Marriage is NOT 50-50

I've realized how true this really is. Give your ALL or else you are selling yourself and your spouse short.

God Bless and Take Care
Love,
Tonya
P.S. Comment below, please. Love it? Hate it? Indifferent? I'd love to know what you think!

Fibro You Can't Beat THIS Girl. I'm Covered!

I found this wonderful article today and  it has inspired me to write this blog.

I have fibromyalgia. It has changed my life. Here is a pretty basic description of what it is:

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes muscle pain and fatigue (feeling tired). People with fibromyalgia have “tender points” on the body. Tender points are specific places on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms, and legs. These points hurt when pressure is put on them.

People with fibromyalgia may also have other symptoms, such as:

Trouble sleeping

Morning stiffness

Headaches

Painful menstrual periods

Tingling or numbness in hands and feet

Problems with thinking and memory (sometimes called “fibro fog”). 

***Side note: To all my friends and family that I have let down due to me forgetting something I'm supposed to do, please forgive me. Right now this especially goes to Osaremi, founder of TCE Events, who I totally forgot about on Saturday because I didn't write down her event like I should have. I'm still coming up with different ways to cope with my memory loss, but some things fall through the cracks. I truly appreciate those of you who work with me to help me remember stuff. <3***

I have ALL those symptoms of fibromyalgia, plus quite a few more. But, thank you Jesus, I am able to teach Salsa, Zumba, PiYo, Bokwa, perform on stage and more! Yes, there are times when I need to stop and let my body rest. And yes, sometimes I fall back on my pre fibromyalgia mindset and go hard, and then wind up knocked on my butt for a few days. But that's OK. I'm still learning how to cope with this disease, but it hasn't beat me and it WON'T beat me.

So I've been asked how I am able to physically do the things that I am able to do and I have this debilitating condition. I've heard, 'I can't even make it to my mailbox.", "I can't even pick up this case of water", "I can't even clean my house.", "I can't even get out of bed.", "I can't do Zumba", "I can't dance", the list goes on.

My answer to how I'm able to be as active as I am is... God has blessed me. He has blessed me with a passion for dance. He has blessed me with a passion to help people. He blessed me with my own businesses Love 2 Dance Fitness and Baile con Sazon before I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia even though I was still active Duty Air Force.

I stress the fact that we opened the studio before the diagnosis because I don't think I would have had the mental strength to chase my dreams after I was told I had fibro. God especially blessed me with bills to pay (yes, I said it!) for our studio so that I would HAVE to teach classes! I've had no choice but to keep my body moving because I sure can't afford a full staff! :)

God has also surrounded me with people who are positive and who help me to keep going and who gave me the courage to step out and do things that most people are afraid to try.

First and foremost being my wonderful husband. He's my Boaz and he's always there for me. I don't know what I would do without him.

I'd also like to thank Reggie Santiago for standing in for me a trillion times when I couldn't show up to the studio to help teach. I'd like to thank J and Monica for helping me out so much on the fitness side of the house. I know there have been times that I've been super flaky but you lovely ladies stood by me! I'd like to thank our whole Baile con Sazon Black Belt Salsa family. Marci, Loretta, Seymore, Willie Mac, Tonino, Tashia, DJ, Max, Erik, Sara, JuanYe, April, Pepe, Edie the Salsa Freak... You've covered for me, taught me, performed with me, held events with me, held events for me, helped to promote, taken gorgeous pictures, practiced with me, pushed me, the list goes on.

So, to sum it all up, I'm blessed and God is good!

I'd love to hear your stories, testimonies, questions, comments. Tell me about your journey. I eat that stuff up. :)

God Bless and Take Care
Love, 
Tonya

www.TonyaOutlaw.com

P.S. Comment below, please. Love it? Hate it? Indifferent? I'd love to know what you think!

The Salseras Who Have Shaped Me

So, I have decided to put together a collection of my FAVORITE videos of the wonderful women who have helped me grow into the dancer I am today and who will hopefully be able to continue to help me grow.

I love you ladies!

So here they are in the order that I met and or received training from them:

1. Ana Masacote - Ana is such a graceful, smooth dancer. Her body movement is to die for. I can't wait to go to the Masacote Salsa Retreat in August to train with her again. This is such a special, unique, beautiful routine. I love to watch it.

2. Edie the Salsa Freak - Edie's story is so inspirational. She is living proof that the sky is the limit no matter how old you are. It is never too late to start. Edie is fiery and strong. I love you, Edie! BTW, it was very hard for me to pick which video I wanted, but the musicality in this one spoke to me. I wanted to be Edie while I watched this. :) And of course, how could I not use a Black Belt Salsa video?

