Cindy Sadler, the mezzo-soprano who writes Classical Singer’s “Ask Erda” column, is known for her practical, no-nonsense approach to the business of singing. Recently, Cindy adopted a similar approach toward her own “Fat Relocation Project,” with impressive results. Cindy lost approximately 112 pounds over the course of just a year, and in the process nearly reversed her Type-2 diabetes.
As Cindy neared the one-year anniversary of her project, she sat down with Classical Singer to talk about how and why she embarked on it, and how she stuck with it.
What prompted you to begin this program?
I had many motivations. One of them was seeing a photo of myself on vacation and thinking, “Ugh. I don’t like the way I look there.” I’ve never hated my body, no matter what I’ve weighed, but I didn’t like the limitations that the extra weight was putting on me. For example, I’ve had a knee injury, which is not related to my weight, but it was complicated by my weight. My back was starting to hurt.
I’ve always been very flexible. I could always do the splits. I could always touch my toes. But I was starting not to be able to move—and I wanted to be able to move.
Did you ever consider gastric bypass surgery?
No. That wouldn’t have solved the problem. I have no problem losing weight—I’ve done that many times. The challenge is to do it in the right way and make the loss sustainable.
Please tell me a little about the diet you chose.
It’s not a diet. I follow the advice of Judith Beck, who specializes in cognitive therapy. In her book, The Beck Diet Solution, she takes the principles of cognitive therapy and applies them to eating habits. She doesn’t tell you what or how much to eat. Instead, she gives you techniques for overcoming the obstacles that have kept you from being successful in the past.
Can you give us an example?
A good example is the concept of response cards. Every time you have a sabotaging thought, such as: “It won’t matter if I eat that,” you take out one of your response cards and that helps you resist the temptation. I have a response card that says, “Every bit of food that I put into my mouth matters and counts.” I’ve also made myself these bracelets here with reminders on them.
They’re very pretty. What do they say?
They say, “Choose health,” “Face decisions,” “Perseverance,” and “No excuses.” These are some of the most important reminders distilled for me. I don’t wear the bracelets all the time, but I wear them when I travel and when I know I’m going to be facing particular challenges. When I reach for food, they’re right there.
How have your eating habits changed?
I’ve started listening to my body’s cues. I know now that I was eating way more than I needed to before. I’ve learned to eat up to the point of fullness or a little under it. Once you start paying attention to it, your body re-educates itself. I’m surprised at how much the small portions satisfy me. It’s rare that I’ll go to a restaurant and eat everything on my plate.
You have a personal trainer. How has she helped you?
I had already lost 80 pounds by the time I’d started working with my trainer. I went to her because I was getting bored with my routine and I felt like I wasn’t losing enough weight. I also didn’t want to be a “skinny fat person.” I wanted to be toned and fit.
I’ve been heavy a really long time, and consequently I’m going to have loose skin no matter what, unless I have surgery, which I don’t plan on having. But what I can do is tone and make myself strong as well. That’s where my trainer comes in. She’s sweet and supportive, and yet she pushes me. I love working out with her.
How has your weight loss affected your voice?
There has been no effect on my voice that I’ve noticed, and there’s no physiological reason that there should be. I suppose weight loss could affect a singer’s support, though. If you’re used to having extra weight to lean against, then that might be an issue. I teach some very thin college girls who have a tough time grasping the concept of support. They can only expand so much, and it’s not that much. They just don’t understand the feeling of resistance. But for me—since my weight loss has been gradual, and because I’ve been singing all the way through it—I haven’t noticed a change. Some friends have told me, however, that my breath lines are longer. Physically, I definitely have more energy, but I don’t think my voice sounds different.
What about your career? Has it changed as a result of the weight loss?
It’s too soon to tell. We’re just coming into the audition season. This is going to be the first time that people will see me looking completely different.
