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Over 1500 inmates doing the Michael Jackson Thriller dance (strangely appropriate, no?) in the Cebu Provincial Prison in the Phillipines are on to something – exercise that doesn’t feel like exercise. It feels like… fun. Actually, it’s probably the most entertainment they’ve had in months and they’re surprisingly good. Somewhere Michael is smiling – but only a little, gotta watch the nose.
But I’m not here to talk about convicts’ social lives. Or Michael Jackson. (Although that’s a story that almost writes itself.) Last night my husband and I went dancing (kid free!!) for three glorious hours. We didn’t sit down once. We did East Coast Swing. Jitterbug. The Charleston. Salsa. Merengue. The Hustle. The Electric Slide. Disco. The Twist. And… yes, we actually learned the Thriller Dance! I’m, um, thrilled.
When we got home I discovered, much to my chagrin, that my cute LBD – that’s little black dress for any of you men that are still reading – was soaked with sweat, all the way down to puddles in my 4-inch stilettos. I checked out my damp hair and smeared makeup in the mirror and wondered how on earth that had happened. The dance hall wasn’t warm. In fact it was downright cold if you listen to our friends that didn’t want to dance & just sat at the tables. (Side note: why go “dancing” to just sit at the table??)
What had happened was something I like to call Stealth Exercise. It’s when you are just having fun, hopefully a lot of it, and the exercise just sneaks in there when you’re not looking. I’ve experienced Stealth Exercise whilst hiking, rock climbing, mall walking, backpacking Europe, and chasing toddlers through Target among other activities. The best part about Stealth Exercise is you get all the calorie burn with none of the “work” – it just feels like playing. Really, all our work outs should be this way, don’t you think?
I didn’t wear my heart rate monitor last night. It didn’t go with my dress! But judging from all the sweat and my soreness today (4-inch heels, people!) I’m betting it was a calorie torcher.
Now I want to know all about about YOUR Stealth Exercises. Do you secretly Irish Jig? Do you play acrobatic bingo? Do you WWF in your backyard? I want to know! (And 5 points for the first person to mention s-e-x. Just don’t give us details. Stealth Nausea is not fun.)
I dont irish jig (although secretly, i always dreamed of being able to move my feet while being perfectly still on top like the riverdance folk), but in high school (it was a jewish one), we had Israeli dance classes which counted as a PE credit so i took it (cause lord knows, me and a ball and my terrible aim is a too scary a though). I loved it actually! so fun and there are new ones that even have modern and current songs (not just old folk dancing stuff). Plus you really break a sweat, way better then peddling you feet mindlessly on the stationary bike.
I took ballroom dance in college, and it was so much fun! I’m trying to get my hubby to go to a class with me. He’s actually a really great dancer (and great leader, which is important for a klutzoid like me), but scheduling is a problem right now.
When I was in my 20’s my friends and I would go clubbing and dance like crazy. Now, I’m in bed by 9:30.
But I did put the kids in a double stroller and walk around downtown the other night. It was fun, and they aren’t exactly getting smaller,lol!
Sounds like you guys had fun last night!
I’ve always considered Dancing a form of mental and physical exercise. I mean I have to remember slow, slow, quick, quick, slow, slow, all while holding onto my dance partner appropriately, keeping in tune with the music, making sure I don’t hit other couples dancing, and I’m supposed to rotate in octagonally shape while doing this. Which makes me wonder why you think watching a quarterback scramble out of the pocket and throw a pass to a receiver doing a fly pattern boring, too me there is some of the same principle.
I love that term “stealth exercise” That would be great on a t-shirt.
Sounds like you and hubbie had a great time. What a romantic fun date. Makes me smile for you guys 😉
When I’m not pregnant my husband and I like to wrestle (not sex…). He is so strong and I hurt so bad when we are done that I know I’m burning something. Also, dancing with the kids. Not only is it cardio but it is strength training as each kid must be picked up, dipped, swung over my shoulders, and spun around.
My hubby downloaded the thriller video last week and we showed it to our daughter who decided she was going to practice the moves. It was hilarious to watch her and tried some myself!
We should get all our gym buddies together in turbo kick/hip hop class and do this workout!
I just went cross country skiing this weekend and I had so much fun that I ended up out there for 2 hours and it seemed much shorter than that. I definately loved the scenery and going down hills were fun, even the crashing and falling over 10 times had its charms!
Candice
I like to do fitness but I really prefer to do it with a good Gym mats