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Thanks ladies! @Tigerschic041721 – I will definitely try it. 🙂 @Tamarinda – Thank you! Yup… no matter how my mind feels, I keep telling myself that if I just show up and do what I need to, it will click for me. Not giving up. I want this too bad. 😉

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P.S. My ceilings at home are low. Makes it hard to climb. Any suggestions so I can get that back too?

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So I’m almost 3 weeks in now. Down 4 lbs (41 to go)! 🙂 It was a little shocking when I went back to the gym, how much endurance I’ve also lost. Felt like I was gasping for air. Broke down a few times remembering how strong I used to be. Eating has been the most difficult part for me, but losing the 4 lbs has re-motivated me. I hope everyone is doing well too!

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Thanks for the support! Let’s keep encouraging each other and we can do this! 🙂 I decided to give up the studio because of everything going on and it’s a very far drive. I tried to do a basic invert the other night and whoa! Couldn’t do it! I used to be able to nail them with ease! Started with a trainer today that I had yrs ago. Had a few moments where I broke down, but I know I will get back in shape. Did it once I can do it again. Hang in there! I’m taking small steps (even though i want to take leaps and bounds). Let’s conquer this together, ladies!

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LOVE, LOVE Studio Veena!!!!!

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LOVE this community!!!!! azblanco- yes! I had class a few days ago and to be honest…felt like more of a bother than anything else! 🙁 I am payed thru Christmas, but I’ve even thought of just counting the $$ I invested for the next few weeks as a loss. Actually came home in tears last night. Not worth how it makes me feel. Loving the lessons here though. And i can go at my own pace. A really good friend found an instructor who locally does private lessons. waiting to hear back from her to set something up. Thank you everyone for your encouragement! 🙂

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This hit home for me. I struggle with sexy coming “natural” too. I’m still trying to lose the baby weight I gained……..12 yrs ago! I have my moments though. When I feel good about my body and I’m dancing for my husband, I feel very sexual. But there are times where I just don’t feel good about my body and don’t want even my hubby to see it. You are definitely not alone! Working on it too!

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I am so glad there are so many have replied to this post! I honestly started to feel alone in my fear after watching so many girls in my class jump into new tricks without hesitation or fear. I started looking into local swimming lessons hoping they will help. And I have found a great resource for tapping online. I decided not to put so much pressure on myself. I have also been thinking about just taking Veena’s lessons here and quitting the studio where I go. Not that I don’t love the girls, but maybe it will help me to not feel so pressured. This way I can relax and not compare myself to the other girls. There is also another studio about an hour away if I needed private help with anything. They’re amazing there!

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Thank you everyone! I will definitely look into tapping. I’m willing to try anything. I’ve thought about a counselor and also thought about taking swimming lessons. @AllysonKendall…I’m ok with going into snake, etc. because the motion is to basically lean/kick backwards, but anything like a handstand or even brass monkey (anything that mimicks the diving motion), I get freaked out. I know it sounds weird because they’re all inversions but I am going to take everyone’s suggestions and work on this! Thanks again! 🙂

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Thanks PoleTigressV! I will definitely give them a try! 🙂

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“Voodoo” by Godsmack, “Slipping Away” by Nine Inch Nails, “Feelin’ Love” by Paula Cole, “I Love the Rain” by Lenny Kravitz, “I Want it All/We Will Rock You” mash up from the Sucker Punch movie soundtrack

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I’m so glad you posted this! I have been taking classes at a local studio for about 3yrs. I lost my job right before Christmas and, needless to say, I have other financial priorities now. 🙁 This will be my last group of classes there. I have been so worried about losing all the strength I’ve gained in the past few yrs. I’ll definitely have to try the lessons on SV! Now my only issue is where to keep the pole up in my tiny house! 😉

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Thank you everyone for your posts! You have all inspired me thru your confidence and strength! My pole is back up and I plan on leaving it up! 🙂

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Thank you Studioveena! LOVE all your points! Definitely opened my eyes too! I guess I'm still a little uncomfortable with my son knowing I'm a sexual being. But I AM a sexual being and you're right…I want him to have a healthy view of sexuality too. I never had one growing up. Something I need to work on in myself for sure. I love the fitness aspect, but I love the sexy part of it too! I love being a woman, putting the stilettos on and dancing for my hubby! Thank you for opening my eyes (and mind)!

