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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Bari-Buddies: Walnut Creek Weight Loss Surgery Support Group

Our little gastric bypass/weight loss surgery support group is really growing!  It is so exciting.  I know a lot of people, like myself, had surgery in San Francisco or other areas far away from their home and can't make it to support group meetings, so it's nice to have a local group of people.  I am also really excited that a couple of people have found the group through my blog.

We meet once a month -- the first Tuesday of each month from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek, California.  We welcome pre- and post-op patients.  We have gastric bypass, lap-band and gastric sleeve patients in attendance.  There is no cost to attend.  You can also bring friends and family for support.  In fact, we encourage it! 

Please join our Bari-Buddies group on Facebook for more info.  Even if you aren't local, we share recipes and other fitness or health related advice for weight loss surgery patients. 

https://www.facebook.com/BariBuddies

http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/04/gastric-bypass-support-group.html

See you next month!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Project 365: Days 125-132

Day 125
Monday, October 17


Day 126
Tuesday, October 18


Day 127
Wednesday, October 19


Day 128
Thursday, October 20


Day 129
Friday, October 21



Day 130
Saturday, October 22


Day 131
Sunday, October 23



Day 132
Monday, October 24


Friday, October 21, 2011

A guest post from Twirly Girls' very own Maleko Wine!

A few months ago, Twirly Girls added a Twirly Boy to one of the classes.  And I asked him to do a guest blog.  This is Maleko!

*****

When the opportunity to contribute to this blog was made by Lori, I almost hurt myself getting to my keyboard. I felt that "Confessions" would be a good place to talk about my experiences. You see, I'm not your typical pole dancing enthusiast: I'm a guy.

When I started down this path over a year ago, I wanted to be more comfortable with my body and learn how to be a bit more erotic for my sweetie. We had watched some movies and the male dancers got her attention in a big way. So I called around looking for a place that would teach a guy how to be an exotic dancer. I figured that learning how to strip might be fun for both of us.

Needless to say, there were no places for me to do that. Someone suggested that I might want to check out the local pole dancing studios since they seemed to cater to teaching housewives how to be sexy, sultry and erotic. It sounded reasonable, so I made some phone calls and sent some emails trying to find a teacher. But reasonable it wasn't. Nobody wanted to teach a guy or have a guy in their class.

The was no equivocation in their response either. It was no. Simple and to the point. No. I was shocked! In a world where we supposedly have opened up in so many dimensions, in a world where any mom can get lessons on how to be sexy, I was alone. Rejected. I guess they assumed that guys are sexy and erotic enough. Okay, maybe it was more about not having a business model or resources to deal with a guy, or maybe some of us are a bit, well, leaches, but I still felt rejected. And, on top of it, I still felt like a plodding clod.

And, when I feel like a totally rejected plodding clod, I turn to my computer like any geeky guy does. But instead of binging on Aces High, I started to do more research about pole dancing. I figured that I didn't know enough so I started to did and that's when I discovered Shelly Lamb, Bel Jeremiah, and the Twirly Girls. Oh, did I mention that I was a guy? I mentioned it to Shelly when I talked to her and she seemed to be fine with it! Seems she's done this before!

So I started my journey down the path of Vertical Dance in Shelly's SLAPD class. My first personal success was performing at the Twick or Twirl event last week Saturday with Shelly and three of the most talented women I've had the opportunity to work with. If somebody had told me 3 months ago that I would be doing a shoulder mount in a public performance I would have told them probably not.

Sure, it was a crappy shoulder mount, I slid down the pole, but I did. I did it without a crash mat and I didn't go "splat" at the end.

Do I still feel like a plodding clod? Not as much any more. But it's a long journey and I'm just at the beginning. What I do feel like is a part of a family that takes their art very seriously.
 
*****

Men taking pole classes is definitely a hot topic right now.  We at Twirly Girls love our Maleko!  Here is a photo and my video from the performance!



Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Psoriasis and Humira

So I am currently three months into taking Enbrel shots for my psoriasis.  Enbrel is an immune system suppressant.  My last update was at two weeks:  http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2011/08/enbrel-and-psoriasis-two-week-update.html

At two weeks, everything was going well.  My psoriasis had easily gotten 50% better.  But for the last two and a half months -- nothing.  So my doctor is switching me to Humira

According to my doctor, it goes like this...

