For one day, I can live my newest, craziest fantasy -- BEING A DANCE SCHOOL ENTRANT!
Yes, I have an overactive imagination. Yes, I'm flipping the flip out that this is coming up. From 1pm to 5pm, the dance studio is hosting a non-stop dance event and I for one will be there with bells on! I'm packing snacks and a towel because it's boogie time!
After my back to back workshops, it's on!
Now how in the heck are you going to dance for 8 hours and NOT die, you may ask? Aren't you overdoing it? Won't you eat? What about injuries?
I'm no physical therapist, and I'm certainly not a professional dancer or a nutritionist, but I can advise on how I get through tough workouts, or at least long days OFF THE COUCH.
I have to say first off, don't jump into a strenuous workout regimen (like a 7 hour all you can dance one) if you barely get off the couch. I ride my bike to work everyday in hilly San Francisco. Practice yoga at least twice a week, and have the joy of walking half a mile (up a sweet little hill) in one direction to the supermarket everyday (because we don't do well when we try to shop for the whole week). I also do a 30 minute circuit 2 - 3 times a week.
Running and I aren't friends unless it's around the studio for 7 or 8 minutes to warm up before class. Dancing is quite sporadic in terms of how energy is used. Don't think it's easy. It's not. But you should note that you burn a good 200 calories (not a lot) because you're really only very active in short bursts. In short, it's pretty possible that as long as you're not falling down, busted, out of shape that you'll survive. My workout week qualifies as "moderate" and I generally don't feel sore the next day or tired in any way. If you do, rest when you can, but do try to keep active. I don't know why, but exercising the next day - like a brisk walk or something low impact and not intense) seems to help the pain stay short lived.
I neglected to mention that I'm skipping Zumba. 2pm seems like a great time for a sandwich.
To keep constant energy, I'm all about the 5 small meals (at least lately). I don't feel stuffed and sluggish, I don't have the whole crash energy thing, and I pick things that are wholesome and nutritious - let me tell you, it took years to learn what that really means. I'll give a food breakdown in case any other adult ballet beginners want to give it a shot.
I refuse to skip breakfast. At a table. With utensils. Breakfast: I'm all about meusli, whole grain porridge (oats and other random grains like brown rice or wheat berries from the bulk section 'cause I'm cheap - DON'T PLAY!), yogurt, fruit, nuts, and the occasional fried egg. Not all at once obviously. I think you should eat enough to not get headachy or be ravenous and cranky (I get cranky when I'm hungry). Yogurt with meusli and fruit is filling and not too heavy - who wants upchuck? A bowl of porridge with nuts and fruit, or a fried egg with bread and tomatoes. It's the right combo of foods for energy that will keep you satisfied until lunch (or snack) time. Sometimes, I bust out the citrus juicer and have orange juice. It actually makes you feel awake for some reason. Call a scientist, I don't know why.
Breakfast before taking off to dance class. Fried egg on bread with tomato, kale, and dressing. Of course, my lovely bit of citrus to get me through these winter days.
(Late) Lunch: Depends on how hungry I am. If I'm done being a busy body with class, I tend to get something filling, but not too heavy, and if possible, vegetarian (no, I'm not a vegetarian, I just think as a society, we eat entirely more meat than necessary).
Milosz prepared lunch on Saturday. I was so pleased to come home to such a yummy meal! Seared tuna w/ wasabi-mayo sauce, salad, and butter roasted asparagus. Yum!
(Dinner): I usually eat whatever I want (and I never want McDonalds, so don't go down that road with me) followed by a cup of tea and a square of dark chocolate. I'm not a stranger to pastries, just not all the time.
On All You Can Dance day, I'll probably pack a sandwich and a couple of pieces of fruit and enjoy a late dinner or supper (like 8 or 9pm) with my honey! We'll catch up on the day, have a glass of wine and be glad that life gives us so many gifts and discoveries.
Anyway, as you see, I actually eat (and drink water) throughout the day. I don't get cranky or starving, and I get a pretty big range of nutritious goodness in my body. I was on Pointe Magazine's website perusing back issues (yes, a little obsessed, just a tad) and I saw that what the pros eat isn't that far from what goes in my belly. You know, they're just hot and impossibly talented. Too bad they don't have the Jolie | Laide style big booty like I've got! :-)
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