[meaganoff]

I have had great success with Paleo / Primal, which is basically a whole foods based diet. Higher fat/protein, lower carb, with all of the carbs coming from lots of fruit and veg. Basically Gluten free.

This website and the accompanying book outline a very easy to stick to diet (and it really is the true meaning of diet – it's a lifestyle change, not something you do for a period of time): http://www.marksdailyapple.com/

Lower carb got a bit of bad rap with Atkins, so I was really skeptical at first. But this diet has nothing to do with ketosis. The premise is that low carb isn't magic – calorie deficit is still what is making you lose weight when you get down to it — it's just that fat and protein provide a high degree of satiety – meaning it keeps you full for longer, so you don't have cravings.

I'm not involved with the products or the book or anything, I and my husband have just had really good success with it. (He's lost 30 lbs as well.)

It's really similar to "Clean eating" or "Whole9" and lots of other whole food based diets that have sprung up. It actually has a lot in common with the Raw Food diet in terms of what is allowed and being whole foods based, it just doesn't require that food is kept below 118 degrees (raw), and there is no goal of eliminating meat from your diet. (If you are a vegan or vegetarian, I do recommend the Raw Food diet. It was just too hard to maintain without the meat-based protein.)

Here are my progress pics / stats from the Primal Forum I'm on, if you're interested: http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b374/meaganoff/WeightLossVisual.jpg

 

[meaganoff]

I'm another 1983 baby, wicked song choices! I just made a playlist.

[meaganoff]

Sorry if this is too "new-agey" or something… but what about a video having to do with spring symbolizing new growth?

Lots of ways to interpret this. Could show your growth as a dancer, could wear green and have to do with plants, could be about the using the vertical space on the pole…. Growth of yourself personall, growth of your family…. Lots of ideas.

I like open-ended stuff… Although that may be too open-ended.

 

[meaganoff]

Or, for the locals, more than one date! 🙂 I know us out-of-towners (me and Dayanara) will be in at different times in May so if there's more than one event, that's cool too! It's all good.

[meaganoff]

Did anyone pick a date? I'm starting to book theatre tickets and events during my time in London so I'd love to know about a meetup soonish! 😀

[meaganoff]

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys! (I've been away from SV all weekend – in-laws were in so nothing pole related. 😛 I'm coming out to them as a pole dancer, soon, though– hiding is too hard.)

Meg the Knife makes me smile, I would have loved that when I was doing straight burlesque since it's more humorous.

Right now torn between Wolf and Whiskey! I'll keep thinking about it.

@miamishyner – I love that there's another 1st pet named Ginger out there!

Your pet/street names are so great!!

[meaganoff]

This is a cute thread!

@Lola Wantz – there is actually a Chicago burlesque dancer that has gone by "Lola Getz" for the past few years – her tagline / intro line for shows is, of course, "Whatever Lola wants, LOLA GETZ!" 🙂 You two should get together!

My porn star name is Ginger Dale. Sounds kind of classy and old fashioned.

When I did burlesque before, I was Apple Venus. If you have awesome taste in music, you should know where that comes from… 🙂 But that was ridiculously hard to network; the other girls would call you by your real name, and you'd have to remember who you told what to… blah

Now I'm thinking of doing a pole act in a burlesque show, so I want to use my real first name for ease of use (Meagan) and then something sexy as a faux last name. My faves so far are:

Meagan Whiskey, Meagan Wolf, or Meagan Cassidy… Thoughts?

Other dark, sexy, mysterious words that sound good with Meagan or Meg? (I REALLY wanted to be Meagan Shadow after American Gods, but I didn't want to seem like I was trying to be / compete with the amazing poler who just goes by Shadow.)

[meaganoff]

When in May? I am going to be in London May 7 – 13… but I'll technically be on my honeymoon so I'm not sure I'll have time to pole… But if you guys set up a group class with KT Coates I could probably be persuaded!! LOL

[meaganoff]

Booking hotel and workshops right now!! AAH!! Doing Contortion, Becca Butcher, and Pole Jam Sunday for now. May add Rafaela or Felix later…

It looks like they JUST released some really cheap fare to PBI from Chi for May, so I am holding off on airfare for a week or two, to see if it goes down for June as well…

Not sure if my hubby can come yet, so it may be just a girls weekend!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[meaganoff]

That's okay Charley – I'm going to be back in MI for work in a week! Maybe I can drop in for a workout at PFR? 🙂 I'll look at the schedule and contact you guys!

