20 Minute Dance Party

on July 28, 2009

I had a dance party in my living room this morning! Jazz hands!

I set my alarm for 20 minutes early and did a fun routine in my living room. This is actually my first week of MARATHON training (it’s a 26 week program; I’ll post soon) and I’m trying to stay as active as possible on a daily basis.

My weights:

Yes, I use Maggie as a dumbbell – she’s long, 20 pounds, and dumb. 🙂 She’s perfect!

Here’s the twenty minute routine:

Dance around living room, 2 minutes
Jumping Jacks, 2 minutes
Shadowing Boxing with 3 lb weights, 2 minutes
10 Bench Presses with 20 lb dog 🙂
20 push-ups
100 sit-ups
Dance around living room, 2 minutes
High Kicks, 1 minute
Shadowing Boxing with 3 lb weights, 2 minutes
40 Chest flys with 3 lb weight
20 Reverse Crunches
Dance for remaining 4 minutes

It was a GREAT and FUN workout. Sometimes you just need to throw up some JAZZ HANDS.

Breakfast was divine:

I had Oikos yogurt, blackberries, granola, and a banana.

But the star ingredient was Pizzey’s Premium Organic Milled Golden Flax, which the nice people at Flax Matters sent me to try.

I love me some flax! I probably have two tablespoons 5 days a week. It’s important for us vegetarians to get our Omega 3’s!

According to the website:

Pizzey’s Premium Organic Milled Golden Flax is known for its superior quality (18-24% Omega-3 ALA content), pleasing flavor and long shelf life (2 years with no refrigeration necessary). Our patented MeadowPure™ cleaning and selection process screens out immature or damaged flaxseed of diminished nutritional value. USDA Organic and certified by OPAM.

I’ve been taste-testing Pizzey’s for a few weeks and I must say that I really like it! I kind of thought flax was flax, but Pizzey’s is a lot nuttier and imparts more flavor than Hodgson Mills Milled Flax, which is the brand I normally buy.

Flax Matters also sent us two bags of the MeadowPure Ultra Milled Golden Flax, but this contains Fish Oil and is thus not vegetarian-friendly. I really think they should redesign the packaging to make this clearer on the label, because I would be really mad if I bought the Ultra version in the store without reading the ingredient list. The labeling on the website is very clear, though.

Guess one of my Orlando blogging friends is going to get a bag of flax! 🙂

Off to work! Have a wonderful day!

Do you ever dance party by yourself? Or use your dogs/babies as weights? 🙂

{ 53 comments }

Amelia (AC/DC: Highways to Health) July 28, 2009, 4:30 am
I rocked out a little while I cleaned the house the other night. Does that count? 🙂
Can't wait to hear about your marathon training plan!
Taylor July 28, 2009, 4:36 am
I just moved into an apartment by myself, which means NO roommates! So I bust out the dance party with my little pup, maybe a little too much! haha, but it is so much fun! Your breakfast looks delicious!
Michelle July 28, 2009, 4:42 am
Hahaha can you PLEASE take a picture of yourself using Maggie as a dumbbell?? Can't wait to hear about your training plan! Have a great day!
healthymadison July 28, 2009, 4:44 am
Dance parties with only me as the participant are VERY necessary in my life! I love it and can do ugly, goofy looking moves without anyone looking at me like I am Elaine on Seinfeld. 🙂
Mandy July 28, 2009, 4:49 am
Love it!!! Maggie is such a good sport 🙂 lol

we have family dance parties!! it's my hubby, my 3 year old daughter and i….always a blast!!

ever taken a zumba classs??? talk about FUNh and a major calorie burner!!
Erica July 28, 2009, 4:50 am
hahahha love the description of maggie…sounds like frank but he weighs 62 lbs. He'd be a better dumbbell for Josh 😉 yummy bfast. Love flax. Good luck with the marathon training- I can't wait to read more about it 😉
Nicole (anotheronebitesthecrust.wordpress.com) July 28, 2009, 4:54 am
Haha, a couple days ago I had a serious dance-off with my mom and I forced my sister to judge. Ah, the joys of living at home again!! It was an intense workout. I was so tired after!
Anonymous July 28, 2009, 4:57 am
Looks like so much fun — the cats always get involved when i try to do yoga.

What are your thoughts on heavy weights, low reps as opposed to light weights, high reps?

