Stepping Out of the "Normal"

I love to dance.  I always have ever since I started taking classes when I was 6 (thanks Mom and Dad!! I know it was just because I was annoying and you had to get rid of me but it was awesome :-D ), I miss the structured dance classes the way they used to be when I was a kid.  At home or at work, I can often be found dancing around to my iPod, the radio, or the music in my head.  I love just being able to move.  It's such a blessing to have the physical ability but it just feels good.  I don't know if it's because the endorphins are running around in my brain, but dancing always makes me feel better.  "Dance as if no one is watching..."  I often wonder what my neighbors think as they see me flailing around the house, but hey, I'm having a good time, so what does it matter?

What does the intro about dancing have to do with weight-loss/exercise?  I'm glad you asked!!  Today I redeemed a groupon (if you don't know what those are by now, shame on you!) with some girlfriends for The Art of Exotic Dancing For the Everyday Woman.  It was just fun.  Yes, the woman taught us a striptease for use if desired, but it was just a blast going and doing something different.  I sweated!  It was hard work, dancing for 90 minutes (in 3 inch heels..), but it was nice to let the body move.  Now granted I don't think I "learned" anything I didn't already know how to do with all my dancing, MTV, and club days but it was a good time, and it did make you feel good about yourself.  Not that I'm one who's known for having self-esteem problems, but staring at yourself in a full length mirror can at first cause you to judge yourself a little ("oh, my butt looks HUUUUUUGE in these pants" and "hey check out that arm flab!") and it shows.  But once the negative thoughts came out and I was able to squash them and make my peace with my lack of perfection, the giant mirror and I became friends.

A few lessons re-inforced today:

1.  Don't let the negative (anything) get in your way.  I've been playing with the same 2 pounds (up and down, up and down) for a month or so.  I was really annoyed with myself this morning when I weighed in but after I was done getting some endorphins running I just have to move forward.  I have to own up to my own excuses and just suck it up.

2.  Working out doesn't always have to be structured gym time or dedicated ("right now I am exercising") to the exercise.  Dancing around your house like a fool can work up a sweat, so next time you're cleaning the house plug in and move your hips :-)  Suddenly it won't feel like such a chore :-)