Fitness Inspirations....

Peggy Before and After Weight Loss Hello, my name is Peggy. When it comes to weight, let’s just say it’s been a rollercoaster ride for many years. I have lost and gained the same 85 pounds many times. My closet was full of used to bes, wannabes and should bes. I’ve always been very active; in 2005 I blew out my knee and gained a lot of weight. I was depressed, no energy and just didn’t feel like myself. Like everyone else, the New Year (2011) was approaching and I decided I was going to begin my resolution early. I was leaving the grocery store and saw a sign for a new Zumba studio near my house. I attended the free class and was totally hooked. One night, we had a sub instructor and he name was Adam. I remember him saying, “just follow my feet, if you get tired, just single single double it out”. I’m thinking, this kid is nuts. As the class went on, the more energy I felt. I joined the local rec center and the first night of class, I found out the instructor was Adam, I was so excited. I decided Zumba three days a week was the deal. I attended my next scheduled class and I met Mayuly. She too was full of energy, the hour flew by and a half hour of toning followed. Along with a healthy lifestyle and Zumba I have managed to lose those 85 pounds and maintain my loss. The transformation I see in myself is amazing. That number you see on the scale means nothing; it is how you feel when you look in the mirror. Now, I look in the mirror and say “Damn girl, you look beautiful!” Zumba, not only changed my life but I have made some great friends. Adam is very dear to my heart and I will forever be grateful. Mayuly and her toning class are the reason I have a waist, strong legs and guns. I truly look forward to class, sweat is fat melting. :) My rollercoaster ride is on one mode and that is down, thank you Mayuly, Adam & Zfitness! You’ve put a smile on my face.

Now, I look in the mirror and say “Damn girl, you look beautiful!” Zumba, not only changed my life but I have made some great friends.

Nicki Before and After Weight Loss Hi My name is Nicki and Zumba has changed my life. As far back as I can remember, I have always battled my weight. Over the years, I have tried everything fro NutriSystem to Atkins to lose the weight. 2yrs ago I was finally ready to make a change. I was tired of always being uncomfortable in my own skin and not feeling like the “true me”. I joined Weight Watchers and started working out at Curves. It is there, that I was first introduced to Zumba. I felt a new excitement for exercise, which I had always dreaded. I wanted to learn more about this Zumba thing. I started taking classes at the local rec center, where I met May & Adam. I fell in love with Adams style and May’s energy; but most of all, the way I felt after one of their classes. I have followed them from the rec center to their own studio. Over the past 2 years, with the help of Weight watchers and my instructors encouragement and support, I have lost 90lbs. Over the past 6 months I have seen the weight loss slow down. After trying one of May’s amazing toning classes, I am proud to say I am now also addicted to toning. Each week May has helped me to challenge my body more and more. I will never be skinny, but I am now healthier and stronger than I have been In years. During this journey I have met some amazing ladies who have become dear friends. May and Adam have helped me in more ways than I can express. Zumba is my therapy. It has changed my mind, body and soul. I finally feel like the “true me”.

I was tired of always being uncomfortable in my own skin and not feeling like the “true me”..............I am now healthier and stronger than I have been In years.

