Showing posts with label motionSENSE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label motionSENSE. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

I am Unapologetically Strong and it's my Goal to help YOU to be too! #DegreeStrong


I can't remember when exactly it was that I became aware of being strong. Of being 'Unapologetically Strong.'

Was it after battling my first bully in elementary school? Who was a big tall boy by the way, one who had everyone terrorized because his Dad worked in the school, so many people would take his abuse because they felt they had no one to tell, and that if they did, the person would certainly take his side instead of theirs. The very first time he picked on me, I gave it right back and when he challenged me to a fight that day after school. I was there. With my super long hair tied up in a bun and my face slathered with Vaseline!

Was it the male bully in my neighborhood who kept picking on me and when he hit me, I hit him on the head with my Kabangers (also known back then as Klik Klaks)? He ended up VERY sorry he hit me, if anyone had that toy they know just how deadly a weapon they actually were! (In fact injuries is the main reason that toy ended up being recalled!)

Was it losing my Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Father in the same year?

Was it in high school when my school forced all girls into a gym class called 'modern dance' and because I refused to wear the skimpy outfit and dance around in hippie circles with plastic garbage bags and I insisted on my gym being changed so I was put in the 'weightlifting' class where I of course was the only girl in the class, is that when I realized I was Un-Apologetically Strong? Probably Not.

Or was it in College when my mom began her battle with Cancer and I was working part time with a full time course load and labs during the weekends (I was on a 'pre-med' track at that point which is why I had so many science labs on weekends) that I realized I was 'Strong'? I changed majors but kept my part time jobs and still went to the hospital every single day.

Somehow I've risen to each and every challenge life threw my way, but I started this year with my biggest one yet, being told I myself was on 'borrowed time' because a mass had been found on my Lung. And after several exploratory surgeries, (where I actually WOKE up during), and two different almost month long hospital stays in two different hospitals after the first one almost killed me via various acts of negligence, it was THEN that I realized I went beyond 'regular Strong'. It was this experience that helped me understand I truly am Unapologetically Strong.

I've spent many years being 'that' person. The one everyone comes to for help, advice, and guidance when the chips are down. The one who could solve it. The one who could figure it out. Whether it was for tech help, electronics, life advice. I was somehow everyone's life coach. The one who turned the lemons into lemonade.

From that stupid weight training class where I was the only girl, I learned that when I worked up a sweat, it made my problems disappear while I trained. And I took it all with me, well after that class whenever I was having a bad day, I'd crank up power music playlists and I'd train until my muscles felt like goo and I was drenched in sweat, then I'd jump in the shower, and go about my day. Being active has somehow always had that effect on me, when I would go horseback riding and would get to ride fast is when I felt most alive.

Right now I'm not yet allowed to resume a full workout routine, but I will get there again. Slowly but surely.

In 2009 I was looking for a site where I could find some kind of motivation and inspiration in a way that would help me truly remember it. And I couldn't find what I was looking for so I created it. I started a site that focused on affirmational breathing excercises daily. A way to 'breathe your way' into a better day. That site, Ascending Butterfly, much like me has evolved quite a bit since then, but much like me, is still the place whose mission statement is 'to seek out and share the best sources of inspiration both on and offline'.

I can tell you that Life will test your resolve and your mettle each and every single day! It's HOW you face the challenges that determine your strength. Do you keep trying? Do you keep fighting? ~ Ascending Butterfly

Graphic Reads: I won't apologize for who I am


What moment in your life made you realize that you were 'Un-apologetically Strong'?

WIN FOR SHARING: Don't just share it with us, share your unique and inspiring Unapologetically Strong story on the Degree Women® Facebook page for a chance to win a grand prize of $5,000 to spend on achieving your goal, how awesome is that? The Facebook contest runs from September 12th through September 26th.

It's like kismet that I was asked to participate in this campaign, as we have recently announced our new feature on Ascending Butterfly called 'Inspiration Corner' where we will feature someone and find out who or what inspires them! You can participate in this feature too by leaving your email (formatted for security purposes on this or the original post) and we will email you some questions! Each month we will feature someone new!

