Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Dancing Like a Star!


From the beginning, I have been a fan of Dancing with the Stars where celebrities team up with professional ballroom dancers and compete for a mirrored, disco ball trophy. Along with millions of other faithful viewers, my husband and I follow the intense competition week after week as actors, musicians, and even retired professional football players demonstrate that with hard work and determination a person can transform from an awkward beginner into a graceful, skilled dancer. From the beginning, Dancing with the Stars conveyed the message that anyone can dance.

The show also demonstrates that dancing can be good fitness as well as good fun. Celebrity participants get visibly leaner and stronger as each week passes. Many even boast about their remarkable weight loss. Inspired by the show, viewers from Boston to LA are getting up from their sofas and starting to move to the music. 

The fitness industry didn’t miss a beat in capitalizing on the popularity of the show. Dance classes of various forms are now big business at spas and gyms all over the country, and dance instruction and exercise videos are some of the hottest selling items on Amazon.com (including a branded Dancing with the Stars Latin Dance workout based on the show). 

“While I dance I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from life. I can only be joyful and whole. That is why I dance.” Hans Bos

Of course, the best thing about dancing is that you don’t need professional instruction, a video, or any special equipment to do it! All you have to do is turn on some music that you like and get up and move! Trust your body and the music to tell you what to do. Bored with the treadmill? Get up and dance! Looking for an exercise that allows you to express your creativity? Get up and dance! Need an emotional or spiritual pick-up? Get up and dance! Afraid others will notice that you have two left feet? No problem; just lock yourself in your bedroom, pull the shades, and dance in the privacy of your home! You can even do your regular cardio and strength training workouts in time to the music.

Naturally, if it has been awhile since you have danced or engaged in strenuous activity, start slowly. Shimmy and shake your body for a few minutes at a time, maybe while you do the dishes or brush your teeth. Embrace your partner and slow dance to the radio or dance to silly songs like the Hokey Pokey. You can even get a great upper body workout by listening to classical or big band music and pretending to conduct the orchestra. The most important thing to remember is to keep moving and do something you enjoy. 

For more information on IC and exercise see: Customizing the Interstitial Cystitis Diet: A Confident Choices Book

Author, Speaker, Patient Advocate

Helping Yourself Is the First Step to Getting Well

For step by step guidance for creating your own personal interstitial cystitis meal plan, see: Confident Choices®: Customizing the Interstitial Cystitis Diet.

For some basic, family-style, IC bladder-friendly recipes, see: Confident Choices®: A Cookbook for Interstitial Cystitis and Overactive Bladder



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