Fit to Print Volume 23 Issue 4 December 2014 | Page 24

Prescription Pilates continued from page 9 effective to reduce my lower back pain, sculpt my frame and reduce body fat. Two years ago, I started private Pilates sessions with Dina. During my work with Dina, I have absolutely strengthened my core including the weak muscles in my lower back, and I have lost body fat! My overall appearance is tighter. I feel a sense of mental peace as my body and mind have learned to connect. Who couldn't use that!? I have no back pain for the first time in my life!!!!! I carry myself differently, and even the way I sit has changed! By training my core to carry some of the burden, my everyday life has been pain free. My abs look pretty good too!!! Dina has extensive knowledge of the body's mechanics as well as a calm, wonderful caring personality. Under her guidance and expertise, I slowly learned Pilates. Don't expect to go to one class and become an expert. It takes time and practice. If you are patient and willing to open your mind to learning the techniques, it could change your life!!! When Elizabeth first began doing private sessions with me, it was apparent she had a slight scoliosis as well. Her chronic lower back pain was apparently being caused by muscular imbalances caused by her misalignment and mostly due to her scoliosis. I am happy to concur with Elizabeth's statement that she has no lower back pain for the first time in her life! Elizabeth's willingness and dedication to adhering to her “prescription” and realigning her body is the reason she is pain free today! Her private sessions, coupled with mat Pilates classes and her “homework” all helped her accomplish her goals. Way to go Liz!! For those of you not currently suffering from and back pain or discomfort, remember; Pilates is for ANYONE!!! Here is Joannie's story: Joannie S. Many years ago when visiting family in Arizona, my cousin Jan and I went to a spa for a massage and a facial. While in between sessions, we were encouraged to use any of the spa facilities. Since one appointment was at 10 am and the next 24 not until 3 or so we decided to take a Pilates class. I had only heard about Pilates, but Jan said she wanted to go so I was game. There were only three or four people, and I was the only newbie so it got intense pretty quickly. I walked out of class thinking this might be something my uncoordinated body could tackle if taken at a very beginner level. I'm not much for crowded classes, so it was a while later that I met an old friend, Janette Dillon and she was raving about Pilates Reformer classes with Dina at FI. Busy at work, I let another few months go by. Finally, I got into a small group reformer class. The rest, as they say, is history. I've been taking Pilates steadily now for about four or five years. However, I've seen the greatest improvement in my form and ability to engage my deep core in the past two years. I didn't necessarily have a specific goal in mind except to gain muscle and core flexibility, and hopefully lose some weight. I've never been an athlete—think last kid in school picked for a sports team—never a been a gym rat and basically hate exercising. Pilates was something that I could combine with walking to help improve bone density, and build lean muscle mass. When I started Pilates I had osteopenia and was told I needed to take calcium supplements. I tried the supplements for a few months and then stopped because they bothered my stomach. I kept at my Pilates and when my bone density was next checked all traces of bone loss were reversed! I have a chronic sleep disorder and a very slow metabolism that combine to cause me to feel tired much of the time. A few years back I spent two weeks at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD studying the effects of my sleep disorder on my metabolism. Years back FI had a Metabolism Checker gizmo that computed your caloric intake based on the amounts of CO2 and O2 in your breath. It said that on a scale of 25 to -25, mine was -24.5. Very slow, and that I should eat 700-800 cal/day. The trainer giving me the results assumed the machine was wrong. The company recalibrated the device and got the same results. Oh, not good! The NIH study was much more exact. It estimated I burned 500-750 calories less a day than other pre-menopausal women. They then extrapolated the data and estimated that by the time I was 52 I would be burning 750-950 calories less a day than other women my age. Very depressed, I spoke with many dieticians at NIH. They dissected my current caloric intake. They had assumed it would be about Holidays 2014 FIT to Print 2000/day, but realized quickly that I was already eating far less, only about 1350/day. They came up with a plan to help me lose the weight I had steadily gained since turning forty. The first two years on their plan allowed me to lose only about 10 lbs. It was slow and frustrating. When I saw a picture of myself at my 50th Birthday Party I was appalled. I knew I had to get a lot more serious with my diet and exercise. I joined Weight Watchers and recommitted myself to my Pilates workouts. I began paying closer attention to the cues and to how my body reacts to each movement. I eat about 1200 calories a day but am very choosy about what makes up those calories. I eat much more fruit and vegetables, eat more complex carbs and eat more meatless meals more often than ever before. Over the last two years, I have lost almost 30 additional pounds and definitely have reshaped my body. My posture has improved tenfold, and I have found some curves I thought were lost for good! I still have a way to go, but I know I can manage my weight now. I seem to have reached a plateau. I may try to break through it and try to lose another few pounds, but I now know I will probably never be 130 lbs again, but who cares. I'm no longer a teenager trying to fit in, I'm just trying to work with what I've got, and I've been getting into better shape slowly and steadily for several years now. I plan to keep at it for as long as it takes. Pilates reminds me to stop and take stock of my habits, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Pilates also helps by reminding me that small changes can make lasting improvements, and always when things get rough to just breathe. Just breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth, In through the nose and out through the mouth, In and out, In and out…. Words of wisdom, Joannie, words of wisdom! Being a part of Joannie's transformation over the years has been an honor. Joannie's sleep disorder is neurologically related. Pilates has great benefit for those suffering from neurological diseases as well. The coordination and focus aspects are extremely beneficial for those with any type of neurological disorder. Joannie has worked very hard to tap into and master these benefits, and it shows, not just in her Pilates practice but in her every day AND her birthday pictures from this year!! Go Joannie!! Dina Voigt is a certified Pilates, yoga & spin instructor, as well as a certified Personal Trainer. She manages the Mind, Body & Spirit program at FI. Questions? Contact her at: [email protected]