Dancing to a Better YOU!

 

 

What you may not realize, is that if you get off the couch and dance, it’s a great way to keep your body and mind healthy. Studies show that dancing can help you lose weight, stay flexible, reduce stress, make friends, and more.

Dance not only instills grace, but it also helps you age gracefully. According to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine, dancing may boost your memory and prevent you from developing dementia as you get older. Science reveals that aerobic exercise can reverse volume loss in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls memory. The hippocampus naturally shrinks during late adulthood, which often leads to impaired memory and sometimes dementia.

Those plies and arabesques that ballet dancers practice aren’t just for aesthetics — they also increase flexibility and reduce stiffness. You can skip the ballet slippers and still reap the benefits of ballet by practicing some simple stretches at home. Increasing your flexibility will help ease joint pain and post-exercise soreness.

If you’re feeling tense or stressed out, turn up the music, and dance! In a controlled study in the Journal of Applied Gerontology, researchers found that partner dance or simply dancing with musical accompaniment can help bring about stress relief.

Dancing really does lift your spirits, according to a study that tested the effects of dancing on people with depression. Patients who participated in an upbeat group dance showed the fewest depression symptoms and the most vitality.

Dance is a great activity for those at risk for cardiovascular disease. People with heart failure who took up waltzing improved their heart health, breathing, and quality of life significantly compared to those who biked or walked on a treadmill for exercise, noted an Italian study.

Bored with your bicycle? A study in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that an exercise program of aerobic dance training is just as helpful for losing weight and increasing aerobic power as cycling and jogging.

If you are nervous about falling as you get older, some dance lessons might help ease your worries, according to a study in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity that showed tango dancing can improve balance in aging adults. Dancing requires a lot of fast movement and good posture, so frequent dancing will help you stabilize and gain better control of your body. Dance is a weight-bearing activity, which builds bones. It's also "wonderful" for your upper body and strength.

Can’t seem to find your get-up-and-go? Taking a dance class might help. Research published in The Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition found that a weekly dance program could improve physical performance and increase energy levels among adults.

The studies noted above all were based on Partner Dances but the best part of Line Dancing is that it incorporates all aspects of the ballroom/partner dances. LINE DANCING is a “no partner required” dance class.  It’s so fun and something everyone can do –yes, “real men” line dance too!  It does, however, require some coordination, concentration and perseverance…but doesn’t everything in the beginning?    

A dance class is the perfect setting to make new friends and branch out socially.

So what are you waiting for …Live, Love and DANCE!

Keep Dancin’ Larry B

 

 

Ms. Honey's Great Tennessee Adventure continues

Well week two started off nice and warm, Monday, October 22^nd, Larry cooked on the big new grill on their deck, Cindy, Larry’s sister joined us for a great steak dinner. Did I mention I am following Larry and Paul’s diet program?  It is really good and lots of food, I cheat a little; it is hard teaching an old dog new tricks.

Tuesday, I went shopping with Larry, who took the day off from his hectic work. It was nice to be able to take my time and wander up/down every aisle in the stores. Paul is good to shop with if you have roller skates. But I love him anyway.

Wednesday, Paul and I went to Kirkland’s where I did a little Christmas shopping. He even consented and took me to the Dollar store which he hates to do but endures it for my pleasure. Thursday, it was off to buy a lovely electric fire place, an early birthday gift from Larry to Paul. Great news, I have lost three pounds since arriving and following the boys diet program.  I think I will keep this up.

Friday was icy rain and cold. Larry’s Dad surprised him by showing up that afternoon with his sister for the weekend.  Larry took us all to the Catfish House again and I had the best Fried Oysters I have ever had. No weight watchers night for me.

Saturday, October 27^th, Larry took us to the Nashville Flea Market at the Tennessee Fair Grounds. This is one of the largest flea markets in the country and held the fourth weekend of every month.  It was cold and windy but we did make it through two of the buildings, I could have spent all three days there.  Larry took us to a great Sushi/Japanese restaurant on the way home. Everyone has seen the lovely photo of Paul and I passed out in the back of the van on the trip back to Clarksville. I still have to get Larry for that one.

Sunday, Paul made a wonderful breakfast for everyone. We visited with Larry’s Dad before he left to go back to Missouri. Larry prepped a casserole for dinner and then the three of us then did the Sunday Schmoozing to Sam’s and the boys bought another electric fireplace for the master bedroom. Then it was home to relax at home while Larry created a new flower bed on the west side of the house for the mums to take residence and mowed his lawn.  Chef Larry then finished up the casserole for dinner, a wonderful Butternut Squash Shepherd’s Pie. They are sure making it hard for me to go home. One more week to go and I have lost another 2 pounds.

Till next time

A Thinner “Old Southern Belle” Ms. Honey

Cooking Tips That Can Work For Everyone

Paul and I started a diet and exercise program approximately 60 days ago. We have been doing a great job at changing our diet and eating healthier.  We cut back on the number of times we eat out and are doing more cooking at home with fresh produce.  It has been great getting back into researching new recipes and creating our own along the way. 