Side effects:

Placebo:    ***
Enbrel:      *****
Humira:    ******

Effect of medication on psoriasis:

Placebo:   ***
Enbrel:     *****
Humira:   **********

So if that makes any sense...there might be a little more chance of side effects (oh, only infections like TB or cancer like Lymphoma), but a much higher chance of the medication working.  The only side effects I really dealt with while on Enbrel were headaches and being sleepy.  Mostly those happened in the beginning and then tapered off.  Maybe that meant the drug wasn't working??  Since the shot is given directly into the skin, my gastric bypass wouldn't have anything to do with absorption issues. 

Anyway, I took my last Enbrel shot on Monday.  The Humira comes on Friday.  I was taking two Enbrel shots a week.  With Humira, I take two shots on day 1, one shot on day 8, one shot on day 22, then one shot every other week.  So that will be nice...not having to shoot myself twice a week.  It burned and I wasn't a fan.  I just hope I don't have to deal with being super tired and getting headaches again.  That wasn't fun.

I did find an awesome lotion made by a local guy at a Farmer's Market.  It has been helping a lot this week.  Although psoriasis is a "smart" disease and it gets used to whatever magic product you find and it eventually stops working so who knows how long it would have helped anyway.  The stress in my life hasn't gone down at all (if anything, it's going up), and I'm sure that's not helping the disease either. 

 So let's see how Humira works!

Latest photo (certainly better than when I started, and looking especially good today because I cheated and put on lotion even though its a pole day):

Monday, October 17, 2011

Project 365: Days 119-124

I totally broke the rules this week.  Too much awesome stuff going on to just post one photo some days.  :-)  I can't believe I'm a third of the way through the year already!

Day 119
Tuesday, October 11

I climbed!  I climbed!  I climbed!  More than once and all the way to the top!


Day 120
Wednesday, October 12



Day 121
Thursday, October 13

Early morning moon over the crosses in Lafayette:


 My sister's new puppy, Wyatt, and baby cow, Ferdinand.


My cousin, Janeen, was visiting from Thailand.


Feeding Ferdinand.


Day 122
Friday, October 14

Supporting Tracey's battle against cancer.



Day 123
Saturday, October 15

Trick or Twirl!



Day 124
Sunday, October 16

Drag show at 1220!


A Zumba FUNdraiser for Tracey Horne

Last week, I posted a blog about Tracey Horne, one of our pole sisters who is battling breast cancer.  Last Friday, I went to Poletential in Redwood City, California to meet Tracey in person and Zumba my ass off to help in Tracey's fight to kick cancer's ass!

First off, I am a terrible Zumba'er.  However, I had a complete BLAST, dancing and sweating with the packed room.  It truly showed how much love the studio has for their girls, and I so admire that. 

So here are some photos from the evening.  No, I did not take any video.  I was too busy dancing -- DUH!  :-)  Don't miss Tracey's flag pole.  She is still strong!






Friday, October 14, 2011

Studio Spotlight: Shirley of The Studio -- Pole Dance Aotearoa

Shirley is a Facebook friend.  When I first asked her to be in my blog, I sent her the Power of Pole questions.  But now I realize she's a studio owner so I am calling this a Studio Spotlight!  It's a bit of a mix of the two -- so here's a Power of the Pole Studio Spotlight!  :-)

How long have you been pole dancing?
4 years as at 17 October (is it really that long???)

What first drew you to try it?
My recruitment agent/ friend said she did it and I thought it sounded like fun

Where do you take classes?
At my own Studio, The Studio - Pole Dance Aotearoa [http://www.polefitness.net.nz/] and with Bonnie Black from Vertical Aerial Dance [http://www.vadpole.co.nz/] in Dunedin whenever she's up in Wellington.  She's a tough mistress!

Do you have a pole at home?
Not anymore... I have 11 to play with at The Studio  :O)

How often do you pole?
6 - 15 hours p/w, Friday and Sunday are rest days and I get the odd Tuesday.

What else do you do to keep your body in shape to pole?

A functional fitness strength class each week, which we call Vertical strength.  This is run by a friend who is an amazing fitness professional and has designed this class for pole dancers to gain strength.  She also takes monthly splits workshops for us too.  Other than that, nothing but pole.

