D is for Dancing

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I have to start by saying I don't really care for hip-hop music.  But, I have two pre-teen daughters and one has been nicknamed Hippity Hop, a name that has stuck since the karate instructor kindly pointed out that Andrea might be better suited to a different type of sport or dance.  Daniel has even taken to allowing some of the songs to be played in the car when he is driving.  I am not quite so kind; when I'm driving I get to pick the music.

With that being said I have to admit that I have found some of the music on Just Dance 3 to be just the perfect background for working out.  It all started when my in-laws gave me a gift certificate for Christmas.  I was going to put it toward groceries like I usually do because I have a hard time spending money on myself.  Daniel had used his gift card to get himself a new iPod for running and INSISTED I could not use my card toward household expenses since he was so SELFISH and bought himself something he wanted.  My man is somewhat crazy and apparently doesn't understand that the gift cards are meant to be enjoyed the way the recipient would like.  But, because he had bought himself something he would feel terrible if I didn't also treat myself.  Did I mention that his gift card also got us new sheets for our bed and throw pillows for the couch so I could be more comfortable sitting there?  Anyway, he banned me from using my gift card for something practical and told me to dream.

When we lived in our tiny townhouse we had gotten a Wii, but it was hard to play because we lacked the space to move around.  Since moving into our "new" house I've been wanting to get another one.  When I mentioned for the 50th time I was considering purchasing a Wii with my gift card, Daniel shoved me in the car and said we were going to Target before I could change my mind.  Off we went.  They were out of the Wii package that came with Mario Kart, so I "settled" on the Just Dance bundle.  I'm so glad I did!

One nice thing about the Wii is that it is an active video game system.  The first day I danced for 21 minutes. I started to feel slight pain in my feet, which is my indication that I have had enough.  It took three more days for me to be able to play again.  My body doesn't seem to like ANY kind of physical activity anymore, even though the chiropractor and massage therapist said I should continue light, low-impact exercise.  I'm okay with taking rest days in between if that's what it takes to feel "normal" again.  That first day of dancing I was drenched in sweat and needed to take a shower after.  I haven't had a workout like that in months.  With the Wii I can play for 5 minutes or until I'm ready to quit.  I don't have to worry about getting too far away from home or getting dressed in my workout clothes just to find that getting dressed was exercise enough (yes, that HAS happened).  I turn on the video game, and I stop when I've had enough.

Because of other gift cards I've gotten I was able to get a balance board and Wii Fit, too.  Again, I can't do too much at once, but I can feel like I'm doing something.  I'm hoping to get my mom to come play, too.  I think she would have a great time once she got the hang of it.