Hello Mama!
Having a baby may be life’s most amazing experience but the aftermath, the battle to lose 30 pounds, is no ballgame! As if it’s not bad enough that you have to deal with 10 months of gaining weight, not fitting into clothes, waddling around like ducks, back aches, restless leg syndrome, infinite pee breaks throughout the night, just when you’re ready to be unbearably light, just when the excruciatingly painful labour of love has been pushed out, you’re left to discover with much disappointment and horror, that your tummy looks just about as big and blubbery as ever before.  “Is there another baby still in there?” you’re tempted to scream out to the doctor.  “A baby whale, perhaps?” Alas, no.  That’s just flab. So then the next phase begins, the labour of blub.
Desperate mothers may turn to crazy diets of just broccoli and popcorn, denying their body the vital nutrients necessary to help regenerate and recover from the major experience of creating an angel of flesh.  And as these mothers pinch pennies to save up for the dreamed of tummy tuck and shed secret tears in their bedrooms while clinging to their tightest pair of navy blue jeans, they’re compelled to don, <gasp>, their maternity clothes, once more, though there is no baby within!
I remember that being one of the worst feelings ever! But fear not.  The battle is not long.  You can be back in shape before your baby’s crawling.  What’s the secret?  Pilates!
In high school and college, I had a turbulent relationship with my body.  I loved to eat but I wanted to stay skinny, so I worked out like a maniac.  I spent hours at the gym and counted every calorie I consumed, sometimes running an extra few miles to compensate for an extra chocolate bar.  I ran a few half marathons (13 miles) and ended up with hair-line fractures in both my shins.  Every time I took a break from the gym, for exams or vacations, I’d balloon.  (That’s what happens when you’re hooked on hard-core cardio routines.)  I was stuck in an unhealthy and rigid fitness routine, one that is unfortunately increasingly common among young women.
My junior year in college, I discovered pilates.  This changed my life.  Finally I had a way to stay slim that was gentle, not damaging to the skeletal system, like running.  It helped me get toned without making me bulk up, like weights do.  It boosted my metabolism so I could eat all the desserts that came my way without feeling guilty.  It altered the overall structure of my physique, so I could take month long breaks from working out without gaining weight.  It taught me to connect to my body.  I became confident, accepting and appreciative of my body.

Now, ten years and two children later, I feel sexier than ever before.  I’m so grateful pilates came into my life, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to share it with others who are dedicated to living healthier, happier lives.
Pilates (pronounced puh-la-teez) is a physical fitness system that focuses on the core muscles which help keep the body balanced and which are essential to providing support for the spine.  Weak spines are a pain in the back, and they lead to injuries such as slip disks which can have you bedridden (without any fun bed activities) for months.

In particular, pilates

• enhances body awareness (so you’ll know how to stretch out a stiff neck after hours of breast feeding),
• tones the body (so you can wear tank tops again),
• increases the metabolism (so you can eat more and weigh less),
• strengthens core muscles (to get your abs and back in shape after pregnancy),
• improves balance (so you can impress friends with fancy tricks on the balance beam)
• raises energy levels (so you can keep up with your infant)
• increases stamina and flexibility (so you’ll be better... on the dance floor)
• and provides a great place to meet other people (because being at home with your baby all day may deny you a certain level of socialization that you’re craving.)  

All in all, body conditioning is an important part of a healthy life style.  It’s something we all need to keep up with the demands and challenges of being the glam queens that we are.  For more information about the class, please visit Amazon Club, Road 80, House 2.