3. Griselle Ponce Mosquea - Griselle, Griselle, Griselle. Her style moves me. When I think of Ladies Styling, I think of Griselle. I have traveled to so many cities just to take a workshop or class with her! This routine is what I consider her signature routine. She made me love Cha cha cha. When I think of Griselle, I think of this:

4. Giana Montoya - I love Giana's technique. I love her body expression. I love how she took my basic right turn and FIXED it! I just love Giana! And I am proud and happy to say she will be coming to my dance studio, Baile con Sazon, 19-20 July 2014 to teach a 10 hour Salsa bootcamp with her honey, Nery. :) I hope to see you all there!
This is the routine that made me fall in love with Giana, especially at 1:05:

5. Isabel Frieberger - This lady is powerful, technical hotness! Originally part of the Cobo Brothers, she has always stood out. She doesn't just take a step. It is like every step she takes is placed with precision. And just gorgeous! This first routine is what I consider Isabel's signature. I'm having trouble embedding the video, so click on the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsYqOCRVzh8

This second one is one that I found where she is just social dancing but... Well, just watch it:

So there you have it.  The ladies who have taught me so much and to whom (who? grammar alert) I am so grateful for how far I've come and I am counting on you all to continue to help me in my growth as a dancer.

Thank you Ana, Edie, Griselle, Giana and Isabel and know that you are making a difference and touching lives through your joy and wonderful spirits and love of this art. Keep chasing your dreams whatever they may be.

God Bless and Take Care
Love, 
Tonya
P.S. Comment below, please. Love it? Hate it? Indifferent? I'd love to know what you think!
www.tonyaoutlaw.com

Baile con Sazon Student Dance Team

I am one proud Salsa Mama. Loretta, Seymore and my wonderful son Rico did a fabulous job! I love you guys!

Visit www.baileconsazon.co to find out more about our classes, joining the Baile con Sazon Student Dance Team, choreography, performances or just to say hi!

God Bless and Take Care
Love,
Tonya

P.S. Comment below, please. Love it? Hate it? Indifferent? I'd love to know what you think!

Just Cuz It Has a Pretty Bow...

Everything wrapped up with a pretty bow is not a gift.  Am I the only person who has learned this the hard way? :)

God Bless and Take Care
Love, 
Tonya 
P.S. Comment below, please. Love it? Hate it? Indifferent? I'd love to know what you think!

You are Wonderful

All of your experiences mold you into the wonderful person you are today. No one can take that away from you unless you let them.




God Bless and Take Care
Love, 
Tonya 
P.S. Comment below, please. Love it? Hate it? Indifferent? I'd love to know what you think!

Who's Fault is it?

We all make mistakes. That is how we grow and learn. Lord knows, I've gotten myself into quite a few pickles. Matter of fact, I might be in the middle of a bad decision right now,  but only time will tell. I'll keep you posted. ;-)

The important thing is to be honest with yourself.  Own up to whatever it is that you did wrong and then FIX IT and move on.

Blaming others for your actions (or lack of action) not only makes you look incompetent and it also delays your progress and growth.

Take Care and God Bless

Love,

Tonya

www.tonyaoutlaw.com

How Did This Happen? I Just Joined the Girl Scouts!

I am a homeschooling mom.  How I made that decision is the subject of a whole nother blog! But anyway, needless to say I'm always looking for ways to have my kids interact with other kids.

I happened to stop by the post office at Eutaw Village, which I NEVER go to. It is nowhere near my house. As a matter of fact, I NEVER go to the post office. Who does that these days? :)

As I was leaving the post office, I looked over and saw the Girl Scout office. I didn't even know they had an office or store! I just thought they met in churches and rec centers. I really was clueless.

I go into the office and I ask the lady how to get my daughter registered. She tells me I have two options. I can either sign her up online and she will be put on the waiting list until who knows when.
OR I can become a Troop Leader and find someone to be a Co Leader with me and she will automatically become a Girl Scout.

Hmmm... Now I'm stuck. I have no clue about Girl Scouts and what they do. I was never a Girl Scout, I don't know any Girl Scouts, what do Girl Scouts do? And Troop Leader???? And Co Troop Leader???? Where am I gonna find someone to be a Troop Leader with me??? I'm freaking out inside my head a little.

But once the immediate panicked passed, I started thinking. I've got my own studio, so I have a place that I have complete control of that I can have my Troop meetings. I've got one of my bestest friends in the whole wide world who has just retired from the Air Force and wants something to do and she loves kids even more than I do. Well, I think we've got a winner!

