The Beauty of The Power House Challenge: Weight Loss

I often hear, "I know you can't lose weight with Pilates..." and I wonder where people got that idea? I wrote blogs in 2010 about Pilates for Weight Loss based on scientific research (Part 1 and Part 2), but I wanted to brag on the level of success The Power House Challenge has generated for several clients in the last 2 months.

Marylyn had been doing cardio and weights while carefully watching her diet, with no success. After 6 months of Mat class twice per week, she lost nearly 20 pounds while correcting an ankle issue so severe, she was considering surgery. After 1 month of The Power House Challenge, her total weight loss is near 30 pounds and she looks like a different person, as she has slimmed through her waist, thighs and hips. 

Wendy, who lost over 100 pounds last year following gastric bypass surgery, started taking Pilates once per week last Fall, then upped it to two times per week in 2014. In April, she started the Power House Challenge, taking Mat class 3 times per week -- and over Mother's Day Weekend texted: "Sending you a thank you text. I had to buy size 8 pants today because the 10s were too big."

Jean had been coming once per week for a Semi-Private, improving her flexibility and strength, but in April, bumped her schedule to three times a week. Due to her work and travel schedule, she completed her 3 classes in a 24 hour period more than once. She had to buy smaller pants last weekend and is very happy that her midsection is suddenly noticeably flatter and smaller. 

Sarah had a goal of losing 30 pounds. She was dieting and doing Pilates once per week. In April, she jumped Pilates to three times per week. About a month ago, she arrived grumpy and unhappy that she was not losing weight. After talking a few minutes, I suggested she track her calories, as I didn't think she was eating ENOUGH (most women starve themselves when dieting -- the body protects itself and stores fat, eating muscle to survive -- the exact opposite of the dieter's goal). Sarah started tracking her calories, eating more, and a month later, she's lost over 10 pounds. I received this text from her last week: "Size 6 shorts. Thank you." 

That is the beauty of doing Pilates three times per week. Clients reinforce the fundamentals in their daily life which results in bigger breakthroughs on an accelerated schedule. 

At Any Body's Pilates, we want our clients to be successful, so we offer The Power House Challenge -- 10 Mat Classes in 30 Days for $100! Classes are limited to 4 clients for personalized attention, the instructors teach (instead of turning their backs and doing the exercises), we use raised leather upholstery mats (sofa height -- no Yoga mats on the floor), and we educate clients on the principles, so clients can apply the principles in their daily life for even greater gains.

PS. if you'd like to track your calories (for FREE!), try LoseIt! or MyPlate (both have phone app versions). They offer the opportunity to track calories and exercise in relation to your current height/weight and weight loss goals. Make sure you're eating enough!!