Zumba Memories

Rehabbing a fractured leg couldn't keep me away

For months. Day in. Day out. An eager group of women -- myself included -- filed in, scurrying to claim our spots and packing the room like sardines. The crowded, sweaty room never bothered us -- not too much anyway. We were too caught up in the rapture. Too caught up in the Latin rhythms, Hip Hop beats, and African drums. Oh, what fun we had shaking our hips, stomping our feet, laughing in Zumba.

The days I spent shaking my hips and laughing with the ladies were the early days of my self-discovery and weight loss journey. For me, it was a time where I met new friends, discovered things about myself, unleashed inhibitions, melted inches off of my waist -- while having a blast! In retrospect, the months that I spent in those countless Zumba classes were really when Chrisetta became alive.

Recently, a Zumba favorite came on in rotation while I was listening to my iPod. It brought back memories, Zumba memories. I soon found myself listening to Zumba tune, after Zumba tune. The music started getting really good and before I knew it I was up on my feet shaking it a little! Funny, I still remember some of the choreography. 

I was so moved by the music, I paused just for a moment to post a Facebook message to my Zumba friends, calling for a Zumba reunion. I surmised from my friends responses that they too felt the same. Those Zumba months were a very special time in all of our lives. For different reasons. Though it wasn't said, it was implied. We all needed each other, for one reason or another.  But, the season has passed. That's not a bad thing. It's a good thing. We've grown. We've moved on. Yes, we're still friends. Sure, we still love Zumba. But, the season has ended. Our time together in that capacity has expired. See previous blog post about reasons and seasons here.

We bonded in Zumba. We changed in Zumba. We had the time of our lives in Zumba. Through music. Through Salsa and Merengue. Through laughter.

Thanks Zumba for the friends, the smaller waists, and the memories.

"Start from Scratch"

I love music and I'm really eclectic in my taste. If you got a hold of my iPod you'd be blown away at the diversity - whoa Nelly. Anyhow, when it's time for a gritty workout the genre I prefer is Hip-Hop and Rap. One of the songs I listen to, to get me pumped up is ""Start from Scratch" by The Game. In the introduction he says: "What you looking at self. You want a piece of me?" He's calling himself out. I need to be called out too when I'm about to deadlift. Hee hee. Once I  hear that intro I go into a zone.  


So I was out walking recently, my mind more relaxed and the song came on in the shuffle. I finally really got the full context of the message...Yes, rap music usually has a message. 

The chorus: 

If I could start my life from scratch

If I could take away the pain off my past

If I had another chance I would do just that

I'd give anything just to go right back

Aha! That's just it -- all the events of my life, tragic and not so tragic make me who I am. 

• The busted down training wheels on my bike as a girl
• Having a child at 20 years old and raising her by myself
• Tipping the scales at 388 lbs.
• And, my defining moment...The darkest, coldest winter I've EVER experienced -- 2009 has transformed me into the beautiful, vibrant, fit, woman I am today. 

While suffering through that long, dark winter I could not see any light. I didn't even conceive there was light. Ha but out of the darkness I  found myself and as a result I've created myself. If I had to do it all over, no doubt, I'd start from scratch.