Photo: Courtesy of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

You may have heard of Zumba -- a.k.a. the Latin dance-exercise craze that's taking over a fitness center near you, or perhaps your very own DVD player. Now there's a new component (available in stores September 10, 2009) -- a book with workouts, diet plans, menus and recipes, along with an instructional DVD, plus a "5-Day Express Diet." Beto Perez, Zumba founder and celeb fitness guru, says that even his dance exercise routine needs the other key component to weight loss, watching what you eat, as "the symbiotic relationship between diet and exercise is the secret to weight loss success." Below, Perez and co-author Maggie Greenwood-Robinson, explain how fitness newbies and know-it-alls alike can benefit from Zumba and if losing nine pounds in five days, like the express diet claims, is really safe.

That's Fit: What separates Zumba classes and workouts from other routines?

Beto Perez: One word -- fun. Most people who begin taking Zumba used to hate exercising. Because they enjoy and look forward to their Zumba classes, it makes it much easier to stick with it. There is also a lot of variety involved in Zumba because of all the different dance styles used from merengue and salsa, to rumba and reggaeton.

Water weight is an amazing phenomenon. Step on the scale just before you go to bed, and you might find that you've gained one, two, even five mystery pounds since morning.

Our bodies need water, but certain lifestyle habits can make us retain more than we need. Lack of exercise, too much salt, too much sugar, poor nutrition -- these things can lead to bloating and unnecessary water weight. AOL Body has 11 tips for losing the water weight in a safe and healthy manner, including:

• Cut out processed foods, which often have far more salt than you need.
• Eat a minimum of 1200 calories a day. Under eating can make you retain water as well.
• Avoid sugary snacks.
• Exercise several times a week to help your lymphatic system work more efficiently.
• Drink plenty of water.

Click on the full article for more tips, and remember -- it's not too late to join the Summer Quick Fix Challenge!

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