Zumba Fitness Total Body Transformation System DVD Set

Shed pounds and have a blast in the process with the Zumba Fitness Total Body Transformation System DVD set. Loaded with red-hot dance steps, pulsating Latin rhythms, and easy-to-follow routines, this invigorating dance-fitness "party" will have you movin', groovin', and shakin' the weight off to the sexy, exotic rhythms of salsa, cumbia, samba, merengue, and more. Each routine features interval training sessions that combine fast and slow rhythms with resistance training, helping sculpt and tone your body while burning fat. As a result, Zumba fanatics can enjoy multiple long-term health benefits while having fun in the moment. Working out can be a lot of things, but it's never been known to be an exhilarating experience--until now.

The set--which comes with four DVDs and six total workouts--will work your body from head to toe, starting with the basics and then moving to your favorite targets, such as your core, thighs, and abs. The set also comes with maraca-like toning sticks to add some muscle to your body sculpting routines. The DVDs include the following workouts: Zumba Fitness Basics Workout, Zumba Fitness 20-Minute Express Workout, Zumba Fitness Sculpt & Tone Workout, Zumba Fitness Cardio Party Workout, Zumba Fitness Live! Workout, and Zumba Fitness Flat Abs Workout.

About Zumba Fitness

The Zumba Fitness Total Body Transformation System includes four DVDs and two toning sticks.

Zumba Fitness® is the only Latin-inspired dance-fitness program that blends red-hot international music, created by Grammy Award-winning producers, and contagious steps to form a "fitness-party" that is downright addictive. Since its inception in 2001, Zumba Fitness has grown to become the world's largest and most successful dance-fitness program with more than 10 million people of all shapes, sizes, and ages taking weekly Zumba classes in over 90,000 locations across more than 110 countries.

As a fitness instructor in his native Cali, Colombia, the life of Zumba program's founder, Alberto "Beto" Perez, took an unexpected turn one fateful day in the mid-'90s. He darted off to teach an aerobics class and forgot his traditional aerobics music, so he improvised using his own mix of music from tapes he had in his backpack (the salsa and merengue music he grew up with). Spontaneously, he created a new kind of dance-fitness, one that focused on letting the music move you (instead of counting reps over the music). Energy electrified the room; people couldn't stop smiling. His class loved it! And on that day, a revolutionary new fitness concept was born--the Zumba Fitness-Party.

In 2001, Beto brought his new dance-fitness style to Miami, Florida, and, through a student (Alberto Perlman's mom), met entrepreneurs Alberto Perlman and Alberto Aghion. All three hailed from Colombia and all three had a vision to bring this dynamic dance-fitness class to the masses. The three Albertos formed an alliance and created a business, calling it Zumba Fitness. They trademarked the word Zumba® and set a goal to expand the brand all over the world. First came the DVDs, then the infomercial--which introduced the Zumba Fitness-Party to the public on a wide-scale basis. That followed with the demand for Zumba classes and Zumba instructors and then the company took off and the Zumba program expanded in a big way. By 2005, Zumba Fitness spawned a full-fledged Zumba Academy to license Zumba Instructors to teach Zumba classes. More expansion followed with the launch of Zumbawear apparel and accessories, music CDs, and in 2008, one of the bestselling at-home fitness DVD series ever--the Zumba Fitness® Total Body Transformation System--which starred Beto and introduced Zumba Fitness' newest stars, Tanya Beardsley and Gina Grant. In 2010, Zumba shook the ground by being the first branded fitness program to launch a video game on all three major gaming platforms: Wii, Xbox, and PS3.

Fast forward to today, the Zumba program is now taught in gyms and studios all over the world to millions of Zumba enthusiasts. And as the program continues to evolve from its humble beginnings, to a global movement, to a way of life--its growth has only deepened the company's commitment to providing accessible fitness, without the strain, without the sacrifice, just the pure joy of a party.

What's in the Box?
Four DVDs with workouts: Zumba Fitness Basics Workout, Zumba Fitness 20-Minute Express Workout, Zumba Fitness Sculpt & Tone Workout, Zumba Fitness Cardio Party Workout, Zumba Fitness Live! Workout, and Zumba Fitness Flat Abs Workout; two toning sticks

Price: $69.95

Click here to buy from Amazon

Your Weekend Workout: Go Live!

Do you celebrate "Go Live Day?" I'm guessing that you don't.? Go Live Day is celebrated by About.com writers and it's the day that our site went live 16 years ago on April 21.?? But since I love my readers, I'm inviting you to the celebration, as well.

How to Celebrate Go Live Day

About.com Walking Guide Wendy Bumgardner will be writing a Walk Around About blog post in which she will feature different topics on the About.com network.? I encourage everybody to check out her site and visit a few of the award-winning health sites on our channel that provide tips, advice and information about living well.? Try to look at About.com sites that you haven't seen before.

