Naturally petite ballerina, can't lose extra weight...

screwedfrombirth

When it comes to a little bit of extra weight at your size, I doubt you are talking about actual pounds so much as "flab" that's hanging around in places that you don't want it. For most people, that means belly fat, so if you don't mind my assumption, I'll guess that's what you mean also.

What's really been helping me to lose that type of weight has been wheat gluten and starch elimination. Of course, that works for me because my extra flab is all belly fat/love handles. And those foods seem to go right to the belly.

To fix this, rather than focusing on just being vegan, personalize your diet with items within that lifestyle that have the least impact on your blood sugar. Obviously, that means eating fewer starchy vegetables like potatoes and carrot, as well as limiting direct (bread, pasta) and indirect (wheat byproducts like soy sauce) wheat consumption. Complement your diet with core toning exercises that target this area.

Of course, if you are carrying the extra weight (or flab) in your arms or legs, the best thing you can do is weight training. Hope this helps.

meshashesha2012

actually, my goal body is from a ballerina who looks very close to what i looked like when i was at my goal weight

daryabella

I understand that a dancer must look good to an audience. But, I watch a fair amount of ballet and I think some of the Balanchine-ultra skinny standard is changing. They don't have that same obsession in modern -- they use muscular dancers and even heavy dancers -- and some of that aesthetic standard is rubbing off on ballet.
I see a number of curvy ballerinas, and they are professionals, with a position in a company.

I've noticed that as well especially in ABT and more American companies. I'm just trying to be the best I can be and be able to utilize my full potential.
My personal preference leans towards slimmer girls, I just think it gives a better line and look. I have also seen girls not get parts because there was a more aesthetically pleasing girl with the same technical abilities. It all adds up.

daryabella

When it comes to a little bit of extra weight at your size, I doubt you are talking about actual pounds so much as "flab" that's hanging around in places that you don't want it. For most people, that means belly fat, so if you don't mind my assumption, I'll guess that's what you mean also.

What's really been helping me to lose that type of weight has been wheat gluten and starch elimination. Of course, that works for me because my extra flab is all belly fat/love handles. And those foods seem to go right to the belly.

To fix this, rather than focusing on just being vegan, personalize your diet with items within that lifestyle that have the least impact on your blood sugar. Obviously, that means eating fewer starchy vegetables like potatoes and carrot, as well as limiting direct (bread, pasta) and indirect (wheat byproducts like soy sauce) wheat consumption. Complement your diet with core toning exercises that target this area.

Of course, if you are carrying the extra weight (or flab) in your arms or legs, the best thing you can do is weight training. Hope this helps.

Yeah, most of my extra "flab" is stomach, thighs, and butt. I guess that would make sense but being vegan, it's pretty hard to stay away from starchy vegetables and carbs. Ugh. Thanks for the advice though, I'll keep it in mind... this really helped.

allisonrozsa

Is it possible that with the significant number of calories you are burning dancing all day is creating too much of a deficit and so 1600 calories isn't enough? All of my ballerina friends would eat like pigs because of the amount they were dancing. Talk to a nutritionist.

daryabella

actually, my goal body is from a ballerina who looks very close to what i looked like when i was at my goal weight

Is that Misty Copeland? Love her.
If it isn't well that girl is still beautiful.

daryabella

Is it possible that with the significant number of calories you are burning dancing all day is creating too much of a deficit and so 1600 calories isn't enough? All of my ballerina friends would eat like pigs because of the amount they were dancing. Talk to a nutritionist.

All of my friends eat so much too! I'm sitting here thinking they just have super fast metabolisms.
I didn't even think about that... I'll look into it.

meshashesha2012

yep that's misty

i might be able to have the body but i'll never have that toe point :laugh:

screwedfrombirth

I've learned that apples can be your best friend (if you like them). Also, you don't have to cut the starchy veggies out completely, but maybe it would be helpful to test out some kind of starch-to-green ratio -- for every one serving of carrot, eat three or four servings of broccoli. For example, whenever I make a salad, I always use the baby greens and I generally use a lot of them. It leaves less space for toppings and gives me a good balance of green vegetables.

I understand that in a vegan diet, gluten is a regular staple because its protein rich. But if you can find substitutes that have a lower impact on your blood sugar, that's what is really going to make a difference in targeting fat in the mid section. Generally I would recommend raw nuts like almonds and walnuts as well as dry roasted (unsalted) peanuts as a replacement. If you buy them prepackaged, make sure that the only ingredients are the nuts themselves.

