Pole On The Way and Progress vs Perfection

OMG guess what!!!!

I ordered my pole yesterday.

I am so beyond excited to play on it...I'm about to burst!

 

Remember this? I miss it so much!

I have been thinking a lot lately about the difference between progress and perfection.
When I started working out, I really just wanted the most beautiful body in the world.  I was going to look like a model after every workout.  I would come home after an hour at the gym and lift up my shirt and be so disappointed.  The love handles and pooch hadn't been replaced with rock hard abs.

If progress was perfection I would have been so happy.

I think this is the reason people have such roller coaster diets and fitness routines. 
If you expect perfection, the amazing progress you have made will be blurred by disappointment.  If you expect perfection, you won't be happy.  If you expect perfection, you will never get there.

Let's be happy about the little accomplishments.  Soon, they will add up to your biggest dreams.
You will no longer want to be perfect; no one's perfect. You'll be happy being you.

Moral of the story: Work for progress, there is no such thing as perfection.
Now go sweat, make progress, and feel sexy.

XO Lauren

Fast Forward

So a month or so ago my pole teacher brought in her aerial hoop.  I played around a little, got a lot of bruises, and fell in love.

http://thin-fit.tumblr.com/

One day I dream to look like this lovely lady. I wish I could fast forward and just be balls-to-the-wallz amazing.

Pshhhhhh. You probably thought that was me huh?...I'm blushing ;)

 

If you haven't noticed I decided to take a short break from pole.  It is super far away from my house and gas is disgustingly expensive.

I am saving to buy my own so I can practice ALL the time and get AWESOME pics for ya'll.

Get excited. 

I almost have enough to buy one. AHHH.

 

XO The future aerial hoopist, Lauren

If You Pole, You Will Like Cats. Fact.

I find it commical that almost everyone in the pole community is a cat lover.

I bet the fact that I got a cat two and a half years ago directly correlates with the fact that I became a poler.

I guess if I ever get super good at pole, I'll owe it to that fateful day in April 2011 when I found Penny. :p

 

 So here are some pics I took of the love of my life yesterday.  She is the cutest thing on this planet and if you stick around you will get to know her real well.

Sorry about the quality of the pics. I'm still basically a broke college student and haven't been able to get a nice camera :p

 

I am also in love with all of these pole comics that Pole Dancing Adventures shares.  This one is hilarious to me.

 

 

Have a good day!

XO Lauren

 

Randomness About My Life

So yesterday was so slow at work.  I think all week is going to be....especially because I really want the week to go by fast; therefore, it won't.

I had a mean craving for something bad for me yesterday, so I caved and had this.....I'm not ashamed ;)

Then I went to pole...which usually gets me really excited, but the studio was like a thousand degrees and there were like 25 people to 5 poles. Not okay.  I couldn't stay on the pole because I was so sweaty from all the body heat...I left early.  One thing that I always think about walking into pole is that it is basically impossible to find and how mean the lady who owns this antique shop must be.  The pole studio's sign is on the door, but the antique shop always has the door propped open so you can't see it!  Whatevs....if you like pole enough you will find the studio eventually.

Like I have mentioned before, Wisconsin is known for cheese, specifically cheese curds.  Saw this on my ride home and didn't think it was weird at all.

And nowwwww I am bored at work again....writing a quick post so I don't leave ya'll hangin again like last week.  Can't promise next week though, I'LL FINALLY BE IN FLORIDAAAAAAAA YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

Happy Hump Day!

I'm not excited or anything.
xoxo Lauren

Curvy and Muscular is the New Stick Thin

I am going to write today on a topic most women I know have an issue with.  Accepting yourself, loving yourself, and being comfortable in your own skin.

I have never been one to show how uncomfortable I am, or how proud I am about my body, but my blog is giving me a voice.  I'd like to use my voice to better myself and anyone reading.  I don't want to put myself down, or make anyone uncomfortable.

I am not perfect.  I don't think anyone is...not even Kate Upton or Channing Tatum [although I'm not sure, they just might be :P].  I have many flaws.  I don't like my feet, I have huge arms, and I have strech marks on my thighs.  I can only imagine the strech marks I'll get after I have a kid [not for a long time, but still].  I worry that I will gain a bunch of weight and just hate myself, but the fact is, I have surrounded myself with people who will love me no matter what.  So why wouldn't I do the same?  My boyfriend didn't even know what strech marks are!! Bless his heart. He makes me feel great.

I have learned that weight [as a number] doesn't matter, it is how you feel and the fact that you are healthy.  I am not saying to go eat everything [wahoo! Lauren said weight doesn't matter... uh no], too much fat may be an issue, but if you are beefed up with muscle you may weigh a little more.  And that is a-okay.  Obviously having muscle is healthier than having fat, but a little fat here and there is really no big deal. 

