Category: #thisgirlcan

Finally I feel like I’m joining earth again after my 2 month burn out!
I’m still not back to my ‘MegaSpecial’ standard but getting there.

I wasn’t just tired, I was exhausted which meant I found it so hard to ‘cope’ with my pain!
I haven’t been able to go to Pilates classes as much as I used to and, I can’t remember the last time I went into the gym!
I really miss the gym and how incredible it made me feel afterwards! I haven’t had that feeling when I’ve been to the gym for a long time. I guess because I was so low on my energy resources!

Well now it’s time to recoup them but in a balanced way, using exercise to help build my energy.

This week has gotten off to a great start! Unlike last week I’m planning my days better and sticking to my plans!
Even though my pain in my back is gradually getting worse, making my cognition or Cog Fog incredibly bad I’m able to stick to appointment times now. I couldn’t even do that last week! I only made it to one Pilates class on time and that was because I didn’t go alone!

Yesterday’s Pilates was brilliant, just what I needed to help stretch out my back.
I spoke to the instructor ‘Lisa Perry’  before the class started and explained my problems with my back. She then adapted the class to suit the lower. .  back with nice stretches and exercises to strengthen it too. That’s what it needs, strength.

Today’s class was even better than yesterday, I felt totally focused and more in control of every muscle! I feel like I’m getting stronger again. Remembering how I felt nearly 2 months ago when I was taking steroids, I’m definitely on my way back!

I even managed to hold ‘Plank’ for a short time,  probably about 15 seconds which doesn’t sound much but have you tried it?

Plank

Plank, or front support in Pilates, is a well-known exercise. It is one of the most popular exercises for developing core strength and stability.

While Plank really targets the abdominals and shoulder stability, you will find that plank is an excellent way to get a full body challenge. In order to do Plank properly there must be integration of all the core stabilization muscles. The arms, glutes, and legs are active as well.

Plank can look like the up part of a regular push up. But, in most cases, a regular push up entails much more strain in the upper body — especially in the shoulders and neck — than plank in Pilates or yoga.

I was more like the second from the bottom in the above picture, for the short time I held it & then I definitely looked like the one that says ‘FAIL’ even though it was more ‘success’ than fail!

Then we did ‘Downward dog’ which is practised in both Yoga and Pilates.

Downward dog

One of the most recognized yoga poses in the West, Downward-Facing Dog — Adho Mukha Svanasana (Ah-doh MOO-kuh shvan-AHS-uh-nuh) — is a standing pose and mild inversion that builds strength while stretching the whole body. It’s named after the way dogs naturally stretch their entire bodies! Downward-Facing Dog (also sometimes called “Downward Dog” or just “Down Dog”) is an essential component of Sun Salutations and is often done many times during a yoga class. It can be used as a transitional pose, a resting pose, and a strength-builder.

Benefits of Downward-Facing Dog

If you struggle with Down Dog, be compassionate and patient with yourself; you are not the first person with tight hamstrings or weak arms. On the other hand, be diligent. Ultimately, Down Dog will start to feel so good that you will really empathize with the full-body joy that dogs display while doing the pose.

Shiva Rea

Downward-Facing Dog energizes and rejuvenates the entire body. It deeply stretches your hamstrings, shoulders, calves, arches, hands, and spine while building strength in your arms, shoulders, and legs. Because your heart is higher than your head in this pose, it is considered a mild inversion (less strenuous than other inversions, such as Headstand) and holds all the benefits of inversions: Relief from headaches, insomnia, fatigue, and mild depression. The flow of blood to the brain also calms the nervous system, improves memory and concentration, and relieves stress.

Regular practice of this pose can improve digestion, relieve back pain, and help prevent osteoporosis. It is also known to be therapeutic for sinusitis, asthma, flat feet, and for the symptoms of menopause.

Now I have only ever done ‘Downward dog’ once before in another of Lisa’s class so, I’m not 100% sure if I did it correct. All i know is that it felt really good and I got the thumbs up from Lisa so that’s all that matters!
Knowing Lisa, she would have corrected me if I was doing it incorrectly.

It was an excellent Pilates class today, my back felt good after which was wonderful!
I felt really proud of myself for doing so well!

When I got home I decided to treat myself to my old winter favourite, Galaxy frothy top – hot chocolate & decaf coffee! So yummy, I thought I deserved a treat! It may not be good for the waist but according to the recent news it would be good for my debilitating MS fatigue!

Just incase anyone missed the wonderful news about chocolate and MS fatigue… http://mssoc.uk/1NDk5BX

I’m ok with that news!

Then to make the day even better in an odd way I declined going to the gym with Deb and our friend Adam! My reason, because I was just so awesome in my Pilates class that I needed to relax for the rest of the day and evening!
Such a shame I couldn’t go because I was really looking forward to lifting some weights with Adam! My thoughts, there’s no rush!

Plans for the rest of the week… dentist check up tomorrow! Eik!

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