Anyone here a pilates fan?
I just took my first real class - I've had tapes and books, but never been to a class. I went on Saturday and today I am still sore. It is a great workout - and I'm committing to going each and every Saturday.

I'm ashamed to say I've put on a great deal of weight in the past year - my DH losing his job, an international move, going back to work for 12 hours a day has not been kind to my body - I finally went to the doctors, and while I am not giving away a number - it's a good deal more than I want that number to be. So...rather than focus on the numbers, I am focusing on being able to fit into a pair of tweed pants that I absolutely love, and haven't had a chance to wear at all - I bought them in Germany, at the end of winter last year - and by the time the dust settled here, I was too big to wear them.

Here in a few weeks, hopefully, I'm going to pack up most of my winter clothes, and see what's left of the other season clothes that fit ( boy will that be depressing) but I'm leaving out the tweed pants - hanging on my bedroom wall - as a reminder of my goal.

I'm going to see a nutritionist in 2 weeks (which will be a first) and I'm planning on sticking to the routine I've got going with the exercise.

Wish a fat chick luck eh?

Gren :D

I can relate to how you feel. My husband and I just celebrated our 23rd anniversary. There's 45 lbs more of me than there was then!

April 1st is my D-Day. Although my daughter and I have been doing Pilates or Exerball exercising with videos, I feel that I need something more. So...I'm getting out the old ski-machine and work out on that too, until the weather clears up enough to get outside and walk. A Pilates class sounds like fun. I would love to take a Pilates class, but we live too far out of town to be able to go regularly.

I am also refreshing my memory with my Dr. Atkins books. I have found that by eating low-carb keeps my knee joint and back from hurting. And I love the way I feel when I eat low-carb.

Keep it up!

Maggie

Never taken a class, though I DO know what it consists of. ;) I'm patiently awaiting KT's entry here... She's the yoga/pilates guru. In fact, she knows more about this stuff than anyone I know!

I'm patiently awaiting KT's entry here... She's the yoga/pilates guru. In fact, she knows more about this stuff than anyone I know!

Never fear, I'm here 8)

Steph is right, I am a total Pilates addict. I do a matwork class on Wednesday, an advanced matwork class on Sundays which uses small pieces of equipment such as stability balls, resistance bands and power circles, and then a home practice session on Fridays. Unfortunately there isn't a studio around here so I never get let loose on the reformers, cadillacs and wundachairs :( Although I do have my eye on a home foldable/portable reformer, but don't tell my beloved LOL!

Anyway, I absolutely love Pilates, it's done amazing things for my body, and after 2 years I'm still learning, still finding new challenges and still improving.

Keep us updated with the tweed pants challenge (and congrats on choosing such a great goal - so much better than watching the scale!), and if you have any questions about Pilates I'd be happy to help. I'd also be interested in hearing what the nutritionist has to say if you don't mind sharing.

Thank you so much KT -
I guess my only question right now is
"Are you supposed to be this sore?"

I'm really looking forward to it on Saturday - I liked the focus and control very much. I am not much of a dancer/bouncer - so things like step aerobics and dancey type workouts just don't do much for me.

I would be glad to share what the nutritionist has to say - I'm curious myself. :)

I'll keep posting....
Gren

Thank you so much KT -
I guess my only question right now is
"Are you supposed to be this sore?"


In a word, yes! You are doing something your body isn't used to, and now it is trying to recover and repair itself. The soreness will lessen with each time you do those particular exercises, as your muscles get accustomed to working in that way, but whenever you add a new exercise, or a new level of difficulty to a familiar exercise, you might be really sore again. All it means is that you have worked hard, but as long as the soreness is just that, and not a pulled muscle, and as long as it fades after a day or two, it is fine. If it is really painful to the point where you are struggling to perform daily activities, or if it doesn't go away, then ask your teacher about it - it may be that you need a gentler modification of some moves.

I did a particularly tough Pilates class on Sunday, with some new moves in, and let me tell you, my stomach muscles hurt so much I still couldn't laugh on Tuesday!

Hey Gren, I'm just beginning this, too. I'm glad you asked that question, because I was having the same problem. And I was pulling my shoulders up to my ears, and getting a veeery sore neck afterwards. I have a lot to learn about this. :oops:

Good luck with your tweed pants! Got my fingers and toes crossed for you. No wonder I can't type. ;)

Hey Gren, I'm just beginning this, too. I'm glad you asked that question, because I was having the same problem. And I was pulling my shoulders up to my ears, and getting a veeery sore neck afterwards. I have a lot to learn about this. :oops:

Good luck with your tweed pants! Got my fingers and toes crossed for you. No wonder I can't type. ;)

Thanks for the grin, and for the support!
Gren

And I was pulling my shoulders up to my ears, and getting a veeery sore neck afterwards. I have a lot to learn about this.

