Pilates is not a high calorie burning exercise program nor a quick body composition fix. What Pilates will do for you is tone your muscles, increase flexibility and improve your posture. It takes commitment to change your body appearance and over time Pilates will help you appear long and lean IF you don’t overindulge in food or alcohol.
In order to lose weight you must decrease the amount of calories you’re putting into your body. The type of food you put into your body is also an important element. Eating a nutritious diet is essential to your overall well being and performance. People are often confused about what it takes to lose weight and think it’s all about exercise. Actually, it’s not. I often tell my students you cannot out train a bad diet. Another positive attribute about Pilates is the post-class endorphins. Students often walk into the studio feeling mentally drained and physically wiped out. The tension release through the Pilates breath and exercises allows the bad energy to leave your body. Done correctly, Pilates will open up your body and soothe your rough edges. Once the class is done students are smiling and feeling better. Their endorphins have kicked in and they’re in a much better state of mind. I suggest they go out and do something they dislike, like running errands or dealing with thorny situations. The endorphins will enhance your mood and your increased flexibility will help you move through the challenges that await.