Diet, Exercise.....

You might want to have your diet evaluated by a professional. I know this will sound strange, but you need to actually 'eat' to lose weight. Limiting sugar and fat is always a good idea, but if you're not taking in enough calories per day then your metabolism takes a nose dive. If your lifestyle allows it, try eating 5 smaller meals per day - breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with snacks in between each meal. Not only will this give you the feeling of satiety (fullness), it will also help in the regulation of your blood sugar and management of your diabetes. Shop the perimeter of your grocery store and include lots of fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains while skipping processed foods and refined sugars.

You probably already know that the most effective and permanent weight management programs include nutrition, cardiovascular training, and resistance training. Pilates would likely help with the resistance training, not to mention flexibility. Make sure you also include a good cardiovascular activity that you can sustain for at least 30 minutes. If you have a mall, go take a walk every day at a good pace. To get the best results in the shortest amount of time, you must combine all three aspects of weight management and up the resistance.

OK, I'll be honest and tell you I'm one of those "skinny" people, but who has to constantly watch what I eat and exercise. But, since I've done Pilates, I thought I'd let you know what I know. First of all, almost all of the Pilates are the same whether you take a class or do it at home. I took a class where there were some women who were very overweight and they said it was easier than doing some of the other exercises they'd tried. It works our core muscles....so you are really shaping your body. It may not seem like you are working very hard at first...I honestly wasn't sure if it was working! But, you'll see the difference if you stick with it. It's very low impact, so it's good if you have any kind of joint problems.

Honestly my only problem with it is doing it slowly and deliberately. I'm kind of a jump around person...like you I enjoy walking and being outdoors. But, during the winter this can be great. I have a CD I keep on hand. I really think you'll like it. I would suggest, though, that if you can get some cardio in, that will boost your weight loss. Even if you just can get on a treadmill or get a dance video where you step up your heartrate.

Good luck to you and I applaud your determination!! I always secretly cheer for people in the gym who are really working to make a difference....no matter what their size!!

YOU GO GIRL!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!
K.

I have suggest investing in a book called "Body Clutter" - it is a great motivational and step by step guide to establishing better eating,exercise and loving yourself cause your great habits. (I am not a touchy feely person - the book is just that good.)

Hi, A.. Pilates work great, my only problem is sticking with the routine I have 3 winsor pilates tapes, which I have recorded to dvd. If you like to try it without spending money, I will be happy to gift you the vhs's. M. 1-###-###-####.

A., I'm a personal trainer & certified posture alignment & pain management specialist. I've been in the business for over 30 years. I also do quite a bit of nutritional consulting.

Pilates is a good start but you will want MORE...for variety as well as functionality. If you get bored easily.... you probably won't stick with it. The Windsor pilates DOES have three different tapes based on your level. Some of the positions/moves WILL be difficult if you have "too much in the way".

I do LOTS & LOTS of programs for people (men, too) who don't want the gym but want a routine to do at home. I just finished one for a lady who left for Florida and didn't want to join a gym for only two months. There are TONS of things you can do and NEED to do for functional purposes that can be done AT HOME!

Should you be interested in me setting up a program for you, let me know. WHERE are you located?

I can give you several names & numbers for reference, if you like.

TRAINER D. ###-###-#### or e-mail me at ____@____.com

Hi there,
Winsor pilates worked great for me. I ate healthy, did cardio and the pilates and saw my body begin to reshape itself! Amazing!

Good luck!
Amy

You should try Leslie Sansone Walk Away The Pounds workouts. Go to lesliesansone.com. You can borrow most of her DVD workouts from the library for FREE!!!. I use them and I love them. They are great for all body types. I also do TaeBo but TaeBo is a little more advanced and I wouldn't recommend them for beginners but hey you can start off slow and increase your endurance.

pilates is great and NO you dont have to be skinny to do it! Windsor is good and not really to difficult. She teaches it in 3 phases, you pick the one that works for you. I really liked it. great for the abs..its a great way to start out.. good luck...I am right there with you girl!!!

I'm with you all the way on the "hating working out" thing. I am, honestly, a skinny person, and as much as I dislike it most of the time, I work out at least 2 times a week, usually 3-4. I don't work out to lose weight, I work out to feel better. I have a very sedintary lifestyle and know I'm predisposed to being overweight as many women in my family are. Mother Nature willing I got my fathers metabolism for life, who knows though...

You will not lose any weight if you aren't doing good cardio. Pilates, Yoga, both of those are great but if you aren't combining that with cardio you won't lose much, if any weight. Your heart rate has to go up and STAY up for you to burn fat. So many people go about that the wrong way; all the crunches in the world won't make a difference in giving a flat belly if you aren't doing the cardio necessary to burn the layer of fat that sits on top of your otherwise beautifully sculpted abs...

I've heard some people say you have to have at least 30 minutes of cardio to do any good, but I don't believe that. I do 20-25 of running when I work out and though I'm not trying to lose weight I have. I typically then do squats, some push ups, crunches and then arm toning excercises, then end with a little bit of Yoga to stretch good and reduce any kind of pain I might feel the next day.

Overall I know how much working out sucks, but have found that over time I really feel better when I do on a regular basis. Your body wants you to move! I just kind of put on my gym clothes and force myself into motion, once I get going I'll finish. and feel good about having done so (and it does improve your self esteem!).

