Corset Training - Part 3

21/6/17 - My current job (repetitive lifting) is aggravating my neuropathy, which is not something anyone needs.
So I ordered a x-8 mesh corset to wear under my work clothes.
I went with mesh because it can get hot where I work.

It is the CS-511 black mesh over-bust.

I'm going to shout out the supplier because they consistently great, both in customer service and great products. 
I use Orchard Corsets.

23/6/17 - It already arrived! :O
Seriously, even in Australia Orchard Corsets arrive at your house very quickly.

25/6/17 - It has been very easy to wear the mesh corset during work.

I wish I knew more about what my spine looked like.

Also, the fact that I have no pain provided I wear the corset during work suggests my scoliosis (and pressures on my spine) is really upsetting my cervical vertebrae.

12/7/17 - I get the feeling I'll be able to close the corset soon, which is fun!

18/8/17 -I re-laced it to move the 'bunny ears' (the loops you tie up) down  two places lower, making the lower bit tighter and taking pressure off my ribs. I hope this will give a nicer silhouette, but we will find out tomorrow!

19/8/17 - the lower bunny ears are so much better!

17/11/17 - What a time jump!
I have started seeing a chiropractor that comes highly recommended.
First session was pretty good, and I see her again next week.

Corset Training - Part 2

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13/12/16 - Still no news from my first corset supplier, I sent them an email and I hope to hear back soon.
I have found a new supplier (based in my country!) and have ordered a x-8 corset from them :)
So I either have one or two, two being a much better outcome.

24/12/16 - The corset from the second supplier arrived today! 
It is lovely!
But it will need to wait until I return from Germany, I don't want to be in pain while overseas.

25/12/16 - I asked S about her corset. She has only worn it once since she got it. On the second wearing, she found the bottom fastener to keep coming undone. 
Whether it was faulty or just being naughty that day, I cannot say.

27/12/16 - I re-read my first part of this series, it sounds very negative! Oops! 
I really do need to mention the positives:
 - no more never pain.
 - I sit so straight.
 - I like the way it looks.
 - People can't punch me without hurting themselves.
I guess I just didn't want to sugar coat it.

28/12/16 - I wore my corset on the outside so it was easier to remove for going through airport security.
As I laced myself back up, I was daring anyone to complain to me about the inconvenience of removing their belt. XD

13/1/17 - Sent a request for a refund from the first supplier... I don't think I'll ever see that corset :(
I'm not holding my breath for a refund either.

16/1/17 - I'm going out tonight without my corset. When looking in the mirror, I can see how much straighter and flatter my back is now!

17/1/17 - I have put on the x-8 corset!
It feels so strange and the aches have started already.

Excuse the overexposure.

18/1/17 - The first night was ok, but it hurt a lot today.
I'm a little pot of Paracetamol, Imodium, and Gaviscon.
My abdomen is tighter than my rib cage (because I don't and the ribs super tight) and I can't stop using the bathroom!

This image seems too graphic but also accurate.

19/1/17 - It felt like I had period cramps all day. Not the worst period cramps I've ever had (like a 6 out of 10, 10 being the worst I have experienced), but enough to have be hunched and occasionally "labour breathing" (breathing like I'm trying to tolerate contractions).
My family keep asking me why I am doing this and keep telling me to take it off.
I can't eat too much at once.

20/1/17 - I have made the top half more fitting, my abdomen is still sore (like cramps).
I have found it is worse in the morning. As I move around, the pain becomes less troublesome.

21/1/17 - Today was really good! Not much pain, I could move around and to all the things I wanted to do. :)

22/1/17 - Virtually no pain, my torso has adjusted quickly. 
Pain is a 1/10 :)

24/1/17 - I have a lot of flexibility back (corsets have to be 'worn in' it seems).

27/1/17 - I thought I had just forgotten my meds the night prior, but no, I am sick.

I took off my corset for a bit to help reduce the fever.

28/1/17 - Not corset related, but I have a boob (pectoral) cramp from coughing. A BOOB CRAMP!! 

1/2/17 - I miss my corset so much! Go away stupid bug!
I have to wear bras... BRAS!
Ok, I've put the corset back on... damn I missed it!

2/2/17 - Ugh! So I'm going to throw out the name of my crappy supplier #1.
NEVER buy from Breathless Corsets!!!!

9/2/17 - I'm starting to think about getting a custom corset in the future.
One that is designed tighter around the abdomen, but further curvature for my hips.
Otherwise, my x-8 is going strong!


11/2/17 - Supplier #1 did contact me finally.

As you can imagine, nothing came of this (future me typing here).

2/3/17 - I now often take my corset off for a night out, but putting it back on feels so comforting the next day :)
I'm so grateful my neuropathy is controllable now.
I can do things, I can plan for a future, I have hope.
(that sounds tacky, by for a while there I didn't see a great deal of future ahead of me).

13/3/17 - The last few days have been quite hot and humid, not ideal corset wearing weather :(

18/3/17 - I have noticed that my arms are getting stronger, because I can't use my core muscles as much.
My biceps are stronger and firmer.

