FIT FEATURE: TAMMIE EPPS
South Carolina now has the 10th highest adult obesity rate in the nation, according to The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America. South Carolina’s adult obesity rate is 31 .7 percent, up from 25.1 percent in 2004 and from 12.0 percent in 1990.
Th is month’s featured Woman Of Fitness, Tammie Coleman Epps, is personally changing these statistics, one person at a time through ZUMBA, aka “exercise in disguise.” On average, participants can burn upwards of 540 calories per one hour class, more than jogging for an hour. Plus, Tammie says, “Jam with Tam is all about having a good time and sweating!”
More th an just fit-ness, Zumba creates a culture encouraging its instructors to give back to the community. Most recently, Tammie and her Zumba-worl d friends raised money for Mother Emmanuel AME church in Charleston.
Fit Columbia intern, Nikki Kallenbach, recently attend ed Tammie’s zu mba class an d had this to say about it: “In the simplest of terms, it was a BLAST! Tammie is so en energetic , and I loved how she really got into the music.
“She seemed to have a knack for making everyone in the room feel special and co mfor table to dance their hea r ts out, which is probably why she has such a loyal following. Tammie played the song “Happy ” by Pharrell Williams, and the room broke out into a freestyle dance party. It was so much fun!
“ The workout was fun and definitely got my heart rate going, and Tammie provided low impact options for every level of participant.”
More about Tammie
Tammie’s Four- Legged Family Member: Draco is her three-year old doberman pinscher who, like his owner, loves people.
Tammie’s Advice: Honor your bodies by participating in physical activity, and if the dishes don’t get done…it’ll be ok. We need balance in our lives, and our bodies are more important than the dishes. Do little things each day; park farther away and walk to the office or store. Push the grocery buggy back to store and take the stairs.
Visit tammiecepps. zumba.com for more information or to attend a class.