20 pounds by Easter challenge

lovesretirement

MsLadyPirate wrote: »

This article was in my email this morning from AARP. It is a little long, but I thought It was worth sharing:
Rhumba or sit-ups? A fox trot or the treadmill? Fitness research is in your favor if you like to dance. Studies have shown that dancing can provide many of the same health benefits as aerobic exercises like biking or swimming. It may also be easier to motivate yourself to dance than drag your body to the gym.

You don't need to leap, spin, or limbo to reap the health benefits of dance, either. You can shake and shimmy at your own fitness level as long as you keep your heart rate up and muscles moving. All types of dancing apply, whether you're grooving to salsa, swing, or country.

Shall we dance?
Regular physical activity helps to keep your body and mind young. If you enjoy dancing, it's an ideal way to pursue pleasure and fitness at the same time. There are even studies that show physical activity like dancing can play an important role in preventing illnesses, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoporosis, and depression.

Here are 10 more reasons to kick up your heels:

Increase your flexibility. Dancing often requires you to use a full range of motion for many muscle groups. Whether it's belly dancing or ballroom moves, you're bending and stretching your arms, legs, and torso.
Strengthen your bones. Keeping the rhythm gives your legs and hips a workout without hurting your joints. Dancing strengthens and tones by forcing muscles to resist against your own body weight. Ballet, which includes jumping, can give your legs extra power.
Build endurance. With practice, you will be able to work your dancing muscles for a longer time without tiring. Your lung capacity and energy level will likely increase, too. Try salsa or line dancing to build stamina.
Burn calories. Someone who is 150 pounds can burn off about 150 calories after 30 minutes of moderate dancing. Rigorous swing or jitterbug dancing could help you drop more calories.
Improve balance and posture. Dancing requires balance and coordination. This, in turn, helps to strengthen your core and make you less prone to falls. Try doing a folk dance kick without good balance.
Keep your mind sharp. Exercise increases the level of brain chemicals that promote nerve cell growth. One study even found that dancing twice a week made seniors less likely to develop dementia. Having to remember steps, as in square dancing, can also sharpen recall skills.
Help your heart. Dancing gets your heart rate up and improves circulation. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week to get optimal heart-health benefits.
Relieve stress and tension. Dance your troubles away. Swaying to the beat helps some people sleep better and fret less. The American Heart Association reported that regular waltzing significantly improved the quality of life for people with chronic heart failure.
Enhance overall well-being. Dancing is fun! A turn on the dance floor to a favorite tune can boost your mood, instill confidence, and ward off depression.
Provide social benefits. Dancing usually involves rounding up a partner or group and meeting new people. Having social ties is linked to better health, higher self-esteem, and a positive outlook.
So, ready to boogie? Always check with your doctor before you increase your activity level. You might need to restrict or modify your dance activity if you have certain medical problems. As a general rule, start out slowly and step it up gradually. Today a slow waltz - tomorrow, perhaps, a disco dip.

Have a great day everyone!
Valerie in Arizona.

Soooooo true...I am so pumped (and sweaty) after my 90 minute class!
While I love the pool and weight lifting/strength training, the line dancing is my fave by far! When I get stronger, I will add another session of it to my workout week.

raindancer

Hi everybody, as usual I am late posting this weeks weight. hope ya'll have a great Sunday.

SW: 186.6
LW: 174
CW: 173

GW: 166.6

CALIECAT

oh raindancer I am so sorry I forgot your birthday yesterday. But what a birthday gift you yourself. getting so close to your goal weight. Thats a Texas gal for you I am doing much better this one one one plan is perfect for me. So happy to have found it.


So sorry for being late. hope you day was nice yesterday. Valentine girl, Debbie

eatless83

Morning everyone!

With all the snow pictures and freezing temperatures being mentioned I feel slightly guilty waking up to 30 degrees again! ;-)

I had an action packed fitness weekend and dropped 1.1lbs so thrilled with that!

As it's Chinese New Year I have a few calorific lunches planned this week so not looking forward to that! But I do get an 2 days holiday this week so I will definitely try and burn off any excess then!

Have a good week losers

Faye

beszmytke

Good evening to all! Hope everyone's Sunday was a happy, healthy one! A friend of mine just sent a video to make all of us hibernators from the minus temperatures feel better! This is lovely, and I wanted to share:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThFCg0tBDck It's called Remember to Breathe.

Wishing everyone a happy week to come, and hope we can all count ourselves losers this time next week!

