Weight/Less

Kimberly Winter Stern
January 1, 2012

For these six people who lost more than 400 pounds collectively, it’s not about saying no to what they love— it’s about saying yes to healthy choices.

January is a restorative month, a time when we put aside the indulgences of the holidays, the excesses of the past year, the habits we want to shed. We wiggle back into a simpler life and eat simpler food. We detox from the intake of carbs and sweets and spiked eggnog that started the day before Black Friday and continued well past “Auld Lang Syne” at midnight on December 31. We take a good, long look in the mirror and honestly consider the reflection.

For resolution-makers, the New Year is clean slate time; a white board filled with fresh opportunities to succeed in any area of life that needs a nudge, a measure of improvement, a makeover. And in case you’ve missed the post-holiday headlines for the past three decades, the most popular pledge that people make on January 1 is to lighten the scale.

435 South magazine put out a call last fall for people who shed weight during the past year through nutrition and healthy lifestyle changes and choices. We found six individuals who joined the legions of weight-loss seekers in 2011 and succeeded in reaching their goals. Though each of them—Lisa, Mark, Nancy, Kurt, Annette and Elizabeth—wanted the same result of a slimmer physique, their approaches were different.

The common thread, however, with these Weight/Less stories, is that no one experienced a quick fix. There was sweat in the gym, growling stomachs, occasional feelings of defeat.

Dan Kampen, the January 2011 cover boy for our “Perfect Loser” issue, dropped 69 pounds in 2010. He’s now run three marathons and narrowly missed qualifying for the Boston Marathon in November 2011. Kampen has a sage piece of advice for anyone who wants to drop weight in the New Year: first figure out why.

“Make it personal to you and no one else,” suggests Kampen.

Meet our six Weight/Less success stories—people who felt the burn and were rewarded with the payoff of a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Annette de la Cruz Hilvitz

Annette de la Cruz Hilvitz calls it like she sees it, and what she saw in her mirror in October 2009 was disturbing. She calls her personal epiphany the “something’s gotta give” moment.

More than a wake-up call, the sober realization that Hilvitz’s health was being severely compromised by her poor diet and exercise choices was a swift kick in the butt.

“I was overweight,” says Hilvitz. “I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that something had to change or I wasn’t going to be around for my two kids.”

Physically active as a young adult, Hilvitz had slipped into a mono-routine of non-activity and yo-yo dieting over the years. She felt insulated by her weight, detached from reality and mired in a virtual bed of quicksand. Her first decision was to begin taking yoga classes.

“I wasn’t overweight because of ignorance, because I knew what I needed to do,” says Hilvitz. “It was apathy.”

The body movement and breathing of yoga and monitoring her food intake helped Hilvitz find a light at the end of her self-imposed tunnel of overeating and inactivity. She progressively started to feel better, and lost 30 pounds the last three months of 2009. She entered 2010 with a resolve to continue exercising and eating healthy foods. She took up playing tennis again—a sport she loved—lifting weights and taking Zumba classes.

Movement has become Hilvitz’s mantra.

“When people tell me they don’t like to work out, I tell them to find something they like,” says Hilvitz, who recently became a certified Zumba instructor. “Unless you’re 15 years old or have an unusual metabolism, weight isn’t going to stay off just by eating the proper foods. We take our dogs for walks … why can’t we take ourselves for a walk?”

Hilvitz has maintained her impressive weight loss through a variety of exercise—Zumba, tennis, road cycling, yoga and walking and eating a diet high in protein.

“I can’t eat sugar and the white carbs, and I recognize my triggers,” says Hilvitz, who stresses that she also doesn’t deprive herself of the occasional sushi dinner, slice of gooey chocolate cake or glasses of wine. “You have to enjoy life, too. Just be aware of what you’re putting into your mouth.”

Hilvitz says one of her secrets to successful weight loss is accepting that it’s not only a physical challenge, it’s a mental one, too. “I’m an emotional eater, and every so often I will eat even if I’m not hungry. That doesn’t mean I’m a failure, it just means I get back on track.”

Hilvitz doesn’t suffer fools gladly. When friends tell her they lack discipline, she volleys back a quick counterpoint.

“Make a decision to take care of you—to be the best person you can be,” she says.

Hilvitz is a mere shadow of her former portly self, and though she says her body isn’t perfect and never will be, she’s comfortable in her own skin.

“Weight loss and proper nutrition are liberating,” she says. “I love life, and I love who I am.”