I have been dealing with a little belly flab for a while.  It seems like it really likes its home around my belly.  I am still going to strive to be healthy and stay fit, but I will not beat myself up over the [healthy] amount of fat around my belly, even around my thighs.

I'm sorry about all the selfies in the bathroom :p

I live in Wisconsin.  Let's be real.  I eat crazy amounts of cheese in the form of fried cheese curds.  I won't beat myself up.  I am just going to try to eat balanced meals for every other meal.  I will not give up on my health.  One "cheat meal," isn't cheating.  It isn't the end of your "diet."  It isn't indulging.  It is being happy and comfortable enough to treat yourself.

My first pole class I went to do a pole sit into a figure four.  The pole basically grips your inner thighs and seriously makes your cellulite VERY apparent.  I let go of the pole and fell.  Why? I was not ready to see that.  It made me feel awful.  I have since gotten over it.  After talking to a few people who had the same experience, I now know its normal.  It isn't like you can see cellulite there just looking at me.  I am never going to be stick thin, I will always be slightly thicker than a model, but who cares.  I have learned to make it sexy, and honestly bigger thighs help me grip the pole.  :)

Doesn't hurt that curvy and muscular is the new stick thin.

 

What I've Learned in a Month of Pole Dancing:

1.  Learning takes time.  Do not give up or be hard on yourself if you don't get a move immediatley. 

2.  There is really no such thing as failure, just practice.

3.  Everyone is beautiful in their own way.  Our bodies are all different.  It is easier to accept everyone else and have fun once you get over how you look.  Strip down to your skivvies and get used to it.  Your body is here to stay.

4.  Everyone is a teacher.  Yes there is a structure to class, but you can learn something from every single person in that room.

I am positive I've learned more, but those are some of the main things.  Just love who you are, and don't give up on yourself.

xoxo Lauren

Sweet Tooth - Healthier Option, with a Little Pole Talk

The other day at work I couldn't stop daydreaming about the ice cream bar my boyfriend had the night before.  I basically held my breath the entire time while he was eating it.  Somehow, I managed to not only drop everything, run to the store, buy all of the ice cream there, and scarf it down immediately, but I managed not to ask for a bite!  Some sort of will power took over and was like "Hell no Lauren, don't do it."  So I didn't.  There I was the next day daydreaming though....so I made a healthy version of a sunday.  Yeah, I guess it could be considered a sunday, makes it sound more unhealthy and sweet and terrible for me [even though its healllllthierrr!].

Not the best looking pic but it was sweet and hit the spot!

Not A Sunday, But You Could Be Convinced It Is Sunday, Sunday:

 

1 Banana

1 cup Plain Fat Free Greek Yogurt

Cinnamon

Honey

 

Make layers of the banna and greek yogurt with cinnamon and honey in between.

Enjoy!

 

 

Now on to pole updates!  Last night I got some pretty cool moves, and got to play with an aerial hoop.  I feel like I am in Cirque du Soleil when I'm at these classes.  It is awesome, and the ladies there are all inspiring and beautiful!

 

I am still working on superman....I start in Jasmine, and attempt to shimmy my leg around to Superman, but my leg gets caught and I get stuck.  It was also super humid in the studio yesterday and I was sweating and sliding a lot.  Here is a pic of Superman for those who do not know what it looks like:

 

verticaldance.com [Superman]

 

I am also working on Sad Girl into Drama Queen while spinning.  I wish I could find pics of these...but google isn't getting me anywhere :(  I also got one of my pole splits last night.  Its more of a middle split on the pole.  I have no idea what its called. I can't find it online either.  Better luck next time!  I'll take pics when I perfect them ;)  Ohhh yeah, and my shoulder mount looks 1,000X better than it did last week...and I can almost invert while spinning [instead of kicking off the ground!]. 

I NEED A POLE.

xoxo Lauren

 

 

 

 

They Weren't Lying

They weren't lying. Pole is hard. I didn't get any awesome pics tonight because I didn't get any new poses. I did get this one tho:

OUCHIES: Bruises from pole are no joke.

The first two weeks were exciting, getting  to know all the basics and having them come easy.  Now it's time for the real challenge.  I have to work hard at pole, at yoga, and at the gym in order to keep improving.  I am going to try to focus on strengthening my abs and gaining flexibility [all while continuing my usual workout routine and adding in some cardio].  Basically, I am going to be living at the gym. ;) 

I am getting really antsy for my monthy picture in a few weeks.  I haven't really stuck to my eating healthy diet in the morning.  Dunkin Donuts is just wayyyy too tempting when I have an entire 8x11 sheet of paper filled with coupons.  Ahhhh donuts and sweet delicious coffe :/  I need to quit it, ASAP.  At work I stick to my healthy eating, and when I get home it hasn't been too difficult eating a salad or whipping up some sort of protein/veggie combo. 

