Confessions of a DVD Debut: Sarita Lou

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SARITA LOU, your guide to "Dance and Be Fit: Hip Hop Cardio," has a much wider repertoire than the cabbage patch. For the past 10 years, she's taught movement of all kinds, from modern to West African. But what she's never done before is a fitness DVD, so we got her to dish on her first time.

» Preparation: "I really studied old-school moves to break them down. I watched 'House Party' and the Fly Girls from 'In Living Color' for research. The moves are big and eye-catching, and kind of dorky. But people are doing this in their homes, so it doesn't have to be cool."

» Perspiration: You'll definitely feel the deep plies and hip shaking in your lower body, but Lou says those rib cage isolations are secretly killer for the abs, too. "While creating this, my body became so strong," she adds.

» Footwear: What's up with all of her urging to "show off your shoes" throughout the DVD? Partly, it's because of hip-hop's appreciation for awesome sneakers. And? "I was so excited at how cool my shoes were," she admits.

» Motivation: Lou understands what it's like to work out at home, since she relies on yoga DVDs (especially ones from Shiva Rea) when she can't make it to class. Her secret to reminding herself to do it: "I take the discs out and put them on my DVD player as a visual reminder. It's like leaving your shoes at the front door to remind you to run."