Dancing has been subject to many research papers because of its impact on health and fitness. Many contestants on the popular television dance show Dancing With The Stars, for example, have been reported to lose excess pounds thanks to this great calorie burning activity. Dancing, coupled with a balanced diet and calorie counting, can help you lose up to 1-2 pounds per week. Aside from the weight loss, other benefits include reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, promoting relaxation, and improving your overall mood and sense of wellbeing.

Here are some strategies you need to employ if you want to lose 10 pounds while dancing.

Calorie control

Many people will agree that dancing is a fun way to burn calories. However, it is still important to control the amount of food you are eating too and follow a good nutritional plan. Calorie control, together with dancing, can help melt the pounds. So, in order for dance to be an effective exercise, you need to watch what you are eating and stick to your recommended daily intake.

Music selection

The number of calories you burn through dancing depends on your body and how vigorously you move. Dance is essentially an aerobic exercise, and you need to keep your heart rate up in order to burn more calories. For dance to be effective as a weight loss tool, you need a good rhythm to set a fast enough pace and an upbeat mood.

Dance time

Try to dance a few times per week with an accelerated heart rate for 20 minutes per session. Remember to warm up and cool down for five minutes each time too so that you get the most out of your dance session..

Try different kinds of dance

One of the things that makes dance exciting is that there are so many different kinds of moves to choose from. Try your hand at ballroom dancing, hip hop, Zumba, jazzercise, belly dancing and Bollywood. These dances exercise your arms, thighs, backs, legs, abs, and back, and burn a lot of calories.

Get dressed

Put on some baggy clothes for a hip-hop routine or Zumba, or put on a cropped top and sweatpants for belly dancing or some Bollywood dancing. There’s no need to be shy, as lots of dance instructors encourage their students to dress to suit the moves. That being said, there is no reason why you can’t wear clothes that you feel comfortable in, as long as you can exercise in them freely.

Aside from weight loss, dance increases blood flow to the brain and reduces stress. The steps will keep you challenged too. So try out some dance moves instead of just sitting in front of your TV and watching others dance away instead. If you would like to join a dance session or two, contact us today.