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There is a reason why all of the dance shows are a huge hit. It looks good and so do the contestants. I too used dance to help transform my body with a nearly 200lbs. weight loss and encourage my clients to do the same.
Initially, I had my own dance party, “tapping” into the dance moves I learned from Miss Jodi and Miss Delores throughout my childhood. But soon, I realized not only was it fun but I was getting awesome results. When I reached my goal, I decided it was time to teach aerobics. Today, I hold 17 Fitness Certifications including the trademarked Urban Striptease Aerobics (www.urbanstriptease.com yes, we keep our clothes on) and Zumba® (www.zumba.com). Dancing works all your body parts and can take the place of one of your cardio and strength workouts. My favorites are obviously the striptease or Latin based workouts, because it also works your core which can take the place of an abdominal workout as well. Here a few reasons to dance your way to a trimmer waistline:
Dancing Helps you build that Mind/Body Connection – Too often there is a disconnect between your mind and body which is why you may have gained weight in the first place. I found that in the early days of my weight loss, dancing helped me build that connection in a fun and exhilarating way.
Dancing Uses Your Own Body as Resistance – When you hold your arms above your head in a dance move or point your toe, did you know that you’re also building muscle without machines or weights?
Pilates-Core Moves – There is a reason why so many dance instructors use Pilates. Those leg circles done on the mat can be done can be done standing while you work on your balance and engage your Transverse Abdominus. Latin and striptease based workouts also isolate your core as you move your hips and whittle away your middle.
You can modify dancing so everyone can do it – Dance is universal and almost everyone can do it whether it be at home, in a studio or a nightclub. There are ways to modify almost every move to make it high, low, or non-impact. Dance is also a positive way to express yourself and find your own fitness groove!
Joanne Sgro is a Television Fitness Expert, Certified Personal Trainer and Sport Nutritionist. She is Certified in Pilates, Pre-natal/Post-Partum, Yoga and Senior Fitness. She specializes in Weight Loss, Post-Rehab and Post Cancer Training. Joanne's fitness plans and recipes are available globally on her website www.fitnessanswer.com. She resides in the Phoenix, AZ area with her fiancé, where she runs her personal training business, Fitness Answer, LLC.
Add a Comment2 Comments
Joanne...you are amazing. You know I'm behind you all the way..nothing better than dance to first improve our self-esteem with a secondary benefit of weight loss.
September 15, 2009 - 9:36pmThis Comment
Thank you so much for your support and taking the time to comment on my article. Dancing as I said is universal and something everyone can do to express and feel better about themselves!!!
September 16, 2009 - 9:39amThis Comment