I like it, so, let's do it more.

I think we've covered that I am not doing well at enjoying exercise and going to the gym (or any other place) in order to get used to the process. I'm continuing to try different ways to incorporate exercise, cardio or not cardio, and making it a more frequent part of my week.

Of all the exercising classes and such that I've taken, both recently and in the past almost 2 years since I joined our gym, I like the pilates classes the best. Pilates, if you don't know, is based on exercises which work all the muscle groups of the body, but mainly focusing on developing strength in the core. If done correctly and over time, it can really increase core strength, strength in other muscle groups, and impact spine health (in a good way). It involves flexibility and stretching and focused breathing, like yoga, but also involves resistance training and in some cases, weight training. It's not cardio, so it won't replace other exercise, but it's a great way to get some strength training in, especially to help lengthen and make more lean.

Most people will get involved with "mat-based" pilates, which means doing the exercise on a yoga mat, maybe with a stability ball, or a ring, to help with some of the resistance exercise. It burns calories (at my level and weight, probably about 350 an hour). Last week and the week before, I was able to take a "power pilates" class, which used the basic pilates mat and hand weights or medicine balls, and that probably brought the calorie count up a little bit, too.

Yesterday, however, I got to try a more involved version of Pilates - the Pilates Reformer. This workout is based entirely on a machine that looks a bit like a torture machine, with spring loaded movable platforms and cables which can be attached to the arms or legs. There is a lot more attention to the precision of movement, and I could tell that every exercies I've done on the mat is much more intense when done with this kind of resistance from the reformer machine. I got the hang of most things quickly, and I can definitely feel a few of the exercises taking their toll on me today.

I liked the free "exposure clinic" I took, with a 30 minute primer on all the basic moves and the muscle groups impacted, and I decided as another motivator to continue to get me into the gym and to work on some of my muscle and strength issues, I'd sign up for 5 weekly sessions of pilates reformer training. I really like the instructor (I've taken her mat classes) and I think the personal attention (well, one of 5 people, at least) will really help me correct some issues that I'm a bit more blind to in these kinds of exercises.

So, that's my next experiment, for weeks 10 - 14 of this journey. This is also a good reminder for me that this whole thing is not just about weight loss; it's about being more fit and healthy, and that's going to have to come from lots of different sources.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Thanks for reading!