The Pilates and Self Improvement Journey of one Chubby chick in Seattle

A busy March powered by Pilates & Zija

2011-04-01T12:08:00.000-07:00

March turned out to be a pretty productive month in the grand scheme of things. I managed to drag myself to 21 classes and 1 jump-board class (which thoroughly kicked my ass, but was fun). My body has shifted around quite a bit, a lot of exercises are becoming easier but I know I have a long way to go til I can chill out a bit and take things easy. Fortunately I feel like a million bucks and feel more centered and balanced than I have in..ever. Current weight: 261, total weight loss: 49 pounds.

I'm moving this weekend, just for a few months. I'll be spending the Summer at a friends house on Lake Washington, commuting to the International District for at least the next 6-8 weeks and moving back to my pad on Boren by August 1st. I'm lucky that this contract job is in a location that makes it super convenient for me to attend Pilates classes on my way to/from work. Right now I'm deciding if I should increase my cardio by just parking by my current apartment (still have RPZ pass) and then walking the 1.4 miles to the job. Hmm...

I put on a swimsuit yesterday for the first time in months. It was loose on me and I will be needing to replace that before the Summer starts. I find myself absolutely putting off shopping for smaller clothes. Went to Lane Bryant Tuesday so I could get some pants that were interview worthy and could only make myself buy one pair of plain black slacks. Other things were there and cute, but I feel like if I start buying clothes they will just be thrown away or donated by June.

One thing that I haven't mentioned again is the Zija...this stuff has been the best compliment to my change of routine and my weight-loss and overall attempt at getting healthier. I actually became a distributor for the product last month because so many people were asking me about what I was doing to loose weight. I keep saying "Pilates and Zija, Pilates and Zija" when they ask. To date I've had 3 friends get on Zija and FIVE people that I know have begun Pilates lessons - including my Mom. I guess when you are on fire people notice it and want to tap into it. Nutritionally, I am so satiated that I'm rarely hungry. When do find myself really hungry I notice that I'm not just one big ball of cravings bouncing around. I am able to sit back and make a pre-planned decision about what to eat. Those uncontrollable urges (which I swear were like an addict craving a hit) are gone and while I still do indulge - it's just not all the time anymore.

If anyone is interested in Zija visit:

http://missemily.myzija.com

In other news, my 4 month membership with Vitality expires SUNDAY! I signed a year contract but it starts back up on 4/19 (my birthday!). Until then I will be using another Living Social thing that I bought a while back ($30 for 10 reformer classes) and...walking...to and from this new job.

One last thing....the latest progress shot featuring the blue dress from earlier posts... Wish I would have taken more full body shots at the beginning...

Continuing with progress....

2011-03-19T03:57:00.000-07:00

Forgive my last post, I meant to write a little blurb along with the video of the teaser on the long-box but just got distracted.

The day that I posted that video I "graduated" into the multi-level classes at my studio. Was stoked and could do the teaser - finally - though not very well. Between you, me and the fencepost I almost feel like I cheated in getting into the multi-level classes by having a easier teacher sign off on that exercise. I did the exercise but did not do it fully and couldn't curl up as high as I really needed to.

I've been going to the mid-level classes about half of the time but intentionally avoiding my hardest instructors. The thought of getting into their mid-level classes and not being able to pull it off was a horrifying thought...so I continued taking their intro classes while I would take the mid-level classes from easier teachers.

Well, fast forward three weeks.

I go into Vera's intro class, do a series of teaser prep exercises and then BAM! I did it! 100% of the way, unassisted! I was elated! She was excited, I was excited. I've practiced at home and I can do it now all the time (I think!). I told Vera that I was so glad that she saw me do it, I really felt like I needed to earn her respect on this issue before moving onto her multi-level classes.

Hmmm...what should be my next goal...?

Teaser on the Reformer with the Long Box

2011-02-28T02:14:00.000-08:00

36 Classes, time for some private lessons!

2011-01-30T14:18:00.000-08:00

So here I am, 36 classes in! I feel strong, look good and hold myself better. Right now I find myself with a checklist of items that I am trying to accomplish so that I can move on to "multi level" classes. This list is from the ladies at Vitality Pilates and it includes:

Skill Set & Concepts:

Mechanics of Pilates equipment
Clean-up of Pilates equipment and props
Imprinted Spine
Pilates Ribcage Breathing
Familiarity with the core muscle
Familiarity with the Shoulder Girdle
Understand the principles of Muscle Isolation
Understand the principles of Joint Isolation

Exercises:

Breathing
Pelvic Tile
Balance Point
Roll-up
Plank
Hundred
Stomach Series: Single Leg Stretch
Stomach Series: Double Leg Stretch
Stomach Series: Scissor Kicks
Stomach Series: Lower Leg Lift
Stomach Series: Criss-Cross
Teaser
Sternum Imprint
Swan
Pull Straps
Stomach Massage
Elephant
Down Stretch
Mermaid

I've done all of these, but I am now working on getting instructors to sign off on this. Besides the introductory classes that I've been taking they also host jump-board classes (cardio) and other multi-level classes. Having more scheduling opportunities open up to me would be great. I don't think I'm ready to be in multi-level classes full-time, but I'd like to begin to incorporate them into my regimen.

