There’s this mental change that happens when I dance regularly, I’m discovering. It happened when I started doing burlesque, and it’s happening again now that I’m starting to do pole dance regularly.
Basically, my self-image starts to incorporate “dancer”. And I start dressing appropriately:out come outfits that show off my midriff, even if it’s not quite toned and flat yet. How little can I get away with and not worry about OH NO COCKBULGE? I’ll go out in that.
I mean, it also helps that spring is here, and I can dress like this without freezing my ass off. But still.
Oh! And in other fitness/body-image news… remember that pull-up bar I’ve installed on my bathroom door, with the intent of trying to do a couple pull-ups every time I pass by? Today I gave it a shot, and before I realized it, I found myself looking through the space between the bar and the top of the doorframe for the first time. I tried it a couple more times and was able to repeat it. Woo! I don’t want to overdo it, what with having pole class tonight, but I’m really delighted at how well this program of ‘a couple attempts most times I pass the bathroom door’ has been working out. Now if I can just reinforce the programming to try a few situps and other ab exercises after doing that on the way out of the bathroom more often than not, I’ll be set. I’d do a few right now while I’m thinking about it, except my hair’s full of dye and I’d leave a mark on the carpet!