My Zumba® Journey...
I’m Stanley D. Singleton and I love Zumba® classes!!! I made the decision to regain control of my life. I adopted better eating practices, I hired a trainer, and I began doing Zumba® consistently in April of 2011.
Originally, I found being the only man in the class to be a bit awkward. That SOON changed. After the music started pumping, my feet began moving, and the rest of my body soon followed. I found the choreography to be challenging and intriguing at the same time. When the rest of the group went left, I was moving right. When the rest of the group walked forwards, I was moving backwards. I was sweaty, my heart rate was elevated, and I was having fun—it didn’t even matter that I had missed some steps. It was one of the first times I attended a group fitness class where I was not eagerly awaiting the end. In contrast, I did not want to “party” to stop! I committed myself to “joining the party” not as an observer, but as a participant. I began with two classes a week at my gym with one instructor.
As my passion for Zumba® grew, I found myself unsatisfied with only two opportunities a week to “join the Zumba® party.” It had gotten into my system—I found myself checking ALL of the local gyms’ fitness schedules to find more classes and other instructors. I purchased the music and listened to it in my car and in my house. When I heard the songs, I found myself doing the choreography—no matter where I was! My two day a week “party” addiction had grown to six days a week. I was a Zumba® junkie, and I LOVED every moment of it! I didn’t realize that I had a Zumba® addiction until I had to travel out of town for work. I found myself on Zumba®.com looking for Zumba® classes in all of the areas where I was traveling. I did not want to go a day without the loud music, Latin & international rhythms, calorie burning, an intermittent heart rate, and sweat pouring. I knew then, that I had an addiction, an addiction to Zumba®!
After shedding more than 44 pounds, ridding myself of chronic knee and back pain, and with the support and encouragement family, friends, and local instructors I became a licensed instructor in January 2012. In February 2012, I was certified by the American Red Cross in CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Health Care Providers. The way I look at it, if Zumba® is my worst habit, or my worst addiction, I’m doing pretty well! So come and join me for EXERCISE IN DISGUISE!!! I guarantee you will have a blast! I look forward to meeting you!
