Dancing With the Stars had the season finale last Tuesday. In February 2025, I had the opportunity to schedule a coaching session with Tony Dovolani, who was a professional on the show for many years. He is now affiliated with Fred Astaire Studios, where I started ballroom lessons at the beginning of this year. I wrote "Deceptive Images" in 2024, where a young dentist named Rosa enters into a relationship with a dance teacher and they perform together in a ballroom showcase. When I wrote the novel, I never imagined myself taking ballroom lessons, but somehow the opportunity presented itself and I love the lessons and the socials. I feel and look better since I started to dance.

Which brings me to the photo of me with Tony and my instructor Dmitry. Anyone who has seen me lately might have noticed I was heavier in that February photo. For years, I had trouble losing weight in my abdomen, and when I asked my doctor if the problem was because of health issues, he was blunt. "No," he answered, "you just have to diet if you want a flatter stomach."

I will reveal to you how I did it, in case someone else is dealing with this persistent problem. Full disclosure - I am terrible at following an exercise routine, and even a worse dieter. But I adopted a schedule I love, Ballroom twice a week, one Zumba class, and walking with my neighbor. I take Sunday off. I use my iPhone to keep track of walking, and at this fall we were walking 11 miles per week. I discovered the secret to exercise is to find an activity you like, know your limitations and not push too hard.

My daughter helped me control my diet. I used an app on my phone, "My fitness pal" and calculated how many calories I could consume and still lose 2 pounds per week. I counted calories for about two weeks and soon had a sense of what I could eat and stay under my self-imposed limit. I also installed "Yuka", (the app with the little orange carrot icon), which evaluates additives, calories, and nutritional values of an item after you scan the bar code. Items I assumed were healthy were not; it was shocking.

Becoming aware of my diet and pursuing activities I love enabled me to drop fifteen pounds. Now I wear clothes without being self-conscience of my middle. I still have to be careful, especially after the cheating I did the past few days. I will return to my fitness quest and be dedicated until the next holiday. My apologies to you for the cheesecake recipe I shared in the last newsletter. I couldn't find a way to remove the calories!

If you have any questions about the apps or the ballroom lessons, please ask! (joannehenning@dentalromancenovel.com). I hope my story might help or motivate someone in our group. Until next Sunday, best wishes, Joanne.

Secret Weapons

High protein, less sugar 110 calories, 12 grams of protein, delicious. My favorites are the orchard peach and lemon flavor.

Tony, Joanne, and Dmitry My 'dancing with the stars' moment, and weight loss secret.