Actress, Kirstie Alley was recently asked to take part in the US version of Strictly Come Dancing called Dancing with the Stars. As well as looking forward to doing the show, Kirstie is also looking forward to losing weight since she wants to increase her fitness level. She told reporters: “I’ve lost 60 pounds, and I have 30 or 40 more to go. And I think with this strenuous, rigorous dance schedule, I think it’s going to work. It’s exciting.

“After dancing the first day I almost started crying and ran home. But the second day was a little better and today was even better.”

Kirstie was a little worried about taking part in the show – she had been asked on a number of occasions, but always refused. This time however, perhaps the idea of losing weight was a greater lure.

Dancing, like all sporting activities has a beneficial effect on people, both physically and mentally. The NHS in Britain now recognises this and so offers classes to obese people as part of a weight loss regime. It’s also different from most other activities in that it is social. This often helps in the battle over weight.

Kirstie added: “You know, it’s like that guy who asks you out over and over and over again and you’re like ‘No, no, no, no, no’. And then finally you’re like, ‘Oh fine, all right, we can have breakfast’. And then you’re like, ‘Oh all right, I’ll sleep with you’.

“Their tenacity was good because it made me feel like, ‘Wow! These people have confidence I can do this’. Because I really didn’t have confidence that I could do this.”