Health and Fitness through Dancing – Part 6
Tuesday, March 22, 2011…
Dangle a Carrot…or Two!
I want to run in Hawaii in August on my vacation! I want to run around Diamond Head. Guess what…I’ve already started! The first run was not the hardest, but one of the most joyous. Now, I’m up, getting out of the house, hitting the dirt and getting some more cardio! I love it and it’s good for me.
The prospect of running on my vacation is my carrot. I want to be much more slender and faster on my feet. What is your carrot? Do you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides? Do you have body stiffness, shortness of breath or just a lack of energy? Would you like to feel younger, fit and full of energy? Would you like to look in the mirror and see a healthy and fit person?
Try a dance lesson. I challenge any of my running friends to a full lesson of Swing, Cha Cha, and Salsa. They would be out of breath after a few fast Salsas! All of the dances provide excellent cardio exercise. The dancing uses our bodies from head to toe. The music keeps us moving, and the combination of choreography and dancing keeps our heart rates high. And remember, it’s FUN!
Second, try a rhythm group class, Swing, Rumba, Cha Cha, or Salsa. You will find that your body will heat up and you will feel the burn. Just remember, you may get tired in the beginning, but the reward of getting up a flight of stairs with perfect breath is a great reward. Just get through the initial muscle memory period and you will enter the winner’s circle, and then you’ll stay there!
Third, dance a group and follow it with a dance party, and try to dance every dance. Men, ask a lady for every dance, even if you are not sure of the steps. A lady would rather dance the basics for a full song rather than sit out a dance. And ladies, ask a guy to dance. Ask a new guy. Ask a guest. Ask an advanced student. Ask another lady sitting down and lead her. We only progress when we are in motion!
What is your reward? Confidence, self esteem, or a positive self image? Dangle a carrot of what you want to achieve in life and keep it in front of you. Visualize your success and see yourself accomplishing your goals. I have decided to have a positive attitude of success, and I am going to SHARE this energy with others.
Keep up the good work. Stay focused and enjoy the journey! Next installment is “The Time Machine”. You don’t want to miss it!
Very Sincerely,
David Woodbury
Lona Walls
Couldn’t have said it better myself.