Degree® Clinical Protection Deodorant with motionSENSE™ Technology


Last year I took my first ever live Zumba class thanks to Degree® Women Deodorant with motionSENSE™ technology which you can read all about HERE. I greatly enjoyed the class, and I even got the game for the Wii so I could keep up the fun at home! And since that day which is when I first started using Degree, I switched from my old brand to Degree and have never looked back! This year I was sent a different scent to try out called 'Cotton Fresh' and I LOVE it! This deodorant really works for me, and living in this walking city I can truly work up a sweat before I even get to the gym! Trains are certainly a hot, sweaty place especially in the summer in New York City!

I'm the one all the way in the back the person right near the exit sign, this was taken last year, at my first ever live Zumba Class sponsored by Degree!

Get Social With it:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - “like” Degree Women® on Facebook
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - follow Degree Women on Twitter at @DegreeWomen

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FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post from One2One Network and Degree Women®. I received product for review and this post makes me eligible for additional incentives. All opinions stated are my own.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Not So Wordless Wednesday! - Ascending Butterfly Tries Zumba for the First Time {pictures}



DEGREE® GIVES WOMEN A MOTIVE TO MOVE

I was recently invited to try out Zumba Fitness for the first time at Exhale Spa in New York City by Degree Women. Yes that's right the folks behind Degree Deodorant are challenging us all to move! And as many of you already know I have already dropped 26 pounds so far this year making small Lifestyle Changes that have really added up. Last year I got to try Yoga for the first time, and this year I tried Zumba for the first time!

Exhale Spa


I thought the spa was beautiful, it's a large but warm and inviting space in Manhattan, New York City. I couldn't resist snapping this picture, I loved the quote on this t-shirt:


Just in case you can't read it very well from this photo, it reads: 'Disarm From Within' - Isn't that a great inspirational quote?

Degree and the Spa provided us with Breakfast as the class was held very held very early in the morning, check out the pretty and very zen spread:



A very zen and healthy spread was laid out for us!

Zumba!

After Breakfast, we had the chance to try out a Zumba session, and boy was it intense, super fun and got everyone sweating in no time! Below is a picture of instructor Samuel Salazar showing us all some moves! (You can practice with sam too, email him directly at zumbawithsam@aol.com)


And below is another picture of the class in progress, I'm in this picture!



I may be a little hard to spot, you can press on the pictures to open them though, I'm in the very back left of the picture posted above this caption, I am in a Turquoise Top and Black Pants.

Degree Deodorant with motionSENSE Technology

For the past week since the event I've been testing out the new Degree® Women Deodorant with motionSENSE™ technology, the only anti-perspirant formula activated directly by movement, not moisture. And I have to tell you, it's what I'd call a 'Drugstore Gem'. There are some staples that you get at the Drugstore that you say to yourself 'oh well, I can just get the brand on sale' but there are other things, that regardless of the sale price you will not change your regular brand for. I've been a Secret Deodorant user for pretty much a lifetime and switched to their clinical strength when they first launched it. I honestly have never switched from Secret (except from their regular formulation to the clinical) and now that I've tested out Degree with motionSENSE, I'm hooked. I've made the switch. It's beyond effective! And I know it's totally geeky but I like that my new deodorant has a 'technology' behind it! I will tell you this Deodorant will take what you dish out, so hit it with your best shot, be as active as possible, I'm sure you will be as surprised as I was at how well this keeps you fresh and dry effectively all day!

MotionSENSE™ Technology – The More You Move, The More it Works

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - While the average anti-perspirant/deodorant releases fragrance upon contact with sweat, Degree Women with motionSENSE™ is the only antiperspirant that starts working when women start to move, keeping women fresher for longer.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Degree Women Expert Protection with motionSENSE™ keeps women protected longer than the leading anti-perspirant

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Degree Women Clinical Protection® with motionSENSE™ provides prescription strength wetness protection without a prescription. Seven out of ten women say they would switch to Degree® Women Fresh Energy Clinical Protection from their current anti-perspirant (count me among those seven!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Additionally, Degree Women Fine Fragrance® and Natureffects® anti-perspirants/deodorants feature motionSENSE™ technology

For more information, “Like” the Degree Women Facebook page and follow Degree Women on Twitter at @DegreeWomen.

