When I recently posted some photos on Facebook of myself in BROADWAY BARES and dancing in other photoshoots, a handful of my (female) friends contacted me asking what my "secret" was of staying in shape. I wrote them all back with my pearls of not-much-wisdom, and hoped that my advice helped on some level.
Last night, as I hugged a friend goodbye, he remarked, "wow, you've lost weight. You're back to your 'break-up' body and flat stomach." His remark referred to this habit I have of losing weight after a break-up. Some people comfort eat. I lose all appetite. As I made my journey home last night, I felt really pleased that I've managed to get back to my "break-up" body at a time when I'm very content and happy. As a woman and a dancer, I constantly have "body-envy" and am forever judging my figure against those of other women. As DOT in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE states, "If my hips were flatter..." We all want what we don't have. The grass is always greener. And yet, for all the dozens of times a day I'm struck with "body-envy," I'm still pretty pleased with my figure. Being happy with my body is as impotant to me as doing a good audition. I will shamelessly confess that it may even be more important. After a bad audition, I've usually moved on within half an hour. If I feel bloated and tired and not in peak shape, I've been known to shed a tear. Or a river. Because, you see, as a dancer, looking a certain way is a large part of my job. Competition is just too high not to look feirce at every casting call. But, I'm digressing. The point of this blog is to "make public" what I do to keep me feeling good about myself and my body. In a city where it seems most people are in therapy or on Xanax, I'm grateful for a happy peace of mind without having to fork out money on pills and therapists. I can't even afford a visit to the doctor's as it is! A healthy mind = a healthy body, and vice versa. I hope that the following will inspire anyone who wants to kick their asses into feeling great.
My 5 life-style mantras
1. I believe that one should eat well and exercise to be healthy, not to be skinny. Skinny doesn't always equal healthy.
2. I believe that if you treat your body well, it will thank you, and you will feel great.
3. I don't believe in dieting, diet foods, or "miracle" remedies.
4. I don't believe in "quick-fixes." As I say to my girls that I teach, "If it feels easy, you aren't working hard enough."
5. I believe that one's physical and mental well-being should be more important than financial success. What's the point in working so hard to make money if you're not happy when you look in the mirror, or you can't sleep at night due to stress? For those of you that are loaded and love your bodies -- I envy you!
My 5 golden rules:
1. One portion of dry carbs a day (bread/noodles/pasta). I LOVE pasta. LOVE IT. But, when I eat it, my stomach is painful and distended for days, so I cannot eat it regularly. After a couple of sliices of whole-grain bread for breakfast, I'll stick to protein, fruits, and veggies for the rest of the day. Or, if I have eggs for breakfast, I'll have a sandwhich for lunch or dinner. I'm forever trying to get in 5 portions of fruit and veggies a day. Sometimes I succeed with gold stars, sometimes I fail miserably.
2. Fizzy sodas are a once-a-week treat. I've heard so many stories of people cutting out soda and losing weight. It's SO bad for you! When I have a coke, I go for the full fat, all the way! I'd rather pack my body with sugar than aspartame found in diet drinks.
3. Add just a pinch of salt to food. Salt is dehydrating and really bloating. When I have too much of it, I look like I'm pregnant.
4. Never ever ever EVER reach for the "diet" foods. Here's the thing -- diet foods are packed with preservatives, and artificial ingredients. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle does not mean dieting. It means cooking from fresh and being able to have that glass of full fat milk or that slice of chocolate cake. I eat ALOT. Anyone who knows me will attest to this. But I eat well, and I most certainly eat my share of junk food. Then my body will tell me I've overdone it by becoming constipated (sorry) or breaking out in acne, or being tired all the time, and I'll put myself back on track. Which brings me to golden rule number 5.
5. Listen to your body. It will tell you what it wants. The instant self-gratification part is always telling me that I want that KFC. But the smarter part, the part of my body that focuses on the long-term, will always let me know when it needs some lovin'. I'll have no energy, or I'll be anxious and cranky, or I'll be bloated all the time, or I'll gain weight. When I go back to good eating and exercising, I'm happier, with lots of energy and a flat tummy!
My one exercise rule:
JUST DO IT. Really. There is no way around it. Exercising is as much a priority to me as taking singing lessons and performance workshops. When someone wants to hang out, and I need to go to ballet class, or I need to jog in the park, then that's what I say. "Sorry, I can't, I have to work-out." Sometimes my friends roll their eyes, but I don't expect everyone to understand. I never work-out until I'm absolutely knackered. If I do, I won't get through a work shift. I work out to the point that I'm sweating profusely and pretty pooped, then I stop. If you burn yourself out, you'll just talk yourself out of your next work-out (or, that's what I do!). It's important to find ways of exercising that you love. I LOVE ballet class, jogging through the park, and Bikram yoga. So, it's never a chore. I never go to the gym because I find it mundane and I can't afford it. If you're looking for cheap yoga, check out www.yogatothepeople.com for $8 classes. If you're looking for a really lovely dance studio that is not at all crowded or intimidating, check out www.balart.com for $15 classes ($14 with a union card). If you want a work-out buddy, give me a bell and I will gladly come along. When I worked at Pure Dark, the girls and I went to Bikram yoga together a couple of times and we had a blast.There are countless studies that prove how much exercise can have positive effects on emotional well-being, and I'm a firm believer of this.
And that's pretty much how I get the "break-up" body without having to go through the actual break-up! No pills or therapy needed. Never had a protein shake in my life, never been on a diet in my life, never had liposuction, never been in therapy, never popped an anti-anxiety pill. The "secret" is good a ol' fashion cardio work-out and fresh home cooking, and your mind and body will be happy, content, and giddy!
copyright (c) 2010-2011 Celia Mei Rubin
