LEAN BODY LOVES… FALL!

Posted by leanbodypilates
Sep 192011

I have been having a slightly difficult time coping with the end of summer this year, so I thought reminding myself of everything I love about Fall might help make the transition a little easier. Interestingly enough when I started thinking about it,  I realized there are a ton of reasons to love this season, and now I am actually totally pumped for it! Here are just a few of my many Fall Loves:

We’ll start with the obvious beauty factor.

NYC

I recall Central Park in Fall...

Crisp weather means scarfs, sweaters and jackets.

Just in case you were wondering the kinds of things I like to wear when I'm not teaching or doing Pilates.This is a perfect example.

New Boots.

I'm loving this short Engineer Style from Frye. I need them...

Apple picking which inevitably leads to apple pie baking.

Fishkill Farms

The perfect apple...

...makes the perfect pie!

Fall Veggies like Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprouts and Pumpkin… mmmmmmmm.

My favorite kind of soup.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts= Healthy & Heavenly

You can eat 'em and you can carve faces in 'em!

And maybe my favorite reason to love this time of year is our Wedding Anniversary… which just so happens to be TODAY!

09-19-2009

Happy 2nd Anniversary to my love and partner in everything, Jay. xo

 

What are your Fall Loves??

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WANTING IT ISN’T ENOUGH…

Posted by leanbodypilates
Aug 252011

All the time people say to me, “I want to lose weight” or “I want to be in better shape.” That’s great! But what are you going to do to make that happen??  We’ve all heard of The Secret and the Law of Attraction, right?  I’ve read the books and I even have a vision board. On that vision board is a picture of perfectly sculpted (in my opinion anyway) Jessica Biel.

Bikini, Body, Fit

Now, I can sit and stare at that picture and envision myself with abs and arms just like Jessica all I want, but I’m pretty sure if I don’t get up off my a$% that’s never gonna happen.  Knowing what you want is never a bad thing but you also have to be willing to put in a little work.

Here is an example of a conversation I have found myself in before:

Client: I don’t understand, I’m working out with you twice a week but I’m not losing weight.
Me: Well, what are you doing the other days? Cardio or some other type of training?
Client: No, nothing… I’m just not motivated to work out on my own.
Me: Well, there’s part of your answer… Next question: Have you changed your eating?
Client: No. I hate dieting. Isn’t that why I’m working out… so I can still eat whatever I want?

In short… NO.  Losing weight is a simple equation:

Calories in < Calories out

If you are using working out as an excuse to eat whatever you want, you may not gain weight but you certainly won’t lose any either. On the flip side, it is very important to make sure you don’t go too far the other way. Make sure you are getting enough calories in a day to keep you metabolism up. If you aren’t sure how many calories you should be eating based on your weight loss goals, I suggest you make an appointment with a Registered Dietitian or Nutritionist (neither of which I am).

Also, even if you are working with some kind of trainer you MUST do work on your own!  You should be sweating 5 days a week.  If you aren’t motivated to do it on your own, take a class or find some cardio buddies.

Now, I have no doubt in my mind that clients like this want to lose the weight and get into better shape, but like I said, that’s just not enough… So, if you aren’t seeing results, be honest with yourself about the amount of work you are putting in.  And next time you think or say “I want to lose weight/get in shape,” follow that sentence with “and here’s how I’m going to do it…”

Or I suppose you can try staring at that picture a little longer… Let me know how that works out for you. ;)

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FROM FAST FOOD TO THE FARMERS MARKET…

Posted by leanbodypilates
Aug 222011

I will admit that growing up I was not the healthiest of eaters.  I might have been one of the pickiest of eaters though… The list of things I would allow to grace my plate was short and could mostly be found in some sort of box or can.

Breakfast was Fruity Pebbles, Cap’n Crunch (with crunch berries of course) or some other sugary cereal.

Lunch was usually Yogurt (Custard Style) and string cheese.  I had a very big aversion to sandwiches and didn’t get over it until high school.

My favorite dinners were Ramen Noodles, Macaroni & Cheese (alternating between regular Kraft & Velveeta), or Spaghetti O’s.  Notice a theme… Noodles anyone?  My veggie intake consisted of canned green beans and peas (something is better than nothing right?)

