Health / Workout Routines / Dance Off the Inches

Dance Off the Inches

Fun moves to keep you fit

By Woman's Day Staff Posted July 08, 2008 from Woman's Day

Dance Off the Inches

WD has found an easy exercise routine for you: dancing! Fitness expert Ellen Marie Forleo shows us some fun moves anyone can do, adapted from her popular "Dance Off The Inches: Tummy Tone Party Zone" DVD from anchorbayentertainment.com. Not only is dancing fun, it's also a great way to boost your metabolism and tighten and tone your whole body. So get in the spirit and get moving!

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Triple Step

Moving forward, keeping your abs pulled in and chest lifted, step right.

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Triple Step

Step back on your left leg.

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Triple Step

Then forward on your right leg.

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Triple Step

Now, step forward with your left leg.

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Triple Step

Step back on your leg right.

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Triple Step

Then forward on your left leg.

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Triple Step

Roll the arms for counts 1,2,3,4.

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Triple Step

Then drape hands over head.

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Triple Step

Move hands down shoulders.

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Triple Step

And let skim down body for counts 5, 6, 7, 8.

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Step Cross

Reach left arm up.

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Step Cross

Reach left arm up.

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Step Cross

And cross left leg behind.

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Step Cross

Bringing left arm down and across body.

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Step Cross

Repeat opposite side, stretching long when you reach up.

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Step Cross

Contract your abs every time you bring arm down across body.

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Grapevine

Step left leg out.

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Grapevine

Then right cross behind.

Photo: © Cosmtock

Basic Moves: Grapevine

Then bring left leg to outside (step together).

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Grapevine

Step right leg out.

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Grapevine

Then left cross behind.

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Grapevine

Then bring right leg to outside (step together).

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Grapevine

While doing the Grapevine, first arms open.

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Grapevine

Then cross.

Photo: © Comstock

Basic Moves: Grapevine

Then come together, in the same rhythm/pattern as feet. Repeat on both sides.

Photo: © Comstock

Latin Moves: Lazy Merengue

Stand with your arms strong, chest lifted, and abs squeezed.

Photo: © Comstock

Latin Moves: Lazy Merengue

Side step and drop your outside knee in 4 counts, while rotating your hips and allowing your bum to push out to the side.

Photo: © Comstock

Latin Moves: Lazy Merengue

Bring your legs back together.

Photo: © Comstock

Latin Moves: Lazy Merengue

Then go back the other way. Be sure you are on the balls of your feet so you can pivot to protect your knee.

Photo: © Comstock

Latin Moves: Cumbia

Arms are bent and strong.

Photo: © Comstock

Latin Moves: Cumbia

They will naturally make little circle movements – almost as if you are beating on a drum with the heel of your hands.

Photo: © Comstock

Latin Moves: Cumbia

Step back and across with left leg.

Photo: © Comstock

Latin Moves: Cumbia

With weight on left foot, lift right leg slightly.

Photo: © Comstock

Latin Moves: Cumbia

Then place left leg back next to right.

Photo: © Comstock

Latin Moves: Cumbia

Repeat other side. You will feel like you're rocking back and front, back and front.

Photo: © Comstock

Latin Moves: Samba

As you do this – rotate your hips and really twist your waist to work your abs.

Photo: © Comstock

Latin Moves: Samba

Step front and touch right toe down as hip lifts and rotates (thing of swinging your bum around to the front).

Photo: © Comstock

Latin Moves: Samba

Then do it on left.

Photo: © Comstock

Latin Moves: Samba

Repeat right.

Photo: © Comstock

Latin Moves: Samba

And left.

Photo: © Comstock

Latin Moves: Samba

Now add arms. The arm opposite pointed/extended leg points forward.

Photo: © Comstock

Latin Moves: Samba

Repeat moving right to left on counts 1,2,3,4.

Photo: © Comstock

Latin Moves: Samba

Now reach your arm up opposite your extended leg.

Photo: © Comstock

Latin Moves: Samba

Repeat moving right to left on counts 5,6,7,8.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Hip Circles

Stand in place and move hips in a circle. Start with front.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Hip Circles

Then move hips to left.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Hip Circles

Now hips to back.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Hip Circles

Out to right.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Hip Circles

And back to front.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Hip Circles

Now smooth it out and circle around without stopping - imagine scooping hips around inside a big cereal bowl.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Hip Circles

Now raise arms above head and circle arms and hips around – same direction.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Hip Circles

Finally step one foot out as you circle both arms and hips around.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Hip Circles

Think of a clock – step on 12.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Hip Circles

The 9.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Hip Circles

The 6.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Hip Circles

The 3.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Hip Circles

Then back to 12. Remember, the other foot stays planted on floor, it just pivots around.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Lunge

Left leg lunges out left.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Lunge

Quickly, bring left leg back in and lunge out to right.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Lunge

Now quickly lunge back to left.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Lunge

Now bring legs together.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Lunge

Repeat quickly lunging to the right, left, then, but add arms. Left arm shoots down to with left leg, right arm with right, then left with left again.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Lunge

Come back together. Repeat other side.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Lunge

Be sure and contract your abs when arm shoots down.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Twist and Hold

Squeeze abs, hold chest up, and position arms are in strong, bent elbow athletic position.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Twist and Hold

Now let your left knee drop out as you twist your upper body to the right. Hold.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Twist and Hold

Now let your right knee drop out as you twist your upper body to the left. Hold.

Photo: © Comstock

Funky Moves: Twist and Hold

Alternate, working your core.

Photo: © Comstock

Image 0 of 0

Community Rating:

Currently 3/5 Stars.
1
2
3
4
5

| Rate This Story

Read More About: dance, physical health

Join the Discussion

1 to 2 of 2 comments | Post a Comment

Posted by //////

story

i think dancing is a cool way to strut your stuff but as a professional dancer my self it is hard to learn things straight away as i was on strictly come dancing and i was amzed how slowly i had to teach the dances any way i love dnace but i would not reccomend this much!!! maybe some a video?
thank you
///////

Posted by anonymous

Dancing help you lose weight

This summer, I visited Quebec and every night I was there was spent in a dance club. The dance floor gets easily crowded and every good song imaginable kept me from sitting down. After almost four hours of dancing each night and walking up hills, I lost three pounds in four days.

Recipe Finder

To locate recipes, select as many or as few criteria as you like—everything is optional.

KEYWORD

MAIN INGREDIENT CUISINE COOKING METHOD PREP TIME COURSE SEASON/OCCASION WD FAVORITES CALORIES

Find Your Recipe!

In the Magazine

52 Beauty Resolutions

Put a little beauty back into your life, one week at a time

More from this issue »

Related Articles

Get Fit With Ballet

Slim and sculpt your body with easy ballet mo

4 Ways to Walk Off the Weight

Fresh, fun ways to slim down

15 Smart Snacks and Sips

Stay trim this summer with these healthy drin

10 Perfect Foods

Nutrient-rich and great-tasting, these foods