Trying something new...kind of nervous

SweetAsSplenda · 09-07-2008, 09:20 AM

I recently took a vacation to the beach with my husband and inlaws. My MIL is a devoted exerciser and takes a class almost every day of the week except Sundays. Well, I saw her in a bikini and her abs are amazing! She definitely has a 4 pack (at age 50 no less) and she attributes this to twice weekly Pilates classes. Now I am going to start going with her just once a week at first. I'm nervous because although I've done some core stuff in yoga classes, she told me her first class was so hard she thought she was going to be sick and she didn't go back for a month. Are there any people here who do Pilates regularly? If so, do you think it's made a difference as far as tightening up your core/giving better posture and improved muscle tone? I'm really looking for a reason to look forward to it..

I just hope I can keep up!

TIA!

Claire

DwightSchrute · 09-07-2008, 09:50 AM

I just started Pilates 1x/wk about a month ago. I don't think it is difficult, but I also go to the gym a few times a wk and do core workouts. I like pilates because ther is no jumping, no complicated steps to learn. I really enjoy it, 45 min goes so fast. I think it is helping with my running, but who knows. On my cable there is a free on demand channel that has lots of workouts. I did the core pilates yesterday. Time will tell if it helps my pouchy abd. I hope so.

fawn · 09-07-2008, 10:37 AM

Claire pilates is a fabulous exercise. It can feel difficult at first but don't push yourself to the point of being sick. Remember, you're a beginner and you will work up to full capacity. The key is to work to YOUR ability preventing injury and building up bit by bit.

Have fun! That elongating muscle stretch is fabulous and it does produce nice looking abs!

Alison Jean 71 · 09-07-2008, 12:10 PM

My cable's ON DEMAND also has pilates. I have never done any of them but I did fast forward through one yesterday just to see. The gym I go to also offers it but I have never gone. I might look further into this.... thanks.

skeeweeaka · 09-07-2008, 12:26 PM

I've done the tapes a few times, but I think the machines are much more difficult, although I could be wrong! Planning on doing the tapes twice a week this week....

TJ

porusgal · 09-07-2008, 12:42 PM

I am going to try one of these classes this week. They offer them at my gym also.

KJ-43 · 09-07-2008, 04:01 PM

I use to do it all the time then they change the time of the classes at the gym and then they let go my instructor who I loved. I have started again as of last week taking a class and plan to do yoga also. Those classes are very good for a slender toned look and I hate I stoped doing them.

kj

anniemo · 09-07-2008, 04:17 PM

pilates is wonderful! it definitely strengthens your core and lengthens you. i'm pushing 5'0 and people always think i'm at least 5'4...until they stand next to me.

SweetAsSplenda · 09-07-2008, 07:24 PM

Thanks for the replies everyone! Fawn, don't worry, I won't push myself too hard. If I have to take a break during the class I don't think the instructor would mind - I did that when I first started yoga.
Anniemo, that is really encouraging! I'm not even 5'5" and would really like to look taller. Or longer I guess.
I'll let y'all know how the class was tomorrow evening...

SweetAsSplenda · 09-09-2008, 09:43 AM

Well after much nervous anticipation, I went to the class last night. We only did ab stuff maybe...1/2 to 1/3 of the time, the rest was legwork, some yoga moves, pushups, etc. I didn't check my watch the whole time and I was so surprised when the teacher thanked everyone for coming (45 minute class). I guess it went by really fast!

I found the ab stuff pretty easy. I was kind of hoping it would be a killer workout but I'm not really that sore today. Maybe I should get some tapes and do those instead?

skeeweeaka · 09-12-2008, 02:29 PM

I started the tapes and I was sore the next day... I'm currently on day 3 and I've noticed a difference in my stomach already... I'm finding holding some of the moves difficult, however...but the times does go by fast!

