The Hardest Button to Button

In 1997 Peter Martins, the then-artistic director of New York City Ballet, released "New York City Ballet Workout, Fifty Stretches and Exercises Anyone Can Do for a Strong, Graceful, and Sculpted Body."   Being the dutiful aspiring professional dancer that I was, I eagerly did all the exercises hoping that a multitude of leg lifts would produce the same results I saw on the beautifully photographed pages.  Underneath it all I knew that no amount of floorbarre would replace an economical calorie budget and 6-8 hours daily of strenuous cardiovascular rehearsal paired with nightly performances. 

Fast forward to present, with a full dance career, 18 years of teaching Pilates and two nutrition certifications under my belt, I'll still fall into the trap of buying a model's meal plan or an influencers pdf of the Victoria's Secret Workout routine just to check myself and see if there is something I am missing.  I would say 97 percent of the time I'm not.  

So this may seem wildly conflicting, because I literally have an ON DEMAND platform where you can do all the fun dancer-y moves I like to string together.  And will it help your posture, muscle tone, core and flexibility?  ABSOLUTELY.  But I also offer nutrition coaching because following a video or a meal plan is relatively straightforward.  Recognizing what is stopping you from doing the thing you say you want, now that's what's tricky.

Just as they say that 20 percent of your actions create 80 percent of your results the same goes for when you are working towards achieving wellness goals.  But if your plan is 97 percent information and only 3 percent implementation then you might find yourself overwhelmed and frustrated.  So I've identified some common blocks that may be keeping you from showing up for Pilates or carving out time for meal prepping.

BLOCK #1:
I have a lot of clients who confess to me that they hate doing abs but they probably need to because their midsection is their "problem area."  Feeling obligated is the fastest route to killing your motivation and here's why: most likely you were taught that being toned, skinny or fit would gain you approval and attention.  But there is always going to be a part of you that wants to be accepted not matter what, as you are.  And that part of you is going to throw a big ass temper tantrum each time you get close to a goal.  Have you ever picked a fight with your significant other just to make sure they care about you?  Yeah, it's like that.  

THE FIX:
Send all the barking gym teachers, nagging parents, and "summer body" messaging packing.  Thinking back, are the people who were critical of you in fabulous shape?  Most likely not. Even on the off chance they were rocking an amazing body, looking back can you detect that their physical fitness was a flimsy cover for their flagging self-esteem?   Or maybe their body was in order but their bank account or personal relationships were in a shambles.    

A wise woman once said to me " there is plenty on time to do what you want to do... just not enough time to do what everyone else wants you to do."  It's important for you to determine what YOU value, just not trying to be a size 2 because it's a status symbol like having this season's bag or driving the right car.   What makes sense for your budget, schedule and energy levels?  What makes you FEEL good?  I know if I don't do a bit of strength training my neck really hurts.  I also know if I mainline coffee all day I end up with a raging headache.   However just by lifting some weights  and eating consistently throughout the day my metabolism is going to go faster and I'm less likely to be bloated.  A win-win situation if you ask me.  

BLOCK #2:
Change means letting things go and doing things differently... that can feel like you are losing your entire identity.  These themes are woven deeply inside our thought processes.  It may be hard not to clean your plate if your grandmother lived through the Depression and had to freeze milk to make sure her family had enough calcium to keep their teeth.   It might seem selfish to admit you might need more than a can of Spam for a meal if you're just a few generations removed from wartime rations.   Understandably investing in a coach or a Pilates class may feel not as wise as investing in something tangible like a pair of shoes or a sweater. 

THE FIX:
The first step is recognizing that times have changed.  In our current day and age many of the diseases we see are what Traditional Chinese Medicine would be classified as "diseases of excess."  Meaning that we are seeing a lot of adverse reactions to having too many rich, heavy and processed foods.  In addition, in order to prevent food shortages a wide range of foods are treated with substances to increase their shelf life.  However, these substances also make it harder for our bodies to break down (gluten and wheat sensitivities have now entered the chat).  

Not only does chronic disease impact our health but it also affects our bottom line.   In my early days as a business owner a client and I did a cost analysis comparison of  back surgery vs. twice weekly Private Pilates.   And even with insurance defraying some of the medical costs Pilates won by a landslide.   She was so glad to have a strong flexible spine, with toned abs and glutes to match, she even had some money leftover for a new cute pair of shoes.   Find ways to honor and appreciate those who paved the way before us by building on the foundation they gave us. 

BLOCK #3:
Awareness is great but the next step requires a huge leap of faith.  If you attach your value to making other people happy or if the driving force behind your choices is fear of isolation then this may be the hardest step yet.   In TCM many addictive behaviors are traced back to abandonment issues.  So whatever is your vice be it sugar, alcohol, caffeine, artificially flavored snacks, workaholism, shopping, social media or some combination of the above, we all use something to numb our nervous system.  The issue is that this never really allows us to fully heal our insecurities.  In fact, we usually end up needing more and more to fill the ever-deepening void because we have gotten used to abandoning our need for true nourishment and connection.    

THE FIX: 
Where are you saying yes when you mean no?  Are you staying up late bingeing Netflix with your partner when you'd rather get some rest?  Are you taking seconds of Aunt Edna's casserole when you are full?  Maybe you're working extra hours because you feel "guilty."  I love the phase "it's lonely at the top" because nothing can be more true in the short term.  The hard truth is if your friends don't want you to do what's best for you they are not really your friends.  If your customers are only looking for discounts there will be others who don't want to race to the bottom.  From a nutrition standpoint I view change as restructuring your energetic budget so that you can eliminate sneaky life-sapping vampires and have more to devote to the things that will go the distance for you.  And if you want some support while you upgrade come up here with me.  The view is great and the air is SO nice. 

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Let's work together