[Raynaadi]

Ok, here's the deal. I've gained quite a bit of weight since my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. A mixture of fatigue and depression keeps me from doing much of anything physical. But....this leads to even more body aches, and more stumbling because my body isn't strong.

For awhile, I was being really good about doing my 20 minute Pilates DVD ever day or every other day, but that got boring and I quit doing. Well....a friend of mine gave me 4 more DVD's of Mari's Windsor Pilates. They focus on different parts of the body. I finally did the upper body workout today.

So....this is what I need help with ladies. I need people on my rear end about keeping up with this. Since I'm here daily, I'll see this thread. You guys can help cheer me on.

This is important not only so I'll look and feel better, but also for my MS. If I continue to do Pilates, my body gets stronger, and I have more chance of fighting the onset of MS. The Pilates are just about all I can do because I don't get overheated. I can swim too, but its easier to guilt myself into doing the Pilates because I don't have to leave my apartment to do it.

So this is my outreach. This is my asking for people to remind me that I need to keep up with this. Pilates can safely be done every day, but my goal to start is at least 3 times a week. There's not much reason I can't do it daily, if time permits.

So....help me keep this thread alive because I see it every day, and I'll hopefully pay more attention to this then to notes I might leave for myself, and its MUCH harder to make excuses to other people than it is myself.

So.....you ladies down to help me?

[InACorner]

GOOD LUCK!!!

[okiedokie]

You go girl!!!

Have you thought about lifting weights too? You can start light and work up to more weights. If you want to build, you lift heavier, and if you want to lose, lift lighter with more repetitions.

Keep exercising! I'm convinced it is the ONE thing that helps us all live longer.


I'm exercising with you!!
XOXO,
Okie

[Raynaadi]

Thanks guys! I don't have access to weights, so Pilates is what I got for now.

I was gonna do the Ab Sculpting dvd right after, but it was time for the chat with DocJohn. Then I waited and waited and he din't come so now I think I'll do the abs workout lol.

[InACorner]

btw the ray...i used to use cans of corn/peas//greenbeans...w/e i had and used them as weights..i later heard that they are great subsitutes as weights and work just as well...i found they worked just as well also....

go... go.. go....you can do it......

[splitimage]

You can do it. I know you can.

---splitimage

[Raynaadi]

I've used cans of veggies in the past, though with the pilates and the way they work your arms, it would be difficult to hold such a wide can. On the dvd, its optional to use 1 or 2 pound free weights, and they're skinny so they're easy to hold. Maybe someday I'll get some, but even without the weights, I still felt the burn in my arms.

I LOVE the burn hahah! But you're not in terrible pain afterwards and not even the day after. You can still feel that it worked but it doesn't kill. That's why Pilates are sooooooo good for people with chronic pain. They teach breath control and use abdomen muscles for strength and control. Its NO impact, so it doesn't hurt joints. I highly recommend.

There's another dvd I want sooo bad. Its called Yoga Botty Ballet lol! Its a combination of booty dancing, ballet and yoga that looks sooo much fun!

[Raynaadi]

Um, I spoke too soon about Pilates being so gentle hahaha. The ab sculpting workout is TORTURE!! Its a good thing the instructor is on tv cuz at the end I was saying expletives to her hahaha. It is a serious ab workout. I thought my abs were somewhat strong because of the Pilates I've done in the past but uh...no. In fact several times I was laughing cuz I thought I might come up a little higher than I could lol. So I've got some seriously weak abs. No wonder its all flab in that area lol!!!! But I did it. Arms yesterday,abs today, buns and thighs are next and my goal is to have them done by Monday. Whew!!!!!

[(JD)]

I can't do pilates. PT tried me on a basic and it wiped me out for days. I can do Tai Chi though, and is wonderful for movement, stretching, breathing, and general good feeling.

Hang in there! You'll have buns of steel soon

[Raynaadi]

I've never done Tai Chi. Do they have it on DVD? Its the only way I seem to be able to do any of this stuff. If I have it at home, I actually do it cuz I don't have to go anywhere and do the stuff in front of people.

