In a renewed bid for self-improvement, I enrolled in Salsa Slims classes at Glenalbyn clubhouse in Stillorgan. On the first night, there was a weigh-in for all of us on electronic scales measured in kilos. I wish I hadn’t asked for the stones and pounds conversion!

However, this made the goal of even greater weight loss more possible, and the prize of €2,500 for the person who achieves the most weight loss after 10 weeks, extremely motivating. The magazine we were given is full of girls smiling, holding the big prize cheque!

We are also given a Weight Loss Programme booklet to help us on our way. The RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) of calories for women seems to have dropped from 2,000 to 1,500. Foods are all listed under type, with their calorific values given, and a lot of foods are disallowed or only to be taken rarely. There are also recipe ideas...and a diary for the ten weeks with a column for your sins and digressions, or unplanned food consumption. It is Sam, the instructor’s, first class also, but she is excellent. She walks us through the simple steps slowly at first. Some of this resembles aerobics, but everything is done on a count of eight, according to the Latin rhythm. All steps begin on the left. Of necessity, there is plenty of repetition.

When the music starts and we get our first real practice, the music gets into your bones, all the girls appear to adopt their own style and it becomes dance. There is sway and clap and twist, and the moves get more complicated and turn into mini dance routines with names such as Susie Q, Pedro, Maria, Bicycle and Flick. If you could get them, these are the type of moves you could use to impress friends on the dancefloor!

Salsa is fun. The class lasts an hour and is relentless. The music goes very fast and its normal if it takes a while to get the steps and routines right. It helps if you count, and it has pattern. You can add your own expression even if you’re getting it wrong! I had two left feet the second week I was there.

Once learned, I’d say you can use it to sashay around the kitchen when you’re listening to Ricky Martin!

Stepping Out 01 620 5030 www.steppingout.com also Shauna in YMCA Sandymount at 087 206 9455.