Kansas City Zumbatomic Can Improve Self-Esteem

Cultural influences can negatively impact the confidence young girls feel and thus lower their self-esteem. They watch the thin models on television and come to believe that they are not pretty enough or thin enough or good enough to be a success. They grow up lacking self-confidence and an unhappiness with the way they look, and this spills over into an unwillingness to try new things.

Our culture continues to promote an unhealthy body image in girls. Though some boys fall prey to these influences, it is girls that seem to be most susceptible according to a number of studies. That’s why girls develop problems like anorexia and bulimia and experience higher rates of depression than boys. One of the best ways to combat negative cultural influences is to have the child participate in a confidence building exercise program like Kansas City Zumbatomic.

If you have ever mastered a hobby or activity then you know how good it feels to succeed or to reach a goal. The same thing is true for children. When they learn something new, success brings an increase in self-confidence and self-esteem. Fitness programs also offer children other important benefits including a healthier body.

Girls Gone Dancing!

The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports has reported that sports and exercise can build self-esteem. Kansas City Zumbatomic offers exercise in the form of high energy dancing to Latin inspired music. The tempo is fast and the beat is strong as girls and boys learn to do choreographed moves that get the heart pumping and little bodies moving.

For girls, the dance moves prove that they can be graceful and competent and able to learn new activities. Dancing is fun and develops physical skills that include flexibility, coordination and balance. The program includes games too that also promote physical well-being.

Even girls who are not interested in traditional exercise programs or sports are happy to participate in Zumbatomic. Though the dance steps are broken down to make it easy for children to learn the dances, students are also encouraged to add their own style. You can’t do Zumbatomic “wrong” which means only positive reinforcement is used.

Kansas City Zumbatomic is fun, interesting, innovative and a successful method of building children’s self-image. It is for boys and girls, but the dance programs can help parents teach young girls that they are beautiful inside and out. For all young participants, Zumbatomic develops self-confidence and fitness motivation.

Kansas City Zumbatomic Grooms Kids to be Healthy

Most people have to exercise and follow a healthy diet in order to achieve fitness. There are plenty of adults who certainly wish they had learned healthy habits while young because developing healthy lifestyle habits would have come naturally. Instead, the growing obesity rate in the U.S. proves that fitness for many people is a distant goal.

It’s much easier to follow a lifetime of good habits if you learn as a child. Unfortunately, many of today’s American children are inactive and that has led to obesity rates increasing in the younger age group too. That’s why Kansas City Zumbatomic is growing steadily in popularity. It offers children the right motivation to get moving and parents approve because the fitness program is safe and effective.

It is estimated that there are over 9 million children in the U.S. who are overweight or obese. It’s tragic that such young people are dealing with excess weight because their health is also jeopardized. There are growing incidences of childhood high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes brought on by poor diet and too much body fat.

Dancing Children are Healthy Children

Exercise can take many shapes and forms, and dancing is one of the most enjoyable. Children need to exercise regularly in order to maintain a healthy weight, but there are other reasons physical activity can be so important. For example, parents may want to insure their son or daughter is fit enough to participate in school athletic programs. Some parents rely on fitness programs as a way to help their child build self-confidence.

Kansas City Zumbatomic dance and fitness classes can fulfill all exercise goals and is fun at the same time. A child that joins a Zumbatomic class and begins exercising with high energy dance develops a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction too. Zumbatomic fitness programs can help children:

• Develop fit bodies
• Minimize the chances of injury when participating in sports
• Improve sports performance
• Enhance sports conditioning
• Gain confidence in the ability to learn
• Encourage social participation
• Teach that non-competitive exercise can be fun
• Encourage self-motivation

In other words, there is plenty for parents and children to appreciate in Zumbatomic. The Kansas City Zumbatomic classes can turn children onto fitness by proving that exercise can be fun. There’s no need for parents to push or plead for their kids to get active once they discover the power of dance.

Kansas City Zumbatomic class instructors at amore dance say “Let’s Party!”

Usually when you tell a parent that their children are going to a dance party, there’s a bit of trepidation. When it’s a Zumbatomic party there’s no need for worry. This is a party designed to promote good health, cardio exercise, and energetic movements, all of which children need for healthy bodies.

