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dancerjodiI am so out of shape than how I used to be a long time ago. I took a kick-ass step aerobics class on Monday followed by a 15 minute abs class and am still sore on Wednesday! My calves are sore almost like I had a major muscle spasm (you know those ones that wake you up in the night). But it was a great workout (and sort of dance-y too). I think I'll just have to take it more easy next time.
I remember when I went to the gym on Monday, dance class on Tuesday, gym on Wednesday (for yoga), gym on Thursday, sometimes the gym on Friday (depending on plans for that night) and had ballet class on Saturday. This body that I'm in now just doesn't seem like mine - its too squishy, a bit bigger, slower, weaker and a lot less flexible that it was before.
I ended up doing some upper body work at home last night with my dumbells (to give my legs a rest) and will probably do my pilates workout tonight. That leaves me tomorrow and Friday to get in one more cardio and 1 more weights (I'm going to do the NYC Ballet workout over the weekend which is a combo of cardio and strength/flexibility.
I was going to take a bellydance class (once I found one) starting soon since I'm only at school now 1 night a week. I think instead I'm going to seek out more of the traditional dancing that I've done (tap or jazz) since I'll get more movement and cardio out of it. I think I enjoy bellydance more for me, rather than for the "lets improve technique so we can perform" mentality that I've found in most of my classes.
I remember when I went to the gym on Monday, dance class on Tuesday, gym on Wednesday (for yoga), gym on Thursday, sometimes the gym on Friday (depending on plans for that night) and had ballet class on Saturday. This body that I'm in now just doesn't seem like mine - its too squishy, a bit bigger, slower, weaker and a lot less flexible that it was before.
I ended up doing some upper body work at home last night with my dumbells (to give my legs a rest) and will probably do my pilates workout tonight. That leaves me tomorrow and Friday to get in one more cardio and 1 more weights (I'm going to do the NYC Ballet workout over the weekend which is a combo of cardio and strength/flexibility.
I was going to take a bellydance class (once I found one) starting soon since I'm only at school now 1 night a week. I think instead I'm going to seek out more of the traditional dancing that I've done (tap or jazz) since I'll get more movement and cardio out of it. I think I enjoy bellydance more for me, rather than for the "lets improve technique so we can perform" mentality that I've found in most of my classes.
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no subject
Date: 2003-01-08 06:59 am (UTC)Fitness
Date: 2003-01-08 07:17 am (UTC)Yup. When I first started going to MR (when I turned 18) I didn't know anyone there except the person I went with and we'd be on the dance floor all night! Now when we do go (its rare) I do dance a lot, but not nearly as much as I used to.
"I miss the type of exercise that actually is fun. Dancing and playing sports are much better than mindless steps and weight lifts to horrible music but its a necessity given our computer driven lives."
Its true, I have a hard time getting into the gym routine - its not as much fun as dancing at all (but once I'm in the routine i'm OK, I'm very much a creature of habit). And the fact that I sit on my butt in front of a computer all day doesn't really help either. I know that I tend to gain a bit of weight in the winter because I'm less active - for some reason there's either more this year (or, its normal and I'm just forgetting what last year was like, or something). I get so mad for letting myself get upset about something so superficial (I mean, I'm a healthy weight) - it makes me feel like I'm 14 again.
no subject
Date: 2003-01-08 07:15 am (UTC)although i still am planning to include that 'boring' stuff. i worked out yesterday at home with my dance mat game (no, not "real" dancing, but a LOT of fun) and plan to hit the gym tonight.
yay us!
Workouts
Date: 2003-01-08 07:20 am (UTC)Yeah, me too. I'm trying to get a balance and do *something* at least 6 days a week (even if its only a 20 minute stretching or dumbell workout).
"i worked out yesterday at home with my dance mat game (no, not "real" dancing, but a LOT of fun) and plan to hit the gym tonight."
