5 Life-Changing Steps That Helped Me Dance Away 39 Pounds

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5 Life-Changing Steps That Helped Me Dance Away 39 Pounds (When Nothing Else Worked)

Last update: 18 Sep﹒

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4 min

"You need to try harder."

Those words from my doctor rang in my ears as I sat in my car, fighting back tears.

At 47, I'd heard similar phrases my entire adult life, but this time felt different.

Maybe it was the new aches in my joints, or how climbing a single flight of stairs left me winded.

Or perhaps it was realizing I'd missed another one of my son’s soccer games because I felt too self-conscious to sit in those tiny bleacher seats.

My blood pressure was creeping up, and my doctor had started throwing around words like "pre-diabetic" and "cardiovascular risks."

Terms that my mother had heard at my age, before her health spiraled into a decades-long battle with type 2 diabetes.

I couldn't help but wonder: was I following the same path?

Whatever it was, something had to change.

The Moment I Realized I Deserved Better

Looking back, I can pinpoint exactly when things started going downhill.

After my second child was born in my mid thirties, those "baby weight" pounds just wouldn't budge.
Between managing a household, working full-time, and barely sleeping, exercise felt impossible.

I'd watch other moms at school pickup somehow managing to look fit and put-together, while I lived in stretchy pants and oversized tops.

The turning point should have been my 40th birthday party.

My sister had arranged a beautiful celebration at my favorite restaurant, but halfway through the evening, I had to excuse myself to the restroom.

There, in the harsh fluorescent lighting and full-length mirror I couldn't avoid, I caught a glimpse of a woman I barely recognized.

My favorite dress – the one I'd bought specifically for this occasion – felt tight in all the wrong places, and I'd been subtly adjusting it all night, unable to feel comfortable in my own skin.

That night, I went home and ordered my first "miracle" weight loss supplement.

It was the beginning of a near decade-long cycle of trying and failing.

"It's just genetics," I'd tell myself, ignoring how my own choices – the drive-thru dinners, the weekend wine habits, the endless Netflix sessions; were slowly but surely affecting my health.

I'd gotten so good at making excuses that they became my comfort zone. "I'm too busy." "I'm not athletic." "I have bad knees." "It runs in the family."

Each excuse was a brick in the wall I built between myself and better health.

By my mid forties, my knees ached constantly.

Getting up from the floor after playing with my dogs became an embarrassing ordeal. Simple tasks like carrying groceries up the stairs left me breathless.

I'd given up on shopping in regular stores, instead ordering clothes online in increasingly larger sizes.

The most devastating part was I'd stopped looking in mirrors entirely, avoiding my reflection in store windows, and making excuses to skip family photos.

My world was getting smaller as my size got larger.

The Day I Stopped Making Excuses and Took Control

Last summer, something happened that finally pushed me over the edge.

My daughter was getting married, and as mother of the bride, I should have been overjoyed about helping her shop for dresses.

Instead, I spent weeks dreading it, knowing I'd have to face those boutique mirrors and cope with the judgmental looks from salespeople.

During one fitting, I overheard someone whisper, "Maybe she should wear black – it's more slimming."

I left the boutique that day and sobbed in my car, just like after that doctor's appointment. But this time was different.

This time, I got angry. Not at the salespeople, not at my body, but at myself for giving up.

My Failed Attempts (And Why They Never Stuck)

Trust me, I'd tried everything:

Those meal replacement shakes that tasted like chalky sadness (and left me hungry enough to raid the pantry at midnight)
Expensive gym memberships I used twice and ghosted
DVD workout programs that left me feeling uncoordinated and discouraged (P90X, I'm looking at you)
"Military-style" boot camps that nearly broke my spirit (and my ankles)
Trendy diets that had me counting every almond I ate
Weight loss patches that promised miracles but delivered nothing
A $2,000 treadmill that became the world's most expensive clothes hanger
"Detox" teas that only detoxed my wallet
A personal trainer who seemed more interested in their phone than my form
Those waist trainers celebrities promote that just made it hard to breathe

I even tried hypnosis once, lying on a stranger's couch while they promised to "reprogram" my relationship with food.

The only thing it changed was my bank balance.

Each failure chipped away at my confidence, making me feel more hopeless than before.

Exercise was something I "had to" do, not something I looked forward to.

Every workout reminded me of how out of shape I was, every mirror reflection showed what I wasn't, rather than what I could be.

The Simple Discovery That Made Fitness Fun

One rainy Sunday afternoon, while scrolling through my phone and feeling sorry for myself, I stumbled across something different.

A friend had shared a video of herself dancing in her living room, looking absolutely joyful.

The comments were filled with other women sharing similar videos, all shapes, all sizes, all ages.

Intrigued, I clicked through and discovered she was using an app called Dancebit. Something about it felt different from all the other fitness programs I'd tried.

These weren't twenty-something fitness models with impossible bodies.

These were real women, moving their bodies because it felt good, not because they were punishing themselves.

The 5 Changes That Made All The Difference

1: Starting Small Really Works
Instead of diving into hour-long workouts that left me exhausted and sore, I began with just 7 minutes of simple dance moves. It felt almost too easy, but that's exactly why it worked. I could do it while my coffee brewed in the morning, or when I needed a break from work.

2: Finding My Rhythm At My Own Pace
The app let me choose from different dance styles, and I discovered I absolutely loved Latin dance. No one was watching or judging – it was just me, my living room, and music that made me want to move. When my daughter came over and caught me practicing one day, instead of feeling embarrassed, I invited her to join in.

3: Making Progress Visible
The app's progress tracking became my daily motivation. Not just weight loss (though that happened too), but seeing how much longer I could dance, how many workouts I'd completed, and even how my mood improved. Those small wins added up faster than I expected.

4: Creating A Flexible Routine
Some days I did my dance workout in the morning, others in the evening. Sometimes I followed along on my phone, other times I cast it to my TV for more space. The flexibility meant I stopped making excuses and started finding opportunities.

5: Building A Support System
Through the app's community features, I connected with other women my age who were on similar journeys. We shared victories, setbacks, and lots of laughs. It wasn't about competition – it was about celebration.

What Happened When I Chose to Enjoy Movement – Not Endure It

Six months later, I'd lost nealy 40 pounds, but that's not even the best part.

Last week, I went shopping for a new dress and actually enjoyed it. This morning, I caught myself dancing while making breakfast – just because it felt good.

At 47, I finally found something that doesn't just work – it brings me joy.

Every morning, I look forward to my dance sessions, not because I have to do them, but because I want to.

If you're reading this and seeing yourself in my story, know that it's not too late to make a change.

You don't have to punish yourself with grueling workouts or deprivation diets.

Sometimes, the best solution is the one that makes you smile.

Life looks different now, and not just because of the number on the scale.

I'm stronger, yes, but more importantly, I'm happier.

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Comments (3)

jennifer wilson

12 November, 2024 at 3:21 PM

This article brought tears to my eyes – it's like reading my own story! I've been carrying around the same excuses for years. Just took the quiz and signed up. Thank you for sharing your journey.

elaine milcombe

04 October, 2024 at 9:01 PM

I started using Dancebit a couple of weeks ago after reading this article. Already down 6 pounds and my granddaughter says I smile more!

P Scott

20 September, 2024 at 11:58 AM

I was skeptical about it (aren't we all after trying everything?) but this feels different. I'm in my third month now and actually look forward to my morning dance sessions. My arthritis hasn't bothered me as much either. The 7-minute workouts are perfect for starting out as there is no overwhelming commitment, just fun movement.