Do a 'Go Live' Workout

For your workout this weekend, I challenge you to "Go Live" by doing an activity that you've never done before.? Try rock climbing, a yoga class, aqua jogging, or a hike with a new friend.?? Get creative!? Then go to my Facebook page and post a picture!? I want to see what types of things my readers are willing to try.? I'll bet most of you have more guts than I do.? :)

Happy Go Live Day!

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"This book!": Superfoods for Dummies

By Jennifer r. Scott, About.com Guide April 30, 2011Sorry, I could not read the contents fromt this page.

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Obesity: What Are We Missing?

This week, I'll be in Washington D.C. at TEDMED, an annual conference that focuses on health and medicine. The event brings together some of the top thinkers and doers in the fields of health, technology and medicine.? As part of the event, speakers have been taking part in live online discussions about "great challenges", including the challenge of obesity.

Tell Us What We're Missing

At the start of a panel discussion, Daniel Callahan, President Emeritus of The Hastings Center, pointed out that there was not one overweight or obese person on the panel.? This was an interesting observation to begin the conversation. He went on to say that he wanted to know what motivates some people to make changes and others to remain overweight.? He says "I'm interested in the social pressure of being overweight and the link between that and individual behavior."

So, I'm putting the question to my readers.? Some of you visit the site because you are overweight and some of you visit because you support someone who is overweight.? You may each be in a better position than the panel of experts to answer the question: what are we missing?

Leave me a comment and let me know what would motivate you to change.? Do you feel social pressure to change your weight?? Is that pressure enough to provide motivation or does the pressure have the reverse affect?? Do you feel that you get the support you need? And if not, what would motivate you to make changes to reduce your weight?? I'll carry your advice to the discussions at TEDMED.

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"Click!": About.com

By Jennifer r. Scott, About.com Guide April 28, 2011Sorry, I could not read the contents fromt this page.

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Healthy Monday Tip: Get a Ball Chair

I'm hoping that today's post counterbalances an article that I saw last week in the New York Times.? The article, written by Gretchen Reynolds, asked whether or not ball chairs are better to sit on at work.? Reynolds, who is a regular health contributor to the Times, answered the question by saying "no."? So why am I suggesting that you get a ball chair?? Keep reading.

What's a Ball Chair?

Ball chairs are really just big blue inflated balls.? They are often found in health clubs, but offices are now providing them to workers who feel that they improve their posture or burn more calories if they sit on something backless and unstable for part of the day.?? Do they really provide those benefits?? According to Reynolds, they don't.? But the research she cites is very limited, probably because there isn't a lot of research out there about using them.

Benefits of Using a Ball

It seems reasonable to me that sitting on a ball wouldn't burn substantially more calories.? And if you slump while sitting - in a chair or on a ball - you won't increase core stability or improve your posture.? But sitting on an unstable surface does prevent you from getting too comfy.? And if you are not comfortable, you're more likely to get up and move around.? Moving more during the day has many well-documented benefits.

In addition to the potential for increased activity during the day, the blue ball is a great exercise tool.? If you have it sitting right underneath you, it's a great reminder to use it.? There are dozens of great beginning level exercises that you can do at your desk, or in your workspace that will improve your strength, stability and yes, burn calories.

I don't say this often, but ignore the New York Times.? Go buy a ball.?? But before you do that, friend me on Facebook to get more handy quick tips about diet and exercise.

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Why 'The Overnight Diet' Works

It's a dieter's dream come true:? you go to sleep and wake up thinner.? According to Caroline Apovian, M.D, author of The Overnight Diet, that's exactly what will happen if you buy her book and follow her plan.? But can it really be that simple?? Well, sort of.

The Overnight Diet: Small Print

In order to understand why The Overnight Diet works, you need to dig a little deeper and look past the bold headlines.? In the small print, you'll see that the weight loss plan isn't really just about sleeping more.? The plan is based on restricting calories by fasting one day each week, and on eating a daily diet of lean protein, fruits and vegetables.? It's also based on the concept that we eat less and make better food choices when we are fully rested.? Sounds a little more like a standard diet now, doesn't it?

Sleep More to Lose Weight

I have not read Dr. Apovian's entire book, but I can tell you that there is some well-respected research behind her plan.? Her program, however,? includes quite a bit more than just going to bed and waking up skinny.? Unfortunately, based on the book's title that's what many people will believe.

Here's a cheaper plan.? Don't buy the book.? Everything you need to know about sleeping more and eating less is available right here.? You'll also find information about the importance of lean protein, eating more fruits and veggies and making healthy smoothies by clicking below.? And I won't even charge you for it.

(photo source: pricegrabber)

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