Belinda

beszmytke

MsLadyPirate, that was a great article! I am going to see if I can find dance class or two that will fit into my schedule. Curves has a couple of Zumba classes each week, but the times haven't coincided with my work schedule. Plus, it might be a little intimidating - has anyone else done Zumba? Is it hard to learn?

Happy belated Birthday, Raindancer!

Belinda

raindancer

Marie, thank you so much. I had a good birthday just spent it with the family. Next week we are going to Choctaw casino for a little outing...lol

lovesretirement

I did Zumba (on a hard floor) for a while until my knees and ankles started to bother me from the twisting. Now I do aquazumba in the pool. I love it. It can be a little daunting at first, but everyone is a first timer at some point. If you like to dance, you will love it!

beszmytke

Connie, thank you! You've made me want to try line dancing so that's the one class I want to look into...

I found a bag of mini sweet peppers yesterday at Kroger and OMG are they crisp and delicious! I had three with lunch yesterday and three today. Here's a pic of the bag if anyone wants to try them


Belinda

beszmytke

Also, I found a recipe for coconut flour bread and baked it today - I added almonds and craisins to the mix and it turned out very nice. The texture is more like cornbread but very tasty:
I can post the recipe if anyone would like it!

Have to go do the weekly ironing (does that burn calories

CALIECAT

Belinda, I would love the recipes if it is all gluten free. I know the coconut flour is and it looks delish
marie

I byt those peppers pretty regular I like them

CALIECAT

raindancer wrote: »

Marie, thank you so much. I had a good birthday just spent
it with the family. Next week we are going to Choctaw casino for a little outing...lol

love going to Choctaw. We will be going by there in April when we go to Springfield Mo to see our new Great grandson.Which by the way he Roll over all by his self at 22 days old at 9 pounds a,5 oz. pretty strong boy. Can hardly wait to get up there to see him.
Ready for some icy weather? looks like they are getting ready for it?
Marie

Kenea993

That dancing article is fantastic. I did ballet when I was really littLe but being in a military family we moved and couldn't find another program. I think if I didn't move so much I would be a dancer. Oh well. Doesn't mean I still can't enjoy it now. I really live zumba which is dancing but I've also been thinking salsa dancing sounds really fun thank you for sharing the article!

Today was a rest day. definitely a tad sore from zumba yesterday. I couldn't help myself and ordered a few coin skirts for zumba cause I lived them so much. Perhaps I could use them for salsa dancing too if I start that. I did my nails today and just relaxed other than cleaning the kitchen really well. Tomorrow is another zumba class can't wait!

Sunnyfarm

Thank you Ruther and Barbiecat.

Shirley, I showed my daughter the picture of the snow and she was amazed (California kid) She said she didn't think she could live some where so cold. It looks beautiful to me. Well enjoy some good hot soups.

Sunnyfarm

Great article Valerie. I went to a Zuma class on Saturday. It was fun and I was sweating my tushie off. Some of the moves were a little riskey for me so I did my own alternative conservative moves. So that is my plan to get my five days of exercise in a week. I looked at the schedule for my gym and put the times on my phone calendar.

Sunnyfarm

Belinda that is a beautiful video. I love nature.

I would love to try your coconut bread recipe.

sparklecomet

I hope everyone had a lovely Valentines weekend. We were hosting friends, which was a lot of fun! Did my best to stay on track but probably had one too many brownies. Back on track today again! Hope everyone has a great week!

CALIECAT

first thing this morning I would like to wish our birthday girl Happy Birthday to

Oguarnera--Olga--February 16--New York
hope olga is still with us. if you are lets us hear from you



Marie and the gang from 20 pounds by Easter Challenge

CALIECAT

I miss raindancer on the 14. Got to get in the habit of checking the birthday list I have a sticky notes on my computer but just fail to look Saturday.-Sorry

Febuarey BirthdaysRaindancer --Debbie--Feb14--Springtown TX and she was born on Valentine day happy belated Birthday[/birthday happy belated birthday Debbie

Marie

CALIECAT

That's the way to do it Sparkle if you get off track just dust yourself off and get right back on.<3
Talking about weather we did not get below freezing last night and the rain is one so no ice this morning for us.

Got to go and track down my I pad so I can record my weight on Happy
scales.
No plans today but my washing.


Marie

lovesretirement

Good morning, losers! Happy Monday!
Hope everyone had a great sweetheart weekend.

It's cold this morning..low 20's, but I know that is mild for some of you guys. For those in the storm's path, I know you will be safe and stay warm. As long as the electricity is on and you can get online to us, no worries!