Since I started pole, my schedule and the boyfriend's schedule just don't match up for dinner most nights.  I feel bad because I love cooking, and I think he loves when I cook for him, but it just can't happen every night.  I'm definitely torn about this because on one hand I think it brings us together while we sit and talk and eat, but now that I'm on a health kick, I doubt he wants a huge salad for dinner every night.

Nom Nom

On a completely different note, it finally feels like summer here in Wisco! I got to lay by the pool during lunch yesterday :)  ......And now today it is gross and rainy, BUT STILL WARMMMM.

The pool on my lunch break :) Living the life.

I acutally cropped this picture because my inner thighs are covered in bruises from pole.  Ohhhh the life of a pole dancer.....lol

<3 Lauren

I Work Out

I have been lifting a lot since the boyfriend got me to go to the gym again.  As some might know, gaining muscle is a great way to boost calorie burn.  I have seen some great results already from lifting- and I am not even doing much cardio, actually no cardio [because of my knee].  I am supposed to build up my muscle before doing any impact cardio, like running.

 

Hammy's, Glutes, Quads, and Calf Workout we did Sunday night!

Squats: 3 Sets of 15

Body weight

Leg Press: 3 sets of 15

85 lbs, 85 lbs, 70 lbs

Glute Ham Raise: 3 sets of 15

40 lbs

Standing Calf Raise: 3 sets of 15

Body weight

Calf Press Machine: 3 sets of 15

115 lbs

Inner Thigh Machine: 3 sets of 15

50lbs, 50 lbs, 40 lbs

Outer Thigh Machine: 3 sets of 15

50 lbs

 

 

If you choose to do this workout, you don't have to do the same amount of weight.  Weights listed under the exercises are what I used, not the boyfriend- he is a beast.  I was pretty upset that I couldn't squat more, but I guess it is understandable since I took a five month break for knee surgery.  Gettin back into it :)

Here are two more pics my friend sent me from Friday's pole class
:)

Better pic of the Gemini

IDK what this is called....I forgot

<3 Lauren

Upside Down

I WENT UPSIDE DOWN...I was terrified to go upside down. I watched someone else do it last night and then just got the urge to throw myself into it. I don't know how it happened, or where this urge came from. It is kind of blurry in my memory [probably all that adrenaline], but I did it on my second try! I said I was hooked on pole before, but I am REALLY hooked now! Take a look :D

Almost a Scorpio. We didn't catch the actual Scorpio on camera- I swear I did one though!

So last night at pole was amazing. I met so many women who just started pole. Some women were young, some older, but we all bonded over the impossible difficult moves attempted. Shannon was the teacher last night [the cute little blonde in the corner in the second pic]; she kicked our butts! I am still exhausted today thinking about how much energy I used last night. 

It was seriously so amazing how graceful Shannon was getting in and out of certain poses. I just look at her and hope that one day I'll be as strong and beautiful on the pole.  Going to different classes and seeing different instructors keeps me motivated.  I am beginning to understand how hard it is to make the moves look effortless.  You would see how awful it looks before you perfect a move if I were able to upload the videos of myself. :p

My boyfriend mentioned that I have been so much happier since I started. For some reason I had a preconceived notion that life was kind of over after college. No more fun. But to be honest, my new hobby is proving the notion wrong. Completely wrong. 

Now my next statement is going to be a bold one, especially for people who have known me for years. Ready?  I am starting to think that I enjoy pole MORE THAN DANCE!  WHATTTT!? Let me explain.  Because I began dancing at such a young age, the skill developed with my body.  It didn't seem that difficult to master a new step or achieve my goals.  I was super active and it was easy for me.  I can't tell you when I learned such and such a step or when I got so flexible; it wasn't that memorable.  Now, my body is developed and although it is going to be more difficult to learn, I will embrace the learning process and the struggle along the way.  Actually, saying that it is a struggle gives the process a negative connotation.  I will say that it is a FUN struggle...full of laughs and people who are mega supportive.  I am beyond excited to see the development [I'm sorry if I start to sound like a broken record talking about that].

 



Nice view of the crotch area. lol



I also took yoga last night for the first time since my surgery!  I really think that it is going to help strech out the back of my knee.  Recently I have been discouraged to strech on my own because I know how flexible I used to be.  I know its unrealistic to think I would keep my flexibility after five months of not stretching AT ALL, but for some reason I am super disappointed that it's gone. :(

I guess I should have taken pics of some yoga poses or something...maybe next time! 

I came home re-energized from and with tons of weird looking bruises in strange places....I was going to post a picture, but they are seriously in the weirdest most awkward places. So, sorry people. No pics of the bruises.