Sheba Before and After Weight Loss My name is Sheba Jones and my husband and our three children reside in the East Valley. Since giving birth to my 1st child 16 years ago I have been struggling with weight loss. Since this time, my husband and I have had two more children and of course like most working moms I have had a busy balancing schedule of family and work. I was always concerned about making sure everyone else was happy and taken care of.Usually, this meant placing my own needs and desires last. As a young woman I was always concerned about my health and staying fit. However, last year I was facing many early symptoms of type II Diabetes at age 38. In addition, I was always tired and felt as if I didn't have enough energy for my family or my work. I always avoided taking pictures because I was embarrassed about my weight, but now I realized it wasn't just about how I looked, it was much bigger than that. Now facing Diabetes, I realized it was about my quality and longevity of life for me and for my family. I have learned the best thing you can do for your family is to take care of yourself. It doesn't mean that you don't love others; it just means you love yourself too. I gave a lot of thought about how I was going to get healthy. As a young woman I always loved group activities and I was very competitive in sports. I really don't care for running on the treadmill. I need something to stimulate my mind so I don't feel like I am working out. I heard about Zumba from a few people so I decided to try it at a local gym. I immediately loved it, and my Zumba Instructor, Mayuly is awesome! I don't even feel like I'm working out. It is so much fun. It really feels like a party. I sweat so much and I always feel the burn so I know I am burning calories. Since I began Zumba about 5½ months ago, I have lost over 40 lbs. I have so much more energy and I feel great! Others have noticed and commented on my weight loss and it just keeps me going. I get closer to my goal every day and I attribute a big part of my success to Zumba.

Since I began Zumba about 5 ½ months ago, I have lost over 40 lbs. I have so much more energy and I feel great!

Joe Before and After Weight Loss My name is Laura and I'm a Zumbaholic. Seriously to say that Zumba transformed, enhanced, or help me get to where I am today is an understatement. Back in September of 2010 I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, talk about a punch in the stomach. This began my journey of losing weight and reversing the sentence of diabetes. Just like hundreds or thousands of others I saw the infomercials of Zumba and thought it looked like fun. In April of 2011 I went to my very first Zumba class and have been enjoying its benefits ever since. I can proudly say that I have reversed the diabetes (WOOHOO!) and have lost 57 pounds and am no longer "fluffy"! My Mom who joined this journey with me to be supportive ended up losing 60 pounds and getting rid of her high blood pressure. Thanks to Zumba and the awesome caring instructors I am no longer on medication, have more energy, and truly know first hand that Zumba is a total body work out, and it TRULY does transform and enhance your life. I haven't reached my goal completely , but I know I will. If you are looking for to truly help you and get real results "Come join the party" and have fun awhile your reaching your goal. Zumba really works! Almost forgot to mention I love and believe in Zumba so much that I am going to become a certified instructor. I can honestly say I love Zumba and it has worked wonders for me.

I can proudly say that I have reversed the diabetes (WOOHOO!) and have lost 57 pounds and am no longer "fluffy"!

Joe Before and After Weight Loss Are you serious about having fun in life, living it well, and losing weight at the same time? Let me introduce you to a personal friend of mine, Mayuly Magnavita, from Venezuela who has been an expert Zumba instructor now the past six years. I am Joseph Michael Gering, and am a member of the doctoral Behavioral Health Community at Grand Canyon University. When I first showed up at Mayuly's class, I was depressed, way out of condition, and morbidly obese. I could not even fit into size 48 stretchy pants. I wore 2 xxl shirts. I could not do but (3) girl knee crossed push-ups. That was the Summer-Fall of 2010. With a little faith, and encouragement, Mayuly suggested I begin Zumba classes and add toning to my regimen. See the before picture, I was 270 lbs. and looked beyond my age of then 52. Now approaching 55, I not only lost 125 lbs. to where I am at and have been the past 4-6 months, 145 lbs., but wear size 28 pants, and look as I did in high school! I won the Presidential Fitness Medal Challenge this past summer, I also won 5 medals in Arizona Road Racers my running club (one gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) and have recently become certified as a Zumba instructor myself. Mayuly not only taught me the discipline of what it means to be a good student, she continues to teach me, what it means to model good form and teaching to now my own students. Mayuly believed in me, and it was her faith, and influence that changed my life, to inspire enthusiastically and energetically the lives of others who used to be like myself. Mayuly will challenge you too, and make you a better person. Physically and mentally fit. You can have wealth, but without health, it means little. I am rich now in friendships that make a difference. Thank you, Mayuly!

Now approaching 55, I not only lost 125 lbs. to where I am at and have been the past 4-6 months, 145 lbs., but wear size 28 pants, and look as I did in high school!

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