Gym day Aquazumba for me! My body is fully rested, and I am looking forward to it. My daughter and I are getting massages today. We both got a gift certificate from my son and we are having a spa splurge this afternoon.

I hope you all have a wonderful, productive, and mindful day.
Stay strong!
Connie

CALIECAT

have a Blissful day. I look it up and here what they say

≡happy, joyful, satisfied, ecstatic, joyous, euphoric, rapturous a blissful smile
marie

beszmytke

Happy Monday from Plymouth, where it is a balmy -3 degrees! But it's sunny so I count that blessing! Here is the Coconut Flour Bread recipe:

1/2 C Coconut Flour
1/4 tsp Celtic Sea Salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
5 eggs
1/2 of either: coconut oil, melted, OR unsweetened almond milk

Preheat oven to 350F. Mix the dry ingredients together, then slowly add the eggs and the coconut oil or milk. Grease and flour a bread pan and pour batter in.

Bake 40-45 minutes or till toothpick comes out clean

I ADDED: 1/2 cup sliced almonds, and 1/2 cup Craisins. Delicious!

******************************************************************
Happy Birthday to Olga, and thanks Marie for reminding us of the birthday girls and guys.

Connie, enjoy your Aquazumba today, and your massage (I've never had one, but I have promised myself that when I hit the 20 lb loss - hopefully by Easter - I am treating myself!)

Kenea, I was an Army Brat too, so I totally get the moving around thing! But got to see parts of the world that I probably never would have otherwise

Love to you all, and happy, healthy week wishes!

Belinda

gemfrire

Good morning everyone I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I lost 1.6 pounds and got out and did some shopping. Everyone is doing really awesome including my mom Marie! I don't always get to post, but I do read all of the reports of success!
At WW on Saturday we talked about conversations we have with ourselves - about ourselves! Our leader asked if we would say some of the things we say to ourselves to her or to anyone - of course we wouldn't! So why is it ok to say it to ourselves? No negative self - talk!
Have a great Monday!
Alice

CALIECAT

Thanks my darling daughter, Alice love you so much-momma

eyegirl777va

Happy Monday morning to all!!!
Happy Birthday Olga!!
Connie have a great day and enjoy your daughter and the massage.
Thank you Marie for all your work in keeping this thread so enjoyable and helpful.
Hope we all have a good weigh in this week. I will weigh in tomorrow.
Quote from someone last week "Nothing tastes as good as feeling skinny feels."
Hope everyone has a great day. We are supposed to have a line of thunderstorms pass thru this afternoon.
Nancy

MsLadyPirate

beszmytke wrote: »

MsLadyPirate, that was a great article! I am going to see if I can find dance class or two that will fit into my schedule. Curves has a couple of Zumba classes each week, but the times haven't coincided with my work schedule. Plus, it might be a little intimidating - has anyone else done Zumba? Is it hard to learn?

Happy belated Birthday, Raindancer!

Belinda

Belinda, I have done both Zumba and Curves Zumba, both are a lot of fun. Not hard to learn at all, and a great workout! I like Zumba best though, just works better for me. I gave up my membership at Curves, when my local one went out of business.

Sandcastles61

Morning ladies and Happy Birthday Debbie and Olga .

Today was my weigh in day.... And for the first time I was actually excited to see what happened on the number end of things! The week before I got myself so busy I forgot to eat a number of times, so my goal this past week was to get all my meals and snacks in. And it worked! I lost 2 pounds

CSW 147 (1/5/15)
CW. 135 (12 lbs toward challenge & 15 total )
CGW 127
GW. 120

I'm doing the happy dance this morning.....so excited that I have officially reached my overall halfway mark

Happy Monday everyone!

Tami~ Pac NW

MsLadyPirate

Sunnyfarm wrote: »

Great article Valerie. I went to a Zuma class on Saturday. It was fun and I was sweating my tushie off. Some of the moves were a little riskey for me so I did my own alternative conservative moves. So that is my plan to get my five days of exercise in a week. I looked at the schedule for my gym and put the times on my phone calendar.

Way to go Sunnyfarm! They say the best exercise is the one you like to do! "Alternative conservative moves" are an excellent solution to the risky moves. Good for you for trying!
Valerie

MsLadyPirate

Connie, Aqua-Zumba sounds like a lot of fun, and easier on the joints than regular Zumba. I do water aerobics in the mornings on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in the winter. When we get back to our summer home I will look for an Aqua-Zumba Class.
Valerie - Arizona