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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

My Biggest Fear...Pole Dancing in Public

This weekend I face my biggest fear (well, fourth biggest fear, somewhere behind being buried alive, falling out of a rollercoaster or my car falling into a river)....  I am performing in public.  What?!, you say!  This can't be my first public performance!  Well, I guess not.  But my previous performances have all been at Twirly Girls, amongst friends who love and support me.  This weekend, I am dancing to support Robert's AIDS LifeCycle Ride, in front of friends and family and complete strangers!  It really is a first for me. 

I am well aware that I am not the best dancer (or even the 100th best dancer) in the world.  I can't do a lot of tricks.  I'm not smokin' hot sexy.  But I have been working on my flow.  And I do have a cute routine mapped out.  I have been sick, and then I went on vacation, so I haven't had as much practice as I'd like, but thank God Mama Bel teaches her Twirly Girls how to free dance.  I am really excited and really nervous.  This is actually the jumping off point to see if I might compete later this year.  We have a great line up of other local dancers performing with me.  There will be raffles and auction items.  And tipping WILL be encouraged at this event.  We also have a couple of surpises up our sleeves. 

So, if you're in the San Francisco Bay Area on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 6:00 PM, come to Club 1220 in Walnut Creek.  We will be pole dancing to raise money to fight AIDS and support Robert's AIDS LifeCycle Ride (500+ mile ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles).  If you can't attend but want to donate, HERE is his link. 

Otherwise, keep an eye out...videos and photos to come!  Wish me luck!  Please-don't-fall-on-my-face...Please-don't-fall-on-my-face...Please-don't-fall-on-my-face.


From Trick or Twirl in November 2012

From Trick or Twirl in November 2012

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Today is my third bloggerversary!

On this date in 2010, I wrote my very first blog.  I had no idea where this adventure was going to take me when I signed up for my first pole class in 2009.  I really am grateful for all of the new friends I've made and fun I've had due to pole dancing and blogging.  If you want to read last year's anniversary blog, it is HERE

What has changed?  Nothing and everything.

Nothing:  I am trying to embrace being a plus-sized pole dancer rather than fight against it.  I still can't do a lot of things I want to do and I have to be okay with it.

Everything:  My new job leaves me much less time and energy for either pole dancing or writing. 

The first big pole show of the year, Pole Show LA, was last weekend.  I was in Southern California but opted to stay at Disneyland rather than go to the show.  I don't want to say I am getting bored by pole.  But with less vacation time at the new job, and more responsibility, so I'm busier during the day, I am going to have to get a lot pickier about which events (especially out of town ones) I attend.  Currently, the only pole event I am planning to hit up this year is going to be Pole Expo in Las Vegas in September.  A bunch of my Twirly Girls are participating in the Pacific Pole Championship in March, but I am pretty sure I will be sitting that trip out as well.  We have another sick cat, so money is an issue.  Plus, I'm just tired and need a break.  Traveling is fun but kamikazi trips to LA drain me.

So how do my numbers compare to last year?

Last year, my pole profile had about 2,000 Facebook friends.  This year, I'm up to almost 2,300.  It's hard to follow that many people on Facebook, so I am trying to figure out how to reconfigure things so I can actually see posts from people I know. 

My Twitter followers are up from 1,200 to almost 1,400.  I think Twitter is an under-utilized tool that I am starting to spend a little more time on lately. 

My blog has had 164,925 views in the last three years.  That's 100,000 more views than last year.  Sure, in the whole scheme of things, it's not a ton of reads, but considering I'm just a regular old girl writing about pole dancing, I'm pretty excited about it. 

I want to thank everyone again who reads my blog and has been on this adventure with me!  Even though I'm slightly quieter, I do appreciate every single one of you and look forward to another poletastic year!





Thursday, January 24, 2013

POLE GOALS!

Time for a Pole Goals update.  This month, for the blog hop, I listed realistic pole goals that I can actually attain in the near future. 

I am already on track for my weekly class to learn and recently found out that the amazing Sean Michael will be teaching it!  That will help me with my second goal, which is to continue working on flow and technique as well.  And may also inadvertently help me with tricks since Sean Michael is great at tricks.  My third goal was exercise and I just joined a brand new 24 Hour Fitness within walking disance of my house.  So those goals are coming along.

