Have you ever felt absolutely disgusted with your own body in general
and then mortified by what you see when you look at pictures of yourself
- only to revisit those photos years later and WISHED you could be that
thin again because you are currently feeling exactly the same way or
worse? Were you ever actually as heavy as you thought? Will you EVER
be happy with your body as it is right. now.? I rarely have been. I
love food too much to be anorexic -- but never really binged enough to
need to purge.... but I definitely have a disorder. A body disorder?
Is that a thing? Do all women have that here in America? I apologize
as I realize I am just asking a lot of questions -- and I am not
examining uncharted territory by any means. We know the deal -- our
culture does not appear to welcome real women's natural bodies for some
bizarre reason. Of course you find out in reality that nearly every
body type is desirable to someone - somewhere....and because there are A
LOT of someones all over this country and the world -- we are actually
JUST FINE. Two of my most satisfying & supportive relationships have occurred when I have felt "overweight" (including right now). Realizing this still doesn't help my own body image and that
is just silly.
There was one point in my life I acquired some peace on this issue.
I bought a book, "The Idiots Guide to Yoga". I read a lot of the book
and looked at the pictures -- but didn't really practice any of the
positions. One thing that really resonated with me was the information
about it's connection it's Buddhist philosophies of eliminating negative
thoughts, words, & actions - to others - but most importantly to
yourself. For the first time in my life I realized how terrible I had
been to myself all those years. If any friend of mine were saying the
things that would go through my head every time I caught a glimpse of
myself in a mirror to me -- I would definitely rethink that friendship.
So I did the same for myself. That summer was terrific for me. I had
some extra time on my hands and was able to fit in truly mini workouts
almost all week (20 minutes a day -- no kidding)....but I definitely was
eating whatever the hell I wanted....and I lost 10 pounds in a month!
This was many moons ago -- and I have experienced a few gains and losses
since but my happiest moments with myself have been when I did NOT
permit these negative thoughts/words to myself about myself. When I let
myself truly enjoy everything I ate -- whether "good for me" or
"bad"....and didn't punish myself. I have maintained a very happy
weight with myself using this "method".
So - why am I writing about this? I have recently been rehearsing
for the brand new Off-Broadway production of "Spandex the Musical". I
suppose that may explain a lot right there, but for those of you who
weren't around in the 80's.....aerobics was the fitness craze which
swept the nation. The wardrobe of choice was a breathable -- stretchy
fabric called Spandex! My role in this musical is that of Linda, a
housewife/mother in her 40s who has lost her figure - but mostly her
confidence and herself. She finds her power once again through the
inspiring friends she meets at aerobics and while competing in the
National Crystal Light Aerobic Olympics - Hosted by Alan Thicke - inspired by real-life events! I cannot tell you the mental ride I have
been on with this experience. From the callbacks to getting cast - to
reading the script and realizing my character is referred to as
"Tubs".....I have very conflicting highs and lows. Winning this role
feels amazing as a performer -- but terrible as a woman. What a bizarre
dichotomy for an actress. Now - I am also not 40...and people claim I
don't look 35 (which I am) -- but I have been playing that (& older)
for several years now! So I already am aware that casting often isn't
100% true to character descriptions but I can't help finding this
experience so bizarre. While I know my body is far from thin -- it
definitely isn't what I see when I envision "Linda"...yet I could see
why I might be perfect for her at the same time.
This experience is unique for me on so many levels -- one of which
is the need for me to wear workout clothes in rehearsal 5 days a week -
with the end result being in actual Spandex -- something I don't think I
OWNED in the 80's because I did not think I would look right in it
(even at 8 to pre-teen I didn't think I could pull it off!). You stare
at yourself in the mirror as you rehearse and think terrible thoughts
about all your rolls -- and wonder what other people might think of you
(who clearly are paying no attention as they are doing the same thing to
themselves). Only this time -- every time I caught a glimpse of
myself and thought of how terrible I looked -- all I could think of was
how right that made me for "Linda". I have NEVER felt so justified in
this body I have. Never. It is exciting and uncomfortable all at
once. I have been attempting to lose at least 10 pounds for the past 2
years....and thought this might jumpstart that crusade. The day we
started rehearsals - I started another "diet" --- and hoped that - come
opening night I could do the show without my "sucky-inny-clothes", as I
call them --- otherwise known as "Spanx". I thought this was when I was
going to lose that 10 pounds. How weird it felt though --- as I was
now cast as someone called "Tubs"....maybe I shouldn't? Well -- have no
fear --- the hectic schedule has made it very difficult for me to keep
up with my diet -- and that weight has not come off and I still despise
my belly every time I see it in the mirror.
I have been dying to share this experience with people....not
because I have some incredible insight to share -- but because I feel
like most women with similar feelings never get to have this type of
experience. Most American women never feel 100% perfect in the body
they are in. And that is a shame. I still don't -- but I get to as I
play "Linda" - who is taking control of her life and getting in shape.
Sure, she is doing aerobics - but I like to think she is finding her
success the only way I think anyone does - by eliminating those negative
thoughts which sabotage your efforts and truly loving and being kind to
yourself. It all reminds me of how we do have the power within
ourselves to alter those thoughts which hinder our well-being. If I had
lost that 10 pounds 1 or 2 years ago -- as I had been attempting, and
my body looked like I wish it did -- would I have booked this show?
Probably not.
I won't lie -- I am still 100% terrified by any publicity shots that
are coming --- or just at the thought of any of my friends and family
seeing my imperfectness on display in Spandex costumes in the theatre
district just Off-Broadway! After several years doing some of my best
work outside of NYC -- now my imperfections will be the most accessible
in whatever press we get and obviously visible on stage every show. I
am uncomfortable with every inch of this -- but doing my best to
identify with being so "right" to play Linda -- a sweetheart of a woman
who has to learn to love herself just as she is - right now - something
we should all be doing - all the time.
