Instead of boot camp decided to do Ballet Camp as enjoying Friday Dance class and Saturday Ballet.
The theory behind it is how somewhere back in time dance and yoga may of been similar.
Pilates and ballet even use the same terminology.
Nowadays you can do ballet moves without having to do dangerous en pointe.
As this idea came my way I quite liked to do it.
As Lesley Sansone does Pilates Walking it is possibly a form of ballet, but easy for anyone to pick up and do.
One Year on Review
During last year I cut down my workout time resulting in weight gain of 9 llbs.
It is easier but if I want to loose weight I seem to need to workout for longer.
Not to Worry
I’m not overly worried but as I’m pre writing this with stress flu before Christmas a bit worried I might put on even more weight, but then again with the food shortages and petite sized food small enough for a ballet dancer maybe now I’ve read they don’t eat properly.
When you are loosing weight it is more like a bootcamp than a ballet camp.
I had to do Ballet Camp as Ballet is my fear due to the way I was neglected as a child owing to my sister going to ballet class.
Discovered Ballet is actually a registered mental illness:
Ballet culture, with its intense perfectionism, physical demands, and focus on appearance, significantly increases the risk of psychological issues, with high rates of depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia, and eating disorders (EDs), often linked to cyclic trauma, low self-esteem, and instability, necessitating better mental health support for dancers.
Common Psychological Issues in Ballet:
- Eating Disorders & Body Image: A pervasive focus on low body weight and constant mirror monitoring fosters EDs (like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa) and body dysmorphia, with praise often given for weight loss.
- Depression & Anxiety: High rates of depressive and generalized anxiety disorder symptoms are reported, linked to perfectionism, pressure, and the demanding environment, say NIH researchers and other studies.
- Perfectionism & Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): The drive for flawlessness and constant self-monitoring can manifest as perfectionism and OCD traits, as noted by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
- Low Self-Esteem & Instability: A lack of control, inconsistent feedback, and job instability contribute to low self-esteem and feelings of instability, report the BPS and Counselling for Dancers.
- Complex PTSD: One study identified themes consistent with Complex PTSD, suggesting cyclic trauma within ballet culture, according to a PubMed study.Â
Contributing Factors:
- Intense Training:Â Demanding regimes and high physical risk increase stress and injury, which in turn worsens mental health.
- Environment:Â The culture often lacks adequate psychological support, with some older teaching methods contributing to trauma, says Counselling for Dancers.
- Body Shaming: Negative feedback or praise related to weight can be deeply damaging, notes a YouTube video.Â
Moving Forward:
There’s a growing push for more support, including psychologists in dance, better mental health education, and shifting focus from perfection to holistic well-being, say dancers and professionals.Google search
My fear is similar ~ anything that went wrong with my life was always because I hadn’t gone to dancing class.
Such as:
My height, have to say I’m closer to a professional ballet dancer anyway, my sister is actually too tall.
My weight, ditto I’d be lighter to lift off the ground, although I’m still too tall and overweight.
My confidence
Not having a small waist
The same mental problems obviously happen to people having to live with or around ballet dancers.
Well this is my facing up to my fear month again.
In the world of professional ballet, height and weight standards vary by company, though they traditionally emphasize a lean, athletic physique to ensure agility and the safety of partnering during lifts.
Typical Height and Weight Ranges
While there is no universal “fixed” requirement, professional female dancers often fall within these ranges:
- Average Height: Most range between 5’2″ and 5’8″ (157–173 cm).
- Average Weight: Weights typically range from 85 to 125 lbs (38–57 kg) depending on height and muscle mass.
- Proportional Rule of Thumb: Some trainers use a rough guideline of 100 lbs for the first 5 feet, plus 5 lbs for every inch thereafter, though this is often criticized for not accounting for muscle density.Â
Variation by Company and Training Style
- Traditional Russian (Vaganova):Â Historically known for the strictest standards, often using charts where a dancer’s weight (kg) should be roughly their height (cm) minus 120 (e.g., 166 cm / 46 kg).
- American (Balanchine): Often favors taller, “leggy” dancers with long lines, frequently seen in companies like the New York City Ballet.
- Regional & Modern Companies:Â Frequently allow for more individuality and a broader range of body types, prioritizing strength and artistry over specific measurements.Â
Exceptions to the Norm
- Short Dancers: High-profile principals like Maria Kochetkova (approx. 5’0″) have achieved elite success despite being shorter than the average professional.
