I’m petite, have a small frame, and have never had to struggle with weight issues.
I regularly went to the gym six days a week, and have done so for years taking a combination of strength training and boot camp-style classes in addition to walking. Despite my efforts, I started adding on weight — just over 10 pounds in about 24 months.
I didn’t know why or what to do about about the weight gain. I was working out almost every day, but I felt exhausted and defeated. Others suggested I turn to medication. “Don’t stress, just get on a GLP-1, and if your doctor won’t give it to you, just grab it online,” one friend told me.
My BMI wasn’t high enough for my doctor to prescribe medication, and I didn’t want to override my provider’s advice. But despite all of my effort, I wasn’t seeing the results I wanted.
I was bored at the gym
Then, during a gym class, I realized I had become lazy. I was picking up the easiest weights and would go through the motions, never pushing myself too hard during workouts. The repetitive movements were just so boring.
After that class, I tried to think of an activity that might bring me more joy. Wasn’t there something else that could be more fun? That’s when I decided to take more dance classes, instead of just the one I was already taking on Saturdays.
I was hesitant to dance like I used to years ago
I was a danced into high school, but I had to leave the program because of difficulties at home.
I always felt sadness and disappointment about quitting. I had continued dancing on and off as an adult, but I had never really returned to it in a meaningful way. I thought about how much I loved to dance as a little girl, grinning ear to ear even when I forgot all the steps. Research has shown that the surprising benefits of dance extend beyond physical fitness.
Now I take four to five dance classes a week, a combination of modern, and West African.
It’s fun and doesn’t feel like the same drag that the gym was to me. And I finally lost those stubborn pounds I had gained. When I take classes every week, I mix up levels to keep challenging myself and track my progress. Dance has also given me a community where we hold one another accountable and empower one another as we cheer one another on.
Dance was the true exercise I really needed
Returning to dance has helped me shed those few extra pounds, but it has also helped me connect to a part of me that is more accepting of myself and others. I’m happier and healthier than I’ve been in years, and no longer associate something I love with failure.
I’ve learned that the workout that keeps me coming back is the one I enjoy, and it’s never too late to try again.
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