Let's take accountability.

Hmm.. That's a big statement. Acountability. Responsibility. Ownership. Sometimes, it isn't easy to do. Many times it is much easier to say I would much rather take a nap than do my homework, leg exercises, etc. I feel you. Not to be cliché, but I'm only cheating myself. 

It is very clear to me, that dancers are some of the most accountable people you will ever meet. We have to be. Each move and formation placed to perfection, and in a sport all about aesthetic you have to be flawless. If you aren't, you must take ownership. (There is no point in doing otherwise because there is always a video. Hehe!) Not only do we have to be, we want to be. Why you ask? Because we want to better ourselves, we are driven, and the competitive nature to rise to the top is inevitable for all of us. Getting yourself in ballet class after a long day of school, homework, stress, and exhaustion is not always easy, but if you want it you will. 

PLOT TWIST for this ballerina: you're injured. So now what? As I am learning, it is time to take all the needed time off. However, I still take accountability in how I'm living as an athlete and artist. 

First, nutrition. Now more than ever it becomes even more essential in my life. I am fortunately blessed with a relatively high metabolism. However, I have also been spending 20 hours a week in the studio since I was capable of the time and commitment. Now, in order to keep up my healthy lifestyle, with limited ability to exercise, I have to take some major accountablility in my food choices! If you have followed my platform for awhile, you know I break down foods into three categories: slow foods, woah foods, and go foods. 

Go foods: eat these as much as you want! They give you the energy to keep going throughout your super awesome, healthy day! (Ex: fruits, veggies, lean proteins) 

Slow foods: careful.. These might slow you down. Although they seem like a good choice, hidden sugars and carbs lie within them. Limit these to once or twice a week treats! (Ex: fruit juice, white breads, trail mix) 

Woah foods: when you find out what's inside of these you'll be saying just that... Woah! Save these yummy, but dangerous, foods for special occasions like a birthday party, holiday, or an A on that big test you studied for! (Ex: soda, cake, potato chips) 

Next, exercise. 

It's important to know what your body can handle. However, it doesn't mean you should completely lay off the exercise. I spent my first day back at the gym working on some abs and upper body exercise. It is amazing how quickly your body forgets what it's normal routine is. Have realistic expectations for yourself. I must admit, I did not. I was slightly disappointed with the limited motion and exercise I could physically handle. However, now I am ready to set goals and improve each time I work out. It's important to not allow myself to slack, as part of my future relies very much on keeping my dancer body in shape to return as prepared as possible to dance, and my normal lifestyle! 

Lastly, Physical Therapy. Wow, how important is this!? I have been told so many times that PT is where you either make or break your return from an injury. I am determined to make mine an awesome, better than ever comeback. It might sound easy, but ownership comes in here. It is important to do my exercises at home. Think about the results, not the labor. 

So now I ask the largely debatable question: is obesity in a gene? Is it a disease some are susceptible to? 

I'll let you answer this on your own. However, think about this. Some family health patterns start with the actions of 1 person. If you feel that you are more likely to have issues with your health then it's your responsibility to change that. Take ownership in your health status and make health changes for the better. Anyone can do it, it only takes one thing. Accountability. 

Fortunately, that is one trait we are all susceptible to. Now get out there! The least you can do for your body is make it a healthy one! 

xoxo, 

Heather

Confidence is key.

When you are injured, it can sometimes be difficult to keep your confidence up. It takes a lot out of you when you have the type of injury I do, and I'm learning that firsthand through experience. It blew my mind that after surgery I couldn't lift my leg. Even worse, I discovered I couldn't point my foot... Every dancer's worst nightmare. Main point being that I could no longer complete tasks mandatory for not only an athlete, but a person in general. It was time to start from scratch with this knee. Now that can seem intimidating and kill some confidence for sure!! 

9 days out of surgery I am back at school... For me this was huge because it meant normal routine life, finally!!! It was encouraging to know that I am making progress, and soon enough I'll be back in the gym, dance, etc. I definitely took for granted the strength it takes in my legs to treck through a campus as big as my high school! My hamstring was definitely feeling it. ( My ACL was replaced with a portion of a tendon in my hamstring, so it's feeling pretty tight.) This tightness in my hamstring is new to me, seeing as I am a dancer. I'm used to being able to touch my toes and do all kinda of crazy dancer things with hammys as elastic as rubber bands! Another important note, be in tune with your body. It's important and it can make all the difference in your workout, your health goals, or an injury recovery.

It's safe to say I was feeling a little out of my element now that my functionality was less than that of a "normal" person. (Us dancers sometimes tend to think of ourselves as superhumans, but that's a whole different story!) All of that can shoot your confidence and lead you to question yourself, ladies and gentlemen, this is doom. 

