The Holidays Are Here.....It's Time to "Just Move It!"

If there's one person who can get you motivated to get your groove on, it has to be Lizette Perez. Lizette's fun-loving, energetic personality shines through when she is teaching you some fun dance moves while the latest hits and some funky beats from years past play in the background. You can't help but smile and enjoy yourself when you're taking one of her dance classes. Even if you're not the most coordinated or graceful dancer (case in point - me), Lizette still makes you feel good about dancing and her classes motivate you to return. I mean is it really exercise when you're having that much fun?

Lizette started Just Move It! Dance in March 2009 because of her love of dance and passion for fitness. "I was being asked to teach my classes for many different events such as Girl Scout parties, birthday parties, Girls Night parties etc... At the same time I was being approached by fitness instructors who wanted to teach a danced based class but needed help coming up with choreography. I decided to offer both with Just Move it! Dance. I not only teach for special events, but I also train others to teach. I call it Just Move it! Dance, because I believe everyone can dance. I tell my class they can do their own thing if they like; as long as they are moving they are dancing and burning calories. " She started dancing when she was nine years old because her pediatrician had recommended it for her flat feet and she has loved dance ever since. She's been involved in dance and fitness for over eighteen years and has worked professionally with Disney World, and the National Football League as an NFL Cheerleader for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She's performed in two Super Bowls one of which was in 1989 at Super Bowl XXIII at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida where the San Francisco 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals competed (the poor Bengals were defeated 13-6, bummer).

Lizette is qualified as an Afaa and Ace personal trainer as well as a group fitness instructor. In 1995 she received her Bachelor's degree in business. Currently she also teaches a cardio dance class at Lifetime Fitness and the class is always packed full with her loyal dancers as well as some newbies who want to join in on the fun. Here is a sampling of why they love to dance with Lizette:

"I love Lizette's cardio dance class because,"1. I burn over 600 calories doing what I love to do most in the world - DANCE! 2 .I love that all the dances are choreographed to the latest top 40 music! And, 3. She reminds me that you are never too old to dance!"- Michelle Hudepohl, Mason, Ohio.

"Lizette's cardio dance provides an atmosphere where you can cut loose and have fun while knowing you are doing something great for your body and health. Her consistent positive and confidence boosting comments make you leave the class feeling upbeat and proud!"- Karen Roux, Mason, Ohio

Recently, Lizette got to visit the Oprah Winfrey show after submitting a fun video set to the Black Eyed Peas, "I've Gotta Feeling" . The video takes place at a dance class in Mason, Ohio with many local women participating. She submitted the video after learning that the Oprah show wanted to see other "mob dances". Even though the show she participated in was not about the "mob dance", Lizette actually got to do the dance for the audience to get them pumped up before the show and showcased some of the "mob dance" moves that she learned from Oprah.com. The show she was on related to "Women Living Around the World" and if you view the video clip, Lizette asks a great question that I'm sure many of you Mom's can relate to (look for the question around the 5 minute & 20 second marker). She said the experience was amazing.

Even though Just Move It! Dance is relatively new, Lizette has been able to energize and motivate a wide variety of dancers. You will burn between 500-600 calories per one hour session and the best part is that you'll actually enjoy it. No more dealing with cumbersome weight machines, getting on that boring treadmill or a mind-numbing stationary bike ride, with Lizette, you'll be movin' & groovin' in no time flat. Just Move It! Dance also offers team building for companies by getting everyone, no matter what age or ability level, involved in the fun world of dance. Just Move It! Dance will also come to local gyms to spice up their fitness classes or if you'd like to learn how to become a dance fitness instructor they offer educational workshops.

Lizette has been happily married for twenty years and is a proud Mom of two, a son (age 17) and daughter (age 12), and she's shared her love of dance with them. "We dance in our kitchen all the time. We all love to dance at my house. What I love the most about dancing is that you must feel happy when you are dancing. Have you ever seen anyone dance angrily? Or depressed? I don't think it's possible. So the more I dance the happier I feel. "If she's not dancing, Lizette is enjoying photography and nature. Since she and her family have lived in so many different places, photography has been a great way to record all the different adventures her family has embarked upon.

If you're new to fitness and dance, Lizette advises you to "do something you enjoy. If you're not having fun; you're not going to do it forever. It does not have to be difficult - "Just Move It!" . I also have my new clients starting off slow. You want to feel your muscles, but you should not be in pain. Lastly, I tell my clients to work on their posture every day. Just by holding your tummy in and lifting your spine you can appear to be thinner. You will also be working those abdominal muscles every moment you are holding them in." Hmmm, sounds like a good plan to me, now I better take my own advice and "Just Move It!".

MasonMetu is proud to feature Lizette Perez as our December "Woman to Watch" and if you'd like to help your holiday waistline while enjoying yourself through dance, then see all that Just Move It! Dance has to offer.

Sources:

http://www.justmoveitdance.com/about.html

http://www.oprah.com/media/20091021-tows-women-world-ats

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20090908-tows-flash-mob-dance