A new year is upon us, and with the change of the calendar often comes a change in mindset, and by mindset I really mean … RESOLUTIONS. Like many people, in the past I have made the resolution to get into shape! But also like many people, by February, that resolution slipped away. You see, unlike my hubby (who I fondly refer to as a gym rat), I hate exercise. It’s not that I am lazy; it’s just going to the gym for me is right up there with going to the dentist! In the past, Hubby would try and help me keep my New Year’s resolution by dragging me to the gym with him. While spending time together was always nice, the gym to me was boring and way too crowded. Instead of concentrating on what I was supposed to be doing, I would be watching others and inevitably comparing myself to them. It always ended the same way, me feeling self-conscious and Hubby getting frustrated. But this summer, something changed.
I was talking to my husband about all the things we still needed to buy to get our daughter ready for her first semester of college when he said something that just sort of clicked.
“Sharon, it’s not about buying all the stuff on the college dorm lists. It’s about making sure she is ready mentally, which I think she is.” I must have looked at him funny because he continued with the analogy that changed my love-hate relationship with exercise. “It’s like me and the gym. You think I go to the gym to look nice, but I go to keep my body in shape so I can do all the other things I want to do.” It was like a light bulb went off. Instead of trying to change everything about myself, what if I used exercise instead to get to know and appreciate the body I have already and improve what I could so I can do all the things I too want to do? I know … mind blowing!
Pilates is the only exercise program I have ever stuck with. In fact, in October, I reached my first of many fitness goals – I joined the “100 club.” Yes, the girl who hates exercise has now taken over 100 classes. I finally got what Hubby was saying. While I certainly am enjoying the great physical changes I am seeing, I keep going to classes because they make me feel stronger, more centered, and more in control of my body. My new excitement must have been contagious because HUBBY agreed to come with me to the studio to try it out for my choice of our date night. Because after all, exercise is more fun with a friend, and what better way to strengthen our relationship than by strengthening our bodies!
Club Pilates is a boutique Pilates studio owned and operated by long-time Lake Nona resident Michelle Bishop Bethencourt. Michelle opened the 1,900-square-foot studio in 2019 because, as she says, “I honestly feel that everybody can benefit from Pilates!” And from the diversity of people who attend, she is right. I think that is what I love the most, you will find all ages, shapes, sizes and sexes, too. YES, men do attend classes! Pilates is for everyone because it strengthens your core … you know, the muscles you need to basically do everything else! Even though I tried to explain all this, I don’t think Hubby thought he was going to get much of a workout. Boy, was he wrong.
Michelle arranged for Hubby and me to have a private class with the one and only Teresa who, among us regulars, is an instructor known for her awesome taste in music, her high energy, and for her fun but HARD classes. Teresa was going to give us a sample of many of the classes they offer and include using the reformer machine, cardio jumpboard, and even the TRX® suspension training system. My guy, who jokes about everything, suddenly became very quiet; he was concentrating because the movements and exercises were very different from anything he had ever done before. He was using muscles he never uses. And yes, the day after, he was sore in places he never knew he had! I’m not going to lie; I did get a bit of a smug satisfaction over that part! Soreness aside, he said he had a lot of fun and would like to go back again. I take that as a win!
Doing this physical date with Hubby made me realize that relationships and dating are a lot like New Year’s resolutions – they can be fun and exciting at first, but for them to thrive and last, it takes work. And just like Pilates, a strong core is key!
Club Pilates is located at 7004 Tavistock Lakes Blvd., Suite 144, Orlando, FL 32827, on the ground floor of Pixon Apartments across from the Lake Nona Town Center. To celebrate their two-year anniversary, Club Pilates Lake Nona is bringing back Founders Rates! If you sign up in the month of January, you save 20% on the lifetime of your membership. To lock in this rate, schedule a free introductory class, or get more info, call the studio at (407) 910-2855.
