Western Michigan University - Nutrition and Body Image Workshop Testimonials
Fueling = Feeling In Control…
“The dancer wellness discussions, especially on nutrition... were eye-opening for me. Before this semester, I underestimated how much these factors affect performance and overall well-being. The nutrition workshop taught me that what I eat directly impacts my energy, focus, and recovery. I realized that skipping meals or relying on quick snacks can lead to fatigue and even injury. Learning how to fuel my body properly made me feel more in control of my health and my dancing.”
-Freshman Dance Major #1Mood Improved, Dancing Better…
“The nutrition and body image workshops were humbling to say the least. Most dancers, including myself, struggle with proper fueling and negative body image. I discovered that to be the best dancer I can be, I need to prioritize good nutrition and a balanced diet consisting of fruits and veggies, whole grains, and protein. One idea I really appreciated from the workshops was the concept of body neutrality. I don’t have to love or hate my body. I can simply accept it as it is and focus on how my body functions instead of how it appears in the mirror. I started implementing good nutrition and body neutrality into my daily routine. Some days are more difficult than others, but on the days I’m successful, my mood improves, I dance better, and I’m not constantly thinking about my body.”
-Freshman Dance Major #2Food Struggles Don’t Define You…
“I’ve had struggles with food in the past and present. This ties directly into body image, because my negative view of my body often made me restrict foods and created confusion about what would let me be at my best. Luckily, these workshops and my first-semester experiences have slowly helped me fix my approach. Now I prioritize full meals that give me enough energy to do what I love. My body image is still something I’m working on, but I’ve noticed slight improvements.
I think this is a very important workshop to have early on, because many dancers struggle with the same issues. Learning how to fuel ourselves and address body image, rather than ignoring it, helps make our careers more sustainable and removes stress and confusion so we can dance longer without worrying about food.”
-Freshman Dance Major #3