Combining lively Latin inspired music with a variety of Latin inspired dance steps creates the perfect fitness routine for children. Kids like exciting activities that keep them interested and engaged, provide plenty of social interaction, and build confidence. The Kansas City Zumbatomic program offers all of these things making it ideal for:

• School physical education programs
• School dance clubs
• Birthday parties
• Community fitness center programs
• Summer programs for children

Your children or students are going to be really surprised when you say, “Let’s Party!” This kind of party is safe for children as young as 4 and benefits ages up to 12. After the age of 12, teenagers can join adult Zumba classes that take exercise to the next level. The Zumbatomic classes add music and dance to children’s lives even as schools cut back on the arts programs, providing yet another benefit.

Keeping Children Engaged

Keeping children engaged today is not as easy as it once was because they are so involved in fast paced action games and high tech electronics. You may have trouble getting a child to take dance lessons, but you won’t have any difficulty convincing the same child to dance at Zumbatomic classes. The dance steps are fast paced, varied and designed specifically for children still learning balance and coordination.

Jessica Witt is a Kansas City Zumbatomic instructor that teaches at amore dance studio and helps lead the zumbatomic program nationally.  She is specifically trained in breaking down the steps for children. This makes it easy for kids to start dancing at the first class. There’s no time to get bored with the class.

Teaching children dance steps promotes child development in a number of ways. For example, children learn to turn instructions into dance steps thus improving information processing. A child also learns how to participate in a group activity as a supporting member and how to practice something until it’s mastered. These are all valuable lessons that they will use for the rest of their lives.

As a parent or teacher, you may appreciate the many lessons and health benefits of Zumbatomic. For the kids, all that matters is that Kansas City Zumbatomic classes turns exercise into a party!

Shhh…Don’t Tell the Kids Kansas City Zumbatomic is Exercise!

When you tell a child to go exercise, chances are you’ll either hear a bit of complaining or there will be complete lack of cooperation. In the age of electronics, too many kids just want to sit in front of the television or play with expensive gadgets. Making matters worse is the fact schools have been reducing the number of after school activities due to budget cuts.

Kansas City Zumbatomic is a unique class that blends Latin inspired music, age appropriate dance and exercise The main goal of Zumbatomic is to get kids moving, and the best way to do that is to present fitness in a fun and interesting way. Children like being entertained and dancing is certainly entertaining. But Kansas City Zumbatomic classes teach many things and are not just entertainment.

Following are just some of the ways children can benefit from Zumbatomic:

• Improved coordination
• Builds self-confidence
• Lose weight or maintain a healthy weight
• Reduce risk of developing certain childhood diseases like high blood pressure
• Promotes strong bones
• Build strong muscles
• Promotes learning
• Teaches teamwork and cooperation

Zumbatomic is not just a dancercise class representing a scaled down version of adult Zumba. The program designed for children includes dancing, games and more detailed instruction than is found in adult classes. You may not want to tell your kids that Kansas City Zumbatomic is really a fitness class, but that won’t change the fact it is a great way for kids to develop healthy bodies.

Zumbatomic Fights Childhood Obesity

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the last 30 years childhood obesity has tripled. Obesity rates for children aged six to eleven have grown from 7 percent in 1980 to approximately 20 percent in 2008. The same kinds of rates are found in children aged twelve to nineteen with obesity rates increasing from 5 percent to 18 percent in the same time period.

A child who is overweight or obese has a much higher risk of developing weight related disease like high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease as an adult. The Kansas City Zumbatomic classes teach children that exercise can be fun and is not something to be avoided. A child who regularly exercises is much more likely to continue exercising as an adult.

These fitness classes are ideal for teaching children that a healthy lifestyle can include plenty of interesting activities. This is a valuable lesson taught by Kansas City Zumbatomic but taught in a way that will make children want more lessons of this type. Preventing childhood obesity is a gift from parent to child, and it’s a gift that can last a lifetime.

Inspiration Counts in the Kansas City Zumba Instructor

Zumba is unique in that its success relies on effort and inspiration. You must be inspired to get as fit as possible, and the instructor must be inspiring. It’s impossible to imagine a successful Zumba class with a low energy instructor. The rapid dance steps in Zumba are designed to raise the heart rate and tone muscles, and the instructor has a lot to do with your engagement.

A high quality Kansas City Zumba instructor is motivating. No matter how small or large a class may be, a good instructor can engage the entire group. One aspect of the excitement of Zumba is due to the fact that everyone is dancing together like a dance team and that is highly motivating. Each person in the class should exude energy and that energy is inspired by a committed instructor.

An instructor that wants to provide the best instruction will also stay current on the latest developments and techniques for Zumba. This will keep the classes cutting edge so you know you’re always getting the most effective fitness training.

