“100 Days of Dance is an international grassroots campaign led by Kirstie Alley to promote an active lifestyle for all.” – From www.100daysofdance.com
When I first heard about 100 Days of Dance I immediately got excited. I LOVE to dance and I thought, “What a great idea to use dance to promote an active lifestyle and help me get into shape.” This dance challenge was intended to be started on January 1st of this year. To join the challenge, you simply sign up with your email address and commit to dancing everyday for at least 30 minutes for 100 consecutive days.
Well, I must admit. I have NOT danced every single day. BUT, I have been a lot more active in the first 65 days of this year because of the dancing I have done for this challenge, and that makes me feel good about my progress. Although I have not followed the plan perfectly, and I’m sharing it “late” based on the intended start date, this challenge has had a positive influence on my life and I felt the need to share.
I absolutely love making life as fun as possible, and when you can add fun to the things you have to do it makes a world of difference. I heard Kirstie Alley say in an interview that the idea to challenge people to dance at least 30 minutes a day was based on the doctors’ recommendation to do some form of exercise or physical activity for 30 minutes a day to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Why not make that physical activity something you actually want to do! I love it.
Who doesn’t love to dance? Dancing and music just makes you feel good! It’s the perfect way to bring joy and happiness into your otherwise normal day. Although I haven’t been able to keep up with it everyday, I have been thoroughly enjoying it and constantly returning to it because I love it so much.
I start my day with my dancing before I do anything else, so it sets the tone for my day and gets me off to a great start in a great mood. I put on my favorite upbeat, feel good music and let my body move to the music. Now, I will add in some exercise moves, especially on the faster songs, to make sure I’m getting a good workout in. But for the most part, I am having a blast, shaking my tail feather and turning my bedroom into a dance floor. 🙂
Another reason I love my dancing is because of the specific songs I choose. If you are familiar with my Songs of the Week, you know some of my favorite feel good and uplifting songs. I love songs with positive messages that lift your spirits and make you feel good about yourself, your life, and where you are going. I think it’s important to plug into that type of inspiration on a regular basis to keep yourself pumped about life and in a positive mindset. So to couple that with high energy, fun, feel good movement creates a powerful combination of positive and productive energy that I have flowing in, around and through me every time I do it. You can’t beat that!
Because this is so beneficial for me on so many levels, I have noticed resistance to it. It is normal for the mind and body to fight any change, especially if it’s good for you. So I’ve had to fight through that, which has caused me not to keep up with the consecutive days.
But I honestly don’t feel bad about missing days and being off schedule. I intend to make this a lifestyle because I love it so much, and I encourage you to do the same. Whether this is day 65 of the 100 days or not, incorporating dancing to your favorite music into your everyday life is something that will light you up from the inside out, and that is something I support all year round.
My Dance Mix
Here is a list of some of the songs I currently dance to on a regular basis.
- “God In Me” by Mary Mary – This is usually my warm up song and starts me out with the reminder of the God in me. 🙂
- “Expect The Great” by Jonathan Nelson – High energy and great message to keep me focused and kick things in high gear.
- “I Choose” by India.Arie – I love hearing this song as I dance and exercise in the mirror, reminding myself that what I’m doing in that moment is my choice to be the best that I can be.
- “There’s Hope” by India.Arie – It’s always great to hear a message of hope and keep a positive perspective of life, while grooving to good music in the process.
- “Victory” by Tye Tribbett – One of my favorite upbeat, high energy songs that ensures my victory over any struggle and makes me move my hips like I’m in the club lol.
- “Love On Top” by Beyonce – This song makes me sing and dance so hard that you would think I was trying out for American Idol!
- “End of Time” by Beyonce – This is MY SONG. You can’t tell me I’m not starring in my own personal music video when I’m dancing to this one. It really brings out my inner choreographer! lol
- “So In Love” by Jill Scott – This song brings the funk to the party. My shoulders and feet get to moving like I think I know a little something about back in the day.
- “Golden” by Jill Scott – My anthem! Living my life like it’s golden and dancing along the way!
- “Blessed” by Jill Scott – I usually end my workout with this one, it’s a great cool down song and reminder that I’m so blessed! 🙂
I plan to add these songs soon:
- “I Am Not Forgotten” by Israel Houghton – I love the upbeat/high energy feeling and inspirational words of this song
- “Run The World (Girls)” by Beyonce – Gotta get my empowering groove on with this one!
