I went to a step class today. The first one since before I had kids, a little over 4 years. I didn't notice as I was picking my spot in the back. But just before we started, I looked around, and the front wall is a mirror so it makes it even easier to see everyone, and I realized I was the biggest person there, by A LOT! I don't even think I'm that big, but apparently everyone else was noticeably smaller.
I didn't feel uncomfortable, because I try not to let that kind of stuff bother me, BUT I was worried that this might be a sign that the class was going to be harder than I remember. In my mind's eye, I am still in the shape I was in before I had kids...
I was not the one falling behind however. I did surprising well on the outside. Followed the group, stayed in time, ect. It really all came back to me, like riding a bike. Inside I thought I was going to die! I am not in the shape I was in. Holy wake-up call!! But I finished the class.
Ironically enough, the one person who was unable to keep up was the most in-shape looking person. The instructor asked her if she was a dancer because she looked that put together. ( she said she wasn't) Its not that she was huffing and puffing, but she couldn't get the rhythm or step moves. I'm not knocking anyone, its just that one look at her and one look at me and I think most of people would assume I would have been the one unable to "get-it"'. But they would have been wrong.
Do you think people tend to assume that fat people aren't good at dancing or things that involve rhythm or following certain moves? Do you feel like people assume fat people are clumsy? Maybe that's just something in my head. But I feel like people think that.
I know exactly what you mean! It was like that when i went to my first zumba class. I was the largest person in there and my friend who came with me is about 40 pounds lighter than me. I thought i was going to be the one huffin and puffin but i wasnt! I actually did better than the super skinny chick next to me! haha. Ironically, before the class even started she told me that the class wasnt bad at all lol. Even my friend who came with me couldnt make it through the entire class. Like u, inside i thought i was going to DIE lol. Now i enjoy the fact that a lot of the smaller ladies watch me in class to try to get the moves lol.
Well done! That's awesome. I actually have been avoiding classes altogether because I'm so bothered by the mirrors. Anyway, regarding the attitude people have...yes, I do think that they view heavier people as more clumsy and even lazy. I know that when I was heavier, I had a harder time dancing and right now, I think I look a lot better doing it, but I've seen plenty of people that are on the larger side who can shake it like nobody's business!
I've been in similar experiences as you. For instance, it always surprises me if I'm out running and pass skinny people I guess there is something behind the prejudice, though, in that if you keep up the exercise like you're doing you definitely won't be the fattest one in the room for very long!
FWIW, I have to laugh in that I started a water aerobics class recently and I was sure everyone else would be running circles around me since I'm pregnant and overweight. Turns out I'm normally the one asking for more.
I don't associate weight with poor rythmn. Heck, if anything I always assume they'll be better dancers, simply because curves are naturally more 'rythmic'
Skeletons can't dance. lol
Although some of that may be from background because my family is heavyset and they can all dance really well.
Also, you go to any club and there may be some skinny chicks there (usually with little clothing on) that is getting some attention, but just pay attention and there are always some bigger girls on the dance floor that really know how to dance.
Pft!! I'm as bad a dancer thin as I am fat! I play the flute and have taught it for 20 years, so I know there's rhythm in this body somewhere, but it isn't in my feet!
I felt like I was the heaviest in my body + abs class too for the longest time. I just figure that means it's a really good class. And true enough, those of us who started on the heavier side have slimmed down as the class has progressed.
When I am the fattest one in the class I tell myself that I am burning more calories and working harder then all the skinny girls- because I am lugging around my extra pounds!
I can't speak for all big people, but my husband's pretty big, and yeah... he can get pretty clumsy -- until it's time for Dance Dance Revolution! Then, he has way more rhythm than me! He can get perfect scores on harder levels where I struggle! Some people have rhythm, and others don't, and I guess size doesn't have much to do with it!
Anyway, good for you for rocking out in class and really enjoying yourself!
That's a myth, that bigger girls can't move well. I'm 187lbs and get double the score on Dance Central than my super skinny and athletic friend, who is actually a dancer! XD
Do you think people tend to assume that fat people aren't good at dancing or things that involve rhythm or following certain moves? Do you feel like people assume fat people are clumsy?
There's a good chance that my existence promotes this stereotype. I'm quite clumsy and uncoordinated. Hence why I prefer spin class to step or zumba! But last time I went to zumba, the skinny chick in front of me was every bit as incapable as I was (and she was trying to throw in more advanced moves which just made it worse).
I'm the biggest person in my spin class as well, but other than a few hardocre guys, I pretty much keep up with everyone.
I was usually the largest and often oldest in my hot yoga classes. (Im just under obese BMI, and am not yet 50!) The majority of members are younger, often university students or just out of school. But there are some middle aged people and a few overweight people. Since the new year, with several new members there are more and more larger people and older people. While there is a lot I can't do at high levels, I can move through the class quite well, and show good flexibility. Some of the younger thinner people are not very flexible and don't have much balance etc. We are too busy to watch each other a lot, but some people have been asking me stuff.
The overweight people have told be I encourage them, because the instructors are all younger and thinner and the hefties didn't think they could do much until they saw me. My first real instructor is a very overweight lady, and she could turn into a total pretzel and do head and handstands, making it look so easy.
I was the fattest person in the room...
Anyway, regarding the attitude people have...yes, I do think that they view heavier people as more clumsy and even lazy. I know that when I was heavier, I had a harder time dancing and right now, I think I look a lot better doing it, but I've seen plenty of people that are on the larger side who can shake it like nobody's business! 
I play the flute and have taught it for 20 years, so I know there's rhythm in this body somewhere, but it isn't in my feet! 
