Dancing counts as fitness, right?

Today, I would like to talk about excuses. It's Friday  night and I live in the big city. Why am I planning on sitting at home with Game of Thrones tonight instead of going on a date? Well, because no one has asked me out. I know that it's because I spend my nights sitting at home and not meeting new people, but it's SUPREMELY difficult to get me to go out, especially alone.

My best friend likes to point out that I'm full of excuses for why I can't go out alone. The creepers would hit on me or conversely, no one at all will talk to me. I'll get cute and waste a bunch of money and still feel isolated sitting alone at a restaurant for dinner. I'll be awkward and uncomfortable. I can't drink when I'm driving myself. I hate people. I am too nice to people, etc. 

Last night I got so caught up in my book that I didn't work out. (Another excuse, but seriously, it's a darned good book.)So part of me is sitting in the back of my mind taunting, "Why should you get to go out and have fun? You didn't do what you were supposed to do this week. Stay here and crush your soul with the help of P90x."

And cue my new "Screw that" attitude. Dancing is totally a workout, especially in heels. I always feel like I've busted my thighs and bum after going dancing all night. Not to mention, I'm a little sick of my excuses.  Why should I have to sit home alone with that "Friday night and no place to go" feeling just because no one has invited me to go out and play with them? Why can't I just get up and go myself? 

So I asked around the people at my office this afternoon and made a plan. I'll go home and work out, and get cleaned up. I'll take myself to my favorite sushi joint and then stop by a hole-in-the-wall that Coworker A likes and have a drink or two. I'll do my best to smile and be sociable, and By Golly, I am going to come home feeling like a functional human being. Maybe I'll even swing by my favorite dance club, despite the fact that my crush will not be there to dance with me. 

Maybe if I make myself feel good enough tonight, I'll still be riding that high tomorrow and will feel more like pounding out a workout or cooking veggie stew. We'll see. 

Reason Number 2 for working out is that Nothing feels as sweet as going to bed knowing you accomplished something you set out to do... especially if it took ALL your willpower. 

Did I want to touch the snake? No. Glad I did? Yes. July 3, 2012, Magnetic Island, QLD, Australia