The end of this month is just a breath away. Which means beach season is getting really near! The traditional first slip into our swimsuits for revelry at the beach and pool parties is about to happen. The big question is: will you fit into your swimsuit?

You know how much endless holidays have knocked on your door to enjoy comfort (ahem, and fatty) foods. But don’t worry, you still have enough time to get in shape and wear your beach body on. And there’s no better way to lose those tune-up physically and lose those extra weights than dancing. SHAKE, SWING AND DANCE AWAY THOSE BELLY FATS!

We’ve all done those health club routine, diet fads, and gym memberships that just doesn’t work. Worse, not even fun! Working out is just not for everyone. Morning hill runs or jogging sounds okay, if only you don’t have to get up so early in the morning with sleepy eyes and brain craving for more sleep. So, we have a better suggestion, try dancing! It’s fun, and great cardio and weight loss activity that will so help you to drop a few lbs.

When we talk about dancing as your ticket to weight loss, it can be in the form of ballroom dancing; salsa, rumba, foxtrot, waltz, cha-cha-cha, or Zumba. It is proved that during a 30-minute dance lesson, you can burn between 200-400 calories – which can help you lose between ½-1 pound a week.

Fitness experts say that dancing consistently for as little as 30 minutes could help you burn

anywhere between 200 to 500 calories. Also, social dancing as a form of exercise results in

lowered blood pressure, slower heart rate and enhanced cholesterol levels. There is a typical

side-to-side motion involved in most ballroom dances (Jive, Mambo, Cha-Cha-Cha etc.) that helps in strengthening bones too!

Because dancing can be done without any props or equipment, it is a great maintenance exercise that will help you keep a toned body and stay healthy.

A study in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology observed that an exercise program of aerobic dance training is just as good for inducing weight loss and developing aerobic conditioning as cycling and jogging. Dancing helps you build stamina, tone your muscles and improve your flexibility. Whether it’s line dances or up-tempo fun in salsa, dance is exercise – but without the pressures of a gym.

Dancing and stretching make a great combination as well. Specialists from webmd.com also endorse dance as part of a weight-loss regimen.

Whether you’re ready or not, the crazy, crazy, days of summer is rapidly approaching and is ready to take over our vacation! Be the best you for summer, and those summer-fun trips to sand, sun, and shore.

Call us or drop into Dallas Maple Center now to learn about our special offers, our group and private classes in ballroom, Latin dancing, and Zumba. We can help you be a trim, slim,  confident you when this summer season beckons in a fun, fun way!

Our retirement years is one of the most exciting years of our lives. Now that you have retired, your time is all your own, so there’s plenty of time to go after your dreams! But we also know how planning what to do during your free time can also be stressful. Some people have planned to retire, but haven’t planned what to do with all of the time that comes with freedom from the world of work.

Think about it. No more 9-5 shifts, long hours of commutes and traffic, you are literally the boss of your own! But how can you fill these hours where you have worked half of your life? We can make a few recommendations so that boredom does not become an issue in your life after that first glorious year of relaxation.

1. Tap into your creative side. There’s a big possibility that you have given up your “artsy” side for your work because you don’t have enough time. Well, now that you have it, why not take part in community theater, with music lessons, singing in a choir or learning to dance. Learning to dance combines so many of these elements – the creative outlet and music among them. Dallas Maple Centre offers a variety of fun and engaging dance lessons and DJ classes, which can be a really great start!
2. Food pantries, civic groups, and political organizations rely on people of good will who believe in the cause. Hours are flexible and the people you spend time with are like-minded and dedicated. This positive uplift can be missing from the lives of retirees.
3. Get in shape. That desk job leaves many with aching backs and tight hips and maybe a few extra pounds. A good workout program can help. The cost of a gym membership is sometimes offset (in part) by health insurance, and trainers can prescribe a workout program for any specific need. Let us remind you that dance is also a fabulous way to improve flexibility, strength and cardio conditioning. Join us for a salsa class and you will find out!
4. You might not have been a teacher during your career, but think about all of that knowledge accrued over the years in accounting or journalism. Adult education programs offer many courses, so why not lend your expertise? Are you bi-lingual? You can teach English as a Second Language (ESL). Always been a guitar player? Why not teach guitar to newbies? Any hobby – fishing, knitting, baking – or technical skill – computers, small home repairs – can be passed along to others. You might even get paid for this, but at the very least you can share your passion.
5. Go back to school, yourself. You can learn new skills or experience art and literature now that time is in your favor. This also provides a great social dimension, allowing you to mix with folks of all ages.

Retirement can be a wonderful time if you use the time and don’t suffer under its weight. Making a plan – just as you did for finances and health care – will help you enjoy your days and keep them full and happy. We suggest you start right here, at Dallas Maple Center. See you!