There's no doubt about it, working out can be hard work. But that doesn't mean you have to dread it. Because, let's face it, when we dread something, we usually avoid it. And that's what many of us are doing with our exercise routines. In fact, the latest numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that nearly 40 percent of Americans don't exercise at all. The CDC defines this as engaging in light to moderate leisure-time physical activity for at least 30 minutes, at least five days a week.

In our new series, "My Favorite Workout," we feature a person in the Atlanta area who has discovered their exercise utopia. Every other week you'll read inspiring stories of regular folks who lost weight, gained strength and, in some cases, even avoided death thanks to their newfound format. You may be inclined to try their workouts or you may say, "That's not for me." Because exercise, just like shoes, is not a one-size-fits-all product.

Henley family (ENLARGE)

Tammy Henley when she's not doing the Zumba.

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Meet a mom who found her inner dancer and lost more than 50 pounds in the process.

TAMMY HENLEY of Canton, a stay-at-home mom

Her challenge: Henley, 28, has always loved to dance. But after giving birth to three children (including a set of twins), she found that she didn't have a lot of downtime, much less dance time. Still, Henley was determined to lose her pregnancy weight so she joined the Canton YMCA in the spring of '07.

How she jump-started her fitness regimen: When she heard about Zumba class—a mix of Latin-style dancing and aerobics—she was eager to try it. Now she credits a change in her diet plus three to four Zumba classes a week with helping her to lose 50 pounds. In fact, she lost 20 of those pounds in the first three weeks.

A breakdown of her sport: The official Zumba web site explains that "Zumba is a fusion of Latin and International music. The routines feature aerobic/fitness interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body." It was created by a Columbian native and the word Zumba is Spanish slang for "to move fast and have fun."Class participants are lead by an instructor for an hour of dance, incorporating formats like salsa, cumbia, samba and merengue.

What keeps her motivated: "What I love about Zumba is that it has brought the dancer out in me," says Henley, who had grown up dancing and cheerleading. "Being heavy for so long I did not have the motivation to start doing it again. Zumba made me remember I am a great dancer, and it makes me feel confident and sexy. For me, this is permanent, and I can't wait until my daughter is old enough to do it with me."

Cross-training: While Henley does confess to being a Zumba addict, she cross-trains in addition to her dance classes. Weights, spin class, the elliptical machine, step class and Pilates also fill her workout regimen.

How she fits it in: "I fit my schedule around Zumba." she says, explaining that while she dances her heart out for an hour, her kids play in the YMCA childcare center.

Benefits: Because it's 60 minutes of non-stop dancing, Zumba is definitely a cardio workout. Plus, there are lots of core, hip and leg movements with an emphasis on toning.

Best of all: She says that if it wasn't for Zumba, she would not have lost the 50 pounds. "It helped me fall in love with exercise."

MORE ABOUT ZUMBA

Go to (zumba.com) to find a Zumba class near you. Not ready to shake your hips in public just yet? The same Web site also has a DVD you can do at home.

WAHT KEEPS YOU MOVING?

If you have found an exercise regimen that helps you stay motivated, we'd like to hear about it. We'll run the most inspiring stories every other week in a new feature, My Favorite Workout, which will appear on weeks alternating with Good Form. E-mail us at betterhealth@ajc.com.