About 10 years ago, a friend of mind introduced me to ballroom dancing in the hope that it would help me through a difficult time in my life. I had recently suffered the death of my fiancé, and I was devastated. Since she and I had our hay-day during the disco era and never lost our love of dance, she thought she would share her new-found passion with me. I always tell people that ballroom dancing saved my life. It was fun, safe, social and a great way to burn off the calories. I dropped 25 pounds in five months without dieting.

I had continued dancing throughout the years, although not at the pace I started. Then, when I started my internet business, I became a couch potato with my laptop permanently positioned on top of my thighs. Unfortunately, as a result, my thighs became padded with more than that. An intervention was needed… a dance intervention.

Most boomers will attest to the fact that it becomes increasingly difficult to shed unwanted pounds, and that the need for physical activity becomes even more important in order for us to maintain our strength and fitness. However, not all of us are lovers of the gym. The idea of donning appropriate attire, schlepping our way to the car after a long day at work, then mastering machines or bouncing around with some thirty-somethings in an aerobics class is enough to make us say “forget it!” So… let’s dance instead!

A person who weighs 150 pounds burns about 77 calories in just 15 minutes of ballroom dancing! Are you thinking that doesn’t sound like much? You couldn’t be more wrong! The average private dance lesson lasts about 45-50 minutes. Now we’re talking 231 calories. Each dance requires use of your entire body. Obviously your legs and butt will be the primary beneficiary, but you cannot forget that your waist and upper body will receive a workout as well. Maintaining what is known as your “frame” calls on the muscles of your upper body and your core. From a cardiovascular perspective, dancing is a winner too! Try a three minute cha-cha and see how it gets your heart pumping.

The more you dance, the stronger you become both physically and emotionally. Your muscles become stronger, your coordination improves, and you become more flexible and agile. Feeling stressed? Once you step onto the dance floor you forget about what is bothering you and concentrate on what you are doing in that moment. I always think of my private lessons as a mini therapy session. I leave my troubles at the door and for 45 minutes I concentrate on nothing else but my steps, my movement and the music. I am completely focused and have a renewed sense of energy and a feeling of euphoria when I am finished.

The social component of ballroom dancing is much less isolating than solitary fitness activities. I have never seen people smiling and laughing on an elliptical machine like I do at a dance. Worried about not having a partner? Don’t! Traditional dance studios routinely have practice sessions or social dance nights where everyone mixes and dances with everyone. If you opt to start by taking group lessons, dance partners at all levels are built in because you will rotate throughout the lesson.

Since turning 50, I have renewed my commitment to becoming fit and shedding those unwanted pounds, and ballroom dancing is part of my plan. Yes, I will continue to do my at-home walking, but two times a week, I will pull out my dancing shoes, move my hips and whittle away my waistline while having fun. Why not tap into your inner Fred or Ginger and give it a try?