In August I stopped eating fast food, gave up Cokes and started watching my diet. Since then I've lost 18 lbs and my goal is to lose 19 more. In September I joined a women's gym and have actually taken 3 Zumba classes.

As the tagline says, "Ditch the workout and join the party!" Zumba is so much fun. The class is pretty much 50 minutes of dancing and 5-10 minutes of stretching to hot Latin beats. I have two left feet and let me tell you it took me a few tries to get the steps down right but my friend who really has rhythm picked up the moves instantly.

With the detailed pictures in the book I have been able to master the moves we do in class and read inspirational stories about people who have joined in the Zumba craze. Also included in the book is a jump start and maintenance diet. I haven't tried them yet but will do so soon and let you know my results. And I almost forgot! There is also a DVD which shows you a few of the basic moves and a couple of work outs to try at home. This book is great and I highly recommend for anyone looking to shed a few pounds or just have fun. ( )

I mostly picked out this book because I had already had done Zumba at the library and wanted to know more about Beto and perhaps teach myself more steps. I didn't get too much new from the book's DVD and the music that was on it. I preferred using the DVDs from the original set that I also got from the library. I enjoyed reading the testimonials from different people. ( )

About the Author:
Celebrity fitness trainer Alberto "Beto" Perez is orginally from Cali, Colombia. Before creating and launching Zumba in the U.S. in the late '90s, Perez attended the Maria Sanford Brazilian Dance Academy, became an instructor and choreographed dance routines for high profile performers, including platinum album selling artist Shakira. He now resides in Miami, FL. The Zumba brand sells DVDs, CDs, clothing and workout gear at www.Zumba.com and www.Zumbafitness.com

My Review:Zumba is a new weight loss program that combines diet with a Latin-inspired dance fitness routines. It is a great way to get the movement you need and have fun at the same time. There is a nice introduction by the author with personal stories and his motivation in developing Zumba.

Full body movement is the name of the game with Zumba. Although my reader review copy of the book did not contain the DVD that will be included with the book, there will be a 60 DVD with up-beat music described as Salsa, Cumbia, Reggaeton, and Merengue.

There is also a diet portion of the book described as “bodyshaping foods”. To get started there is a Five-day Express diet with specific foods to eat for each meal. All of the food listed in the 5-day diet is wholesome, healthy, and real food. You also get enough food at each so that you will feel satisfied. There is a detailed explanation of the food choices and several different choices of diets. I am very impressed with the food choices and the food combinations. I could live on this diet and never feel deprived or bored.

No diet and exercise program can perform magic, but his one has good, solid, and healthy information, and you will have FUN too. ( )