[SpyralBound]

Thanks for all the tips, ladies. I've been experimenting with different combinations of bras and tops – the only thing I hate about layering bras is that it tends to add bulk, and that's the last place in the world I need anything added on top of what I already have! I've been spending wayyyy too much money on clothes lately so I'm trying to make do with what I have. I wish bras in our sizes weren't so god-dang expensive! It's bad enough to have to look high and low and under rocks to find the right size, the price hike is like an extra slap in the face. "You're abnormal, in case you haven't noticed, so we're going to charge you more." What good is a stellar bra if I can't afford more than one at a time?

And Lyme, you're right, One Size Fits All is bogus. And I HATE camisoles/tanks that have built-in shelf bras, because the elastic just does not stay where it's supposed to and offers no support at all.

Currently I'm on the hunt for the perfect strapless dress for summer. I typically avoid anything strapless/halter/spaghetti-strap because of the bra issue, but I'm starting to be braver and more trusting of strapless bras – I have a really good one that I used for my wedding dress but haven't worn since.

[SpyralBound]

I've been hesitant to buy any sort of undergarments online without being able to try it on, just because my size can vary depending on the style of the bra. Sometimes my band size is 36, sometimes 38; sometimes a DDD will fit me better than a DD. So unless it's from chain store or somewhere local that I can easily return it, I try to avoid buying bras online.

Thanks for the offer, though. I know I'm not the only one on SV with this problem, nice to have company facing the same issues.

[SpyralBound]

Mechie, I found it's actually a bit more difficult to get it in and out in the shower, probably because your hands are already wet so it's hard to get a grip on it (definitely convenient for cleaning, though). However, I did find that "bearing down," as another poster mentioned (like you're trying to push it out) while grabbing and pulling is a bit easier, less of a "pop." I got that too, on my first few tries – and I do agree it was bettter/easier when my cycle was in full swing. Just takes some practice, don't panic!

[SpyralBound]

You tell it, NewSpirit! 🙂

I just popped back in to say… I'm on my period and I'm wearing white panties. Just like in the tampon commercials, only now I can actually do it without worrying!

Seriously though…a report from the newbie: I've gotten the hang of getting it in right, but taking it out again can be messy. Practice, practice, practice. (I think I'll take someone else's advice and do it in the shower.) In good news, I worked out with it last night and slept all night with it, no leakage or problems whatsoever. And even from overnight it wasn't even half full.

Kandipole… I would not try having sex with the cup in. It would definitely be an obstruction, and I don't think your partner would be thrilled about getting poked with the "stem."

[SpyralBound]

Ok, after reading this whole thread I was curious enough to go out and buy a DivaCup, since I start my cyle this week (I echo the three cheers for NuvaRing – yay for predictable periods!). So far so good. I can sort of feel it if I do a kegel squeeze but it's not uncomfortable at all and I haven't had much trouble getting it in. In fact, once it's in, it's like my vag sucks it right in! (haha… TMI?) The only discomfort has been getting it out again, but I think I just need some practice.

But I have one question…

How does one go about discreetly rinsing it out while in a public restroom? I can just imagine the look on my supervisor's face if she walked in to the ladies room at work to see me rinsing blood out in the sink.

[SpyralBound]

I've started apologizing to my foot every time I try another climb during practice. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

During Wednesday's practice it actually swelled up a little by the end of it, I was just so damn determined to work on my Crucifix that day, as well as making my climb look prettier and moving smoothly into a Pole Sit.

Pain is often a mental thing as much as a physical thing. After my first pole sit, I had some trouble doing it again and again because I knew how much it would hurt. Now I just lift into it without thinking – and I've only been at this for a few months, so it's not like it took very long for me to get over the mental hurdle of the pain. But when I tried for Wrist Sit and had to adjust the pole out of my normal "sweet spot," the pain returned with a vengeance!

One last thing – sometimes too much pain might mean you're actually doing something wrong. I did a Reverse Handstand into an Inverted Crucifix but I was gripping WAY too much with my thighs and not enough with my knees, and it hurt like hell! So if the pain is just extraordinary, you may want to check your points of contact.

[SpyralBound]

Ollie – First, I totally sympathize with not being able to find flattering tops. Bathing suit shopping is its own special kind of hell. I'm happy to have found one that works – it's a one-piece with a little skirt and is specially designed to tuck the tummy, and I've also started wearing it for pole dancing, since I don't know any moves yet that require a P.O.C. on the torso. But it's also not very modest in terms of cleavage, and while I was able to do an Inverted Crucifix without flashing anyone, when I got upright again there was some spillage. I might have to try a bathing-suit/bra combo. And don't worry about ranting – I feel bad ranting to most of my friends because they don't have the same problem, they see me as lucky, so it's sort of a relief to talk about it with others who really feel the burden and can empathize.

The Floor Body Wave I'm talking about is the one where you're lying on your front, elbows bent and hands by your shoulders, and you start it with the booty up and wave forwards, the boobs are the last thing to wave but they are supposed to come up off the ground. It's in the beginner lessons. I loved the way it looked when Veena did it, so I was frustrated to find myself limited by my anatomy. It's one thing to not be flexible enough for something, flexibility can be worked on, but these puppies can only be helped by surgery.

Your bra size might also have gone up because by poling, you are building up your pectoral (chest) muscles, so bigger muscles might mean bigger band or cup size because the "fatty bits" have more foundation to lay on. Tovah is also right, muscle weighs more than fat. Weight is really just one way of measuring how healthy you are, and it gets an unfair emphasis in the media. I have a scale that I got from Bath & Body Works for $30 that measures body fat and water %, which is nice because then you can tell when you're just carrying a lot of water weight.

One last note, some people can only lose weight by changing their diet, some can only lose weight by adding exercise, some achieve the best success by doing both. I have found personally that I can exercise as much as I want, but I'm not going to see a change on the scale unless I change what I eat, too. There is no one-size-fits-all plan. The best thing you can do for yourself is try new things – variety challenges the body, and the body must adapt, which often results in a change of shape (even if that's not reflected on the scale).

[SpyralBound]

Thank you, ladies. 🙂

I do have a pretty decent sports bra, but it does double-duty between pole dancing and Zumba, so it's often in my bag at the gym (because honestly, what with all the jumping and bouncing, I kinda need it more for Zumba). The one thing I don't like is how it flattens things into a "uniboob" – not entirely sexy!

I left a comment on the Floor Body Wave video and Veena suggested that I do it on my hands and knees instead, so I'll start working on that variation and see what it looks like.

I really think bra manufacturers must believe that busty ladies don't exercise! And that the only colors we like are black, white and beige. UGH.

[SpyralBound]

I wouldn't go as far as to call myself asexual, but I do have a very low sex drive. Like Polecat88 said above me, when my husband and I have sex it's almost entirely for his benefit, I find I have a lot of trouble "getting into it" and sort of have to convince myself to enjoy it (or just grin and bear it). If I were single, I would probably be asexual/autosexual. I honestly feel like I could easily be celibate and sexless for long periods of time without suffering or feeling deprived. Sometimes I forget what it feels like to be horny! :blush:

That said, therapy has revealed to me that it's possible my current asexuality is reflective of some deeper issues in my marriage :-\ so I hesitate to say it's a permanent or automatic orientation for me. But I can certainly empathize with other women who don't really enjoy sex.