Tag: fitness

Is Pilates a Form of Torture? Maybe. But It’s My Stress Relief! 

I love Pilates and most of the instructors at my studio. But some days, a class feels like a game of Twister — a game that, if I were 20 years (or even ten) younger, might have felt easy.

These days, though, each class is a little harder. My body hurts. And yet I keep going, again and again, and accept the pain.

This morning’s Twister routine? One hand on the box, one hand on the reformer bar, one leg on the shoulder block, and the other leg in the air. It hurts just to describe it. Somehow, I managed to tackle all these instructions. Honestly, I was just grateful the instructor didn’t ask us to sing a song — that would’ve been the end of me.

After all that, she came over and corrected my posture for the next exercise. Apparently, my leg is capable of a 90-degree angle. She told me she did it out of “love.” Probably a love of pain.

And yet, I go three to four times a week and wonder: how bad would it be if I didn’t take Pilates?

Why do I do this to myself? Because it’s good for my body — even if I hate it sometimes — and it’s very good for my soul.

Two months ago, my husband had a seizure. Since then, my regular stress life has turned into full-blown stress — with no relief in sight. Stress relief, for me, means not thinking for a little while. But when you’re stressed, your mind races, and you can’t stop thinking.

Enter: Pilates.

I get so caught up in the Twister-like shenanigans during class that thinking becomes impossible. The only thing on my mind is: Is my balance working? Are all my body parts where they’re supposed to be?

I don’t care that I’m not wearing a cute matching Pilates outfit. All that matters in that class is stress relief.

I am stronger now — at least physically. Mentally, my brain is still trying to figure out all those crazy Pilates moves… without falling.

Facing Reality: My Journey from Out-of-Shape to Reclaiming My Fitness”

Today I discovered that I am an out-of-shape middle-aged woman. I knew I was middle-aged, so that was not really a surprise. The “out of shape” part, however, kind of threw me for a loop.

I started seeing a cardiologist, as it was suggested to me that, at my advanced age, I need to establish a relationship with one. It was a suggestion I listened to and actually followed through on.

I met with the cardiologist, took a heart calcium scan, and had a stress test performed. I walk almost eleven thousand steps a day, do Pilates Reformer three times a week, eat a mostly healthy vegetarian diet, and I’m usually on the move even at work. I also lost almost thirty pounds this past year. So, I thought I would do great on the stress test—alas, I was wrong.

I used to hike a lot. I climbed all the way to the top of the Moon Pyramid in Mexico when it was still allowed, did part of the Great Wall of China, and climbed all the way up to the Pantheon on Lindos, just eight months after breaking my leg. This past summer, I biked for fourteen miles in Alaska—downhill, but I think it still counts! But apparently, all of this wasn’t enough. I am out of shape.

Naturally, I questioned this, and according to the experts, I’ve been neglecting my cardio. I thought that walking was cardio, but apparently, it’s not enough—at least not for my body.

So now comes the proactive part: how do I improve my sad state of cardio without killing myself and still enjoy it? This is a really tough question, as I hate going to the gym. I really do. I also hate running; I firmly believe that running can be uncomfortable for those of us with larger chests—it’s just not pleasant.

I already do Reformer Pilates, but that’s focused on core strength. Now, the cardio part needs to kick in. My middle child is getting married, and there’s hope for grandkids in the future, so getting in shape is a priority. The big question is: exactly how?

When I was younger, I loved biking, so I guess I’ll be biking once again. I think short hikes—with and without the dog—are destined for my future as well. And I believe I’ll also add at least one great date a week with the elliptical at the gym.

I’ll continue being middle-aged, at least for a while, but that won’t stop me from getting back in shape.