If you haven’t tried it—you need to! As I pointed out with my walking playlist, exercise has got to be part of your routine. If walking is your thing, that is great. It will burn a few hundred calories. But if you are at a weight loss plateau, there are times you may need to work a little harder and change it up.

I have wanted to try Zumba for a year and somehow never made it to a class until last November when my friend Tonni started teaching. She needed people to fill her class. I decided to try. I’ve been a fan of aerobics for years and did my share of step aerobics which I enjoyed for a long time. Despite my love for dancing, I knew that Zumba would be new. I was good at dancing to ‘80s music; I have not kept current with the latest dance moves!

I stood in the back. I didn’t care that I couldn’t get every routine right away. I didn’t care that my hips were better moving in a circular motion or side to side rather than  front to back. The point is that I was moving and having fun. The time flew by and it sure didn’t feel like exercise. Yet, I was working up a sweat and for the first time in a long time, I felt I got the true aerobic workout to raise my heart rate. I knew this is what I was missing. Rumor has it you can burn 700-800 calories in one session. Wow!

If you have participated in any type of aerobic dance over the years, you will be fine. The routines are very similar, the music is different and the movements will be a little different than you are used to. Your hips may not want to move the right way. It doesn’t matter. Your shoulders may not shimmy like the instructor’s. It doesn’t matter. If you have felt uncoordinated in previous classes, I encourage you to stand in the back and do some of the moves. You will move your body in a different way. All of that is a good thing!

This Giveaway is for my local readers. You can find out more at www.zumba.com and get classes for classes in your area.

Zumba for the Joy of It is led by instructors Danielle and Tonni. The classes are held Tuesday and  Thursdays at 6 pm and Saturday at 10 AM and are located at 107 E 7th St in Downtown Vancouver. Classes are only $5! Danielle and Tonni are giving away a pass for TWELVE classes which is a $60 value!! You all better jump on this one or it’s mine!

 Thank you ladies for this fabulous giveaway! You are awesome!

Meet Dani

  and Tonni!

 Dancin’ the hour away!

Are you willing to give Zumba a try? If you already have, let me know what you think. Your comment automatically enters you in the Giveaway. The winner will be chosen Tuesday, June 14th at 9 pm.

I’m happy to introduce another guest post written by nutrition expert, Connie Mc Graw. I met Connie a couple of years ago and she did a consultation for me at that time.  She knows her stuff! She is offering a FREE Wellness Evaluation to Style by Karen readers. ( includes a body scan.) This is about a hour and half appointment and includes suggestions for creating an eating plan. Connie gives tips for choosing the right products in the grocery store. (I thank her for the tip on the high protein, low carb yogurt on the market) Even if you are not local and cannot take advantage of this, you will glean information from Connie’s story.

I am 55 years old, and had struggled with weight loss since my first child was born. When I tried to lose weight in the past, the way to do it was to “not eat”, or live on lettuce, store yogurt, string cheese, soda crackers, etc…not much protein. I didn’t even really know what protein was all about and how important it was for your body to create lean muscle and make you strong, keep your blood sugars stable.

About 4 years ago I was introduced to Herbalife products and the concept of eating 5 times a day. Seemed like an impossibility to me…who has time for that? How could I eat all that food? And tablets, why do I want to take all that? I decided to bite the bullet and do the “program”. I was one of the biggest skeptics ever. I connected with a coach, got on a plan, learned about different body types. (we are not all created equal!) I started eating 5 times a day and the weight started coming off. 10 months later, I lost 40 pounds and have kept it off for 2 ½ yrs now.

Now, I will say, through my journey, I did not exercise at all. An occasional walk was it for me. Looking back, I wish I had combined the exercise because we all know the benefits of the two in combination.

I read everything I could about various foods, and how they react within our bodies. I discovered along the way that if I eat a lot of processed sugar (desserts, cookies, candies, etc) I will be “hot flashing” all night long. Yes, I am into full blown Menopause and have been going on 2 years now. I have been experimenting with my body and foods. It seems that sugar is the trigger for me.

 That doesn’t mean that will work for everyone, but it is working for me at this stage of my life. I have learned that eating a well rounded diet of proteins, grains, fruits (in moderation) lots of greens and vegetables, I feel fabulous, have tons of energy and my skin and hair glow! I also supplement two of my snacks in a day with protein shakes, I eat every 2 ½-3 hours…my blood sugars are stable, no cravings in the afternoon.

 After my weight loss with Herbal and a Wellness Coach, I decided that is what I want to do– helping people to achieve their nutrition and health goals. I coach them along on their journey.

I started my Wellness Coaching business 3 years ago. I am working at a Nutrition Club in Vancouver, WA in the Salmon Creek neighborhood. It is called Nutrition Plus. I have an office there and coach clients.

The environment of our club is a lot like Starbucks. You can order a meal replacement shake, and sit and visit with friends, or call your shake order in to go! We have TV, WI-FI, and coaches to chat with you about your topic of the day! We offer Weight Loss Challenges and classes. We do not promote “diets” but instead changes that you make for lifelong success.

When I first meet with someone, I do a body scan on them to get some numbers. It only takes about a minute to run the scan; the numbers are very powerful.

 We talk about you, your needs and how I can help you achieve your goals. I make the plan fit the person. We are all different. It needs to be a plan that YOU are comfortable with, it is about YOUR journey and goals.

 I create an eating plan for you, which comes with a shopping list and suggestions. Once you are on a plan with me, we meet weekly, monthly, whatever your schedule allows, at no additional fee. I am your coach for the duration of your journey, whether it is a few months, or lifelong.

 My goal is to help educate people in our community with better nutrition and health goals. I love people and I love what I do!

Karen’s Note: Connie’s evaluation introduces you to Herbal Life products, but her knowledge and suggestions go far beyond that program. If you are connected with another supplement program, I still encourage you to go and see her. While she may not know the details of your program, she can add knowledge that will help you with your healthy weight loss journey. Stop in and check it out. You will be so impressed with this Starbuck’s atmosphere serving delicious protein shakes. Ask for Connie or leave her a note. Let her know you’re a Style by Karen reader!

Make a comment to enter. Don’t you think Connie should start a blog? Let her know you’d love to read more about nutrition. If you’d like to connect with her personally go to my CONTACT form.

 Winner will be chosen Saturday, May 14th at 9 AM PST.