As for my long-term pole goals, you can read up on some of those adventures HERE.  I feel like I'm essentially starting at square one with all of these.  So here are some photos to mark the beginning of my journey. 

Handstands/Bow and Arrow from a Handstand

Sure, I can do handstands.  But I need some serious work on my core so I can lift into them more gently.  I also need to work on flexibility of my hips and back to help with splits and bow and arrow.

These photos are from Twirly Girls just a week or so ago.





Splits

I don't even have any good photos.  My splits are definitely worse than they used to be.  Losing my yoga class really hurt me in a ton of different ways.  I have a new yoga place that I really like but money is always a factor, as is time.  Plus, I was out of the game for over a year and I lost a lot of flexibility.  I really wish I could afford to go three times a week so I could catch up faster. 

You can see my old splits pics HERE.


Interesting article: http://stadion.com/column_stretch01.html

Dancer/Backbends/General Flexibility

I just don't have a flexible backIt's one of the things I'm working on, but I don't know if I will ever be flexible in that way.  I know it looks like I'm just making myself into a table top in a couple of these photos but that really is me thinking I'm doing a backbend. 

backbend?

dancer

downward dog



look, I'm a table!

arched back


Climbing

I am still not a strong climber.  I really just need to get up there and do it.  I just find that if I don't get the climb the first time, I get upset and sweaty, which makes it harder to climb.  But the more I do it, the easier it will become.  Something else to work on.

points for climbing in stockings

Inverson/Inverted Crucifix

I have been making this goal since I started pole dancing.  I am still just as far away.  It's a core/mind-f$%* issue.  I see girls my size or bigger doing them, so I know I can do it.  Even if I can't invert, I feel like I should be able to back into a handstand and inverted crucifix.  My legs just don't stick.  I don't know if that's a real issue or a brain issue.  It's still a goal.  The first pic is from May 2012, with two people making sure I didn't slide.  I can go up backwards (in other words, directly from a handstand, not from an inversion, then coming down into a handstand) but I can't let go.




Cross-Knee or Cross-Ankle Release

Besides my other obvious strength and brain issues, this one is going to be interesting.  My friend pointed out when I do certain moves, I don't lock my ankles properly.  And I'm not sure if my legs have the flexiblity to lock right!  So this one may be a long time coming. 

Lying Lady/Plank

I posted THIS about wanting to look like Lo when I do Lying Lady or Plank.  Yeah the upside down (almost) thing still alludes me.  So this is another work in progress.



Half Iguana Mount

I am not strong enough to hold my whole body weight but I should be able to master half iguana mount.  I feel like it will be a good way for me to also start working on goals such as being able to pull myself up into a sit from a handstand.  As long as I am in yoga, I seem to have the shoulder flexibility for it.  I just need to work on that core strength.

Handstand/Iguana Mount into leg wrap and then sitting up to the pole

Someday this will happen.  Some day.  It will let me do all kinds of cool things. 

Superman

I had stockings on for my pole goal pics (not recommended) so Superman wasn't even a possibility.  I did do it from the floor once.  Bruised myself really pretty as well! 


Fan kick to a pole sit

This is another flexibility issue.  I also kicked the pole once and bruised the shit out of my toe.  Owie.  But it's so pretty and I want to master it!!!!


Jasmine (Marley...or whatever other name you want to insert here)

Poorly done since I don't want to kick out the top arm or bottom leg but here's my start.  I also am getting into it from the floor, not from an invert.  The first picture is from August 2012.  The other one is from last week.  In stockings again.  Dumbo. 


Iron X

Sure, I should be worried about inverting first.  Maybe doing some Ayshas or pencils, or other moves.  But I feel like I should go big or go home.  It's going to happen.

I believe this is Rafaela from Brazil

Long term goal of becoming certified

I talked about becoming x-pert certified HERE.  I had wanted to get certified this year, but money and time may be an issue.  Also, some of my favorite pole stars recently separated from x-pert.  So I am kind of waiting to see where they are going before I decide where to become certified.  I also want to be a little stronger before I go.  I don't want to waste money if I can't do 75% of the moves.