In addition, the instructor should be able to signal the class in a way that lets students know the next steps. This is much more difficult than it appears because the dance instructor must always be thinking a move ahead while continuing to do the sequence of dance steps.

Passion for Dance and Fitness

The ideal Kansas City Zumba instructor is someone who has ZUMBA® credentials. The Zumba dance and fitness program was developed by Alberto Perez to promote body conditioning and cardiovascular health. To achieve these benefits, the instructor must be able to develop dance and fitness routines that raise the heart rate and encourage participants to use all of their body’s muscles.

The dance classes are also designed to accompany Latin music. The rapid beat songs are lively and quick and the dances the instructor choreographs must blend well with the music. Not just any aerobics instructor can be successful at teaching Zumba. The instructor must have dancing skills and be able to manage a variety of Latin music styles which may have different beats.

Not just anyone can teach Kansas City Zumba classes. Zumba International presenters and instructors certified as Zumba education specialists are the ideal instructors. They are fully trained in the art and science of Zumba so that you have every opportunity to achieve good health. In other words, the best Zumba instructor has a passion for dance and fitness.

Join the Glistening Bodies in Kansas City Zumba Classes

There is nothing like working up a good sweat because it means you’ve forced your heart and muscles to work. Zumba is a type of dancing turned into exercise. When the instructor turns on the music, the high energy dancing that is so hot in fitness and health clubs begins and doesn’t end until the hour is up. Latin music makes people feel energetic, happy and inspired.

If you’ve ever tried to exercise when feeling blue, you know that each move is a chore. The chance of that happening in a Kansas City Zumba class is slim. Latin music is mood enhancing, and the beat inspires people to move their bodies in synchronous manner. You can’t be blue in a Zumba class and that equates to a better workout where you exert real effort and get the most benefit possible.

How popular is Zumba? It’s estimated that over 4 million people around the world are getting fit by dancing Zumba. It’s for all ages and physical conditions too because steps or movements can be modified to accommodate a variety of people. If you can’t do the high impact hops, you can simply step instead. If you are in a wheelchair, the Zumba arm movements and upper body dance moves will tone muscles and improve circulation.

Feel the Music

One of the big differences between Kansas City Zumba and other types of dance classes is that Zumba is designed for fitness. It is also designed to enable students to let go and enjoy the music. After learning some of the basic steps, it’s up to you how you shimmy your shoulders and hips or how you kick. You can feel the music, have fun and work up a healthy sweat.

Following are some more benefits you can expect with Zumba:

•  Lose inches all over your body
•  Lose weight
•  Strengthen the cardiovascular system
•  Improve balance
• Increase flexibility
• Improve mental acuity
• Increase physical stamina
• Increase bone density
• More energy

The key to fitness through Kansas City Zumba classes is to give your full effort while dancing. It’s called high energy exercise for a reason!

Kansas City Zumba is Aerobic Exercise at Its Most Fun!

There are lots of aerobic exercises you can do including biking, swimming and rapidly walking a treadmill. One of the most exciting fitness trends to hit the industry is Zumba. Zumba is Latin inspired dancercise that is fast paced, energetic and varied. For a full hour, you dance a variety of dances that work the arms, shoulders, core muscles and legs.

However, it’s the aerobic benefits you can get by attending Kansas City Zumba classes that has turned this exercise style into a popular activity in gyms and community centers across the nation. Unlike biking you don’t get a chance to coast down hills and unlike swimming you will never be caught resting on the side of the pool. Zumba involves non-stop dancing from the beginning to the end of the class, meaning you get the most benefit from your exercise time.

Increasing the cardiovascular system workload can give you a number of benefits.

•  Heart muscle strengthened so it can pump blood more efficiently
•  Arteries better transport oxygen in your blood to your organs and tissues
•  Improved oxygen usage by the body
•  Burn fat more efficiently
•  Lower the resting heart rate
•  Lower blood pressure
•  Reduce risk of developing cardiovascular disease
•  Lower bad (LDL) cholesterol levels

It’s remarkable that you can achieve so many benefits just by dancing. Of course, it must be aerobic dancing and that’s why Kansas City Zumba classes are so popular. Zumba is not just any dance – it’s aerobic dance.

Lose Weight and Feel Good at the Same Time

Another reason why Zumba is so popular is that participants can dance their way to weight loss. Instead of struggling with traditional repetitive aerobic exercises like walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike, Zumba participants have a great time dancing. You can consistently burn calories leading to weight loss but won’t get bored with repetitive exercises.