To date, we have lost 25 pounds each.  Along with the recipes, we have come across some helpful  tips along the way. So I thought I would put together a few articles focusing on cooking  that I think are good reminders if not new insight for others.

Whether you are teaching your children to cook or just looking for ways to maximize your own time in the kitchen, use these tips to help with meal preparation. Creating delicious and nutritious meals for yourself and your family can be easy and fun for everyone who is included in the cooking process.

When you are making homemade soups that contain meat, they tend to have a lot of fat that needs to be skimmed from the top. One quick solution to that problem is dropping in a couple of ice cubes. As the ice melts, the fat will stiffen around it and you will be able to remove it with ease.

You need to always season fish and meats as evenly as possible. Sprinkle seasoning like salt and pepper gingerly through the tips of your fingers as if they are snowflakes. This way, the grains don't get clumped together and the meats don't wind up without any seasoning in a few areas and too much in others.

To keep your burgers flat, indent the middle of the burger with your thumb, nearly leaving a hole, before frying or grilling the patties. As the meat draws up and shrinks while cooking, the indentation will close itself, leaving you with flat burgers instead of small patties with extra thick middles.

Slice garlic when you sauté it. Many people mince garlic. If you plan to sauté it in a pan, this might not be the best idea. When you sauté minced garlic it is likely to burn. If you cut the garlic into slices it cooks more thoroughly and without burning.

When sauteing ingredients in a fry pan ensure that you don't overcrowd the pan with too much food. Trying to cook too much at once will only lower the temperature of the pan and lead to steaming instead of browning. It is wiser to saute the ingredients in two separate batches, if necessary, and this will maintain the quality of cooking.

Leverage some or all of the tips in this article to help you prepare great meals for your family. Whether you are cooking a quick meal after a long day or a large meal for guests, use the tips provided in this article to best leverage your time and ingredients, in the kitchen. 

Keep Dancing  LB

Holidays, Family and Extra Pounds

Since this will be the first Christmas Dinner in 20 years with my Father, I want to make everything special and start a new tradition for our family. I have been researching for a new dessert for the dinner. My  first thought on each recipe was how much sugar was in the item, Dad watches his sugar intake. Paul, my sister Cindy and I can eat or I should say will eat anything.

Of course, then we will be the ones trying to work off those extra holiday pounds.  My sister will walk extra miles on her treadmill. Paul and I will walk the dogs on extra long treks. I will dance as much as possible.  The grand part is that we will be doing it as a family and that support will be what gets us through the holiday pound syndrome.

So what are you going to do to get through the Holiday, the family and those Holiday pounds?
Why should you think about it now, you ask. Well without a plan those holiday pounds will become New year pounds, then Spring pounds.  So get that plan together now and then you won't be struggling to get that Beach body when Summer time arrives. 

If that is not enough to get you motivated, then read the following article from Jim Salophokos.

Slimming Down Will Benefit Your Health--And Much More

by Jim Salophokos

Men and women typically attempt to shed weight simply because they wish to improve their health or have been told by their health care provider that it is quite crucial that they do so. We now know just how directly related many health problems are to a person's excessive weight. Everywhere you go you hear about the serious implications of heart disease and increased blood pressure levels. Even with all the information, a large number of folks don't feel that the health benefits are cause enough for them to shed weight. In the following paragraphs we're going to take a look at some of the other benefits that can be gained through following a fat reduction program.

The first place to check out and one that might be a huge motivating factor is the fact that shedding some extra fat could actually save you money. Obviously, you tend to eat less and get rid of many expensive bad snacks when you are on a diet. It is the case that over some time these cost savings can amount to a rather significant amount of money. As a matter of fact, you can count on more savings if you opt to grow some of your own healthy fruits and vegetables.

An additional beneficial effect of your losing weight may be a new belief in yourself, which will manifest in all areas of your life. This could reflect itself in a more optimistic outlook toward your job and the people in your life. The fact that you come to see results from the desired goals you set for yourself with regards to losing weight may help you to achieve targets in the areas of your life. It is obvious that if people start to compliment you on the changes you have made to your physical appearance, this begins to have an effect on your self image and this will show in how you relate with others.

As an overweight person, maybe you steer clear of a few activities. This can be a consequence of your lack of self-confidence or because you have not had the physical ability to do it. This can change as you begin to get in shape and will open doors to new ways to spend your spare time. For instance, if you have the strength to try out a new sports hobby, you will without a doubt find that it is a nice way to work out and interact with other people. If it is a team sport, this is a great way to connect with other people and strike up new relationships.

Therefore, while the improvements to your health after losing weight should be a sufficient reward, you can find many additional reasons to remain faithful to your weight reduction plan.

Till Next time LB