Grips

One last goal is to understand (truly) split grip versus twisted grips (and maybe I'm using the wrong words here).  I mean, I understand the hand placement and realize there is some benefit to using twisted grips.  But I also hear it torques your body in a bad way.  Can I monkey wrench my way into some of these moves before I'm ready?  I don't need anymore injuries thought (tennis elbow on left arm, healing hyper-extended knee on left leg, left hip issues leads to lower back issues, bone spur in right heel, along with plantar fasciitis, and on and on).  So I want to do some research so I "get" it fully.  If anyone has any ideas, I'd love help!

And I'd also like to hear about your pole goals and how you are reaching them.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Pole, Sweat and Magnesium

I have complained in the past about sweating.  I strangely associate it with being a fatty, even though I have been basically sweaty since I was born.  Yes, I've had my thyroid checked.  That's not it (supposedly...more on that later).  Some people are just sweaty.  Sweat isn't dirty.  It's just wet.  You'll dry after I hug you.  Get over it.  I sweat when I workout.  I sweat if I have anxiety.  My body just likes to sweat.  I remember starting a brand new job about ten years ago and my entire head was drenched.  It looked like I had taken a shower.  Oh yeah, that's basically where I sweat from -- my head.  I don't get ridiculous pits or clammy hands.  I mean, my body sweats, but my head SWEATS. 

I also have psoriasis, which is kind of like extremely dry skin.  Technically, it is an autoimmune disease that causes skin to grow faster and die in certain areas.  So, it's less just regular ol' dry skin and more like nasty ol' dead skin.  But whatever.  It's ugly and I hate it. 

So, which pole products will work for me?  I'm not sweaty everywhere and I'm not overly dry everywhere.  Products like Dry Hands or a spray on anti-perspirant might work for me if my hands were sweatier.  And products like Dew Point or shaving cream might work if my hands were even more dry.  I feel like iTac and Mighty Grip have stick factor that require my hands to be somewhat dry.  Honestly, I feel like I can get a good stick off my hands if they are dry, then I touch them lightly to my sweaty face.

But what about my body?  When I really start moving and my head starts sweating and it drips down to my body, when then?  I slip off the pole like a buttered pig.  God forbid I had any product in my hair and accidently ran my hands through it during class.  Double whammy.  So slippery. 

At Pole Expo, I met the girl who created Dirty Girl Poletice.  It is a product created for people who are sweaty.  And you don't just have to use it on your hands (but you do need to follow instructions because if you use it incorrectly, like I did the first time, you will slip right off the pole...it needs to be washed off after it dries...it also feels lovely as a mask on your face). 

Anyway, Summer mentioned to me that a magnesium deficiency can often cause excessive sweating.  So I did a little research and it sounds like magnesium deficiencies can wreak a lot of havoc in the body.

According to THIS article, here are the top five health benefits of magnesium:

1. Magnesium may reverse osteoporosis

2. Magnesium prevents cardiovascular diseases

3. Magnesium regulates high blood pressure (Hypertension)

4. Magnesium treats diabetes

5. Magnesium treats migraines, insomnia, and depression

And according to THIS article:

Particularly if you do not replace electrolytes and fluid lost through excessive sweating, you increase the possibility of developing an electrolyte imbalance. Hypomagnesemia, or a low serum magnesium level, is one of those imbalances.

So even if the low magnesium doesn't cause excessive sweating, certainly being a sweaty person could lead to low magnesium levels, which may lead to other issues. 

HERE is another interesting take when someone asks a question about whether a magnesium deficiency could cause excessive sweating (which can be found in the comments section):

So, I don't have a great 'Aha' type answer for you for your hyperhidrosis, but since you seem open to finding some solutions, I can recommend some things that have worked for other people that may or may not work for you.

There seems to be a LARGE relationship between hyperhidrosis and the thyroid. You said that your thyroid tests were normal, but doctors are NOTORIOUSLY BAD at UNDERDIAGNOSING hypothyroid, so anyone who tells me that they have been tested and their thyroid is normal, I don't believe it.


I also found THIS list of vitamins that may reduce sweating, which does include magnesium, among other vitamins.

The sweating thing aside, the fact that magnesium may help treat depression was enough for me to try it.  I have been taking a calcium supplement that includes magnesium, but have recently added additional magnesium pills throughout the day.  I definitely feel like I'm not quite as sweaty as I was before.  I mean, there are certainly some moments on BART when the air is broken and all the bodies are making me overly anxious, so I sweat.  But I feel like, whehn I workout, I'm not quite as drenched.  It's enough for me to continue taking it.  I also feel less depressed but the holidays are over and that is probably helping a lot too.

