I loved Pilates when I used to take it! I know you're into hot yoga- I used to do yoga and Pilates twice a week each, and I've never been so flexible before or since! Hope you enjoy it.

Thanks ImaShark glad to have your input- I really want to get some core strength training in and overall strength building now, since I couldn't do much this past year, and I think I will like this. My sister-in-law is really into it. I can't quite get myself to get back into traditional weights, so I think this will appeal to me more.
I'll keep going to yoga as I love that practice, but at this point I go there a few times a week for years, it's great maintenance but I'm not really building anything from it as far as muscle anymore.

Great to see everyone checking in. I met with trainer Friday and then walked at the track for a couple of miles today. I took pilates one time. It was so good for core strengthening. I loved it. Hope everyone has a great OP Tuesday. Keep Movin'

Loved my Pilates class, will definitely go a few more times and keep checking it out, but it has potential to be something I will really take to - exactly my style: fairly high intensity, but smooth movements. Also incorporates weight/resistance in its own way and focuses on core strength, which I really need.

I’ve also noticed in yoga my balance has changed as I have lost weight - I used to have really great balance, but my body and proprioceptors still have to catch up to the change in the center of gravity and all of that, so it’s like my body is relearning a lot of things. Yoga has really helped with all of this the past year, and now I can tell Pilates will be a fantastic added tool.

Given this though, I managed a pretty spectacular stage dive while doing a standing balance on a chair, fell on the floor from 2 feet up, knocked my shin really hard against the Pilates Chair and hit my head on the wall (not concussive or anything). Fairly impressive injury for something as mundane as Pilates. The good things from it: reminding myself that I still really need to work on balance, and also the fact that I could just bounce back up and keep going in the class was a testament to I think a healthier smaller body - it just can sustain knocks a little better, and does it stage dives with less impact.

Also I somehow got used to looking at myself during yoga, but in a new situation the mirror threw me a little - for the first time that I can remember, I really liked how my body looked and moved, “flaws” and all. I wasn’t afraid of the mirror and could really use it as a learning tool and aid rather than something to avoid or be slightly depressed by... Strong and healthy. Yay.

2nd Pilates class today - still really enjoying. Also Nice walk in the sun during my break today😋

My 21 days are over! I'm walking today!!

Have a great walk!

And congrats on the 21 days!👍🏼

It's a beautiful day here today- so I am going out to do some raking and general yard cleanup- the snow is FINALLY all gone- That ought to do it for me-lots of bending, stretching and all of that good stuff-(you know- that you haven't done all winter and brings on the aches and pains later on

Question for you guys. I am very sedentary. Pre-IP I got no exercise, sit at a desk all day, couch potato at night. Needless to say, I've not changed that since starting IP 7 weeks ago. I want to start increasing my activity, not only for my health and to start a 'new normal' for myself to carry into the future and maintenance, but to also give a kick-start to my IP weekly losses. Does adding exercise help either increase scale losses or inch losses? Do you see a noticeable difference once you start adding activity to IP? Won't be anything strenuous - walking mostly - and I might try some yoga or pilates videos. I know it is beneficial to my overall health - but will I also see some quicker results on the IP program?

Every body is different, but most people see slower losses when they exercise concurrently. Despite this, those in this thread recognize that a healthy lifestyle is about more than just losing pounds- it's about having stamina and strength.

Personally, I started exercising as soon as my weight loss slowed naturally, because I no longer had reason to expect big losses each week in either case. At this stage, the benefits outweigh the slight additional losses I might otherwise see.

I think it's great that you've started to consider exercise, because I feel that it's more important than a slightly larger loss each week, and I think yoga is a great idea. There are so many different types if yoga these days (bikram, hatha, svaroopa, etc) that it's easy to find one that's perfect for you.

Good luck! Exercise and IP is all about finding the perfect balance for your body and lifestyle. I think you'll do great.

Exercise can slow losses, yes, but much depends on what type of exercise you are doing; and with how much intensity.

Provided you are not over-exerting yourself (you shouldn't be so out of breath that you can't hold a relatively normal conversation) you should see normal losses. Walking is great. The only drawback is that you may experience some hunger again if you are between meal times. If you start feeling dizzy, lightheaded or nauseous you need to add an extra packet in. Make sure you are taking your Cal-Mag and Potassium and getting a decent amount of salt into you - the electrolytes are THE most important part of IP when you are exercising. Increase your water accordingly.

I found that my loss slowed when I went to running for 20 minutes or more. Before that I had been walking and losing a steady 3-4 lbs a week.

The only recommendation is to try it. Do it for a week and see if you experience the same loss pattern (remembering that loss isn't linear). If it helps keep it up, if it doesn't moderate the pace or do it every other day.

Good Friday morning, haven't checked in for few days. I have walked 1 day this week and met with a trainer 2 days. My weight loss this past Monday was 2.2 lbs and I am very pleased with that. I am feeling really good these days. I am within 8 lbs of my original goal and feel so excited.
Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Rebelgrl that's awesome!!! So close now. Being that close, 2.2 is amazing, I never lost that much in a week toward the end.

I have another private training session with my Pilates instructor during my lunch break today. I really am loving it, and I like the classes in combination of also being with her here at there as my budget allows as she is really teaching me the fundamentals so I do the alignment without causing future injury.
Now that my Ideal Protein weekly budget is freed up I can put that money toward things like training.

My weight is holding steady even while I build a little muscle so that's good. I was having a little trouble the first few weeks of P4 with retention so I dropped the calories about 200 and that seems to be working well. It allows for the few times a week that I go a few hundred over, so that on a weekly average I'm not gaining, and overall in P4 have lost a pound or two. Once my body gets a little more used to everything I might see if I can increase slightly, but I'm not hungry and seem to be doing well overall. Still in a bit of a trial and error mode, but I'm good with that.

Hey All,
I am on Day 9 of Phase 1 and have been exercising since the beginning. I don't have a large amount of weight to lose (15 lbs), but want to lose my winter coat. A little background to have it make sense...
I am a runner and during the winter months it's my off season due to daylight savings. I don't like the treadmill and thrive on outdoor running. I run half marathons throughout the year. Running season has started and I want the weight off to improve my performance.
This diet appealed to me because of the fat burning component. Reducing my body fat appeals more to me that the number on the scale.
Right now, I'm running 4 miles 3x week and strength train with a trainer 2x week.

Hey everyone - got 2, 2+ mile walks in this week & the exercise helps with my mood