List mania

If you can’t already tell, I love lists…making lists, reading lists, checking things off lists. So to feed this obsession, I’ve decided to start a series of lists featuring different topics about anything and everything. You’ll just have to check back to see what list I’ve conjured up next. For the inaugural list – a list of 30 catchy, upbeat and uplifting songs that you can work out or dance to. Okay, I know that’s really not a good title and it ends in a preposition. However, the inspiration for this list stemmed from my Zumba classes. If you’ve ever been to a Zumba class, were you ever a little put off by some of the lyrics to the songs that were played? Really, I would rather not have to listen to songs about drinking, clubbing or something related to the female anatomy. Sure, the beats and tunes are kind of catchy, but I’m also left with an uneasy feeling. So, without further ado, the first list. Some of these songs are also ones that I’d like to choreograph for Zumba, whenever I become an instructor.

30 Uplifting Workout Songs:

1.      Hold Me Together {Royal Tailor}

2.      Search My Heart {Hillsong United}

3.      Tonight {Toby Mac}

4.      Something in Your Eyes {Shonlock}

5.      Don’t Wait {Addison Road}

6.      Outcast {Kerrie Roberts}

7.      Healing in Your Arms {Luminate}

8.      No Plan B {Manafest}

9.      Life {Beckah Shae}

10.  Hold Me {Jamie Grace}

11.  NY2LA {Press Play}

12.  Catchafire {Toby Mac}

13.  No More {Beckah Shae}

14.  Can't Shut Up {Anthem Lights}

15.  A Whisper & A Clamor {Anberlin}

16.  Let's Dance {Hawk Nelson}

17.  Here In This Moment {Beckah Shae}

18.  Let's Dance {Press Play}

19.  Put Your Love Glasses On {Beckah Shae}

20.  Gold {Beckah Shae}

21.  Under Fire {Abandon}

22.  Straight To Your Heart {Mikeschair}

23.  Tango {Jaci Valesquez}

24.  Sound of Love {Press Play}

25.  Get Back Up {Toby Mac}

26.  Funky Jesus Music {Toby Mac}

27.  Sticking With You {Addison Road}

28.  I Do {Colbie Caillat}

29.  Reggaeton del Rey {Trinity Takeover}

30.  Trinity Takeover - Latin Dance Collection, Vol. 1 (awesome for Zumba)

Also, just for fun...have you seen Rebecca Black's "Friday" video yet? It's one of the more recent Internet sensations, with more than 100 million hits on YouTube and more than 2 million dislikes. Yes, it's almost unbearably painful to watch, but then you realize the tune is stuck in your head and you start singing it in the shower. You can thank me later when you find yourself singing along with these deplorable lyrics. Here it is in all its teeny-bopper glory.


As a result of this Internet craze, there have been a surprising number of parodies. One of these is the Christian remake of it by Christian Community Church, called "Sunday."

Don't sweat it

I’m not sure if you’re anything like me or will be like me, but whenever I reached the ripe-old age of 25 or so, my metabolism decided that it had worked a little too hard for me in my early years and started getting slower and slower. Before the quarter-century milestone, I equated going to the gym to a form of cruel and unusual punishment and torture (Really though, don’t some of those weight machines look a little like modern-day torture devices or something?). I never really had a need or desire to set foot in a gym in my younger days – I danced as a child, was on the pom squad in high school, took dance classes and trekked it all across campus in college.

And then I was forced to enter the real world, an 8-to-5 desk job, where all I did was sit in an uncomfortable chair all day long behind a computer screen. The most active thing I would do during a typical work day is walk from my desk to the water cooler or to the bathroom. And also, there would be those days where your coworkers would sabotage your diet by bringing in treats they’ve made. Honestly though, I’m not so sure they would bring those tempting treats out of the kindness of their hearts; I’m under the impression that they might have been trying to fatten everyone else up so they would look better. This is the point where I noticed that the pants were feeling a little snug and…is that a roll?! Okay, now the gym looks a little more inviting.

My husband and I joined the YMCA a few years ago thanks to my work discount. Being a newbie to the gym is a rather intimidating experience. There’s a whole code of conduct and unspoken rules you have to learn in order to follow proper gym etiquette and not be shunned by the gym-frequenting society. And how do you even use half the things in there? What about those huge balance balls…who hasn’t rolled off one of those before? Instead of figuring this all out on my own, I decided that group fitness classes were the way to go. I needed some guidance and motivation, plus a healthy dose of competition…“if that 60-year-old lady in my class can do 10 push-ups, then surely I can too!”  I studied the class schedule and came across Zumba…“Huh, that’s a weird name - but I get to dance! Sign me up!” I had missed my dance days, and it would be perfect to get a good workout doing something I actually enjoy.

This is my new outfit...obviously this isn't me.

Zumba is a high-energy, Latin-inspired dance fitness class, where you will definitely break a sweat and learn some fun new dance moves. I’ve been going to Zumba classes for about two years now and my goal is to become a certified Zumba instructor and eventually teach somewhere. A couple weekends ago, I decided I wanted to register for the upcoming instructor training on March 27 in Tulsa. I pulled up the website to sign up and…oh no, the session is already full and sold out even before the early registration ended…so sad! Looks like I’ll have to wait until another class opens up near me! But on a bright note, my first official Zumba outfit arrived yesterday...yes, I broke down and bought Zumbawear, but it was on sale plus my Zumba-instructor friend/coworker hooked me up with her discount.

If you’ve ever wondered about Zumba or wanted to try it, find a class near you and join the party (guys are welcome too)!