Type 1 Diabetes and Pole Dance is not something you read very often in the same sentence. However, from posting about my pole antics on Instagram, I have come to meet a few other amazing girls with type 1 diabetes who pole dance too. As you’ll know if you already follow my active journey on instagram, my blood glucose likes to play tricks on me when I pole dance. It is very dependent on the type of session, so when the session is more danced based I tend to go low, but when it is more tricks focussed I go a little higher. Anyway, it’s over to these wonderful superwomen who climb that pole regardless of t1d…
Elisa (@eliska_pole)
“My BG reacts always in a different way… (for everything!!!) Actually I don’t know… some times after 1 hour pole I’m low… sometimes … especially when I feel adrenaline, perhaps trying new tricks, my BG is getting high”
Rhian (@rhiandickinson)
“I find my blood sugar tends to run quite high while I’m on the pole probably because of the adrenaline. I tend to start my workouts around a bg of 7 or 8 and pretty much sustain that throughout. I’ve only gone low once or twice during sessions and keep a protein bar and lucozade sport at hand just in case.”
Sheesha (@cirque_de_sheesh)
“I don’t identify as a pole girl, more so as a circus girl who will occasionally cheat on her silks. My blood sugar usually stays the same during training but will drop a little overnight after exercise. ?”
Becky (@bex_jonesx)
“I really love pole dancing to my surprise, I was so nervous about being rubbish at it and so conscious of taking my pump off and people seeing it or going low in the middle of a class. But that’s not the case now I quickly learnt that everyone is so nice, not judgemental and a great bunch of people based on the Banter! I love the developments I’ve seen in my ability to hold my own weight and climb a slippery pole as well as challenging new moves.
In terms of blood sugars, it was trial and error as always with a few lows before class, during and many after! I have learnt now though that reducing my basal rate about an hour and half before keeps me steady during class, night time lows are getting better but need more trails and hopefully less error.”
For those of you have messaged me about potentially starting pole dance, there you have it, a few other pole dancing superstars to encourage you that it’s ok to take part too. If you know any t1d pole dancers, male or female, tag them in this post and I’ll add them on. The world should know how fun pole dance is and that it is definitely fine to do with T1D. You can read more about the benefits of pole dance here.
Happy Pole Dancing
Rowena x
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