Weight and going en pointe?

How big a deal is a dancers weight and dancing pointe?


I am a big girl 5%26#039;10%26quot; and 180lbs, and no I am not making any excuses about my weight, I need to lose some.


Do you have any suggestions on diet, or even a good weight to shoot for?


I have not gone on pointe yet, and I feel my weight might be holding me back, I know I am to heavy for partnering, but I would love to do some solo en pointe, do you think just improving my strength will be enough?
Weight and going en pointe?
When I went en pointe my instructor required a visit to a podiatrist (foot doctor) to help determine whether I was strong enough, so maybe that%26#039;d be an option for you or you could just speak with your instructor about it. I doubt your weight would be TOO big a deal as long as you%26#039;re strong enough in your feet, ankles, etc. to handle it. If you were 5%26#039;10%26quot; and 280lbs then okay, that%26#039;d be an issue. But your size might be more manageable.
Weight and going en pointe?
If you are new to dancing pointe, take it slowly at first and consider doing some pilates to develop your muscles in a more gentle way. Pilates is an AWESOME way to get into shape, and it will really help you to gain the strength you%26#039;ll need for pointe. Training on a machine is pretty pricey, but you%26#039;ll get a good workout from mat classes, too.





I also had to see a podiatrist before going into pointe. Most ballet schools require you to see one if you are under 12 when you%26#039;re starting because your feet are still developing %26amp; pointe is seriously hard on your feet. Even after 12 it%26#039;s a good idea to see one and make sure they are strong enough. Word of warning: your feet are going to freaking kill you at first. Soaking them in an Epsom salt bath will help them feel so much better.





I wouldn%26#039;t worry too much about your weight. I%26#039;m actually underweight, and trying v hard to gain weight...which is hard to do when you dance! My best friend lost 25 pounds when she started dancing! It just fell off of her. It probably will on you, too. Don%26#039;t focus on your weight - focus on your dancing - and the weight will sort itself out.


There are waaaaaaaay too many girls who spend too much time worrying about their weight. Just eat healthily. Be sure to drink plenty of water and eat lots of fruit and protein (I%26#039;m a vegetarian, so I have a lot of shakes %26amp; eggs.) I%26#039;ve found that coca de mate tea really gives me energy before class.





One of the most talented, amazing dancers at my school is a little larger. She%26#039;s busty %26amp; curvy....and the girl has mad talent. She smokes out the skinny minnies like me on the floor.





Beautiful ballerinas are the ones w passion and talent.





: )
Reply:weight has nothing to do with it. though i agree that you should consider going to a foot doctor.


i know a girl who used to dance at our studio. and she was big, bigger than most of the other girls. but she was a BEAUTIFUL dancer. don%26#039;t let size stop you from trying.


and for partnering, it%26#039;s all in your mind. if you think light, you will be light and airy. even if you are bigger you can still partner, you just won%26#039;t be able to do some lifts.





hope this encourages you to become one of the many non-average, amazing, sensational ballerinas of the next century.