Habits: Architecture for Your Day
A few years ago I had a lot of fun asking other Pilates instructors about their own exercise routines. I asked how often they do Pilates, how often they do cardio, and how they deal with busy schedules and the never ending challenge of fitting exercise into their days. Here were some of my favorite comments:
News Flash: We do Pilates on our living room floors, not just using the apparatus.
“Almost daily I do a mat-based restorative-focused exercises integrating breath to rehab my back from surgery.” I love the equipment, but most of the time I use what I have at home.”
“7 times per week (almost always at home on the floor) for 30 minutes: 10 minutes of core strengthening, 10 minutes of targeted stretching, 10 minutes strengthening hips.”
Anne: 3 times per week for an hour each, but less if I am tight on time (20, 30 minutes… whatever I have). One of those workouts is on my living room floor on a Saturday or Sunday. The other two workouts are using the apparatus. When my daughter was about 6 she had a Saturday morning class. I did Pilates in the parent waiting area. The staff offered me a yoga mat and thought nothing of me exercising in their lobby. I’ve also been known to do Pilates in hospital waiting rooms, on the sidelines of a soccer field, or airport lounges.
Yes, Cardio matters too.
“When busy, I walk or jog to the studio to get it in.”
“Biking is my commute vehicle, so it’s built into my day.”
I run 6-7 times per week: 2-3 more intense workouts, a long run, and the rest easy
Anne: I do one hilly walk/hike per week, usually in the cemetery nearby, one swim, and one wild-card weekend activity with family. That’s often a leisurely bike ride or hike (skiing in the winter). If we are too busy for a family activity then my husband and I give each other a chance to get exercise on our own.
Here’s what instructors had to say about consistency, or other thoughts on making your exercise a way of life.
“When rehabbing you don’t have to run a marathon to get cardio, but just anything to get blood flowing and move the joints to promote healing.”
“I tend to get out the door early otherwise I wouldn’t have time to run. In terms of (Pilates) and stretching, I find doing a little bit consistently is better than doing a lot inconsistently. My rule of thumb is if it is 10 minutes or less I can squeeze it in before bed, between clients, or whenever I have some spare time.”
“Although it’s sometimes hard to get motivated (to go to the pool early), even a half hour of swimming laps feels like a good workout. It’s especially nice if I am sore, it really seems to loosen things up.”
“Some clients turned me on to the Map My Run app, which is a great way to stay motivated. When I see those numbers on my mobile device, it reminds me to keep it moving.”
Anne: “When my daughter was a toddler I never missed the opportunity to stretch at playgrounds. Now that she is older I approach it differently. If the week is looking like my time is getting squeezed then I forgo the alone time working out and do Pilates on my living room floor while she does homework or while I am waiting for dinner to cook. She has gotten used to the fact that grown-ups, too, need to move to stay well.
As you can read here, we often need to get creative to include exercise in our days. We are undeterred by short workouts. As opportunities arise, we move, stretch, or target our specific needs, even if just 10 minutes per day. Almost everyone walks, bikes or runs as part of their commute. Not everyone can do that, but if you can, go for it.
You are an experiment of one. Enjoy the exploration process in finding what works for you. Wishing you the love of movement!