There is nothing repetitive about Kansas City Zumba dances. Each class is unique and includes a mixture of routines, dance steps and moves. As a result, you get another benefit too – mood enhancement.

Everyone enjoys Zumba class. Dancing with other people who are there to have fun, lose weight and improve their cardiovascular systems improves your mood, your self-esteem and your general well being. The social aspect of Zumba is one of its important characteristics.

If you want to feel good, look good and have fun all at the same time then you should try Kansas City Zumba classes. There’s never been a better time to get fit!

Dance Your Way to Fitness with Kansas City Zumba

Do you want to get fit but are really not interested in walking a treadmill for an hour? Though treadmills and elliptical equipment offer great cardio and some muscle toning, spending an hour on them can get tedious. That’s why the newest equipment has added televisions to help the time go by more quickly.

If it takes a television to make exercising interesting then something is wrong with the plan. A much better idea is to participate in Kansas City Zumba classes that let you find your rhythm while dancing your way to good health. Zumba dance classes are high energy workouts done that blend a variety of dance steps drawn from just about every dance style including the following:

•  Salsa
•  Merengue
•  Cumbia
•  Cha Cha
•  Reggae
•  Belly dancing
•  Mambo
•  Tango
•  Hip hop

When you walk into a Zumba class, the first thing you’ll notice is the festive atmosphere. That is typical of Latin inspired music and dance. Latin music has perfected high energy rhythms that make you want to move. Knowing you are moving in a way that is toning your entire body at the same time makes Zumba even more exciting.

The Perfect Workout

If you could design a perfect workout, it would have to include exercises that work all the muscles in the body. It doesn’t take long after you start Kansas City Zumba classes that you discover this fitness program is perfect. It incorporates:

•  Interval training
• Muscle toning exercises
• Resistance training
• Cardiovascular or aerobic exercises

With such a rich variety of exercises incorporated in Zumba classes, it’s not surprising that you use all the muscles in your body, both large and small. In fact, you even get core muscle training which benefits your muscles and your weight. Zumba is one of the most popular ways to lose weight today among people who have been unsuccessful at adhering to gym workouts.

Just Jump In and Dance

Another nice feature of Kansas City Zumba routines is that you just jump in. There is no long training period delaying your exercise program. You just follow along and give it your best effort, and you’re sure to earn the benefits vigorous exercise provides. The more classes you attend, the more agile and expert you’ll get at Zumba.

Zumba is exercise that is done to red hot Latin music. You’ll feel the beat the minute the music starts. It’s impossible not to!

Pick a Song and Pair with a Kansas City Wedding Dance

A wedding includes a lot of pairs. There are two wedding rings, two sets of vows and two celebration glasses to name just a few pairs. There is also a pairing of music and dance to the wedding style and theme.

As you plan your First Dance for the wedding reception, you can first choose the song. You don’t have to worry about whether there’s an appropriate dance that pairs well with the music. One of the nicest characteristics of dance is that there are many styles and within each style there are variations. For example, you can dance a slow or fast waltz or a slow or fast swing dance.

The next step is to work with a Kansas City wedding dance instructor. An expert instructor can give you a choice of dances that will pair well with the song you chose. Many couples decide to break away from tradition and choose non-traditional songs by a favorite rock group or singer. Perhaps the song is country or rock and roll. Whatever you choose, there is a wedding dance that fits.

The sooner you begin your dance lessons, the better. Since you are planning on spending your life with your partner, that means you will be dancing together from now on. The more you dance together, the more familiar the bride and groom will become with each other’s rhythms and dance style. In fact, it’s a good idea to practice your dancing at social events or nightclubs before the wedding. By the time the First Dance moment arrives, you and your partner will be so comfortable dancing together that you can skip the nervousness!

Treat the Wedding Dance with Respect

The wedding dance is an important tradition. You want it to have special meaning and become a treasured memory, so it needs to be treated with respect. The instructor will work closely with you to develop a dance that fits the couple’s skill level but also reflects the new bond that has been formed between the bride and groom. The choreography will include steps you can master and remember even if you do get nervous despite all the advance preparation.

The Kansas City wedding dance can be any dance style. Though many people choose a traditional foxtrot, there is no rule as to what you can dance at your wedding. The current trend is towards a freestyle dance but based on an established dance style like a ballroom dance. Couples are dancing up the aisle, at the reception, and right into a new life as a couple. There is no better way to seal a romantic relationship than with dance.