Grace Derocha and friends gather on My Solution for a Home Workout: Get K nected The art of social exercise By Grace Derocha


o I will be honest with you: I don’t love working out. By working out, I mean going to the gym and being bored on the elliptical machine (or other gym equip- ment of your choice). My iPod helps because I love music, but in reality, I love fun and social exercise. Classes seem to get me more motivated, but whatever works for you and


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however you can get some exercise in makes me happy. As many of you know, I love dancing. I grew up dancing and


it is my favorite form of exercise, whether it be a dance class to Zumba or the latest fun activity I have started doing with my friends: Dance Party Kinect Tuesdays!


8 LivingWELL • August 2011 LivingWELL • February 2012 I have the XBOX Kinect system. This is the system


where your body replaces the hand-held controller. We play Dance Central 1 and 2 and we also have the Michael Jackson Experience, where you get to sing and dance. Turns out this is a great way to exercise at home.


Dance Party Kinect Tuesdays is fun for a variety of reasons:


1.


music and dancing? 2.


It is a fun way to exercise at home. Who doesn’t love It’s primarily a social activity you can do with your


friends. It is great time to catch up with them weekly and get a home workout in as well. 3. The guys do it too. Lately, we have been able to get our significant others in on the action. It has definitely been out of their comfort zone, but they are enjoying it. Sometimes I think they are just there to watch us girls dance, but anytime I can get my husband to cut a rug is a good time. In the past, I have also been on a kickball team with


friends. It is great fun and something to look forward to every week. Plus, there’s nothing like a little bit of fun competition to get the adrenaline going.


And for a cheap, at-home workout I have even


found workouts through my cable company On Demand. It is free and in the privacy of my home. I get a class with an instructor whenever I want. There is always quite a variety, from aerobic workouts to yoga to strength training. My husband has now even tried yoga with me this way.


Editor’s note: Grace Derocha is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes and weight-loss management educator at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. She blogs at AHealthierMichigan.org.


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