Zumba Couture

Cousin Holly is back with another session of Fit + Fab, Zumba Style!  I've been really looking forward Zumba classes at the Y as a great way to take a break from running and do a little fanny shake cross training.  I love the clothes Holly is wearing this time.  Take it away Holly!

This hole front tank top in Grey and Black is simple but so cute!  Just a little peek a boo to reveal a small amount of sexy, and with just a tiny Zumba logo on on the bottom corner, this simple top makes for great street wear too. I've paired it with these great capri pants that come just below the knee and have an elastic back to cuff the bottom. The top has a wide elastic band that makes them fit perfect. I could seriously wear these sweatpants everyday!

This sweatshirt is the most comfy sweatshirt I have ever owned! It is solid grey with the same peek a boo hole like the tank top and the same tiny Zumba logo on the corner. It might be hard to wear over loose fitting tops, but with a tight tank you can pull this sweatshirt over on cooler days and head to class!

I have to say I was not too sure about this top when I first saw it. I thought it looked too big, but then I put it on, and I loved it!  I like the long and loose fit of this tank, and the bottom is a little longer which makes it look great with tight black leggings! Pair it with the black z top sneakers and you have a great look!

This cold shoulder hoodie is a MUST have for anyone who loves Zumba!  The fit is amazing. It has a large scoop neck, and the hoodie on the back has ties so you can pull it tight. It's just a great looking top that goes great over any other top.  It is lightweight so you won't get too hot dancing in it.

This is a COOL sports bra. I love the v shape of it and the fact that it does not stick out when I wear other tops. It has a great fit and comes with a hood attached! Now, any top you wear looks like it has a hood! Such a super fun and unique look for a bra!

I am obsessed with wild print leggings. I am always am on the hunt for something fun and different, and these fit the bill just perfect! They are back and blue in a very retro print. They have a hot pink zumba logo on the bottom of one of the legs. I paired it with a black tank, but you could also pair it with blue or hot pink for an amazing look! They are super lightweight, and even on a hot day you will stay nice and dry in them.

And last but not least, watch us shake it, and get your Zumba on!

For all you Zumba lovers, there's new Zumba® wear coming soon, and the brand is giving away over 20,000 gift cards and other rewards to celebrate the launch! You could even score a free class with Zumba® creator Beto Perez! Go to http://bit.ly/ZumbaGifts to enter!  Enoy!

My Love For Running + Run For Your Life

Many of you know about my love for the sport of running.  I was a competitive runner in high school and ran some road races in college and after that.  I put it down for several years, then picked it back up after Precious Peanut #1 was born, when a couple of girlfriends talked of the idea of running a half marathon to work off the baby weight.  In high school, the one and two mile events were considered long distance, and the longest I had ever run was a 10K.  I ran the Kiawah half marathon with my girlfriends, and it was so much fun.  I continued to run some through my next pregnancy, but after clumsily breaking my pinkie toe, I took a break from it. The baby weight from Precious Peanut #2 seemed so much more, well, GROSS, than the first, and I wanted to do something about immediately.  I heard about running groups at Run For Your Life, for all ages and speeds, so I joined.  Through this group I met some really great people who shared my passion for running, or physical fitness, or determination... for so many things.  THIS is when I caught the bug, and my running mates are some of my closest friends.

While running is a means of physical fitness, it is so much more.  It is something you can do almost anywhere.  Just strap on your shoes and go.  When I decided to take a step back from my previous business, running became my channel for personal accomplishment.  Nursing a baby for a year, whilst a toddler running circles around me was definitely a challenge, and as much as I loved my new role of mommy to two children, I needed more for ME.  What started out as a means of accomplishment truly became a best friend for me.  At the end of the day, whether it was good or bad for me, running was always there.  It is my time to decompress, think about the day behind or think about the day ahead of me.  When I run alone, it is a time that allows for creative thinking. I think about my styling my next photo shoot, what I will write for my next article with Charlotte Parent, or what I will write here.  If I've had a bad day, within minutes of hitting the pavement, the stress is gone.  And when I run with friends, it is therapeutic. Runners come from all different backgrounds, but everyone shares the same passion for this one thing.  Everyone is supportive of each other, regardless of your pace.

To learn more about the Run For Your Life training programs, click here.  Now that you've seen how much fun running can be, (or in this case, dancing) I'll be back next time with David for some helpful demonstrations and talk about the important of stretching.

Happy Running!