Heavens to betsy, no. Whether you are suited for dancing or not will come from you and your love of the dance!

I began learning to dance at nearly 300 pounds. Sure, I didn't get a lot of offers to dance at first, but I danced with a good friend I was learning with. As men paired with me at lessons/classes, they found I was a good follower and always carried all my own weight. Soon, I was getting asked to dance by men other than my friend.

Enjoy this great activity. Enjoy the partnership with your husband. If you are having fun, you are suited for it, and it for you! Best wishes.

The thing is being healthy for your height just makes things easier. Mind you that anyone who ever did anything worth doing didn't have get it easily.

dance is also a great way to loose weight! I mean exercise + fun?!? what's better?

But please don't quit ballroom if you like it because your weight won't stop you if you don't let it. Practice trumps all things.

And if you really just don't like the pressure of being in a group, get a private coach. Mine runs around 30 dollars per lesson for the both of us (and we meet every Saturday but you can cancel lessons if you need to.) And take it from me you learn a LOT, fast! and you can go at your pace, fast or slow.

IN SHORT: Size is just bump in the road, not the great wall of china, personal coaches are effective and eficent.

I'm a short fat women and what I found with ballroom is that because I LOVE it, I forget how hard I am working and put more time and sweat into it than I would other activities. Result is improved muscle tone and improved aerobic conditioning.

I recommend you stick to the Smooth or Standard dances. Due to weight issues, I now have a damaged knee because I was having too much fun with the Latin dances and damaged myself. I plan to try them again when the weight is gone.

Meanwhile, Dance has motivated me to stay away from foods I used to be addicted to eating--this has helped my body--I am healthier and lighter--even though still in need a major weight loss.

Dance has motivated me in the gym too, to work out more diligently. Dance has motivated me to spend time in the pool, working out in laps.

I do all of it because I LOVE to dance and want to dance well.

Ballroom has been a really GOOD thing for me.

MrsD, there are two things about yourself that you did not mention: your age and your accustomed level of activity.

If you are not used to strenuous activity then I urge you to consult your physician before you begin to take up dancing in earnest, especially if you're older.

Please pay particular attention to kaiara's response. Being heavy does put a great deal of stress on the knees.

Dancing by itself will not contribute to weight loss unless you'e putting in two full hours a day for at least three or four days a week.

On the other hand, dancing is a wonderful motivator to control your diet and add other exercises to your regimen. Catching a glimpse of my gut in the mirror while doing an oversway was all of the inspiration I needed to eat a better diet.

The action that you will find difficult to do is counter-body movement (your teacher will explain it).

Whatever you do, don't give up. Ballroom dancing is the greatest activity for several reasons and you'll benefit from it in more ways than the physical.

Good luck.

jj

Eighteen comments so far on this one. Nothing has been said about learning to use the feet to become a not heavy dancer. Don't when stepping forwards step from a flat supporting foot. It is possible that as a heavy person your normal walk may be this way. There are some lightly built people also who walk this way and can be considered heavy because of this fault.There are some heavy people both man and lady who are very light on there feet, this is how they walk normaly.
I would if I were a bit over weight make sure when walking forward that as the heel of passing foot reaches the toe of the standing foot the heel of the standing foot leaves the floor.
Some of you who are built like a twig might also check this out lest it be said it is like dancing with a brick wall. Man or lady. Going backwards there is a different technique which requires the use of the knees ankles and feet. Very important but often neglected. All of this can be practised going up and down the floor on your own untill if it has been done incorrect it is corrected and becomes second nature, or if you like muscle memory. It is a must that it be done to Foxtrot music using all slows on each heel lead when going forwards counting Slow and ( two beats ).

Serendipidy, why don't we let her teacher take care of her footwork?

jj

jofionesboro. If the lady has been instructed on the correct action. Then there is no need to worry, just constantly remind. But if they haven't been told then its a fair bet the teacher hasn't got a clue. Could you tell me exactly what is required on a forward walk with a heel lead. Then of course we have going backwards. According to the technique book on each of the above there is a specific action to walking forward and walking backward. What is it.

Serendipidy, I will not be drawn into another of your pointless exchanges.

Neither you nor I will teach this woman how to walk on a message board.

If you wish to pose a question then please use the correct punctuation ("?").

By the way, you're looking for the word "release."

Goodbye.

jj

Weight
Posted by scottyboysdoll
6/9/2008
7:51:00 AM

Edit Delete Reply New Topic
Hey, I am fluffy, too. I do smooth and latin. I do not compete but I perform for charities. I wear costumes, just not skimpy, but still sexy for the rumba, flowing for the waltz, and ect. My husband is tall & skinny. After our last waltz performance, people came up me for 3 hours, just praising us, and asking about our music choice. ( Which was "Beth" by KISS.)
Even more importantly, I have had 5 spine surgeries,screws & rods, too!
So, YES! You can! Schedule a lesson now! Text me back if you have any problems, or feel uncomfortable doing a step, or any problems at All! ScotyBoysDoll

Reply to this message

I agree with jofjonesboro about checking with the doctor before beginning anything exercise oriented.

It takes time.

If my first class, I was told over and over that I was heavy, especially in the arms (I have upper back trouble and nerve damage in one upper arm) and so I took the frame and worked on that every chance I got, every day, I took some time to simply hold myself in a good frame and move around holding it. The next class the instructor was startled by the difference.

The other thing was the instructor spent time talking about how to move--from the center rather than stomp stomp stomp--and this I practiced also, the clear shifting of weight from one foot to the other, moving from the center of the body and not only the feet, turning the body smoothly, and it all helped, gradually the movement became habit and I am not totally awful anymore and occasionally get a compliment!

Eating habits had to change for me to continue. The doctor told me to read and follow Dr. Fuhrman's book EAT TO LIVE because my health issues were not yet severe enough to require any more than a nutritional approach. My joints hurt less now and weight is coming off.

It is all because I want to dance WELL.