Oooo take care! Neck problems can be serious, so please try to keep your neck long and relaxed as you exercise.
Are you doing the Pilates style that requires you to have your head and neck off the floor so that only the bottom of your shoulder blades are resting down? If so, there is quite a lot of evidence that this kind of Pilates can cause neck strain unless you are *very* strong in your core. So the most recent research into Pilates suggests that beginners and intermediates should perform the exercises with their head resting down, neck long and looking straight up to the ceiling until they are strong enough to support the weight of their head with their abs rather than their neck.
If you already keep your head down, then just remember to look straight up at the ceiling, with a gap the size of your fist between your chin and chest, and slide your shoulderblades down your back :)

One of the reasons I love Pilates is because it is the only ab work out I can do - normal crunches give me neck ache even when I use good technique :(

Thanks for the tips, KT. I think I'll love Pilates, once I get the hang of it, but it's a bit of a shock to find I'm so inept at it. I had thought I was in pretty decent shape. :P

So - I got into a pair of Levis today I haven't worn since October - however, NOT my tweeds.

Still I am so happy :D

Between regular gym visits and much cleaned up diet, my efforts are just beginning to show.

The nutritionist appointment is Tuesday morning, I'll be sure to update.

Gren, :rockerdude:

So - I got into a pair of Levis today I haven't worn since October - however, NOT my tweeds.

Still I am so happy :D

Between regular gym visits and much cleaned up diet, my efforts are just beginning to show.

The nutritionist appointment is Tuesday morning, I'll be sure to update.

Gren, :rockerdude:

Congrats! That's a great feeling, to fit in clothes you haven't been able to wear in months. :rockerdude:

bunniee

So - I got into a pair of Levis today I haven't worn since October - however, NOT my tweeds.

Still I am so happy :D

Between regular gym visits and much cleaned up diet, my efforts are just beginning to show.

The nutritionist appointment is Tuesday morning, I'll be sure to update.

Gren, :rockerdude:

Gren, that is fantastic! You are making progress - the tweed pants can't be far away now!

Heh, I can't possibly slack now, with you doing so well. I think I shall nominate you as the Pilates idol. ;)

LOL Melusina - I'm not quite ready for idolhood - thats for certain. ;)
Thank you ( and Bunnie!) for the encouragement! It's such a good feeling.

The tweeds are still a little way away - I've got quite the range of pants sizes in my closet! :oops:

Class is this afternoon and I'm really looking forward to going.

Sweatily,
Gren

Oh!!! I feel wonderful - as though I've been put on a very gentle rack and stretched, ever so slightly. I know most of you think being stretched on the rack is Spanish inquisition torture chamber time, but it's Pilates for this kid and MAN! do I feel good.

Someone's sig has a cute little saying - "I'm in shape, round is a shape", and every time I see it, I smirk to myself a little. I'm not round, I'm just wearing a fat coat. It's stealthily slipped on over my arms and legs, and settled in to make sure my torso and hips are well padded and warm. (Sometimes I think my brain has a little too much fat as well - or I would only let myself put on a fat raincoat, rather than a parka and snowsuit designed for the depths of the Antarctic.)

My goal for the rest of this year is to shrink the fat coat.

KT - if you get this - is it okay to go to two classes back to back? The gym has a class tomorrow morning at 8 - I went to one today at 12:15...just let me know - if you happen to see this.

Thanks!
Gren

Gren - first.......congratulations on the Levi's and the tweed goal. Second, the title of this thread made me laugh so much I had to read it. I did a Pilates class for most of last year, but now my gym membership has run out and I can't afford to renew it until I get a better job, and we are also looking to move. ANYWAY!!

Your teacher should help you with any modifications you need to make. I went to daytime classes and was there mostly with a lot of ladies very much older than myself. Many of them had health problems that meant they needed modifications, but as I discovered my back problem while I was taking the class, it worked for me too. I started off enjoying it, but gradually stopped taking the class as the teacher became rude when I had not been for a few weeks (I pulled muscles in my ribcage when I had a cough) and I wasn't in it for that, so I stopped.

Enjoy, and you're doing great.

Bees

KT - if you get this - is it okay to go to two classes back to back?

