Day 1: February 26, 2008
Session: 1
Weight: 140 lbs
Thoughts:
Since today was the first day, I took a Fitness Screening Test to assess my fitness level. I was asked to do get into various different positions to measure my strength, flexibility, and locate any problem areas specific to my body.
I scored pretty well on the tests gaining an intermediate fitness level. I suppose sporadic gym visits are beneficial in some way, even if the results aren’t noticeable through belly flab.
Below is a list of my problems:
- Flat feet, pronates - meaning that the inside arch of my foot falls in. This has something to do with my not liking my hips, therefore being emotionally detached from them, making them weak and ultimately causing my inside arches to fall flat to the ground. I know, I said “Whaaat?”, too. Oh, and this arch has something to do with my adrenal gland, so once its corrected, I should have as much energy as everyone else walking around on arched feet. I had no idea I was being jipped my whole life, and I’m ready for the onslaught of energy!
- Weak shoulder girdle - no clue what a shoulder girdle is
- Scoliosis - this isn’t the kind that the nurses/cafeteria workers checked for in middle school. They were checking to see if your spine curves like an “S”. The type of scoliosis that I have goes from back to front, instead of side to side. Its still an “S”, but one that would be drawn when I’m standing with the side of my body facing you. I’ve known about this for quite a while. I was supposed to do exercises as a child to correct this, but I was more concerned with playing, so I never got around to it.
Davidson is the Power Pilates instructor that will primarily be training me throughout this process. He is an expert and has assured me that he can fix all of these problems with Pilates. Rock on.
Davidson also took my measurements and Before Photos. Awk-ward.
-
Bust: 36″
-
Ribline: 30″
-
Navel: 34 1/2″
-
Trocanter (waistline): 41″
-
Top of Thigh: 24
-
Arm at bustline: 11″
-
Calf at widest point: 13″
-
Height: 5′6″ -I’ve shrunk a 1/2 inch. Boo.
On to my first session:
About 3 minutes into the session I exclaimed, “This is hard!” Davidson replied, ” And it never gets easier.” Okay…
FYI: I am a hater of ab work. In the past during a workout class, I usually left during the last 10 minutes allotted for abdominal work. If I stayed, I half-assed it or used the time to stretch out and plan my grocery list.
FYI: A Pilates session is a 60 minute ab workout.
The reason why I think that Pilates is so hard is because you can’t cheat. There is an instructor there to make sure you are isolating your core (that would be that middle section I hate to use) during every exercise. The exercises themselves are great. You do a lot of stretching to increase your flexibility that also feels oh so good. There are also strengthening exercises that work pretty much every muscle in your body. The only problem is that the entire time there is this guy making you isolate your core. When you try to cheat, he’ll stick his fingers right into your gut, making you contract your muscles for fear that he may poke an organ. Since he figured out early that I’m a pumpkin-eater, he pretty much kept those fingers in my abdomen the entire workout. I was pretty sure I’d have a bruise, but turns out he did me no harm.
On a more positive note: This summer I will be wearing mid-riff shirts for the first time since I was a teenager. Thanks Davidson 
Immediately following the session: I was exhausted. It felt like I had worked out harder and longer than I actually had. Kudos Joe Pilates. So far, I’m impressed.
5 hours after the session: I am feeling all-over soreness. It’s nothing compared to what I’ve felt the first day back to the gym after a hiatus. It’s more a faint fatigue. It surprisingly covers more of my body then I’d thought I’d worked out. I’m sure it’s because my abs were screaming so loudly at me I didn’t hear when the other muscles making noise. It feels good. Very good.
What I ate today:
(items put into www.caloriecount.about.com to obtain daily nutrition info)
Banana
Trail Mix
Carrots
Chicken breast
Mushroom Herb Risotto
Chocolate Chunk Cookie
Potato & Cheese Perogi
Smoked Turkey Kielbasa (2 servings)
Another Chocolate Chuck Cookie
Total Calories: 1,426
 |
 Fat - 23.2% (37 grams) Protein - 23.7% (85 grams) Carbohydrates - 53.1% (190 grams) Alcohol - 0.0% Other - 0.0%Daily Sodium Intake - 1,554 mgDaily Sugar Intake - 62 grams Daily Cholesterol Intake - 178 mg Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 13 grams Daily Fiber Intake - 10 grams |
