One year of nearly daily home mat pilates and results

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, you don't have a doctor for the BPD to self-reflect on yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks OP, pilates with the machines was abysmal for me. Thanks for recommending mat at home.

How was reformer pilates abysmal?

[Anonymous]

DP The negativity here is odd. The internet is full of sponsored garbage, gatekeeping and trollijg. I'm always glad to see someone posting something that's useful for her and free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I wouldn't say I'm naturally thin bc in college I quickly gained the standard freshman 15 lbs and was more apple shaped as a young college student.. thanks mainly to the standard college diet of pizza, soda, drinks, junk food. But at the age of 22 upon graduation the weight slowly melted off over a period of a year or so. Like a lot of people starting out I was "poor" after college for a while and didn't eat out much or drink much bc of cost. I always brought a boring lunch to work. I started cooking at home a lot. Not bc I so much wanted to but bc I couldn't afford so much takeout. But I started to feel much healthier as i had cut down on salt sugars and added fats. So by the time I was 24 say, I was a lot healthier in terms of diet, and then years and healthy journey just continued from there. It's a misnomer to think that those who are slender are there bc it is natural. Of course with a couple pregnancies I gained the standard weight and lost that over a period of three months or so.

I Still do bring home lunch when I went into office. I do drink coffee with half and half but I never order those fancy coffee drinks with flavourings and sugars. I don't drink alcohol. I used to drink a little wine on weekends with dh but stopped completely in my mid 40s bc itngave me a headache and affected my sleep. I do like dessert esp at a nice restaurant but eat it only maybe 3 or so times a year. I can't day no to creme Brulee if I'm at Clyde's. Although it is so rich I usually split it with dh, but not always.

I'd recommend Move with Nicole on YouTube. She has multiple Playlists. I started with the beginner Playlist and went from there. Some of her videos are 35 plus minutes but I always stop at 30. Most of her videos are 30 min or less. At first when I started mat pilates I was very uncoordinated and it was very difficult. I've slowly gotten better with form. Although the wonderful thing about pilates is that it is always challenging. Nicole has different levels of pilates.

I’m happy you’re happy! But….

—You’ve been the same weight since around 22…you mention the freshman 15 but not more college weight gain but either way, it was gone w/in a year of college graduation and you’ve maintained it for decades.

—You lost your baby weight within 3 months of giving birth - each time.

— Eating desserts - which you love - but you limit to maybe 3 times a year and even then split it

— ”never” get a sugary coffee drink out, etc.

—You lead an incredibly disciplined life (see bolded parts above). I’m not sure many will replicate your results and don’t think people should.

There is much more depravation than moderation.

I don’t know… I do everything OP does except that I drink alcohol sometimes but apart from that my story is very very similar (the freshman 15, the very good routine and discipline since then, the stable weight including post pregnancy, minimal sugar, no processed food etc..) and I find her experience very motivating. I don’t deprive myself but moderation definitely defines my habits. I doubt I am the only unicorn relating to OP.

Her results and how great she feels (the PT/ posture effect included) reminded me of the times I got very into Pilates but for external reasons couldn’t stick to it for as long and regularly as she did. I am 44 and I will start again tomorrow! Thank you OP for the motivation.

Loving desserts and having them 3 times a year and even then making yourself split them is not moderation.

[Anonymous]

OP here. People are giving me a hard time on my having desserts only 3 or 4 times a year. I'm just not a sweet tooth person. I never said I love desserts. I said it like desserts. But that isn't the same as love. I split desserts bc creme Brule and chocolate etc. Is so rich for me bc I don't heat it much. The portions are so big here. I grew up across the pond and came here as a young adult. I spent some time earlier this summer back where I grew up. I ordered a small ice cream when we were out. The small ice cream was even smaller than our American kiddie size cone.

To the person asking about how to fit in routine. This works for me.

I have a little journal book I map out dates months. I log every day I do pilates and every day I walk. Right now I only do pilates 6 days a week. It is nice to see when I have a great week, not to break the streak and sometimes at the end of the month I add up how many hours of activity I did and jot it in the book. Once a month I measure b, w, h and weigh myself. I log it in the book too and compare measurements from the month before. I am more interested in inches than lbs. It is very satisfying to see I lost a half inch from say a couple months before.

I get up early around 530am to 6am. I enjoy a nice cup of tea, empty dw, enjoy watching sunrise for a few min, etc.. I do things around the house and am ready to do pilates at 7am. I'm done with pilates by 730am. Get ready for work btw 730 and 8. I start my day at 8am.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. People are giving me a hard time on my having desserts only 3 or 4 times a year. I'm just not a sweet tooth person. I never said I love desserts. I said it like desserts. But that isn't the same as love. I split desserts bc creme Brule and chocolate etc. Is so rich for me bc I don't heat it much. The portions are so big here. I grew up across the pond and came here as a young adult. I spent some time earlier this summer back where I grew up. I ordered a small ice cream when we were out. The small ice cream was even smaller than our American kiddie size cone.

To the person asking about how to fit in routine. This works for me.

