weight

shorty stacey started this discussion · 11/8/2014

So I have put 2 stone on due to taking a lot of medication!. and it is really getting to me, iv only done some basic poling, and I am on day 10 of my 30 day challenge. I know that when you go on the scales, you may not have lost weight due to muscle gain, but has anyone noticed a difference in there weight?. if so could you advice me on how you did it and how long into it did it start to become something you noticed! Thnanks xxx

11 replies

Runemist34 · 11/8/2014
Hey there! I have definitely noticed a difference in my weight. About Two and a half years ago, I was about 180lbs, and was a bit larger than I normally am. Like, I was up to wearing large-sized shirts, for example, and I had more jiggle around the belly area. I wasn't really working out, I wasn't really strength training or anything... And then, a very stressful time came up, for about six months! I lost about 20lbs. I was back to my "normal" adult weight, the weight I had been for most of my adult life, and a lot of it was size. I had stressed and starved my way into it, too, and I certainly don't recommend that! Now, though, I've picked up running and really gone for it with my pole dancing- lots of strength training, and running provides my cardio, which I have never had. It's been super hard to get into cardio, but I've noticed a few differences. I'm happier, I'm stronger, I have much greater control of my breathing (this is really important when one gets anxiety and panic attacks), and I'm not in pain from my knees anymore. I'm also up to 195lbs now (as of sometime last week when I weighed myself), and feeling awesome. I'm not wearing any of those large shirts though- not gotten any bigger! Except for my calves. My poor boots can barely get over them! Gaining weight because of medication is really frustrating, and though it's not an issue I've had to contend with, I can see why it would be something to watch. 2 stone sounds like a lot. Have you talked to your doctor about it? Is there any other medication you could try that might work with your chemistry a little better? Getting into pole dancing is awesome, and day 10 is further than I've gotten with the 30 day challenge! Haha. I'm just kind of wingin' it on my own! I've also found cardio, of any kind, to be a huge help with both my mood and my body composition. Whether it's swimming, running, step class, or anything else... cardio three times a week might really make the difference for you! I started noticing the difference about two months in- I started eating almost constantly (I'm not quite back to that yet, I had to stop during the super-hot part of the summer so I didn't cook myself), and I was only getting stronger as I continued! I'm almost up to that point now. I think, also, you need to be forgiving of yourself. You're doing your best for your health and wellness, and you're only just starting with pole fitness! Enjoy your own process and forget about the weight. It'll go away, or it won't, and you'll just get stronger and feel happy with yourself :)
shorty stacey · 11/8/2014
Thankyou for that, very interesting. Seems like you have had up and down patches. I am on the stair stepper machine every night doing 500 steps each time and have been doing that the past week and will continue to do that, and I am starting pole fitness, which I find really fun and challenging. I don't want to upload video's onto here, as I am so ashamed of my size, and compared to some of the amazing video's I watch, I would just feel embarrassed. Its a big one for me as I have always been petite, weighing at 8 stone, and I am now 10 stone since last year of being in hospital for 2 months. I hardly eat anything as it is, and feel bad when I do eat!. I will be contacting my doctor about it on Monday, he will probably want me to talk to my psychiatrist. I am stuck really as if they start messing with my medication then it could set me back which would ultimately have me being on them longer. I I really appreciate your comment, Thankyou so much.
Runemist34 · 11/8/2014
I've had LOTS of ups and downs, and I still have them- the last two weeks I haven't run or touched my pole, due to some pretty bad anxiety attacks. I lost a lot of time at school, a lot of time in general... but, I'm getting back at it now! When it comes to uploading videos, I know how you feel. My current space doesn't seem to be accommodating at ALL for recording, so despite my wanting to, I can't post videos. However, I must say this: The videos you're likely looking at are finished products, and what you're comparing it TO is work-in-progress. It's sort of like an aspiring author comparing their first draft to a published book: They're totally different animals, and completely incomparable! Comparing yourself to others is something that so many new people here struggle with. I sure did! And, I still do, sometimes. I still look at other runners that pass me on hills and think "I'll never get there!" Or, if you want a much more direct and in-your-face one, when I run with my roommate... he used to do cross-country in school. He's so fit he gets 6-pack abs from thinking too hard. He's just "one of those people," and next to him, I feel like a giant, crippled T-rex, lumbering along, as he trots next to me like a lithe and graceful deer. Not the image I enjoy seeing of myself, but... I realize I'm comparing myself, who has NEVER done cardio in her life, to someone who has been active constantly, who simply considers this to be a light warm-up, and who is doing it more for MY benefit than anyone else's! Comparing yourself to someone else, and especially comparing your journey to someone else's, is sort of like trying to compare a tree to some lava. They're not even remotely alike! Your journey has seen you in the hospital, it has you on medication, it shows you different places in life than I could ever imagine. Your journey is one of ups and downs, like mine, but they are different! And, we'll react to them differently. Talking to a psychologist or psychiatrist is probably a good idea. In many ways, the challenge of accepting your body is far greater than that of trying to "lose weight," but it can also be more attainable, and tends to make you happier, and it lasts longer! Also, with that many steps each night, you must have buns of steel. Like, seriously, can you crush rock with those?
