“I love working in hotels, I love dancing, love reading books and love eating!! But gym.. Huh .. What??? Like really, do I need to lose weight or become fit? Hell yeah! But where is the time? Oh god, why doesn’t some miracle happen??!!!”

Well, it did happen and I finally started going to the gym, eating a little more healthy and overall feeling stronger and better about myself – thanks to Zumba and my lovely gang of girls at the YMCA. Zumba is a phenomenon that has taken millions by storm, including me. I never imagined that I will ever look forward to a gym session.

For the uninitiated, here is the Zumba legend – As the story goes, it all started in 2001 and today 12 million people, across 125 nations are dancing their ways to their desired shape and size. This dance Cardio workout combines Latin and international music to which the trained instructors choreograph dance routines keeping in mind body fitness and sculpting.

It has definitely emerged as a great Cardio workout, especially for people like me who do not prefer the treadmill. If you can shake, shimmy, twirl, twist and still manage to lose calories, why not. Slowly, but surely I started going to all the Zumba sessions and before I realized, I was hooked on to this new craze called Zumba.

In fact, it is so much of a trend now that people and organizations are being creative and using this trend to spread awareness, raise money for charities, Zumba sessions for a cause etc. People of all ages, size, race, culture, sex are willing to twist and twirl for a good cause (of course, besides their own fitness).

Keeping this in mind, a Zumbathon (Zumba + Marathon) has been organized to raise awareness about Leukemia and Lymphoma in Western NY! Guess what I did – I registered for it and am so excited!!

Dancing has always been a passion – just never knew that it could lead me to a healthier lifestyle and also propel me to help a charitable cause!