[shimamd]

How old are you?  Just turned 40, and very excited about it!

How long have you been pole-dancing? about a year, but I had to take 6 months off for a broken bone (non-pole-related injury). Just getting back into it the past few weeks.

What got you into pole dancing?  There was a groupon for 4 weekly lessons at a local pole studio, and a group of friends and I thought it would make a fun girls night out with a lot of laughs.

Why pole dancing and not something else?/What makes pole dancing special to you? I woke up the next morning after that first class, and my arms were sore! I work out a lot, so I was surprised.  By the end of the four weeks, only taking the class for one hour/week, I was so much stronger!  And I was so intent on mastering the turns and holds, the time flew by.  It seemed like a good way to increase my upper body strength, which has always been a challenge to me.  It gives me a feeling of accomplishment when I master a new hold, to see my progress.

How did you first find out about Studio Veena? How much time do you spend on here? (hours a day/week/month) Via a random google search for pole info. The time I spend here varies, from a few minutes a week to several hours a week.

How did you choose your tag (AKA User Name)? Just typed random letters. No meaning.  🙂

[shimamd]

AriFerrari, I feel the same way about strip clubs as you. I have been married 16 years, and my husband hasn't ever been to a strip  club. Maybe it's the crowd we run with, but the bachelor parties have usually been going to a concert, or private tours and tasting at a brewery, that sort of thing.   Don't let the other people make you feel bad about your decision.  The whole bachelor party thing is a complete double standard.  I bet if any of those guys giving you a hard time about it had a girlfriend or wife who took some racy pictures of herself and said, "While you're out at the strip club, I'm going to send these pictures to some random guys. Don't worry, I won't have sex with anyone, but I wonder if  they'll get turned on, or masturbate!" it would be a completely different story.  lol 

If you're not comfortable with it (as I wouldn't be either), then it can be damaging to your relationship. It sounds like your husband values you and respects your feelings, and his friends could learn a lesson or two from him about how to sustain a happy, loving relationship.  One mediocre night out with the guys isn't worth upsetting your marriage or putting your personal values away for the night.  Don't let their double standards make you feel like a bitch or untrusting, or whatever.  They sound like jerks.  

[shimamd]

thanks!  My biggest concern about the toe right now is that I can't wear a shoe!

And, back to you, it could be due to a weight gain, too, I'd imagine, since your body might be trying to readjust hormones.  A little more motherly advice, though.  If you only talked to your primary care dr about it, might be worth a call to your GYN.  In my case, my primary care guy just shrugged it off, but when I mentioned it to my GYN, she sent me for tests to rule out things like thyroid disorder, etc.   MIght be worth the phone call just to see what they say.

[shimamd]

I had this a few  years back when I was 35, thought I was going into menopause, and my GYN said it was due to being underweight for my body type.  I had lost a few pounds, not much, just about 3 or 4 lbs, and apparently that was enough to make a difference.  I gained a few pounds back, adn the night sweats went away.  A year later, I dropped a few pounds again, and the sweats came back. Gained a few pounds back, the night sweats went away.  He said that everyone's body has a set amount of fat it needs to make the estrogen it needs to function properly, and if you go below that, you'll get basal symptoms, like night sweats, and other things.  I fought him on this because I'm by no means skinny. I'm 5'2", normally about 110-112 lbs, very hour-glassy, with chunky thighs and knees (in my teen years my little brother used to call me Bettie Boop!),  and I dropped to only 107 lbs. when I had symptoms (and my legs were still chunky!).

Anyway, fast forward to today, at age 40, and I broke my foot at dance class a few months ago, just getting up on my  toe to turn. Was told that I am early stages osteoporosis, and now have to be super careful not to fall for the rest of my life!  I have received numerous lectures about staying in a healthy weight range because estrogen is protective, etc.  So, long story short, all you younger women out there,  take care of yourself, don't compare youself to others, and stay healthy! Embrace your curves!!! 

I hope this doesn't sound too lecture-y, but I've been stuck elevating my foot for two-plus months, and it sucks. I've been lecturing my own daughters on keeping healthy and listening to their bodies so they won't end up with a broken toe that won't heal when they're older like me!  If you're in your 20s and having night sweats, please listen to your body!!

[shimamd]

thanks so much for your reply! The Mat I was looking at was the same one you have, from US Pole Mat — best price I was able to find out there, and I spent lots of woman-hours searching. 

And I do know what you mean about your body getting used to it. When I first started spins the skin on my hands was ripping off, but it's gotten much better. And today I was able to do a pole sit with only have a moderate amount of skin tearing, redness and pain. haha.  Part of the problem with static holds on the pole is that I'm in Massachusetts, and it is COLD here now.  I noticed that when I did, say, a pole sit mid-way up the pole, I could stick okay, but when I tried the basic plank lower on my pole where it was colder, I just slipped right down. Then when I tried it higher up, where the pole was a wee bit warmer, it was easier to stick. I know it's only going to get colder in the next few months, so I'm wondering if the MIghty Grip protectors with tack would help me stick to the colder pole?  I see you're from Florida, though, so you probably always have really nice weather for pole.