Newbie looking for weight loss tips

lescont019583 started this discussion · 10/28/2014

I used to do pole 10 years ago. Got into it at 18 and then stopped at 23 when I met my husband and got pregnant. I now have 2 kids and am 60 lbs heavier. After trying to lose weight with traditional exercise and having little success I took a look at myself and realized I needed to enjoy it or it would never stick. So I bought a pole for my house and have begun to re-learn pole. I am having a hard time I think because though I knew in my head it would be different part of me kind of expected to be able to pick up where I left off. So not the case. I am looking for any tips to be able to build my strength back up and also loose the weight I put on. The strength and conditioning videos here are great but what can I do to add some more cardio?

7 replies

Veena · 10/29/2014
All of the routines excluding the ones for stretching are great ways to add more cardio into your pole work. Also remember you don't need to be thin to pole and pole well! I see you've looked at the strength and conditioning, have you tried the 30 day take off program? This will include everything you're looking for. :)
Runemist34 · 10/29/2014
Hi there! Happy to hear you're picking pole up again- hard to believe it's been around for over 10 years now! Personally, I haven't found pole to be particularly good for cardio. I've picked up running since April and that's been my cardio workout, but I also still pole because I love to do it. I'm sure some of the other ladies around here would have more ideas on that one. I do want to say this, though: You may not "lose weight," but you may lose some size. I've seen it several times here on the forum, the "I started losing weight, but now I'm getting heavier again?" This, of course, is in relation to the number the scale will give you. This is because you can have a very small amount of muscle weigh the same as a much larger amount of fat- the physical size it takes up on our bodies has little to do with how much it actually weighs. Thus, if you start to lose fat and gain muscle, you may find that the scale begins to lie to you. Especially considering the scale number has nothing to do with your actual health. I've also found this to be true, as I was about 165 lbs before running, and have gone up to about 190 lbs, though I have lost some size in some areas (my calves are a whole lot bigger, though!). I hope that you enjoy your re-entry into pole, and that you find the forum just as amazing as I have!
Lucca Valentine · 10/29/2014
I have also gained about 15 lbs while poling, but my body is in the best shape it's ever been! So def ignore that scale and just do you! The conditioning lessons are actually really great cardio as is the strengthening routine. It might be cuz my lower body is the weakest, but that lower body conditioning workout kicks my cardio butt!!! Also, just incorporating dance can be fantastic cardio! On days I need to give my body a break strength wise, I'll often just dance and it can work up a good sweat depending on song choice :) Good luck on your pole endeavors and welcome back!
Pretty Pixie · 10/29/2014
I have a similar story as you. I started poling seriously/for fitness about a year ago, while I was at my heaviest I'd ever been, including pregnant! I have lost 35 pounds just by dancing 2-3 times a week. I start with a quick dancers warm up, then a strength routine, then I work on a move or two in a few freestyle dances, then I stretch everything out. I have gained a lot of muscle during my weight loss, which makes every pound lost look even more amazing! Dancing is great cardio and lots of fun!
Storypole17 · 10/29/2014
I would suggest the 30 day program veena has - I'm currently doing it since I've taken about a year off of pole. I'm also 15 pounds heavier since I quit smoking over a year ago....I just make sure to eat clean and fit atleast 30 minutes cardio everyday. That could be going for a fast paced walk or I dance (just filler moves and transitions) through 5-6 songs in a row!! I'm a bit older so I know it will take more time and energy - but I'm up for the challenge!!
lescont019583 · 10/29/2014
Thanks for all the suggestions. I did start the 30 day challenge yesterday. I have been poling again for just over a week. I have been doing 4 or 5 days a week. Last week I did an hour each day and this week an hour and half. Although today I totally lost track of time and spent three hours. A lot of what I've been doing so far is just dancing and trying to remember how to do some tricks I used to do. A lot of stuff I just don't have the strength for anymore. I have always had a heavy bottom so inversions were always tough and I can't even begin to think about it now, but I can't even do a pole climb anymore. I have tried some spins but I am having a really hard time even with the simplist spins also I can't spin to the left. I keep trying but just can't get it. Has anybody else had a really hard time spinning to the left? It never feels correct and I can't seem to get the placements right when I am spinning left. Maybe it's just in my head.
Runemist34 · 10/29/2014
Some people have a really difficult time learning things on their non-dominant side! Similar to my attempts in staff spinning, doing things with your dominant hand just seems to make sense... but when you try the other side, suddenly you feel like you have to re-learn it all over again! And, in some ways, you do. Unless you're naturally ambidextrous, learning physical skills on your non-dominant side is going to be very new, and sometimes very difficult. You're teaching your body how to do something "backwards." This can be frustrating, but is ultimately rewarding! Just remember that it will feel wrong, or strange, or abnormal, or just plain hard for a lot of the time, till you're really used to it. Strength will come. Seriously, I struggled with the basic invert off-and-on for about five years. I know of no one else who has fought with it that long! So I'm sure you'll get it :)