For dessert I usually went for anything made by Little Debbie.

Oh, and lets not forget my two favorite restaurants: McDonald’s and Taco Bell (Neither of which I have eaten at in years).

**To be fair to my awesome parents, it was not as if healthier options were not presented to me… I just had no interest.

Luckily, I grew out of those eating habits, and now a trip to the Farmer’s Market is more exciting than a trip to McDonald’s ever was!

Look at me now Ma, I’m eating (and cooking) REAL food!

Shrimp, corn, cucumber

Here are some highlights from our trip to the Socrates Sculpture Park Farmer’s Market last weekend. It’s so cute! Not to mention, it it’s WAY less crowded and overwhelming than it’s Union Square older sibling.

Socrates Sculpture Park

 

Socrates Sculpture Park

Socrates Sculpture Park

Red Jacket Orchards

Farmers Market

Did you know that there are purple carrots?

Farmers Market

Speaking of purple…

purple, farmers market

Who needs Fruity Pebbles with colors like that??

I’ve been saying I wanted to go ever since I knew it was opening this summer, but something always got in the way. After our trip to Portland, Oregon we have been super inspired to eat as seasonally and locally as we can, so we’ve been to the market every Saturday since we got back and we will be starting a weekly delivery of fruit and veggies this Thursday!  I also found a great seasonal shopping guide from Whole Living (scroll to the bottom of the page to find the download).  I’m super excited about the changes we are making!

How about you?  Have your eating habits changed from when you are a kid? Do seasonal and local eating appeal to you?

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LIVE TALL…

Posted by leanbodypilates
Aug 182011

Which person would you rather look like?

Souching

#1

happy

Or #2

If for some reason I will never be able to understand you chose picture #1 then you can stop reading now.  If you chose picture #2… good for you, and here is your challenge should you choose to accept it:

Stand, walk, sit, LIVE tall for one whole day.  No slouching, slumping, or sinking.

I challenge you to be AWARE of how you are holding your body throughout the day. Notice anything that seems to always need a reminder, ie. your shoulders are constantly hugging your ears or your lower back is always rounded or arched. Tap into those habits that keep you from being person #2.

Here are some quick tips to help you find your tall self:

  • Keep your head on top of your shoulders- not hanging down off of them or jutting out in front of them. Reach the crown of your head up to the sky. A favorite image on mine is: think Spock ears and lengthen the pointy tips.
  • Slide your shoulder blades (scapulae) down your back and think of reaching them into your back pockets.
  • Broaden- or smile as I like to say- across your collar bones and lift your heart.
  • Bring your front ribs together and then back towards your spine and imagine the whole ribcage floating away from your pelvis.
  • Draw your belly button up and in.  Think of zipping up a very tight pair of skinny jeans.
  • Drop your tailbone down and make sure your pelvis is neutral, meaning not tipped front or back.  Think if your pelvis as a (very full) bowl of water and don’t let any water spill out.
  • Feel grounded in your legs and feet but not heavy. Lift the quadriceps away from the knee caps (without locking the knees of course) and make sure the feet aren’t rolling out or in.

Please remember, good posture does not mean walking around like you have a stick up your you-know-where.  Think stability as opposed to rigidity. I don’t want you standing there like one big isometric contraction!

“Why should I do this,” you ask?

Well, if increased flexibility and range of motion, pain relief, better circulation and digestion, and more energy aren’t reasons enough, think about this…

YOU WILL LOOK BETTER!

People will take notice.  I have been doing this challenge for the past few weeks, really trying to stay mindful of how I am carrying myself around (yes even Pilates instructors have to be reminded to live tall from time to time) and I can’t tell you how many people have commented on it.  My husband is even convinced I have lost weight. :)

Now, I know that a lifetime of bad habits and postures can not be corrected by reading one blog post or in one day, but I am hoping that this blog post and this challenge will inspire you to want to do the work necessary to get yourself into a better alignment. Like I said, if not for your health, do it for your looks.*

*But really, do it for your health.

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