in case you were wondering

[prosewitch]

It has come to my attention that some people are concerned over the amount of time and energy I've been putting into my exercise routine. Adjectives such as "skinny" and "tiny" have been hurled at me. Lest anyone think I'm foolishly overworking myself in an attempt to stuff myself into size 0 jeans or whatever, let me spell this out plainly:

When

Comments

[victoria_lane]

I can't stand it when people harp on others who select to take care of themselves. That's more about them than you.

[prosewitch]

I agree--I find it especially annoying when people who are not in good shape act antagonistically toward me... it's as though they feel threatened or judged even though I'm not very evangelical!

[victoria_lane]

That's exactly it. And it's disgusting. Your mediocrity is your own business. Don't hold other people back so you can feel better about yourself. Pathetic.

[we_are_pliable]

I am one of those who has felt concern, though I don't think I have expressed it. It sounds like you know where it's coming from but I want to thank you for posting this, not because you owe me or others an explanation, but for reminding me to check myself when it comes to (perhaps a harsh word choice but I'll go with it) policing other people's bodies, and especially those belonging to thoughtful and capable rock stars such as yourself.

[prosewitch]

I had no idea that you're one of those who's felt concerned, and I appreciate it at the same time that I'm glad my comments sparked awareness of the policing-like-action, ya know?

[we_are_pliable]

I hear you. I think it's because I see you relatively rarely and as someone (sort of) pointed out below, even a gradual, healthy change can seem sudden if you only see a person before and then after.

This next part is unburdening of the soul/ discussion type stuff and I COMPLETELY understand if you don't want to engage it in this post that is about your empowerment and not some hypothetical situation or my personal issues.

I think that you and kiten have a valid point regarding jealousy/ personal body unhappiness probably having something to do with it in many cases. I think for me that negative feelings I may sometimes harbor toward slender dancers [and which I think are almost alway accompanied by genuine, but admittedly-knee-jerk ED concern] are also coming from possessive feelings about belly dance being a safer space for not-in-peak-physical-condition bodies and more specifically for bodies that even in their best state of health don't meet mainstream beauty standards. It's kind of stupid that I would feel threatened by/ defensive

[prosewitch]

Yeah, I eat way healthy, there's no way I would deprive myself because I love food too much! And I agree, I think a lot of people are projecting their own unhappiness with their bodies onto those of us who are actually doing something about it, oh well.

I just don't watch horror movies because they scare me too much, so if I ever find myself in a scenario like that I'm damn well gonna be prepared! :)

[blacktigr]

People have started to tell me that I need to take a day off going to the gym. My doctor told me a while ago that he wants me to exercise more days than not, and that if I let 3 days go without working out, I'm doing myself harm.

They always tell you to find the exercise you enjoy so that you'll want to do it all the time. Just ignore them. They wish they had the stamina and will that you do.

[prosewitch]

I think that while rest days are important--have at least one a week is the advice I usually hear--I think that how you space them out depends on what your goals are.

[blacktigr]

Oh and professional dancers that my mom used to dance with always say that every day you take off is hours' worth of work the next time to get to the same place. Dancing is a strenuous discipline. I respect you for taking it seriously.

[prosewitch]

I'm actually only dancing 2-3 x a week, which I want to increase along with other kinds of exercise, but obviously I don't want to risk burning out...