Lately, I've been working hard to get back into dancing shape. There was a decade and a half of my life where I danced a LOT, sometimes professionally -- mostly as a bellydancer.
Some years back I was in a really, really bad relationship, with someone who, after a year of being sweet and kind, suddenly became a monster when we moved in together. He terrorized me so much and put me down so much as a dancer that I stopped, and wasn't able to go back to it even after leaving him -- for years every time I tried to practice, I would hear his put-downs ringing in my ears and often end up crying or close to it. It sucked.
I still did a little social dancing - primarily swing dance, with a bit of tango thrown in, but it was no longer a focus in my life. And I lost a lot of strength and flexibility and stamina.
I don't know if I'll ever dance professionally again, but I want that feeling of joy and vitality back.
So, I'm:
I have already seen an increase in my stamina. I end the work day without needing to immediately go take a nap, and I'm able to work out harder for longer.
Some years back I was in a really, really bad relationship, with someone who, after a year of being sweet and kind, suddenly became a monster when we moved in together. He terrorized me so much and put me down so much as a dancer that I stopped, and wasn't able to go back to it even after leaving him -- for years every time I tried to practice, I would hear his put-downs ringing in my ears and often end up crying or close to it. It sucked.
I still did a little social dancing - primarily swing dance, with a bit of tango thrown in, but it was no longer a focus in my life. And I lost a lot of strength and flexibility and stamina.
I don't know if I'll ever dance professionally again, but I want that feeling of joy and vitality back.
So, I'm:
- REALLY stepping up my exercise regimen. I have a set schedule of (online) barre classes, cardio dance classes, yoga, and splits/flexibility training that I cycle through every week. On days that I don't have a class scheduled, or sometimes just because, I play Just Dance or do a Youtube workout.
- I've begun logging every food I eat again (I use the Fitbit app), as a tool of making myself mindful of what I'm actually eating and when, so I am at less risk of mindlessly eating several pounds of pretzels while programming without realizing how much I ate.
- I'm working REALLY HARD to shift what I eat to be overall healthier; a lot more "whole foods," mostly fruits and whole grains. I have to get really tricksy with myself to get vegetables into my diet in any quantity.
I have already seen an increase in my stamina. I end the work day without needing to immediately go take a nap, and I'm able to work out harder for longer.
I'm so so excited for you to find your groove again!! I remember how much fun you had with dancing and I'm so sorry it was ruined for you by someone so malicious. 
What kind of tricks are you currently applying for more veggies? I struggle so hard, but I manage to chuck some frozen spinach into my smoothies to help with some of that!
What kind of tricks are you currently applying for more veggies? I struggle so hard, but I manage to chuck some frozen spinach into my smoothies to help with some of that!