Body Image
So I had a costume fitting today. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this place. All my costumes are being made for me. To fit me perfectly. Everyone makes me feel great. They say all the right things. They are more than wonderful and sensitive with regards to the fact that I’m standing in a well lit room in my bra and panties with 10 people milling about.
That being said..
I am going to be wearing some pretty tiny costumes. A number of them don’t have stomachs in them. Meaning, my stomach will be out, on stage, greeting hundreds of people a night. Awesome. 
Actually, I’m kind of okay with the whole stomach out thing. It’s really the legs that get me. There are some short shorts and short skirts for me to wear too. And again, let me stress, they are GORGEOUS. I just get nervous that my body is not going to do the clothes justice.
How am I supposed to stay level headed about my body under these circumstances. Again, no one is forcing them on me. They cast me in the show. They have my measurements. They knew what they were getting themselves into. It’s me. I know. But still, I’m nervous.
I’m using an app called “Lose It” to track my calorie intake. I want to make sure I’m fueling properly. I’m expending a lot of calories on a daily basis in rehearsal, but as with race training, it’s easy to over eat because you’ve worked out hard that day. So far, so good. I think I really need to make sure to have a cheat meal here or there. I tend to be a little “all or nothing” with “diets”.
What do you think? What would you do in my situation? I’m trying so hard not to fall headlong into a bit of an over exercising, no chocolate or chips kind of craziness. That never lasts long. I actually just want to tone up and feel great about my body. Weight aside. Just feel like I can rock those costumes. ARgh.
Posted on February 13, 2012, in musical theatre and tagged calorie intake, short skirts. Bookmark the permalink. 5 Comments.
The Best Things Happen ... while you're dancing 
Girl, you can do this! Get out of your head and focus on the work! I think you are exactly where you need to be just keep going and don’t be too hard on yourself. Balance!
I love you, you beautiful beast!
Happy Valentine’s day!
Chels
Kayla, you’re lovely. Always. Nothing I can tell you about your body will make you see it any differently, I know. What matters, though, is how you’ll make the people in the audience feel. I don’t remember the bodies of anyone in any show I’ve seen. I remember how people radiate with love for what they’re doing and how bravely they express themselves night after night onstage. And you can’t do that if you’re focused on calories and the way you look. Be kind to yourself.
Lady, I TOTALLY understand what you mean. You are super smart to be tracking your calories and making sure you are fueling enough for your activity level 🙂
I know how dance can be such a tricky beast, it makes you feel so good, but as an art form, your body is the medium, and it’s hard not to judge yourself. Just keep fueling yourself and making healthy decisions, and you will be well ahead of the game.
The best accessory to any costume is confidence!
As someone who also uses Lose It – it’s definitely important to still enjoy what you’re eating! It’s just about balancing it out – so knowing that if you have a chocolate bar or a bag of chips, you need to balance that out with an appropriate amount of exercise or by not having dessert, etc. It sounds like you’re doing more than enough exercise to balance things out, so make sure you’re gentle with yourself and allow yourself to enjoy the work, exercise and food!
Good luck lady, you’ll be great! -Mel
Thanks for stopping by Mel. It’s such a hard line to balance on, eh? And i just love food so much that extreme measures don’t work for me. Good to know you use Lose it too.. it’s a great way to check in.