The Just Dance Challenge

Day 8  
Can you "Just Dance" for 30 days?  For those of you who do not know, just dance is an interactive Nintendo Wii came that forces  its contestants to dance to the latest and greatest pop songs. There is a section on the game called "Just Sweat" that allows you to commit to a program (1,3, or 6 songs a day) and keeps record of your efforts.  Did you know that for every 4.2 sweat points earned by dancing equals one calorie burned? 

You do not have to be related,or even personally know me (us) to participate.  All you need is "Just Dance 2" , to be a follower of the blog (so that you are kept in the loop) and motivation.  Expecting to do it 7 days a week would be AWESOME, but unrealistic so let's shoot for 4 times a week and anything over that is FANTASTIC!

Day 8   WEIGH IN DAY!
Well I have yet to do my JS for the day, but I will.  To recap last week, I completed JS 6 out of 7 days for a total of 10,100 sweat points  (That's 2,405 calories burned).  This week I plan to try and step it up a notch and when I earn my 2k check for the day, I am going to try and go above it...even if it is just a little bit.

So my daughter , Alexis spent the night at her grandma's last night and she knew that this morning was weigh in day.  I get power called around 9am, but I was on a business call, so I couldn't answer.  The moment I got off the phone, I called back.  A screaming 8 year old tells me "MOMMY MOMMY I LOST 5LBS THIS WEEK"  (technically 4.9, but we round up in this house).  My daughter has been trying for the past 2 weeks to eat better and get off her recently developing lazy butt.  Since she started this change she has lost 9lbs total.  She is so proud and I am too!  I decided to commit myself to this challenge to support her and help myself at the same time, it is easier when you have someone there working with you.  Her self esteem is transforming before my very eyes.  We also visited a dance studio this weekend for a free trial of their classes and she loved all of them, but is considering taking a Hip Hop Class, which she learned the beginning routine to Miley Cyrus's "Party in the USA".

Well with all of that excitement, I decided it was time for me to step on the dreaded scale.  I know that I have been exercising and mildly watching my food intake, but the scale and I have always been Frienamies and have had more of a hate relationship than a love one.

The moment of truth, I step on my scale...and it begins to think.  Hoping it was thinking light feathery thoughts it finally spit out a number!  YAHOO!  I am down 3.3lbs from last Monday!  Success has been achieved.  The feeling of success is unmeasurable, and although Alexis was the Biggest Loser this week, we both are winners.

I am looking forward to stepping it up this week and trying to incorporate a few more activities.

How did you do this week?  Are you just joining in on the challenge?

Feel Free to post comments, thoughts, suggestions, motivations or whatever else you want because we are doing this together.

The Just Dance Challenge

Can you committ yourself to the Wii Game "Just Dance 2" for 30 days?  This is the challenge.  Committ yourself on the "Just Sweat" section of the game and join into the fun.  My family has decided that it is time to get on a heathier lifestyle, and I personally would love to shed some extra weight before I go to New Orleans on March 3rd and of course before I hit the big 3-0.

Day 7

Congratulations all who are participating the the "Just Dance" for 30 days...the first week is finished.  I made it 6 days out of 7, which is not to bad considering the minimum was 4 times a week.  Supposedly it takes 21 days to form a habit, well in that case, 14 more until this is part of my daily habit.

In a recap of the week, day 1 and 2 I was completely out of breath and exhausted.  I felt like the contestants on the Biggest Loser....and thought it may be handy to keep the phone in arm's reach...just in case.  As I progressed each day, my tolerance increased...all of a sudden, it wasn't so bad anymore.  In addition to my 2k sweat points a day, my family played it more on a competitive level after school and even after dinner.  My niece was introduced to it on Friday and now she and my daughter Alexis have battles for high scores!

Alexis and I weighed ourselves on Monday, so tomorrow is the official weigh in.  I feel like I may have shed a few pounds...or at least I hope I have.

I would love to hear your experiences this week, and if you are just viewing this, I invite you to join us.  You can start anytime and follow us on our alternative to traditional aerobics.

Good Luck, Happy Sunday and Keep on Dancing!!!!

The Just Dance Challenge

Day 4

Hello Just Dancers...hope you are all on your way to jumping around, earning those sweat points. Yesterday was a long day in my world and therefore I allowed myself a free pass on the Just Dance.  My mental excuse was for medicinal purposes.  I have not done my dancing for today yet either, but after Alexis finishes hers, I will be out there shakin my thang!

I have found additonal motivation for this challenge and weight loss.  Besides turning the Big 3-0 on April 24th, I am going to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, well technically right before Mardi Gras as we will be home before Fat Tuesday.

Last year, my husband and I went with his parents and had a blast, however in looking at the photos I was quite unhappy with the simlarities I had to the Stay Puff Marshmellow Man in my white coat.  So I have gained more motivation to stay on track as I want to lose at least 10 lbs before we go on March 3rd.  I may even give up Buffalo Chicken Tuesdays.

Good Luck with your goal today...

