I love pilates, barre, running, personal training and more. This blog is where I share my passion for living healthy including eating the right foods and regular exercising.
Time waits on no one and life is busier than ever, but let us not forget to stop and appreciate the small things.
This year let us focus more on building and maintaining healthy relationships, self development, being healthy, finding a form of exercise or movement practice that makes you feel good , laugh more.
Enjoying nature more, going for more walks, having actual conversations with each other, be present and enjoy the moment when we are with family , learning new things, or revisiting a hobby you once enjoyed.
Enjoy life, eat the cake, take the trip, life is short.
Injuries happen and the more active you are it is highly probable. If, you have a repeated injury, the possibility is there that you did not recover fully from the first one.
So, this time around the first goal is to focus on getting 100 percent better. Visit your PT and /or get right back on your rehab exercises, yes, you have to do your homework.
Another shift in mindset or perspective is to change the way you think about injuries. What I mean by that is by thinking about the injury as more of a challenge that will make you stronger rather than a problem or a nuisance, mindset shift.
I am speaking from personal experience. changing my perspective has helped me deal with an injury.
In order to get better and stronger focusing on your recovery by making a plan is key. The longer you “sit still” the harder it is to recover. Start small, this takes diligence and consistent effort.
Remember, the goal is to get better, and moving with out pain is the focus. Be patient with my body and know that your body has your back but, sometimes it just needs a little extra TLC.
Being patient will help you to recover fully.
You come back stronger, in mind and body, knowing that you will be able to handle any injuries that may happen in future, whether its by an accident or whatever life throws at you.
Stick to the plan, there are no short cuts.
I am saying it again, with a shift in mindset/perspective the positive side of an injury, yes, I said a positive side, is to look at it as an opportunity to improve while keeping the goal in mind to getting a hundred percent better.
Stay open and pay attention to subtle shifts.
As always rooting for you.
Be well.
PS. Please let me know what you would like see/read more of.
We all have those blah days, when things are not going according to plan.
When I feel like this I really have to give myself a “pep talk” and just get on my mat and move, or if i have the time take myself for a walk.
Today, I had one of those blah days. I knew I wanted to move but was not quite sure which exercise modality my body was craving. So, I turned on some chill music and allowed myself to just feel the music and move with it. I can tell you this, I felt a million times better than before I started.
This is just a reminder to let you know movement does not have to be structured.
Blast your music and feel the beat and let your body move.
This is the free flowing movement I did ( the video is sped up).
I know how busy life gets and sometimes we don’t have an hour or even thirty minutes to squeeze in some movement. So, here is a short routine you can follow along with on my you tube channel.
I always plan or write out my workouts for the week on a Sunday night. I have been doing this for many years now. This has kept me committed, accountable and focused. However, every once in a while I lack that the motivation to workout.
I am sharing this to let you know that yep we ( trainers) have those days as well. I completely understand the ” lack of motivation” or “the just not feeling it today” mood. I get it! I also know, that sometimes just pushing yourself a little (with in reason, obviously if you are sick then rest) and by committing to exercising for ten or thirty minutes that day your mind and body will thank you and, you will feel so much better.
These shorter sessions can be as simple as going for a walk or dancing in your living room. They don’t have to be anything fancy, the key is to move. Remember movement heals.
Let me know in the comments some of your tips to get your workout in when its “one of those days”.
Joseph Pilates had many words of wisdom regarding his method, but the ones I will be focusing on are these two:
” In 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 you will see
the difference, and in 30 you will have a brand new body.”
“Patience and persistence are vital qualities in the ultimate successful accomplishment of any worth while endeavor”.
Just like any other exercise program you have to commit to the exercise method in order to see the many benefits.
Both statements above stress consistency and patience. Give your body the time and grace it needs to become the best it can be. Don’t expect changes overnight, or resort to quick fixes.
Below are two specific movements that are taught and many times mentioned in Pilates classes.
C Curve
The C-Curve describes the shape of the back after the deep abdominal scoop. This is also a great stretch for the spine. One classic Pilates exercise that uses this shape is the Spine Stretch Forward.
Balance Position
In this position you are balancing slightly behind your tailbone. The key in maintaining this perfectly balanced position is to engage or pull in your deep abdominals. Another classic exercise that uses this position is the Rolling like a Ball.
In the next few weeks I will explain a few more of these Pilates movements.