Do you like to dance in shoes or barefoot?
Barefoot is preferred.

How do you deal with dry skin on pole days and on off-pole days?
Aveeno moisturing cream in the morning does the trick all year round.  On really bad days (winter), I've been known to wax a pole to get grip.

What is your favorite product to help you stick to the pole?
Skin!

Where do you buy your pole clothes?

At chain stores  Usually leggings that are heading to "legging heaven" get cut down at mid thigh and turned into pole clothes and I just purchase singlets from chain stores.

What is your favorite song to dance to right now?
It depends on the mood - Krezip "It's probably me" is one I'm working on as a routine; the Roxanne Tango from Moulin Rouge and a pile of others, including classical.

How do you feel like pole has improved or changed your life?

I've dropped a lot of fat, I get enamoured with my biceps (justifiably so too) and I'm a lot healthier and stronger than when I started.  I'm also a lot less concerned about my body image and my self-esteem has improved: so what if I have a wobbly belly or cellulite, I can hang upside down by one knee and do oblique sit ups off the pole... which is more than a lot of people can do.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Spotlight on Lulu!!

I first saw some photos of Lulu on Facebook and I was so impressed with her strength on the pole.  So welcome Lulu as our latest pole sister!

What is your fitness routine (on and off the pole)?  

Right now I’m training for Ms. Xpose 2012.  With being a mom, my schedule gets pretty hectic even before adding the training.  I make sure I’m flexible with my days to accommodate my needs on being a parent.  For off the pole I do a lot of push ups and crunches.  Those are my go to exercises to build up the strength I need to pull off tricks.  I try to at least do push ups every morning when I wait for the water for my shower to warm up.  Pole-Wise I attend pole class once a week and whatever we work on in class I work on in my Pole Cave once a week as well.  Now with training coming into the mix, I work on a routine a few times that night I’m in the pole cave.  Once I’m done, I work on a freestyle routine.  Freestyling is one of my weaker points so it gives me a good way to work on my weakness and get my mind the routine for a short period of time.

What kind of diet do you follow?

Last year I discovered Eating Clean.  I starting following it and I noticed a difference in how I felt overall.  This year I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and the doctor had told me that diet and exercise will ease a lot of my symptoms that I have.  I’ve started to work on clean more than I used to.  

With competition training my husband is the nutritionist nazi. He has taken cookies from me and reminded me there is a competition coming up.


Do you have a dance background?

I’ve been dancing my whole life, even before I took class.  I started with cheerleading, that came with dance and tumbling.  I am a former National Cheerleaders Association All-Star Cheerleader.  That came with dance, stunts and tumbling.  As I got older I took more former dance classes in High School.  I stopped dancing after giving birth to my daughter in 2004. 

Do you compete (pole fitness or any other kind of fitness competitions)?

I've competed in the local competitions but I have auditioned for bigger competitions.  I’ve competed in Ms Xpose Fitness Preliminary round in 2008,2010 and 2011.  I am determined to win, so that’s why I keep trying!  I keep falling off the horse but I saddle back up and keep going! 

Do you teach pole classes?  If so, where?

Teaching is a one of my dreams, next to owning and running my own studio.  I made a personal promise to myself that I would win a competition before I decided to branch out and start teaching.  I like to have some credentials next to my name when it comes to someone who wants to learn pole from me.

Do you have a preference? "pole fitness" or "pole dancing"

For me, I’m a pole dancing kind of gal.  You’ve got to fill in the times you’re not on the pole. But I am a fan of both of them.


What do you think about the stripper vs. pole fitness debate?

I respect strippers, it takes some serious guts to stand in a room with a bunch of horny-ish men and get naked.  That’s something you’d never see me doing. I also attend a studio whose mission statement is about finding yourself through the art of exotic dance, I see more of the stripper side than pole fitness.  But you aren’t going to see any stripper do a jade in the club for tips.  

What is your favorite product to help you stick to the pole? 

I’m a big fan of Itac.  I use it when I’m in my Pole Cave, but when I’m in the studio where I take classes I use shaving cream.  

The studio poles are brass and my home pole is chrome. 

How do you deal with the dry skin on pole days (and on off-pole days)?

I have naturally oily skin - I say I could fry an egg off my face.  The only lotion I use is face moisturiser, I don’t touch lotion beyond that. 