The Just Dance Challenge

Day 2:

A new routine has been set in place in my household for us "Just Dance" challengers.  I wake up in morning and do my intense "Just Sweat" and then after school, Alexis does hers before her homework.  Yesterday she was having so much fun that she accomplished 3,050 sweat points (726 calories).  Last night Alexis wanted to ride bikes, so we took an additional 2 mile bike ride.

We also did our official weigh in for our monthly contest.  Those numbers are confidential, but I have to say my daughter has lost 5 lbs since she started being more conscious of what she puts into her mouth.  We talked about it not being easy and the fact that we had so much fun putting it on with McDonald's, Cookies, Ice Cream and whatever else we enjoyed to get ourselves in the predicament that we are presently in.

As for Day 2....today is Tuesday, which I attend a networking meeting for my gift basket business.  I woke up early and proceeded to do my 2,000 sweat points, I also had a little bit of guilty pleasure knocking Alexis's High Scores off some of the songs.  I think our competitive natures will come in handy to keep us motivated.  She hasn't started her dancing yet, so I can't wait to hear her say "HEY, I WAS THE HIGH SCORER"!!  I know that's just evil, but sometimes evil causes motivation and that is definitely what we need to make it through.

Now I am not a creature of change by any means so getting me in/out of habits is challenging.  Today is Buffalo Chicken Sandwich day at my meeting....now I have been actively cutting back on food portions and choices and no matter what weight loss program you follow they allow you a "Cheat"....so  I did it!  I cheated!  And this is my confession to the world....and I also confess that I will do it again next week...but I may try to do a few extra sweat points on my cheat day to offset my guilty pleasure.

Not sure if the bike ride will happen again today as I have pains in my knees and toting Callie (my 2 year old) around on the back is like adding a 25 lb weight to my ride, but if Alexis asks specifically, I will take it as a sign from above to get on the bike.

I'm very psyched about this Just Dance Challenge, I hope you find it motivating and I look forward to dancing this journey with whomever wants to participate.

I am looking forward to your comments and stories.  How did you do today??? 

Don't forget to share this with your friends and family and let's make this challenge HUGE!!!

The Just Dance Challenge

How many people run out to get the latest and greatest gadget, gizmo or game?  After a Family Birthday Party,we were introduced to "Just Dance 2" (the sequel!!) and we absolutely HAD TO HAVE IT the next day.

While we were at the party, we discussed how awesome it is to be able to exercise to great music, to dance and to have family contests!

My sister in law to be, Tammy, suggested we do a challeng of some sort and post our results, progress, suggestions, motivations ect.  So I have included this challenge into my blog.  Can you Just Dance for 30 days???

You do not have to be related,or even personally know me (us) to participate.  All you need is "Just Dance 2" , to be a follower of the blog (so that you are kept in the loop) and motivation.  Expecting to do it 7 days a week would be AWESOME, but unrealistic so let's shoot for 4 times a week and anything over that is FANTASTIC!

In case you are not familiar with the game, when you click "just dance" you can also click "Just sweat" and there is a gaming journal similar to the Wii Fit.  Instead of choosing an already named character, you can add your name (up to 5 letters). 

Being as though I am less than 4 months from the BIG 3-0...I have selected to do the hardest one which is to commit myself to what I thought was six songs a day....really they want you to reach 2,000 sweat points (= 1 calorie for every 4.2 pts) which is about 8 songs.  That is 14,000 sweat points a week (3,333 calories) and  and 728,000 points ((173,333 calories) a year!  HOLY CRAP!

So to start off, if you want to particpate in the challenge, add your comments to this post, saying you are in...and how many days you hope to accomplish each week, and anything else you want. 

If you find yourself unable to get to the Wii, make sure you try to do some other form of Cardio and post it!

I will post every day (or really try hard to)...under the Just Dance Challenge title.  Feel free to tell YOUR friends and have them join in the challenge as well...even if they are a few days into the original start date...thats ok.  I will also try to make it interesting along the way... to keep us excited.

This is an open blog so please be nice, and feel free to share your story, your weight lost, your goals, anything that may help motivate your fellow dancers! Let's see how many people we can include..and how much comulative LBS we can get rid of.

I have completed my 2,000 Sweat Points burnt for today!  Have you????

Happy New Year!!!! What do you want from 2011?

As we say goodbye to 2010 have you taken a moment to reflect on your year?  What was the best part of your year?  What would you like to do different in 2011?

I learned a lot this year both professionally and personally.

Personally, I learned to take one day at a time, and not to let any little thing bring me down because my family relies on me,

Professionally I learned that this is not the economy where traditional forms of advertising are going to be effective and that Price Really Matters.

Gift Xpressions is open for business, but will undergo some construction to help make 2011 a better year.

What do you want from 2011?

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Marvelous Monday

Happy Marvelous Monday to my fans

It was hard to find something Marvelous today, as today was a long productive yet unproductive day. My Marvelous Monday thought will be on the gorgeous weather we are having here in South Florida...it finally feels like Christmas.

What good things happened to you today?