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?

Whereabouts in Hampshire are you?
My Pilates class has all shapes and sizes. There's a couple of people who are a good few stone overweight but are the best at all the exercises. DS is 5 now but post pregnancy going to Pilates really helped. Go for it

I am (was) a 'willowy' size ten six foot ex yoga bunny and I put on 4.5 stone with one pregnancy and a lot with the second and it has taken me 18 months after 2nd to get down to only 10 pounds to lose to get back to size 10/12 (currently 12) Pregnancy, hormones, metabolic changes and pregnancy related illnesses and their treatments can all wreak havoc with SOME women's body and weight and for all the previous posters who clearly did not have the weight issue should stop being so smug and judgy and maybe put some effort into being supportive and sympathetic with a poster who has come here for help.

OP, if you're in pain, pilates taught by a physio is a great place to start. Look for something like APPI where I think all teachers are physics. Good for you for tackling it and good luck. I was a mess after kids, it really ravaged me and I think friends who snapped back quickly were shocked at the state of me, but that's biology and it IS possible to largely come back from it. Pilates also really helps with posture - mine was so bad after pregnancy and breastfeeding, I look much better now I stand better.

Pilates and yoga are often the types of exercise class recommended for those with back problems and any teacher worth their salt will have a range of classes and postures from beginner to advanced. All the people in my classes had sciatica, slipped discs and various other injuries (as did I)so the movements were gentle and designed to gradually increase strength and range of movement.
Research the type of classes available and pick one at the beginner end and move on to the more difficult movements when you feel able. You should always be challenging yourself but not hurting yourself. It is hard work but as others have said it does develop strength, flexibility and stamina.

Absolute bollocks. Wow, the gym bunnies are out in force today! The OP did not ask for advice on losing weight, but is having problems with muscle strength after childbirth. How the fuck is she supposed to 'hit the gym' when she's struggling to walk? My physio forbade me from going to the gym until I'd completed 6 weeks of NHS physio run Pilates. I can assure you that Pilates is for everyone, and that is from a physiotherapist.

I shudder about the judging I am going to get...

I'm pretty overweight and I haven!5 had a baby at any point in the recent past it I love Pilates.

Even if you are overweight a strong core is great...and protective for other injuries...

I'm definitely bigger than you OP and have been going to Pilates regularly for about 3 years, mainly to help my bad back which it really does. I'm probably the biggest there but the instructor has different levels and I usually just do the easy level. I love it though, it really helps aches and pains and improves core strength. Sure it would be easier if I was smaller but I'm not and I'm there for my own benefit not anyone else's. I say go for it!

No, no, no, miaow go!!!

Please go Miaow the type of people you have encountered here won't be in your classes because they will be judged as too low a level for them, so you will be in with a truly mixed bag of ages and problems.

Pilates is fantastic .I started at 20stone (shoot me)and am now at 13 stone .By some people's reckoning I still shouldn't be doing Pilates ,give it a go op and enjoy

The physiotherapist I saw recommended pilates before running after I injured my back. Pilates and long walks. It has been brilliant. I am the second youngest in my pilates class, and I am 46.

I don't think you'd lose much weight from pilates but it would definately help your posture and toning.

I went to pilates today. Huge mix of ages and men / women. Our teacher looks like Ripley in Alien but she's a sweetheart.

And they are all lovely, I should add. And sll shapes and sizes.

My ex Pilates teacher now does Pilates for new mums where you take the baby with you (if you want)
Fully recommended my her

I only wish she still did my class, she was fab teacher
She worked for NHS in hospital as a physio

I'd only look for physio trained teacher

I think as an obese person I'd really struggle to do cardio if I didn't have a strong core to support myself when doing so, so Pilates definitely helps!

I was recommended Pilates by physio when I was 18 and overweight so

I hope not as I'm starting a course of classes in a couple of weeks and probably about 2 stone over my ideal weight

Thank you for all the lovely and massively helpful comments. For the people giving me tips on how to eat etc kindly do one! I know how to eat and ear really healthily NOW. I didn't during pregnancy and struggled to exercise which is why I gained the weight, get over your budget selves.

MIAOW come on let's do it together! Virtual Pilates group. I don't give a toss if any judgemental skinny minnies laugh at/make comments about me, I'm doing this for me and so should you

Oh my days! eat judgey

I was very overweight when I did a postnatal Pilates course. It helped put my abdomen and pelvis back together so that I could start some proper cardio and lose weight. OP if you find the right teacher and class it will be highly beneficial.

Why are you getting so defensive when nobody was rude to you at all?

You mentioned that you are 4 stone overweight as well as stiff so your original post reads as if you wanted advice on both of those problems. That's why people tried to help by being honest and saying it's more of a diet issue.

I don't think Pilates is a great idea for someone that is very overweight purely because of the strain on your joints, I've noticed a lot of the larger women in my yoga classes complaining about pains in their wrists and knee pains. If you can find an extremely gentle and easy class then that shouldn't be an issue though.

Don't be so dismissive of the "gym bunnies" and "skinny minnies" as perhaps they are the ones getting it right.

Wow some really rude people!! Im size 20 and had baby 7 months ago with c section and started Pilates 3 weeks ago i love it! So i woupd defiantly recommend , im actually shocked and some of the comments! God knows what they would think of me being size 20 and doing pilates !

'll skip it. I don't go places where people will be thinking that of me.

Cutting your nose off to spite your face there surely?

@Nancy91 so all weight problems are linked to diet? Everything to do with weight loss is "more of a diet issue"? I totally disagree with your stance but clearly you've never experienced what I have in life. Oh and I used to be classed as a skinny minnies gym bunny so I know what I'm talking about. I'm not particularly getting defensive I just disagree and make my points bluntly.

@chicken2015 thanks that's good to know and good for you, inspiration for me right there!. I've just sent a couple of messages to 2 local Pilates places, one specifically mentions post natal Pilates so I'm now excited about the replies and getting booked in!

I also dont think u were being defensive , and also the op wasnt saying that the pilates was for loosing weight it was to become more flexible (i took from it anyways)