As for the buns of steel, I sure hope so!!! I can sure feel it in my abs, so I'm a little scared of the bum workout now lol!!!

[(JD)]

YES I have a basic on DVD... looking for more

[Raynaadi]

Hmmmm..... *scratching chin* I will have to try and find one. Good to know!!

[Raynaadi]

Just finished the Bun and Thigh workout. Hard stuff!!!!! But gooooood.

[Perna]

Check your public library for DVD's/Videos! They're free to borrow and my library has lots (will depend on the people in your library's area and their "taste"/interests :-)

[Raynaadi]

I've actually got plenty for now. So far I've done upper body, ab sculpting and bun & thigh Pilates. I watched the Advanced Body Slimming workout today and I'm giving myself about a month before I attempt that one, don't want to injure myself!

I went to do my measurements and couldn't find my measuring tape, so I made one lol. Then I made a detailed spreadsheet to keep track of my progress. I'll do measurements on Saturdays. Its more of a way to see my progress then to get to a target figure or weight right now. But having the spreadsheet will help with the motivation as well. On the road....just hope I stay there. Body already feels so much better!

[(JD)]

Just remember that one day of not reaching your goal doesn't make a failure. Over the long haul, keeping at this, will have good results. Just like one bad meal won't make a slim person fat... nor will one good meal make a heavy person slim...it's the overall average of what we eat that shows. Exercise is that way too...and maybe moreso if you add in the weight, as muscles weigh more than fat. But you know (you DO know, I know) that toned muscles burn more fat..so in the long haul, you're good to go!

[splitimage]

Way to keep it up. You're motivating me to get back to going to the gym.

---splitimage

[Raynaadi]

I have a totally different outlook on it this time with the working out. I'm enjoying it....and I'm focusing on the good things I'm already noticing. I've only worked out for 3 days now, and I'm noticing the "muscle memory" I've heard about. Already my ab muscles have kick started. Just getting off my boyfriend's couch is already easier. My legs don't feel like they're gonna give out on me, I'm not as achy.

I know I won't see a difference in how I look for a couple more weeks, so I'm focusing how good I already FEEL and that has made all the difference. And I enjoy the dedication I'm giving it; its really helping with depression, so actually be doing something.

I'm only weighing myself once a week and its really only because I like to keep track of things lol. I come from a family of accountants, and I even made up a spreadsheet to keep track of weights and measures. Its more of just a reference, I didn't get disgusted when I measured myself because I know I'm taking steps to change it.

I know that muscles weigh more and I love muscles lol. Just the small amount of strengthening I've done on them is making me feel better.

Doin the arm workout today. Its optional to do with or without weights, so for now since I don't have weights I'm just using closed fists, but I still feel it. Its probably good to take it easy at first.

I'm feelin good though!!!! Woooo hooooo!!!

[Raynaadi]

Forgot to post that I did the arm workout. I'm mostly posting updates so I keep up with it.

[Raynaadi]

Just finished the quick 20 minute all body workout.

[Raynaadi]

Just did the AB sculpting. So far I've done one workout every day since I started on Thursday.

I need to work in some sort of cardio for fat burning. But...I can't get overheated, and I live in the desert. So I'm thinking about powerwalking the nearby mall. I also have a treadmill in the workout room at my apartments but it tends to be a little stuffy in there.

Anyone got any ideas for cardio I could do? I don't have any videos and I can't go purchase one. Any ideas would be great. Thanks!

[Raynaadi]

I found a website with some good at home cardio that doesn't take any equipment. Here's the link:

Easy At Home Cardio Workouts

Off to do my bun and thigh workout now. Hate doing it this late in the day but couldn't do it before my voc rehab appointment. Still trudgin.

[Perna]

You have stairs in your apartment building? You could wander up and down them if they're safe?

[Raynaadi]

Ah yesh.....VERY good idea. Thank you!!!!