Tomorrow night at 7:15pm I have a private lesson with Adena, my FAVORITE instructor. This is a follow up to another private lesson that I had on Saturday with Beth at Soma Pilates in Redmond where I used the barrel for the first time. THAT was interesting. Tomorrow night I'd like to work on the upside down push-up and the short and long spine. :)

Short Spine - ALMOST THERE!

2011-01-29T06:14:00.000-08:00

The Short Spine. It's one of those special exercises that is just beautiful to watch and you envy those that can do it. With my tummy I've always had a bit of a problem in that area.

Well, tonight I was able to pull it off about 85% of the way! Yippee!

It's funny to see the skinny girls do things like this right off the bat. I have to work harder for it than they do, which is fine, but I certainly get more excited than they do too. :)

January 10th - Cardio Considerations

2011-01-10T11:18:00.000-08:00

What a great week this will be!

This weekend I woke up early and went to Pilates but found myself saying 'what the hell' and really just ate whatever I really felt like and when I weighed myself I was 272 pounds. That's WITH a lot of salt in my system from the day before. I'm doing my best to splurge while mixing in good things at the same time. Pizza? Yes, but I also need a big salad with fruits and veggies and maybe some nuts on top. Raw Almonds are keeping me sustained in times when I'm about to gnaw my hand off.

Today as I looked out of the window here at work I saw a rowing/crew team go by. I've been thinking about and wondering what sort of cardio to incorporate into my routine, so with my location being right ON Lake Union these days I think I will enroll in some rowing classes. Now the question is, should I wait until its warmer weather or will the activity itself warm me up? Or will I find myself freezing my butt off out there, will my hands even work after an hour of being out on the water? Eek!

This week I only have 1 class scheduled and it is tonight at 6:15pm with a teacher I really don't care too much for. Perhaps its time to plot out a 1:1 session with Adena and do a little more work on getting into the multi-level classes...

New Year and New Energy

2011-01-01T00:48:00.000-08:00

Tonight I find myself mulling over a lot of things. What I want for 2011 and what I want to leave behind in 2010.

2010 has been such a strange, strange year. In a lot of ways I have relaxed, let down my hair and have partied quite a bit (part of having an alcoholic around me). This is my rationale for not going out and having a wild ass time tonight, I'm gearing down and not up. It's time to get back to reality, time to focus and move forward with life - not tread water. This is the first time that I can remember that my focus for the New Year has not revolved around weight loss. As it stands, I have managed to lose weight throughout the Holiday season - just by my constant involvement in Pilates. No, 2011 is about living a good and healthy life - not stressing out about how big my backside is.

This year I want him out, gone - from my life and from my day to day existence. I'm tired of worry. I want someone else to do it. I want him to attach himself like a vice to some other woman, someone good that will watch out for him for a few months while I decompress and get some distance. I want to be a memory, not a crutch.

My Pilates studio has been closed since right before Christmas and I am really, really ready to get back to my classes. I'll enjoy New Years Day and then on Saturday will be back in a class.

I also want to eat healthier, drink healthier and stay away from the bad stuff. I want to make an effort to stay away from GMO's this year. I want organic produce delivery.

Also, today I was handed something called "Moringa" (zija), a dietary supplement "super drink" which is supposed to be nutritionally dense and an aid in weight loss. I am going to start the year off right by enjoying these every morning, beginning tomorrow. Will report back.

18 Class in...

2010-12-07T18:04:00.000-08:00

With the unemployment benefits in question right now I have decided to bite the bullet and go back to work for a wage that is around $10 an hour less than my last position. Since this could start as early as Monday morning, I have decided to see how many Pilates classes I can fit into my days before then. I have been in class Friday, Sunday, today and have another bright and early tomorrow morning.

I find myself getting more and more mesmerized by this form of exercise and am eager for my next class! Today was 18 classes in..

Curious to see what sort of changes I can see in my body if I really bust ass this week.

December 2010


April 2010

Documenting the journey of making over my life

2010-12-06T11:56:00.000-08:00

I've been unhappy with my body for years. Considered everything from Medifast diets to weight loss surgery, nothing has EVER gotten me hooked. I've never found something that just had me hooked. Something that I didn't go into the class feeling like that odd kid in PE class that never got picked for someones team. Something that I could block out everyone else, work hard, get feedback and see results. So, I gave up a long time ago. I really did, completely gave up Thought that the only way I would ever get to a healthy weight was to have weight reduction surgery and perhaps some plastic surgery afterwards.

This year has been rough. I was laid off February 5th, promptly met a guy that quickly stole my heart and broke it just as quickly. Became absorbed into being the caretaker of an alcoholic, I soon became confronted about how little I was actually doing to take care of myself and why it was so easy to take care of someone else instead of myself.

So, on September 21st I took a introductory Pilates class at a private studio. I really enjoyed the lesson and was surprised at how good I felt afterward and was shocked to find that I was not sore at all. On October the 5th I enrolled in a Introductory series at a larger studio that is closer to my house. To date, I have been to 16 classes and have committed to 4 more months of membership.

The results are amazing. My body is changing and rapidly and considering where I started at - I am excited to document this process and take photos. I've not found much online about what Pilates can do for someone when they are starting from the same point that I am. So, here is my attempt to do something about it. I don't have a ton of photos at my absolute heaviest, mainly because i was embarrassed - but I've got some.

Starting Point: September 21, 2010
Highest Weight: 308
Current Weight: 274

Today - with little to no adjustment in my eating. No concentrated effort to stay away from anything that I enjoy.