[meaganoff]

Just wanted to say great job everyone – I have been SO BUSY since the show (see my blog) but you all did a great job. I was too shy to say to anyone, and really tired from driving in, but everyone was great!!

[meaganoff]

See you guys later! Good luck everyone!

[meaganoff]

The app is by Vook; it looks like it's only for iOS (iPad / iPod Touch etc.)

http://vook.com/what-is-a-vook.html

But given that I have been braindead all day, you may want to check out the site for yourself; I may be missing something! 😛

[meaganoff]

OK, I totally misread this WHOLE thread and restated everything you said, Hells Bells!! So sorry about that… haha… It's very clear I have a headache right now and can't concentrate… *goes and sits in a corner where I can't post stupid things*

[meaganoff]

Yep, they are all $0.99 now!! They used to be $9.99 – I don't know if this is a fluke, but BUY ladies, BUY NOW!! It's TOTALLY worth $0.99!!

[meaganoff]

I posted about it in the Resistance Stretching thread… although it looks like they just reduced the price, big time! I paid $6.99 for it. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_evil.gif Not happy about that… well, maybe the in app purchases will be cheaper now, too?? I'll check…

[meaganoff]

Happy V-Day, Veeners! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_heart1.gif Much love!

Nothing says Valentine's Day like the brand new, giant bright pink crash mat that just arrived at my house! Yippee!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[meaganoff]

Cool! Thanks for the speedy response, guys!!

Rena– Felix is doing two workshops this year; I hope that will make it less crowded – although I expect there will be more people there overall since this is year two; that might cancel out the effect of two workshops… we'll see!!

[meaganoff]

So DC / Angel / minicooper – can you tell me more about last year? I realize it'll be different this year, but just to get an idea… What was the Pole Jam with the Stars like? Did you take any workshops? How many people were in each? Thanks gals! It sounds like it was a blast!!

[meaganoff]

Thank goodess for old threads and the forum searhc functionality! This advice is totally what I needed. Thanks to amy and everyone!

[meaganoff]

I pinched something just slightly by over-stretching 3 or so weeks ago (I was in Bikram yoga and I think I just pushed too far.) But I've backed off regular static stretching and have been focusing on hammie strength and resistance strength for a week now, and I think I've conquered the over-stretch. Minimal pinching normally and no pinching after strength training. And I'm back to where I was 3 three weeks ago on my right and left split, and down 2.5 inches further on my center split. Woohoo!

LOVING the Dara Torres Resistance Stretching iPad App so far. I have always plateaued at about 4 -5 inches from total split– I think this is going to help me break through!!

[meaganoff]

Hi Webmaster (and Veena) – thanks for a well-thought out response – I was shocked and upset when I heard the news this morning, but also figured there might be more to the story than met the eye.

Just so we can be informed, can you link to the info regarding donation requirements you are referencing? I'm on http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/How-To-Help/Donate-Online.aspx right now – I'm trying to find the charter you mention, but a site search for "Charter" comes up empty.

Or is this found in other literature not available on the web? I just want to know as much as possible about the situation and the organization.

[meaganoff]

I just realized that between this and the Metro Detroit Spring break show, I should go ahead and get a Veener button so I can represent & be recognized! 😀

[meaganoff]

I originally trained on 50mm for the first six months, but I got a 45mm for home. I now prefer the 45mm but continue to use the 50 when I go into the studio, so I get experience on both. I used to think it was such a huge difference, but now I’m not really that phased.

[meaganoff]

Just wanted to post a link to something I found last night – it's an iPad / iPhone / iPod Touch app based on the Dara Torres DVD – I just downloaded it last night. It's only $6.99 and no waiting for shipping! The first app is legs only; you can get the complete workouts inside the first app.

http://bit.ly/gOMjZU

If you have the DVD it's probably not worth it, but if you don't, it's neat and cheap and quick to download, plus it's mobile, so you take it around with you!! How neat! Just got it last night, gonna try the stretches out today.