TooFitSpot: Dance Trance D.C.

Too Fit Spot: these will highlight various classes, exercises and fun fitness activities I've checked out. A little background on the activity and then a recap of my experience!

I am a "gym freak" with a passion for dancing.

I danced as a peanut, through middle school, high school and college. Any opportunity that has come up to get in a class, or perform I jump to. So jump I did upon discovering Dance Trance D.C.

My experience:

Cinco de mayo was on a Monday this year and I was excited to shake it in celebration with DTDC. (I had chips, guac and margs on Sunday, don't worry.)  Even better was that I got to team up with my fav D.C. Fitness Blogger - D.C Fit Crasher. 

The class we took powered through about 17 choreographed songs to AWESOME music, even a song by Shaggy. I'm not sure if it was my favorite, but it's definitely up there. There was no break down of choreography and I think I looked a little silly trying to catch on but that was part of the fun of it! Don't get me wrong, I still got down with my bad, sassy self and I broke a good sweat! 

Also part of the fun, was watching the class crush the choreography, which was really good (I've found some dance fitness classes to have "ehh" choreography). While this class was more of a "follow the leader" and didn't break anything down, DTDC does have break down classes where they go over each song move by move.

I loved feeding off of the buzz of energy, funky lights and smiles that filled the studio. Definitely a "feel good" fitness experience. It exemplifies the "Too Fit" philosophy by empowering participants to let loose and just enjoy their fitness! 

There is certainly a huge sense of family, community and support amongst the DTDC group. The instructor hosted a little party after class with chips and dip and Mexican beers for Cinco de Mayo and we all got to laugh, munch and enjoy meeting each other. It was so fun, comfortable, encouraging and a really great time. Events and things like this add an extra boost to making fitness fun, and DTDC does this frequently!

This was a fantastic first Too Fit Spot and a HUGE thank you to DT for hosting me! I will definitely be back! Dance Trance D.C. is Too Fit!

More on Dance Trance D.C

Prior to the class, I had the privilege of chatting with the leading lady at DTDC to get a little more background on the whole program. Check it out!

What is it?

DTDC is a high-energy, highly-positive, cardio dance fitness class for women and men (who are brave/smart enough- lots of pretty gals in this class) looking for both a great workout and a great time. The program itself features beautifully choreographed dance routines to today's most popular music and club-like beats. Every class is hosted by an accomplished instructor who will lead the class through a high-energy, high-cardio dance-club-like set of 15-17 songs/hour. 

Classes are held in Washington, D.C. at  Balance Gym – Thomas Circle (1111 14^th ST NW, WDC 20005).

Not in D.C and want to try it out? Never fear, Dance Trance has over 50 locations across the U.S!

Where did it come from?

DTDC was established by Sarah Spear Sands, and her story with it is pretty awesome. Before Dance Trance, she worked as a tax attorney and lobbyist on Capitol Hill. After she met and married her husband Ben, who was also in the corporate world they both decided to shift their priorities and improve their quality of life. In my book, that is hugely admirable and certainly a Too Fit move. I believe that if you love what you do, you never "work" a day in your life, and seeing people take risks and leaps to do what they love is inspiring. Sarah had discovered Dance Trance when she was in law school and wanted to share what it did for her with others. DTDC has now become a community of men and women supporting each other on and off the dance floor. With her team of instructors, Sarah creates a club environment with loud music, dance hits and DJ lights. 

What is the Goal/Mission of DTDC?

At DTDC we strive to give everyone a PEAK EXPERIENCE every time they walk into our classroom. While it takes a little bit of magic, there are a few KEY INGREDIENTS that we can follow to set the stage for an UNFORGETTABLE class.

ENERGY + EXCITEMENT + EMPOWERMENT = PEAK EXPERIENCE

How many calories can be burned during one class?

It’s not uncommon for attendees to burn between 500 and 900 calories per hour of a high-cardio Dance Trance class. DTDC is a full-body aerobic workout. 

Fitness/Wellness Challenges or Activities?

We are hosting a special 60-Day Summer Slim Down from May 15^th thru July 14^th. Contestants can enter to win a free month unlimited to Dance Trance DC; we’ll have a high attendance award and a slim down award.  In conjunction with the contest, we are offering a new student promotion of $99 for 60-days of unlimited Dance Trance. New members can purchase the sales promotion between now and May 15^th.

