Catching My Idol

[changing]

Something has just happened that's made such a big difference to me that I just had to share.

When I first made the commitment to begin a regular exercise program back in January, I chose Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) because it seemed like it would be fun and therefore, easy to stick to. My dear friends (and cousins-in-law) Dan and Tom were kind enough to lend me an extra copy of DDRMAX2 for Playstation 2, I bought myself a decent dance pad and I was off!

DDR can be quite strenous and challenging, especially on the more difficult levels, but I enjoyed it so much even on Beginner, that I've stuck diligently to it as part of my exercise program (I now run, take dance lessons, and do yoga in addition to the DDR). There are 5 levels of play: Beginner, Light, Standard, Heavy, and Challenge. Challenge is so difficult that most songs don't even have a Challenge difficulty. The game I have has only 7 songs that have a Challenge mode.

My friend Dan is a good DDR player. He plays on Standard or Heavy mode, depending on the song. Tom, who has always been my DDR idol and is amazing at DDR, plays on Heavy or Challenge.

Up until today, I had reached about Dan's skill, playing songs on either Standard or Heavy mode. An hour ago, I danced 2 songs ("Kind Lady" and "Silent Hill" for my fellow DDR lovers) on Challenge and ended the song with a full combo bar (which means I did a pretty good job). These are the songs I always watched Tom play with such envy. I'm not saying it was easy for me to finish these songs, but I DID IT!

What's most amazing to me is that Tom is a really visibly fit person, proficient in kung fu, 5'11" probably about 170-180 pounds (lean muscular build) -- and I managed to dance at his skill level as a frumpy 5'6" and 245 pounds. But I DID.

And this feels like a real victory... I feel like I've acheived a big goal I set for myself. I've caught my idol.

[ValidRouge]

Congratulations changing, that's a great thing. That's one more thing to gauge your success by!!

[Rubysugar]

WooHooooo! Dance, girl, dance!!
That is such an excellent idea for exercise!
I bet my nieghbors downstairs would LOVE for me to start doing that on top of my 17 month old running through the apt with his lead feet!
Might be something to look into after we move!

[changing]

lol, definitely look into it!! Even weeks when I feel like absolute crap and I feel unmotivated and I slack off on my other exercise (yes, I'll admit I have a week here and there like that), I still manage to play DDR just because I'm so addicted to it! It's just so fun lol.

Hehe, I love the image of the little toddler running around, causing havoc.

[2big4mysize]

congrats on achieving the much improved fitness levels.

So what you going to do for an encore?

[changing]

Oh I've got a couple of harder songs (same difficulty, just harder songs to do at that difficulty) that even he can't do that I'm working at now when I play DDR. Gotta keep it interesting.... if I manage to finish all of those though, I guess I'll buy a newer version of the game with new songs.

Running out of challenges would be a nice problem to have.

[iyamamaschke]

OH that sounds sooo awesome I have thought of getting that game myself thought it would be a HOOT. I ahve to be able to afford it first but, I have thought of it and I most likely will.

GREAT JOB!!!

[staziaw]

Changing! Congratulations -- that is a most excellent form of exercise!

Kudos to you!

Stacy

[changing]

Thank you, Sarah, and thank you, Stacy!

Love the new pic, btw, Stacy. Very pretty!

[Jasmain]

Oooo, I want one of those, that sounds like great fun, congrats!