We all know people who hit the gym hard but still struggle to shed those extra pounds.
Some might rationalize, “If I exercise, I can eat whatever I want.” They say this while the scale slowly creeps upward, and the weight stubbornly refuses to stay off. But here’s the truth: you can’t just exercise and eat without thinking about your nutrition and expect to see long-term results. Even hours of exercise won’t make up for a diet full of high-fat, high-calorie foods, like that juicy cheeseburger and fries.
The reality is simple: what you put into your body is just as important—if not more—than how much you burn. To achieve your weight loss goals, you need a balanced approach. A good diet and tailored exercise plan are key. Exercise, and dance in particular, is one of the best ways to get fit. At Danza Academy of Social Dance, we recommend dance as an excellent way to get your heart pumping, improve muscle tone, and boost your balance. Plus, vigorous dances like Salsa are a great way to burn calories!
Dance has even more benefits that you won’t necessarily find in a traditional gym workout. It’s a social activity, offering a chance for interaction, support, and the acquisition of lifelong skills—both on the dance floor and in life.
As we approach beach season, it’s time to start thinking about how you want to look and feel. The answer is simple: diet and exercise. They go hand in hand, and together they help you get ready for that swimsuit.
Here’s a quick look at how the balance of input versus output works:
Let’s say you have a turkey sandwich for lunch. Turkey is lean and healthy, but if you opt for a turkey club with bacon, mayo, and three slices of bread, you’re looking at around 510 calories. Now, let’s say you run three miles later in the day. The average person burns about 100 calories per mile, so you’ve burned about 300 calories in total. But you’re still left with 210 calories from that sandwich, and to lose one pound, you need to burn about 3,500 calories.
This is where moderation comes in. It’s easier to cut 500 calories from your diet than to burn them off through exercise. If you swapped that sandwich for an hour of dancing, you could burn about 390 calories, which is almost 900 calories less than if you had just eaten that sandwich and gone for a run.
At Danza Academy of Social Dance, we encourage a balanced approach to nutrition and exercise. Dance is an engaging and fun way to burn calories while staying socially connected and mentally active. By being mindful of your meals and increasing your physical activity, you’ll be ready for the beach season in no time!
So, put in a little less and burn a little more. Join us at Danza Academy of Social Dance, and you’ll feel the difference! Let’s dance our way to a healthier, more confident you!