Fitness Friday: Dare to dance!

I’m declaring today to be “fitness Friday.”

Because while I often share the health benefits of exercise…

I don’t always directly challenge you to move on a specific day.

But that’s all changing—TODAY.

I hereby challenge you to get up… and dance.

Cut a rug—and drop extra pounds?

When it comes to exercise, it’s important to do something you enjoy. Otherwise, it’s much harder to stick to your new routine.

But I often hear that you don’t know where to begin.

So, today, let’s commit to “doing the dance” together—because research shows dancing has whole-body benefits, starting with weight loss.

Research shows that overweight and obese individuals who danced regularly lost significantly more weight than those who didn’t.

In fact, participants who danced lost nearly four additional pounds—including 3.5 pounds of fat—and trimmed an extra inch off their waistline compared to non-dancers.

And those who danced at least three times a week for three months saw the greatest benefits.

Plus, the more creative and carefree participants danced, the GREATER the improvement in their body composition.

In other words, by simply letting loose on the dance floor, you could decrease body fat and increase muscle mass or lean body fat.

Whole-body benefits

Now, I mentioned dancing can provide whole-body benefits. So, let’s talk about that a bit more.

Previous research has also linked dancing to improved cognitive function, mental health, and overall quality of life.

And that certainly makes sense—dancing is a full-body workout that blends exercise, entertainment, and socialization.

The best part is you can dance anywhere that you’re comfortable. Maybe that’s in the comfort of your own home, simply listening to music or tuning into online videos.

Or maybe that means taking an in-person class, which is a great way to make new friends. (I find the socialization aspect really helps me to stick with my exercise commitments!)

And with dancing, you can switch it up regularly. There are so many different types to choose from… line dancing, pole dancing, disco dancing, ballroom dancing… the list goes on.

The beauty of dancing? You just move to music. It’s also easily modifiable for those with limited mobility—choose any number of upper or lower body movements while sitting or standing.

Not only will you build strength, balance, and coordination—but you’ll also improve your blood pressure, cognition, mood, and weight!

So, what are you waiting for? Get up… and groove.

Source:

“Do Your Patients Hate Exercise? Suggest They Do This Instead.” Medscape, 01/30/2024. (medscape.com/viewarticle/do-your-patients-hate-exercise-suggest-they-do-this-instead-2024a100022t)