It was the worst sound I’d ever heard.
In January of 2004, I was choreographing a dance and demonstrating a grand jete. That’s a big leap from one foot to another, and the goal is to get as much height as possible.
I kept jumping higher and higher to demonstrate what I wanted from a new dancer. I decided to take one last leap, and give it all the height I could muster.
When I landed on my right foot, I heard a loud and horrible snap. I knew I was hurt badly.
The adrenaline rush of the accident kept me from feeling too much pain until I got to the hospital, but by the time I got on the X-ray table my foot was hurting terribly.
I was shocked to learn that I had broken my foot in four places, and that I would be in a cast for 8 weeks.
During my visits with the the doctor, I learned some hard truths about my health. At 5 foot 1 and 165 pounds I was obese, and I my morning blood sugar was consistently in the pre-diabetic range. I found out that people with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of bone fractures, and I needed to manage my blood sugar to make sure I could dance again.
When I got my cast off, I started seeking fitness with a regular yoga practice, and I joined Weight Watchers. I did gain flexibility and strength, but I kept losing and regaining the same ten pounds.
Finally in 2008 I found a fitness program called Turbulence Training, and I started lifting weights and doing brief periods of High Intensity Interval Training. Or at least the intensity was high for me because I didn’t start with a high level of fitness.
I combined my training with a whole food low carb diet that I called, “Sugar Freedom.” By August of 2008 I reached a healthy weight and body fat percentage, and I never became overweight again.
Looking back, the one thing I had to do was develop proper insulin sensitivity. My eating and training gave me healthy blood sugar levels, and insulin sensitivity freed my body and mind through proper response to insulin, dopamine, serotonin, and nor-epinephrine. This opened the door to good energy, stamina, and enthusiasm for life that stays with me as long as I eat and train wisely.
I continue to work as an actor, singer, and dancer and the same health plan that keeps my bones strong, also keeps me singing and dancing at my best. I don’t have a skinny body or a model figure, but I have the healthy body I need in order to be creative.
Now, I thoroughly enjoy learning and creating dances on TikTok @sugarfreefun: https://www.tiktok.com/@sugarfreefun?_t=8dW5lgB2KTq&_r=1
Here on this blog I will continue to share what keeps me fully in the game of life.
Wishing you well in every way,
Catherine Gordon
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