Once while I was visiting my agent I had a run in with some models. Overly nice models. Models that told me I looked like a Victoria's Secret Model. I proceeded to (laugh, and) make them repeat it into the voice recording component of my phone. Apparently in that moment my pasty-assed self looked like Adriana Lima to them. I really can't think of anyone in the world I look less like than Adriana Lima. Seriously, I probably more closely resemble Richard Simmons than Adriana Lima. It is a compliment I will cherish always and one that propelled me to try and get my Brazilian super model on by testing out Dance and Be Fit: Brazilian Body.
As exercise videos go, I have an extreme prejudice toward videos that have instruction done in voiceover: it drives me nuts. It really seems like most of the video the voiceover is trying to keep up with the choreography and not doing a very good job. Sometimes completely skipping directions and leaving me totally confused, but most of the time just coming in a few seconds too late. I have to say that the choreography in this DVD is also a little too quick and too complicated for my tastes. It took some commitment, but by the third time I did this workout I had a much better grasp on thrusting my lower half while swinging my upper half, then jumping up and down.
The workout is composed of three 12-minute workouts: Maculele, Samba Reggae and Capoeira. The Maculele and the Samba Reggae are dance-based and honestly a lot of fun by the third time you do the DVD. Be prepared to feel completely spastic a couple of times. It's very fast paced and if you're rhythmically challenged, like I, you may have a hard time getting the internal bounce of the movements down. I think these are the two best parts of this workout and can definitely be done alone as a quick aerobic workout on their own.
I must say all the pretty people dancing and smiling made me imagine that I looked that pretty (I'm so glad there are no mirrors in my living room) and I felt totally hot while I was doing it, that is when I wasn't feeling like Spazzy McSpaztown. The Capoeira portion I was really none too happy with. I don't care how awesome Capoeira is: I am not doing a cartwheel in my living room. Unless you have a large open space with which to do this DVD I would suggest just utilizing the dance portion.
Favorite quote from video: "Really enjoy that squat!" Advice I will try to live by. As I work on making that my new mantra, I leave you with this--Dance and Be Fit: Brazilian Body is a bit on the confusing side. The first two dance segments are fun and a good aerobic workout, but it may take a few run-throughs before you feel like you know what you're doing and when to do it. The voiceover instruction can be annoying. I would pick and choose the exercises in the Capoeira section to do, unless of course you have seriously wide open spaces with which to exercise. Oh, and major bonus: No Shoes Necessary!
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