I have a little journal book I map out dates months. I log every day I do pilates and every day I walk. Right now I only do pilates 6 days a week. It is nice to see when I have a great week, not to break the streak and sometimes at the end of the month I add up how many hours of activity I did and jot it in the book. Once a month I measure b, w, h and weigh myself. I log it in the book too and compare measurements from the month before. I am more interested in inches than lbs. It is very satisfying to see I lost a half inch from say a couple months before.

I get up early around 530am to 6am. I enjoy a nice cup of tea, empty dw, enjoy watching sunrise for a few min, etc.. I do things around the house and am ready to do pilates at 7am. I'm done with pilates by 730am. Get ready for work btw 730 and 8. I start my day at 8am.

If you like desserts, you are a sweet tooth person.

[Anonymous]

Great post, OP. I would love to hear more about the flexibility improvements and how you selected each class each day. I’m 51 and my lower back is stiff and in near constant pain!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great post, OP. I would love to hear more about the flexibility improvements and how you selected each class each day. I’m 51 and my lower back is stiff and in near constant pain!

OP here. Pilates would definitely help your back. Move with Nicole has great Playlists that go by month, daily, week 1, 2, 3 etc. I started with beginner Playlists and then moved on to all the other playlists. I am working my way through the months. Sometimes when I feel that I want to go back and focus on form I will repeat a Playlist. As I do her monthly and weekly playlists I do skip her yoga and Barre workouts. Bc I don't like yoga and barr seems annoying bc in my office where I practice my office chair has wheels on it. So I just don't feel like getting a dedicated fixed chair. She also has an abs and booty Playlist. But I find following her weekly playlists are more balanced. Most of her workouts are 25 to 30 min. So if they go over 30 min I just stop. Likewise a couple of her ab/booty workouts only run say 18 min so I either pare them with something else or I do my own freeform pilates for an extra 10 min or so. When I first started a year ago I always had to look at what she was doing. But 2 or 3 months in I got better and now I just listen and don't have to look. Her queuing is excellent. Sometimes though I find that say my squat technique wasn't where I wanted it to be so as I've gotten better with just getting through, I've learned to focus more on technique. Just dive right in.

[Anonymous]

OP Herr. I just realized you asked about flexibility improvements too. In the beginning roll ups were more difficult. I can do them with ease now. Much more stability now when I do lunges etc. It was difficult for me to do side planks. I am able to do them a little easier but they are not easy. Saw is much better as I am able to reach more. Touching toes has always been fine but now I can bend down to not only touch toes but I can lay my entire hand and palms down flat on the floor, with nearly straight legs. So think of standing, touching toes, then touching palms. I'm also much better with pushups and I love the flow from childs pose into cobra. Cobra I'm able to lift much better and get that reverse stretch. But realize that this is all a work in progress and all exercises are still a challenge. But I am so much better than I was 12 months ago and even 6 months ago. When I watch Nicole's flexibility I get a little envious. But in a good way. It's goals for me. Also my hip flexors are a lot better with form.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the link to YouTube Pilates. I have a severe cervical stenosis, but I did one of the beginner's sessions today, and my neck and back felt better right away, and while doing it. Of course, my flexibility is not even close to what it used to be, which is disappointing, but pain reduction is the goal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the link to YouTube Pilates. I have a severe cervical stenosis, but I did one of the beginner's sessions today, and my neck and back felt better right away, and while doing it. Of course, my flexibility is not even close to what it used to be, which is disappointing, but pain reduction is the goal.

OP here:
I'm so glad you felt it was beneficial! That's wonderful that you took time out to do something for yourself.

I think pilates has benefits beyond the obvious. E.g. I used to always be wobbly and it felt a little awkward doing lunges during pilates. But now I am no longer wobbly. Apparently lunges are very good for improving balance. Balance isn't going to do anything for my waistline. But balance is so valuable bc people lose that as they get older. And perhaps if I have better balance at the age of 70 I'll be less likely to take that fall.

A couple months ago I took a transatlantic flight. Upon checking into my accommodations, after unpacking I did a 25-30 min pilates session on the floor (using a towel for a mat) and my trusty move with nicole. It made me feel physically so much better.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I'd also recommend good gear if you're doing this frequently. I am a little thrifty and was never a leggings person. So I bought cheap leggings from tj Maxx. Finally my dh convinced me after a few months to invest in lululemon leggings. After using lulu's for the first time in my life, I promptly got rid of my cheap tjmaxx leggings. I also invested in knee pads that sit on the may. Gaiam brand from Amazon are gell and great bc my mat is technically a yoga mat. I also invested in toesox brand pilates socks which are amazing. Thanks again Amazon. The other thing I purchased was an athletic top with built in sports type bra. Bc when you're doing side planks etc. It's nice not to fiddle with a slipped bra strap. Small set of 1 or 2 lb hand weights. I haven't bought a magic circle yet but as I get more into pilates I will. I did buy a set of leg bands which I use on occasion. But honestly for all the equipment, mat, hand weights, knee pads, exercise bands, I spent no more than 75 dollars. Lululemon leggings and sports bra top were expensive. But toesox, I don't remember cost but they were inexpensive and wonderfully grippy.