i remember one time in high school i put on a random pilate’s video and then shut it off almost immediately because it was SO hard. i wrote it off and never went back. i spent the past fifteen years with pilate’s in my “too hard for erin” box. then took i out over the past couple months. on accident.
i’m not super when it comes to exercise. i’ve done a lot of different things to try to be active that i’ve enjoyed, and that i’ve not enjoyed. i discovered running a few years ago and kind of stuck to that mostly, but found i was missing out on intentionally strengthening my body. strength workouts scared me. still kind of do... because i’m so so weak. i never had a lot of will power to push myself through the cramping pain to get to the point where i’d notice any change, so i’d ultimately give up.
at the end of may i discovered this calendar created by Amy over at Reality of You. i recruited one of my favourite friends to go through it with me. it was incredibly challenging but because i had accountability and someone to say “that sucked big time” with, i pushed myself and found i was capable of moving and strengthening my body beyond what i’d ever done in the past. if you’re struggling for ideas on what to do for workouts, i’d very much encourage you to check this one out. it’s a lot of HIIT and cardio with a good amount of strength worked in. you’ll notice changes in your body, i can promise you that. another benefit of this calendar is that it’s such a wide variety of youtube channels. fitness blender, tara stiles, and my new very favourite : blogilates.
which leads me to my new first and one of my greatest discoveries. that i really do enjoy pilates. and not only do i enjoy it but my body, MY lazy, weak body, is capable of pilates. during the previous calendar i got really excited when a blogilates workout came up. not only because the workouts were just genuinely fun&challenging, but also because they are lead by Cassey Ho. oh my word she’s easily the best youtube trainer i’ve ever watched. she’s cheerful, positive, encouraging, and she somehow tricks you into liking that horrible pain. i started snooping around the blogilates website and discovered that she creates new calendars every month ! YES. better yet, she has a beginners calendar. so i again recruited my friend and today was our final workout day ! so here’s what i have to say, if you want to strengthen your body but are scared to, try this calendar. it’s perfect. Cassey leads you through the correct form, the correct breathing, the modified versions if you need them, all in a fun and really upbeat style that makes you feel like you can do anything. and after you peel yourself sweating off the mat, you’ll feel amazing.
this is me encouraging you to dump out your “too hard for...” box and push yourself to try something you thought you’d never be able to do. you’ll be so proud of yourself. and i just gave you two really great starting points !