Stronger, More Defined Core, Accountability Needed???

[AmyBeth68]

Did my first Pilates workout tonight. Have only watched half of the "Dummies" DVD, so I mostly did the list Amy had already given us. I am SO uncoordinated. I'm probably one of those who should really take a class and have an instructor show me what I'm doing right and wrong, but if I keep at it I hope it will feel natural!

Is it a bad sign when you're watching "Riverdance" and the first thought is "Wow - they have really strong core muscles. I should be at home doing core work instead of here...?"

Jackie

Jackie, as an instructor I have to say that I recommend a class for everyone just to get you started. There are a lot of small "connections" that need to be made in pilates that an instructor can really help you with. Usually a few classes will help get you on your way and THEN after that you can do it more easily on your own. But I find that clients get hooked and really enjoy the class setting. Great job for giving it a go though...and it will feel natural, I promise .

 

[AmyBeth68]

DAVE! 2 inches. WOW!!! I'm so proud of you!!!

 

[windwalker]

DAVE! 2 inches. WOW!!! I'm so proud of you!!!

Thank you AmyBeth. I'm excited about the results I'm getting. I wish we could get more people involved in doing all the right things. Maybe after we kick off the mentoring we can get more people doing well rounded workouts.

Walk today was awesome, hills and bucking a 30 mph wind the last mile and I maintained a 12:33 pace for 4 miles. Then did my cals and stretching and core work.

Leaner Panda

 

[MouseDogMom]

Had to drive DD17 to her boyfriend's prom 2 hrs away last night, so rented a hotel room and hung out while she danced the night away. (Actually she says the prom was really lame, so not much dancing!)

Brought the laptop with me and did my first Pilates for Dummies workout! Much easier while watching the video - maybe I'm not as uncoordinated as I thought? I'd still rather have Amy walking me through the exercises, but I'll keep working on them.

Now we're headed over to drive through a campus she's interested in, then headed home for a soccer game...

Minnie racers are already out there - good luck everyone!

Jackie

 

[windwalker]

I used to have shin pain when I didn't warm up enough before I would racewalk. I have been, as everyone knows, doing a routine of calistetics and stretching. One of the exercises I do is to get a step, the kind you do step aerobics with, bit even a step on the stairs would do.

Stand on the step and hang your heels off the back. This stretches the achellies and foot. Then hang your feet off the front of the step and raise and lower your foot with toes hanging over the edge, this stretches and strengthens the shins. I do three sets of each for a minute each time.

This has made a diference in my strength and flexiability in my calves and shins.

I have had no shin pain at all since I started doing this, even if I don't warm up as much.

Painless Panda

 

[MouseDogMom]

Did my upper body/core workout this morning. I can really see a difference! I've been trying to do crunches with my arms out by my side (saw a video in Runner's World), but a few weeks ago could only do 5-10 without having to go back to the old way with hands behind my head. This morning I did 3 sets of 25! Am mixing some of the Pilates exercises with the stuff I was already doing, so my workout gets longer and longer every day. But I ran yesterday for 7:30 without a walk break - I usually do 3R/1W so that was quite an accomplishment.

Jackie

 

[Kira G.]

Jackie & Panda - That's awesome! What great testimonials.

I'm afraid I've fallen off the core wagon. I'm taking on doing Amy's series again today after my run. I'm managing an event Friday - Sunday, but will get back to core work on Monday.

Thanks for the continued encouragement and inspiration!

 

[windwalker]

Kira, we are all different in the ways exercise effects us. But there are some truths that we can believe in. The core training appears to be one of those.

The last 8 weeks have made a world of difference for me. I don't have tose nagging little aches and pains and stiffness, my strength is better also using the light weights.

Happy Panda

 

[Mooshu]

whew, I got past my first week of core exercises...I never though I would keep it up. I've only been doing front & side planks and I finally got a stability ball...so I added some crunches on the ball...but that's about it. What page is Amy's list of core exercises on? Sorry I'm too lazy to scroll through all the pages...LOL Thanks in advance!

 

[MouseDogMom]

Mooshu - If you go to pages 5 & 6, you'll get most of what Amy's recommended for us. There's also a link on page 2 to another site with pictures of some of the exercises.

