Please Don’t Stop the Music
There are plenty of ways to lose weight. However, in order to do achieve this goal some form of physical activity is necessary. But it doesn’t have to be a drag, boring or painful. It can be fun and exciting. Some people do workout videos, some do yoga and some spend countless hours at the gym. While these can all be very effective methods; it solely depends on the individual and what they can tolerate doing consistently for a long period of time. You have to be in it to win it. The people that end up with the best results are the ones who find joy in their chosen form of exercise.
One method of exercising that is not often discussed is by song and dance. Studies show that dance workouts like Zumba are effective because they are fun and do not feel like exercise (Krishnan, et al. 2015). You can sing along and dance and burn some calories all at the same time via music. Add house cleaning to the mix and that fat has zero chance of winning its war against you.
When most people think about dancing they think of it as more of an event or something that you go out to do. It is not closely associated with losing weight. However, that is simply not the case. Dancing keeps you constantly moving and constantly burning calories. With good music you can go on and on and on til the break of dawn or sunrise is some cases. Most wouldn’t even notice because you are having fun in the process. Just think about it; when was the last time you’ve seen a depressed two-step. Depending on your music preference, there are plenty of different choices to choose from. You don’t need a choreographed routine. All you have to do is find the rhythm and keep up with it. It’s best to find a fast rhythm but a slow rhythm can be just as good.
Although I like a clean house I would rather someone else clean it. But I must say once I put some music on I can clean the entire house from top to bottom without even noticing the lapse in time. What is your preferred music when cleaning or washing the car? Also, do not forget that cleaning the house counts towards your physical activity.
Music is a universal language and almost everyone enjoys music. Even if you can’t dance and have no rhythm you can enjoy listening to music during your physical activities. Furthermore, you can enjoy the music without even understanding or speaking the language. Yeah you might sound crazy singing a song in Spanish if you can’t speak but who cares. Step out of your comfort zone and try adding some of the below to your playlist.
Salsa:Cuba
Salsa may be delicious for dipping chips, but if you want to dip into some of that chip weight it can be just as satisfying. It is a very fast paced genre of music. The congas will make you want to move and the maracas will make you want to shake. Plus who doesn’t need a little more cowbell. There are plenty of salsa workout videos on the Internet that will teach you the basics. If you want to burn a ton of calories and learn some sexy dance moves along the way then salsa is perfect for you. You can start moving your hips to tunes by Celia Cruz.
Reggae:Jamaica
There are several different kinds of reggae music; from dancehall to spiritual. However, the best kind for burning calories would definitely have to be dancehall music. Check out music by Sean Paul. Dancehall music is all about dropping it low and dropping calories in the process. It is a very fast paced genre with multiple different dance moves that have been developed overtime. It can get so intense that even the artist themselves often have a sweat towel in their music videos. Not only is it entertaining to watch, but it can help you lose some serious weight.
Reggae-ton: Puerto Rico
Reggae-ton is very similar to dancehall music as far as the high paced rhythm involved in the genre. It is a combination of hip-hop, Latin and Caribbean music. This is what makes it another perfect genre to workout to. It has a very quick tempo and requires high energy. This is great because high energy produces high results. You will break a sweat in no time. Check out some tunes by Daddy Yankee.
Pop:United States
Pop music is popular music. Michael Jackson is the king of pop. But their are plenty others like Beyoncé and Madonna to name a few. What’s not to like about Pop music. The selection of pop music choice is endless. The best thing about pop music is unlike salsa, there is no proper way to dance to pop music. Therefore, it is open to any interpretation. You can decide how you want to dance to this genre, or maybe the high energy of the music will motivate you to keep going while you are on that run. The tempo varies but I am sure you will find something you like.
Rap or Hip Hop:United States
You may not like Rap or Hip Hop for whatever reason but it made this list because it undeniable a good genre of music to flow to. It is a vast genre with a variety of different sounds and tempos. Did you know there are several kind of rap such as gansta rap, east coast rap and west coast. They come with different ways of expressing themselves through music. However, once you find the right playlist you can run the town. The bass and the drums is what you want to look for when picking what to workout to. There are also several dance moves associated with the genre that if executed the right way will have you burning calories in no time. Check out music by Jayz and 50cents.
Praise Gospel:United States
This genre may seem like the most unorthodox on this list, but it can actually be quite beneficial in losing weight. The tempo isn’t quite as upbeat as pop or salsa, but you still make this work for you with the right moves. The passion expressed in gospel music is inspiring and that inspires a great workout. It’s a great way to start your day off with positive vibes and if you are religious you kill two birds with one stone. After praising the lord you will eventually praise the results you see in your body. Start praising with tunes by Kirk Franklin and Yolanda Adams.
Traditional African Music
In Africa, singing and dancing are inseparable from each other. Rhythm and melody are two major aspects of African music. The tempo is quick, with a lot of drums to get your blood flowing. Get in the groove and become synchronized with the drums. Just continue to move to the rhythm and you are sure to get a good workout.
Soca or Calypso: Trinidad
Have you ever listened to Soca or Calpyso? If you haven’t then you should listen to music by Mighty Sparrow or Machel Mantona to get a feel of the waste whining rhythms. This genre of music is a combination of Latin, Caribbean, Indian and African rhythms. Although it will give you a better workout, it is not necessary to know how to move your waste line to get a good workout from this type of music. Try it out and see if you like it.
The key to losing weight and staying active is to find activities that you enjoy. Incorporating dance can be the perfect solution. Explore music from the different genres and creat a playlist of about 6 songs.
There is no wrong way to exercise. As long as you are staying safe and getting the results that you desire you can do what you enjoy in the comfort of you own home.
Work Cited
Krishnan, Sridevi, et al. “Zumba® dance improves health in overweight/obese or type 2 diabetic women.” American Journal of Health Behavior 39.1 (2015): 109-120. 30 5 2019. <https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25290603>.