Love Your Workout, Love Working Out!

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Sixteen years ago I was searching for a way to get back into shape, regain my dancer’s flexibility, and get my abs back after having children. I joined a new gym and was there five days a week working out by myself, until one day, a vibrant woman with dark curls approached me. With a hearty laugh, she asked if I wanted to join her Mat Pilates class, and eager for a great workout, I agreed.

I’d never done Pilates before, and I absolutely loved the correlations to the movement of dance and the full-body awareness. I could articulate my spine, point my toes and just connect with my body. In short, I was captivated.

The woman who got me into my love affair with Pilates!

That was the day I met my Pilates mentor, Katherine Duncan! Yep, ABC Pilates instructor Katherine is the person who first introduced me to the wonderful world of Pilates. After several dedicated years of Mat Pilates, I ventured into Pilates on the equipment, which is when my relationship with Pilates became more exciting, my drive became stronger, and my practice took on a deeper meaning.

Then one day I was talking with Katherine, contemplating going back to a full-time job, and I expressed to Katherine how I love fitness and had no desire to sit behind a desk all day. With her positive, affirmative voice she said to me, “Julianne, YOU are going to become a Pilates Instructor.”

You’ve probably heard some iteration of the phrase, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life;” well, I took that literally and made Pilates my profession. But why not apply that sentiment to your exercise routine as well? Find a workout that you absolutely LOVE, and it won’t feel like such a chore to go do it!

Maybe your goal is to lose weight, maybe it’s to get stronger, to combat old age, or maybe you just want to keep up a weekly exercise regime to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Whatever your reasoning, I guarantee you will be more successful if you choose activities you genuinely enjoy to accomplish your goals. Remember when you were a kid running around and playing outside? You didn’t realize it then because you were just out having fun, but you were getting some great exercise! Try to apply the same concept to your workouts as an adult.

For me, someone who fell head over heels in love with Pilates principles, getting to class three times a week feels like a fun treat, not a workout obligation. Yes I’m getting an amazing workout, staying healthy and fit, but more than that I look forward to going to class to see my Pilates pals! I can’t wait to have an hour to focus on myself to practice what I love to do and grow in my Pilates journey (Not to mention that I feel blessed that I get to teach Pilates and watch you all learn and grow to love it, too!)

This is exactly why we offer a variety of classes here at ABC Pilates; we want you to try new workouts and find your favorite class so that you’ll be successful in reaching your health and fitness goals. Maybe Pilates is that bliss for you, or maybe you absolutely cannot wait to get to Yoga class to practice your headstand. Perhaps Run Fusion is your workout-of-choice, or TRX gets your juices flowing. The point is, find a class that you love to take and it won’t feel like another item on your to-do list. You’ll be more likely to actually make time to go, and you’ll be more likely to stick with it because you actually enjoy it and WANT to be there!