Step Up!

February 1, 2011 Barbara Button
Tags: aerobics, Aging, Attitude, Mid-life exercise, Step Class, Zumba

Haven’t taken a Step class in at least 5 years – so I tried one yesterday.  This being my next venture into exploring the exercise options I now have.  After my workout a couple things hit me -

Number 1.  I don’t like working out and using my brain at the same time.  I really do just want to “Do It!”  I like letting my body take over what it knows – without having to think about it.  I like the only thing on my mind is how my muscles feel and how many reps I’m on.  It’s a complete stress release, having that clear of a head and singular focus. 

In a step class, you  have to follow the insructor’s leads, think about what you’re doing and going to do next and know/learn the steps.  Of course, if you don’t do it right – then you have to figure out where to jump in again – and wonder if anybody saw how stupid and out of STEP you looked!  It was okay … but too much cerebral and not enough effort for me.

And Number 2.  Maybe at our age you no longer have to be “perfect” to look good.  My instructor was gorgeous – she really was – even though she had some nasty rolls around her middle.  I was delighted!  She actually had the same figure flaw I do … worse actually!  and she still looked damn good! It was liberating for me.  I thought, ’hey – here’s a novel thought – maybe I can just be happy with what I’ve got!’  It appeared she was – and that made her even more attractive.  She offered no apologies about her body – she was proud of it - and even bared the rolls without a flinch or even a sucked-in breath. 

When you’re young – EVERYBODY looks good, so you have to try even harder to look better.  But at our age … well … not so much!  So, the standards you measure yourself against are a little kinder – and a signal you should be a little gentler with your assessment of yourself.  Maybe that’s what they mean by growing older with grace.  Being more accepting of yourself … perhaps that in itself is it’s own beauty!

Anyway – I barely broke a sweat in Step … so kick,ball,change and the rocking horse will just have to step aside … I’m on to zumba!

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