I enjoy the Jillian Michaels videos for fun, but like you, i don't really consider it weight training. I have definitely found better results from upping the weights.
Spotty Prep July 28, 2009, 5:00 am
Lol about the jazz hands! I love how maggie looks like she is warily eyeing the weights…
leslie July 28, 2009, 5:03 am
i love this! best way ever to start off the morning. have a great tuesday!
Betsy July 28, 2009, 5:15 am
Love that pic of you! I frequently have dance parties by myself, but never first thing in the morning!
Meganerd July 28, 2009, 5:16 am
Looks like fun!

If you need any volunteers… I'll take the flax LOL. 😀
vegetarianontherun July 28, 2009, 5:18 am
Hahahah Maggie looks so NOT interested in the dance party. That's exactly what my dog would be doing too!
vegetarianontherun July 28, 2009, 5:24 am
Hahahah Maggie looks so NOT interested in the dance party. That's exactly what my dog would be doing too!
EatChic July 28, 2009, 5:24 am
I love adding flaxseed to my morning breakfast as well! As a vegetarian its perfect, I even recommend it to my friends and family in place of fish oil capsules because I know how unpleasant those can sometimes be! Yuck!
PS. Love your dog, she's adorable, I wish I could do dumbbell reps with her but she's 50 pounds and I'm not THAT strong!
MarathonVal July 28, 2009, 5:35 am
That's so exciting that your marathon training is about to start! Honestly I LOVE training for a marathon and find the training to be as much fun, or more so, than the actual marathon. You will love it! 🙂
whitsgettingfit July 28, 2009, 5:39 am
haha, what a fun workout! My training plan starts soon too. 😀
Mara @ What's For Dinner? July 28, 2009, 5:44 am
I use my cat as a weight ALL the time! She's almost 20 lbs, and reallllly relaxed all the time. Makes for a great bicep workout!
RickyRae July 28, 2009, 5:47 am
I love dancing around the house…so much fun! 🙂
Britt July 28, 2009, 5:56 am
Usually the dance party happens while I am cleaning the house…. rockin out to some music. Oh and usually when the hubby is not home.

Sounds like a good work out though.
Christina July 28, 2009, 5:58 am
I have rare dance parties with myself if a good song comes on. I can't imagine you using Maggie as a dumbell – that would look so funny!
Jess July 28, 2009, 6:16 am
I though you were kidding about Maggie at first! Too funny, Caitlin. Have a great day!
Susan July 28, 2009, 6:25 am
Ha, dance parties are not on my schedule. I injure myself enough tripping over my own feet while walking! 😛
recipesforcreativity July 28, 2009, 6:25 am
You crack me up. I LOVE that picture of you breakin' out the jazz hands! Yes, I have dance parties in my living room ALL THE TIME. If I don't feel like doing outside to exercise or doing a workout DVD, I blast the music and work up a sweat moving and dancing and jumping-jacking! Good stuff!
roseyrebecca July 28, 2009, 6:30 am
Glad you had a fun dance workout!! I used to dance in high school. It seriously gives you the best legs ever!
Sarah (Running To Slow Things Down) July 28, 2009, 6:31 am
I love rocking out in the living room to my favorite tunes. It's such a blast and doesn't feel like a workout at all. Just plain fun! 😀

Can't wait to see the training plan for the marathon!!! 😀
Therese July 28, 2009, 6:39 am
You are a trip! I would have loved to see your husband's face if he came into the living room to see this…

Burning calories is burning calories…who cares how you do it?
Shannon (The Daily Balance) July 28, 2009, 6:49 am
HAHAHAHAHA jazz hands! I love it, but what about spirit fingers?!

I always incorporate dancing around my house into my workouts – so much fun!
allijag July 28, 2009, 6:50 am
Maggie looks like she feels violated. Perhaps I should take her and James off your hands! 😉
Ada July 28, 2009, 6:52 am
Living room dance parties are totally the best workout;)
catruns July 28, 2009, 6:53 am
I love that you used Maggie as a dumbbell! Brilliant!
Julia July 28, 2009, 7:14 am
My morning was kind of cruddy until I saw your picture from your dance party this morning! Definitely brought a smile to my face! Thanks!
Niki July 28, 2009, 7:27 am
I love having dance parties!! Only wish Sadie would let me use her as a weight! Ha!
Johanna B July 28, 2009, 7:31 am
Just wanted to let you know that I gave you a Happy Blogoversary shout-out on my blog this morning.

