How Things Look
I often point out to my clients and students, ‘To make a movement look easy and simple requires a lot of work. Don’t judge an exercise by how it looks.’
Exercises that look fluid and easy, even graceful, often tempt us into wanting to try the same. We overlook the work and time required to reach that level - to make the movement look like that.
Workout for Strength, Not Stress
We have been so deeply conditioned by the ‘no pain, no gain’ workout philosophy that anything less does not feel like a workout.
Why do we feel the need to associate our workout efforts with a negative emotion?
Instead, why do we not choose positive emotions such as strength and energy to reflect our efforts?
You are a work in progress
Fitness is much more than exercise.
It’s a lifestyle. And in this, we are all a work in progress.
Working Out With Intent
Consider what your focus is when working out. Do you want to just get it over with? Do you keep pushing your workouts down on your to-do list? Are your workouts about catching up with friends?
Or, do you look forward to your workouts as a time to energise, re-charge and feel strong? And, if those are your goals, do you feel that you achieve them?
Your workout is not meant to entertain you!
Of course, a well-chosen customised fitness program will also lead to you feeling energised – emotionally, mentally and physically. Keeping one entertained however, is really not the purpose of a workout!
So, you may need to re-evaluate the reason/s for the boredom or monotony you are experiencing in your workouts.
The New Reasons to Workout – which one is yours?
The goals and reasons for exercising are definitely changing. Exercising to lose weight and look good is still an important goal, but not the only focus for women, across age-groups.
Being strong, sculpted and toned are some of the current fitness goals for women.
Movement is fascinating
Movement allows us to be strong, powerful, and efficient; enabling us to lead active lives to the best of our abilities.
The simplest movement done with strength and fluidity is amazing to behold.
Quality of a movement is what matters; not just getting there.
Consistency is Key
Consistency is really the key starting point to achieving results in your exercise program; in anything in life actually! After all, no work-out is going to give you results if you don’t actually do it.
What is it about Pilates?
I believe that Pilates as a training method is very inclusive; embracing all other systems of exercise, sport and movement.