I know you mentioned that you still eat some seafood, perhaps you can use salmon filets and ahi tuna as your primary protein source.

screwedfrombirth

I never said you where unhealthy. I am just saying "weighing less" isn't always the right answer.

I don't think she is worried about her actual weight or dropping a few pounds, in fact she has stated so (several times, by now). She just wants to tighten up some areas that feel or look flabby.

daryabella

yep that's misty

i might be able to have the body but i'll never have that toe point :laugh:

God, she has the most amazing body ever, I am infinitely jealous if you're able to look like that haha. Good for you!
And I stick my feet under my coach praying that I can get her arches

geekyjock76

She has awesome, strong legs and glutes that help her perform better and reduce risk of serious injury. Love her physique.

PamelaKuz

Whoa, her knee bends backwards. Crazy!

daryabella

Whoa, her knee bends backwards. Crazy!

Hyperextension! It's actually unhealthy and can lead to injury but I think it looks so good on a dancer.

mgobluetx12

You should try staying within your macros for a few weeks and see what that does. Also, be aware that lifting weights could cause you to gain some weight. That's basically the goal - increase lean body mass. You may lose fat too, but the scale could go up.

BeautyFromPain

5'4": 105 pounds... do you even menstruate? And is that your clavicle in your picture? Because you shouldn't be able to see that. You need to gain weight.

Clavicle aka 'collar bone'? As this is commonly showing on women who are at normal weights, not just underweight women.

To add- mine is once again re-emerging and I'm 5'3" and 146 lbs and by BMI standards I am still overweight.

Mine was emerging in this photo << 5'4 and 180lbs?

Prahasaurus

You're drop dead gorgeous. I definitely wouldn't cut your calories with your active lifestyle. Your body needs fuel so you remain healthy and active.

I strongly suggest two things (sorry to repeat):

1 - Eat more seafood, especially the tuna and salmon you already include in your diet. These are great protein sources. If you are willing to add other similar items to mix it up a bit, all the better (white fish, steamed shrimp, scallops, etc.)

2 - Lift heavy. Women who lift look fantastic. It will also help you improve your overall health. And probably give you more lift and control for ballet. Win-win-win....

Completely disagree that you're too thin. So long as you're healthy and active, you're fine. There is nothing wrong with being a bit under what is considered average, nor is there anything wrong with being slightly over. They key is how you feel, your overall health. Which is why I would definitely not cut your calorie intake at all.

In any case, hope to see you dancing on stage somewhere in Europe, soon. I visited the Bolshoi regularly when I was traveling to Moscow. Quite an experience. I do catch a performance in Prague or Berlin, but not as often as I like. Good luck!

--P

AbsoluteNG

Is your goal to weight under 100 pounds for your profession or is it to lose the last bit of love handles? I'm assuming it's the love handles. Since you are already at a low body fat range, your best option is to do exercises that will tone or build some muscles in the area that you are looking to change. You should see results in as little as two weeks since you are at a very low body fat percentage. You really don't need to lift a lot of weights to see results fast since you have a low body fat. If that doesn't work, you can try intermittent fasting. Instead of eating 3 meals a day, you eat all your calories in one meal. Again, you should see results quick with this since you are at a low body fat range. Don't add or decrease calories to your diet until you've tried the options that I've laid out for you because adding calories could result in some unnecessary weight gain that would require you to spend a whole week losing and cutting calories might not give you enough energy to do your dances.


Also, don't listen to the haters that are trying to get you to eat more and making fun of your weight. You will run across a lot of haters in life that will try to drag you down and make you lose sight of your goals by calling you names and making fun of you. Most of them are just jealous and will never have your figure or be a professional dancer. I've checked your diary and you are perfectly healthy. You eat right.

oosaah

5'4": 105 pounds... do you even menstruate? And is that your clavicle in your picture? Because you shouldn't be able to see that. You need to gain weight.

Clavicle aka 'collar bone'? As this is commonly showing on women who are at normal weights, not just underweight women.

To add- mine is once again re-emerging and I'm 5'3" and 146 lbs and by BMI standards I am still overweight.

Agreed. What the heck? I'm 5'6" and 132 lbs (no where NEAR underweight), and I think my clavicle is sexy. I thought it was perfectly normal to have a collarbone. Or are we tearing down that body part now too? There's a hell of a lot of skinny shaming going on here when the OP just wanted a bit of straight advice.

oosaah

Whoa, her knee bends backwards. Crazy!

