Fitness Friday :: Pilates and Blogilates

I lost 9lbs in September. And I didn't do it with meal replacements, living on juices or popping pills. Plus for the first time in my life, I also didn't do it with Weight Watchers or any other slimming group. This is the first of three posts on how I did it (post two talks about a fantastic motivational tool I discovered).

Even though I have taken my eye off the ball recently in terms of my 101 things to complete in 1001 days, I managed to complete a task!

Goal #10 Take a Pilates class

the view from the yoga mat

Doing Pilates in a class format was really beneficial for me in terms of form and breathing. I took away a lot more from those two classes than I have from years of different workout DVDs. And an instructor behind a screen just can't give you the hands on training you get from being in the same room as someone. For example, I have been totally unaware all this time that my right hip dips considerably when I do things such as leg raises on all fours. I thought I was keeping my hips pretty set, but an instructor can give you real feedback. Perhaps this is why I sometimes feel as if my back has taken a hit from a workout, because I'm not correcting my natural wonkiness.

Unfortunately, the class I picked was run during lunch at my work, and I was the only person in the whole place who felt like getting some exercise on their break. After two weeks, it disbanded. But even though I was the only participant the instructor put me through my paces like it was a proper class. I thought it was pretty tough, and whilst I like to think it's because I was the only person she was focusing on, in reality she was probably going easy on me! I push myself more in classes than I ever would do working out at home, so I really felt it...both in terms of muscle fatigue and in terms of shame - my core and balance are appalling! Particularly in side-plank (or really anything that involved holding my weight on my side) I was wobbling and tipping over on to my back like a drunk tortoise! I guess that just shows that a combination of not pushing myself hard enough at home and being pretty sporadic with my efforts has meant that I still have a long way to go before I feel strong!

The class at work came along just as I was discovering the fizzy, bubbly, crazyhappy world of Cassey Ho and her Blogilates website. Gah, I love this girl!! She is gorgeous, has amazing hair, a body to die for, can work out like a machine, always has something positive to say, is wonderfully creative, has a great mind for marketing and is pretty darn smart. She is the only person in the world who can cheerfully talk about what colour she has painted her nails, whilst doing a round of ten sidewinder burpees. I am so envious that by all natural laws I should hate her. But I totally adore her. And I think the reason is because she is so committed to what she preaches - training mean and eating clean.

Cassey has more free workout videos than I could count (let alone do!) and I love how they are designed in a way that they could be done as short blasts when you are pushed for time, or combined for longer sessions, either pick'n'mix style or by following a series. And if you can't decide, then there is always a monthly calendar which Cassey puts together with links to the workouts she suggests you should do each day.


I started by dipping in and out of the beginners' calendar, but took the leap to commit to following her Sweatember (September) calendar almost to the day. Trust me, that's a big leap! She doesn't go easy, and some of her moves are insane (donkey kicks, anyone?!). But she is a great instructor, and as long as you like chatter then she can keep you motivated and distracted from the pain ripping through your shell-shocked muscles. The music isn't always my cup of tea, but pop music does have more of a place in her routines than indie does so I just let the cheese wash over me!

And trust me, this is the kind of fondue that is actually good for you - in just a month I can see myself making progress. I did her all-in-plank workout Playa Del Plank at the start and then again the other day and the difference was impressive. I also think my thighs are looking more shapely than they have looked in my entire life, and I actually have some definition in my upper arms. And I can actually see where my thighs stop and my bum begins, which is a new development for me!

I will end with a warning though! If like me, you have a partner or tween son kicking about, don't let them in on your secret weapon. Cassey may train you like a beast, but she isn't shy about flaunting her beauty and is a big fan of "booty shorts", so you may end up with an audience every time you hit play!