So here we are, my bestie and I, trained and ready to go.  Troop Leaders of Troop 1178 in Fayetteville NC.

And now my daughter and I are officially members of the Girl Scouts of America! And we are really proud!

BTW, we are recruiting Daisies and Cadettes. Interested?

God Bless and Take Care
Love,
Tonya
Troop 1178 :)

P.S. Comment below, please. Love it? Hate it? Indifferent? I'd love to know what you think!

OMGoodness! This is HILARIOUS!!!!

I have TOTALLY done this! I guess that is why it's so funny to me. :)
Enjoy!

God Bless and Take Care
Love,
Tonya
www.tonyaoutlaw.com

P.S. Comment below, please. Love it? Hate it? Indifferent? I'd love to know what you think!

Griselle Ponce Mosquea, My Salsa She-Ro

TBT:



Classic Griselle Ponce Mosquea. I love her! Anyone who has taken one of my classes or seen me dance can tell who my main Salsa mentor is. :)



BTW, Desiree Godsell is a Salsa beast too!











Take Care and God Bless

Love,

Tonya

www.tonyaoutlaw.com

***PLEASE READ AND HELP A WOMAN AND HER CHILDREN***

I just found out that at very beautiful, dear, sweet woman that I love lost everything that she owns, including her car, in a house fire. This was shortly after being notified that she was being laid off.

Please go to this website and donate to help Nydia and her children make it through this horrible, stressful, trying time. And please share this with everyone you know.

http://www.youcaring.com/help-a-neighbor/re-build-the-baez-home/156195

Nydia, God bless you and your family. May God surround you in peace, courage, love, comfort and sustain you during this time. Lean on Him and know that this will work out for the good. You will be a testimony on the other side of this. I claim this in Jesus' name. AMEN

God Bless and Take Care
Love,
Tonya
P.S. Comment below, please. Love it? Hate it? Indifferent? I'd love to know what you think!

#100HappyDays

So, I kept hearing about 100 Happy Days and seeing #100HappyDays and I had no idea what it was. So like everyone else that I know, I went to the go-to source of information: Google. :)

I found this website at the top of the list:

www.100happydays.com

How can we be happy for 100 Days? This is what they tell us:

"How? Plain simple!

every day submit a picture of what made you happy!

It can be anything from a meet-up with a friend to a very tasty cake in the nearby coffee place, from a feeling of being at home after a hard day to a favor you didto a stranger.  

#100happyday challenge is for you - not for anyone else. 

It is not a happiness competition or a showing off contest. If you try to please / make others jealous via your pictures - you lose without even starting. Same goes for cheating."

I'm starting today and I encourage you to join me! I will be posting my happy pics on:
Instagram: instagram.com/ncsalsera
Twitter: twitter.com/love2dancefit
FB: facebook.com/ZumbawithTonyaO

Friend me, follow me, keep in touch and share your joy with me!

Wait a minute... What? You don't have the time? What???

Take a little bit of time for yourself and your friends, family, hobbies, whatever and just live in the moment! And then share that moment with me! :)

God Bless and Take Care
Love,
Tonya

P.S. Comment below, please. Love it? Hate it? Indifferent? I'd love to know what you think!

Pleasure, pain brain signals disrupted in fibromyalgia patients

This is interesting. And it explains a lot about what I feel at times.

"New research indicates that a disruption of brain signals for reward and punishment contributes to increased pain sensitivity, known as hyperalgesia, in fibromyalgia patients. Results published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology, suggest that this altered brain processing might contribute to widespread pain and lack of response to opioid therapy in patients with fibromyalgia."

Read more:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131105081519.htm

God Bless and Take Care

Love,
Tonya

P.S. Thoughts? Comment below, please. Love it? Hate it? Indifferent? I'd love to know what you think!

What Is The Best Way To Start The Week?

Baile con Sazon is having a Salsa Sunday Potluck Social and we want YOU to come dance with us!

http://i.l2df.com/1imglGE

BAILE CON SAZÓN Salsa Sunday Potluck Social is 13 April at 6PM! What better way to prepare for the upcoming week than with a Salsa social sharing yummy food and wonderful dancing with our Salsa family? I can't think of a better way.

Come and relax, dance, eat, dance some more, eat some more, and then go home and get ready for work, happy and relaxed!

What: Salsa, Bachata, Cha Cha Cha with a touch of Merengue. 

