Excess skin...

honeybadger started this discussion · 2/16/2013

I don't know where to put this, but I have a conundrum. I have several pounds of excess skin on my legs and torso. I can't imagine in the foreseeable future being able to have surgery to correct this issue. This is completely loose skin with almost no integral muscular or skeletal support so it is easily jiggly, bouncy... picture canned biscuit that's been left out in a warm room. Now imagine it on the abs, upp inner thighs, and upper arms. Now imagine that in total you have almost 20 pounds of it (an estimate). WELCOME TO MY LIFE. My big question is this: is pole dancing even worth it? I have been longing to try pole dance for over a decade and have prepped with weight loss, upper body work, and so much other exercise. I just think this type of movement will be beneficial for me and more importantly SUPER FUN (and I have fairly boring life). The thing is that so many moves require a good grip. Not a problem for hands. Despite a bad hand injury a while back, my work fine. But the body grips and even the concept of a more fluid body carving the space scares me. I'm just curious what some of you think or have seen. Can someone with significant excess skin after weight loss pole dance SAFELY? Any feedback is appreciated! Much thanks to all for responding, looking, thinking!

12 replies

monica kay · 2/16/2013
i think you should follow your heart and persue pole dancing. we all have some issue that requires us to find creative ways to get on the pole- inflexibility, body sweat, dry skin, thighs that are too skinny, too much skin, curved spines, allergies to metals in the pole, missing an arm- i've heard all these issues and we all find a way to work with what we have :) you can pole dance, it is worth it, and most important have fun.
CreativityBySteffie · 2/16/2013
Completely agree with Katana! :) Im too skinny for some moves, and I've let them go :) A poledancer doesnt have to be able to do all the moves in the book, its important to enjoy and perfect the ones that are in your body's reach. Poledacing is for everyone, because it can be so many things. Crazy amzingly athletic, ballet, hiphop, sexy, fitness, dancing around and so on, but most importantly, it should always be fun, so just take a go at it, have some fun with it. Dont rush into any tricks, thats important for everyone, and remember to enjoy that feeling, when you get something you´ve worked on.
PixiLouBell · 2/16/2013
they r both so right, do what u can and just have fun! and you will surprise urself if u keep at it! pole is for all types ;)
CapFeb · 2/16/2013
I find that moves are like cats; they show up and leave whenever they want. There are a few loyal moves that you will always have, and then others that you might only see once or twice (friggin' handsprings.) But; you will grow to love the ones you have more than anything because they're the ones you can depend on no matter what :) And they'll always be there! Well. So far mine are. |: I have never heard of anyone having to "put down" a move/stop doing one except for a while because of repeated muscle stress. But you can always come back to it. Infact, most moves that I can't get, if I just ignore them for a while, I can normally do them again without meaning/ trying to. This has happened with handsprings, janeiro, and jade. Once I got jade and janeiro properly acoustumed to my body type, they've never left me :3 I hope your pole journey works out for you! Lots and lots of cats....
Autumn Sky · 2/17/2013
Follow your dreams and try pole dancing, you will not be disappionted. I have been dancing for a year and can not tell you all the ways my life has changed. As you can see from this website, pole dancers come in all shapes and sizes, and ALL are beautiful. I truely beleive once you get into pole dancing, you will embrace the body you have and learn just how beautiful and strong you can be.
honeybadger · 2/17/2013
Thanks all! I think my concern has been about safety-- worrying if my moving skin might make some of the leg holds (especially at the thighs). What motivated the post was watching the lesson on the pole sit because everytime I move my legs, the skin moves. So here I am, picturing tryting that move and then extending a leg so my thingh skin shifts, making me coot slide down the pole. Not in a sexy way. 'Course, the vexing thing here is that losing more weight at this point just makes my skin looser. Now to figure out what pole to get...
Mikelirpa · 2/18/2013
I have the exact same problem. I am also waiting on my surgery to remove the skin. It will only be removed on my belly and a breast lift. The extra skin on my legs and arm will not be removed because there is no medical reason to remove it. I love to dance. The biggest problem I have is I almost have to much grip with my thighs. Because of the exta skin. The one thing I hate is when I invert, I have to adjust my side on the pole to get my skin in place. You should try it. It builds muscle and is so much fun. You get a great work out without even realizing it. Go for it. It has built up my confidence. Just have fun. Life is to short not to.
honeybadger · 2/24/2013
Mikelirpa, I have an odd question. Do you ever get pain in your excess skin regions? I run, jog, and do high impact cardio. I get odd pulling pains in my loose skin, especially on the torso. Do you get that as well? I'm wondering if loose skin issues are more or less similar to others'. Thanks!
Mikelirpa · 2/24/2013
Okay, I hate to say this, but most of my pain comes from the skin sticking to the other skin. I hate having to "pull" it off, it causes burning. But not actual pain in the skin, but, if I smuch it against something like my countertop it is more painful than if I hit a regular spot. And it does seem to bruise easier.
honeybadger · 3/2/2013
Oh yes... the lovely sensation of skinsticky... not a fan. I don't know why, but my loose skin does seem to bruise easier, especially on my arms. I think my arm skin is also slowing my recovery from an otherwise minor tricep strain. I actually get a pulling feeling in my skin in high impact activity. It ranges from discomfort to a prominent pain that actually starts to feel like its putting pressure on my back or knees. Once I was on a boat and my thigh skin moved, and we were on some chop so my balance was seriously compromised. I went straight down on my knee.
Sassafrassle · 3/2/2013
I have a fair bit of extra skin, especially round my tummy (I call it my cat tummy 'cos when I'm on all fours, it kind hangs down like an old cat's belly does!:)) and tbh, extra skin tends to stick more rather than less! It doesn't always look so nice but it's really about working your angles if you're worried about the look or saying "Who the f*** cares?!" if you don't:) If I stopped pole dancing when I saw how other bodies looked doing pole, I would never have discovered the things that I make look amazing! Or had nearly as much fun trying...
AngelVonSpin · 3/4/2013
answer to question to pole or not to pole - YES definately pole, who cares about your wobbly bits - trust me only you do. You'll have the same sticking, gripping problems that we all do - and there are many. If you don't want to get your kit off in public consider getting a pole sleeve for your pole and then you can pole with your clothes on - win win But always pole, its the solution to so many problems - better than any pill or drug around xx