I L-O-V-E Winsor Pilates! I used these before I was pregnant & was in the best shape of my life. Now that my daughter is over a year old... I need to get back to them... ;)I find this exercise relaxing & effective. My hips & upper arms are my trouble spots & the pilates even helped me in those areas. There is a quick 20 minute version if you don't have much time. I actually used the 20 minute version most often & only used the full version a few times. They also demonstrate the exercise in a "beginner" modification so you can use that until your skills improve. I have done these exercises minimally in the past year & they are tough if you're out of shape... but I found my muscles get back in the game after a few workouts (if I would just keep it up now...) Sometimes the demonstrating "models" make it look hard, but if you use your own abilities as a guide... they are pretty simple & the workout doesn't even make you break a sweat. I have 15-20 pounds I need to lose & I'm sure Winsor Pilates 2-3 times a week will get me back to where I was. I highly recommend it.

Hi A., if you are motivated enough to workout at home go for it. Pilates is a great place to start, but you'll also want to try something more aerobic after you get into a routine. Walking is great. If you find that you lose your momentum at home(which a lot of us do, cuz there are always other things we can do besides take care of ourselves) look into classes at your local park district. The people are usually there because they also don't like or don't feel comfortable in a gym setting. Once you get moving you'll stick with it. Just make it part of your life, like brushing your teeth!!!
Good Luck

A.,

I don't know about any "exercises" that are actually fun, but I love to dance around the house with my boys. We put on some really upbeat music and move. It is fun - especially when we do it together.

There is a wonderful - and FREE - website that will let you track how much exercise you are getting (and an average of how many calories you are burning), what you are eating (with calories and nutritional values), and other information. It is great! When I would actually log on and keep track of my information I was doing great and losing an average of 1-1/2 lbs. per week. It is Spark People: www.sparkpeople.com

Good luck!!

-K.

My mom has trouble with exercising because she has bad knees and is quite a bit overweight. I know one thing she tried and got results from was "Walk away the Pounds" video. She really enjoyed it and lost weight from it, without it bothering her knees. Just don't get frustrated. Anytime you begin a new regimen, it could take up to a month before you start seeing any real results. This is normally because muscle weighs more than fat, and although you burn fat, you're working out is forming more muscle tissue and therefore, you may not actually begin to lose weight right away. When I focused on losing the rest of my baby weight, I didn't even weigh myself for the first month. When I finally did, and this was after eating Special K cereal for breakfast and lunch, and working out at the gym 4-5 times a week, I hadn't lost any weight. Then, all of a sudden, the weight just melted off of me and I lost 13 pounds over the next 3 weeks. Just be patient and try not to become obsessed with the scales. What matters is that your getting healthy and everything else that you want to happen will follow.

Hello M., I have tried pilates. I was unable to do it because of stress to the neck. I had surgery for 2 herniated discs and a pinched nerve. So, I can't give much insight into that. I am disabled and was needing to add excercise into my life. I had tried the local Curves and for a while it was ok but I got bored. What I did was go onto Amazon.com and bought myself an elliptical. It is the most wonderful investment I ever made. I can do it at home while my son takes his nap. I read while I'm on it and it makes the time just fly by. You can adjust the tension to your fitness level so that isn't a concern either. I also added hand weights to my routine and some leg excercises. You know your body better than anyone. If you think you can push a muscle a bit harder, go for it. If not, back off. I learned a long time ago that the key is to get up and move some. Move one minute longer than you did the day before. It works.
I am curious about your diet. I had gestational diabetes. My youngest son is now 16 mos. old and I am starting to have some issues with controlling my glucose readings. I also have high cholesterol so I have to try to fit into both diets. It is very difficult especially without wanting to eat tasteless food. I just wondered if you had some recipes or meal ideas that you would be willing to share with me. Shannon G. SAHM of 2 boys. 9yr, and 16 mo. Hoping to add an adopted 8 yr old boy soon!

A.,
I like beachbody products. www.beachbody.com
I need to lose weight too. After I had my son, I did slim in 6 and lost 10 inches and felt great! Turbo Jam is a lot of fun too! Now I need to do it again. I got out of the routine of exercise. Good Luck!
A.

Hi A., Here is my two cents. I am a huge believer in walking - in almost any weather. There is something about getting out in the fresh air that is so invigorating. As long as the sidewalks are clear and it is not raining sideways, nothing should stop you. Just dress appropriately and get out there. I also find it sometimes helps to have a destination. Is there a drug store or dollar store you can make as your destination? Best of luck to you!

A., I have used Denis Autins version of pilates. walmart's special,9 bucks. This is a great way to build strenght. I also walk slow at first at 246# then increased it to a brisk walk. I walked a country block (1.25 miles)even in the cold 4 days a week. It's a great way to get out and have mommy time. You can walk with a friend or spouse but I loved the quiet and the whistle while I worked(out). You warm up quickly trust me. What ever you do keep your head covered, unzip your coat if you need to but keep your head warm. After I started toning up the weight started dropping off on it's own. I DID NOT DIET AT ALL. IF I ATE PASTA I WALKED THE BLOCK AGAIN.LOL I love my mac and cheese.It is hard hard work more mentally than physically. Taking the first step out the door to do it is the hardest. Swing your arms and have a ball just enjoying your walk. Keep safe when you walk. Carry spray,whistle or a flashlight. It took me 1 1/2 years but I dropped 83# and felt like a new person. Since I have had a auto wreck and my activity has come almost to a hault due to a broken foot and surgery but all is healing and look out because I'm going to hit the roads again. So know your not the only fat chick out there sweating her can off. Feel free to drop me a line for support if you need it. Luck to You A.. C.'