Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 1/27/2012

Question
I'm thirteen and I just started taking my dancing seriously. Next to the other girls in my class, I'm kind of big. I'm 5 feet and half and inch tall and weigh 120 lbs. I'm not fat, if I put my arms up you can see my ribs, but I have hips, and a butt, and, to be honest- kind of busty. I probably eat fewer than 1300 calories a day, and eating less. But I can't seem to loose any weight. I dance 5 and a half hours a week, plus four hours of practicing at home.

The other thing- I don't live in a place where I could go to a professional studio. And the small studio where I'm at is like my family, but I want- more than anything on the planet to go en Pointe, and I've talked to my teacher about it a few times and she keeps saying I'm not ready. I'd never start going en Pointe by myself, I know the dangers. But I really think I am. I've got strong ankles and a mediocre arch, and I'm trying my hardest to show her I'm ready, any suggestions to help as to how?

And we don't have any students en Pointe at the studio I'm at now because the teacher doesn't like to start students. Should I leave? I don't really want to, but if its best for my career I will.

Answer
Hi Ashton. Since you are still growing, it is hard to know what your weight should be. Rather than count calories, try a carbohydrate reduced but healthy diet for a while.

You can truly live well with no bread, buns, crackers or potatoes or pasta - no grains at all. You must eat enough lean proteins, lots of raw or lightly steamed green vegetables, and lots of salads. As much as you need. You should not be hungry on a healthy diet, or deprive yourself.

Healthy oils are omega 3 rich oils like flaxseed oil, olive oil, and coconut oil. Coconut oil is special because it does not store as fat in your body. You can make your own salad oils easily with freshly squeezed lemons, and any herbal flavoring you like.

Snacks would be celery (or other vegetables), walnuts, other nuts that you like. Nuts are filling, and healthy, in small quantities. You can give yourself a day every week where you eat with your friends  - pizza or something like that - and then go back to your own plan.

If you were to do this type of menu plan for 3 months and you still feel you should be lighter, it is a good idea to get your endocrine system tested with blood tests. You can also review diet choices with your doctor. Many doctors think artificial sweeteners and processed diet foods are O.K. I personally think they are not good nutrition, just my opinion. Certainly not good enough for any kind of athletic training.

As for pointe work, you can prepare for pointe as soon as you like if you use a professional guide such as The Perfect Pointe Book. You can get it at http://balletpointeshoes.info. It is a routine of exercises to strengthen your feet, and perfect your basic technique properly, for dancing in pointe shoes.

If your teacher does not plan to develop a pointe class, it sounds like you will have to go elsewhere. However, if you get The Perfect Pointe Book, work on it, and later share it with her, she might be interested in getting The Teachers Manual from the same author, which guides a ballet teacher in training students for pointe work, and pointe work classes. You could feel it out, depending on her personality - it might not be received so well. Just an idea.

I hope this helps. Be healthy and eat enough! All the best, Dianne