01 January 2021

Losing Weight with Freestyle Step

Losing Weight with Freestyle Step

...and how can Freestyle Step help us with it

Introduction

I am sure you have witnessed, at least once in your lifetime, someone making fun of a person for being chubby, overweight or simply just not skinny. We all get that bullying and making fun of someone based on their weight is bad, really bad, very bad. Although the people blurting these name callings might not have been serious, or meant to have been done in a ‘joking’ manner. But this is their point of view. Have you seen it from the point of view of the people that these comments were addressed to? These sarcastic comments can have heavy negative psychological effects on these people. You might see them putting up a brave smiley face, but deep down they are very hurt.

However this article is not about the psychology and effects of verbal abuse when in regards to people's weight. This article is about freestyle stepping and losing weight.

The logical approach to an excessive weight issue is that of losing the extra kilos. Most people in this category have, at one point or another, made the decision to act on it and attempt losing a few KGs. Which I believe is a damn wise and healthy decision. But as the say goes, ‘it’s easier said than done’. Losing weight is seriously hard work.

Hard work does not mean impossible, so please do not lose hope. There are vast numbers of solutions and/or options available in this world of ours, including secret tips from 5 year old kids to 90 years old grannies. So today I am going to suggest to you a very interesting and easy method for losing weight, based on my own opinion and experience.

Who should consider shredding some of that COVID-19 extra weight, or winter padding, or just some extra kilos that are being carried around?. I have been guilty as many other people refuse to accept that we fall under one of the above criterias, but just simply stating that we are just a little ‘plump’ but still physically healthy. Although this might be true at some level, most of the time is just a “white lie” we tell ourselves. Although sometimes we are guilty to jump to conclusions when, for example, we are referring to people with strong and broad bodies.

So my suggestion is to stop assuming and firstly calculate the BMI (body mass index). If you want to check whether you/someone could be falling into the “underweight”, “Normal” weight, “Overweight”, “Obese” or “Extremely Obese”. Whatever the result, make sure you do advise the people you are measuring that, as myself, you are not a doctor, and that they should be referring to their doctor for a more precise measurement.


Calculating the BMI may sound very complicated but, infact, there is nothing to worry about as it is as simple as dividing the weight of the person being measured with the square of their height or BMI=weight/(height)2. For example, someone that is 1.78 centimeters tall, and weighs 72 kilograms would mean that the formula would look like “BMI=72/(1.78)2” which is same as saying “BMI=72/(1.78 x 1.78)”, which is same as saying “BMI=72/3.1684”, which is same as saying “BMI=22.7244” or “22.7” which is considered “Healthy weight range”. I guess your calculations will be different to mine, as your weight and height might differ from those I entered, thus you can use this table to understand what your BMI calculation might mean.

BMI
Classification
Less than 18.5
Underweight
18.6 to 24.9
Healthy Weight Range
25 to 29.9
Overweight
30 and over
Obese
Source: Australian Government, Department of Health, http://healthyweight.health.gov.au/

In brief, you aim to be between a BMI of 18.5 and 24.9. However, since I am a mere mortal and not a doctor, all this information is my own opinion, and do strongly suggest you to consult with your doctor first (...also recommend you to review my disclaimer statements in the bottom of this article). Remember that being overweight is dangerous, but also if you are underweight!

Alright, enough beating around the bush. let's get to the point. My own personal opinion on what method to use to help you to lose weight is freestyle step aerobics (of course you knew I was about to say that anyhow!

What Is Freestyle Step?


If you are reading this, you know about freestyle step, but if you are wondering what freestyle step is, you can read one of my old 2016 articles here “ What is Step Aerobic Exercise? ” for a detailed explanation. But i guess you might not have the time to dig out the article and read it, so to simply put it I would say that freestyle steps are exercises and movements performed using an elevated studio step which are choreographed by a qualified instructor to the beat of great music.

Freestyle Step As A Tool To Lose Weight

Why would I suggest freestyle step? Why should we use it as a tool to help us lose weight? Well, I know that losing weight is not easy as it is a very challenging thing to do most of the time, but the reason that made me recommend freestyle step to you is that, as stated in my 2016 article mentioned above, it helps reduce fat due to its cardiovascular nature, but for me, the main reason is it’s addictiveness. If you stick to it then, as it happened to me, you will enjoy every second of your freestyle step aerobics workout.

Like most other exercises, the most common approach by people is that of getting super hyped when they start some new workout routine, however their energy hits bottom just after a few days or sometimes after their first attempt. You might have noticed that people do not give up easily on the things they enjoy and that they are comfortable with. However this is not the case with freestyle step if you are new to it. It takes time to get used to the movement name calling, the instructor’s way of teaching, etc… but I guarantee you that once you pass this first phase of learning by persistence, step time is going to be the most looked forward to time of the day in your schedule.