What is the best part of Dance Trance?

Dance Trance is all about making fitness fun – so we regularly do special events to keep the spice in our life! To stay abreast of what we are doing please sign up for our weekly newsletter because it includes information on specialty classes, happy hours, parties, and community events.

For more information check out their website! And if any Too fit followers want to check out a class, I will be more than happy to join! 

Too Fit Tunes: Tooms

Too Fit Tunes will highlight some of the tunes and music with which I connect, for working out, winding down and everything in between. Here's the first one, and it's extra special.

I have a younger brother, and he is a rock star. His name is Michael, but we call him Tooms.

Tooms authentically creates his music, and the tunes rock. Yes, I'm a biased sister, but I would dig these songs even if the bro didn't create them. Everything that goes into each one is done by Tooms -down to playing every instrument and syncing it with his own original lyrics and vocals. Hearing his song creations and seeing him perform is beyond amazing. For those close to Tooms, both experiences have revealed a side that no one knew existed - but a side with which all have fallen in love..

The first time he performed, we all held our breath as the quiet, introverted kid we knew stepped on stage in front of a large crowd. He grabbed the mic and told the audience, "You all look beautiful!" Then he jammed into his first track. As Tooms rocked his gig and fed off the crowd, I jumped around in the front row in a state of dazed shock and awe at my brother. 

"Who is this kid?" was the common question from those of us who knew him well (or so we thought). We had been completely blown away. The high he felt was radiant and was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my brother. This happens every time he plays at both large and small venues, and even when I'd have him pull out his guitar for my friends and me. As a proud sister, when I lived at home, I fan-girled it out at many of his shows, as often as I could. 

Living a couple hundred miles away makes that stuff a little more difficult now, so you can imagine that something such as a new track release gets me very excited. Today, Tooms released a new and improved version of my FAVORITE song of his - also his first song ever.

The original version of this song was the first of my brother’s that I'd ever heard. I remember putting on the headphones and saying, "Hey, bud, I think this is just the radio." Tooms took the headphones, listened and said, "Nope, that’s me." My jaw dropped, and I had tears as I took in a side of my brother I had never known before. Since then, it has been my favorite Tooms tune!

I'm not sure it is possible for you all to enjoy it as much as I do, but give it a try :-)

Mike Toomey Music Facebook Page

#TooFitTunes

Know a rockstar? Send their stuff my way so I can check them out! 

Fit Fashion Friday: Fancy Hats & Fitness

Happy Derby Weekend All!

I will be honest in saying I've never paid any attention to horse races until last year. Even now, by paying attention, I really mean; I have a clue on when they are and that they involve drinking cocktails, gambling and my favorite - fancy hats!

As far as gambling goes: I tried it last year at Preakness in Baltimore, lost $2.00 and was all set. It is a big part of the "thrill of the sport" for those that are into it. The whole ordeal is a spectacle, there are people from ALL walks of life who do the races up from one extreme to another. From cut off's and corn dogs in the infield (where we were), to fancy hats and hors d'oeuvres in the suites (where we were dressed for). It's quite a culture!

The horses are beautiful, with awesome names and the Jockey's are pretty amazing too. There had to be a distinct connection and trust between the two of them to do what they do, and I think how that works is really cool. 

This weekend kicks off the Triple Crown, which is basically the 3 big horse races; Kentucky Derby, Preakness & The Belmont. That is 3 events you can go to, watch and participate in festivities for while wearing a fancy, floppy hat. 

Per my recommendation, please do so!

Especially do so for me, since I am in crunch time training mode for my half marathon, which happens to be on the same day as The Preakness this year. Oh, and during Derby Day tomorrow, I will be lifting and doing a hill workout. OYE.

The Triple Crown is not a total bust for me though, thanks to my favorite Yoga spot/ Activewear line. Zweetsport is hosting a "Let's Get Down & Derby" event tonight with specials on yoga packages, clothing and it is rumored that I will get to have my first mint julep! I'm excited.

How are you kicking off the Triple Crown! Show me your fancy hats & fitness fun!

I am about an hour to my first mint julep and exactly 16 days til my first half marathon! Much to do on this #FitFashionFriday !

