The Crazy Dance Workout?

I think the main reason most of us don’t work out is because it just seems really complicated. We’re constantly bombarded with this workout, or that workout, or join this gym, or try this new “thing”… and by the end of it, we’re like, “Forget it! I’ll just go get a cookie.”

Who wants to look like one of those muscle-bound people on TV, anyway? Okay, maybe you do… but do you really? You wanna look like the guy from P90X? ‘Cuz he seems really tense… but I digress. Let’s get real for a minute. Unless you’re training for some kind of athletic event (i.e. a marathon, or the Olympics) there’s simply no need to pursue fitness like a relentless lunatic. What I’m saying is, it’s not that serious, you guys. There’s enough strife in this world, why do we have to make working out such a chore? Isn’t it supposed to make us feel good? I mean, isn’t that the idea here, to feel better?

So I propose a brand new way of exercising. I’m calling it: The Crazy Dance Workout. It basically consists of you playing your favorite music and letting your body do whatever it wants. Let the music move you, baby! Declare a Dance Party in your living room and shake off the stresses of the day. Joanne in accounting got you down? Shake it off! You’ll be sweating and smiling before you know it.

It’s the most natural thing ever. Our bodies want to move, but the pressure to do it “right” gets in the way. Who hasn’t shown up to an aerobics class and completely hated it? I know I have… Not only do you feel like everyone’s watching you, but you’re too freaked out to follow the steps, and this “expert” next to you keeps glancing at you like you’re awkwardness incarnate… because in that moment, you kind of are. Not because you can’t dance, but because you’re not allowing yourself to. The fear of doing it wrong keeps you from doing it at all… not fun.

So I say, forget about all those inhibitions. No one can tell you you’re doing it wrong, because there’s no right way to do it! This is especially fun to do with kids.. and those who are too self-conscious to try will be emboldened by your reckless abandon and probably join you. If someone walks in on you and laughs, laugh with them, ‘cuz dancing like a crazy person is funny! Dance over to them and see what they do.

Don’t worry about calories, or heart rate, or any of that other stuff. Just dance. Stop when you’re tired. Stretch a little if you want. I promise, you’ll feel so very much better the next day. So good in fact, you might want to try again in a couple of days, and you may dance for even longer.

Exercise doesn’t have to be scary. It doesn’t have to follow a specific plan. As long as you’re moving, and doing something you actually enjoy, it will enrich your life in ways you’re not even aware of. So press play, close your eyes and watch what happens.

You can read more from Ana Lugo on her blog.