Celebrity dancer and choreographer, Deanne Berry (middle)
Dancing and fitness DVDs are excellent ways for women to keep fit and burn calories next year, according to celebrity choreographer, Deanne Berry.
With increased work and parenting responsibilities, women are struggling to find time to visit the gym, and are instead choosing to work out in their own homes.
Deanne Berry, Australian dancer and choreographer, says: “Workout DVDs are so convenient, and are a really suitable form of exercise for most people.
“The key to staying fit is mixing it up,†she adds. “You can’t do the same exercise day in and day out because you’d get bored of it very quickly.
“Everybody’s bodies are different, and people need to consider their lifestyles, but I defiantly recommend doing some form of exercise everydayâ€.
Dancing has particularly made an impression across Britain recently, with the success of shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, and this form of exercise can be incorporated into women’s fitness regimes in a much more appealing way than the gym can.
“Dancing is one of the best ways to keep fit,†Deanne insists. “It’s an all-over body workout, but also it doesn’t really feel like you’re exercising because you’re concentrating on the moves. I find it so much funâ€.
She advises that any form of exercise should be built up gradually, and that people shouldn’t expect to be able to do too much when they initially start.
With the New Year just around the corner, this advice couldn’t come at a better time, and combined with a healthy diet, Deanne believes that women can really work up to a healthy lifestyle in 2009.
“Having a core, stable diet is so important†she says. “It’s so important to start the day with a good breakfast, it’s one thing that so many people skip but it’s my biggest meal. I always make sure I get up and have a good bowl of cereal and some fruit or brown breadâ€.
Crash diets are discouraged, as these are only short-term solutions to what should be a long-term healthy lifestyle goal. Crash dieting also creates cravings for naughty foods.
“You have to live a little†says Deanne, “I’m a massive chocolate addict; I love chocolate. I don’t think there’s any girl who doesn’t like chocolateâ€.
Therefore, women who allow themselves any food in moderation, and don’t deprive themselves of the things they enjoy the most, are more likely to succeed than those who diet excessively and have unrealistic goals.
It’s all about balance, and Deanna encourages drinking lots of water and not eating a heavy meal before bed. This approach, along with daily exercise, can help women build up healthier lifestyles.
Deanne shot to fame starring in Eric Prydz’s dance music video, ‘Call On Me’, and has also choreographed and worked for the likes of Cliff Richard and Kylie Minogue.
“Cliff is an amazing man†she says. “I’m very drawn to his commitment to his work, and I really admire the ways that he and people like Madonna look after their bodies. Cliff’s fitness level is amazingâ€.
Deanne Berry describes her latest fitness DVD, Clubland Work It Out, as ideal for anyone wanting to exercise in the comfort of their own home, and the different exercises provide great variety for women wanting to tone different areas of their bodies.
“There’s an eighties-style aerobics section which is fantastic for cardio workout,†she says. “It’ll get the heart-rate up and will help to build stamina and of course, burn calories!
“There’s also a dance section, which is really fun, and a combat section, which consists of boxing movements, and is fantastic for toning the arms and giving people an all-over workout, which is going to help drop the pounds and get people into shape.
“Lastly, there’s an ultimate toning section, which takes people through sit ups, press ups and bum exercises. It’s something that people can really work towards and just choose a section that they feel like doing that day; people can even just do the toning section for a day if they fancy thatâ€.
With plentiful exercise options, woman can begin to view fitness as an enjoyable activity rather than a chore, and can work towards that ideal body image and healthy lifestyle for 2009.
By Kay Taylor.