IN celebration of Health Awareness Month, Fitbeat — a Zumba group — challenged Gov. Ralph DLG Torres to exercise through dance.
The Fitbeat Challenge selects anyone in the community who members believe will make a great impact and encourage more community members to be active.
Torres was the very first weekly challenger selected this Health Awareness Month by the Zumba group.
He accepted and joined the Zumba on the evening of Tuesday, May 3 at the Garapan Round House.
If he had declined, he would have been challenged to make a donation to the Saipan Fitbeat Lions Club or any charity of his choosing.
Elected challengers can take on the challenge at a date of their choosing, joining either the core class at 5:30 p.m. or the Zumba class at 6:30 p.m.
The governor joined the Zumba along with his family, including first lady Diann T. Torres.
“I can honestly say I had such a great time while also getting a great workout in. Thank you all for having me and I look forward to more Zumba sessions in the future. Stay safe CNMI and keep active,” the governor said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
He is over three months into his fitness journey, committing to a healthier lifestyle.
For her part, Mrs. Torres commended the community group for promoting health and wellness.
“This is a program that we started two years ago. It’s free for all of the general public. We did extend it to Tinian. We’re looking at extending it to Rota. It’s a Zumba class for all ages [and gender]. It’s for you and it’s free,” she said.
“It’s open and you have the opportunity. Tonight, we challenged the governor to come and join us and he did pretty good. He made it halfway through without stopping…. At least he made it halfway through because it’s really difficult actually.”
Organizer Irene Holl, for her part, commended the governor for taking on the challenge and bringing his family along as well.
“Of course, we are inspired by the governor leading the wellness and the fitness movement in the CNMI, so we decided to do the Fitbeat Challenge,” she said.
“We’re offering free classes to the community, open to all. We’re hoping that, with the governor coming, we can inspire more community members to join us.”
Roughly 40 participants join each session every day.
“I know people are more excited to do something,” Holl said, referring to the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. “They’ve been inactive and are now looking for something to do. This is a fun way to exercise, so please come and join us, any day of the week.”
First lady Diann T. Torres poses for a photo with the Zumba group on Tuesday evening at the Garapan Round House.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, left, and first lady Diann T. Torres, right, stretch before a Zumba session.
First lady Diann T. Torres gives her brief remarks following the Zumba challenge.