Amazing GIVEAWAY Alert - Degree Women “Get into the Move” application on Facebook

Now you know I'm always on the lookout for the win/win, I like to be sure Ascending Butterfly Readers get something too, that's why I don't mind working so hard, this time even putting up a sweat to bring you back something great!

If you have seen the extra credits for our amazing Dads N Grads Month Buying Guide Giveaways, you may have noticed the Degree App extra credit entries I've offered. But you don't need to be entering our giveaways to benefit from this info and promotion!

Do you like gift cards, electronics, trips?

I kind of had a feeling you'd say that!

By registering for the Degree Women “Get into the Move” application on Facebook (facebook.com/degreewomen) or on mobile devices (m.degreewomen.com), fans can start earning motionMILES, 'virtual currency' redeemable towards chances to win thousands of prizes. These motionMILES are earned for various ways women move, including checking in with Facebook places and logging activities. Earning motionMILES is easy - eligible activities include going to the gym, taking Zumba® or yoga classes and various other activities women already do, like grocery shopping or catching the bus. Fans can also earn motionMILES by answering daily trivia questions on the Facebook application, inviting friends to “Get into the Move,” and even logging in daily. I have FIVE EXTRA MOTION MILES for YOU! Enter the Code GetMoving031 (that is the number zero, not the letter 'o') after you register where it says 'Enter Code', this code will get you Five Extra motionMILES that you can trade in for instant win prizes, weekly prizes or even the amazing Grand Prize Trip Prizes! (If you enter the code, I have a shot at a prize too!)

Once earned, fans can use motionMILES for a shot at winning instant prizes by spinning the prize wheel or by entering weekly and grand prize sweepstakes. Prizes include a surfing trip in Hawaii, designer shoes, gift certificates for Zumba classes and much more. Fans can also choose to donate motionMILES in a dollar amount to one of two charities: The Challenged Athletes Foundation and Girls in The Game.

“Women partake in infinite daily actions. In fact, the average woman moves 5,000 times a day,” explains Mike Dwyer, Director of Marketing for deodorants at Unilever. “With Degree’s new motionSENSE™ technology, the more you move, the more it works. We took that same idea and created a rewards program for our fans to get into the move and reward them with motionMILES - the more they earn, the more chances they have to win. What a way to put our product to the test!”

Dance for motionMILES with Zumba Fitness

To help women earn motionMILES, Degree Women has partnered with the largest dance-fitness company in the world, Zumba fitness. Coined the “fitness party,” the Zumba program blends contagious and easy-to-follow choreographies with upbeat international music, from the hottest award-winning producers, to provide an effective total-body workout. Fans can win Zumba fitness prizes through the “Get into the Move” application and earn motionMILES by taking Zumba classes at participating fitness clubs.

“To help women get in the move, we are breaking down signature Zumba moves that will be featured on the Degree Women Facebook page,” explains Beto, creator of the Zumba program. “You don’t have to be a dancer to master the moves, just be ready to get lost in the music and have your own exhilarating Zumba fitness party; it’s all about the fun!”

My first Zumba Class ever was super fun, and I can't wait to try it again, thanks Degree Women for giving me a great way to get moving and keep up the momentum, now I want the Zumba Fitness Game for Wii (so if the lovely folks at Majesco Entertainment want to send me this game to try out, I'd be totally open to it!)

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FTC Disclosure Info: NO monetary compensation was received, This is a NON-compensated post. I was invited to a Zumba Fitness Class, fed and given a gift bag with samples for my review consideration, I was under NO obligation to post. If my motionMILES code is used, I will gain additional entries into a giveaway for a chance to win a trip to Sedona, Arizona. Transparency is everything! :)