[sassypie]

Hi ladies!

Happy - I'm glad you're back! Travelling is always nice but there's definitely no place like home, eh?! I have been so busy and haven't had a lot of free time myself. Actually the only free time I do have is after I've finished working out and I'm just chillin until I either get in the shower or start another activity. I'm sure you can relate as you seem to be a very career oriented woman and on the go all the time! I may not be on the go because of my career but you get the idea.....

Meanbuji - where are you? I hope you fixed the parameters on your pc to hit you up when there's mail. I don't even bother with that stuff cause by the time I make it back, I already know there's gonna be tons. However, if I'm coming back to this thread, story may be different.......it has been so quiet lately! Please check in when you can- I know it can be discouraging when you're looking for people to talk to and no one's responded. Please keep the faith that I (and I won't speak for anyone else) will be back! Even if that means that I'm talking just to good ol' me - lol!

Susan - as for the back pain, Happy's right. The more you focus the muscles and tighten them, the less pain (strain) you will have. I have never had any back problems while doing pilates (knock, knock), so I can't really relate too well to your situation; but I can suggest putting a mat underneath a blanket and rolling on that to cushion your spine. I'm only doing the workouts at home so that is an at-home option. Maybe you could bring in a fold-up mat and use it in addition to the one provided at the gym? Good luck and I hope everything works out!

Rose - as far as the machine over the videos is concerned, I can't answer cause I've never used a machine specificly for pilates. Actually, I've only heard about pilates within the last few months and just kinda jumped on the bandwagon. I bought a few videos and have been doing them at home. I have definitely noticed that my core is stronger and I'm looking better and fitting into clothes better, and I think pilates has helped. I know that my stomach wouldn't be as strong without it and I couldn't do other stomach excercises as well without it either so I'd say it's worth trying as long as you're committed to really focusing on each exercise.

Ok, blah, blah, blah. Kinda long winded here. I really should run. I have just recently moved up to the acclerated pilates tape and whoooo boy, is it kicking my a#&@!! They make you position your body in ways I haven't tried since I was a kid! I thought my abs were pretty strong until I tried this tape - it really works the lower abs (which is where I'm weakest!) I'm bound and determined to conquer this one though, so I'll keep ya posted! Take care and hope to hear from more of you soon!

[Sahvara]

Hi there,

I'm the new girl. I caved in and got Winsor Pilates. I figure that I should stick with it if I'm going to tone stuff. Right now I have a more fat than a little bit... okay... a lot, but I'm more flexible than anyone I know. Which is kinda weird. But I'm gonna try to continue it. ....

~Sahvara

[happy2bme]

Hey Savarah Welcome. It's not wierd... being fit and being thin and being flexible are 3 entirely different things. One of the cool things about Yoga and Pilates is that sometimes the girls with extra padding can do the moves better than the sticks who are bopping in the step aerobics class. And that really BOTHERS the thin ones. Score one for us! Keep up with it, as Sassy says you get better the longer you do it.

Speaking of Sassy, hey there girl. Good to hear back from you. And ADVANCED Pilates now! You have really done well in a short time frame. Happy bows to the mighty Sassy!!!

Hi's to the rest of you out there. I'm off to go try out our new treadmill that came yesterday. Way cool.

[Earthy]

I like to uses my pilate performer, does that count? LOL

[happy2bme]

Hi peoples,
Just a quick post to keep us up there on the threads. Guess I'm not the only one insanely busy right now as it's getting quieter here as the weeks go by.

Doing good on the exercise. Would like to find the time to pick up the Pilates again. Was good for me and would help keep things from getting too routine. Haven't been doing as well with eating. The diet foods that got me through the summer just aren't satisfying now and being really busy lends itself to more grab on the run. But I'm working on it. Haven't and WON'T give up yet. Hope everyone's doing well. Stop by when you can...

[Angel26519]

Hi All....

It is nice to see a site about Pilates. I have the Pilates Performer machine and I personally love it. It makes you control your movements alot better than doing it without the machine.

I have never had the back pain on the machine and i would definetely be concerned Susan if you are. It could be that you stomach muscles are still too weak to be doing a particular exercise. Like the ladies said you may need to motify for awhile.

Rose, I dont have the stand for my machine either. I dont think it really matters one way or the other. I know that if you have problems getting up and down it may be a little more difficult but I would recommend sticking to it. And use that machine that you paid a fortune for .

