Losing Weight to Help With Dancing - But Dancing Isn't Helping

I have needed to lose weight (legitimately, I have spoken with a doctor) for a while now. I gained weight rapidly during an illness (long story) and I am motivated to lose it to help with my dancing. However, Irish dance is not helping me lose weight at all. I do lose weight if I do other workouts, but not dance. I am struggling to juggle workouts and dance. Has anybody else had this problem? If you have any advice, that would be great. Thanks so much!

Tags: illness, loss, weight, workouts

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Permalink Reply by Aine McGovern on July 29, 2011 at 10:25am

As part of my dance workout, I also do exercises such as sit-ups and leg lifts etc. Don't forget you will develop muscle through dancing, which weighs more than fat. It also has to do with how you dance. Do you suck you tummy in, shoulders back and down? I notice the difference, I can feel my tummy muscles work when I do this and I work up more of a sweat. Also I dance 2 to 3 times a week and I've lost inches all over, in fact all the girls in my class are losing weight. Plus do you run your dance a few times and then stop for 15 to 20 minutes to chat to other people? I have to shout at my girls to get up of their bums and get moving and they're cooling down, so their heart rate goes down and it's harder to lose weight at this point as you need to get your heart rate up to lose weight. But if you're definitely dancing for majority of your class this shouldn't be an issue.

Do you just do dance routines? What about drills? Are you lifting yourself off the floor and really pushing your dancing (so there is daylight between you and the floor) or just going through the motions - I only ask as I'd a girl the same as you and she just went through the steps and barely lifted off the floor. It took some explaining. Also look at your diet - I've taught myself to only eat when I need it. I still have treats etc, but everything in moderation.

If you're really not losing any weight with the dancing and dance training, I would suggest sticking to your other routines as you're health is more important and at the minute I'm guessing it's not in the best place right now. It's a shame dancing doesn't work for you, but we're all different. So if you can put hand on heart and say you push yourself as hard as you can in class and are eating well and still not losing weight, dancing is not the weight loss option for you. Don't forget with dancing you should be training at home as well - not just class.

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Permalink Reply by Ingrid Elsa Mugu on July 29, 2011 at 7:45pm

Hey! i was just wondering what are those other workouts you do?

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Permalink Reply by Eowyn on August 7, 2011 at 11:20pm

how long have you been dancing?

I suggest you do your best (food and exercise): Make a full plan of exercise not only dancing but there are lots of excersices that might help you for your dancing later (like abs). Maybe you could search pilates exercises since so many dancers recommend them as a complementary activity for dancing. As for the food I would say do not starve ever, control your portions and fat and if you are hungry eat fruit. Some people lose weight so fast but others go slowly. Do not get dissapointed!! Set little goals for yourself :-)

Now, if you really did all you could and if it doesn't make any difference go to the doctor, it might be a glandular problem.

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Permalink Reply by Ginny on August 9, 2011 at 12:21pm

Thanks everybody! :)

This summer I start my sixth year.

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Permalink Reply by Stacey Jayne on February 23, 2012 at 10:07pm

I've had a few people say that I've lost weight since I started dancing (Sept 2011).
The scale doesn't say any different :( LOL. Most likely I've just toned up.