http://rawkansas.blogspot.com

Thanks for posting a list of your favorite posts. I look forward to reading the ones I missed.
Mel @ She Runs Brooklyn July 28, 2009, 7:50 am
My dog weighs 50 lbs.. so definitely not. But you're HILARIOUS and I love it. Yes, I have danced around my apt when no one's home 😉
Mica July 28, 2009, 8:05 am
I definitely just laughed about the Maggie=dumbbell joke. Thanks!
megan July 28, 2009, 8:27 am
omg, one-woman dance parties are my main form of exercise! I made a dvd of my 15 fav music videos and i play it/dance to it hardcore every morning. such a workout, and a stress reliever, too!

i really should start adding flax to things, that is looking tastayyyyy!
Trainer T.s Fitness July 28, 2009, 8:52 am
I use the Hodges flax too I would love to check into this brand….

Are you going to consider doing a giveaway? Im in MO would love a contest…just saying.

I love all dance partys, whats not to love about shaking the groove thang? Great workout and the dog bench pressing was a scream 🙂
K from ksgoodeats July 28, 2009, 9:02 am
These are not spirit fingers, THESE are spirit fingers! 🙂 Glad you had a good dance sesh!!

Awww Maggie! That sounds like BB – poor puppies!
Anonymous July 28, 2009, 9:13 am
3 lb weights really aren't going to do anything. Heavier weights with less reps is what you need to build and strengthen muscles.

Also, regardign flax I was suprised to find out that flax is really not a good source of Omega 3's. They do not contain all the elements of what constitutes a complete Omega 3. ALA is one component but it is missing the main one–DHA. Our bodies don't convert ALA to DHA well at all.
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point July 28, 2009, 9:17 am
anon – interesting info about flax. there are vegan DHA supplements available so maybe i'll check that out. re: the weights, i am too cheap to buy new ones. LOL.
Jennifer @ His N' Her Health July 28, 2009, 10:31 am
Love dance parties. Haven't had one lately. My dogs are way too effing heavy to use for weights (70 lbs) and my cat would scratch my eyes out lol. I did hang out with my friend who has a 2 year old. My arms hurt so bad the next day, because I kept picking her up.
katey July 28, 2009, 10:58 am
yes it is important for us vegetarians to get omega 3's! I use flaxseed oil in like everything possible
A July 28, 2009, 11:50 am
HI Caitlin–where can we buy the flax, is it at Publix or GNC?
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point July 28, 2009, 11:51 am
A- You can buy that brand from http://www.flaxmatters.com BUT i will be doing a giveaway next week!
Bevin July 28, 2009, 1:25 pm
I TOTALLY rock out all the time in my room! I love 80s music the best, bar none.

DP's are always the way to go and never a bad idea.
letsketchup July 28, 2009, 1:48 pm
Hahaha, do I detect a self timer being used to capture that prime dance move? Self timer is the best 🙂

This may seem silly – but thanks for being such a great inspiration Caitlin!
heyitstay July 28, 2009, 1:52 pm
BAHAHA I love that you use Maggie as a weight! Hilarious. Great dance party! I love to have dance parties – puts a smile on my face and makes me feel so empowered!
Sarah July 28, 2009, 1:56 pm
Hee hee hee, I love that you used Maggie! When I was a little kid, my stepmom used me for leg lifts. I thought it was super fun!
Stacey July 28, 2009, 2:43 pm
Sometimes I like to put on some rap music and stilhettos and clean my house haha..my boyfriend has only caught me once, thank God!! Was quite embarrasing, but oh well 🙂
Paige@ Running Around Normal July 28, 2009, 4:55 pm
LMAO! I love your Dance Party '09. I definitely put on a dance party here and there! My dog, Niko usually gets dragged into it.

Speaking of dogs, that cracks me up that you use Maggie as a dumbbell. DH and I always joke that we're doing "Niko-curls," although, it's not much of a workout as she's only 4 pounds… :o\ haha
Anonymous July 28, 2009, 7:10 pm
Yes, I use Maggie as a dumbbell – she's long, 20 pounds, and dumb.

hahaha this made me laugh for years. your poor little cow hehe. i love shadow boxing with weights, a killer move that will totally bust you up is squatting down in between punches and rising up with a punch + front kick. 30 of those with 10 lb weights = ahhhhhhhhhh.

– steph
Rebeca @All Vegged Out July 28, 2009, 10:01 pm
Awww Maggie's the best dumbbell around…

I have those kind of parties every night after work… if I didn't I'd lose my mind worrying about little things, clears my head and it's totally a part of my daily routine!

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