As a busy New Yorkers, you undoubtedly have many demands on your time…work, family, friends, and organizational obligations. At the core of being able to meet all of these demands is your own health and well-being. Taking the time to care for your mind and body provides you with the energy that you need to pour into other areas of your life.
Pilates can be an incredibly beneficial workout for many reasons. This exercise regimen is centered around full-body strengthening exercises that can be performed in a shorter time interval than many traditional workouts. In addition to enhancing physical strength, pilates can also help to promote relaxation, a welcomed benefit in the demanding lives we live. To get the most benefit from each pilates session, follow these recommendations:
Fuel Your Body Well
It’s no secret that diet plays a critical role in developing the shape of our bodies. Traditionally, we think of a healthy diet as a list of foods that we aren’t allowed to have. However, rather than viewing your diet as prohibitive, think of it instead as a way to fuel your body. Your body will perform best when you give it the nutrients that it needs to thrive.
Before Your Workout
Hydration is key Water Water Water !
Eating before your workout helps to provide your body with the fuel needed to exercise. Performing a session with an empty stomach leaves you lacking the energy that you need, and can slow down your ability to burn calories.
You want to give yourself 1.5 – 2 hours between a meal and your workout session. This gives you plenty of time to digest the meal. Exercising too soon after a meal causes you to divert oxygen and energy away from digestion in order to fuel your muscles, this can lead to some stomach pain and upset. If your ,ilates session falls outside of your normal mealtimes, you can fuel up with a snack.
Select foods that are comprised of simple carbs and low saturated fats such as whole grain toast, fruit, nuts, or celery and hummas.
After Your Workout
Your post-workout nutrition goals are to restore glycogen levels and build and repair muscles. Simple carbs help to build back up the glycogen, or fuel stores that were depleted while exercising, while protein helps your muscles to heal. Therefore, think of incorporating some protein and healthy fat into your post-workout snack, and avoid excess sugar. Protein shakes, pastas, sweet potatoes, eggs, greek yogurt, cottage cheese, avocado, or nuts help to provide some of these nutrients.
Focus on the Task at Hand
Pilates differs from traditional exercise programs. Rather than working multiple repetitions of targeted muscle groups, pilates strengthens the body as a whole, with a focus on strengthening the core muscle groups. It also can help to promote relaxation through proper breathing.
Because pilates is not built around a series of mindless repetitions, you truly get the most out of each movement when you mindfully focus on your muscles, engaging each as you move through the motions. Keeping your mind focused on your workout helps you to give each movement the attention needed to maximize the benefit.
Work With a Professional
Pilates is a learned art. In order to minimize the risk of injury, work with a professional trained in pilates. These coaches can teach you proper form, proper breathing, and help you to maximize the benefit of each session. Your pilates coach will also provide the encouragement and motivation that you need to power through your workout.
Pilates can be beneficial for your physical and emotional health, and is ideal for a busy adult such as yourself. In order to achieve results, proper form and technique are of utmost importance. Click here to find the session that works for you.
