msshiraz Member

I joined over the summer and went up and down. I don't have the opportunity to get to a meeting easily, and even when I do I am so stinkin tired from work I am not engaged. My thoughts on Freestyle program was a deciding factor for me. They removed a large amount of Daily Smartpoints, then called these foods free. To me it…

Wow I felt your pain in so many ways- my dad was heavy his whole life, his dream was to move to Costa Rica at retirement. We went there in December 2007, and I was at my heaviest weight at that time. But much more capable of moving and living than he was. The trip was a nightmare although he acted like it wasn't (as he…

The key to good nutrition is getting those clean foods into your diet- salads are easy for many but so are soups! Limit fruits- not none but just be careful, and especially of fruit juices- often loaded with sugar. - Do you like to cook? What foods do you like that have made you gain weight? Almost any food can be modified…

Tiger Balm works wonders on sore muscles- but I find if I stretch really well too, and drink a lot of water those also help. I personally love being sore- it keeps me focused on the hard work done :)

2007 I was the heaviest I had ever been- somewhere around 340 (pic is on my home page). My dad who had just turned 62 was suffering from years of bad living- very obese his whole life, started going downhill fast. He died in April of 2008. I found him - it was to be my turning point, once the grief and pain subsided, I…

Inspirational story- so glad your brother survived! Nothing like a dose of close death or death of a loved one to make us look at ourselves

Hi Deanne, Glad you are getting (or possibly by now have) Gold. Its a format all its own, and your younger gals are going to have different needs- its best to separate the classes if you can. I have been teaching Gold for 2 years- and I still layer it into any new classes for newbies- the format is amazing! Zumba Gold…

There was always an excuse- until I decided to hold myself accountable. I became a group fitness instructor, I have to go to classes, and I have to give 100% just to get 30% out of my participants. Thanks to this, I am now a fitness junkie!!! I had bad knees too- there are some things I still can't do or it will aggrivate…

I am recovering. I took a Body Pump class followed by Aqua Zumba class (which I taught ). Today I am hosting /teaching a 2 hrs Zumba party! Party Hearty for heart health---Heart disease #1 killer of women in U.S.

Hi Abby! I'd suggest going to a live Zumba class if you enjoy it at home- the energy and friends you will make will motivate you so much! :)

oops- never mind- I see I am on the list at top- woo hoo!!!

info above- stats- do you need more info? Can you add me to this challenge? :) I have a lot to share too- especially with fitness, I am a fitness instructor- personal motivator :)

Current weight is 276. I have lost 75 lb.s. in 2 yrs & been stuck at 274-280 for over 6 months. My magic # to get past this plateau is 246, 30 lbs. It will take me into an 18 dress size pants. This is my goal

I am glad you are listening to your body. In the end no one but you is accountable to you except you. Keep US posted!!!!!

I appreciate your dilemna and it certainly can be overwhelming- so many do have different opinions. Unfortunately what works for one may not work for another. No one here can tell you your magic solution. You have to find that, and its good you are trying different things. But you are also trying too many things at once.…

There is a similar (if not the same) recipe on SkinnyTaste.com. I made it a few months ago, was excellent, except per a tip, I doubled the cumin- although easily I could have had more- it was absolutely amazing!!! Hmm thx for the tip- I think I'm going to make this again soon!!

I feel the same way- which is why my diary is closed. If I need nutritional feedback, I'll go find a nutritionist, or my dr. I rarely request back dietary feedback, I know what I need to eat and avoid. If someone wants me to look at their diary I will and tell them what I see, but I am certainly not on here to fix anyone…

Without a doubt, it is the hardest format of Zumba to teach. The elements of a pool environment are what you need to prepare for. While a lot of people will get licensed in this, many quickly discover its not for them. Pool environments- heat, intense heat often, and humidity. Chemicals from pool. Slick conditions in the…

Life is too short not to have good chocolate- especially since you like the dark! I keep it at home too, when I need some, I never need a lot, and I don't feel deprived. Lindt is great, so is Ghiradelli. Another treat I love- bowl of strawberries (or mixed berries even better.........fresh) and drizzle dark chocolate syrup…

I am taking a BodyStep Master class tonight- a little wiped from a long week already, but committed. I was planning to attend the training this weekend to get certified to teach it, but after working on the choreography this weekend, holy cow I am not ready. It is sooo fast- and so intense (and Burpees in a step class?).…

I never burn less than 600- but its because I teach fitness classes, and Zumba is super cardio- drenched in sweat after each class. Also depends on a persons body weight, as I get closer to my goal weight that will no doubt taper down. But I team teach with another instructor, she is very lean, and she burns 400-500 each…

Hello my friend! Since we have talked- I am worried about you, and you can see the very great support you will get here. But its up to you. Can we ask what has your dr advised for support here? Food clearly is psychological for you (and for many of us). Why am I putting this on the main board instead of a message? Because…

Ettiquette period- since when is it ever ok to throw your stuff around and not clean up? We have full service towels, cleaning, ect. I feel for the housekeeping, especially in January. My daughter works at one of our gyms as a housekeeper, and yes, this is the most frustrating and exhausting thing- she is hauling weights…

From another perspective, as one who works in a gym, and learning a lot about the importance of retention, including keeping costs down, and membership fees. If someone continues to come even just once a week, they retain their membership. Keeping that revenue means adding benefits to a productive company. Working for a…

Hey all! :) Zumba Hugs!! I have been a ZIN since March 2011- and started classes in 2010. I have all licenses except Sentao- I primarily teach Aqua and Basic classes- sometimes sub Gold and Zumbatomic. If you have questions, new and need ZIN support- feel free to add me as a friend! Exciting to see so many ZINs on a…

I am sorry! You work out for your health- his insecurities are ihs own, we all have choices in life- he chooses not to be supportive, but a loving husband doesn't treat his best friend that way. If he has not basis for jealous behavior, such as flirting, or any other things that would cause this fear, its time to talk, sit…

Like this! I had to make my weight loss private- people see and they know, and they ask, that is fine, but by keeping it to myself, I was able to avoid a lot of sabbotage. Also became a Group Fitness Instructor- at a plus size, and told everyone this is hard enough without support- if you don't support me I don't want to…

Beautiful- congrats ZIN!!!!

I will have to put up pictures tonight for you, (on my home PC)- but yes, Zumba Fitness changed my life! I have lost 75 lbs and 37 inches off my body. I would have lost more had I found this site when I started. Let me tell you- when I started, I was so out of shape- I thought I wasn't so bad, went to gym all the time- but…

Hi there- feel free to add me as a friend! I teach Zumba Gold- as well as other formats of Zumba. The videos are super simple on the new DVD set- like any Zumba class- the steps come in time. With your physical limitations you'll find what you can do and can't. I have taught Zumba Gold chair classes- super modified- mostly…