Create a Longer, Leaner Body With Pilates


by Susan Patterson - Date: 2008-10-09 - Word Count: 420 Share This!

Many women do not like weight training for fear of bulking up.  Unlike men, most women want soft features and toned bodies without bulging muscles.  For some of us, the high-energy gym atmosphere just isn't our thing.  Others prefer to engage their mind as well as their body.  If you are looking to create a toned body through low-impact exercises in a more serene setting, Pilates may be for you.  The gentleness of Pilates makes it popular for those who feel intimidated by a gym setting.  But make no mistake, this doesn't mean that it's easy.

Pilates was invented by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s to help fellow sufferers at internment camps in Germany.  It is based on six principles: Centering, Control, Flow, Breath, Precision, and Concentration.  The focus is on core strength, which is why Pilates is known for its ability to flatten abs.  All moves in Pilates are based on a few fundamentals that are simple to do.  The focus is on precise movement instead of number of repetitions as in strength training.  And also unlike lifting weights, Pilates works several muscle groups at one time while always engaging the core muscles.  This is why alignment, breath and precision are so important.

Because precision is a guiding principle of Pilates, movements are modified depending on your fitness level.  This means that anyone can participate and work their way up to more advanced versions of a movement once they build up their endurance.  The most important are the basics, which teach alignment of the spine and ribs, how to hold your abdominal muscles, and breath control.  These form the foundation for all other mat work and must be mastered first.  Not holding your abdominal muscles correctly will keep you from getting the flat abs you want.

Even though movements are gentle and flowing, Pilates can be used for weight loss.  You may not experience the same type of quick weight loss you would with other methods, but this is because you are developing lean muscle, which weighs more than fat.  You will notice a tightening of the body, and clothes will probably become looser.  Many like to measure their weight loss in terms of inches instead of pounds, since they are more concerned with how they look than what they weigh.  Make sure you follow a balanced diet.  If hunger is a problem, use a supplement meant to suppress appetite like hoodia.  This craving stopper has no side effects and is milder than others with caffeine or other chemicals.


Related Tags: weight loss, exercise, diet, pilates, hoodia, appetite, weight training, core, inches, movement, concentration, flow, lean muscle, precision

Susan Patterson has been studying alternative medicine and health for over 10 years. She loves to write to help others, especially in the area of quick weight loss, which can be accomplished safely. She has found several herbal remedies to be effective in her journey to better health without the side effects that medications cause. She is particularly passionate about hoodia for weight loss. Other interests include exercise, yoga and meditation.

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