Am i ready for pilates???

[abstractillusions]

Hi everyone, i started my exercise regime 3 weeks ago of cardio (combination devil machine and stationary bike up to 45 on devil machine combination interval levels 1, 2, 3, and the bike i am at intervals level 10), i am still 100 overweight and i am not going to start my weight training until after January 10th because i want to get my cardio downpat and lose another 20 lbs.

That being said, i was wondering about pilates. Will it benefit me being 100 lbs overweight? i have the windsor pilates step by step, basic and accelerated. Should i wait to start it? Any advice? And those who have been doing it for a while what kind of results have you seen?

I am trying to keep my focus on my inches and such, more so than the numbers on the scale, which is why i am interested in pilates.

If the advice is to go for it, i was thinking of starting a pilates thread for those who want to do it with me, and we can moan, advise, whine, and motivate each other to do them. Thanks for any insight on this.

[Waterbabe_Helena]

Re: Am i ready for pilates???

When I weighed 329 I phoned a qualified pilates instructor and she said it was absolutely fine for someone of my size to do pilates.

I didn't join as she charges too much but I have bought a DVD and book on Ebay (for £2 woo woo) and I also downloaded a mpg free of charge from the internet and am planning to start soon.

So, I'm with ya girl!

[Laurenfra]

Re: Am i ready for pilates???

Helena where did you download? I would love to look at it

[julirama723]

Re: Am i ready for pilates???

I would say go ahead and do pilates--there are many ways to take in the intensity down a level or up a level, depending on where you're at. For example, if a movement calls for legs straight out at the floor, you may bend them at the knees and place feet on the floor, similar to if you're doing crunches.

With pilates, form is more important than the number of repititions you do--it's better to do 3 properly than it is to do 20 haphazardly.

Go ahead and start it--better yet, watch one of the "episodes" first and see if it's something you'd like to start now.

Just make sure if you have back problems to take it easy--pilates is a core workout, and your back can get sore if you're not careful. Believe me, I know from experience!

Hope this helps, and have a ball with Winsor pilates--that's a great workout!

[Waterbabe_Helena]

Re: Am i ready for pilates???

Helena where did you download? I would love to look at it

It was on some free site and I cannot remember where. I can give it to you but it is far too big to email. If you are on broadband I can upload it to my website and you can FTP it down, if you know how to or can ask a teccie your end. For this you will need an FTP program.

If this is too hard, I might be able to burn it onto a CD or DVD and post it to you.

Helena

[2big4mysize]

Re: Am i ready for pilates???

I did it you will just do the basic stuff and as you get those muscels in better shape can more to the more difficult. Each posisiton has the easy medium and hard postion for it. I didn't like it and dropped it.

[imgonnagethin]

Re: Am i ready for pilates???

Hi Helena

I'm way over 300lbs still, and i'm doing pilates as part of my workout - I only started 2 weeks ago and the first few times were @#&%#$@% But after just 2 weeks it's getting to the point where I like it (I know, I'm weird!)

Kay

[abstractillusions]

Re: Am i ready for pilates???

Thanks Ladies, i think i will add it to the morning the 20 minute one for now as i find it very hard to get up at 4:30 a.m. to get to the gym because i can't break my nightowl syndrome, and am feeling guilty even though i still go at night. So maybe i will utilize it 3 times a week and then i only need to get up at 4:30 twice a week.

What kind of results are you seeing? They say that pilates tends to been seen as a lengthening of mucles and a smoother line to the body?

I am off to the gym now speaking of the devil lol and errands. I hope everyone is having a good weekend.

Thanks for the advice and the encouragement Helene and Juli i will be sure to watch my position and start off doing it correctly so i continue to do so as i progress,

Good to see you around 2big, i hope you are enjoying your vacation.

grins thanks for the warning Kay lol if you see me {bleep][bleeping] lol you will know i have started pilates lol.

Talk to you all later.

[julirama723]

Re: Am i ready for pilates???

I noticed pilates results in my posture--during the entire workout, the focus is on breathing and posture, which continually strengthens the core muscles. I stood taller, had more grace, and my posture was not so "slouchy" and loose as it tends to be. I also noticed a huge difference in my legs--they really toned up! I had some really nice quads.