Zumba what?

     Today is #WellnessWednesday! Wellness Wednesday will be reserved with fitness tips, exercise, and of course favorite nutritional products. Since I love to do Zumba as my workout on Wednesdays, that's what is on my mind--so that is what I will talk about.

 



 



 

   This morning I woke up, drank my Spark, and headed to the gym! I absolutely LOVE my Wednesday workout schedule so I was PUMPED! I was remembering on the way there that it was #wellnessWednesday, so I was looking for inspiration. I walked into class and knew this was what I wanted to share with y'all today. What is Zumba? It is a high intensity dance class with a Latin twist. I do not know how to "technically" explain, so I will just share how I see it from my eyes.

  When I walked in I noticed there was all shapes, sizes, ages, men, women and fitness levels. So it is not just meant for young people, or even just women--there was quite a few men in there getting their cardio on! Then...my JAM came on! I just love when the instructor puts a song on that you know the words to because not only you can dance and sing in class, but when you hear that song on the radio or in a public setting--you can and you WILL break out in the dance moves you learned in class...it is inevitable--and you will never hear that song the same after that! If you're luck you will have an amazing trainer like we have at our local YMCA. She not only knows how to help us dance and have a good time while we are "exercising", but she knows how to use this fun activity to help us lose weight!  By the end of the class I had burned 500 calories--and I'm sure some people can burn even more! It really is a great way to start the day.

Not only do I love the dance part..but I love the community of it! I have met so many of my current friends from attending these Zumba classes regularly. We dance, act silly, laugh, and really make working out fun! When I first started going back to the gym a little over a year ago...I KNEW I did not want to stick to that treadmill. Once I attended the zumba classes, there was no turning back! I NEED it at least twice a week or it feels like something is missing.

     I asked my friend Tamara why she liked zumba so much because she is a regular. Her response was,"I mostly love the energy of everyone around me, and the crazy wild energy the instructor brings out of me. The music helps out extremely. I love hearing songs that I don't normally hear." There goes the part about the importance of the instructor. If you try zumba...and do not like it...try at least 2 more instructors. I have tried many, but have found only a few that I absolutely LOVE their class and their styles. Speaking of..I asked Diane..my main squeeze instructor...what she LOVES about Zumba and she said, "I have always loved music and dancing and hated working out. So when I realized you could put the two together, I was thrilled. It changed my life as a student. Then when I was asked to instruct, it took my love and turned it into a passion. I am a nurturer and getting to help people do something healthy for their body in a fun way makes my job not a job. Seeing people smile while they sweat off their stress is more rewarding than any money they could ever pay me!!"...I love that answer, and you can tell she puts her heart into her class..and that's why it is always full of people trying to get their workout on and have fun at the same time!

     On that note, I'm going to wrap this one up. If you have not tried Zumba before...ask your gym if they offer classes! If they don't, come to mine...we have allllllllllll times of day and the absolute best of the best instructors. Sometimes..you can find just studios that charge only when you go if you do not want a gym membership...that's another option.

 

Keep Grinding!!

Ashley

 

(Here's an example of a pretty intense Zumba class)





 



Bob knows Bob #tellallTuesday

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! I have had quite a few people ask why I have not blogged in so long. The answer... I don't know... I thoroughly enjoy it, but just felt like I was in a "writing funk". I've had some great inspirations as of lately, so what better day to start again than TODAY!

Today is "Tell All Tuesday"-- That means I am going to share what is on my mind. It may seem like random blurbs to some, but there is someone out there going through the same thing. I will GLADLY accept feedback...inputs...personal stories that relate.  #tellallTuesday is meant to provoke discussion!