Talk to you next time,
<3 Lauren
 

The Sick Weekend

I hope everyone's weekends went well.  Mine was not fun or very eventful.  The boyfriend was on call all weekend which means no drinking or going anywhere too far, and on top of that, we were both sick! 

Friday night I came home from pole pretty tired, boyfriend got called out, I read and fell asleep.  There goes my Friday night!

Saturday I got out of bed and went out to lunch with my roommate and her friend, which was full of laughs, but I still didn't feel well.  Boyfriend and I went out to dinner that night, but then he had to go back to work and I feel asleep reading almost immediately. 

Sunday was awful.  Both the boyfriend and I were sick, and I tried my hardest to make him feel better.  It didn't work; he stayed home from work today :(

On a brighter note, I got over my fear of going sideways on Friday!  During my first pole class I couldn't even attempt a move called 'The Craddle,' but Friday night I held my breath, closed my eyes and went for it! Ohhhh yeahhh.  Not so pretty, but I did it!  I also ended up being able to do a 'Venus' from 'The Craddle.'  Woot Woot!!!!!

Since I still haven't been able to figure out a way to post video, I will post [hilarious] screen shots of the videos.  Let me say, they are NOT flattering, but I have decided that I am posting them anyways.  Overtime, I will post more pics/videos and I hope we will all see how far I've come.

The photos in the black tank are from class number one [May 29, 2013].
The photos in the blue tank are from class number two [May 31, 2013].

First Class: Fireman

First Class: Sit and Spin, Wheeee!

First Class: Hilarious Face, Sit and Spin into Fireman

First Class: Beyond Happy, Forward Facing Goddess

Second Class: Split Grip

Second Class: The Craddle, attempt 1

 

Second Class: The Craddle, attempt 2- getting better!!

Second Class: The Craddle into Venus! I'm Sideways!

<3 Lauren

Hey There! Welcome!

Welcome to my blog, I'm Lauren!  My first post should probably be all about me, but I am just going to jump in because I want to tell everyone about how much fun I had yesterday!  You will get to know me as you read :)
 
Yesterday I started POLE FITNESS at Pole Chicks in Rockford, IL.
 
I guess one of the first questions might be why? Why pole? Well I guess I have been inspired by my best friend, from my hometown, Amanda.  Amanda started her own blog, Inspired, at the end of 2011.  She has posted about inspiring, inspiring stories, and even some inspiring recipes :) mmmmmm nom.  She begin pole dancing in October 2012 and has become an AMAZINGGGGG pole dancer/ teacher already!!  She is super fit, health conscious, in shape and is one of my biggest heros/inspiration. 

Another reason I decided to try, is because going to the gym was getting super repetative.  I do love going to the gym, especially with my boyfriend who pushes me to my limits and laughs with me when I fail miserably, but doing the same thing over and over gets boring.  And the last reason- I miss performing. 

I went to my first dance recital to watch my sister strut her stuff on stage when I was four [I think].  That's when I knew I would become a dancer when I grew up.  Sadly, that didn't happen.  I actually was forced to quit and get a "real" career when I went to college.  Don't get me wrong, I love the food industry, but I had dance in my life ever since I was four and then I had to quit cold turkey.  Anyways, I miss performing....and I am super out of shape, and now I strangely get super nervous talking or doing things in front of people [which needs to stop].

I finally took the [one of the] first steps to being a happier, healthier me.  I have been stalking Pole Chick's monthly deals on their website since the end of last year.  I knew I didn't want to pay for a super expensive monthly rate if there was a possibility I would hate it.  I'd say I waited until the right moment.  $25.00 for unlimited monthly pole classes and yoga on Tuesdays! Yippeeeeee!

So, yesterday I started pole fitness.

I am excited to report back and tell you that I absolutely LOVE pole.  Even though it was my first class, and today I am super duper sore, I cannot wait to go again.  I was really lucky because I was literally the only person in the first class [AKA I got one-on-one time with the instructer for the entire hour I was there].  We started with jumping jacks and squats, did some pull pole ups, and learned all about how to keep the pole sticky, not slick; she had me spinning around the pole within the first ten minutes I was there.  I'd say we did about fifteen different spins and poses in that hour.  I couldn't even tell you the names of all the spins and poses we did; hopefully I get those down soon.  I was really excited about how well I climed up the pole, and how I didn't lose [all] my coordination in the years since dance.  I had to stop five minutes before the class was up because my toes would not stop cramping, most likely from all the pointing.  I hadn't done that in yearssss. 

I am so proud that I found the confidence to do this.  I am going to credit my boyfriend a lot on that one :)  I don't think he has ever seen me so excited about anything.  I'm sure you will be able to tell by my facial expressions in the video I'll post soon, how happy I was, even at the end of class with cramped toes and sore muscles.

I did learn that I have a fear of going sideways....nevermind upside down :/  I'll work on that.

Welp, I am hooked.

<3 Lauren