So, I took nearly a week off from Pilates and not on purpose, mind. Last week I got super busy and just lost track of it all. I was gonna try and do some on Saturday, but decided to be a major bum and do some writing. Yesterday, I set forth on doing some major cleaning.
I cleaned an entire basement. Organized, swept, vacuumed, washed, and more. I'm proud of the work. It looks good to me and it was quite a workout.
But today was the day to get back onto Pilates because, holy mess, was I ever sore this morning when I woke and sore for most of the day. I missed Pilates fiercely and I was looking forward to it today even though I anticipated sucking it up big time.
The first video was just a nice cardio warmup. These types of videos don't present an issue to me and I gladly did it. I needed the warmup as the last two days have been rainy and cruddy, which means I barely got any outside time in because I hate dealing with rainy and cruddy.
The second video was one focused on slimmer calves and thighs. My calves, I've been told, look good. I mean, they're huge, and that's to do with all the walking/running I did previously in my weight loss regiment. I wish they weren't so huge but they are. My thighs are large, too, and I would very much like to see them slimmer but they don't touch anymore. Back when I was in the 200s, they would touch all the time. I destroyed a lot of jeans thanks to those thighs.
So, the focus of this video was a focus I'm all for. But this video was a challenge and not a cakewalk, not at all. Majorly important for this video (and all Pilates videos) was proper breathing technique. I was out of practice early in the video but I managed to find my form.
Once I did, this video became a lot easier. I kept my breathing and my form, I kept my pace, and I felt it working. I know this video so well now that I can close my eyes and just listen to what she says, as I've committed the movements to memory.
Cassey is easy on the eyes but often distracting ... at least for me, a male.
I was able to do a lot of this with my eyes closed and I found that much more relaxing than usual. I peeked every once and awhile to make sure I was doing things right, but overall my eyes were closed as I felt the burn.
Did I ever feel it. I was close to cramping up a few times but my breathing kept me from getting to that point. I was on the edge of it, but I wasn't there.
Once I got done with the video I exclaimed, "God, I missed Pilates." And I did. My body loves this and I share its sentiments, the Pilates have been a real good thing for me.
But then the third video arrived. I anticipated this being harder than the last time I encountered this video. This time I upped the weights in the bags by five pounds, getting me close to 15 pounds in each bag. Last time was too easy. I needed to feel it this time.
I felt it. Oh, did I felt it. My calves and my legs were in agony after the first minute of the movement. Things were tense and I was shaking from my waist down. Standing on the balls of your feet for such an extended period and pulsing on those same feet is difficult. It was hard.
But I got through the video.
My endurance has really picked up thanks to Pilates and not just for Pilates things either. Yesterday's clean-a-thon in the basement was a testament to that, as well as the previous weekend's house work.
Hell, I may just be brave enough to do these in a class. I'm nearly done with the beginners videos and, seeing as I'm moving to Ohio this week, finding a legit Pilates class (that doesn't charge preferably) would be fun.
...
Maybe.
At any rate, the benefits are so good with this that I won't be quitting. Pilates is awesome and even on days when I'm tired and sore (today) I can still summon the energy to do it.
Thanks for reading folks and I'll see you for Day Twenty-Three.
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