I havent been doing my Pilates for awhile but think I am going to get back to it. I think it is relaxing. I call it my yoga on a machine. I get done and think "WOW I just worked out and I feel great" unlike other workouts where I feel worn out.

I am getting married on May 3, 2003 and am trying to lose about 75#. I am currently working out on the treadmill, doing the 8 Minutes in The Morning routine. I am going to incorporate my Pilates into it also. I have one video that is kinda a beginners tape, then one tape that focuses on the upper body and one that focuses on the lower body. They are definetely harded to do. I think I will do the 1st video 3-5 times over the next week. Then work up to the other two videos.

Wish me luck!!!!

[Earthy]

I did 20 minutes Pilate today. That was with the Performer. I would like to buy some tapes. Not sure which ones will be best for me. Winsor Pilates Body Sculpting, anybody tried these? : opinions?

[Angel26519]

Hey all!!!!

Earthy - If you are interested there are video tapes to use with your machine. I got mine directly from the company that made the reformer machine. I cant remeber the website but all I did was search pilates and found it. If that doesnt help you let me know and I will find the site.

I hope everyone else is doing well.

[Earthy]

Thanks Angel! I think they have some on QVC, the upper and lower body for the performer. I may try that. I will check the internet also. Never thought about doing a search for that! Don't know why.

Thanks again

[sassypie]

Hey ladies

Welcome to all the newbies! I haven't been in as often as I'd like but I do appreciate you all keeping the thread going, as it'd be off the page without y'all!! I have no idea what types of machines you're talking about - I've never even seen what they look like. So sorry I'm no help on that. I have, however, tried the Windsor Pilates and I like them alright. I have nothing else to compare them to so I can't say if they're better or worse but I do know that I have a hard time getting through so it can't be terrible right?

Happy - I can't even tell you how busy I've been lately - I don't have enought time (ba dum bum!!). I'm hoping this week will be a little better though. Dh is on vacation and although I'll still be working, just knowing he's able to get the girls from school and cook dinner, etc. is relief enough. Plus, I'm thinking up a honey-do list as I type tee hee!! He can't have it all wonderful if I can't be there too right - jeez, that's pretty evil isn't it - lol! Anyway, hope work isn't eating you up or making you eat everything in sight up! I know what you mean about getting something quick to eat. Society so caters to that very need like crazy! It sucks really that there are not more healthy places to get a quick bite. Maybe we all should put our heads together and make some money and a lot of people really, really happy!

Well, speaking of happy, I wanna go lay down. My oldest dd's birthday party was today and we had 13 6-7 y/o's here. although everything went really well (it was almost spooky!), I'm still beat and need to get some re-coup rest. Take care all and see ya next time!

[Angel26519]

Good Morning Everyone.....

Just thought I would let you know that I actually got up this am and did my pilates!!!!

I am on a 9 week challenge now (9 weeks till wedding dress needs to be purchased!!!!). My goal is to include pilates into my workout daily along with other things.

I hope all is well. Have A GREAT DAY!!!!!!

[sassypie]

You guys - what's going on? Where is everyone? I can't believe I had to go to page 2 to find this thread. Please check in to keep us up to date on what's been going on. I know I have been really busy and haven't had time to post - just no left-over energy. Please don't skip out on us though. Thanks and hope to hear from all of you soon.

[happy2bme]

Hi Sassy and occasional visitors...
Looks like many of us who jumped on over the spring and summer have sort of petered out. Several of the theads I was on up and dwindled down to nothing. For some it seemed that they lost interest in dieting but for many of us, it just got very very busy in our personal lives.

I was travelling most of September and now I have a new manager and have spent the last 2 weeks in long intensive days getting her up to speed. I come home and practically

Am only 50-50 on my diet program - finding it harder to avoid the salts, sugars and fats now that I want warm meals. The fat is pretty easy but it's tough finding low fat stuff that isn't full of salt and sugar and haven't had the time to do much cooking from scratch. Don't feel like drinking alot of cold water when I'm freezing now. But I have been trying on the exercise. Still working with the trainer until my pre-paid sessions run out shortly. And I have been walking on the treadmill. My arm and neck are acting up, trying to do some strength training to help build up weaker muscles and stay flexible.

I agree Sassy, would hate to see this thread die too so I will make a better effort to post, at least on weekends. Don't you give up and I won't either!