Fitness and Working Out

So, I've recently found some blogs that detail people's fitness and health journeys. I would like to share some of my own here, in my blog.

I joined Gold's Gym about 3 months ago. My attendance has thusfar been sporadic. The holidays caused some trouble, and my grandpa's death did, too. I've been kind of figuring out what I like to do there, and what I want. I've also been waiting for the pool to open, contending with deep depression, and trying to find the right mindset for my gym stuff.

Here is my mindset:

I LOVE to dance. I want to continue to study fine art dance, such as Modern, Ballet, and Jazz throughout my life. And then, perhaps in 10 years, I will be able to dance the way I want to, like in the picture. I also want to learn how to do Aerial Silk dance/acrobatics. Right now, I can't afford to take fine art dance classes, and classes for adults are difficult to find anyhow. But someday, I will be able to afford to dance, or I will be in grad school taking classes as electives. Therefore, all the work I am doing at the gym is for a single purpose: I will condition my body to re-enter the study of Dance.

Here are my pitfalls/naysayers and the "so what?" response:

1. My body is not designed for Dance, as far as I know.
I am short, stocky, and rigid. There's nothing long and lean about my 5'3, 190 lb, size 14 stature. Since I was about 8 years old, I've been chunky. I've never experienced a lean, muscular version of my body. In order to jump, leap, cartwheel, etc., my ankles, knees, wrists, and shoulders will have to contend with a great deal of mass--unless I am able to lose weight, which is something my body does only VERY grudgingly. In addition, I wasn't even flexible as a child.

So what? I am short, stocky, and rigid. That doesn't mean I can't move. I've got fantastic calf muscles, and the muscles in my ankles and feet have conquered the multiple injuries they've sustained many times over. And even if I can't lose the weight, I guess that means it'll take longer for my muscles to build up enough to lift and carry those 190 lbs. Whatevuh. And about my flexibility? This is the first time I've actually tried to be flexible. I'm sure with enough work and patience, the flexibility will come. It has slowly been getting better already. I've felt it happening.

2. I'm old.
It's true. Most people who dance like that have been dancing their entire lives. It has literally taken them years of preparation and work. Years of work with a youthful, growing body.

So what? I'm not growing anymore. That doesn't mean I can't change my body. Sure, it might take years and years of work. But it's not like I'm planning to go into this as a career, where my youth would be necessary. I will be 35 years old at my Modern Dance prime, if I must. I will be 40 years old, 50. Maybe if I keep on top of things, my body won't start falling apart by then.

3. I've got some injuries.
Yep. 23 years old with 2 bad crashes in my history, a shattered ankle, and a lifetime of clumsiness. I've got neck and shoulder problems that merit going to the acupuncturist and chiropractor regularly, which I don't do because of the financial complications involved.

So what? I pretty much rehabilitated my ankle over the course of two semesters of Modern Dance. And my neck is slowly getting better the more I use and strengthen the muscles, just like my ankle did. It may never get its curvature back, and my upper spine may fuse while I'm still young, but I'll deal with that IF it happens. Right now, I'm doing the best thing that I can for it... exercising.

4. I have no talent.
Sometimes, I look at other people dancing, and I think I don't have any talent.

I do have talent. It may not be readily apparent, but I can feel things, see things, and understand the artistry in dance. It's possible that a) I'm just being down on myself; and b) I haven't had the opportunity to develop my talent. Plus, I love to dance, so... So what?

Therefore...

I am attending 3 pilates classes a week (for core strength and muscle elongation), 1 yoga class (for flexibility and upper body strength), 1 swimming drills class (can I say cardio?!), 1 hip hop dance class (which I do barefoot for ankle strength, foot articulation, and to build those calluses back up. Boo ya.), and a water aerobics class (for flexibility and joint health). Plus, if I'm not dying, I plan to do some cardio and weights once a week.

I am a college student, heart and soul. Therefore, my attendance policy is this: Only 3 absences per semester (between now and the end of May). Additionally, as these classes slowly kick my butt less each week, I plan to add more yoga into the mix, and more independent cardio and weight lifting. And as the weather warms and the money sitchie improves, I will be trekking up mountainsides! Springtime is absolutely beautiful here, and I plan to take full advantage of it.

These are my plans. I'm going to follow them... because I want to be the best dancer I can be!