I love to dance. In fact, I dance for hours every week—teaching, learning choreography, and attending classes just for fun. It’s one of the best parts of my life, and I hope to keep doing it for many years to come.
But here’s the reality: I’ve crossed the 50-year milestone. With that comes some new considerations. Despite all the cardio I do, the scale has gifted me with an extra seven pounds that weren’t there before. More importantly, I’ve started thinking about how to care for my body in a way that supports longevity—not just burning calories.
On top of that, I take thyroid medication that increases my risk of osteoporosis, and there’s a strong chance I’ll inherit rheumatoid arthritis—something I’ve watched affect people I love. Some of my friends who are ten years younger than I am are already dealing with knee, shoulder, and elbow issues. So far, by God’s grace, I’ve been spared those struggles, and I’d like to steward my health well by taking steps to protect my joints and strengthen my body for the long run.
Thinking Beyond Cardio
I’ve been asking myself: What tweaks could I make now to increase my chances of dancing for decades to come?
Swimming crossed my mind—it’s low impact and joint-friendly—but chlorine is harsh on my skin and hair, and honestly, I don’t enjoy it enough to stick with it long-term.
Last summer, during Summer break (a definite perk of being a schoolteacher! ) I trained in a new format: Zumba Toning. It combines dance and cardio with light strength training. I’ve loved teaching it and have even noticed more definition in my muscles. But I also feel there’s room for growth—especially when it comes to building strength that stabilizes joints, supports bone health, and helps manage the long-term risks I face.
The Plan: Make It Fun, Make It Social
Since I know myself well, I realized I needed to do something big to help me follow through. For me, that meant working toward certification to teach a new class that I’d actually enjoy doing. If I don’t have fun with it, I won’t stick with it—and neither will most of my friends!
I’ve found a class format that I genuinely think is fun, and I’m hoping this next step in my Experiment in Healthy Living won’t just be for me—it’ll also be for my fellow cardio junkies. My goal is to strength train to increase the longevity of my dance passion—and bring some of my dance friends along for the ride.
Gathering Data: How Will I Know It’s Working?
Like any good experiment, I need data. How will I know if strength training is making a difference?
This week, I’m getting a Body Composition Analysis Scan to establish a baseline. I’ll repeat the scan in about 10 weeks (early October) to track my progress. I’m also setting weekly reminders in my phone to measure my arm, waist, thigh, and calf circumferences. I imagine most of my findings will be anecdotal, but real data will help me understand the impact of this change.And here’s the exciting part—local friends, I’ll be inviting you to join me for UPLIFT! We can support each other, build strength, and elongate our cardio lifespans together. Stay tuned!