Yesterday I had a doctors appointment post surgery to see how I was doing. Great news! I had my stitches removed, and I am now allowed to bend my knee (with my brace on of course.) These may sound like two minor victories but I felt as if I was a puppy in training receiving an award! My confidence rose instantly, I was walking at school without crutches and my entire spirit was just brighter. In this recovery process, I promise you there will be bad days, but there will also be super awesome days that make you want to jump for joy! Of course that jumping will have to be imaginary, unless the doctor cleared jumping too! Hehe. 

Where is your health mentally? Are you confident in your body? Yes? Okay awesome keep it up! No? What can you do to improve upon this? What are you confident about? Is it your self discipline, determination, strong will power, or the fact that you will look the absolute best in your swimsuit this summer or else! ;) It doesn't matter! What does matter is that you sit yourself down and ask yourself "where am I mentally in the game of health?" Because if you aren't confident that you can achieve your said goal, how are you going to get anyone else to believe you can?!

My knee post stitches removal!!! It's all about the process:) 

xoxo,

Heather

If you love some "thing"... Let it know.

If you know me, you know I love dance. I breathe dance. Movement flows though my body the second I hear a song that moves me. My feet can't ignore the urge to tap dance down any grocery store aisle.  So what happens when you can't do that? 

This weekend I was able to go to my very favorite dance convention and watch. Within the first few minutes of class the instructor said, "Aren't we all so lucky to be here and dance today?," and I thought to myself that I truly may be the only person in the room who realized how lucky each dancer was. My heart wanted to be out there more than anything. 

So this brings me to say that not only should we not take life for granted, but we can't take our passions for granted either. For me, that's dance or any form of physical activity. Never have I ever missed a treadmill more!! 

So what are you taking for granted? I hope it isn't your health. However, in America it seems that more commonly it is. As the second most obese country in the world, only behind Mexico, we are caught in this fast food lifestyle. Like all situations where things are taken for granted, we take the easy way out. Now, as a busy teenager, I know how simple a quick drive through is, but I also know the consequences. The worst thing you can do for your body is NOT appreciate it. 

This week I'm challenging you to do one good thing for your body everyday. Consciously be aware of what you are doing and the decisions you are making. After all, your body is a temple. (I wouldn't bring McDonalds, hehe.) 

xoxo,

Heather

How Surgery Changed Me

Quick note: I know this is a pain, but after weeks of trying to understand a different blog site my blogs just kept disappearing and quite frankly I did not know how to fix it! So here I am, One Healthy Dancer 2.0! Everyone cross your fingers...


6 days ago I had an ACL reconstruction and medial meniscal repair. I am so glad to say my surgery was a success! I really can't wait to walk you through this experience with me and tell you are the things I would've wanted to know before experiencing it for myself. Also, lets take the challenge together to find new ways to be healthy, no matter the circumstances.


The first way surgery changed me was that it has forcibly, I repeat BY FORCE made me very dependent. If you know me, you know if I can do it on my own, I will. If I can't do it on my own, I will still try anyway. hehe. I despise asking for help in most manners, so this made my first day home from surgery quite the challenge. You see, I was given a nerve block for two-thirds of my leg so it felt like it was asleep (that awful tingle feeling) and that it weighed about 700 pounds. I couldn't even lift it!! This required a lot of help from many, thankfully I had the best team of nurses out there... my family and my boyfriend.

The second way surgery changed me was that it has required a lot of patience. I am a part of the instant gratification generation and I'll be honest it is much easier to think, " I had surgery, they fixed it, I'm good to go." We all know it doesn't work that way though. I am on day 6, as previously mentioned, and I walked for the first time without crutches yesterday. Its really exciting and it makes life about the little things. I spend 6 hours a day on the CPM, a machine that basically straightens and bends my knee for me. It's long and unruly and not near the physical exercise I was used to, but these are all steps toward my new healthy knee.

Perspective is probably the biggest way my surgery changed me. I am NOT one to pity myself. My life has been filled with trials and tribulations some people never go through in their entire lifespan and I am only 18 years old. That being said, in 18 short years I have been blessed with so many things that some only dream of, and I realize that too. The point being, when you are laid up in bed you cannot resort to letting yourself take pity. I have cried, and I have been angry, because honestly it isn't fair. There is nothing you can say to make it better, and I won't be back to real life in "no time" because that is not reality. However, reality is that life is still great. I am a living testimony that you can accomplish anything you want. I might have a knee injury, but I am One Healthy Dancer. I thought about this a lot yesterday as I realized that many people have it way worse than I do. This is just a speed bump on my path to success. I'm learning to make small fetes a great victory! It's pretty exciting too.

My question is, Is your glass half empty or half full? It may seem cliché, but I promise you it'll make all the difference. Whether you're recovering from an injury, have a weight loss goal, trying to make health a bigger part of your life, or a different goal in your future, it's okay to celebrate the small victories. In fact, its important. Please continue to be a part of my journey because I can't wait to share with you my emotions, and stories, and happiness as I reach full recovery.

Bandages off and swelling going down, now that's a big victory!

xoxo,
Heather