shorty stacey · 11/9/2014
reading your comment made me smile, i dont have many positive people in my life, so its nice to hear what you had too say, how r u getting on dealing with your attacks, luckily iv not had one for a while, i understand it can interfere with everything!. I see what you mean with comparing myself, i didn't think of it like that. Finding motivation too do active things is my main flaw, but when i do it im so glad i did, feeling the aches and pains the next day too, i love that, as i know its a productive pain and it is working. my main goal is too just progress on the pole, and hopefully loosing weight will come sometime. By the way, i love how you described yourself as a giant crippled, trex, and he is like a graceful deer!!. And i do have strong legs, but too me i dont see them as strong i see them as HUGEE, once again i compare myself too others, i think i really need to work on that and start looking at the positives. Thanks so much for your comment it has really cheered me up and made me more determined, =] x
Runemist34 · 11/9/2014
Motivation is hard ;) I think most of us struggle with it! I know I do! You'll get there, not to worry! Focusing on the journey, rather than the destination, is one thing that has helped me to keep going. Everyone here, I've found, is really positive... so if you need some positive encouragement, you can always put the call out!
Ms Aja · 11/9/2014
I know what u mean about weight because I have been pole dancing for a lil while now and I'm still having trouble lifting my weight. I can do some of the basic spins and floor work but I know that if I keep at it, I will get it. Plus u will see a change in ur body if u keep at it. I'm more on the over 200 side and I have a lot of work to do but I do notice my cloths and even my scrubs getting baggie. So it takes time and if you keep at it u will see. 😊
polereveur · 11/9/2014
I've had issues with my weight as well especially every since the birth of my daughter. I'm currently 220. Pre-pregnancy I was 180. I've taken up fitness at gym with personal training sessions, home (youtube) workouts and pole dancing. Along with cutting back on my eating. Still haven't noticed any difference. I think a lot has to due with work stress (I work 12 hrs/day) and not getting adequate sleep. Oh well I hope to get back to my original weight at least. But my goal is to always be happy, some days I miss my old clothes but happy about getting new clothes (albeit larger sizes)
RoMo · 11/10/2014
I know what it's like to struggle with weight issues. I'm a mere 5' and at 14 I weighted 105 kg (231 lbs) and took up boxing. I loved it so much, I started competing and at my peak I was 58 kg (128 lbs). That was over 10 years ago and university, work, medications and life found me recently at 80 kg (180 lbs). I have a husband who loves me and my curves, but it's hard knowing I was thinner and could be. I struggle daily to keep from eating "junk" which is hard, as I spend most of my day in an office, surrounded by junk food and sweets... And by the time I get home I am usually too tired to work out... Over the years I have worked with my doctors to find medication that don't affect my weight as much. I have an amazing psychiatrist with whom I've been for years. He understands that weight also affects mood and I've tried dozens of different cocktails of meds before I found a combo that made me feel balanced and good (and didn't have me putting on lots of weight or feel like my stomach was a bottomless pit...). Psychiatric meds usually come with a battery of side affects and each person is affected differently. I know it's frustrating, but eventually you'll find something that works for you. I like Runemist's comment about learning to love your body: "In many ways, the challenge of accepting your body is far greater than that of trying to "lose weight," but it can also be more attainable, and tends to make you happier, and it lasts longer!" I've been working on that part for years...
shorty stacey · 11/10/2014
Thankyou for all of your messages, hopefully loosing weight will come in time, rang doctors and have an appointment on Friday, and seing psychiatrist next Tuesday, hopefully we can sort my medication out and see if things improve, I appreciate everyone's comments as I don't get to speak about these things to any1. xx
Girl On A Pole · 11/10/2014
It's a journey. In February this year I was 2 stone heavier than I am today. How'd I do it? I slashed calories from my daily allowance and I did cardio and weights, almost every day. Then in June I discovered pole 😉 I've dropped a full stone since June (my motivation is to look good in pole shorts not there yet, still body confidence issues) and am fired up now to go get that final stone off. But because my body is in the normal range again, I'm finding it harder to shift those last 7-14lbs I think for me it's less food in, move more. My gym is going to give me a new cardio-weights programme and I'm starting body conditioning at my pole studio. Best of luck and remember it's step by step, day by day till you get to your destination.
shorty stacey · 11/10/2014
thanks Mistressmouse, as I said im doing the 30 day challenge, and 500 steps each day, and might start yoga. I bet the most motivational thing for you now is knowing this works for you! im happy your getting there, and confidence is something most of us have problems with, hopefully you will gain more in time!. thanks for your comment :).