We all want to stay in shape despite our inability to do
workouts. But if you live a sedentary lifestyle, you will eventually be at high
risk of developing conditions associated with inactivity. These include
hypertension, diabetes type 2, fatty liver syndrome, and heart diseases.
But why is it so hard to make the right decision and make
the correct move, and just start exercising? It may partly be due to laziness.
But you first need to take a closer look at your reasons or excuses for not
exercising.
Why You Don’t Exercise
- You hate exercise
- You are too busy
- You don’t want to get tired
- You can’t afford to pay gym fees
- Exercising is too boring – time seems to stand still as you work out
- Workouts requires discipline
- Exercising is hard work
- Psychological issues – stress and depression make some people lose the motivation to engage in physical activity
- Culture – especially if you live in a locale where people don’t exercise
If you tried to exercise in the past and you don’t feel like
doing it any more, it could be one of the following reasons:
- Expecting instant results
- Aches and pains
- Trying too hard
- Apathy – lack of sustained commitment
- Not having good exercise guidance
Some people don’t want to leave the comfort of their homes
to go out and exercise. Others have enquired whether it is possible to work out
while still in bed. They might have their reasons for having such ideas.
If you belong to such kind of thinking, you need to explore
what kills your motivation. As long as you can isolate your obstacles as see
them for what they are, you can overcome them. If you still stuck, this article
will solve your problem.
Dancing is the Simple Answer
Did you know that exercise can be made fun? Do you also know
that you can work out without becoming exhausted, or bored, or without
straining your body too much, and still stay in shape? Believe it or not, there
is one kind of exercise that you can do in the comfort of your home, in utter
discretion, and achieve good results.
Believe me, I’ve recommended this to some of my friends and
they say they feel better in just a few days. You don’t need a mat or gym
equipment. All you need is your TV and music videos. Then, hike up the volume and have fun dancing!
Though dancing is a good exercise, it is also a stepping
stone to achieving bigger things. As you get fitter, you can start doing other
strenuous workouts with minimal exhaustion or muscle pain.
Benefits of Dancing
Dancing can be done by anybody regardless of their size,
shape or age. Its simplicity makes it superior over other types of workouts.
Being enjoyable ensures it’s more pleasant than going to a gym. Below are some
of the benefits you get from dancing:
- Improved muscle strength and tone
- Better flexibility and agility
- Improved self esteem
- More efficient fat burning
- Stronger bones
- Improved social skills
- Improved physical balance
- Increased physical confidence
- Enhanced cardiovascular system (heart and lungs work better)
How to Start Dancing
You don’t need to have a prior knowledge of dancing. You don’t
need to dance like a pro either. To start with, choose videos from among your
favorite music and look for those with steps you can easily mimic. Use those as
a starting point and things will fall in place as you become more accustome.
The type of music you select for dancing is vital. As a
beginner, you need tracks that have a slower tempo. Below is an example of good
workout video.
The best time to dance for fitness is first thing in the
morning, or just before your evening meal. And no matter how lazy you think you
are or feel, your motivation will come from the entertainment you get.
How frequently you dance will depend on your schedule and
your drive to stay fit. If it is possible, you can dance both in the morning
and evening, each and every day. But you must do it for at least 3 alternate
days per week. Each session should last for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Before you dance in the morning, take a glass of water or a
snack of protein, or both. Don’t indulge in sugars and starches before dancing.
After the dancing session, eat a well balanced diet.
Your evening meal should come at least 3 hours before sleep.
Keep aside enough time for your session and a shower if needed. If you don’t
have enough time, it won’t hurt to freshen up after eating.
After a few months of dancing, you will already have gotten
used to your routine. You can opt to either maintain your practice, or seek
some improvement. Your options can be joining dancing classes, or finding dancing videos which are tailor-made
for better results.
Another option is to invite a willing friend or family
member. Additionally, you can register in a gym if you feel you have enough
confidence. Otherwise, it is better to stick to your regimen than sink back to
a desk-bound existence.
What to Expect When You Dance for Exercise
Like in all other endeavors, you need to acknowledge the
fact that instant success is a myth. After just 1 week or so, you will start
feeling better, and your laziness will start melting away. But real progress
will not be visible any time soon.
When you engage in any workout, you burn more fat and
increase your muscle mass. Because your metabolic
rate rises, your body stands a better chance of converting most of the
carbohydrates you consume afterwards and storing them in the muscles.
The benefits you get in a single session amounts to
something negligible. But bear in mind that considering the pressures of modern
day living, we are bound to exercise for life. So every little gain you make
will eventually make a big difference.
If you can stick to dancing at least every morning, you will
have lost no less than ½ inches on your belly in about 3 months. This will, of course,
depend on how much of the dangerous fat you carry on your tummy.
Though you won’t look any shapelier in the first 2 months,
you will feel more energetic and your moods will be elevated.
Conclusion
Getting in shape is a circle. The shapelier you are, the
more it becomes easier to stay in shape. Losing weight is extremely difficult.
As your body stocks on fat, some processes (like leptin Resistance) set in and
make it almost impossible to maintain a healthy weight.
As we age, we are more prone to being fat and unable to lose
it. Most weight related disorders become more difficult to control or prevent
with old age. To break this vicious cycle, you have to start getting in shape
as soon as possible. If you start dancing today, you will begin your journey to
fitness, dutifulness, happiness, confidence and fun.