20/3/17 - I have ordered a x-12 cincher. 
When I am with PB I like more freedom, so this will give me more freedom of movement.
I'm going down in size because it won't be on my ribs (I don't want my ribs smaller, I need the lung capacity).

24/3/17 - Doctor's tests are in, liver and kidneys are perfectly happy and healthy.

25/3/17 - I'm really looking forward to getting the under-bust corset.
My shoulders have been hunching up of late (I've been having a bout of muscle growth) and they will feel less tense with the increased freedom.

I haven't been training by the way, my muscles just have these bouts of growth.

31/3/17 - I moved into the CS-426 short corset from Orchard Corsets (corset #3) in a x-12 waist.

It is an under-bust, leaving my shoulders with more room to move (and grow) and my ribs are no longer bound.
I will miss having my boobs pushed up, but it is better for my ribs.
Also, it allows me to go down to a smaller waist!

This corset also has a greater curve, giving more hip room with a smaller waist.

3/4/17 - Another day, a little bit tighter!

My hips are enjoying the increased freedom and my posture hasn't gotten worse (I guess helped by muscle growth).

*******
The muscle growth continued and since moving to Germany, I have stopped wearing the corsets.
My arm had become very strong. 
Not perfect, but much stronger.

I would like to return to corsetry in the future, but I'm just going to enjoy living pain-free for a moment.

Corset Training - Part 1

I have scoliosis, it isn't noticeable and I only found out I had it after an x-ray to look for something unrelated. (they were checking my lungs)

I don't know if this may be related to my neuropathy (probably not), but I found that my spine and arm felt better when I was wearing a corset. (One I was wearing for a party).

If I can't trust one of you nerves, I CAN'T TRUST ANY OF YOU!

So, before we go any further: This is my body and if I want to be an idiot and do this to myself, then all bad outcomes are my own fault. DON'T COPY ME!
I won't be held responsible if someone tries to copy me and gets hurt! 
I repeat: DON'T COPY ME! I WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYONE COPYING ME!
This may very well be the tale of how I messed up my spine real bad!

Ok, so let's get on with the story.

My starting waist size is x (A girl has to have her secrets). Any changes will be + or - x.

*In traditional me fashion, I did not take a before shot.
I guess my stomach is a sensitive area for me (I won't call it a problem area, because it isn't a problem, it does its job.)
It's a little weird, I don't worry about my stomach area when I am naked, but I worry about how it looks in clothes... perhaps it is because when I am naked, I'm distracted ;P

On the 25th of July (2016) I started wearing an exercise cincher.

This is to prepare myself for a proper corset (steel boning and all).
So I started on the widest setting and within a few days, I transitioned to the second set of hooks.

The material on this cincher is elastic and has holes so you don't overheat when you work out.

4/8/2016 - Nine days in, I noticed my spine was "cruncher". Instead of larger cracking that requires a fair bit of stretching, it was giving lots of little crackles with just general movement.
I personally take this to mean my spine is more stretched out (I am NOT a medical doctor) and decided to take this as a good thing.

5/8/2016 - On the tightest hooks now... really looking forward to my proper corset (will still be a few weeks).

9/8/2012 - Wearing a 'dress' corset (can lace up but doesn't have the proper steel boning or construction) today. I like how it goes further up my rib cage and holds my back straighter. I slept in it the night before without issue.

Similar to this

I wore the athletic cincher beneath to protect my body from any warping/breaking of the weak boning.
It was good in the sense that it gave a tighter compression on my body. It also helps me practice breathing higher (so my body doesn't panic in the proper corset which will be even tighter).

It felt a bit like an asthma attack during work, but because I knew I could reverse it at any time, so it didn't worry me.
Did I say don't try this at home? Don't try this at home!

11/8/16 - I find I walk around like Peg Bundy now XD

People in a certain group that I interact with (who don't realise the rudeness of the questions) keep asking if I have lost weight or joined a gym. I don't tell them that I am wearing a corset because I like to keep them guessing.

13/8/16 - Ma figured out I have a brace on because she couldn't get me away from her by tickling me. (I like to try and pick her up/ hug her but not let her go)

14/8/16 - I found that the top of my lacing was always wider than the bottom (my ribs were less tight than my abdomen). So I switched from one lace to two.

This way I could tighten the rib area without worry it would loosen over time.

15/8/16 - I wish the front would dip inwards as well as the back. At the moment, my corset is very straight at the front.
The back plastic boning was digging in too hard at one particular point, so I removed it, and you can see how warped it has become.

This is why I need a good boning (hur hur hur!).

16/8/16 - Ok, all the boning has been removed. It is all warped and was digging into me.
To make up for the loss in structural integrity, I moved from 2 to 4 laces.

I need to think of a way to keep the bust up (currently using a bralette but that isn't the best option).
Ok, I have sewn straps on.

And now Ma helps me lace it.

18/8/16 - New athletic cincher!!! Looks the same as the last one, just smaller. So lets start at the biggest setting and work our way down!

23/10/16 - my steel boned corset finally arrived! It is heavy, sturdy and well made.

Image from seller, this is what it looks like.

It is a size x-4 inch waist with room to tighten.
Tonight is my first night in it and it feels really good.
I'm glad I went with over-bust.

