April Schedule

Ladies and Gents,

I can’t believe it but April is already upon us! That means the weather is getting hotter, the clothes are getting smaller and it’s time to get serious about getting trim for summer! If not for that, think about how WONDERFUL it makes you feel and how much you enjoy my lovely company! If you have any questions about club locations you can look them up (with maps) on the 24 Hour Fitness website. See you in class!

Wednesday, April 2, 7-8pm
Pilates – Galleria
Thursday, April 3, 7:30-8:30pm
Pilates – Post Oak
Wednesday, April 9, 7-8pm
Pilates – Galleria
Thursday, April 10, 7:30-8:30pm
Pilates – Post Oak
Friday, April 11, 7-8pm
Yoga – Voss
Saturday, April 12, 10:30-11am/11-Noon
Pilates & Yoga – Greenbriar
Sunday, April 13, 11-Noon
Pilates – Greenbriar
Tuesday, April 15, 6:30-7:15pm
Pilates – Greenbriar
Wednesday, April 16, 7-8pm
Pilates – Galleria
Thursday, April 17, 7:30-8:30pm
Pilates – Post Oak
Saturday, April 19, 10:30-11/11-Noon
Pilates & Yoga – Greenbriar
Wednesday, April 23, 7-8pm
Pilates – Galleria
Thursday, April 24, 7:30-8:30pm
Pilates – Post Oak
Saturday, April 26, 10:30-11/11-Noon
Pilates & Yoga – Greenbriar
Sunday, April 27, 11-Noon
Pilates – Greenbriar
Monday, April 28, 7-8pm
Pilates – Westheimer
Wednesday, April 30, 7-8pm
Pilates – Galleria

Coming Soon!

I am currently working on putting together a new mix for our Pilates class so if anyone has any suggestions please let me know! Hopefully it will be ready in the next couple of weeks and we can test it out in class and you can let me know what you think. I think it’s definitely time for a fresh soundtrack! See you all in class!

Football Is Hard…

So I had my very first football practice ever yesterday afternoon and let me tell you… it was no walk in the park! Today I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck. However, it’s kind of refreshing to feel this sore. It makes me feel like I did something really productive. Also, it helps knowing that I’m doing it for such a great cause. After I evaluated my extreme lack of skill yesterday I have decided that I am definitely going to have to do some practicing on my own so if anyone has any tips let me know! So far I have decided that I need to do the following things: pick up Football for Dummies, forget manicures for the next month, take water to the next practice, and start RUNNING! Geeeeez I was winded yesterday! I’ll keep you updated on my progress with the pigskin! If anyone feels the need to be entertained and support a great cause on May 31 you should definitely come watch the game! Anyone interested in tickets just let me know or click on the link to the bottom right to purchase online – Blondes vs Brunettes!

Blondes vs Brunettes

For the third year in a row, the blondes of Houston will take on the brunettes to see who can raise the most money for the Alzheimers Foundation. How are we going to do this? We’re taking it outside with a friendly (or not-so-friendly) game of Powder Puff Football! I have pledged to raise $250 by game day which is Saturday May 31. That’s not that far away so I need your help! Click on my link to the right under Links to Love for more information or to donate! You’ll also find my team, the Curefinding Cuties, which are raising money for Cystic Fibrosis. Our walk is also in May. Your help with either effort is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

High Five!

Well my first five pounds have officially been shed since beginning my Bodybugg program. I would have to say it’s been the easiest five pounds I have ever lost and it makes the rest of them seem not so daunting. I believe that this will be the first year ever when I can confidently say I will be ready for bikini season and that’s a pretty good feeling! Usually the onset of summer is a little foreboding but this year I am really excited about it because I know by then I will have reached my goal! I had my second coaching call yesterday with Laura, my Bodybugg coach and as we looked over my progress it was pretty cool to see a snapshot of my entire program since I usually just concentrate on one day at a time. It was really motivating and I was proud of myself for sticking with it! I think it is now safe for me to say that this crazy band works! I am so happy to have found something that actually makes this so easy! I will keep you posted!

Easter Classes

Classes are NOT cancelled on Easter Sunday so I will be at Greenbriar Express for Pilates as usual. I just wanted to let you all know since we were all wondering. So… if you don’t have an Easter egg hunt on your agenda, I will see you Sunday!

