than gaining a pound a week? You sound like you're doing fine to me, this isn't a fast process.
  • xMelGetsFit
    xMelGetsFit Posts: 43 Member
    I'm a workout newbie.
  • berriboobear
    berriboobear Posts: 524 Member
    I love Zumba! It's a fun way to get a good cardio workout in, assuming you keep moving and pushing it! 4 pounds in three weeks is great! That's a normal healthy loss! If you're JUST doing Zumba, you really shouldn't be gaining muscle really... maybe tone them? Just keep going, slow and steady is the way to go! :)
  • MrsSenecal
    MrsSenecal Posts: 312 Member
    Three years ago I went 3-4 times a week, I burned over 700 calories a class (I worked my *kitten* off) and I lost 50 pounds. I LOVE Zumba!
  • paintlisapurple
    paintlisapurple Posts: 982 Member
    4 lbs in 3 weeks sounds like success to me. You need to have some patience. The weight didn't just appear in a couple of weeks, and won't disappear in a couple of weeks either. Keep up the great work! :flowerforyou:
  • rachelleigh4988
    rachelleigh4988 Posts: 42 Member
    Anybody else Zumba? I've been Zumba-ing for about 3 weeks (3-5 times a week for an hour each day) and following the MFP app but have only lost 4 pounds :( Maybe I shouldn't be sad about this but I guess I had big expectations of losing more? Just wondering anybody else's experience with Zumba and if you noticed muscle gain? I'm hoping that is where the weight fluctuation is coming from.

    4 lbs in 3 weeks is great progress. It takes time for the weight to come off in a healthy manner. I do zumba about twice a week right now and I love it! It's so much fun, and it does burn a lot of calories. The fact that it's fun is the best part about it for me though. I want this to be a lifestyle change, in that I'll actually want to work out. Zumba makes me want to burn those calories! Just keep at it girl, you're doing great so far!
  • MightyDomo
    MightyDomo Posts: 1,265 Member
    You're doing fine so far.

    Zumba is majorly cardio that touches on other forms of exercise, it will not give you 'definition' but can help to increase endurance and help lose body fat. If you want to lose more weight you need to build fat burning muscle by lifting! So do 3 days a week cardio and 3 days a week strength and have one rest day in there, try not to overlap cardio and strength on the same days as it is counterproductive. Eat a more 'fat burning, muscle building' diet as well, I prefer the ratio 25/50/25 for carbs/protein/fat, always eat carbs before workouts and protein after work outs. The carbs fuel your workout while the protein helps you recover. I hear a cup of chocolate milk and some nuts or cheese or a banana are really helpful for an after workout meal or a protein shake.

    You can find tons of useful tips and ideas around MFP to help you on your way :) Good luck darlin!
  • I love Zumba! I also strength train 3x a week & take Zumba classes 2-3 x a week. I find Zumba has really built up my endurance. I can push myself longer at a higher heart rate. But if you want to build muscle- strength training is the way to go.
    And losing 4 pounds in 3 weeks is fantastic!
  • tiffanycsmith
    tiffanycsmith Posts: 12 Member
    I have been going to Zumba classes at a studio near my house for 3 months and I LOVE IT! It's the most fun exercise class I've ever been to and I have learned so much since going there. While it is possible to lose weight by going to Zumba classes, it is not a guarantee. You have to eat clean and cut back on certain things. Four pounds of weight lost in the time period you mentioned isn't bad at all. Best of luck to you and keep Zumba-ing...you'll find it addicting soon enough.
  • chinalavy
    chinalavy Posts: 104
    Anybody else Zumba? I've been Zumba-ing for about 3 weeks (3-5 times a week for an hour each day) and following the MFP app but have only lost 4 pounds :( Maybe I shouldn't be sad about this but I guess I had big expectations of losing more? Just wondering anybody else's experience with Zumba and if you noticed muscle gain? I'm hoping that is where the weight fluctuation is coming from.
    I do Zumba 3 to 4 days a week and my body has definitely change take measurements the scale does not give you the whole story
  • xMelGetsFit
    xMelGetsFit Posts: 43 Member
    Thank you for all the tips! Regardless of the weight issue, I can't deny how much more energy at have since I have started working out. That to me is far more important than what it says on the scale. I guess my question was what else I could do to help with weight loss in addition to Zumba. Looks like strength training is the answer but I have no idea where to begin.
  • purpleipod
    purpleipod Posts: 1,147 Member
    You can do any activity you want to do. It's about burning calories, so find something you enjoy doing that gets your heart rate up. As far as strength training, there are a lot of different resources out there. A lot of women use the book New Rules of Weight Lifting for Women.