Where do you like to buy your pole clothes?

My favorite set is from Bad Kitty's Pole Fit Line.  I have the spider back bra and the Brazil shorts.  I love them so much that I could actually sleep in them. The go to shorts I wear are the Soffe cheer shorts.  You can get them in any color of the rainbow and they can be bought anywhere. My newest ones are zebra print. 

Do you like to dance in heels or barefoot?

I like both.  It really depends on the song.  You just know it when you hear the song.  I’m 5'4 so I find any excuse to look taller!


What is your favorite thing about dancing on the pole?
I feel like myself.  Pole is my happy place, it’s the one place I can go and be Lulu and not have to worry about anything else at the moment.  

What is your favorite song to dance to (at this moment)?

I won’t reveal what my competition music is but right now there are a few songs I’m really feeling.

Black Coffee by Everlast and Shakin Hands by Nickelback.  Normally after I’ve danced to a song, I really don’t want to listen to it for awhile.  Those 2, I could hear over and over and still create new combos.


What else would you like people to know about you or your studio(s)?

That I have big dreams and I don't give up on them. I'm also an event organizer.  I run the annual charity events - Battle of the Pole Dance Studios.   I am beyond the moon excited to be running this event again.  

You can check out my event at www.battlepole.com and my personal site www.team-lulu.com. 

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Pole Goal: CLIMBING

Guess who put her FIVE DOLLARS (well, Bel's $5) on the ceiling at Twirly Girls last night?!

MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I understood the CONCEPT of climbing.  Grip with your knees, don't pull up with your arms.  But it just didn't come together until last night.  I can always go up one step (duh because I'm stepping on to the pole from the floor), but the next step up just never happens.  I can wiggle and jiggle and try to inch up the pole but I just can't get that back leg to go up, then have my front leg move up too and I'm not strong enough to completely let go and caterpillar up like the BeSpun girls do.

Then last night, it happened. 

I climbed about 3/4 of the way up, giggling like a weirdo clown the whole time.  Then I came down.  I was sweaty and tired (I mean, I am always sweaty but last night was especially difficult because it was extremely humid).  I then tried a few more times.  I could go up to the second step but never past.  I was getting frustrated and nervous.  I started sweating more and slipping off the pole.  (I believe Bel has 12 foot ceilings.)

I tried iTac2 (my friggin' thigh skin feels like it has been ripped off...that stuff WORKS).  I got about half way to 3/4 of the way a few more times.  I tried Mighty Grip gloves (yeah with my thighs sticking like glue, I was scared if I got to the top, I wouldn't be able to get down).  I tried using a chair to jump half way up.  I was tired.  The top of  my foot was hurting, my shin and thighs were on fire, my forearm was burning.  I was sweating more and getting grumpy.  I gave up.

Then Bel suggested I put my boots on.  YAY!  Of course!!!  My boots!  They would keep my sweaty legs from slipping off the pole.  So on my final attempt (using boots and a step stool so I could at least be one step closer to the damn ceiling), I had my $5 ready (well, Bel and Cindy had it ready and handed it to me because it kept grossing them out when it put it in my mouth during my climb) and I STUCK it to the ceiling!  Normally I would have said using my boots was cheating but I can attest that I WORKED for that climb.  I'm so sore and bruised today!

So I can say that I am finally progressing in one of my pole goals.  THE CLIMB TO THE TOP!

Here are some photos from last night's adventure.  Bel has one of me actually at the top so I'll add it once she puts it on Facebook.  In the meantime, tonight I am JUST going to practice my dance...no climbing.  I'm SO sore and I think my foot needs a rest.  The "Natasha toe slide" is going to be interesting tonight!








Power of Pole: Meet Tracey


I have a canned set of questions for the pole dancers on my blog.  For you, Miss Tracey, I just felt like a more personal touch was needed.  The reason I fell in love with Twirly Girls was because it was so much like a family -- everyone is so supportive of each other.  You are battling cancer and I have watched the ladies at Poletential band together to create Team Pink Tracey to help you get through chemo and make sure you and your family are being cared for.  I guess that is more of a statement than a question...so please tell us what Poletential means to you. 

