Monday, March 30, 2015

ZINspiration Mondays with Suzi

Suzi lost nearly 70 pounds with Zumba and eating right. She is now an inspirationl instructor and a great role model for her kids! Here is her story.

It all began two years ago, in April 2013. I went on holiday to the Canary Islands and spent the whole time covered up as I was so uncomfortable being overweight and felt very self conscious. I decided to do something about it when I got home.

A friend of mine had just started at a local gym and asked me to tag along with her to Zumba. To be honest, I had no idea what Zumba was... I had seen it advertised here and there but as someone who never did the gym thing I never got to see a class in action. So, I arrived at the gym, layered in clothing under the illusion that layering hid everything (yeah, right - I know better now!). I was dripping after about 5 minutes and thought I was going to pass out. I hid in the back and stared back and forth from the clock to the door to the clock... I was so out of shape it was scary. But, as soon as it was over I felt amazing. I had finished it; I had lasted the hour. And that was it... I was hooked!!

I went to classes 3 times a week and that's when I started to chat to the instructor, Maggie, who became my amazing mentor and friend. She kept me motivated and kept the classes exciting. I just hated missing them! I went to master classes and amazing charity events and was inspired at every turn.

When my instructor suggested I take the B1 course the following February (in 2014), I said 'why not?'. I knew Zumba was going to be a huge part of my life so whether I did it just for me or to teach in the future, I knew it would be such an accomplishment. So, I got my B1 license with the amazing Herman Melo. I filled in for my lovely instructor a few times after that and once I had done a few classes and got over the nerves I knew I wanted to be up there inspiring others, showing them that I was once where they are.

 
Zumba has changed my life not just physically but mentally and emotionally too. I was a shy, quiet girl with major confidence issues and Zumba gave me an outlook I have never had before! I'm now happy, confident and full of energy. I started my journey at 15stone 6lbs. (216 lbs.) and I am now 10stone 7 lbs. (147 lbs.). I struggled to change my eating habits at first... being a mum of 3 young girls all under age 8, I would just grab and go a lot. Meals were pretty much pasta- and potato-based and my portions were always huge as I would hardly eat all day then pig out with dinner. But, once my body started to change I wanted to keep it that way. I never want to go back, so I now look at food and see it as fuel rather than a treat. I had a lot of support from my fabulous mentor Maggie who would keep me going when I had a day where I felt like pigging out!

Once my Zumba journey was well on its way I decided to try a few more things. I started using kettlebells and saw my body change yet again. I was toning up quickly so that was it... I went on to do my gym instructor course and got certified as a kettlebell instructor. I am now teaching 6 classes a week, 3 Zumba, 2 kettlebells and a circuit class and I still amaze myself everyday!


So, a big piece of advice is to always have a great support network before you start... someone who you can call or text when you feel the urge to overdo it. I would also say to anyone who is sitting there thinking "I will never be able to change" - this is just the way I was! Believe me, don't live your life never knowing what your body is truly capable of. We are amazing!

Need more ZINspiration? Check it out here!

4 comments:

  1. Good for you. I am not a kind of person, which could do her exercise alone.

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  2. http://www.thezbeat.com/2015/03/zinspiration-mondays-with-suzi.html?showComment=1471272167436#c5441352570902402288

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  3. girls are addicted to heavy aerobics well done, so keep together we will make the world stronger

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  4. in sports the main thing is patience and assertiveness, and all will turn out, but not at once, well done!

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