Dancing for my Life....

Hi there! Welcome to "Ballroom Dancing: Changing My Life One Step at a Time" come in sit a spell and allow me to tell you about something that is world famous, (thanks "Dancing with the Stars") and yet, something you too can be a part of. Ballroom/Latin Dancing is one of the greatest things I have ever done. I've changed my perspective, lost weight, and found what it means to be truly happy in life....

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I know, it’s funny, it's cheezy, please continue to laugh, keep the smile when you’re done and allow me to tell you my story:

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June 21^st 2006 I walked through the dance studio door with nothing more than five lessons that were an unexplained gift from a co-worker, and a HUGE fear over what was about to happen. As I waited for some random instructor to come forward and find me for my lesson, the fear just grew; there was a whirlwind of activity around me…people introducing themselves, really good dancers on the floor, music going strong…. All I could think was that I had to make it through the five lessons and I didn’t have to come back… ever. No one wanted to see a girl in the worst shape of her life and aprox 160lbs overweight shake her grove thing in any way….this girl herself didn’t want to shake her groove thing for anyone to see either!

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Well that was about 70 or so lessons ago. Somewhere in there between learning the difference between a Rumba and a Waltz I realized I had found the key to unlock the cage of 160lbs I had surrounded myself with, I learned that while people may not want to see this girl attempt to dance, I was going to do it anyway because I loved it. I made a vow with myself that I was going to try and get as good as I could possibly get at this dance thing, and the one way to truly help myself do that was to continue the weight loss that was beginning to happen just because of my lessons. So far I’ve dropped aprox 80lbs, completely changed my relationship with food, and exercise….I’ve even quit smoking…twice...

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I’m just about half way to my goal as far as the numbers on the scale go, and one thing is certain…no matter what the future brings…I’m not going to stop dancing. Ballroom dance has been the inspiration for every change I’ve made in my life over the last year, and I’m convinced that ballroom is the reason those changes have stuck.

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If you, dear reader, take nothing else away from this blog, take this… there is NO REASON why you can't dance. (Trust me, if I can handle it, you can give it a try) Ladies, you'll feel like a star, and gents, no gal that can resist a guy that's willing to try dancing. You don’t have to commit to 5 lessons like I did, every studio has a “guest lesson” go on… give it a go. I have some links on the right to help you find a wonderful studio in your area. Too many people avoid things that can help them, or make their lives better. Don’t do that to yourself.

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I will continue to bring you all the trials and tribulations of trying to keep my East and West Coast Swing straight from my Salsa, from my Fox Trot and let you know how the numbers on the scale look. I’ll get pictures of lessons, and you can laugh along with me (or even at me) when I just can’t get an arm right, or do anything that involves turning to the left.

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If you have questions, if you have an opinion, if there is something here you want me to elaborate on… let me know... post a comment, send me an e-mail.