Tips for the "new" dancer

[bee_kisses]

I have been dancing for over a year now (on and off) and I LOVE it.... But my flexibility is awful and I am starting to gain "extra" weight... I have a hard time dieting... got any motivation boosters? Flexing tips? Please help me out!

[Sagitta]

Welcome bee_kisses! :banana: :D :banana: Cute name, I think! Not sure if I ever associated bees with bee kisses, mostly stings usually. Hmmm...kisses...bees...kisses...

My motivation tip is keep at your dancing regularly. No on and off nonsense! Seriously!! The past 5 months I've had the worst possible food - junk food- that you can imagine and actually lost a couple pounds due to regular dancing.

Next tip, get a routine. So, dance regularly, and stretch regularly. Stretch in the morning or before you go to bed. Both regular dancing and stretching should help your flexibility and help deal with your "diet" issues. Sounds simple, and it is - once you get your routine going. I actually do exactly what I'm advising you, and for me, at least, it works!

[MadamSamba]

Hey, bees_kisses (cute name, btw). Your flexibility will improve as your muscles become looser and more limber and, having danced for only slightly longer than you, I can say the benefits are only just starting to show in my body in the past month or so...I've lost quite a bit of weight and my body is starting to look quite different, not just less fat and flabby.

It's a little more sculpted and everything is slightly more toned and taught. That said, I've got a bloody long way to go, but the one-year mark seems to have been where the biggest changes have started to occur and, hopefully, it will keep going...as for motivation, think of it this way, there's only one way more fun to exercise than dancing! :lol: Ehem...

[pygmalion]

Hi bee_kisses. Welcome! :D

Are you sure the extra weight isn't muscle? It's possible your body composition may be changing. That happened to me when I first started working out. I was watching what I ate, as well, but I gained like eight pounds in six weeks. It was muscle, which weighs a lot more than fat.

[dancersdreamland]

bee_kisses, welcome to the Forum Family!

Your screen name is absolutely adorable!!! May I ask how you came upon that name?

As for exercise and dieting...I royally stink at both but am working on this new routine/plan.

1. Set a goal (i.e. exercise three/five days out of the five/seven day week).

2. Select a reward for when you complete your goal (to see the new dance film Havana Nights: Dirty Dancing 2)

3. Keep an exercise journal outlining the exercise you did for the day.

After one full month, you'll be in the habit of exercising (28 days straight of something makes it a habit), you'll be able to enjoy your reward, and you'll be tracking your progress through the journal.

As you exercise more, your stamina will build up and you'll notice that change in your dancing. If you stretch each time you exercise, you'll experience increased flexibility as well. And, in general, when you exercise and start treating your body in a positive way, you'll find your appetite will likely change as well.

The main goal is to find an exercise program that works for you...join a gym, workout with a friend, VHS guided program, etc. Then stick with it.

All the best! Please keep us posted on how it all works out and we'll be sure to keep providing encouragement.