Sorry, I only just found this :(

If your body feels fresh, and not too stiff or sore, then yes it is fine to do Pilates two days on the run. If you are in any doubt, ask the teacher though, as it does depends to a certain extent on what exercises and intensity you are doing in your classes - there are almost as many styles of Pilates as there are teachers. As long as the class contains plenty of stretching and isn't too intensive (unlikely in a beginners class full of older women LOL!), it is fine to do as often as you like. Your body will soon tell you if you are doing too much - keep an eye on any soreness, tiredness, loss of appetite or mood swings, these are the classic signs of overtraining. But I've never heard of anyone overtraining in Pilates :)

I wrote a long reply to T'Bear under the thread that says 'Pilates question(yoohoo, KT!!!)' about doing Pilates and yoga every day, that explains things in a lot more depth :)

It's okay KT - I went - I enjoyed - the only thing sore today (Tuesday) is my calves - we did those leaning back kneeling exercises. Arrgggh. The quads recovered quickly, the calves are kinda tender.

SO - HUGE news! I went to the nutritionist today, and my diet is good. She suggested a calcium supplement, which I should have been taking anyway - somehow I must have run out and forgot I ran out, and forgot to get more. She chuckled when I pulled out my baggie of supplements - but was very interested in the EPO and the silica. We briefly discussed women's issues, and then she asked What do you take this for? <pointing to the silica> I pulled my ponytail around and said - "40 inches of hair - it really helps the shedding" and then we discussed MSM as well as being a supplement for hair growth, but for joint/cartiledge support and she approved my supplements as well.

the best part is......

I have lost 5.5 pounds this month. The Levi's were the precursor - the sneaking suspicion - the scales today proved it!

The nutritionist was really helpful - not so much for providing meal plans and the like, but for guidance and "medical" approval of what I'm doing. She wants to see me in a month, and the goal is to be down another 4-5 pounds on May 1. I don't even own a scale, so it will be a "stick to the diet and exercise" goal, rather than a numbers game. I am so happy.

Gren -5.5

Hi Bees ----

Thank you very much for the kind words and support.
I'm glad I made ya laff! :D

I'll bet KT (Pilates guru extraordinaire) would be able to suggest a tape or book that would be helpful in keeping you strong and stretched until you get back to classes....

Anyway - thanks very much :D
Kim

I'll bet KT (Pilates guru extraordinaire) would be able to suggest a tape or book that would be helpful in keeping you strong and stretched until you get back to classes....

*perk* I'm all ears....

Cheers,
Jonobie

I'll bet KT (Pilates guru extraordinaire) would be able to suggest a tape or book that would be helpful in keeping you strong and stretched until you get back to classes....

*perk* I'm all ears....

Cheers,
Jonobie

If you are a beginner-intermediate level, I would recommend any book or video by Lynne Robinson of the Body Control Pilates organisation. I have found her books the clearest and most thorough explanations of the groundwork and basis of regualr practice, plus lots of advice for different postures/body types, lifestyles and hobbies, and examples of how to design your own routines.

If you are a little more experienced, then The Pilates Body by Brooke Siler gives the complete matwork series, with each exercise graded in difficulty so you can miss out ones that are a bit harder and gradually incorporate them as you progress. There are some clear and inspiring photos of the exercises, and some great visualisation suggestions to help you perform the moves with proper form. The reason I wouldn't recommend this book to beginners is that I find some of the gradings a little optimistic (some beginner-intermediate moves are actually rather advanced), and she doesn't give the easier modifications for many of the moves, so you cannot work up to them gradually, you are expected to already have the base line of strength, or to know your own level of modification from a RL instructor.

HTH :)

Coolness, thanks! :)

Cheers,
Jonobie

Thanks for these suggestions KT.....I have been backsliding recently...I have to say. I have been up to my ears in housecleaning, I suspect that is helping to keep me stretched, if nothing else.

(I saw your post in Strawberry Shortcakes thread....you are ickle!!)

Bees xx

(I saw your post in Strawberry Shortcakes thread....you are ickle!!)



LOL! I always tell people I was having too much fun and never had the time or energy spare to actually grow :)

KT - a Q.

My Pilates instructor does a wonderful cooldown/relaxation at the end of our hour class. Today - I had a very emotional experience - I mean - tears and a sniffle ( not outright boo-hoos, thank goodness!) :oops:

Was I just getting into it and releasing stress, or am I a freak?

Gren

April 18th - doctors visit confirms 2.5 more pounds lost.

Rather depressed in one sense about easter, no Pilates class!

Now, I have another nutritionists appt on May 1, and am supposed to show another 4-5 pounds loss, so I'm over halfway there! Easter is killing me in this respect - I want to eat JellyBeans!!! :( :rolleyes: :x
and with the plantar fasc(heel pain crap) I'm not doing much exercising :(
WAAAAAAAA!

Okay, now I'm better.
I'm going to go to the gym tomorrow and work 2x as hard on the stationery bike, which should be less stressful on my foot that the treadmill.

