It’s not uncommon to have a coffee in the morning, one in the afternoon, and a third before a nighttime performance. That is definitely going overboard and it can have a negative impact on your body, mind and sleep!

Don’t worry, this post won’t be all coffee hate – I personally LOVE it and wouldn’t dream of giving it up altogether. It’s too yummy and has positive attributes as well. Watch the latest video from The Whole Dancer YouTube Channel to hear about my coffee experiment!

Drinking this addictive beverage can have a negative impact anxiety levels and blood pressure. And yes, it can also have a positive impact by providing antioxidants, increased focus and alertness.

In the video, you’ll see that for me it had become a problem and I share how I was able to cut back. I also get into how exactly coffee can impact your bones. There’s more recent research on this topic which I get into in this brand new coffee post.

I also wanted to share some alternatives in case this is a morning ritual for you – having a swap will make cutting back easier!

Try an energizing herbal tea – peppermint teas really wakes me up! It’s really tasty to splash some unsweetened almond milk and a bit of honey to it. It reminds me of a peppermint patty!

Explore coffee alternatives – there are chicory alternatives like Teaccino. There are a variety of different roasts and flavors depending on your preferences! Vanilla nut, anyone?!

Remember, if you’re a coffee lover, these alternatives will not give you exactly the same satisfaction as coffee BUT they will definitely help if you’re looking to cut back.

Share in the comments below : What’s your relationship with coffee? Do you need it everyday? Will you try to cut back?

The post Is coffee destroying your bones? appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

I thought that if I was skinnier (irrationally) that it would make me an instantly better dancer.

In my mind, skinny was the answer to all of my problems. It would help me get my next job, get cast in better roles and my technique would instantly look better on a skinnier body.

Maybe you can relate to this somewhat obsessive view of “skinny”. However, you might not realize that the stress you’re feeling about getting there is actually counterproductive.

When you’re stressed your body produces excess amounts of Cortisol. This stress hormone in large amounts can cause insulin resistance and storage of belly fat AND excess cortisol can also cause you to crave sugar and simple carbs or comfort food.

So, before you can make moves towards your best body – whether you’re hoping to get thinner or more toned, you must address your thought process.

Here are 6 ways to start the shift:

1. Identify your stressors and find ways to cope with them. Being stressed is a big deal (side note – caffeine can make it worse!).

2. Set intentions behind your body goals – acknowledge that being thinner is not going to make you an instantly better dancer. Know the reasons why you’d like your body to be different.

3. Work on increasing your confidence NOW…not only will this help you think of yourself in a more loving and supportive way, that confidence will help you see that your body goals ARE possible.

4. Be realistic. You may not ever be as thin as the dancer standing next to you. We are all built differently and what’s healthy for one person may be completely unhealthy for you.

5. Frame your goals in healthier ways – rather than saying “I want/need to be thinner” or “I’d like to reach x weight by a certain date” say something like, “I want to attain the strongest, most beautiful version of my body that is going to support my dancing for a long and healthy career.”

6. Trust the process. Throughout your life, your body shape and composition will be constantly evolving. You’ll discover a new way of eating that works wonders for you or certain mindset shifts will suddenly click.

If you’re looking to get a jump start on your body goals, then take a look at The Dancer’s Best Body Program. Each of these 6 things are dealt with through this new program along with concrete food and meal plan info.

The post Getting skinny comes after this… appeared first on The Whole Dancer.