The easiest way to explain would be to just say be in the studio and experience it.  I unlocked my sense of self in that studio.  If you can imagine a sanctuary.  A place where you can feel free of all worries for an hour or two.  Where you can look in the mirror, see your beauty not for another but for yourself.  Where you can put on stilettos and be sexy, release your inner goddess.  Where you can be barefoot, feel the floor and the metal pole, find your strength.  Where you can lose yourself in music.  This is what Poletential is for me.   And in there, I met the strongest and the bravest of women.  When I got the news of my diagnosis, these amazing women came together a formed a support chain around me and my boys.  They held me when I cried, did an extreme twirl make over on my place to make it calm and peaceful, bonded with my boys, held my hand at the appointments, spent nights with me after chemo, shaved my head, and so much more. This family, my Poletential family helped me learn how to survive and to live.

I understand there is a Zumba fundraiser coming up in October.  Please tell us about that!

I am so fortunate to have so much support.  One of the Poletential instructors is also a Zumba instructors.  With other Zumba instructors, a few other phenomenal women and Poletential, they put together this amazing event.  For me, it is my chance to say thank you. I am so grateful.

The ladies of Poletential set up a Facebook Group for you -- Team Pink Tracey.  Facebook really does make the world a little smaller (that's how *I* heard your story).  I imagine you've met some interesting people through the group!  Are there any you'd like to mention?

I’ve met friends of friends who have been through similar breast cancer and other disease/illness experiences. Through messages, I’ve met Sean O’Connor who founded Pink Pole Power.  Through Pink Pole Power, I connected with two women, Kathleen and Melissa who have gone through and are going though their own breast cancer battles. They have been an inspiration for me.

I see Christina asking people to take your boys to different events.  It sounds like you have awesome boys, which means you must be a great mother.  How are they handling everything?

I have two great boys, 7 and 13.  I am so proud of them.  I didn’t shelter or hide this from them, nor did I push it on them.  At every step there was honesty. They knew about the surgery, when I shaved my head, knew when and the effects of chemo, etc.  We have our moments when this is difficult to handle.  But they have a team, a team pink who is a phone call away, who visits with them, who teaches them, who loves them and who is just there for them.

It sounds like your prognosis is very good and you are now finished with chemotherapy.  What is the next step? 

CHEMO IS DONE (I love saying that)!  The next phase will be the second reconstruction surgery in November.  I had a bi-lateral mastectomy with expander implants in June. Second surgery will replace the expander implants.  After surgery, I will take a 5 year drug called Tamoxifen and recover as quickly as a can so I can pole.

I know you are taking some time off now.  Are you excited to get back on the pole?

I miss it so much.  I have been doing physical therapy since the first surgery.  I was strong enough to do my first pole class since the diagnosis tonight.  The feeling is indescribable (I had happy tears tonight).  I know it will be shortlived.  I will rehab again after the November surgery.

How long have you danced with Poletential?

I believe I started around November 2009 and was instantly hooked.

What other aerial arts classes have you tried?

I was unable to try aerial arts.  I got the diagnosis just as aerial came to Poletential.  But I can’t wait to try!

Have you ever taught pole?

No.

Do you generally like to dance with heels or barefoot?

I generally dance barefoot, but I love the moments in heels.

Do you have a favorite product to help you stick to the pole?

I generally don’t use grip aide, but have tried Dry Hands.

Is there a pole-friendly moisturizer that you can recommend?

I have not tried one. But that is definitely something to look into when I come back full force!

What kind of music do you like to dance to?

I don’t have a specific type of music that I like.  It’s usually the song, the mood and the story.

Do you have anything else you'd like to share?

Two things I learned at Poletential:  Lose yourself in the music and Go Big or Go Home.  This I have learned applies to pole and to life.

Randomly, you get thrown curveballs (learned that from CK/Poletential too!), and sometimes those curveballs come out of left field and so completely unexpected.  You can take a step back and breathe or you can swing with all your might and hit it out of the park. Either option is ok.

To my team, to my twirl girls, to Poletential, to CK (Christina), to the pole community, Thank you.

*****
The Zumba FUNdraiser is THIS Friday, October 14 in Redwood City.  Please go to Poletential's website for more information (I am so excited...I will be there!!).  

Check out the Studio Spotlight with Poletential HERE.

Read the blog post I did for The Pole Dancing Shop on supporting the pole community, including my pole sister Tracey, HERE.