Tuesday - 10 Min Solutions

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

This week I'm doing my 10 Min Solution Pilates workouts -I warmed up a bit with the cardio routine from 10 Min Solution Fitness Ball. It was fun, but I'm not sure it was right for me at this time - felt a little too uncontrolled and I'm trying to keep my back stable. Otherwise, it was a fun routine that uses the ball creatively for cardio (bouncing, rolling, etc.) - I will do it again at some point, just not right away.

After that, I did the 10 Min Solution Pilates w/ Lara Hudson. This was the first of the 10 Min Solution Pilates workouts. I don't think I had ever done the workout in its entirety and I'm pretty sure there were parts I had never done before (upper body, for sure). This one is a well-balanced Pilates routine with segments for abs (traditional mat work stuff here), legs (the infamous Pilates side series as well as bridges and "swimming"), arms (I really enjoyed this section, using light weights you work your upper body in a very controlled manner, I never gave much thought to Pilates for upper body b/c the weights are usually so light, but done with a focus on form and control it can be pretty challenging, and a full body workout as you engage everything from your feet up the chain), total body (some more challenging and dynamic exercises here - well done!), stretch (good session to stretch out the muscles you worked). Overall, this

was a good one to do today.

I want to add on some more upper body later today - think I'll do 10 Min. Solution Fitness Ball for Upper Body and one other uppery body segment (maybe from the Quick Fix ball workout that Keli did some time ago).

Tomorrow will be cardio - I'm thinking of giving a try - and a shorter Pilates session - probably the segments I didn't do yesterday from the "band" routine.

My back is really getting better - I'm thrilled! It still flairs up and it is not perfect, but I can feel that I have gained much more range of motion - for instance, I can get into a much improved "flat back" position (notice this during the Pilates upper body series)- so, I'm guessing I'm regaining some of the natural arch in my back. I can also feel a difference when I stretch - it definately feels that things have changed for the better. I know it will be a long time for it to be 100%, (if it ever gets to that point), but I'm happy to see progress! I only wish I sought professional help sooner! One of my co-workers (who didn't know I was seeing a chiro or focusing so much on Pilates) noted that my posture seemed better - I have also been really focusing on sitting up in good alignment at my desk (and taking frequent stretch/walk breaks to change positions)

I was also thinking of trying some T-Tapp.......I posted at VF and on the T-Tapp Forum to get input - I guess I can try it and see how it feels. I would like the option of adding it in, if it would be good for my back.

Take care!

Donna