It’s time to end it.
Break up with those dieting and weight loss resolutions. Just say g’bye. More than 95% of the time they lead to feelings of disappointment and failure.
A few months into a new year and you’re suddenly left feeling like you have no self control, you can’t commit, and the fresh start you were so excited for is ruined. Another year of failure.
Rather than go down that path again, make a new deal with yourself. New year, new deal. Let’s make 2020 the year that you support your body and your dancing with healthy choices.
If you started making resolutions around your body or appearance years ago, ask yourself now, “how did those resolutions go?” and “how did they make me feel?”
I’d bet that you weren’t left feeling great. Maybe you were on a brief high imagining yourself slimmer or more toned, or with Isabella Boylston’s body.
The reality is that attaining those physical outcomes alone isn’t going to make you happy. Or make you a better dancer.
To reach your best body the #1 thing that needs to shift is any negativity you have towards your body. If you’re in a place of self-hate you’ll struggle to make any positive changes.
Moving forward, here are some concrete ways you can support yourself in reaching body goals in a lasting way. Let’s move past those temporary successes.
Having been through the ups and downs of weight and body image, I know how disappointing it is. You’re consistently tearing yourself down. It’s exhausting.
For lasting body change:
MINDSET FIRST
Get on the positive self-talk train. See that person staring back at you in the mirror? You’ll be with her for the rest of your life. She deserves love. Unconditional love.
Give yourself daily reminders (actually remind yourself multiple times throughout the day) just how worthy and wonderful you are.
For 2020, pick a simple mantra that you can repeat throughout your days ie “I am worthy of love”, “I am a hard-working and dedicated dancer”, “My body is amazing”, “I am capable of achieving all my goals and dreams.”
By getting the mindset right, you’ll be able to move towards your goals with less stress.
BE A FOOD SCIENTIST
No, I don’t want you mixing weird potions, magic drinks or taking pills to reach your goals…but you have to experiment! Here are some examples:
Give up dairy for a couple weeks and take note of how you feel.
Adjust the macronutrient (carbs, protein, fat) balance of your meals for a couple weeks and take note of how you feel.
Write down your meals for a couple days then look back at what you’ve eaten. Could you use more green vegetables? What about adding more complex carbs for energy? Is your diet lacking healthy fats?
Take a step back to see what’s missing or what might be slowing your progress. Adjust as needed.
For 2020, commit to finding the way of eating that works best for your body. What foods help you to stay energetic, strong and injury free? Discover the answers and you’ll be able to adapt to the changes of life and dance while maintaining your personal best body.
IMPROVE THE RELATIONSHIPS
Your relationship with food…it seems silly but this is something we establish from a young age. Was food looked at as a treat or reward? Did you start restricting or looking at foods as “good” or “bad” from a young age? This relationship need to be unpacked to improve.
Your relationship with your body…maybe someone said something to you directly. Or, you might have gotten general advice to improve “tone” or be “smaller”. It’s even possible you’ve just been influenced by social media and other dancers. Sometimes it feels like the thinnest dancers are the most celebrated.
Whatever the influences, it’s time to adjust your thinking around your body from negative to positive. When you start to acknowledge and thank your body for all that it does (hello, dancing!) you’ll be in a place to move towards goals healthfully.
For 2020, prioritize a positive relationship with food and your body. No foods are bad and none should be completely off limits all the time. By allowing all foods, you’ll never be tempted to binge or overeat. Work on body love wherever you are on your journey.
IN CONCLUSION
Don’t let 2020 be another year of unrealistic expectations that lead to disappointment. Use it as a positive turning point. How can you support yourself? What resources can support you? A New Year can be a vehicle for positive change.
Rather than setting diet or weight loss goals that lead to disappointment, think about ways to shift your thinking towards strong, confident dancing.
If you’re ready to make an investment in yourself and reach your body goals in a positive, healthy way check out The Dancer’s Best Body Program. This program was designed to take you through the process of self discovery (food, body, mindset) that leads to lasting body change. Enrollment opens in January, click here for details and to join the waitlist.
Photo by Natasha Spencer on Unsplash
