I definitely don't think this is a body image issue of the usual sense. Unlike most women, I sometimes think I look thinner than maybe other people think I look. I don't know. Anyway, I was looking at an adult school class list and saw adult ballet classes. I would love to get some exercise, and dance has traditionally always been my favorite way. But do I look a little too fat for taking a ballet class in a leotard and tights, though with a skirt?

I'm a little over 15 lbs overweight, meaning a little over 15 above the highest weight in my normal BMI range. I am a big-boned woman with a slightly muscular build. I definitely look trimmer than other women my height at the same weight, with smaller bone structures/less muscles. But I honestly don't know if I look a bit too heavy for a ballet class. Whenever I ask my husband how I look, he says I look fine. He doesn't say "slim", but if he did, even I would think he was lying. I sort of wear my weight throughout my body. Maybe my thighs and butt are a little chunky, but not exceedingly so.

I'm afraid if I sign up I'll chicken out. I'm afraid I could have a panic attack during the first class. Would I suddenly become self-conscious of my weight, when usually I'm not?

I took ballet when I was 8-16 years old and a little bit off and on when I was in my 20s. I was quite good. It's not the ballet itself that would intimidate me, though I know my flexibility is pretty bad now. I am much clumsier than I used to be, partly because of one of my bipolar medications. I also seem to sweat more and more easily than I used to. That worries me.

The class starts in mid September. That would mean I would have 3 weeks to lose a bit of weight before the class started. The trouble is that I have been on the lower end mood-wise, and lethargic and prone to overeating. I guess I could always switch to a different class (even a non-exercise class) if I had to at the last minute. If I could gather some major motivation, I could lose as much as 6 lbs by the start of the class. That would make me only about 10 lbs overweight.

When I took ballet in my 20s, I was pretty trim. I felt perfectly fine and slim taking the class at about 132 lbs (5' 6.5" tall, big-bones, muscular). When I was 16 years old I was 108 lbs (a bit underweight). I had virtually ZERO fat on my body back then. I'm much much heavier now.

A concern I have is that I will compare my ballet abilities (or lack thereof) now to when I was a young woman. But I'm not sure I will.

I have taken ballroom/Latin dance classes in the past. I didn't mind being a bit heavier taking those classes. But I really don't want to have to partner with a stranger (for some of the reasons above), and private instruction is extremely expensive. My husband will NOT take a class with me.

I'm 47 years old now. I know I'm not "young", but I don't feel that old, either. I don't know how old the other adults in the class would be. I have a feeling I might not be the oldest. The class is on Mondays at 11:45 am to 1 pm, so the students will likely be housewives, retirees, part-time workers, etc., and probably not teenagers or college students, since I assume they'll be in school then.

What do people think?

[Deejay14]

If you have concerns why don't you ask if you can call me watch a class before you sign up? That might answer a lot of questions for you.

[TishaBuv]

Take the ballet class. It should be a beginning, adult one. Although you have a lot of ballet experience, it’s been a long time. Don’t worry about anyone judging you for your weight. Wear a skirt over the leotard if that makes you feel more comfortable. The more you do the ballet, the better shape you will get into. No one expects you to be a prima ballerina. The adult classes are for enjoyment and exercise.

Be careful, though. I went back to dance classes in my 40’s and stupidly hurt myself. I pulled a muscle and really haven’t recovered. I also got frustrated with myself because I wasn’t as good as I thought I had been as a kid. I quit, but it was mostly because I got hurt.

Now I do gentler exercise and won’t try anything too strenuous in my advancing age. But don’t let me discourage you. I say go for it!