Wish me luck
Gren

Good luck Gren! Your loss is definitely inspiring. Slow and steady is the best way to go (yeah, I'm slowly and steadily adding the pounds! :D )

And of all the things you could eat on Easter, I'd think jelly beans would be the least pound-inducing...unless you're thinking of eating the whole basketful!

Oh Heidi and Gren - I am a sour jelly bean freak!!! Not on my diet right now either :(

and Gren don't give them to Jackie, it is fructose, my friends dog got into a bag - he was not a happy boy for a few days. Major explosions out the back end :shock: ...g

KT - a Q.

My Pilates instructor does a wonderful cooldown/relaxation at the end of our hour class. Today - I had a very emotional experience - I mean - tears and a sniffle ( not outright boo-hoos, thank goodness!) :oops:

Was I just getting into it and releasing stress, or am I a freak?

Gren

Only a couple of weeks late finding this one, sorry :(

I think you were just relaxing and releasing all the stress of the day. I've never experienced it myself, but I've heard of it many times before during the relaxation part of yoga classes, it seems to be quite common for people to feel a major emotional rush at the end of a good workout. Your body produces lots of hormones and mood-altering chemicals during exercise, and these can have a powerful effect on the brain. Pilates is supposed to be as good for the mind as the body, so no you're not a freak, just enjoy that feeling of release :)

Oh Heidi and Gren - I am a sour jelly bean freak!!! Not on my diet right now either :(

and Gren don't give them to Jackie, it is fructose, my friends dog got into a bag - he was not a happy boy for a few days. Major explosions out the back end :shock: ...g

Poor pup!
Jackie is a cookie monster - he has categorically turned down every sweet I've ever offered him, except pnutbutter cookies - so now I make him pnutbutter biscuits - with cornmeal, ground liver, a cup of pnutbutter, and cut them into all sorts of shapes, and keep them in a big glass jar - and whenever we're having something, he gets cookies! I try not to feed him too much crap :o
He's getting to be middle aged now, so no midlife paunch for my dog - I'm trying to get rid of my own. I don't need to worry about doggie being fat too :P

Gren

Sorry to have veered off topic BUT I want to congratulate you on keeping Jackie trim. I think it's one of the best things we can do for our hairbags and it's so much easier to control their weight than our own :oops: . Hey, if I could put someone else totally in charge of my diet I would gladly do it for the "pants" sake :DD ...g

Never taken a Pilates class--WAY too expensive!!!! I *did* see results fairly quickly by teaching myself using the book, "The Idiot's Guide to the Pilates Method." I bet a class would be even better but I'm only really allowed one and I picked Gumdo (Korean sword fighting) instead. ^_^

I wish I could take a class, but they are too expensive for me at the moment. I have a couple of video's and a home reformer (from QVC :)), but I haven't been using it lately. I seem to do well for a couple of weeks, then, well, it won't hurt to just miss this day .... pretty soon, I've missed two weeks! Ugh, consisitancy is NOT my middle name. I need a workout buddy close to me who will stomp on my butt and make me MOVE, lol.

Good luck on the tweed pants journey.

I want to go really bad to one.

Like Scorpeo, I have tapes from QVC and also there Plates Premier XP Performer machine. The workout goes fast and it is relaxing to me. I'm tired of jumping around, I want an easier workout.

I've been taking a Pilates mat work class at my gym for the past couple weeks, and I really enjoy it. My posture has improved remarkably and I found my waist again! I find myself saying "drop your shoulders in to your back pockets" or "sit up straight on your sit bones" regularly at work and the tension just melts away. My chronic neck and shoulder problems (work strain) are much better with Pilates and a headset for my phone at work--I was looking at physical therapy a month ago. My form on my strength training days has improved to the point where I'm beginning to work with free weights quite a bit more than I used to and I'm starting to get my flexibility back.

I wouldn't replace strength training with Pilates, but in tandem they are a powerful and beneficial combination.

I guess I am the only one who didn't really enjoy Pilates....hmmm, I guess I was doing it wrong. My major complaint with Pilates was that the instructor made it clear that we should do the exercises with your back flat on the floor. I can't do 90% of the exercises with my back flat on the floor, I have to modify and bend my knees and use my feet to keep my back flat....it has to do with my, ummm, rather large....no curvaceous....backside. :oops: :rolleyes: I would feel like I was getting a workout at the time, but I was never sore afterwords and I never saw any weight loss while taking the class.
I have also tried Yoga, but I my knees would ache afterwords. I know that is a sign I need to modify some of my positions, but I can't figure out which ones are the ones I am overdoing...it doesn't really hurt when I am doing the yoga, only later that day. Anyway, to make a long story short, while I do love to stretch, I much prefer mountain biking as a means of working out!