So I’ve decided to write on workouts I love simply because I wanted to share the FUN workouts I do to help me lose/maintain weight, get toned and stay healthy !

Not everyone likes to exercise, am I right ? But exercise IS important !
Engaging in regular physical activity not only helps us lose or maintain a healthy weight, it also helps prevent a wide range of health problems, improves our mood and it gives that boost of energy we need everyday.
“If I exercise regularly, won’t I be exhausted ?”
NO !
In fact it’s the total opposite. I am speaking from my own experience. I feel fresher on the mornings I workout. 🙂
Exercise and physical activity deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and help your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you have more energy to go about your daily chores. (Source)

Ok back to the subject, I started exercising when I was in high school.
My preference has always been aerobics/dance workouts, although I have jogged and went to the gym a couple of times. But I am not exactly the outdoors kinda person. Haha.

I was obsessed with Paula Abdul’s Get Up and Dance CD during that period. It’s a 1-hour aerobic dance workout led by, well, Paula Abdul.
PaulaAbdul

This DVD came out in 1995, so you can imagine how the dancers were dressed. Hehe. The workout is broken down into 6 sections, an Introduction and set of Instructions, Warm up, 3 sections of 3 dance steps each, a YMCA section and a cool down. What made this workout fun to me was that the dancers behind were in all shapes, sizes and age so it felt like we were all ‘regular people’ dancing together. You get what I mean ?

After I entered university, I bought the Pump It Up: The Ultimate Beach Body Workout DVD.
PumpItUpBeach

There are four main sections in this DVD – the Warm Up, The Main (cardio), Bums and Tums (works our hips and abs), and Warm Down section. A total of 1 hour of workout set to Ministry Of Sound dance music. The routines in The Main section are quite easy to follow, and they won’t really leave you aching for days, but the Bums and Tums will definitely make your bums and tums sore !

I used to love this DVD so much that I would sometimes do it for 1 hour, and then repeat !
And, I even bought another Pump It Up DVD, the Pump It Up-Burn It Lose It.
PumpItUp

The DVD starts with 8 minutes of warm up and all the other segments are 15 minutes. There is the Aeroburn section (pure cardio that will leave you breathless, hehe), BPM (cardio with really cool dance moves), Beatbox (cardio and toning – something similar to kickboxing) and Below the Belt (the toning section which includes lunges, planking, sit-ups etc).

What’s cool about this DVD is that you can make up your own routine, pick and choose which sections you want to do. Best kan ?

Then I was introduced to Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred which went on to be my No. 2 FAVOURITE workout of all (used to be number one, but I have found my ultimate favourite workout, details later).
30DayShred
I know, I know it’s NOT a dance workout but I could really feel and see the difference after only 20 minutes a day, in less than 30 days ! What more could a girl ask for ?
Seriously, this DVD really, really works ! It features three levels of 20-minute workouts, each of which features short bursts of strength, cardio, and abs (interval training), and a cool-down. All you need is a set of dumbbells and an exercise mat (for the abs section).

I used this DVD diligently before my wedding and even my wedding dress tailor noticed the difference in how I fit into my dress during the last fitting session. 🙂

I love Jillian Michaels !

So, which workout has managed to knock down Jillian Michaels from her number one spot in all of my favourite workouts ?

ZUMBA !!

Haha.
I was introduced to Zumba last year, and bought the Zumba Exhilarate and Rush DVDs and instantly got hooked !
And then I was fortunate enough to come across the Zumba Exhilarate Body Shaping System DVD set sold on Groupon, and I didn’t have to think twice about getting it.

ZumbaExhilarateThe set comes with 7 DVDs, a pair of toning sticks, and a program guide.
ZumbaToningSticksDVDs:

1. Step-by-Step – This DVD breaks down the basic Zumba rhythms and moves (1 hour)
2. Activate- a 45-minute Zumba class for beginners which applies all the moves learned in the previous Step By Step DVD.
3. Ripped –  is a 60-minute workout broken up into a toning section, using the 1-pound toning sticks, and a Sentao section, which uses a chair and your own body weight.
4. Exhilarate –  a full 60-minute Zumba class filled with really fun dance routines.
5. Rush- perfect when you’re short of time, this is a high-energy, 20-minute Zumba workout.
6. Mix- this is the coolest DVD, which features African, Latin, Indian, hip-hop, Asian fusion, and Flamenco dances from a variety of instructors. There is also a breakdown section which teaches you the routines which is really helpful.
7. Fitness Concert – this my favourite ! It’s a 60-minute live concert using the same moves and songs from the Exhilarate DVD.

I have been quite consistent with Zumba, doing it at least 3 to 6 times a week, even in Ramadhan. And I have seen amazing results. Results which I never expected to see with a dance workout.
My legs, abs and arms are more toned, not ripped, but more toned and I have definitely lost a few inches from my waist and hips !
What’s great is that I have an awesome time with Zumba !
Every time I put on any of the DVDs, I sort of get transported into another world and I don’t even notice that 60 minutes have gone by.

How can Zumba be so awesomely (?) addictive yet delivers amazing results ? Beats me.
All I know is that I can’t wait for my next Zumba session ! Hehe.

All the workouts I have mentioned are (in my opinion) good workouts which will definitely get your heart rate up and help you stay fit and healthy.

However you need to try them for yourselves because not everyone loves the same thing, kan?

Happy working out people !

xoxo

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