I was standing at the mailboxes at work when Samantha opened the envelope from her sister."ZUMBA!" she yells, and I'm thinking it's some ethnic 'hooray' or something. And I had to see what the fuss was all about. I was really hoping it was something good.
Nope. It's exercise DVD's with latin dance music and some killer moves. And she proceeds to rope Irene into making me some copies so I can try it. Try it, I did, and now I want to murder Samantha because my hips are KILLING me.
OMG. Have you ever seen Zumba? It's killer because the music is horribly fast and the moves require a ton of quick foot movements combined with the shaking your hips and waving of your arms. I have to admit to looking like a complete idiot while I do it, but I certainly feel the pain after two short sessions.
"Beto", the Zumba dance host, dances with a gang of gals who all look like Gloria Estefan in street clothes, all the while encouraging me and Em with terms like "Feel the music!" and "Add some flavor!"--whatever the hell that means. Beto sort of creeps me out with his winking eye and his creepy smile, but I dance on.
So, there I stand, in my family room, with my yoga pants on and my tank top rolled up to show my belly like the girls on the video--and it's not looking good. Okay, so I was getting in the spirit of Zumba.....and the music goes on....and on.....and on--horribly long.
And it's not pretty. Em and I try, but we are not Latin. We don't have rhythm or natural hip shakin' like those girls, and we certainly don't have abs like they do--well, at least I don't.
Finally, after 40 minutes of Beto yelling for us to add "flavor", Em turns to me and says "What the hell does that mean anyway?"
I have to admit to her, "Em, we are Lithuanian. We eat potatoes for god sake--we don't have flavor."
And we dance awkwardly on.
25 comments:
oh please, please video the next session. Hysterical. "Lithuanian's do not have flavor"
hahahaha ~ oh Lin ~ you are too too funny!
Perhaps you could put a little bit of 'chicken-in-the-mug' in our potatoes to spice them up a bit... the dancing... I can't help you with. ;)
But good for the two of you for trying!!
xo Catherine
Haaa! Being half Cuban, I get the flavor part, but I still wouldn't be able to keep up with those Zumba videos. But, yes, if you're going to do it, do it right -- glad you rolled up the tank top and got in the spirit!
I have a Brazilian dance video. Let's just say the blinds get closed when I break that out. I also have Masala Bhangra videos; 'Bollywood' style. And Indian hip-hop. They are actually kind of fun, except that the woman who leads the dancing has this harsh raspy NY accent that kinda scares me. (She's Indian, and beautiful, but when she opens her mouth she sounds like a conductor on the MTA. Its weird.)
I unfortunately can't fall back on my heritage to account for my lack of rhythm, we with the floofy embroidered skirts and the Riverdance. I'm just a spud, I guess.
Better you than me....me back would sue me:)
"...we eat potatoes..." LOL
(Oh, yeah: laughing with you, not at you. (You did say you are laughing?)
I have been wanting to try that Zumba...heard a lot about it! Good for you for giving it a go!! You can still try my favorite gal, Leslie Sansone, if you want some exercise that is a bit easier on the hips!
Happy Weekend!
I have a friend who took that up. She went from pleasingly plump to hot and curvy! She is now an instructor. Looks like you're not headed in that direction. :)
I wouldn't get past the fourth measure in the music. Oh well . . . Even Lawrence Welk is too fast for me. ;)
LOVE those last lines!!! I detest zumba. WAYYYYYYY too peppy. WAY.
The other thing they have that you don't is they are getting paid to do it.
Yes but is it fun? If it is, who cares about the flavor. If not, stop doing it :)
LOLOLOL!! "We eat potatoes..."
This is me after any type of dance DVD. I have no rhythm. None. I am total white girl dancing and it is NOT GOOD.
Well you could start your own dance craze - POLKA!
Holy smokes, you lasted through 40 minutes of that? I would have sat down after 5.
Highway--Ooooooh no! There will be NO filming of that scariness! You are just left with your imagination, pally. ;)
Catherine--It is pretty fun to do, I have to say. Even if we aren't very good at it.
Cute--What I like is Beto gives you some "flavorless" versions that are a bit easier. It is a good workout too. Pretty? Nope. Hard? Yep.
Shieldmaiden--I like this workout because it isn't sit-ups and such. I like the dancing part--but I'm with you on the accent of the host--it's harsh.
Mary Ann--My back was sort of killing me, but I swear it loosened it up. It IS a good workout and fun too!
Vanilla--Yep, we are laughing hysterically actually. We are rarely a serious bunch, no matter what we do.
Hot Rocks--Oh, it's fun, Susan! Try it if you can. I actually like dancing the pounds away instead of those darn sit-ups.
Chuck--Well, I don't think we are gonna end up curvy, but it sure is fun! It's good music too.
peewee--Really? I sorta like it. And Beto gives us some easier versions so we don't get discouraged. Gotta love Beto.
Ratty--No kidding! AND they look hot doing it. Me? Not so hot. Well, maybe temperature wise. ;)
Grace--Yep. I really like it because you are dancing away the pounds. I typically get bored with exercise videos, but these are fun with snappy music.
Izzybella--Hahaha! That's what we look like! :0 It's not pretty, but it IS fun!
Pricilla--Hahaha! Or square dancing. :) Both are good workouts too, albeit a bit dorky.
How funny! I love Zumba and take Zumba classes but haven't tried the videos yet. I'd give anything to be able to Zumba with you and Em!
I tried a latin dance workout dvd once and I have no flavor either! I just can't do anything requiring smooth hip motion or fancy footwork.
But good for you that you could show your belly. You must be in good shape!
you're braver than I. I won't even go into one of those classes. I have NO rhythm what so ever. They don't need to see a white girl fall flat on her a** while trying to do something like that.
The schoolboy crush that I have had since the first time I ever saw a picture of you in hip-waders may now be officially over. Sorry.
LOL!! I have no rhythm PERIOD
I so would love to see you jiggle your belly, pally!
Beaded Tail--I can see that if you don't get every step right, Zumba can be downright dangerous in a crowded class situation! I'm impressed that you go and do this with others.
Violet--Notice I'm revealing the belly in the privacy of my own home! It's not pretty, but we were getting in the mood.
Blueyes--I can do this at home, but not in public. It is a ton of fun though, and Beto gives you some alternative slower steps so you can keep up.
Fish--:( Awwwww, rats. It's almost wader season, maybe I can redeem myself.
Veronica--Oh, my belly jiggles all by itself, Veronica!!! I have rhythm, but it isn't as fast as those gals on the video. That said, it is a ton of fun to do.
I'll leave the hip shaking to Shakira. Thanks for the review-now I know I don't have to bother with it (as I sit here full from Reese's mini pb cups). I need a hip replacement so no need on speeding things up any!
ps-is that Henry??
Helene--this is no exercise video for the weak of hips, I'll warn you. I'd say the PB cups are probably just what the doctor ordered! And yes, that is my Henry. He was our kitty before Hobbes came into our lives.
Honey, I'll take potatoes over bean burritos anyday.... ;)
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