Dress for the Party...in Zumbawear

Thursday, July 19, 2012

~My Z-Life♥Zumba® Fitness~.

~My Z-Life♥Zumba® Fitness~.


My Z-Life began over three years ago in 2009 in a small Alabama town called Pelham. I was a member of a small ladies only fitness center during that time.I discovered Zumba while working out in a spin class and looking across the room and noticed at a slim woman in a sports bra and baggy pants hopping, skipping, and "flying" back and forth across the aerobics room. All the way from the spin room I could hear the loud music and the sound of people having fun. I later inquired of the gym owner "what was going on in that room"? She promptly replied that it was the Zumba class and that I should try it one day.
My B1 Instructor Certification workshop with Jani Roberts in 2009 in Pensacola, FL
Teaching my very first class at QuickFit of Pelham, AL in summer 2009
Well the rest is history, I absolutely love working out and dancing, its like my therapy. When I dance I'm free, nothing matters when I dance but that very momment in that song that makes you feel as though you can do anything. Upon several visits to my very first Zumba classes, I was hooked. I researched how to become certified at the encouragement of the instructor as I was one of her "bold students" that was always front row and knew the choreo to every song she played, even on days she would have a 'brain fart' and forget the first move, I'd be the one to help keep the class going!

Interveiw for the Birmingham Times in 2009
 
Dance for me is self-expresssion and Zumba gave me a fun way to do just that outside of my day job, a way to express myself and still help others. As a Registered Nurse a lot of time I'm able to help others, but dare not express myself freely, less I wanted to get in trouble. LOL!

Performing at the Zumba Half-time show for the Atlanta Hawks - 2010

Grand Opening of my first dance-fitness studio: Bailamos Studios-ATL in 2011
My Zumba adventures have taken me far, from performances with the Atlanta Hawks to teaching classes at beachside resorts and marinas, I've even been interviewed by local newspapers in my home state of Alabama and owned my own studio in Atlanta, GA where I taught Zumba on a regular basis for a year, so I know there is more in store for my Zumba and fitness career.



Teaching class at my dance-fitness studio -2012
 Recently, due to traveling with my nursing job, I have been blessed with the opportunity to  work in St. Thomas, USVI! Since being on the island, I have met some of the most welcoming and friendly ZIN's to date, with the exception of my ZIN's in Birmingham, AL where my Zumba career began! While in St. Thomas, I have taught classes at beautiful venues such as beachside resorts and even marinas. Talk about feeling like a celebrity and "living the life."


Team teaching with V.I. ZIN's in St. Thomas on the Marina-2012
People  truly love Zumba and I am just honored that I teach a program that brings so much joy to the lives of perfect strangers from all over the world. I've made connections with instructors from all parts of the world from Lebanon to the V.I. and everywhere in between, through my facebook group I lauched for ZIN's all over the globe to come together and network, share ideas, and just have fun!

I'm currently gearing up for our Annual Instructor Convention in Orlando, FL this August! In my three years as a ZIN this will be my first time making the journey to Convention! I am super excited and I am looking forward to an experience of a lifetime! Stay tuned for more updates soon!

*BEIJOS*


 

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Diabetes Treatment Plans

Diabetes Treatment Plans

Original Written: Jul 29, 2010 | By Candice Hubbard
Past Published work on Livestrong.com
Diabetes mellitus, or diabetes, is a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels that result from defects in the body's ability to produce and/or use a hormone called insulin. There are several types of diabetes and each one is characterized by the way that insulin is produced and/or used by the body. Treatment plans for treating diabetes vary by type and usually include a combination of diet modification, medication management and adequate amounts of physical activity.


Diet Modification

According to the National Library of Medicine, healthy eating helps to reduce blood glucose, excess sugar in the blood. It is a critical part of managing diabetes because controlling blood glucose can prevent the complications of diabetes. Meal plans should be flexible and take an individual's lifestyle and other health needs into consideration. A registered dietitian can assist in designing the proper meal plan for an individual with diabetes. Considerations that should be taken into account include limiting sweets, eating often, limiting how many carbohydrates are consumed, eating lots of whole-grain foods, fruits and vegetables, eating less fat, and limiting the use of alcohol

Physical Activity
Regular exercise can help the body respond to insulin. According to Life Clinic and the American Diabetes Association, exercise lowers blood glucose and modifies the amount and type of medication needed to treat diabetes. Exercise has many benefits for diabetics. Exercise burns calories for weight loss, improves circulation to prevent diabetic complications and reduces stress that can cause glucose levels to increase.

Medication Management

Medications for diabetes are available in various classes. Each class contains one or more specific drugs. These drugs can either be taken orally or injected. Each work in different ways to help lower blood glucose. According to studies conducted by Mayo clinic, stimulation of the pancreas to produce and release more insulin is one method of action of diabetes medications. Other actions of diabetes medications include; inhibiting the production and release, blocking the action of stomach enzymes that break down carbohydrates into glucose, or by making body tissue more sensitive to the affects of insulin.

Insulin Administration

Insulin for injection is obtained from pork pancreas or is made chemically identical to human insulin. According to the American Diabetes Association, an insulin regimen is often required in the treatment of gestational diabetes and diabetes associated with certain conditions, such as insulin-resistance. In all cases, insulin dosages are individualized and balanced with diet modification and exercise.
References

Article reviewed by Craig Sanders Last updated on: Jul 29, 2010