Dance Away Worries and Weight

If you want to lose weight the fun way, all you have to do is dance!

There are many health benefits to “shaking your bootie,” and fun is No. 1.

“I Hope You Dance” is more than just the title of a song by Lee Ann Womack—it’s a prescription for better physical and mental health. According to a five-year study of seniors (ages 75 and older) published in The New England Journal of Medicine, dancing is associated with a reduced risk of dementia. And, depending on the variety and intensity of the dance steps, you can burn between 200 and 400 calories per hour. In addition, dancing increases lung capacity and respiratory function. You can do it in the privacy of your home, any time of day —with or without a real person in your arms.

Here’s how many calories a 150-lb person can burn in just 30 minutes of “shaking your bootie” (from CalorieControl .org). Note: The same Web site credits “Working out at the gym” as burning 189 cal in 30 minutes.

Dance Style	Calories Burned In 30 Minutes
Ballet	171
Ballroom	153
Disco	207
Swing	135

► See the “Get Moving! Calculator” at CalorieControl.org to find the calories burned by your favorite activities.

If you need more inspiration for dancing, check out the YouTube sensation Matt Harding, who dances his way around the world with a goofy little jig. Go to WhereTheHellisMatt.com.