- “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO – This song is just so much fun! I need to learn how to do that shuffle and just let loose and have a great time!
I plan on adding many more of my favorite feel good songs to enhance my dancing fun!
Share your thoughts in the comments: What are some of your favorite feel good/dance songs? How do you feel about dancing for exercise? What are some song suggestions you have for me to add to my list?
Peace, Love & DANCE!
~Alexis~
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Alexis, today you have inspired me. I need to lose weight and I need to lead a more healthy lifestyle. Over the past six years, I even joined two different gyms: The first was a downtown gym and I had a two year membership. The second was closer to my house. I was a member there for nearly four years. And I never stepped foot in either one of them. NEVER. I meant to. I wanted to. But I was busy and stuff….. All that money down the toilet.
But dancing in my own home to my favorite songs with no one to see me — that’s a realistic possibility. Besides, I just discovered an old Harry Nilsson album (Nilsson “Schmilsson”) and I’m looking for excuses to crank some old tunes up loud, away from my husband (Harry Nilsson is an acquired taste and Brad has never acquired it).
I’m from a different era, so my song list would include:
1. “Down” — by Harry, just to get me warmed up
2. “Gotta Get Up” — Harry Nilsson again, of course
3. “You Can Jump Into the Fire” — Harry’s 7 minute version with the drum solo in the middle
4. “Black Horse & The Cherry Tree” — KT Tunstall for a change of pace
5. “Easy Money” — Billy Joel singing about gambling addiction
6. “It’s Your Thing” — by the Isley Brothers (how can you NOT dance to this?)
7. “Life in the Fast Lane” — the Eagles
8. “Victim of Love” — also by the Eagles
9. “No Limit” — 2 Unlimited
10. “Unchain my Heart — ’cause ya gotta have a little Joe Cocker
11. “Folsom Prison Blues” — Johnny Cash
12. “Orange Blossom Special’ — another Johnny Cash
13. “Christie Lee” — back to Billy Joel
14. “The Crow” — some banjo music by Steve Martin
15. “Let the Good Times Roll” — back to Harry Nilsson to cool down
If that doesn’t make you happy, I don’t know what will!
Rock on with aloha!!
Kay in Hawaii
Yes! I love that you’ve already come up with your song list! Keep me updated on how much fun you’re having while you’re becoming more active and getting into shape!
Alexis, I LOVE your idea! I’ve always loved to dance–I go between ballet and jazz– and I’m definitely going to do this! Actually, I was thinking about adding dance subliminally and now I’m actually going to do it! I love your blog–I always come away inspired!
Thanks Sandra! But I can’t take credit for this idea. It definitely originated with 100 Days of Dance. But I’m so glad you’re going to do it! And it really blesses me to know you are always inspired by my blog. That’s exactly why I do this! Thanks so much for your comments. 🙂
Alexis – I decided to read your post, because I love dance — to watch it, that is. I love ballet and I’m lucky to live in NYC with so many classical and modern companies. My movement of choice is to walk – not exactly dancing but it does get my body exercising!
lol, I love this, “I love dance – to watch it, that is.” lol, I feel you. I love watching it too and you are very luck to live in NYC and have immediate access to great shows. I can’t wait to go back there to see more Broadway shows. And yes, I love walking too, especially in my neighborhood. Any activity is good! 🙂 Whatever makes you happy is the best to do.
One of the activities I really love is dancing, because it my way of healthy lifestyle and enjoying my whole day long… Its really great… 🙂
Yeah, I love it too. 🙂
How fun! I love dancing too, but feel more comfortable following along to an exercise video – not much for freestylin, but it’s a thought – music would be lots better!.
That’s one of the main reasons I love it, because I get to pick my absolute favorite songs to dance to. Sometimes I do wish I had some specific workout moves I could follow, but the great music always keeps me moving, regardless! lol
Fun! Fun! Fun! Love your playlist and Kay’s too. What a great idea, to start your day with dancing!
Thanks!
That was cool. Starting your day with dance. I love dancing it made me graceful all day.
I used dancing as my exercise. Eventually I enjoy while keeping in-shape. Real fun.
I think this one is cool even I’m not a good dancer I want to try it..Thanks for sharing..