Dance Your Way to Better Health and Fitness

Okay guys and gals--if Kirstie Alley can tackle Dancing with the Stars , you and I can surely tackle dancing in our homes. Dancing is in the blood; we humans seem to be hard-wired for it. Even if you don't jump out of your seat when a spirited melody come across the air waves, I bet you tap your fingers or toes to the beat.

That's all well and good, but if you want to improve your health, including losing some extra weight, get out of that seat and take to the floor. Dancing is good for what ails you, both spiritually and physically.

Intense aerobic dancing burns as many calories as does jogging--and wouldn't you rather boogie to a raucous tune than jog down the street? Your heart and lungs will be just as happy to be put through their paces while you dance as when you put on that running suit for a jog down the road, dodging cell-phone wielding automobile drivers and the neighbor's dog.

There are ga-zillions of dance and dance-type videos and electronic systems that offer dance moves as exercise. There must be something to it! Just about every appetite and music taste is represented across the spectrum, as are different abilities and interests.

The Wii Get Fit program is so popular among all age groups that the American Heart Association includes a fitness program incorporating it.

Or skip the videos and electronic doo-dads and just put on some inspirational music for yourself. Dance in the living room, kitchen or bedroom. Put some pep in your step walking the aisles of the grocery store or down the sidewalk. Get up during commercials while watching T.V. and do some moves.

Get a friend or two and join a dance class. In your community, or one nearby, you are likely to find ballroom dancing classes, line dancing, swing, belly, Latin or even pole dancing. Live a little and try something new, or refresh your memory about something you've learned in the past.

It isn't about talent, it's about getting your body moving. Get your heart rate moving up. Break a sweat.

We already know that dancing aids in weight loss, but there are more health benefits. Weight-bearing activities such as dancing help to keep bones strong, warding off the brittleness and softness that occurs when osteoporosis in present.

Flexibility and balance are two attributes that dancing helps to promote. These attributes promote stability in walking, something that helps to decrease falls in the senior population.

Dancing is good for your heart and circulatory system. It strengthens the heart muscle and helps to ward off circulation problems that come from a sedentary lifestyle.

Dancing provides stress relief and may aid in staving off memory loss. It can also be a means to socialization. And it certainly leads to fewer frown lines--have you ever seen anyone dancing who isn't smiling?