So since my Dr said the muscle knots in my back were from me being old & out of shape, I figured I needed to do something.
I get good cardio - 4 or 5 times a week I get out at lunch for brisk half-hour walks.
But I get no strength training. I despise weight lifting. I liked some of the pilates-based exercises my last physical therapist used with me, so I've decided to go that route.
I bought a nicely padded pilates mat, and a couple of easy/beginning pilates DVDs. The 'easy' pilates dvd was very difficult and some of the exercises I couldn't do. The 2nd one labeled a 'beginning' dvd, had some not-quite-pilates 'pre-exercises', and some good beginner modifications of the regular exercises. Most of those I was able to do, but not exactly the way they're supposed to be done.
I like the challenge & concentration required to keep the core muscles stabilized while focusing on moving a specific set of other muscles. Doing leg lifts while making sure your hips/pelvis doesn't tilt at ALL is more challenging than it sounds.
I like it, and I think it'll be good for me. I think it'll be something I can keep up with. My goal is for just twice a week, but I'd like to try for 3 times a week.
I get good cardio - 4 or 5 times a week I get out at lunch for brisk half-hour walks.
But I get no strength training. I despise weight lifting. I liked some of the pilates-based exercises my last physical therapist used with me, so I've decided to go that route.
I bought a nicely padded pilates mat, and a couple of easy/beginning pilates DVDs. The 'easy' pilates dvd was very difficult and some of the exercises I couldn't do. The 2nd one labeled a 'beginning' dvd, had some not-quite-pilates 'pre-exercises', and some good beginner modifications of the regular exercises. Most of those I was able to do, but not exactly the way they're supposed to be done.
I like the challenge & concentration required to keep the core muscles stabilized while focusing on moving a specific set of other muscles. Doing leg lifts while making sure your hips/pelvis doesn't tilt at ALL is more challenging than it sounds.
I like it, and I think it'll be good for me. I think it'll be something I can keep up with. My goal is for just twice a week, but I'd like to try for 3 times a week.