Tonight I tried Pilates for the first time, and since I wanted to make sure I knew what I was getting into, I tried to look up information about what the class was all about before I got to the gym. I didn’t find too much specific information about what the actual class would entail because I wasn’t sure what 24 Hour Fitness’ spin would be on the class. I knew there wouldn’t be any equipment, but I wasn’t sure beyond that. I did find out that Pilates was developed as a way for ballet dancers to recover from their performances, and that it developed and strengthened core stability.
Last I looked, ballet dancers and I don’t have too much in common in terms of appearance, unless you count this. Still, I wanted to give it a try, since one of my goals for the new year was to try out new group exercise classes at the gym, and I’ve been curious about the lengthening aspect of Pilates.
I really liked the fact that the class was at 7:30, which actually surprised me. I thought it would be a struggle for me to drag myself to the gym, but it wasn’t. When I got home from work I ate a piece of string cheese, and went on a walk with “the crew.” When we got home, I ate dinner a lot earlier than normal (at 5:30) and had some time to myself to relax and watch some t.v., but I wasn’t relaxed enough to prevent me from leaving the house. So, I’m going to see what other classes are offered at the same time.
When I got to the class, yoga mat in hand, I felt comfortable, seeing a wide range of people of every age and size. Although just like yesterday’s belly dancing class, I was by far the biggest in the class. But I wasn’t deterred by that in the least. I was proud of myself for being there, for taking the leap into the unknown, which was pretty scary.
I did wish I wouldn’t have worn such a snug-fitting top. With yoga, it’s important to have a top that isn’t so roomy that it can fall over the top of your head as you bend and move, but that doesn’t seem to be as much of an issue with Pilates, because most of it is done on the floor, and there is little bending over from a standing position. Other than outfit, I felt good as the class started.
So in a nutshell, I’m too heavy to do most of what was required in Pilates. The opening movements before we hit the mat were fine, and I actually enjoyed the way the class was headed. I could use my strong leg muscles and hold my abs in and feel the burn, which I loved. Once we went down on the mat it was a different story. The first move required that we get ourselves into a ball – to hug/hold our knees with our hands and curl up. The problem with that is that my stomach and hips are too large for me to be able to get into any type of ball position, but I thought that I’d just do the move as close as I could. When the teacher said we were going to roll onto our backs (still rolled into a ball) and then propel ourselves back up, and back and forth and back and forth. When I tried it, it hurt my back and I really couldn’t maintain the position. The next move was better because it was basically just doing a crunch with our legs in the air; the instructor even complimented me on my form. But the following move hurt me more than the first, so I sat it out. But then the next one hurt too, and at that point I had to admit that at this weight, with this girth, I’m just not Pilates-ready. And in the back of my mind I told myself that I really didn’t want to risk injuring my neck/back by doing something I simply wasn’t ready for. Especially since the instructor wasn’t offering any sort of accommodations that I could try.
I left the room halfway through the class, feeling dejected, but quickly realized that I stayed for 30 minutes, which is 30 more minutes than I’d done last week at the same time. And while I would’ve loved to have mastered the moves, I have to accept that my body is twice as big as most of the people in the class, so of course I’m going to have some limitations. And it just gives me something to look forward to.
Because, I WILL try Pilates again, so stay tuned.
I’m glad you tried it, even if you didn’t work out. Like a date with a dud or a bad entree choice at a restaurant, it happens. You tried it! That’s awesome! And it was 30 minutes out of your life, no big deal. I’m impressed with your seemingly new attitude, it’s great to see you doing so much, you’re living up to your new motto well.
I can’t lie, I’m impressing myself! Something clicked in my head on Saturday when I saw my sis trying to figure out how she’d make it to the gym & juggle the kids + her crazy work schedule. In that moment I realized that all of my excuses about being busy & tired were just lame blatherings. And that wasn’t me. THIS is.
Way to go! I’m glad you’re going to try again. It’s way too easy to just give up. Wonderful attitude!
I love Carinas comment! That’s exactly what this was, something you tried and it didnt workout (this time) but you tried and that’s what is important! One of the videos I tried on-ondemand last night started out with what seemed like 100 pushups. My wrists just couldnt take it, so I had to move on. We are doing the work lady!
Good for you for trying it. Like I said it’s very tough and I was quite discouraged myself. I can report that it gets a little easier like anything else as you do it more. You describe my experience trying yoga at my gym. I’ve done yoga before but not the difficult positions they were doing. I even asked the instructor if I was too overweight after and he said that had nothing to do with it, just that I haven’t worked on flexibility. So that’s on my to do list. But I wasted a week being bummed out about that. So glad to hear that you’re not letting this stop this roll you’re on!