I had a lovely week skiing over New Year. It is one of my lifelong passions and I hope to be skiing into my dotage.
There was more than one occasion when I could have gone flying, usually when trying to race my 15 year old twin nephews but I really felt the benefit of both strong legs (weight and strength work) and being balanced and having core strength (Pilates) which enabled me to stay upright and quickly recover.
I talk a lot about how one discipline supports and enhances another and it was really brought home to me on this trip, having prevoiusly faced a partial knee replacement and wondering if my skiing days were on the wane.
You know how much I believe that exercise is so much more than movement, as we think about increased balance, energy levels, improved mind body connection and enhanced neural pathways but let me bring something else to the table.
I am currently reading from my "friend"Dr. Rangan Chaterjee's latest book "Make Change that Lasts" and this extract really resonated.
I quote... " ... Exercising your body makes it more resilient because you are putting it through manageable amounts of stress.
As it works to handle the stress, and then returns back to normal, it is "practising" HOW to deal with stress.
This means that when a bigger load of stress comes into our life, which it inevitably will, we will be more ready and able to handle it.
A study in 2021 found that just eight weeks of aerobic exercise improved resilience and our abilty to react to non exercise stressors - in this study, participants moved their bodies just three times a week with sessions of 30 - 50 mins."
If that doesn't make you want to get up and move, I honestly don't know what will. Isn't that fascinating! Another massive gain and even greater resilience.
If you are a podcast fan, please do find Dr Chaterjee's pod "Feel better, live more" (and search the 2 most downloaded episodes so far - "How to reivent your life in 2025" #505 26/12/24 and "How to make changes that actually last" #506 1/1/25)
I see most of you on a very regular basis and you are every bit as commited to your health, fitness and wellness as me and that makes it a joy to work with you! I am not sure if you realise how advanced and experienced you are but I brag about you A LOT!
It is staggering, the difference not only with physical ability but also general coordination and concentration with those who are less dedicated and are more infrequent in their exericse - and makes my job a lot harder. It is known that Joe Pilates expected all his clients to attend his studio a minimum of 3 times a week and if they didn't, they were no longer welcome and I must admit, I really understand why!
(Incidentally, this doesn't necessarily mean focused Pilates or lifting weights but movment, mindfulness, stretch. 10 mins a day of some roll downs and squats and shoulder bridges. Simple, do'able and sustainable)
