Zooming off extra pounds

Tabby Stem recently traveled to a fitness conference in Las Vegas, where she met Zumba founder Beto Perez. (Submitted photo) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

What is this craze that's become so attractive to thousands of women across the nation, including hundreds here in Bedford County?

It's Zumba, the new heat wave in aerobic exercise that's defined as being "Latin dance aerobics with an international flair." Zumba has been quite popular since it hit some of the local gyms last year, but in recent months, its popularity has reached a whole new level.

"There is no denying what Zumba does for your body," said Tabby Stem, a Zumba instructor who recently plowed through a year-long weight loss plateau. "It's a full hour of full-on cardio and it melts the fat away."

Stem, who teaches at both the Fit Club and the Shelbyville Recreation Center, has quite a following -- many of whom have witnessed Stem go through her own weight loss journey.

"I'm out there doing what the rest of the class is doing," she said. "I'm out there to burn fat and tone up. I always tell people who are new to class to not feel self-conscious or like someone's watching you ... they're either watching me or looking at themselves in the mirror."

Whatever she's doing, it's working, and ladies are flocking into both gyms to take her classes.

"We are excited Zumba is here, it's brought a lot of people in," said Sylvia Pinson, director of the Shelbyville Recreation Center. "People really seem to like it. I think they like the dancing along with the movement ... and they sweat!"

Jennifer Swann, who handles group fitness at the recreation center, added, "Tabby is doing a good job, everyone seems to like her. We reach our limit in her classes and we often have to turn people away."

Since Stem began working out seriously about three years ago she has lost 85 pounds -- and she's only 10 pounds away from her ultimate goal weight.

She had hit a plateau about a year ago that she just couldn't seem to break through. At that time, she also found her niche in Zumba classes.

"I'll be 40 this year, and I finally found my spot," she said.

She eventually became certified and made a recommitment to a healthier diet which enabled her to bust the plateau.

"I made a big change in my diet in January," she said. "I was in a plateau and, because I was working out so much, I felt entitled to eat more. Now, I am eating a much more sensible diet.

"And I tell people, 'There's not a bite of food in the world that feels as good as putting on these jeans.'"

Getting certified for Zumba came easily for Stem, but making the commitment to broaden her horizons and become AFFA (Aerobics Fitness Association of America) certified was a little more difficult.

That certification required much more time and studying, but the end result was well worth it. Stem is now a certified instructor in group fitness, which means she can teach more than Zumba. "Hip Hop Happy Hour," a cardio workout that will, like Zumba, include dancing, will begin at 5:15 p.m. Friday evening at The Fit Club.

She's also interested in getting certified to teach Turbo Kick, a group exercise class she recently got turned on to at the IDEA Fitness Convention in Las Vegas, which she returned from last week.

"My goal was to go to the convention to take a class with (Zumba founder) Beto Perez," said Stem, who ended up learning about other forms of group exercise while there.

"Group fitness pushes you to do more," she said. "When you're working out alone, it's easy to quit, but when you've got others working out next to you, you push yourself to keep going."

Stem says all of her success wouldn't be possible without the support of her family, including her husband Robert, who has helped to keep their business (The Express) going when she's been busy teaching classes or getting certified, and her two daughters, Lauren and Paisley.

For more information on Zumba, contact Stem at www.TabbysFitness.com, zumbaqueen@charter.net, or 703-3977.

Zumba at The Fit Club

* Monday - 8:15 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. (Tabby Stem)

* Tuesday - 6:30 p.m. (Lindsey Harris)

* Wednesday - 8:15 a.m. (Stem)

* Thursday - 6:30 p.m. (Harris)

* Friday - 8:15 a.m. (Stem)

* Saturday - 8:45 a.m. (Stem, Harris)

Zumba at the Rec Center

* Tuesday, Thursday - 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

* Saturday - 10:30 a.m.