Execise in the form of dancing and a balanced diet can make a big difference to wellbeing and help weight loss; dancing also increases stamina, fitness and mental health.

The most common reasons people give for joining a dance class are:

1. I want to lose weight and get fitter

2. I want to make friends, and

3. I’ve just always wanted to learn; it looks so lovely.

Here are few of my thoughts gained over the years regarding peoples’ reasons to dance. In this first blog I’ going to look at the ‘I want to lose weight and get fitter’ scenario.

Moving the body in time to music is not only great exercise, but it also improves mental wellbeing and increases a release of those ‘happy’ feel good endorphins around the body that we all need. But it’s true, people often start dance classes because they want to lose weight and get fitter; they’ve tried the gym and other forms of exercise but just not found them useful. In fact, many find those usual forms of exercise just plain boring.

Dancing can indeed help in a weight loss campaign, however, if after your great dance class, you then go out and have a slap-up high fat, high sugar meal, you’re unlikely to lose weight. The positive effect is that if you persist with classes but don’t lose weight, you are still going to get fitter, increase your stamina and general wellbeing. Just remember, it does take more than half a dozen classes though, learning to dance is a lifetime’s story.

Some basic things that people forget about losing weight and getting fitter:

1 . UNDER eating can slow your metabolism, deplete your energy levels, and INCREASE body fat storage. So, it’s not helpful to under eat. What is important though is to eat the right things, the things that will replace your energy, keep you well fuelled throughout the day and class.

2. Do eat sensibly and regularly. As humans we need fuel called glucose, also known as ‘sugar’. After a night’s sleep, a light breakfast that includes a starch, dairy, or fruit will bring depleted glucose levels up, giving you the energy, you need to start the day. Eggs, milk and bananas are great staples which prove slow release energy as you need it through the day. If you’re going to a dance class where you know you’re going to be doing high energy movement, take a banana or some dried fruit with you to refuel as you go, and prevent the urge for a kebab on the way home.

3. Do drink fluids. Frequently we think we are hungry when in fact we are thirsty! Our brains can’t always distinguish between the two quite different needs, and as we are likely to perspire and lose fluid whilst dancing it’s vital to main our hydration anyway. You can sip sports drinks, milk, coffee, and tea but best of all is just plain water. Try to avoid too many sodas, even diet soda, or indeed alcoholic beverages, as these can deplete certain nutrients in your body as well as affect bone health. Beetroot juice, and according to some studies possibly pomegranate juice, raise nitrate levels in the blood, thereby aiding delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles. And interestingly a study from the University of New South Wales showed that drinking green tea before exercise boosted fat burning – so maybe bringing a flask of green tea to class is worth a try. And thinking about the end of a class, cherry juice is also beneficial for reducing inflammation and improves recovery after exercise.

So in conclusion, dancing can definitely help in a weight loss and fitness campaign but you do need to be sensible about what you eat and drink too; however, the thing that most people take away from a dance class is the laughter and feel good boost – and that’s the topic of our next blog.

Have a great day everyone and keep safe.