Strong Rhythm, Strong Core
Everyone wants to know the secret to a flat stomach. Beauty magazines and movie stars who work out three hours a day don’t help the confidence level when you haven’t seen results in a while. Time and energy gets away from you, trust us: We understand.
However, there are a few things that Latinos know how to do well that not only burns tons of calories, but makes you sweat and develops a core you can’t deny: Dancing. Yes, dancing. You hear every week how stars have lost weight when you watch the live episode of Dancing with the Stars, along with how it’s been good for their health to move and shake a bit.
Don’t lie: You know that there was always music at your parties, whether cumbia, salsa or some form of norteña and eventually you had to get up to appease your mom or dad who wanted to get down in the backyard. Así pasa. And who needs Zumba when you have those old CDs and a living room?
With what you know, dancing can burn up to 400 calories in an hour, more depending on what type of dancing you decide to do. It gets your heart rate up and your metabolism revving. Imagínate, también if you add some of these whirls and twirls, which will ultimately strengthen your core.
Dancing also makes you feel good, playing an excellent role is a stress reliever as well as an emotional enhancer. Want to feel happy? Put on a great song and dance it out!
Although you might not get the flat abs you’re looking for because of genetics and eating habits (ahem! ahem!), having a strong core helps your whole body.
Along with dancing your nights away while washing the dishes and sweeping the floor, consider adding this move to your routine.
The Weighted Twist
Hold a small weight, anywhere from five to eight pounds works, and sit on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Keep your back flat as you lean backward and tighten your abs. Rotate your torso slowly to bring the weight to one side of your body and touch the floor with it, then repeat it on the other side. That’s one rep. Do two or three sets of 12 to 15 steps three times a week.
If you’re a movie aficionado, then you’ve seen Rocky do this move while training to box. If anything, use that as inspiration as you plan to take down the Russian machine.
