Most mums I speak to say that they eat healthy and do lots of exercise, yet they still aren’t happy with their bodies. They put it down to age and the fact they have had a baby. Yes, to some extent age does take its toll and gravity plays a big part in our body shapes. However, I assure you if you join my Zipped Up Mums Classes, which include a hybrid Pilates and resistance training approach, you will feel and look so much stronger.
Zipped Up isn’t about being skinny – it’s about being strong. That’s why I integrate resistance training with Stott Pilates – this winning combination will make you strong. We all have different body shapes and I want you to be proud of your toned and strengthened physique. Often it’s the type of exercise and the foods you are eating that means you aren’t getting your desired results. I always start with looking at the type of exercise you do – usually it’s hours of power walking along Brighton seafront to get your baby to sleep, or pounding the streets running in a desperate plea to get rid of the bingo wings and love handles.
And this is precisely where you are going wrong.
Most mums don’t eat enough for the type of exercise that you are doing. Also, if you are walking or running to tone up then you aren’t going to see results. Yes, running and walking is great for fitness but not for body tone. It won’t get rid of those bingo wings or lift that bottom, the only way to do that is diet and resistance training. Confused???!!!!
It’s all about posture!
Now, before you start getting a gym membership and injuring yourself by pushing weights, the first thing to address that will totally change your body shape, is your POSTURE. My posture training means that I look at every individual as if you are a skeleton – I see your rounded shoulders, the hump in the upper back and the tilted pelvis – this can all result in you looking, smaller, plumper and older. Learning to stand up tall when pushing a pram, learning to connect with your core when holding your baby and learning how your body moves and functions will all help you to look and feel better. Most back, hip, shoulder, neck and knee problems stem from poor posture. My core and tone classes address posture and core but then you learn to strengthen your whole core area. And when you are ready, you can then progress into more strength training type exercise. This doesn’t mean hours at the gym ladies! You can do simple but very effective resistance training or body resistant exercises at home using bands.
So “where do I start?”, I hear you ask!
Firstly, if you have had a baby recently or even 10 years or more ago and you haven’t addressed your posture or done any form of Pilates or Yoga exercise or been checked for tummy separation then this is what you need to look into next. Learning to stand up taller, engaging your core, putting your shoulders into correct alignment is all vital to gain a better looking and more toned body. Pilates combined with resistance training really does get those forgotten muscles working again. It will teach you to use both sides of your body and will help you keep your body aligned and muscles strong. It teaches you to stand taller and get your body functioning as it should, with less aches and pains.
Next you need to add in some form of resistance training to your routine. Resistance bands and body weight can be perfect and very challenging. That’s why I developed my unique Core and Tone classes to focus, not only on Stott Pilates principles, but also on getting mums’ muscles strong and toned. My classes offer a fusion of exercises all developed so that you leave the class feeling stretched, sculpted, toned and challenged. You will definitely feel the burn, particularly on the bum cheeks and arms, with exercises that really target the bingo wings, saddle bags and droopy bottoms! You will definitely leave class feeling a little sore in the glutes and arm areas!
My Core and Tone classes really are the best starting place for any mums whether they have had a baby 6 weeks or 6 years ago. The class is suitable for beginners to intermediates as I use the Zipped Up Layering technique to ensure that everyone has a good core workout. It is so very important to realise that our bodies have gone through a major transformation – our pelvis and internal organs have all shifted out of their usual position and whilst our bodies are programmed to do this they also need some specialist Pilates and resistance training to get them strong again. Think of it like an MOT for your body.
How Pilates and resistance training helped me
I am training as a natural Bikini body builder at the age of 39!
This level of training is the hardest I have ever done. A few years ago I would have laughed if someone said I was going to do this – my body was aching, I had Diastasis Recti (separated tummy muscles), a sore back from having a hitched hip due to pregnancy and breastfeeding, aching shoulders due to pushing the pram, poor posture and generally had no muscle tone left. Discovering Pilates really addressed all of these issues and if it wasn’t for Pilates I wouldn’t have the strong, aligned body I have now. Pilates made me very aware of how my body moves and functions. Correcting my diastasis recti also means my core is at its strongest. I am learning from the elite coaches to train for my bikini contest and every day I am learning more and more exercises to help combat gravity – my gravity defying bum exercises will definitely get you feeling achy and lifted that’s for sure! And those bingo wings…. well let’s blast them away!
My aim is to get you body confident, strengthened and toned so that if you want to run, jump or push heavy weights you can do so, safe in the knowledge that your body is strong and you won’t wet yourself!
Of course, food is also vital and I also offer private food coaching or an online food coaching programme with others mums to help support you throughout your journey. You can read more about that here.
You can also read some testimonials from other mums here.
FREE VIDEO:
You might also be interested in this short video on resistance band training.
And here is a demo of a great leg work out!