Posted by hanlie | Posted in My Long Walk to Health | Posted on 07-01-2010
I went back to gym yesterday and did the aqua aerobics class. Then I went back this morning and did it again. And I’ll go tomorrow too.
Everybody was happy to see me and I was just as happy to see them. I took my old place in the third row – the advanced, hardcore row – and tried to pretend that my lungs weren’t exploding and my muscles weren’t seizing up. As usual, I threw myself into the exercise with total commitment and abandon and had a whale of a time, even though I was groaning quite a bit. Not that anybody noticed, because I was disguising the groans with whoops of delight – it’s that kind of high-energy class.
Speaking of whales, while I splashing around I appreciated, perhaps for the first time in my life, why whales live in the water and not on land. And no, that is not a pointed dig at myself, it’s just that my body feels so supported, mobile and even graceful in the water. Totally at home. With my bulk, I never feel as comfortable on dry land. And I certainly don’t feel joy when I’m walking or cycling. I don’t doubt that I made the right decision in getting back in the pool.
This morning’s we did a kind of water Tae Bo. Ouch! I may need help getting out of bed tomorrow because I can feel my muscles hurting already and it’s only 2 hours since the class.
The best part of it all? I feel alive! And I love it!
I mentioned the other day that I wanted to start Pilates again. Well, wouldn’t you know, my sparkling friend Cindy is hosting a 30 days of Pilates challenge! It’s not 30 consecutive days, but 5 days per week over six weeks, starting Monday 11 January.
Whenever I’ve done Pilates in the past, the speed at which it changed my body has astounded me. Nothing, apart from surgery, changes a body as quickly as regular Pilates. And the best part is that all the aches and pains disappear as the correct muscles for every functional movement and pose get strengthened.
My instructor explained that over time we favor certain muscles over others, with the result that the least favored muscles grow weaker. In the process we place a lot of strain on not only the muscles we are using, but also on our organs, spine and joints and we develop postural problems, ineffective breathing habits and chronic pain. Pilates is a form of neuro-muscular reprogramming where we learn to use the correct muscles again and where we strengthen those muscles.
My previous gym had excellent Pilates instruction and I used to attend about four classes per week, but my current gym only has one class per week and it clashes with aqua. I can’t afford to go to a Pilates studio, so I will be doing it at home on my mat. Cindy is going to post a workout on her blog, which I will probably adapt to suit my own abilities and needs. I am ready to commit to 30 minutes per day for 30 days.
So far, things are going swimmingly in 2010! I’m eating well, sleeping well and working out. And most importantly, I’m enjoying it!
How are you doing? Still on track and going strong?
Great job going back to the gym Hanlie! I am proud of you!
South Beach Steve´s last blog ..My Perfect Ten Update
Woohoo!!! Aqua starts up again next week at our gym. I’m thinking of trying the Sunday morning class
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Pilates is fantastic. I’m taking it up again as it has so many benefits – it’s also great support for cycling. We currently do one class a week but will look at doing more from next week when the boys are back at school.
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Keep at it.
Mich
I have started doing a Pilates video at home and am loving it! Keep up the good work.
LAF´s last blog ..It’s never too early to think Spring!
so glad that you went back to your class – I remember how much you loved it!
good job on your video! really loved all that you said and fun to hear your accent.
really good pilates DVD’s out there if you want to try that in addition to making up your own moves. although I can see your own moves to music or while watching movie or something would be very nice too. do you have some time of library system for trying DVD’s before buying?
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Glad to hear you are loving the aqua class so much, and are jumping right back into it.
And I don’t think I’d read such an informative explanation of pilates before–I never really “got” why so many people swear by it, but not it makes sense!
Good job on going back to Aqua! I love aqua. We’re back swimming/boogie boarding most days now so my aqua classes will have to wait until winter again.
Now, do I recall correctly that you had an allergic reaction to the clorine last year? Hopefully it doesn’t effect you this time.
The pilates challenge sounds good. I have been trying to add yoga into my daily life. Even if I just do random poses while watching TV I figure it is all good.
Sybil´s last blog ..I’m in!
I’m so glad that you are doing exercise that you love! I so enjoy being in the water, but don’t go nearly enough!
Pilates is wonderful and I have a DVD I do occasionally – I really like it.
Diane Fit to the Finish´s last blog ..Who Knew This Was A Problem?
I’m so glad you’re back to your program!
I’ve got “Pilates for Dummies” on my Netflix queue. I’m looking forward to trying it.
cammy@tippytoediet´s last blog ..For Whom the Scale Tolls
Nice, you’re doing great!
I’m 100% on track for 2010 so far, whoo-hoo!
Jenn @ Watch My Butt Shrink!´s last blog ..Creatures of habit
Yea, Hanlie!!
AND the gal who facilitates (it’s free form dance to a range of music) will teach ZUMBA tomorrow night – so planning on going to that, too!!
I got to the deep water aerobics class Tue AM, & the pool had purchased some ‘flipper’ GLOVES that my gal friend got to try – give the arms more resistance, she said it felt like it really worked the upper arms!! & they may be ordering some for folks to purchase, . . .
& Ecstatic Dance this PM with my 4 year old granddaugher! We found out there will be a session weekly for 2 more weeks; usually every other week, & we love going! It’s at the college, so it’s fun to see the range of ages, from the wee ones to students to ‘townies’ like me
& a nutrient to consider to help the body in LOTS of ways, but it’s the bomb for aches & pains – r-lipoic acid!! It destroys inflamation as your body is producing it, is a great anti-oxident, chelates heavy metals, helps the body correctly metabolize sugars, & aids collagen repair!! . . . similar to co-Q 10 in some of its actions, I REALLY notice a difference – I’m RARELY sore even when I begin new classes of some kind!! You can google it for more info (alpha lipoic is prob. more widely available, & effective, too; the R is the more natural form)
Hugs
Dia´s last blog ..2010 – Dance of Spirit
Well done.
Also not sure if I mentioned this before (or if it will help) but after I swim I go to the steam room for a couple of minutes (obviously not at the moment). It is the only thing that gets rid of the chlorine smell. I am not sure if it actually gets rid of the chlorine off the skin or just the smell. Then shower. Maybe you can try that and see if it helps?
Pamela´s last blog ..Am I evil?
@Pamela: I do that most times… Love it!
go YOU!!! and thanks again for all the raw fooding tips.
Im not there/trying it (yet) but adored the info.
MizFit´s last blog ..I love myself. part 3948 (giveaway post).
I am a huge fan of aquaerobics, but I don’t belong to a gym at the moment, just a yoga studio. Someday I will get back to it…
BODA weight loss
I like Pilates but like power yoga [the non-meditative kind] even more. It makes every muscle in my body sing…
I actually was able to drop all of my holiday extra weight [shame, shame, shame
] over the last week! So, yea for me!
And a YEA for you!
I love the water and miss it greatly. I am going to be starting a tracy anderson video on toning and that whole unused muscle thing is a huge part of the process.
She works your muscles every which way to strengthen and tone without building bulk.
I can’t wait to start.
You sound so happy, it’s nice to hear.
chris´s last blog ..Phoenix rising….perfect 10 update, fatmaggedon fabulous….