Feeling the Weight of It

Lindsay Live | Mar 31, 2009 | 1

My foot

When I decided to begin my foray back into the world of dancing and performing, I knew it would be a lot of hard work. For me, the problem has always been my weight. I don't carry it like most women - while most women gain it in their hips, behind and thighs, I gain it entirely in my face and upper body. For an aspiring ballet dancer there is nothing more undesirable than a broad and voluptuous frame. I often felt more like a linebacker than a ballerina.

This is the first time I have really come out and admitted that my weight is what held me back from a dancing career, but it's the truth. I was very tiny as a child, but when I turned 13 everything changed and I had difficulty coming to terms with it. I was never overweight by society's standards, but as we all know the dance world (especially ballet) is a whole different animal.

But now, I'm finally seeing that a few extra pounds does not mean a doomed dancing career. All you have to do is take the initiative to get yourself fit and stick with a good plan that involves a combination of cardio and conditioning. The key is to use what you have and make the most of it.

Finally, for the first time in my life, I'm discovering how to work WITH my body instead of AGAINST it...

I have long, slender legs and a short torso. So instead of focusing on my lower body, I have to tailor my workouts to focus on elongating my core muscles so I do not appear stocky on top. Pilates works wonders for this, especially the plank position. In addition, I'm focusing heavily on my arms. As dancers our legs are naturally toned due to the nature of our work, but the arms are often neglected. My trainer has me doing a variety of exercises to target my triceps and back muscles so that my upper body will finally match my lower body in terms of strength and appearance.

My first session of conditioning a few weeks ago was horrible - I actually felt like I was going to throw up on the instructor. Seeing how out of shape I was really stung. It was a harsh reality to face, but I knew I had to carry on. Now, about a month into my intense workout regimen, I have lost about 5 pounds, which is certainly noticeable on a 5'4" person. I have also acquired some new muscle definition in my arms and abdominals, something I didn't think was possible for my body type.

I look back to when I was 18 and ask myself, why did I give up so easily? Sure, a little extra weight is a significant obstacle in the world of dance, but it's certainly not a death sentence. I think I was just afraid - afraid to admit my flaws and even more afraid that an attempt to fix them would fail. Seven years later, I realize I don't have enough time for cowardice. It's now or never, so I'm choosing now.

If you want to share some stories or have any questions about dance & body image, leave a comment or email me at lindsaydreyer@danceruniverse.com. Let's chat.

Until the next update, happy dancing! :-)

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