TJ

SweetAsSplenda · 09-12-2008, 06:42 PM

Yeah, maybe I will try the tapes! That way I could do it every day, or at least 5x/week.

amiga74 · 09-13-2008, 09:37 AM

there are some people who use the Pilates Reformer machines. maybe in using them the workout is harder? i haven't used them ever so i don't know. as Fawn and others mentioned, Pilates is supposed to be really good for the core and for posture-
have you seen yogatoday.com? recently they had a few good classes focusing on the core. the good thing was that the next day i could feel it!

lvgal · 09-13-2008, 09:49 AM

I have a pilates machine.
in storage

. We moved to an apartment and put 3/4 of our stuff there. I need to get it.

I used to use Windsor Pilates DVD's. There is a 20 minute workout that is awesome.
Time FLIES by and no matter your level it works for you. I would recommend her set of DVD's. In the set there are also dvds for specific areas.
Im glad you enjoyed the class!
I need to get to one in my gym but Ive been nervous about going into any class.. every time I look in each girl is totally fit and thin. A bit intimidating.

09-07-2008, 09:20 AM	#1
SweetAsSplenda Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 982 Gallery: SweetAsSplenda Stats: Size 12/0-1/0 WOE: Healthy low carb Start Date: March 2, 2007	Trying something new...kind of nervous I recently took a vacation to the beach with my husband and inlaws. My MIL is a devoted exerciser and takes a class almost every day of the week except Sundays. Well, I saw her in a bikini and her abs are amazing! She definitely has a 4 pack (at age 50 no less) and she attributes this to twice weekly Pilates classes. Now I am going to start going with her just once a week at first. I'm nervous because although I've done some core stuff in yoga classes, she told me her first class was so hard she thought she was going to be sick and she didn't go back for a month. Are there any people here who do Pilates regularly? If so, do you think it's made a difference as far as tightening up your core/giving better posture and improved muscle tone? I'm really looking for a reason to look forward to it.. I just hope I can keep up! TIA! Claire __________________ I am NOT giving up this time!

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09-07-2008, 09:50 AM	#2
DwightSchrute Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 559 Gallery: DwightSchrute Stats: 58 y/o WOE: LC Start Date: 1997	I just started Pilates 1x/wk about a month ago. I don't think it is difficult, but I also go to the gym a few times a wk and do core workouts. I like pilates because ther is no jumping, no complicated steps to learn. I really enjoy it, 45 min goes so fast. I think it is helping with my running, but who knows. On my cable there is a free on demand channel that has lots of workouts. I did the core pilates yesterday. Time will tell if it helps my pouchy abd. I hope so.

09-07-2008, 10:37 AM	#3
fawn Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 8,971 Gallery: fawn Stats: 210/120 WOE: Eating For Health Start Date: 2/2000	Claire pilates is a fabulous exercise. It can feel difficult at first but don't push yourself to the point of being sick. Remember, you're a beginner and you will work up to full capacity. The key is to work to YOUR ability preventing injury and building up bit by bit. Have fun! That elongating muscle stretch is fabulous and it does produce nice looking abs!

09-07-2008, 12:10 PM	#4
Alison Jean 71 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,122 Gallery: Alison Jean 71 Stats: 159/121/119 5'6" 37yrs WOE: Atkins Maintenance Start Date: January 3, 2004	My cable's ON DEMAND also has pilates. I have never done any of them but I did fast forward through one yesterday just to see. The gym I go to also offers it but I have never gone. I might look further into this.... thanks.

09-07-2008, 12:26 PM	#5
skeeweeaka Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 788 Blog Entries: 59 Gallery: skeeweeaka WOE: Eat Fat, Get Thin...Atkins 72! Start Date: March 2008 Restart	I've done the tapes a few times, but I think the machines are much more difficult, although I could be wrong! Planning on doing the tapes twice a week this week.... TJ

09-07-2008, 12:42 PM	#6
porusgal Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: nearby planet/now living on earth Posts: 201 Gallery: porusgal Stats: 166/124/128 WOE: low/moderate carbs Start Date: oct 2006	I am going to try one of these classes this week. They offer them at my gym also.

