The first time I felt the fear ... and needed crash mats for pole class!

I have been pole dancing (for fitness) for a number of years now and I love it. You can read about why I started here and check out one of my moves here. I have never felt scared of any of my moves before, and than incldes hanging from the pole with one knee!

That was until yesterday... duh, duh, duuuhhh. My pole instructor gave me a new move. I have been working on a twisted handspring for many weeks now and whlie I an hold the move if helped into it with a little push - I can't quite get there yet. It is starting to furstrate me and my arms are finding it wearing. So the new move came.

"Missy - I want to work on the Russian Splits with you today," was her introduction. In my head all I could think was - But i can't do the splits? Apparently that is not needed (regardless of the name). So we got to it, my instructor got YouTube going and showed me the Russian Splits. My mouth dropped and my first impression was WTH? How was this possible? How would I not fall off the pole? 

Just to clarify, this is not me (I wish!)

Then the fear gripped me. It was something which I had not encountered with a pole move before. Normally I have a sense of excitement and feel ready to get to grips with the move. This time, fear was mixed in with it. We began the move from the ground which was not all too scary, just taxing on my body. However, the thought of working my way up the pole into this crazy move was playing on my mind.

By the end of the session I had managed to complete the move from the ground a few times but more often than not I found myself tumbling off the pole. Needless to say, my instructor and I had a good laugh with this one. She has not done this move before and was attempting it for the first time. We had a number of yoga mats piled up as crash mats which were most definitly needed. I don't know how long this will take to get or if I will ever get to the point of doing this from higher up the pole. I will keep you all up to date with this one.

Have you ever had a workout challenge?

Work that body...

I am getting my spirit back and with that is the growing realisation that my body is so out of shape. I would not classify myself as a 'fitness freak' or even someone who MUST go to the gym every other day or I feel like crap. I enjoy exercising, I have fun and like to feel my body working.

I would say I have not had any consistent exercise routine for at least the past 8 months or so. Between travel, hospital runs, illness and just general lowness I have not felt like I had the energy to do day to day things let alone exercise. This week things are changing. I am gradually getting over the anaemia which has seen me suffer from such chronic fatigue and illnesses it was not great.

My first return to fitness? My pole dancing lessons! If you've never tried them before they are lots of fun. I have been pole dancing for a good few years now on and off. It can be a pretty brutal work out what with the potential for bruises and supporting of your own weight but I love it. My arms just respond so well and the stomach tones up pretty well too.

I can definitely tick all these bruises off... ouch! [Source]

I am going to try this for a couple weeks and then go back to yoga sessions too. Yoga will then hopefully bring a bit of calmness to me and my thoughts. Also, it gives a pretty good stretch. When I was doing yoga regularly my body became very lean which was great. Last but not least? I want to get back into my running, one step at a time but having aspirations is a good start!

If all else fails I will skip the yoga and just remember this.. [Source]

What's your favourite go to exercise?

Sunday Social Link Up...

I'm linking up with Neely and Ashley for some Sunday Social loving!

Head on over to their sites to join in the fun.

Q&A

1. Do you plan to change any of your eating habits in the new year?
I really should... anyone who knows me laments my lack of fruit and vegetable intake. 
 
2. Any workout tips to get us back in shape after the Holidays? 
Work out for YOU and not because it's a resolution. You will only end up hating whatever regime you have going on. Also, do something you enjoy! 

My workout of choice. Fun and tones like nothing else.

3. Favourite thing you did over the Holidays? 
Spending time with me beautiful family.

4. What is something you hope that you accomplish in 2013 that you did not in 2012? 
I would like to be in a healthy relationship without a toxic boy!

5. Name 3 things happening this year you are excited about and why: 
 Miss Twin is getting married - I love her and she is so happy. What better reasons?
Continuing friendships with some amazing people in my life. 
Getting back to my blog - it's been a tough year but 2013 will only get better!

My pole dancing tricks...

I've recently returned to pole dancing and wonder why I ever stopped? I love the workout, nothing else makes me body look like it does and it's fun. I have been back a few weeks now so I am moving on with my advanced moves. I thought I'd share one with you all....

I am actually smiling under that smiley would you believe....

What's your favourite exercise?

Back on the er...pole

With all the knee problems that I'm having, I am getting extremely frustrated at my lack of being able to do anything. I don't exercise to stay slim, I do it because I enjoy it therefore not being able to do it since last October has been pretty rubbish. All I want to do is prance about. After numerous visits to Mr Knee Man (I don't know his real title but I have used more colourful words to describe him at various points) and a scan it appears that the damage is low level. What does this mean? Well I'm not that sure as Mr Knee Man can be rather vague. I have seemed to ascertain that I need to build up knee and quad muscle again and that more than likely somewhere in the future I can get back to running and high impact exercise. It seems like it can't be 'fixed' as such just worked around with some well developed muscle!!

So he has given me a list of exercises which are boring squats and leg extensions. I have decided (wrong or right I don't know) to go back to my pole dancing. This is because I reckon it's not too bad on the knee and you use a lot of core and upper body strength. I went to my first lesson in a year today and I absolutely loved being back. It's one of my most enjoyed exercise ever and I always say it's the best exercise I've done to tone up arms and stomach. You just have to not mind a couple of bruises while learning!!! It wasn't long into my lesson that I was attempting my upside down spins and didn't fair too badly... woo!!!

As it was my first time back in a while I decided on the beginners class. This led to my favourite quote of the day from my instructor:

"That girl over there just asked me if you're a professional."

This amused me due to the fact that I haven't done it in so long!! Clearly I'm still not so bad at it. However I'm not so sure whether I should be worried or flattered by this remark! The way I look at it, the weekly lesson along with all the exercises given by my doctor she set my knee up well.Now I have the fun of not being able to walk for pain after my first work out in 7 months.

I'm sure everyone has their one type of exercise that they love more than anything else?