You guys are going great..congratulations.
Firstly...DON"T look to me for the answers!!!! I know as much as you guys...which in most of our cases, is very little!![cos we're all new to this]

Christy and Badger girl...you may be able to answer our query about pilates arm exercises...are there any /what are they!

Eskimissy...I hope we lose weight doing this! I've been trying to lose the last 10 pounds for what seems like forever.

Miss scruff..and anyone who has different dvds/videos, can you suss them out for ideas too.

This is OUR thread and a pooling of ideas/tips and techniques is a must, for us all to collectively succeed!!

MITCHSAM98. Happy Birthday!!{its already 21st oct in N.Z!!}

Where is everyone else that joined? [whip ready to crack!!] Tell us all how you're going..good/bad or ugly, we're here to spur you on!!!

Ah hhhhhh..but you have "the book." I need to get to the library!!!!

You guys are awesome! Just thought I'd say that! Oh yah, and thanks!!!!

Of course, the week I take vacation from work and start the challenge I get the flu. Hoping to feel better enough tomorrow to do my Pilates for Dummies!

I did, however manage a 40 minute brisk walk today.
Catherine

O.K feeling the pressure!!
Apparently:
The Hundred=strengthens the Abs AND muscles in arm and shoulders.
Spine-twist [arms stretched out, twisting around at waist, hand to opp' ankles]=tone arms and conditions Abs and quads.

Other exercises in "the book" [that i'm about to return to library!!] use light weights, where you stand, heels together but toes facing outwards [pilates stance!] stand tall. draw in the powerhouse [ you knew i'd say that!]
THE HUG
1.Hold arms out to the sides of the body, with elbows lifted.[imagine you're hugging a large beach ball]
2. Inhale and squeeze the arms together with resistance, feeling as though you were pulling springs towards the body, bringing the hands to almost touch.
3. As you exhale, open the arms with resistance as though you were pushing heavy weights away from the body.
Perform the Hug 3 x, inhaling as the arms come together,and then repeat the Hug, reversing the breath by exhaling as the arms come together.
Perform the Hug a total of 6 times.

ARM CIRCLES

1.Stand tall in the tripod pilates stance, with weights in hand, arms down by sides.
Holding the torso strong, circle the hands away from the body in small movements, working your way up into a V position above the chest.
2. The circles are small, concise and strong and require that the body be held perfectly still. Circle 5 times to the up position and then 5 down. Inhale in asmooth, continuous fashion as the arms circle up and exhale as the hands circle down.
Do 3 sets.

Thats that then!! You can always use light weights [optional] and do that exercise that you're probably already familiar with..like the arm circles,..where you hold your arms straight out to the side of your body and rotate in small circles forward for a short period, then reverse direction..just small movements is all it takes to build up a burn in the arms..and push ups kill my arms, either the 'ladies' ones on your knees front ways OR in a squat with your hands on a step behind you, fingers facing to the front, lowering yourself down and up, bending at the elbows and letting your arms do all the work!!
{ hard to lift the cuppa to my lips after those!]

DON"T say i didn't try to help!! Now its up to you guys for more ideas!!

What's a sus????????????????????????????????????

"suss" = check them out!!

I'd like to join the challenge...I'm into yoga as well, I think my challenge will be to do either one every day. Maybe with Sundays off.

Welcome here as well Sango..so we're both on a double mission now, to lose the last few pounds and do this exercise daily!! We'll keep each other on the right track if we do this together

You'll be delighted to know that when I was out today..I stumbled across 2 marked down items and promptly bought them!!
1. The Pilate Handbook
2. Gettin your body back [tape] use physiotherapy, yoga and pilates.

SO.. no doubt I'll be stunning you all with my new found wisdom soon!!!heehee.

Well...let the posting begin!

Any body else have their toes or bottom of feet cramping up on pointing and
flexing extensions?
I do ...and have just read, on one of those wonderful links provided by MissScruff, that it may be due to a calcium deficiency!!AND that you should take 1000mg of calcium supplement a day, Then prior to working out, stretch the foot by rolling from heel to toe on each foot a few times.

Now I don't take ANY supplements..so will try the exercise only and see if that helps.

HAS EVERYONE DONE THEIR 20 MINUTES TODAY? OR DO I HAVE TO

I so have foot cramps!! I get them soo easily. Exercising, in the pool, randomly in bed. You name it, I get it. I hate them because they hurt sooo much!!! That's very helpful, I'm gonna need to buy some serious calcium. That may explain why my joints kinda squeak. Hmmm I"m only 19 and I'm already falling apart

I have to confess that I have not exercised today, but instead sat around and had a pity party all by myself! I will do better tomorrow...I promise! And I won't be feeling sorry for myself either!

Hi everybody!

Count me in too! I love my Winsor Pilates videos and I want to start doing the 20 min. one at least 5x weekly (every day that I'm not at work.)