If you've decided its time to lose weight and have begun practicing pilates, good for you! Pilates can be a perfect addition to your weight loss plan. Just remember-
Pilates is part of a weight loss plan. You must also include cardio exercise and proper nutrition to really see the results you're looking for!
If you hear famous people in Hollywood saying they "only do pilates", you can bet that they're lying! It would be great if there was just one habit you had to keep in order to stay fit and healthy, but its just not realistic to expect this with any exercise program or diet. If you try to rely on pilates by itself for your path to weight loss, you might end up disappointed. Its important to know that pilates tones and stretches your body, and helps you to achieve a lean look, though pilates alone does not really raise your heart rate high enough to be considered effective for weight loss.
Most people I know who do pilates, students and teachers alike, include cardiovascular activity in their weekly workout schedule along with pilates and a healthy diet. If you're wondering how much time and effort that would require of you, here is some info:
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends-
"Do moderately intense cardio 30 minutes a day, five days a week
-or-
Do vigorously intense cardio 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week
-and-
Do eight to 10 strength-training exercises, eight to 12 repetitions of each exercise twice a week." (for example, pilates)
At first, it sounds nearly impossible to find the time to include 30 minutes of cardio every day, plus add in pilates twice a week, then have the energy to plan healthy meals! But it IS possible, and important for your weight loss goals.
Cardio exercise can be anything- housework, walking, running, cross country skiing, playing in the backyard with your kids or dog, gardening... the list goes on. The most important thing is to find a couple types of cardio exercise that you enjoy, so you stick with your plan and actually have fun with it.
Finding the right combination of cardio, pilates, and healthy eating can take some time, but is worth it in the end. If it feels overwhelming, find people to help you.
A pilates teacher can help to schedule your classes, a trainer can show you how to use the treadmill, and a nutritionist can help you look at your diet. In most cases, these professionals love their jobs and would love to help you succeed at getting healthier!
Check out this website for help with a proper diet:
Here is the ACSM website with the info I posted above, and more:
For info on pilates... see Heads Up on Your Body , of course!
Read more!
Pilates is part of a weight loss plan. You must also include cardio exercise and proper nutrition to really see the results you're looking for!
If you hear famous people in Hollywood saying they "only do pilates", you can bet that they're lying! It would be great if there was just one habit you had to keep in order to stay fit and healthy, but its just not realistic to expect this with any exercise program or diet. If you try to rely on pilates by itself for your path to weight loss, you might end up disappointed. Its important to know that pilates tones and stretches your body, and helps you to achieve a lean look, though pilates alone does not really raise your heart rate high enough to be considered effective for weight loss.
A pilates teacher can help to schedule your classes, a trainer can show you how to use the treadmill, and a nutritionist can help you look at your diet. In most cases, these professionals love their jobs and would love to help you succeed at getting healthier!