Dance, dance, dance, it’s your chance, chance, chance! Oh, you are looking for weight loss strategies. Well, you are not in the wrong place. Dance does help to lose weight. In this article we will discuss dance and the benefits of dance for weight loss and then some more dance.
Dancing your way to a healthy life can help you enjoy your weight loss journey because it is a fun activity to do, especially for people who enjoy dancing. Imagine how amazing it would be that the activity you love can also aid in weight loss. For those who have not tried dancing before, this is your chance to try your feet at it.
People have this notion that weight loss regimen is often centered around restrictive diets and monotonous exercise regimens but guess what you do not have to revolve your weight loss journey around it.
Dance could be your enjoyable and sustainable approach to weight management because it is not a mere form of entertainment but an effective exercise that engages both the body and mind.
Dancing as exercise
Using dance as an alternative to vigorous exercise routine could effectively help you to shed off some pounds. Here is how dancing could be an effective exercise:
Burning calories:
Dancing is a potent calorie-burning exercise. The rhythmic movements of salsa, the energetic steps of hip-hop, or graceful turns of ballroom dancing every dance form offers a unique cardiovascular workout. Cardio is good for you because it will effectively help you to burn calories.
For effective weight loss results you need to keep a track of the duration of the session and the dance style to determine the number of calories that you burn.
Muscle engagement and toning:
Dancing is not just a cardio exercise. You would be surprised to know that it could help in muscle toning as well because a wide range of muscle groups are involved while dancing. Your core muscles help to stabilize the body and leg and arms muscles help to execute the dancing steps, making it a full-body workout.
If you indulge in dancing and consistently practice dancing it can help to tone muscles, improve flexibility, and enhance overall body strength.
Cardiovascular health benefits
Dancing is an effective cardio exercise that is beneficial for your heart health as well. Dancing elevates heart rate which means it increases blood circulation and oxygen delivery to the body.
You are advised to indulge yourself in cardio because it strengthens your heart muscles eventually reducing the risk of heart disease. Dancing also helps to lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels both of which could be the main factors leading to heart diseases.
Endurance and stamina-building
By practicing dance you will experience enhanced endurance and stamina. In fact, the longer you are practicing dance, the better your stamina will become and you are able to maintain the intensity of the movements for longer periods. The enhanced endurance with your dancing practice will also reflect in your performances in other physical activities as well.
Psychological benefits of dancing
Dancing is not only a fun and physical activity but it has benefits beyond your physical health. Dancing regularly can provide benefits to your psychological well-being as well. Here are some psychological benefits of dancing:
Dance as a stress reliever:
Stress is a major contributor to weight gain. People are often looking for ways to reduce stress in their lives and dancing is one such way. Anything fun that brings joy to your life is your way to relieve stress. Here you have it-dance! Dancing is a powerful tool for reducing stress because the rhythmic movements allow an individual to escape the pressure of daily life. While dancing people focus on the physical sensations of dance which helps to shift their attention from worries. Dancing for people becomes a mental escape.
Role of endorphins and mood enhancement
Dancing helps to stimulate the release of endorphins which helps to elevate your mood naturally. Regular dance practice can help to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety because the neurotransmitters contribute to the feeling of happiness, euphoria, and reduced pain receptors.
Boosting self-confidence and body image:
Dancing helps to boost your self-esteem because it promotes physical fitness by aiding in weight loss and muscle toning. Also, it helps to contribute to the feeling of happiness you feel good about yourself.
Indulging in an activity that you love doing also keeps you motivated throughout the journey for weight loss. You will enjoy every aspect of your weight loss journey when you are dancing your way to it.
Change in perspective:
Dancing helps you to overcome weight loss plateaus. Dancing is a fun activity that can help you take on a new approach toward weight loss strategy and give a fresh perspective on your weight loss regimen. The enjoyment that you will derive from dancing will help you stay motivated throughout your journey.
Dancing as a social activity
For weight loss, you need social support. Social support can act as your motivation throughout the journey. You should know how dancing could be a social activity:
Power of social support in weight loss:
You might feel isolated at some stage of your weight loss journey; that is why you need a supportive community. You need a supportive community so you can share your experiences with others to boost motivation, accountability, and overall enjoyment. Sharing experiences would also give a boost to your self-confidence because talking about your journey will help you realize how far you have come.
Finding people with similar goals could be one advantage of dance that can be an encouragement for you to keep going on your weight loss journey. When you join dance classes and similar communities you will meet people with different interests and backgrounds. They all will have different reasons for joining the dance classes and it will be fun to grow your network.
Dance classes and communities:
When you are incorporating dance in your life to help you lose some weight, you should join a dance class because it offers a structured way to incorporate dance routines in your life. Moreover, you will get to learn a variety of dance styles that can cater to your personal needs and preferences. Dance classes foster a sense of belonging and provide opportunities to connect with other people.
Finding a dance partner or group:
In a dance class, you would find a dance partner or dance in a group. It will enhance your experience of joining a dance class and meeting like-minded people. You will find different stories behind different personalities and you get a chance to share yours as well. It will also help you to connect with new people and make new connections.
The joy of shared experiences and celebrations:
You will get the joy of shared experiences when you join a dance class. You will celebrate successes, both big and small with fellow dancers that can create a positive impact on your life.
Incorporating dance into a weight loss plan
Now the question is how can one incorporate dance in their weight loss plan. People are often looking for ways to incorporate in their lives that can help them with weight loss and management. Dance being a fun activity is one option that they can use to their advantage. In order to incorporate dance into your weight loss plan, do the following things:
Create a balanced dance workout routine:
Think of dance as your workout routine and ensure not skip for more days. Treat it as an essential part of your weight loss regimen. Create a well-rounded dance workout so you can experience maximum weight loss benefits.
Combine dance with other forms of exercise:
You can incorporate dance in your workout routine but try to incorporate it along with exercising. Include more cardio activities along with strength training.
Importance of nutrition for weight loss:
Dance can aid in weight loss and management but it is important that you incorporate it along with a healthy diet. Eat a balanced diet that is packed with nutrition and consume natural food sources including whole foods, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and eliminate processed foods and sugary drinks.
Set realistic goals:
Set goals that are achievable because they are crucial for you to stay motivated. Break down your ultimate goal into small steps so you can easily achieve it. Be specific while setting your goals so you know what you have to work for. Setting realistic goals is the first step to start your weight loss journey and stay motivated throughout with a positive outlook towards the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dance better than weight loss?
Ans. Dance forms like zumba and high-intensity hip-hop can help more calories as they are considered to be effective cardio exercises. But for better results ensure to incorporate bothe dancing, strength training and other cardio exercises in your weight loss routine.
Is a 30-minute daily dance routine enough?
Ans. A 30-minute high-intensity daily dance routine can help to burn around 180-200 calories. You can opt to incorporate dance as a workout along with other exercises in your daily life to get effective results.
Is dancing better than running?
Ans. Dancing could be better than running depending on the intensity of your workout. It is also effective for muscle toning, enhancing endurance and stamina. You can effectively burn calories while dancing.
