Peak Performance Pilates

The photo on the left was taken in November of 2014 at the height of my professional ballroom dancing career. The photo on the right was taken in March 2020, one day before a global shutdown that would spark a chain of events leading me to make some major changes in my life.

It started with more water. I bought a new water bottle and aimed for 60-70 oz. a day. I was peeing all the time, but I noticed I was less hungry and felt better. Next, I stopped eating after 7pm. The first 2-3 days I felt really hungry before bed, but as my body got used to not having that late-night snack, the cravings disappeared, plus I lost about 5 pounds!

At this point, I had been out of the ballroom industry for over two years and I was feeling very weak, tight, and generally out of shape, feelings I had never experienced before. So I bought some dumbbells, downloaded an at-home fitness app, and started lifting weights.

After about 6 months my clothes starting fitting better and I started liking the way I looked again. Fast-forward two years and I’m feeling confident enough to leave a bad marriage and pursue what (and who) was best for me and my children.

And I kept strength training at home. I would incorporate Pilates and yoga into my routine, but lifting weights always gave me the best results where my confidence and appearance were concerned.

But then I started to hit a plateau. I needed more than what I had at home. I needed heavier weights and a little guidance.

In February of this year, I got a job teaching Pilates in a health and fitness club with access to actual strength training equipment and resources to help me put together an effective fitness and nutrition plan. I’ve made more progress toward my health and fitness goals over the last 6 weeks than anything I did over the last six years combined. The game-changer for me? Strength training. Real strength training 4-5 times a week with heavy weights that force my muscles to work hard, break down, and rebuild themselves. This combined with some other lifestyle and nutrition changes has been the difference-maker.

If you’re trying to lose weight, burn fat, build muscle, hurt less, live longer, sleep better, look better in your clothes…

Start strength training.

You will not get bulky. But you will look amazing, feel amazing, probably live longer with less pain, and maybe even motivate someone close to you.

Let’s hit the gym, Ladies! Oh, and do Pilates so your form doesn’t suck:)

Love,

Katie