Does anyone else have any experience with sweating and magnesium?  I'd love to hear your advice!

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Stelara For The Win

Last March, I wrote about switching to Stelara shots for my psoriasis.  I was worried about Stelara.  It is a pretty heavy immuno-suppressant, but as a pole dancer unable to use heavy creams or ointments to treat my skin condition, I was willing to give it a chance.

Well, eight months in, I have to say I like it!  I had my first shot in early April of 2012.  In the beginning, I got a shot every month.  Now I only go in every three months.  With Enbrel and Humira, I was able to give myself the shot at home with an epi-pen type device.  With Humira, I do have to go into the doctor's office, which is a little less convenient.  It also forces me to pay an office visit co-pay.  However, I have been able to qualify for assistance from the manufacturer of Stelara, so I haven't had to pay a co-pay for the drug at all. 

About two shots ago, my insurance changed how it handled the billing of the drug, so I was a month late in getting that shot.  I noticed a huge difference.  Even when I finally got the shot, my skin never fully cleared that round.  However, with the next shot, my skin went back to being clear. 

I haven't noticed being sick more often.  I do notice staying sick longer, though, if I happen to catch a cold.  So I try to be very careful around other sick people and I take echinacea to hopefully boost my immune system (although, one would wonder if taking something that supposedly boosts your immune system when you're taking something to purposely suppress it is counter-productive). 

I did find out the hard way how expensive a Stelara shot is if you lose your insurance.  I was told in September to look for a new job.  My former boss had offered to pay my medical insurance for the month of October.  He then "forgot" and canceled it without telling me.  The pharmacy mailed the shot to my doctor's office (waaaay earlier than it needed to be....Curascript mail pharmacy is really a shitty pharmacy; if anyone is looking for a mail pharmacy, I do not suggest them).  The claim was denied by my insurance company and I saw online that I was being charged almost $12,000 for that shot.  I opted for COBRA (with an over $700 premium) to avoid that bill. 

Anyway, these days my skin is pretty clear, and I don't have the lung problems like I did with past medications.  I am overly aware of people who are sick around me.  I also have to be super careful because I am more apt to catch tuberculosis.  But for the most part, I just live my life and am happy to have "regular" skin again. 

March 25, 2012
April 5, 2012
April 13, 2012 (after first shot)
May 3, 2012 (day of 2nd shot)

Saturday, January 5, 2013

January Blog Hop: Pole Goals

It is Blog Hop time again!  This month, we are talking about pole goals.  If you want to read about how other pole bloggers are setting goals for 2013, visit this link HERE.

So for those who have been watching my meltdown about my weight and life, you might be wondering if I will be setting any pole goals.  AHHHH the pressure!!  Tell people I'm GOING to do something, then face humiliation when it doesn't happen.  Well, I've been telling people for three years that I would be inverting on a regular basis within the year and it hasn't happened yet.  I haven't melted into the ground with embarrassment.  I consider inverting more of a work in progress than a goal I will realize very soon.

So which realistic goals can I set for myself?  

First, my goal is to make it to at least one weekly class to learn.  I teach on Mondays but I can't be a good teacher if I'm not learning new moves myself.  When I got this new job in San Francisco, it kind of took away from me taking my Wednesday class.  But I am making the effort to go to class on Saturdays and may actually hit up the Thursday night class every once in awhile.  

Second, my goal is to continue working on my flow and dance techniques.  It is quite possible I will never be a trickster.  But that doesn't mean I can't bust out a beautiful routine that might make people cry.  My handstands usually attract an "ahhhh" or two.  So, I want to learn new ways to incorporate those into my routines so that I don't become stale.  

Third, my goal is to stay on track with an exercise program to gain strength.  My yoga class is a pretty good one (which is helping with strength AND flexibility).  And I have been holding plank every morning before work.  The stronger my core gets, the better chance I will have of actualizing the dream of inverting regularly.  

I don't want to overwhelm myself, so those are my three goals for this year.  I don't do New Years Resolutions, so these goals will have to suffice. 

Have you set any pole goals?  I'd love to hear yours!