When: 13 April 2014 6 PM

Where: Baile Con Sazon Studio Fayetteville NC 

Cost: Bring your favorite dish, dessert or beverage or bring $5

Bring a dish and get in for free. RSVP and tell us what you are bringing here:

http://i.l2df.com/1imglGE 

God Bless and Take Care
Love,
Tonya

P.S. Comment below, please. I'd love to know what you think! And I'd love to know what you are bringing!

I SERIOUSLY Need Some Help! Anyone???

So we are launching our Online Personal Training website, and I'd like to upload some personalized videos. What I need is for some of you wonderful, awesome people to to be in the video with me. It will be simple, straightforward stuff; squats, crunches, push-ups, etc... I just want company in the video with me to help bring the energy!

Who's in? Space is limited. I will be recording this Wednesday, 9 April 2014 at 7:15 PM.

Comment below or message me if you are in!

God Bless and Take Care
Love,
Tonya

P.S. Comment below, please. Hate it? Love it? Indifferent? I'd love to know what you think!

Bad Weight-Loss Technique...

Exercising on an Empty Stomach

"It's embarrassing to admit, but I used to exercise in the morning on an empty stomach. Not only did I worry about getting cramps if I ate, but I also thought it could speed up weight loss. The idea seems logical — if you don't have any food in your belly, your body will start using up stores of fat as its energy source. I'm not the only one. "

Read more:

www.fitsugar.com/Best-Food-Eat-Before-Workout

God Bless and Take Care
Love,
Tonya

Do You Work Out on the Weekend?

"The best way to stick to a workout routine is to make it just that — part of your schedule. On weekdays, knowing you've got to fit in exercise before work or during your lunch hour is the key to seeing results and feeling healthy, even if you only have a few minutes on some days."

Read the rest of the article here:

http://www.fitsugar.com/Do-You-Exercise-Weekend-34465261

If you decide you do want to work out on the weekend, come and visit us at Love 2 Dance Fitness.  We have Zumba on Saturdays with the Outlaw Posse and Monica, AKA the Energizer Bunny. We'd love to work out with you!

God Bless and Take Care
Love,
Tonya
www.TonyaOutlaw.com

The Worst Diet Advice In History

This is an interesting article.  I'm not sure how I feel about all of it, but I DO believe that real food trumps chemicals that just look and taste like real food.

Worst Diet Advice

"Nutrition history is riddled with nonsense. 
People have been advised to do all sorts of strange things that challenge common sense.Some of these things are not only useless, but potentially harmful.
The worst part… a lot of this misguided advice is still being pushed.
Here are the top 5 contenders for the worst diet advice in history."

Read the rest of the article here:

http://www.the-worst-diet-advice-in-history-2014-3

God Bless and Take Care
Love,
Tonya
www.TonyaOutlaw.com

I Want to do This Soooooo Bad!!!!

Looking for a new workout? I'm down with this one!  I felt joy just WATCHING this video. Let me know when we are gonna hit the streets:

God Bless and Take Care
Love,
Tonya
www.TonyaOutlaw.com

Steer Clear of These Foods

Okay, I'm upset about the Prego.  Anyone have a good, easy recipe for spaghetti sauce?

Unfortunately, there are dozens of foods that are so bad for you that they should be permanentlyeliminated from your diet.In many cases, the key problem is that these foods contain ingredients that encourage your body to store fat and stop you from losing weight.
However, it is not always easy to spot these unhealthy foods just by looking at them, as clever advertising may be used to make the foods appear innocent.
By removing the following meals and snacks from your kitchen cupboards, you will maximize your chances of staying fit and healthy for as long as possible.

Find out more:

http://www.mydiet.com/7-foods-you-should-avoid-at-all-costs/

God Bless and Take Care
Love,
Tonya

wwwTonyaOutlaw.com

Time to Take a Dance Class

I saw this article and it totally spoke to me. As a matter of fact, the first paragraph sounds like conversations that I've had almost word for word:

It’s a paradox, but as a fitness and dance instructor, I don’t get many chances to take a class. When I teach a class, I’m focused on my students. Instead of perfecting my technique, I’m watching everyone in the class to give corrections. And I must make sure that I challenge and entertain you all.

To all of you fitness and dance instructors out there, don't forget about your own personal growth. Learn more so you can teach more.  Take classes so you can remember what it is like to be a student. Never stand still, never be satisfied with where you are.

Train Mode Always

Read the rest of the article here:

http://www.albanydancefitness.com/2014/03/29/time-to-take-a-dance-class/

God Bless and Take Care
Love,
Tonya

www.TonyaOutlaw.com

Complete Workout with Nothing But Your Body

I love body weight exercises and here are some ideas for you to try if you don't have time to make it out to Love 2 Dance Fitness:

No Gym Required