Niki's 10-20-30 Journey Comes to an End - Finale Thoughts!!

Well my challenge has come to an end and I have a lot to report. Unfortunately due to the chaos of moving with two small children I was only able to make it to 28 classes not the full 30. The type A in me absolutely hates that. However, if I’m going to stick to anything for the long haul, I have to strike a balance between pushing myself but also cutting myself some slack when I really need it. Considering all I’ve had going on this past 10 weeks, I feel like 28 classes is pretty darn good. One thing about pilates is that it really is a journey and I definitely feel like mine is not through yet. That’s why in pilates and yoga they call it a “practice” I know many of you reading this want to know if my body changed and the answer is yes! Prior to pilates I tried for several years after the birth of my first baby to change my body through various other forms of exercise. I ran a half marathon and gained weight! For whatever reason my body was stuck at a certain point and really didn’t change much. After 10 weeks of pilates 2-3x a week and NO OTHER form of exercise at all as well as not changing my diet at all, I am down a pants size. That is a big deal people. My shape has really shifted back to what I feel is a healthy place for me. I am tighter and more trim. Ultimately, I just feel more comfortable in my own skin. I think after you have a baby your body really will never be the same but for the first time in 9 months, I feel like myself again. My husband told me the other day that I picked the absolute worst time to do this challenge (we are finishing up building our house) and when I was talking to Loralee, she said it was actually the best time to do it. I think she was right. Through this challenge, I’ve not only transformed my body, I’ve made new friends, reconnected with old friends and had an hour 2-3x a week without children (and all the mothers out there said “Amen”). I would encourage anyone out there looking to kick start their health to consider this challenge as the catalyst. I know I will be a pilates devotee for life.

Niki's 10-20-30 Journey - TRX Experience

TRX

Today I finally made it to a class I’ve been trying to get to for a while, TRX. TRX is basically straps hanging from the ceiling that you do exercises on. I have bad wrists so there are a lot of exercises such as push ups and plank that I have to modify and even then, they still tend to bother me. TRX was great because I didn’t have to modify anything! I love love love this class. I don’t really have an exact reason for loving this class so much besides the fact that it was FUN! I felt like I was on a playground and not in a gym. I also could really feel my muscles working. By fun I don’t mean easy LOL. I will for sure be attending more of these classes in the future!

Niki's 10-20-30 Journey (week 6 update & Mat experience)

6 Week Update

First Mat Class 

Today I went to my first mat class. As I expected we were on a yoga mat most of the time but any thoughts I had that it was going to be easier were quickly dismissed. We focused a lot on “bridging” and working abs.  One thing I like about doing abs in pilates vs. other more traditional exercise classes is that they make you focus on keeping perfect form the whole time and therefore it tends to target areas that are typically harder to work (ex. Lower abs). All in all I liked the class and am sure I will be sore in the morning!

Niki's 10-20-30 Pilates Challenge - Mixed Equipment Class

Ok today is Monday and aside from chasing my wild natives of children around, I didn‘t do any form of exercise all weekend. So as you can imagine, I was a little slow moving this morning getting to class. I had a new teacher, Laurie who was (no surprise) very sweet and helpful. The class reminded me a lot of Pilates playground. I attempted to do some sort of modified handstand type thing. (Note to self- remember to tuck my shirt in if I will be inverted.) I definitely need to work on upper body strength. Hopefully 9 weeks from now I will be walking backwards upside down or at least not flashing half the class when I attempt to do a handstand. You’re welcome fellow classmates or I’m sorry. Here’s to another adventure in my challenge!

Niki's 10-20-30 Pilates Challenge - Movement/Postural Evaluation

So today was my pilates evaluation. Basically what that means is the I spent an hour one on one with an instructor (Laurie) and she had me bend, twist and turn in all different directions to check my form, posture, strength etc. At the end of the evaluation I learned two really interesting and helpful things. First, I tend to arch my low back and stick my butt out. Laurie showed me how to “tuck” to fix that. Immediately I felt my lowers abs (one of my problem areas) engage and when I looked in the mirror, I swear I looked 5 lbs thinner when I was using proper posture and “tucking”. The second thing I learned was that I walk and stand in what’s called a turn out or with my feet in sort of a “v” shape. I’ve always known I walk this way but never knew that there was anything I could do about it. Apparently, it is the result of weak inner thigh muscles (another huge problem area). Laurie showed me again how to properly align myself and again I felt my muscles engage immediately. (Side note- as the daughter of a chiropractor I should definitely know better. My dad is probably reading this right now shaking his head saying “this is what I’ve been trying to tell you for 30 years Niki” Sorry dad) So armed with my new knowledge and an awareness that I apparently walk and stand like a duck, I am now determined to implement my new proper posture into everyday activities. I’ve tried to make a conscious effort to correct myself when I catch myself in duck walk and am hopeful that it will become second nature very soon.

Niki's 10-20-30 Pilates Journey - Week 1 down, 9 to go!

Today was my third session and I had a little trouble getting here this morning as I was still kind of sore from Core Barre yesterday. But I am so glad I came! Pilates playground is my favorite class so far. Basically we just used all the different strange looking contraptions for an hour of what actually felt a lot like recess. I don’t know why, but I get a kick out of the fact that we are using what looks like bed springs to work out with. I’ve decided that my favorite thing about pilates is the reformer. And if I’m being totally honest, it’s because I get to lay down while using it. I am practically like the “Walking Dead” these days with as little sleep as I get, so I’ll take any and every opportunity to lay down. Any way, class was great and maybe I’m just imagining it, but I feel like I’m tightening up in my legs already! Huzzah!

Niki's 10-20-30 Journey - 1st CoreBarre class

Today was session 2 of my challenge. I decided to try a Core Barre class. I was excited to try this class because my dream body is that of a ballerina’s. Since we’re being totally honest here, I secretly dreamed of being a ballerina while growing up but was never graceful/coordinated/disciplined enough for it. I was really hoping this class would be more of ballet exercises vs. actual dancing. (It was) As soon as I arrived I met Meredith, the instructor for the class. Ok, if I wasn’t motivated enough before, I am now after seeing Meredith (a mom to a 1 yr old) with a movie star body. It’s on now. I am putting Meredith’s picture on my fridge so she stares at me with her ridiculously hot mom body every time I want to eat cookie dough

at 10 pm

. Here is my proof that being a new mom does not have to equal being a slob. And she was nice too. I hate her. Just kidding, I really want to be her friend, and Loralee’s too for that matter. I wonder if they ever have wine night at the studio……Okay back to the class….We started class on a yoga mat which felt familiar (I am a long time yoga lover) and reassuring (no 8 counts). We quickly worked through a series of different exercises on the mat before moving to the barre. So, I finally figured out why ballerina’s have rockin awesome bods….Because they freaking work their tails off. That barre stuff is no joke. It was a totally different kind of hard then I’m used to. I could tell it was working deep little muscles in the areas I never seem to be able to really target (inner thighs, hips, low abs) Meredith had to correct my form several times. Each time she showed me the proper way to do something, I could instantly feel that it was working the muscles more efficiently. Even though it was tough, I was able to push through it and really enjoyed it. The hour went by very quickly and when it was over, I felt like my shaky thighs, arms and abs were sort of like a badge of honor. I knew I had gotten a very good workout. (My poor thighs were not quite sure what to think) I am as equally excited about this class as I was about the reformer class. So far so good. Two down, 28 left to go