Wednesday, October 29, 2014

I've been using you.

And, I hope you've been using me, too. Allow me to explain.

I shared a little bit about how important social media and online communities are in my post about weight loss from a few weeks ago. This is becoming more and more true for me for a few reasons.

Credit: DietBetter.com
1) Tried DietBet: Haven't heard of it? The premise is simple: you buy in to a DietBet game for around $25 - $35, and you have 4 weeks to lose 4% of your weight. If you meet your weight goal, you win a share of the pot (after DietBet takes its 25%). It seems that 50-60% of people typically meet their goal. So, say there are 400 people participating in a $25 game - that's $7,500 in the pot that could be won. If 200 people make their goal, each person walks away with $37.50. You're not going to get rich playing, but the game provides extra motivation.

More importantly, players use site to encourage each other, troubleshoot challenges, and celebrate small wins along the way. I tried my first DietBet in September and loved it. The 4% goal is reasonable and I loved being in it with so many other people cheering each other on. If you're interested in DietBet, let me know and I'll start one - ZIN edition!

2) Joining Instagram: I finally took the plunge! I really enjoy following #fitness, #zumba, and #zumbalove posts. Seeing your sweaty Jam pics, race photos, etc. is totally inspiring and really does make me want to put on my sneakers and get moving.


3) Reading your ZINspiration: I didn't start ZINspiration Mondays for me, but boy, do I love reading about all of the things you've overcome and how you encourage your students. You guys rule. In case you've missed them:
  • Tiffany - lost 80 pounds and became an instructor to inspire others
  • Rob - lost weight and built new healthy habits
  • Kirsten - volunteers to teach Zumba for special education students in her community
  • Tony - used Zumba to get healthy and represents for men!
  • Karen - started working out with Zumba despite her osteogenesis imperfect, or brittle bone disease
  • Ray - lost 100 pounds with Zumba and a move overseas
  • Kristi - lost 70 pounds and documents her health journey at Becoming Supersonic
  • Ana - lost 70 pounds and became a health coach
  • Mariann - overcame myxedema and got B1 and Gold licensed
  • Amy - after a polycystic ovarian syndrome diagnosis and a number of setbacks, lost a ton of weight and became a Weight Watchers instructor!
  • Charita - became a Zumba instructor on Extreme Weight Loss
  • Jacqueline - found a passion for Zumba and got licensed at age 67!
  • Christine - lost 50 pounds and gained a ton of confidence

I hope you'll use The Z Beat and the online Zumba community (in Facebook groups like ZIN and Zumbafriends) as a support system for your own health journey. Here's to using each other!

2 comments:

  1. I just found your blog - and it was good timing, too...I'm going to get my B1 licence this coming weekend, and I'm super psyched about it! I never thought I'd get to this point, but here I am, going for it anyway - with a disability. Part of my Zumba story can be found here: http://saltwatermisfit.blogspot.ca/2013/04/my-zumba-bodymy-story.html

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  2. Thanks for sharing, Cayla! I would love to feature your story... Can't figure out how to get in touch with you but if I can share your story on The Z Beat please email me! thezbeat@gmail.com

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