Go you! I've never seen those dance mat things before, I'm really curious. Are they like the "dance" videogames that are out? I think I'd have problems with them, since the given space to "dance" is limited, its very stiff/repetitive, and you're watching feet on a screen (not a person in front of you).
Re: Workouts
Date: 2003-01-08 08:49 am (UTC)It's not even really trying to be real dancing - basically the object is to step (or touch with your hand) the sections of the pad when you're supposed to, but I think that it's easier to play if you have some sense of rhythm because it's easier to stay on beat. I guess if you got really could, you could start mixing it up and making it look like a real dance.
Oh Jodi - I wish your gym had African Dance. I was thinking of you in the class because of the book you lent me. It was all about feeling the music and being inspired and instead of saying "2 to the left, 2 to the right" like most instructors, she was saying stuff like "This dance is about love, so show the love." and "You have a basket on your head and you're carrying it." It was so fun. And it was *definitely* a cardio workout too.
Re: Workouts
Date: 2003-01-08 09:17 am (UTC)I hope you are enjoying it :) I've always wanted to try African Dance!
"It was all about feeling the music and being inspired and instead of saying "2 to the left, 2 to the right" like most instructors, she was saying stuff like "This dance is about love, so show the love." and "You have a basket on your head and you're carrying it." It was so fun. And it was *definitely* a cardio workout too."
The thing I like about (compared to working on a machine or in a traditional aerobics class) is that its variable. You don't do the same thing over and over again. There is usually an established warm-up and cool-down (which you don't get in all gym classes), there is a lot of muscle building/strengthening, you gain flexibility and there are "cardio intervals", which is the best kind of cardio you can have (or at least it is, according to Self Magazine).
I'm not finding too much in the way of dance classes out in my area on the web. I need to still make some phone calls, but if I can't find anything I may end up taking some classes at The Dance Complex in Central Square - and they have EVERYTHING there! Now, how would I decide?
If you do like that book, I'm reading a new one that's more spiritual (and less of an instruction guide for specific moves) on the different types of dance (i.e. tempos, feelings). Its really fascinating reading from these women who had traditional experiences (like I did) and then moved from dancing for others in performance and being "perfect" in ballet classes to dancing for themselves.
Re: Workouts
Date: 2003-01-08 10:21 am (UTC)If you end up taking anything nontraditional at Dance Complex, let me know and maybe you'll have a partner.
I am not up to ballet/jazz/modern. I'm sure I've told you how I was asked to leave my ballet class when I was a kid, and I took modern dance in college with much much humiliation. So I tend to steer away from traditional dance classes. I figure in ethnic dance classes, everyone else is at a disadvantage too, unless they grew up doing it.
Re: Workouts
Date: 2003-01-08 11:21 am (UTC)That kind of thing just makes me mad, and it happens too often. ANYONE can dance and any dance teacher that discourages it just doesn't make sense to me. I guess I was lucky to have a teacher that would teach anyone. She actually was the only one in the city that taught special needs kids (there were a few with Down Syndrome, one girl with Autism and a few years ago there was a 16 year old girl in my class that was legally blind and deaf).
"I figure in ethnic dance classes, everyone else is at a disadvantage too, unless they grew up doing it. "
Heh, my grandmother signed me up for Italian Folk dancing classes at the Sons of Italy when I was younger. MAN was that silly! We also learned a few songs, including "Mi scappa la pi pi" - which is exactly what you would think its about given the last words :)
Re: Workouts
Date: 2003-01-10 12:10 pm (UTC)once you get the hang of it, and there are several lesson modes, it's frighteningly easy to pick up. the harder songs give you combo jumps, off-beats, patterns to follow, etc. each song has a different level of difficulty, and the more songs you clear, the more hidden songs you get. i think there's about 50-60 songs all in all.
so it's not "real" dancing, but it IS cardio. and it's way more fun trying to challenge yourself to do better and better each time. the game doesn't let you slack off without booing at you or asking "did you eat breakfast today?" "what kind of move is that?" it's kinda funny. although, i must admit i have flipped off the TV a time or two *g*