The Strictly Come Dancing Diet Article
Written by celebrity personal trainer Niki Wibrow
Published in New Magazine 21st Nov 2005
Niki has worked with numerous celebrities and helped Patsy shape up after the birth of her second child Fenton, who is now five. Niki says “When Patsy was in Eastenders she was very slim but after having her second child she was holding a little extra weight around her stomach area. Her husband is of Italian descent so they both liked very heavy high carb foods like spaghetti Bolognese and pasta. I trained with Patsy 3 times a week for over 5 months and she really toned up as a result.”
The good news is that dancing is so much fun you don’t actually realise how hard you’re working. “You burn so many calories – it’s a great cardiovascular workout,” says Niki. “Dancing helps you tone up and work all of your body. And it’s good for core stability: as a dancer you have to hold yourself well.”
What’s more according to Niki the faster the movements the more calories you will burn. She says “You can burn about 300/400 calories during a 3 to 4 minute dance routine such as the tango, quickstep, or jive, which is a lot for a small amount of time. That’s why dancing is so great.”
No only that, but having a bit of a boogie releases mood boosting chemicals making you feel good. Niki explains. “That’s why people stick to it – it gives them the feel good factor.”
The celebrity trainer admits she’s impressed by how healthy and toned the stars are looking on the show. “They’re definitely losing weight and there seems to be a marked improvement in their shape and tone. The ladies have reportedly lost at least 4-5lb in the last two weeks! And some have even dropped a dress size or two! The guys just tend to look a lot leaner overall.”
FOODS FOR DANCING
Niki says “The contestants on Strictly Come Dancing are burning so many calories; they need to eat a lot of carbohydrates. I know a lot of diets are trying to steer clear of them, but it depends what type of carbs you are eating. Carbs are good if you have them in vegetables and fruits, rather than refined carbs such as white bread and pasta. Increasing your vegetable intake will fill you up. When I was training Patsy, she was craving starchy carbs such as potatoes. These are fine to eat as long as you opt for either jacket or boiled. Try to steer clear or roast potatoes as they are loading with fat. Niki also recommends sipping a protein shake for maximum energy.
FOODS TO AVOID
Niki says “When you are dancing, you should try to avoid pasta because it has a tendency to make you feel bloated, which is not a good idea when you’re dancing. Particularly with the foxtrot and the samba, you need to feel quite lean within your upper body and stomach. Try not to have too much bread, or have it earlier in the day before you train. And try to have wholegrain bread rather than white as the body finds it easier to break down.”
About Celebrity Personal Trainer Niki Wibrow
Niki Wibrow is a Celebrity Personal Trainer who has presented at all the UK’s major fitness conventions during the last ten years, plus many of the largest conventions in Europe. Niki Wibrow has toured the UK with America’s number one presenter Karen Voight, and completed several successful solo tours of the Caribbean Islands in the last few years. Read more