I’ve always been a working heavy singer, but it may have limited roles that I’ve gotten. Maybe someone will look at me now and give me a chance to do roles that I’m right for vocally and that maybe I’m more physically right for, too.
What are some of those roles?
I would love to do Dalila. That’s a role that I sing very well, but I’ve never had anyone hire me to do it. Every mezzo wants to sing Carmen. I’ve done all the bits and pieces throughout my career, but I’d love to do the whole thing. I’d like to do another Amneris. I’m up for anything.
At the same time, I don’t want to give up the roles I do now. I don’t want to give up Baba the Turk. That’s one of my favorite roles of all time. Interestingly enough, I was at one of my heaviest weights when I did that role, and I got so much feedback about how sexy I was. It was hilarious. I was a fat girl with a big beard throwing things across the stage, and I had men coming up to me in the lobby, telling me that I was hot. So it just goes to show how much your image depends upon your attitude toward yourself.
On the other hand, I tell my clients all the time that we have to look the best we can on the opera stage. We have to be careful about how we present ourselves. I don’t necessarily agree with it, but it is a fact of our business, and I believe in dealing with reality.
Do you think that there’s more emphasis on physical appearance in opera now?
Yes. The wake-up call to this generation was Deborah Voigt’s experience at Covent Garden. If she of all people—with the voice she’s got, with the artistry she possesses, and with the personal charm she’s reputed to have—was told that she could not sing this role because she couldn’t fit into that stupid dress, what hope do the rest of us have?
I’d rather see singers who can sing than singers who look good. If I want to see beautiful people, I’ll open a magazine.
I for one am tired of being sold this plastic, Hollywood image. It’s so unhealthy. It’s not just about how people look. It’s also about what we have, and what we spend, and what cars we have, and what our houses look like. We are being sold this unrealistic, and for most people, unattainable image. I’m sad to see opera going in that direction, because opera is about passion, and beautiful singing, and emotions, and stories that are bigger than life, literally.
It’s wrong for us to buy into those Hollywood standards. We are doing a disservice to our art form by not acknowledging that beauty, passion, and love come in all shapes and sizes. I don’t want to see only skinny white people on stage. Some people might think I’m hypocritical because I’m losing weight, but I support diversity on the stage. Wholeheartedly.
Also, my career is not the primary reason for my weight loss. I’ve been working a long time as a heavy singer. If my career is better as a result of my weight loss, that’s icing on the cake, and I’ll eat it up.
How have other singers reacted to your weight loss?
The support I’ve received has been extremely encouraging. People who are in my online communities or respond to my blog—www.thenext100pounds.com—have been wonderful. I’ve found that one of the keys to successful, long-term weight loss is an online support group, which gives you a sense of accountability. Of course, you need real-life support, too.
On your blog, you write that you surround yourself with people who love you at any weight.
Yes. I think one thing that kept me from losing weight for a long time was rebelliousness. I didn’t want to be with any man who only wanted me at a certain weight. My husband loved me when I was 100 pounds heavier than I am now. He thought I was beautiful then and still does. The fact that he has always embraced me for what I am allowed me to get where I am, and [allowed me] to say that I was going to do this for me.
What is the hardest part of your project?
I sometimes get tired of having to do it. This is a lifetime commitment if I want to keep the weight off. That said, I don’t restrict myself. I cannot live without gelato or chocolate for the rest of my life. If I really want some gelato, then I plan to have some gelato. But for the rest of the day I’ll probably eat salad.
What advice do you have for other singers who want to lose weight?
Well, you have to start from a position of loving yourself. You can’t do this to punish yourself, or because you think you’re not good enough, or because you think no one will love you. This is true of your singing career as well. You have to want the best for yourself and think that you deserve it. So I would say that your first step is to get your head on straight. Decide that this is a gift you’re going to give yourself—not because your life is going to be bad if you don’t, but because your life is going to be better if you do.
If I can learn to eat well, not feel deprived, and not put so much emotion into eating, then anyone can.