Starting with a story:

    It has taken Bob his whole life to discover his true passion which is to make coffee. He was constantly reading any books/articles he could get his hand on about how to make coffee. He would attend to coffee making seminars, practice stirring techniques, and brew all day long at home. Bob had worked plenty of places, what he would consider learning experiences, but never truly fulfilled the void he was missing--which was passion. He worked at a cupcake shop before--still reading and learning about coffee when off the clock . He was great at it because he was great at anything he put his mind to, but couldn't stay because there was still SOMETHING missing. He also worked at an Ice-Cream shop...serving ice cream with a smile, but watching videos on how to make the perfect cup of coffee in his spare time. He made his mind up after many "dead-end" jobs that he was no longer going to settle...he was going to find a career path that he loved, and would give him the opportunity to become the happy person who LOVED going to work every day because it was his calling.
     One day, he was walking down the side walk and seen a "NOW HIRING" sign at the premier coffee shop in town. He thought to himself, "Is this a sign? Is this where God wants me to be right now? Is this what I have been preparing for all this time?" He went in to apply saying, "I'm here for the coffee making position!...may I please have an application?" The gentleman behind the counter says, "Yes, here's an application, but we're not currently hiring for a 'coffee maker' position, we're hiring for register." Bob reluctantly took the application, went home, filled it out, and prayed about it. He battled with the pros and cons. Is this really where He is leading me or is this where I am leading myself? Will I be happy? Does this give me the opportunity to truly share my gift of coffee making with others? Will it be just another job that I dread going to, but still have to wear a happy face?" After some soul searching and praying for a few days, Bob happily turned his application in figuring that at least this time..he will be in an actual coffee shop--he can smell and see the coffee, and maybe get the chance to pick up some more coffee making techniques that he may not get working some other place that had nothing at all to do with his passion.
   Because Bob had excellent credentials and references, there was no surprise he got the job. His first day was so wonderful! He was one step closer to doing something he had only dreamed of doing. The smell of the coffee was in the air, the happy customers, his positive attitude...he KNEW he was in the right place. A few weeks went by without ever even making one cup of coffee, and Bob couldn't help but get that feeling again...the feeling like he was settling...the feeling like he was moving farther away from his dream and passion rather than closer. He was out of his "strength zone" running the register, and his self-esteem was taking a hit every time he walked in there to see the coffee makers doing what he loved to do, knowing that he would be so awesome at it if they just gave him the chance.

What should Bob do next? Should he tell his bosses how he feels? What if they won't listen? Should he go and find a coffee shop that will allow him to use his strengths? Should he just stay where he is and be miserable and "wait" to see what happens?
 I think he should ask/network/talk to as many people as it takes to get what he wants--don't ask, dont't get..don't try? then don't complain.

 

 

 

Have you ever gone through anything like this? I know that many people find jobs/careers when they're right out of school...and stick and stay with them until retirement. I think the person who has the ability to do this...that's simply wonderful. I know me, like Bob, simply does not want to settle for anything less than my passion.. I want my career path to be a part of my passion and my purpose. It takes away from my family time, it better be something that I love doing. I had the opportunity to hear John C. Maxwell speak--my favorite author by the way-- get some of his books if you're trying to become a better business person, father, mother, community leader-- good stuff. BUT he said something that makes me think of Bob and his situation. He said that most people work for 60 years so that they can retire happily by the water, and read, golf, and fish all day. But in all honesty...that will still not make them happy. There will still be a void in the picture of their retirement, and they spent all those years trying to get there to never fully arrive. Then he said the part that really resonated with me... find a career that you love, that you're good at, and that uses your strengths--you will never work a day in your life. That's what I want. God made me this way for a reason..I can't change, and I refuse to settle. What I CAN do is look for the team I am meant to be a part of that will allow me to use my strengths, and surround myself with others to help me with my weaknesses.

 

My advice to you:

 

1. If it takes TIME away from your family...it better be worth it...and it better make you happy!

 

2. Don't settle and don't let others tell you who you are. No one knows you better than you know yourself. Life is too short to be miserable, and there is too much opportunity available then to settle for anything less than what you are passionate about.

 

3. Keep fighting for what you want. It's so easy just to give in to what is comfortable, but your wildest dreams can be achieved simply by stepping out of your comfort zone.

 

Thanks for visiting!!

 

Ashley <3