Coaching Call

So I had my first coaching call with Laura my Bodybugg coach the other day. I have played around on the site a lot and have it pretty well figured out but she was still able to answer some questions for me and let me know about some other cool stuff I hadn’t found yet! It was really motivating and knowing that someone will be checking in with you really helps keep you on target. She was so nice and helpful and it was good to have a pat on the back. So far I am on target with my goals so I just have to keep pushing forward! I will keep you posted!

Plank You Very Much

Ah the plank… how I have grown to love this pose. I, probably like most of you, hated the plank when I began doing Pilates. It was my least favorite part of class and it always made my wrists sore. However, I soon learned that my progress with the plank was the best way for me to gauge my overall improvement. The better I got, the easier everything else became. This is because the plank truly is an excellent strengthening excercise for your core. While concentration on proper form is important for all poses it is extremely important here for the sake of your shoulders and your spine. If you are having trouble or find it impossible to hold your body in a straight line you should keep your knees on the mat until your core becomes stronger.  

A Few Things To Remember:

• Keep your shoulders over your wrists
• Your head should stay in line with your spine
• Your body should be in a straight line from your shoulders through your heels
• Feet should be hip width apart for balance
• Arms should be straight but do not lock elbows

A major complaint I usually get from students is that the plank hurts their wrists. If you are a beginner and have not had much experience with this pose, slight wrist pain is normal! Notice I said “slight”. Of course this is a completely relative term and only you know what is tolerable for you. I will tell you that after a few weeks that pain will subside and your wrists will grow stronger. In the meantime, try folding your mat over for extra padding. During class, if you are feeling pain of any sort, please take a break or try to reposition yourself and then talk to me about it afterwards. Obviously working out isn’t like lying in bed so I’m talking actual pain, not the mild discomfort of working our bodies a little harder than normal. You could be holding yourself at an odd angle or doing something minor that can be easily adjusted.

Another great thing about the plank is how many variations there are on this single pose. There are so many things you can do with it to benefit your body in different ways. While all options center around core strength, depending on what you do, your shoulders, glutes, back and thighs can reap the benefits as well. The most common (as you all know from class) is the side plank which has its own set of rules. Again, if you are having trouble holding a full side plank without letting your form slip, go ahead and lower your bottom knee to the mat for extra support until your core is stronger.

A Few Things To Remember:

• Keep your shoulders stacked one on top of the other creating a straight line through your arms
• Your chest should be open to the side (not tilted towards the floor or ceiling)
• Keep your hips stacked – one leg should be resting slightly on the other
• Your body should be aligned from your spine through your feet

Just remember that the plank can do tremendous things for your body and your core and is one of the most beneficial exercises we do in class. I hope that you grow to love it as much as I do!

I’m Hungry…

Talk about a rude awakening. It’s amazing how FEW calories you burn during the day whilst sitting behind a desk staring at a computer. If I get nothing else out of this at least I have gotten slapped in the face by reality. If you have a sedentary job and are trying to lose weight, I highly recommend this device. Actually I recommend it to anyone but being someone who has to sit a lot during the day I can relate to all of you cubies out there! One thing I have started doing to combat my low level of movement during the hours of 9-6 is to start doing a few trips up and down the stairs in my building. I work in a 9-story office building with two stairwells. One is usually empty so it’s a private little workout that reminds my heart it’s supposed to be beating. It really has made a difference in boosting my “Calories Burned”. Another thing that I have come to realize is how many calories I was taking in a day (again… while not moving). No wonder I need this thing! This is really helping me get a handle on what I eat and what that means for my progress. You really can’t help but to make some positive changes. I have now been on the program for a full week and would still recommend it to anyone who, like me, needs to be hit over the head with a good dose of reality when it comes to their dietary choices. Some of you have come to me after class and asked me about it. You can attest to the fact that I love talking about it so if anyone has a questions about the Bodybugg just come ask me! See you in class!

Attention Wednesday Night Group

I will not be in class this Wednesday night (Mar. 5) but I will be back next week! I just wanted to announce this since I have had it on the schedule but I just found a sub for you guys. I have an event for the Alzheimer’s Foundation that night. I know I owe one CD but I will bring it next week!