My Health Journey as a Ballet Dancer Pt. 1 (disordered eating, "freshman 15", dramatic weight loss)

Hey guys :) I know this is very long, but it takes a while to accurately describe about 10 years of a lot of ups and downs! I hope you will stick around for part 2 to see how I got to the very different place that I'm at today. Thanks for watching!
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- Kirsten

[@sunnygem21]

I'm very surprised that in this day and age ballet schools and colleges don't support dancers with a class about nutrition and proper advice. It is so important to encourage children and then teenagers about food and how to cope with the pressure they will face about body image. Bravo for this video!

[@Heartbreaker1999-o5s]

Yes ! But also when they give advice it will be contradicting. "Don't starve , but you need to eat less . You need over 2500 cal a day , but that's too much food , you need to be muscular, but not too much muscle because then its not aesthetically pleasing . Dont eat c arbs , but carbs are your fuel ?? It's all very confusing .

[@michellemillier1995]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I definitely relate to this especially when I was dancing frequently growing up. I went to college to become a music teacher so I don't dance as often as I did before college. I never really sought help for my "disordered eating" past until college so I don't think the dietician I saw could relate because she associated me as a "musician" and not a "dancer". I feel like dancers have a different motivation to lose weight in comparison to others. For me personally, my first attempt to lose weight (and I was pretty successful and it was almost spot on with what you were sharing), my ultimate motivation was it would help me be a better dancer. However someone who isn't a dancer main motivation to lose weight might be to look good.

[@TheAmylou36]

Thank you for being brave enough to talk about this issue. SO important.

[@helloanniegirl]

Thank you for sharing. So brave and spot on.

[@baileymadill7666]

Love the vidéos you put out! I'm 23 and a plant based ballerina too, I feel like we've had similar journeys with health so I can relate and sympathize! Thanks for always being vulnerable and sharing with us

[@sapphichorrors]

I became aware and self conscious at 8 :( I’m 11 now, I feel terrible.

[@JENNY4684]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I struggled with anorexia and bulimia for over seven years during and post-college, and am just starting to be able to share that fact with others because I feel like it's an issue so many people don't know how to address or respond to. That gives it a sense of shame that will only change if more people started talking about it. There are so many different levels of disordered eating, and I'm so happy for you that you've found a place where you feel healthy and strong. Keep listening to your body and don't let anyone's comments change the way you live your life. (So crazy that any instructor could make the comments they made to you and not realize the effect that can have on someone). Thanks again!

[@rachaelhebblewhite2319]

I appreciate the clarification between an eating disorder and disordered eating.

[@thefriendlyemo5744]

Rachael Hebblewhite Omg ya. It was very helpful to differentiate the two.

[@marcied1958]

Haha when are you not open and honest on this channel! 😂 love that tho this video is gold for young dancers thankyou 😊

[@dancer2189]

This is so amazing! I have food issues too, but I really wanna just start eating a plant healthy no junk food lifestyle!! Love your videos keep dancing xoxox❤️❤️

[@sarahgolzari]

what study abroad program did you do in Paris? I plan on living and dancing in Paris next semester and am looking for advice on where I can dance there!

[@sbean98]

I would also love to hear more advice on this!

[@renaerufus8707]

Thanks for sharing! Some of the things you said... Oh boy! So relatable! Thank you!

[@aiyyoi]

I grew up constantly having people telling me how I need to look in terms of body shape. Never paid attention to these opinions, even when it's coming from my parents. I do think these kind of comments should not be any culture taboo.... If you do not like them, just pretend you do not hear them...

[@aiyyoi]

Lol, I also eat way too much more than usual at buffet

[@aiyyoi]

I don't think your situation should be called disordered eating, I think it is a usual struggle for a dancer going for professional career, being a total human being who cannot be always perfect and self controlled

[@lb9064]

This is the definition on disordered eating...other wise known as EDNOS. It is a very serious condition that many people struggle with unaware and needs to be addressed...please don't just rub it off as "normal" it is not!

[@aiyyoi]

Musical Bunhead when did I ever use "normal" in my previous comment? And since when relating to one's personal experience is rubbing off? How much do you imagine I eat at buffet? And how often do you imagine I choose to go to an all you can eat buffet? No need to blow up a normal rain into hurricane

[@lb9064]

I meant what Kirsten was going through...everyone eats too much at times but what she went through fit the criteria for EDNOS...sorry if I came across the way I did...it just is very serious. :)

[@davissusanlynn]

Thanks for sharing! Great stuff!