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cupcakejenea- I like that you view it as a way to start communication.  As my hubby was putting the pole away, I thought "Am I perpetuating the stigma by putting it away? Does it make it seem bad or wrong to my son?" I don't see anything wrong with it, especially since he's only doing strength moves/conditioning. If any parents say anything to me, I will also use it as an opportunity to show people that the stereotype is so wrong. Thanks! 🙂

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A lot of the moms I am friends with on Facebook, so they know and are really cool about it. They "get it". I have also stopped talking about my "dance" class and make sure I use the terms exercise and fitness. When he was climbing the pole, I made sure to tell him all the different muscles he was using and making stronger.  Thank you for your reply, Jacki C! 🙂

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My friends and I went to a strip club a few months ago. We were so bored. The place was dead. The girls on stage looked bored out of their minds. They didn't even look like they wanted to be there, even with a few drunk guys at the stage with $$. We started talking to one of the girls and told her we take classes. We were just there to check it out. Well, needless to say, she busted out every move in the book when she was up there. It was impressive. Then the other girls picked up their game when we started cheering and sitting at the stage tipping. Had to laugh when she told us she knew way more than our pole instructor and would only charge us a "small" fee for lessons.

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@chemgoddess1- Thank you so much for the info! I checked out your suggestions! Liked them on facebook, so I can stay up to date. I don't have any experience performing in front of an audience, so this would be a great start! 🙂

@jkpolegirl- Having a hard time finding current info for Polesque, but I'll keep looking. I checked out Body and Pole. Thank you! Looks awesome! Thinking about their summer camp in August! 🙂

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Sorry about that. I'm in the Buffalo/Rochester, NY area. The Polesque competition appeals to me a lot. I like combining the burlesque with the pole and, in essence, telling a story. But I don't know anyone who has competed, so I'm not sure how to even get started in competition.

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Thanks ladies! I appreciate the insight. I don't plan on doing any poling until next week. However, I'm going to try my exercise class tomorrow and we'll see how it goes. She does mostly upper body and core exercise, but if it's painful, I'll just stop. The pads he gave me seem to cushion it well when I wear shoes, just haven't tried exercise yet. 🙂

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@CapFeb P.S. I've been all over on the weight spectrum. I've been super skinny, very heavy and in between. And I was criticized at each stage. First I was "too heavy", then "too skinny" then, when I was in between it still wasn't good enough for some people. We forget what makes a person truly beautiful. We are conditioned to look at the outside and it took me a long time, even a long hard battle with depression and even an attempt at ending it all 18 yrs ago to realize that I am the only one who gets to define what beautiful means to me. No one else. Trust me, I am the last person to pass judgement on someone.

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@CapFeb-I totally agree. What I meant by REAL woman is that, sometimes people have a preconceived notion of what they think a REAL woman should be. We all come in different shapes and sizes. That's what is so beautiful. I honestly meant no disrespect. I just meant that women, regardless of shape or size, shouldn't be condemned for how they look. It's the heart and soul that make all of us REAL women.

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I've always been curvy and criticized for it. I think we are so bombarded with images that no one knows what a REAL woman looks like anymore. It's a lot easier to point a finger at someone else and try to call attention to what we think is a flaw. That way we don't have to look inward  and fix what the real flaws are in ourselves. I know it's easier said than done, but rise above it and consider that she's probably having a hard time seeing someone so comfortable in their own skin. She's trying to cover up her own insecurities by making you look bad.

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I have policystic ovaries, so I have no choice but to be on the pill. I get HORRIBLE migraines because of the estrogen in the pill. I tried Mirena, but it didn't supress my ovaries enough so they were loaded with cysts. Painful and uncomfortable. Plus (and I've heard this from other women) the odor from the Mirena was disgusting and foul. I wouldn't even allow my husband near me because it was so bad. My doc put me back on the pill in addition to the Mirena and the odor went away. But my ovaries still would not cooperate. Needless to say I had it taken out and have stayed on just the pill. Sucks getting a period again, but my ovaries are back to "normal". Good luck on wahtever you decide.