I just discovered that our cable system has tons of Pilates workouts available through the Exercise TV on Demand option. (I can hear DD17's voice in my head groaning that I'm just now finding these... just because I don't spend hours in front of the TV exploring what's available ) After my run this morning I opted for the :10 Pilates Abs workout - it incorporated pretty much all of Amy's suggested exercises with the added bonus that I had an instructor on TV to watch. Since Amy hasn't volunteered to travel around the country yet, it was the next best thing!

Jackie

 

[windwalker]

We are discussing ways to get information out to people better. Look for some good changes in the near future.

We are truly fortunate that we have some very knowledgeable folks on the WISH.

More Limber Panda

 

[AmyBeth68]

Everyone is doing such a great job with the core workouts .

Jackie: Excellent to find Pilates on your cable offerings!!!

Dave: You amaze me...you've been so steady with your core work and I'm thrilled to see it's paying off!!!!

Mooshu: Welcome to our little thread. In the first 3 pages a lot of the exercises and DVDs that I recommend can be found .

As for me I'm travelling to Las Vegas in July to attend the World Fit Conference. I was hoping to get into the Yoga for Runners workshop but it was completely full already. I'm VERY bummed . But I do have a lot of great core workshops planned and hope to return with lots of good information for everyone later this summer .

 

[MouseDogMom]

Amy - The Vegas conference sounds great! The WISH team should probably pay your way for all the coaching you're giving us...

I just had to report proudly that the first night that I did the Pilates for Dummies workout I completely failed at the Roll-up. I thought I would NEVER be able to make it up without stopping halfway or assisting myself in some way. Tonight I actually made it all the way up (maybe not quite as smoothly as intended, but it's a start)! And this after only 3 or 4 days of trying! You've definitely made a believer out of me.

Jackie

 

[AmyBeth68]

Jackie!!! YAY for making it up in the Roll-Up...it is a really tough exercise for all those new to Pilates. I'm so glad you're seeing your strength improve. HUGE endorsement for the power of pilates . I'm so glad you trusted the method and have seen results so quickly.

 

[dsnyfan21]

Amy: My core hero!!! I am getting better with my Pilates for Dummies and can pretty much do all the exercises in the beginning one without dyeing before the last 2 reps. I still can't do the last two exercises in the beginning one but I did try them out last night. ugh....

Just a question...have you seen the Malibu Pilates Bench?? If you have, then what do you think about it?? I want your opinion on that.

Have a great day!

-Tracy

 

[AmyBeth68]

Tracy...

OH WOW...I hadn't seen the Malibu Bench before so I went and watched the video on their website. Since I haven't utilized it personally, I can't speak to the construction of the machine, I'd have to try it out to give you my full review of how sturdy it is. BUT I can tell you that it is a replica of a piece of Pilates equipment that we use in all the studios. It's called the Wunda Chair or simply Pilates Chair. It functions almost identical to that equipment which you can buy for around $800. Sooo...if this is nearly as good, at that price, it might not be a bad investment. I just wish I could try it out. The pilates work that can be done on the chair (or bench in this case) is EXCELLENT and very challenging. It seems that what they were doing in the promo video are things I've done with my trainer and clients in the past. Here's a picture of a traditional Pilates chair similar to the ones in my studio:

By the way...GREAT job with your Pilates work! Seems like you really got the hang of the Pilates DVD FAST since you are getting through it already . It does work...takes a few weeks but you'll start to feel much stronger in the core after sticking with it!

 

[cdotla]

Wow - you have all (especially Amy ) inspired me to start core training. There is nothing in this world I need more than core...just wish I didn't detest it so much!

Thanks for all the great coaching, info and inspiration! I am going to sign up for a class first (haven't done pilates in about 8 years) and then join all you Core Warriors!

 

[Lynn G]

I just received my copy of "Pilates for Dummies", I will try it this evening or tomorrow (tomorrow being my cross-training - pilates and weights - day). I have been trying to keep up doing "Amy's list" of exercises on the days I do not do a Pilates tape (with varying success!).

 

[windwalker]

I'm still getting some good results from the core training. The walking is getting better and better.

I can't ever remember feeling so fluid with my motion as I am now. Tomorrow I'm going to try for a PR on the WKU hill route.

Stronger Panda

 

[AmyBeth68]

Good Luck Dave! Hope you see that PR . I find that when I'm really connected to my core my stride is much more fluid!

Lynn...Have you tried the Pilates DVD yet? Curious what you think about it .

Cdotla...Yes..sign up for a class. It's such a great addition to your training!