09-07-2008, 04:01 PM	#7
KJ-43 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 353 Gallery: KJ-43 Stats: HW 271 196/167/170 WOE: atkins Start Date: 10/30/06 reinducting 6/17/08	I use to do it all the time then they change the time of the classes at the gym and then they let go my instructor who I loved. I have started again as of last week taking a class and plan to do yoga also. Those classes are very good for a slender toned look and I hate I stoped doing them. kj

09-07-2008, 04:17 PM	#8
anniemo MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: brooklyn, ny Posts: 1,337 Gallery: anniemo WOE: whole organic lc	pilates is wonderful! it definitely strengthens your core and lengthens you. i'm pushing 5'0 and people always think i'm at least 5'4...until they stand next to me.

09-07-2008, 07:24 PM	#9
SweetAsSplenda Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 982 Gallery: SweetAsSplenda Stats: Size 12/0-1/0 WOE: Healthy low carb Start Date: March 2, 2007	Thanks for the replies everyone! Fawn, don't worry, I won't push myself too hard. If I have to take a break during the class I don't think the instructor would mind - I did that when I first started yoga. Anniemo, that is really encouraging! I'm not even 5'5" and would really like to look taller. Or longer I guess. I'll let y'all know how the class was tomorrow evening...

09-09-2008, 09:43 AM	#10
SweetAsSplenda Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 982 Gallery: SweetAsSplenda Stats: Size 12/0-1/0 WOE: Healthy low carb Start Date: March 2, 2007	Well after much nervous anticipation, I went to the class last night. We only did ab stuff maybe...1/2 to 1/3 of the time, the rest was legwork, some yoga moves, pushups, etc. I didn't check my watch the whole time and I was so surprised when the teacher thanked everyone for coming (45 minute class). I guess it went by really fast! I found the ab stuff pretty easy. I was kind of hoping it would be a killer workout but I'm not really that sore today. Maybe I should get some tapes and do those instead?

09-12-2008, 02:29 PM	#11
skeeweeaka Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 788 Blog Entries: 59 Gallery: skeeweeaka WOE: Eat Fat, Get Thin...Atkins 72! Start Date: March 2008 Restart	I started the tapes and I was sore the next day... I'm currently on day 3 and I've noticed a difference in my stomach already... I'm finding holding some of the moves difficult, however...but the times does go by fast! TJ

09-12-2008, 06:42 PM	#12
SweetAsSplenda Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 982 Gallery: SweetAsSplenda Stats: Size 12/0-1/0 WOE: Healthy low carb Start Date: March 2, 2007	Yeah, maybe I will try the tapes! That way I could do it every day, or at least 5x/week.

09-13-2008, 09:37 AM	#13
amiga74 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: austin Posts: 1,696 Gallery: amiga74 Stats: 150/140/135 - 5'7.5 WOE: super-slow via moderation/organic	there are some people who use the Pilates Reformer machines. maybe in using them the workout is harder? i haven't used them ever so i don't know. as Fawn and others mentioned, Pilates is supposed to be really good for the core and for posture- have you seen yogatoday.com? recently they had a few good classes focusing on the core. the good thing was that the next day i could feel it!

09-13-2008, 09:49 AM	#14
lvgal Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: VIVA Las Vegas! Posts: 258 Gallery: lvgal Stats: 240/In the Pink! / 140-150 WOE: Atkins Start Date: August 5,08	I have a pilates machine. in storage . We moved to an apartment and put 3/4 of our stuff there. I need to get it. I used to use Windsor Pilates DVD's. There is a 20 minute workout that is awesome. Time FLIES by and no matter your level it works for you. I would recommend her set of DVD's. In the set there are also dvds for specific areas. Im glad you enjoyed the class! I need to get to one in my gym but Ive been nervous about going into any class.. every time I look in each girl is totally fit and thin. A bit intimidating.