Freestyle Step And Health Benefits 

Why did I recommend you freestyle step aerobics?. Lets not go any further than the health benefits it gives you when sticking to it. Doing step aerobics regularly can have a huge impact on your weight. According to “Harvard Health” Publication " Harvard Health - The 4 most important types of exercise ", High-intensity step aerobics is the one of the best weight loss exercises among fitness activities.


With Step Aerobics, like with any other aerobic exercise, a person weighing about 70 kilograms will burn 744 calories per hour doing step aerobics. Which is why I stated in my August 2020 blog article “ Freestyle Step, best thing to do during the quarantine ” that freestyle step was, and still is, the best option in the disastrous period of the COVID-19 pandemic as most of the people are confined to their homes. To top it all off, If you take part in aerobic exercise, such as step aerobics, your legs can get really strong, as stated in " Choosing the Right Exercise ," a report by The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook. The report states that step aerobics has a positive effect on your upper leg muscles, including your quadriceps and your muscles. After all, legs are one of the major muscle groups, thus the more leg workout, the more blood pumping through your body, the more muscle in your legs, the more energy they burn, etc… But like with all exercises, stop exercising if while doing step aerobics your muscles become sore and rest for at a couple of days before you try again….  NOTE:  I said “try again”, I do not want to hear that you have given up on this wonderful exercise! 

Freestyle Step Different From Other Types Of Exercise? How Different?

Freestyle step is very different from other types of exercise out there as you don’t have to spend a fortune to get into it. All you need is an elevated step and a good instructor, either “Live” or “Virtual” to follow their instruction.

I have said it once, I have said it many times, freestyle step is not easy, but it is a great start if you join a beginner level as your first step (pun intended) into the world of freestyle step. Coordination and be able to follow moves as called in by the instructor is an immense task to get used to. On the other hand, if you find beginner level a bit easy for you, then you could give a go to intermediate and complex level. But don’t bite more than you can eat!. Be sure to have mastered the “easy” level first. To that add that there is no age for Freestyle step. It doesn't matter if you are a teenager or a seasoned gym junkie, if you have a healthy enough pair of lungs and legs then you are fit to go. The rest, like coordination and being able to follow the instructor, will come with practice and time. I expanded on this same point, regarding age and step aerobics, in a post posted a blog especially on this topic. Have a look at “ Is Freestyle Step only for older generation? ” .

Conclusion

If you feel that you need to lose some weight then why not join a fantastic way to do just that, and have fun in the process. Just remember that you are talking about your own life, thus it totally depends on you how you go about it, and when you go about it. But if you have identified that you need to lose some, and you have made up your mind to lose weight, then I congratulate you!. You have made a very hard choice, but one that I believe is a wise one. Achieving your choice to lose weight will differentiate you from the ones that are more likely to develop a huge number of risk factors due to their weight. These risks might include high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, heart disease, stroke or including Type 2 diabetes. So losing some extra kilos will only do you good
"The information provided herein is strictly for educational purposes. Always consult your qualified Group Fitness Instructor before implementing any suggestions above."

Disclaimer

You must get your physician's approval before beginning any exercise suggested in this blog or any of its articles. Any recommendations found within these articles are not medical guidelines but are for educational purposes only. You must consult your physician prior to starting any suggestions in this blog, or if you have any medical condition or injury that contraindicates physical activity. The suggestions in this blog article are designed for individuals 18 years and older that have been approved by their physician to take any of the suggestions above.

The information in this blog article is meant to supplement, not replace, proper exercise training. All forms of exercise pose some inherent risks. As such we advise readers to take full responsibility for their safety and know their limits. Before practicing the exercises in this blog article, be sure that your equipment is well-maintained, and do not take risks beyond your level of experience, aptitude, training and fitness. The exercises and dietary programs in this article are not intended as a substitute for any exercise routine or treatment or dietary regime that may have been prescribed by your physician.

Do not lift heavy weights if you are alone, inexperienced, injured, or fatigued. Do not perform any exercises unless you have been shown the proper technique by a certified personal trainer or certified strength and conditioning specialist. Always ask for instruction and assistance when lifting. Do not perform any exercise without proper instruction. Always do a warm-up prior to resistance training and interval training.

See your physician before starting any exercise or nutrition program. If you are taking any medications, you must talk to your physician before starting any exercise program, including Freestyle Step Aerobics. If you experience any light-headedness, dizziness, or shortness of breath while exercising, stop the movement and consult a physician.

You must have a complete physical examination if you are sedentary, if you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, if you are overweight, or if you are over 30 years old. Please discuss all nutritional changes with your physician or a registered dietician. If your physician recommends that you do not do Freestyle Step Aerobics, please follow your Doctor's orders.

That was our January 2021 article, our first article for the 2021. Remember to feel free to comment, or contact me via email to FreestyleStepXTRVGNZ@gmail.com , and comment on what you think of this article, or any article you have read, or just any improvements you may want to see happening.

Bruno Jimenez
January 2021
on
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Location: Australia
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