25/9/16 - I have never sat so straight in my life!

My house either has too much light or not enough,,,  this is the former.

I've started getting aches on the middle, right hand side of my back, where my back has spent so much time prior compressed.
But I don't care about a little pain, my body is just adjusting.
I can wait it out.
It is annoying that I have had very poor sleep since wearing it to bed, but I can't stay awake forever.
(Look up 'Peter Tripp' and see what he did in 1959!)
There are some points when wearing the corset is agonizing.
Just being honest, I sometimes think about ripping it off.
But I am going to wait it out. My body will adjust. 


27/9/16 - It is getting easier to put on post-shower, my back is conforming to it very quickly.

1/10/16 - Sleep is back to normal, the corset no longer disrupts it at all.
Movement in it is also getting easier and more normal.

2/10/16 - It is beginning to feel too big now! :O 
The back is almost completely closed, with the lacing panels almost touching.
My stomach doesn't even feel restricted (so my lumbar vertebrae are loosing support).
I placed an order for a x-8 size corset, which will arrive in about 6 weeks.

7/10/16 - Some points on my skin, at the end of my rib cage, are getting marked. Not heat rash, but patches of broken capillaries.
I imagine these will pass, I just have to wait it out, but I'll keep an eye on it.

It's either the corset or a demon who attacks me in my sleep.

It isn't glamorous but it is the truth and it makes you think about what women of days past went through. 

Don't put them on babies!!!! O.o

On the bright side, the neuropathic pain in my arm is virtually non-existent now! This alone makes it all worth it! That was a pain I sometimes thought I may never be free of.

14/10/16 - Ok, so I was at a party and (because my internal organs are shifting and I don't have that much control on my new arrangement yet) I accidentally produced an incredibly loud fart! Hahaha! 
Thankfully it did not smell (that is just awful) and I owned up to immediately. No one cared. 
But I mention this because it is a truth of this process.
You will need to relearn some things. 
It isn't glamorous but it is the truth.

16/10/16 - I have started treating the skin every second day with Selsun gold (love the stuff).
Another not so glamorous side effect is acid reflux.
I previously not had issues with acid reflux, but since being bound in steel, I use a lot of Gaviscon.
Not all food is made equal and it doesn't matter how much I eat, it comes on randomly.
For example, tonight I ate a brownie whilst working (I was starving) and it felt like Satan himself was trying to crawl up my throat.

I may need to start carrying Gaviscon with me.
This sounds awful but it is STILL better than neuropathy!

27/10/16 - my skin is getting used to it, the rash is going.
I do get really itchy at night before bed, because I have nothing else to occupy my mind.
This is remedied by the application of lotion (just normal lotion, not medicated).

The corset is really easy to put on and take off, my body has adjusted to its shape.
My abdomen feels like it is swimming in it, there is so much room.
This will be fixed with a tighter corset (that I have already ordered).

Movement has become more fluid, I feel more at ease with it on.

11/11/16 - So my skin has gone from blood bruises to wounds to dry/eczema. My newest approach is making it 3-4 days between showers.
My skin hates washing at the best of times, so perhaps I'm showering too much for the skin under the corset to be happy.
No, I don't smell. I clean myself each day with a cloth and basin. just not the skin under the torso.
I'm moisturising ever day.

My spine has not clicked/cracked in so long! It is no longer compressed!

16/11/16 - My skin is really appreciating the reduction in water contact.
This is probably TMI, but this is my dry skin that is flaking off.

And this is a great improvement!

21/11/16 - The skin dandruff is gone! It was just too much exposure to soap and water! :D

23/11/16 - I had my corset off for most of yesterday (for sexy reasons) and now that I am bound again, my lower ribs hurt a little.
Totally worth it though ;D

26/11/16 - Went to Sexpo and looked at some corsets there.
All of the brands there had metal spring boning, which provides greater flexibility. However, it also permits buckling.
The spring boning is better for the casual corset wearer, not for my spinal support reasons.
The metal boning in my current corset is rigid steel :)

This is S, not me... Although I will steal that cincher... XP

S purchased one of these spring boned corsets (cincher), more of a dress/outerwear piece.I'll check in with her occasionally and let you know how frequently she wears it.

29/11/16 - Day three of a cramp/ache on my left hand side.
It has been annoying, but I hope it passes soon.

Right on the lower ribs!

30/12/16 - I have also noticed that my breasts have changed shape a little.
I have a diagram, my breasts have been flattened a little and pushed up. I think they look good. 

Either way, my boobs are nice.

Don't start wearing a corset just to change your breasts though, that is a terrible reason to start corset training.

2/12/16 - The back pain is gone, it was just a virus.
Has anyone else found that their parents are just a constant source of illnesses entering their household? 
People call children 'germ bags' but I'm starting to think we have the wrong end of the stick here.

8/12/16 - Oh no! Some of the stitching tore (too much freedom in movement, methinks!)

Before the repair, nothing too major.

After! All better!

I am still waiting on the new corset. I didn't want to be one of 'those' customers and I allowed a lot of extra time for American Thanksgiving, but I will email the company.

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Stay tuned for Part 2!