So You Think You Can Dance? (Yeah, I Did Too)
June 28, 2007
If the condition of my sneakers could be trusted as any indication of how frequently I exercise, you might be tempted to think that I never do. And here is where I out myself: I’ve owned these shoes for four years.
::Hangs head in shame::
There was a time in my life when I had to buy a new pair of sneakers every six months. I loved to exercise, loved to rollerblade, loved to run the bleachers at my university’s football stadium. On top of that, Thursday through Sunday I spent my evenings dancing at local bars. And lo, I was a good dancer. I won contests and I was proud of it.
The problem, you see, is that I just described my life ten years and a hundred pints of Phish Food ago. Since that time, I’ve purchased a dozen memberships at a dozen gyms, and I have quit a dozen times, too. I’m not sure when or how it happened, but I stopped liking the gym. For me, getting exercise now is like eating vegetables: I’m perfectly happy to do it, just don’t let me know that it’s happening.
A couple weeks ago, some friends and I were at the park throwing around a Frisbee when it dawned on me: I was doing things like throwing. And running. And leaping. And sometimes, even catching. (Other times, diving and rolling.) And it kind of felt like exercise, except that I didn’t mind doing it because it was fun.
After sharing my revelation with Roger, that exercise can be fun, I decided that I would stop forcing myself onto the elliptical or the treadmill or the weight circuit at the gym. Instead, I promised myself I would do something I enjoyed. Which is why tonight I took a Latin dance class.
There was a time when I would have excelled in that class. There was a time when my arms wouldn’t have gone to the left when everyone else’s arms were to the right, or when my feet would have effortlessly salsa-ed. There was a time that I would have gotten it right on the first try when the instructor shouted into her microphone, “Cha cha cha” or “Flying Mambo!” Tonight was not that time.
Tomorrow night is my first hip-hop class, and I’m desperately hoping that I’ve retained at least some bit of rhythm. I’ve got my pride to maintain, after all.
Comments
Hey come on! Once a dancer always a dancer! Just give your body some time...and enjoy yourself. Don't worry about looking good. Trust me on this one. ;)
Posted by: Ki | June 29, 2007 12:17 AM
Great idea. And I hope those friends you mentioned throwing the frisbee with was Me and KATIE! You better not be Frisbee two-timing us! Oh, and you still have my frisbees - I need to come over for dinner one night next week and pick them up.
Let us know how the hip-hop class goes!
Posted by: eddo | June 29, 2007 06:57 AM
What a fun exercise. I trust you, you will SUCCEED at hip-hop class.
Posted by: PRETTY IN THE CITY | June 29, 2007 07:28 AM
That sounds fun, Ive been watching "so you think you can dance?" and it makes me miss going dancing- Jay isnt so much a dancer though
Posted by: Sara | June 29, 2007 10:31 AM
I'm sure you'll do great at your class! And my sneakers (only three years old!) look just as pristine as yours. :)
Posted by: chickadee | June 29, 2007 10:41 AM
I cannot convince myself to go to a gym on a regular basis, but did you know that riding a bike (in real life where the bike actually moves and stuff) is fun? Who knew!
PS I am jealous of your dance skills.
Posted by: -R- | June 29, 2007 12:56 PM
Jes - You so have rhythm. I am always in awe of your dancing. Get those kicks moving!!!
Posted by: Katie | June 29, 2007 01:31 PM
I feel EXACTLY the same way. I used to play EVERYTHING and then I had to exercise on treadmills and bikes and I hated it. The only think I enjoyed were weights. I would love to get back in shape playing sports, but my knees and ankles just won't help. I bout an ab lunger so I can be lazy and watch the 3 stooges while I do crunches. Time to break it out.
~Jef
Posted by: Edge | June 30, 2007 04:46 PM
Hip-hop class? I am SO jealous. That sounds like loads of fun!
Posted by: GrizzBabe | June 30, 2007 07:03 PM
That sounds like a much better idea than a gym membership. As someone said in "Take the Lead", Do you like to dance? Then you were made to dance.
Posted by: Lia | July 2, 2007 09:17 AM
Hey, what are you doing on Thursday night? You and Roger want some company? Maybe even a house guest for one night?
Holler back, cause I know you are a holla back girl!
Posted by: EDDDDOOOOOOO | July 2, 2007 09:11 PM
I think it's great that you're getting out there and dancing. I've just joined a gym and started a weight-lifting routine, and I'm actually really enjoying it. :)
Posted by: Zandria | July 3, 2007 08:10 AM
DUDE. How about an update already?
Although I know you were awesome.
Posted by: Emily | July 3, 2007 05:31 PM
Ahh yes, dancing....I remember that - I actually used to (voluntarily) take ballroom dancing with a good friend of mine (can you imagine? a boy who liked to dance enough to shuffle silly me round a rec hall with a bunch of old people?) and it was often surprisingly...good excercise. I am in your boat 100% as far as, "yes I like/need it, but do NOT put me in a gym".
I find the hip-hop stuff much more difficult than the salsa/merengue/etc.
Posted by: Maya | July 4, 2007 12:35 PM
Ahh yes, dancing....I remember that - I actually used to (voluntarily) take ballroom dancing with a good friend of mine (can you imagine? a boy who liked to dance enough to shuffle silly me round a rec hall with a bunch of old people?) and it was often surprisingly...good excercise. I am in your boat 100% as far as, "yes I like/need it, but do NOT put me in a gym".
I find the hip-hop stuff much more difficult than the salsa/merengue/etc.
Posted by: Maya | July 4, 2007 12:36 PM
Ahh yes, dancing....I remember that - I actually used to (voluntarily) take ballroom dancing with a good friend of mine (can you imagine? a boy who liked to dance enough to shuffle silly me round a rec hall with a bunch of old people?) and it was often surprisingly...good excercise. I am in your boat 100% as far as, "yes I like/need it, but do NOT put me in a gym".
I find the hip-hop stuff much more difficult than the salsa/merengue/etc.
Posted by: Maya | July 4, 2007 12:37 PM
Why is the N backwards. You buy those over here? Actually on my way to your hometown today!
Posted by: Jimmy | July 4, 2007 07:15 PM
Jimmy: Ha! No - I took the picture in the mirror. :)
Posted by: jes | July 5, 2007 08:39 AM
Hip-hop class? You're a brave girl! I don't have the attitude to pull that off.
That dance class sounds like it'd be fun! But I'm more of a Frisbee (or football!) person myself. Good for you for getting exercise. Show us a picture of those shoes in six months. :)
Posted by: my life is brilliant | July 5, 2007 11:54 AM
As long as you don't catch the frisbee in your mouth, it's not excercise. Oh wait, excercise isn't a dirty word!
Posted by: Seraphine | July 11, 2007 12:36 AM
Um, what? Still no post? Do you not know that I am in a hotel with nothing but a laptop, an iPod and food to entertain me? I need humor, I need jokes, I need FUNNY STORIES IMMEDIATELY DAMMIT.
Posted by: EDDDDOOOOOOO | July 11, 2007 07:40 AM