- Tall Dancers: Some companies, such as the Pacific Northwest Ballet, are known for hiring taller, more athletic dancers.Â
Evolution of Standards (2025)
Modern ballet companies increasingly prioritize athleticism and health over extreme thinness. Many now employ nutritionists and medical staff to ensure dancers are properly fueled for the intense physical demands of their careers. Organizations like The Australian Ballet have led efforts in sport-science-based training programs to support diverse body types.
They still do pointes and would guess the male dancers would opt for a lighter partner.
Wonder if they are desperate to save ballet dancing or something?
(Far meaner than Barbie)
Not my problem I’m facing up to my fear.
I’m not a fitness expert so I’m learning as I go along.
I use videos that are crafted for people to use at home.
I’d just do it on my own, but I feel sharing what I do helps me more as tests have shown people lose weight better and have more results if they are not on their own.
Not so dry January Formula for easy detoxing if you find it hard to go cold turkey but are doing dry January
Fashion Calendar Meets Slimming Calendar
As the calendars are obviously teaching us about slimming, fashion and Interior Design, I feel I’ve made a bit of headway.
As I’m desperate for some clothes that fit I decided to start altering my clothes by hand.
I surprised myself by discovering seamstress skills.
This even more surprisingly leads to couture.
For instance whoever decides a certain body type is the model for a shop then all the clothes are designed to fit them.
I don’t know who chooses this model or why, but if you aren’t that particular shape your only option is to slim down or pad up.
Same goes for ballerinas only petite underweight women can go pro ~ impossible for average height and women above.
I now feel either liberated from fashion or peeved off with fashion.
The way forward in 2026 is to alter my fashion and maybe go down this kinder route with myself ~ just because my family treated me like rubbish doesn’t mean I am rubbish. If you were rejected by the boring picky world of ballet maybe cotoure might be more welcoming to you.
Exercise Workouts
I will still be doing this as everyone knows if you forget about trend fashion and cotoure sizing based on someone nothing like you, we do actually need exercise for health.
I have to exercise for my seratonin.
What is Your Ideal Weight?
I can’t answer this but I’m wondering if I look better at 8 1/2 stone.
My goal weight was 8 stone but due to my body dismorphia project and leaving photos on instagram ~ I could actually see myself that I looked too skinny.
This month I’m sticking to the recommended healthy exercise guide.
I’m happy being 8 1/2 stone but I wish I could get my waist and ab area down.
Haven’t got a clue if it is possible, before the only way I could get my trunk down was by slimming but then I look too skinny.
Maybe my answer is couture fashion?
Hope my journey with the calendars in 2026 proves fruitfull and you glean something from it too.
Saphire
Mon
Zsa Zsa Gabor routine
This month do your standing abs after your cardio as it works better once you are warmed up.
Pilates 30 mins
Lesley Sansone 30 minute pilate walk
1 hour session plus weights and abs
finish with abs
You have a choice or do both
Tue
Spa Day
Try out your new spa products
Wed
Zsa Zsa Gabor
plus side bends 3 sets of 12
and ankle weights on.
This month do your standing abs after your cardio as it works better once you are warmed up.
Dancing boost
You can do the standing abs and aerobics or the whole aerobics video if you can get on the floor.
I can only do to 38.00 then fast forward to waists 50.00, then I can do a bit of the cooldown then finish with Lesley Sansone.
Then finish with standing abs
Thur
Yoga
Friday Dance Class
Zsa Zsa Gabor
plus side bends 3 sets of 12
and ankle weights on
This month do your standing abs after your cardio as it works better once you are warmed up.
Put two choices here, not sure if I can do pump it so put ten minute solutions there as well.
Just choose one.
or
ten minute abs
The Not so Dry January play list
Conclusion
There is variety and choices for you this month.
Changed a few things around for you so you can push yourself harder to fit in with the theme of dry January although it isn’t too dry as it is ‘not so dry January’.
It should hopefully be a bootcamp for you if you are working off Christmas indulgences.
You get Tuesday off and the weekend for your spa treatments.
Thursday Yoga is optional.
You could just do the 3 cardios.
You could do the yoga everyday instead and should get really good results from that, it will help you switch from christmas food to healthy food.
As pilates walking is like ballet, you could go to Lesley Sansone.com and walk your way through dry January to a new you.
https://www.youtube.com/@LeslieSansonesWalkatHome
Hope you like the bootcamp additions with a Sindy Ballet camp theme.
Enjoy your ‘not so dry January workout’
This will lead you to end of dry January 70s party.
Enjoy!!!
SAPHIRE LIFESTYLE BLOG 