Dancing My Ass Off

I hardly ever have the TV on. Lately, of course, I've been watching the Olympics and when my son is with me we watch PBS Kids or Nick Jr. on occasion, but other than that, my TV is typically turned off. Alright, I admit, there are a few nights when I stay awake watching BRAVO but seriously, there's nothing I'm committed to watching on a regular basis.

I'm embarrassed to say then, that a few days ago I ended up watching an entire infomercial. The music and the dancing is what stopped me from skipping past the channel. It wasn't until a minute into it that I realized I was watching a paid advertisement but I couldn't stop watching. I was intrigued.

Now, before I share the product with you (yes, I ended up buying it), I do need to remind you of the challenge that I accepted. I haven't purchased new running shoes yet, or a bike, but I seriously need to do something to get back in shape and lose a few pounds (and hopefully one dress size).

You're probably dying to know what product it was that sold me with their infomercial, right? It was one that I had not heard of before and the before & after photos seemed so real that I couldn't help but wonder if this was something that could truly work for me.

Zumba® Fitness is a new program created by Beto Perez. He claims that this program is so effective that you can lose up to a dress size in just 10 days. In fact, he offers a money back guarantee.

This total-body transformation system has been proven to burn up to 1,000 calories per hour! So what's the program and how does it differ from the compeition?

Well, it's meant to make you feel like you're at a party or club with its scorching fusion of world music and spicy dance rhythms. One of my friends has been taking salsa lessons for nearly two months now and has dropped several pounds just by dancing. With my schedule being what it is, I knew that this DVD system that I can do from home or take with me on the road would be the best chance for me to have this same experience.

Alberto "Beto" Perez is from Colombia and is a celebrity fitness trainer and choreographer for international pop superstars. Inspired by the traditional cumbia, salsa, samba and merengue music that he grew up with, Beto paired his favorite pulsating Latin rhythms with the red-hot international dance steps his clients loved.

Along with the DVDs that contain the different programs to introduce cardio into your routine as well as sculpt and tone muscle, the Accelerated Fat Loss program is included as well as toning sticks, which are a combination of weights and maracas that let you make music as you shake your way to a tight, toned body.

My sister has agreed to participate with me this week so in a few days I'll report back with our success stories and hopefully, I'll be able to share with you some before and after pics of my own if I can just stick to it and commit to adding this fun and unique routine - and diet - into my schedule.

Baby Loves Disco: Los Angeles

Purchase Tickets for Baby Loves Disco
July 19, 2008
@ Cinespace in Hollywood

Head to the BLD LA site to meet your host, the DJ and check out the sponsors for the upcoming event!

My Baby Loves Disco

My son was not looking forward to the Baby Loves Disco event that I dragged him to on Sunday. He kept reminding me that he's not a baby and I could tell he was ready to have a horrible time. We arrived just before 2pm and scouted out the parking situation. There was already a line forming outside Aubergine and the valet parking was backing up traffic, on top of the cars that were heading downtown for the Padres game. Petco Park is only a few blocks away so there was definitely competition for the few spots on the street in the Gaslamp District.

I decided to park near the Convention Center where there was plenty of spaces and only a two block walk to the nightclub. Since I've never been to Aubergine before, I assumed the line that had formed was heading towards the open door where the large bouncer was standing. We walked to what I thought was the back of the line only to have a rather impatient dad tell me that he was first. Don't ask me how long he had been waiting, but he was not at all amused that I had simply made a mistake. Was it so important to be the first ones inside? This is a party for kids, for goodness sake.

My son changed his mind rather quickly about the event when he heard the live music playing while we stood in line. I didn't realize at the time, but it was the two-man team behind Hullabaloo. My son insisted that he sit upon my shoulders while we waited - and danced - before they finally let us inside at two o'clock. I thought this was great exercise for me, dancing with thirty pounds around my neck. I was sweating by the time we got inside.

I'm so glad we didn't experience this event when my son actually was a baby. He was the perfect age for this type of event. He stood in line to get a sword balloon, he tried to catch the bubbles on the dance floor and he followed - make that stalked - Spider Man as he moved from room to room saying hello and taking pictures with the kiddos.

One of the coolest things, as a parent, was that my son had a wristband that had the same number as my little receipt that I was given at the door. No child would be able to leave the venue without the parent with the matching token. I immediately relaxed at the thought of not having to watch him as intently as I would be otherwise. He ran ahead of me into the other rooms and I was able to follow and catch up to him knowing that he'd be safe. There were also staff members wearing Baby Loves Disco badges throughout the venue which made me feel more at ease too.

There were several vendors there offering fun things for the kids: the balloon lady, face painting, books near the lounge area, tee pees to hide inside, healthy finger foods, an arts & crafts table where my son made two Father's Day cards for his dad and several tables with promotional pieces for some great companies that I hadn't ever heard of. Of course there were some people there who I had the pleasure of meeting before or learning about on line, such as the Playhouse Cafe, Rattle-N-Roll, and Style Child.

New to me were Ooh La La Mama, Passed Presents, Javis Davis, and It's a Mom Thing.

Mark your calendar for the next San Diego Baby Loves Disco event, happening September 7 at Aubergine. Check the website for BLD events in your area!

Baby Loves Disco

I've always wanted to go to Aubergine but have been avoiding the long lines outside the popular nightclub since it first opened. I thought I'd wait until it was no longer "new" before finally checking it out, but I just never made that happen. Can you believe I'm finally going - for the first time - with my 4-year-old for a Baby Loves Disco event? I can't wait.

Sponsored by San Diego Bargain Mama, Rattle N Roll, and several others, this is one dance party that San Diego parents - and their little ones - will not hesitate to stand in line for!

Find out where Baby Loves Disco events are happening in your area. For more events, check out the Happy Healthy Hip Parents meetup group.