It Tastes Like a Milkshake

And I'm sold. It's the inner fat kid in me.

Something that is clean and healthy but tastes like something we usually have to save for our "cheat days" is the best thing ever. Finding gems like these remind us that it really isn't "that hard" to do this whole living and eating well thing.

Good news, I found another one! 

This recipe for a Green Vanilla Almond Post Workout Shake from Shape.com, claimed to taste just like vanilla milkshake. So I decided it would be appropriate to try for breakfast, naturally. 

I modified the recipe due to the fact that I wasn't having it after a workout and I didn't have some of the ingredients. My version turned out DELICIOUS, so I can only imagine how tasty the original is.

(I am a big advocate for subbing out or trying different ingredients in clean recipes. Don't discount a recipe because it has something in it you don't like or have immediately accessible. Sub it out, change up the recipe a bit and get creative. You'd be surprised what you can make work! Thats 50% the fun of clean eating...you know what the other 50% is right? - EATING!!)

Here is my version:

• 1 cup of Vanilla or Original Almond Milk (Sweetened/Unsweetened=your preference)
• 1 banana
• 2 Tbsp. of almond butter
• 1 Tsp. of vanilla extract.
• 2 cups of baby spinach
• Add a scoop of protein powder if after workout
• 2-3 Ice Cubes

Blend, enjoy and be ready to be full for awhile!

The key to living a successful life...

Someone to whom I looked up to, in whom I believed in, and for whom I had a great deal of respect  once told a defeated team about the key to living a successful life: associations.

Most of us would hear that and immediately think of, "It's all about who you know," networking and strictly career things. The relationships you form throughout your professional career can and usually do determine its course, but this advice went deeper than that. A successful career, while  certainly a contributing factor, does not equate to a successful life. This role model of mine, who had huge career success himself, gave significant weight to those relationships out of the professional sphere.  He deemed the most important association to be the person with whom you fall in love and share your life.

Recently, I have been continuously inspired by those people with whom I'm associated. Some I am closer to than others, but overall I keep finding myself impressed with an endeavor someone I know is taking on. This got me thinking back to the advice above and how I am living proof of it - how I know many people who are also living proof of it. 

I thought back to the times throughout my 24.5-year life where I felt successful, and the times I did not. Even when I knew I was not doing  so well as I wanted in my career, relationships, health, etc., I did a pretty good job of convincing myself I was happy, simply because there has never been a time in my life where I've had the bad outweigh the good, and for that I am grateful. That being said, the direct correlation between the better than good, and not so good times and the relationships in which I was involved at the time is pretty spot on.

Whether it was someone I was dating, friends with, or someone I merely worked with – his or her negativity, insecurities or overall complacency with mediocrity, brought me down. At the time I was both conscious and unconscious of this effect certain people were having on me.

I'm not sure of the exact sequence of events that has brought me to where I am now - to where I am honestly impressed and overwhelmed by the motivation of and from my associations. I'm sure that, along the line, cutting ties with some people, simple distance from others and growing closer to different people have played roles. Additionally, some of my own jolts may have helped me change my perspective on the value of my relationships and associations.  

Being surrounded by, and allowing myself to be inspired by, the individuals around me makes me feel extremely grateful. It drives me and the positive impact is has made in my life has been HUGE. 

I used to hear of someone doing something like running a marathon, getting into a challenging program or position or inventing something new and say, "That's crazy." I'd even say/think, "You're going to have no life," and I'm pretty mad at myself that I did. My reaction now to hearing things like this is different: "Wow! What made you want to do that? Good for you!" I never meant to be cynical or doubtful toward others’ "crazy" feats, but being completely open and intrigued by them makes a world of difference in your perspective on the feats in yours.

Associate yourself with people who blow your mind with their goals and accomplishments: mental, physical, career, personal and life endeavors. Let those associations drive you to think of things you can and want to do that might just be a little "crazy." For some of us that can be as small as a 5k or as big as a backpacking trip around the world. Embrace your own challenges as well as other people’s, and associate yourself with those who support and embrace yours. 

I believe in doing everything we can to make our own lives "successful." Our associations are the most important part, and we are blessed enough to control them, and reap the benefits of doing so. 

For just some of my associations, check my INSPIRED BY page on here.