To ask if Pilates is only for skinny people

[MrTrebus]

So background, had a baby 5 months ago, got 4 stone to lose but also feel really "stiff" and find it hard to move around too much I.e a long walk feels like I've pulled all the muscles/fat where my c-section scar is! And it then aches for a couple of days too.

I also keep pulling muscles in my neck, shoulders, legs etc and just feel like I can't walk like a normal non-pregnant woman anymore, still doing the pregnant waddle.

So Pilates was recommended to me but I know nothing about it, is it inclusive? Are fat stiff people allowed? Light hearted but seriously am I mad/ AIBU considering this in my current state?

The reformer is like a platform/bed with springs to provide resistance and straps for some types of movement. That makes it sound almost like a torture device Youtube can give you a good idea of how it works.

I wouldn't say that being overweight means you can't do this, but it's not a real weight loss type if excersise, it builds core strength.

Google for your area and speak to a couple of tutors, see if you can get a free/cheap intro session.

Pilates is the only excersise I enjoy and after three years using a reformer I am getting used to the mat excersises now.

Thanks all I think I'll start with a 1 to 1 mat work session, see how I go and take their opinions on board and then maybe leave the reformer til I'm back to my pre baby weight/strength! Off to Google places locally now.

Holiday wasn't being rude. She was perfectly polite. Your response back was rude. At a size 18 and several stone overweight, I'm afraid you are infact morbidly obese (by the medical definition - not just an opinion). I'm of the same opinion as Holiday for what it's worth. Pilates is really hard and I'm carrying 1.5 stone too much at the mo and I struggle a bit. It's absolutely worth it though and is great for core and flexibility.

I do Pilates reformer 3 times a week and it is very hard but amazing!!! You would be fine in a beginners class

Just so you know, I am "willowy" and at my Pilates class I was the shittest person there. A lot of the "heavier" women were surprisingly flexible and bendy and definitely stronger.

Thank you Fosterdog. It was a rude response but I felt OP was very defensive about it for some reason so thought best leave be. But I appreciate your response.

I love Pilates and I do think it's helped my flexibility. The class I go to has quite a mix of people and many are mid to late 60s. There's one older lady who must have been a ballet dancer because she's so flexible, but I just do what I can.

Why don't you get in touch with an instructor and get some advice. I've started Zumba as well and I'm so bad at that, but I shall persevere.

I think it's rude when someone posts about just having a baby maybe they might be a bit delicate about their weight, to be told stop eating junk is not helpful. I eat really healthily and that is irrelevant to the topic of discussion. I wasn't rude in my opinion but maybe we'll agree to disagree! I'll give it a go just to spite the skinny naysayers

I'm quite over weight and it didn't work for me as couldn't even do the easiest option so got very little out of it!

Nobody is going to look at you and think 'she shouldn't be here she's fat and doesn't fit in' they will think 'good on her for trying to get herself fit and healthy in a safe way'

There is no need to feel like you can't join in, you have grown a human inside your stomach and your body has done amazing things in the process, be proud of that. Many women have no idea how to get back into shape after a baby, so good on you for trying x

Depends on the class. Gentle introductory yoga and pilates, the kind you see with a mix of ages and abilities - Yes with bells on.

Piyo, hot yoga, or fast yoga- Not unless you're super fit, as it's much tougher if you're fat.

I opened up this thread with some trepidation as I'm attempting my first pilates class tomorrow and I'm decidedly on the podgy side!

MrTrebus I've basically got the same reasons as you and I've got the same amount of extra padding. Except my son is ten months. But I'm hoping that a build up of my core strength will help improve the 80year old skeleton I seem to be inhabiting at the moment.

And for the helpful poster upthread who suggested to just get out for a run....various post pregnancy pain makes that not only painful but I was advised against it by my physio. So I would humbly suggest it's not that easy.

You shouldn't take this personally, but I do think you need to remove the blinkers a bit OP. I say this kindly because I was in your position too once, but you don't gain 4 st just via pregnancy. There has to be some unhealthy eating and lack of exercise going on too. You will have to look at your health holistically - that means diet too.

I have a friend who loves her Pilates classes. She would not describe herself as skinny by any means, but she goes as it really helps with some fitness issues she has.

It's fairly rude to ask for an opinion and then shoot down someone giving an opinion...

Pilates is great but it won't really help with weight loss done by itself. You need to adjust your diet and add in some weights.

You might also struggle with some elements of yoga (ie down dog) with having so much weight through your wrists, but if you kept at it you'd find it easier over time.

Pilates is definitely not just for skinny people!!

I'm a size 16 and I'm not always the largest in my class (sometimes I am, sometimes I'm not).

It is also excellent and adaptable - a good teacher will always provide alternatives to any poses/movements you have difficulty with for any reason (injury/fitness/plain old body quirks).

Truly it out OP. Pilates improved my posture and reduced back pain

Try! Not truly

I'm a tall size 12 and and am oddly bendy and flexible despite being overweight (probably by a few stone, tbh). Pilates is brilliant for post-baby strengthening your core and pelvic muscles, can't rate it highly enough.

OP - pilates is fantastic for core strength and muscle tone. Yup, google a beginners class in your area and go for it good luck.

I'd love to know how you're supposed to lose weight first when you are clearly struggling after pregnancy

I see a maternity physio and attend NHS run Pilates classes. I had a 10lb baby and my pelvis is fucked. I can relate to everything you've said! After walking a mile or so I feel awkward and uncomfortable, like I want to revert back to the waddling. Get yourself to a physio, NHS or if you can, a private one specialising in women's health. HIGHLY recommend it.

I'm still very overweight and manage the classes just fine, and I'm seeing a difference. You go at your own pace, using your own body weight as resistance. So yes, it may be that you can't go as fast or do as many repetitions, but it's for ALL shapes and sizes.

I lost 2 stone doing Pilates and yoga for exercise. Ate healthily as well as. But it seemed to not burn fat as such but change it into muscle. Both improve posture and strengthen muscles, I continued to them through pregnancy as well. The posture improvement alone can make a huge difference and once you're feeling stronger you will start walking better which leads to more exercise etc.

Go for it! You'll never know till you try! Give it a couple of months and see how you get on

Oh and just do asyour body is telling you so go as slow as you need to and don't push too far. You won't be like others in the class but it's great for going at your own pace and learning your own body

I have started going to a Pilates session at my gym.

Many of the others there are quite 'rounded'but extremely flexible, and strong. Also older (many in their 60s) They can hold the more advanced positions much better than I can. I do heavier duty classes, the Les Mills type things- which do build strength but the pilates is a different type of strong again.

Definitely try it out a few times - pick a beginners class .

I do yoga and pole fitness, so not the same as Pilates but there are similar movements involved. I have to say that the larger women in the classes do struggle a lot more than the slimmer ones. There is a lot more strain on your joints when you are heavier.

I would look at modifying your diet to lose some of the weight first, you can't out exercise a bad diet.

I'm overweight and do Pilates. I love it and my god it's made me feel better. Rather than a class where I could "get lost" I've opted for 1-2-2 classes with my very good friend who is also overweight. Bit pricey but well worth the time relief and self esteem we get out of it. I haven't lost weight from it alone but the way it makes me feel after, spurs me on to make healthier food choices and do other exercises. Go for it! I wish I'd done when i had 4 stone to lose!