Hyperextension! It's actually unhealthy and can lead to injury but I think it looks so good on a dancer.

I hate my hyperextended limbs! I've only been dancing for the past few months and it makes it so difficult to find the right lines in my body. Plus everyone else just thinks it's creepy when my ankles bend too far forward Haha. I'm trying to join the dance world so that I can appear more "normal".

jetscreaminagain

5'4": 105 pounds... do you even menstruate? And is that your clavicle in your picture? Because you shouldn't be able to see that. You need to gain weight.

Dumbest single quote in the thread. Clavicles show at normal and evenness overweight.

And ignore the infiniquote guy. Obviously some overweight people lie to themselves about the size of bones AND people have different bodies and differences in the shape and lengths of bones.

All the good advice has been given. Op you impress me with your graceful responses. This thread is done though. They're just working out their own demons and arguing amongst themselves.

BondBomb

5'4": 105 pounds... do you even menstruate? And is that your clavicle in your picture? Because you shouldn't be able to see that. You need to gain weight.

Dumbest single quote in the thread. Clavicles show at normal and evenness overweight.

And ignore the infiniquote guy. Obviously some overweight people lie to themselves about the size of bones AND people have different bodies and differences in the shape and lengths of bones.

All the good advice has been given. Op you impress me with your graceful responses. This thread is done though. They're just working out their own demons and arguing amongst themselves.

This is why we are friends.
OP you have handled the insults with grace!

miadhail

What you need is not to lose weight anymore, but to build on muscles (muscles burn fat as what Chalene always says =P) and you can do that through strength training. Don't worry it won't bulk you, and it would definitely help with boosting your energy especially with your busy lifestyle!

I used to dance competitively in my teenage days, and my group and I always had a day dedicated to the gym followed by a 1.6m run. I hated it then..boy I wished I had known more about its benefits. Oh wells.

geekyjock76

I hate my hyperextended limbs! I've only been dancing for the past few months and it makes it so difficult to find the right lines in my body. Plus everyone else just thinks it's creepy when my ankles bend too far forward Haha. I'm trying to join the dance world so that I can appear more "normal".

Make sure you adequately increase lean body mass in the way of muscle and connective tissue if you have an uncanny degree of flexibility.

msaestein1

I would focus on toning and working with what you already have. You don't need to lose weight, simply tone what you have and your healthy diet and exercise will do the rest.

I'm in agreement with the above - you may feel like you have some extra weight but you likely do not. I think you might want to focus on strength training - toning - and you will achieve a body with which you are satisfied. Best of luck.

Most of this feedback seems geared towards toning (which I totally agree with- I eat completely healthy so I doubt that's the problem). I'll take your advice and hit the gym with some strength training! Thank you, thank you, thank you

As a dancer, I am sure you heard of pilates. If not, try that. Pilates will work, if you don't want to lift weights. this will fit into your workout routine. When I trained in modern dance in college, our instructor would have us do mat pilates the first 20 minutes of each session. it worked wonders for me back then.

LaLouve_RK

sorry to be harsh... but I see here the classic ballerina syndrome..... to be thin thin.... and emaciated is better!
I would recommend pizza and a psycho therapist .... :indifferent:

iAMsmiling

Edited to remove snark....

lizziebeth1028

You need a reality check...if you calculate your BMI based on your weight and height you are currently underweight. Normal weight range for someone your height is 117 to 146 pounds.

^^^This. There is no extra weight. I know as a ballerina there is a push to be 'too thin to the point of anorexic'. Don't get sucked into that mentality by telling yourself you have a 'tiny frame'. You're thin. Period. There's no need to lose weight.

myofibril

I want to stay healthy but would it be okay for me to eat around 1200-1300? Or do I need to just tone more? HELP?!?

Eating at a lower calorie intake will be counter productive for your goals, especially given your current weight, leaness and activity level.

You need to up your calorie intake to somewhere in the region of 1,600 - 1,700 calories per day as a starting point (which already factors in exercise) and introduce a couple of shortish strength training sessions into your routine. Ensure sufficient protein levels, allow sufficient rest and you should be golden after 3-6 months.

Ideally, you would be better off adding some muscle and fat to your frame by eating at a surplus before then cutting body fat back down but it doesn't seem like that would be a good fit for you psychologically.

BritneysStuntDouble

God, she has the most amazing body ever, I am infinitely jealous if you're able to look like that haha.

That amazing athletic physique is impossible eating as little as you do.