| Exercise for those of us who hate to exercise! | | | | around yourself and see if this raises their mood or |
| Play the following scene out in your mind: | | | | at least makes them laugh. You don't have to buy |
| (Three women are sitting at a break room table in an | | | | music; there are plenty of websites that will play |
| office building, eating various meals for lunch.) | | | | styles of music at your request ( for instance). |
| Woman 1: So, what should we do tonight? | | | | 3. Determine what type of dancing fits their musical |
| Woman 2: There's a new scary movie that just came | | | | style. |
| out. We could go see it. | | | | If the only music they like is modern top-40 or |
| Woman 1: No, I hate scary movies. Something else. | | | | hip-hop music, then free-form dancing in clubs would |
| It's Friday night, I wanna have some fun! | | | | most likely get them moving. If they pick up on rock |
| Woman 3: I know! Let's go dancing! My brother said | | | | 'n roll or swing, then learned dancing is for them. |
| there's a great band playing downtown at The Swing | | | | 4. Help them get in the action. |
| Stop all weekend! | | | | Offer to give them lessons, or take lessons with |
| Woman 1: I don't know, that's too much exercise for | | | | them. Take them to a dance club so they can see |
| me. | | | | everyone dancing to the music they enjoy. If you |
| Is this a believable line? Have you ever heard anyone | | | | can't find the right clubs out there, check with your |
| refer to going dancing as 'exercise'? I haven't. Dancing | | | | community leaders about starting community dances. |
| is, however, and wonderful way to exercise, and the | | | | Check on the Internet; there are many resources |
| best part is that it doesn't feel like exercising! | | | | out there (such as Yahoo groups) and you may be |
| Now for a quick primer: | | | | able to find information for your local area, or the |
| There are two basic types of dancing: free form, and | | | | nearest metropolitan area. |
| learned dancing. | | | | Keep in mind that the average 150 lb. person dancing |
| Free form is the type of dancing you will often see in | | | | for one hour will burn anywhere from 200 to 500 |
| your typical dance club. These clubs play house music | | | | calories, depending on the speed and style of the |
| or hip-hop and usually have DJs. | | | | dance. And ask anyone who likes to go dancing; you |
| Learned dancing is taught by professionals and is | | | | rarely dance for only an hour! |
| practiced, and is often seen in clubs specializing in | | | | A quick note: like I said in step 1, dancing is not |
| certain types of music. These clubs more often than | | | | necessarily for everybody. Most people I have talked |
| not have an actual stage with a live band playing. For | | | | to are either 'music people' or not. I myself am |
| example, swing clubs showcase swing bands, and | | | | definitely a 'music person'. I absolutely loathe |
| swing dancing is what you will see there. Salsa clubs, | | | | exercising, but put me on a swing dance floor, and I |
| jazz clubs, oldies (rock 'n roll) clubs, and country | | | | can't stop smiling no matter how much I sweat. It still |
| western clubs are also common, and there are many | | | | amazes me today how swing music can lift my spirits |
| others. | | | | and get me moving. I personally could swing dance |
| This is where you will have to do a little research to | | | | for hours and never want to stop (except for a little |
| determine which type might work for your kids: | | | | water, maybe!). I also find that I am in a generally |
| 1. Find out if your children like to listen to music. | | | | better mood when I go dancing often. |
| You probably already know the answer. If they like | | | | Ask me to pick up a barbell or jog around the block, |
| to listen to music, great! Move to the next step. If | | | | and I might lose weight from laughing too hard! |
| they are not interested in music, then another form | | | | The key to incorporating any activity into your life is |
| of exercise is probably better for them. | | | | to enjoy it. No matter how determined you are, if |
| 2. Find out what types of music they like. | | | | you do not enjoy something, chances are that you |
| You can ask them, but even they may not know the | | | | will not make it a habit. This is where dancing comes |
| answer. Try playing different styles of music and see | | | | in. Dancing is fun, and the right music can be an |
| what motivates them to smile and move. Dance | | | | astounding motivator. |