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28 Days of Pilates: Day #1
Welcome to 28 Days of Pilates!
I’m SO ready to kick this thing off and I hope you are too.
Since it’s February (the month of love) I want you to end this month loving your body more.
Through Pilates, through eating well and by setting aside 5 minutes a day for yourself.
In order to be your best, it’s imperative that you take time to care for yourself. You will be a better mom/friend/wife/employee/leader when you stop running yourself dry and take time to refuel and recharge.
Let these workouts be just that. YOU time.
It’s definitely going to be a challenge. There will be days when you feel too busy or just feel like slacking off but remember, real change takes work.
Now for the good stuff…
As you know, we’ll be focusing on a different muscle group each day. Since today is Saturday it’s all about the abs.
But first, I have to share: I’m still in the (long, slow) process of re-gaining my strength after having a baby. My body needs this as much as (or quite possibly more than) you do! I’m seriously feeling the burn! So just remember, we’re all in this together. 🙂
Once you’ve completed today’s workout, I want to hear about it!
Check-in on Instagram and Facebook by posting a photo and using the hashtag #28daysofpilates. I’ll be doing the same so we can support one another and stay the course. Don’t be shy! 🙂
So without further ado, here’s your workout for day #1…let’s do this!
xo,
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104 thoughts on “28 Days of Pilates: Day #1”
Just finished the video for Day #1. Those 5 minutes were POWERFUL! Definitely felt every move strengthening my abs and obliques. Looking forward to the next video! 🙂
LOVE hearing that! xo
Im just about to do this, please follow my instagram @6laurenrose6
Day one – whew! That was a great ab workout! Looking foward to the next 27 days. xo
Kim so glad to have you again!
Great way to start the day. I’m so excited for this month!
Oh good! I’m excited too 🙂
Just finished day one!! Wow!! I felt it, especially the last exercise. What a great way to get my Saturday going. Can hardly wait for tomorrow!! Thank you for making it easy for a newbie to follow!!!
Good work Jennifer! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Just finished Day 1! WOWOWO…Two babies, two c-sections…This lady has a lot to gain in the next 27 days! Thanks, Robin.
You go, Taylor! And take it easy when you need to! I’m still recovering too! Babies do a number on those ab muscles 🙂
Finished Day 1! Loved it & felt it!
Good to hear. I felt it too! Ha 🙂
What a quick workout! I’ll probably do it again later tonight!
Great idea! xo
Thanks Robin, that was great!
Thank YOU Ash 🙂
SO glad I found you! What a fun way to introduce people to pilates! Great ab workout!
xo, NIna
afterthe40barfinish
Thanks Nina! Happy to have you!
Just completed day 1! Whew! I felt the burn! Excited for day 2!
Nice Erica! Tomorrow we get a nice little easy workout. Then Monday it’s back to work 🙂
This is just what I needed today. Thank you!! I can’t wait for tomorrow. 🙂
Oh good! Tomorrow will be our Stretch & Relax day. Then we’ll be back to the hard work on Monday 🙂
Done. Thanks so much, Robin! I felt the burn too 😉
Okay, good. I’m glad I’m not the only one 🙂
I just found your blog through this challenge. I just had baby #2 7 weeks ago and this is perfect to get me back in the game. This first workout was the perfect length to squeeze in time for and boy did it burn!
Yes, take your time! You’re only 7 weeks out so expect that you will have to give yourself grace and modify a few things in the beginning. But I’m so glad you’re doing this and yes, it’s helpful to keep workouts short these days! xo
So good, I did it twice! Thank you so much for this 🙂
Rock star! I’m impressed 🙂
Woowee! I love this! My son is 15m, this is my first time working out since him. I used to teach a Pilates class in NYC, but not do I feel like a beginner! I’m so excited for this month, thank you for doing this!!
I felt like a beginner when I got back to workouts after my baby too! Here’s hoping we’ll feel strong by the end of the month 🙂
Joining you from New Zealand so I will be a bit behind with the time difference as it is Sunday here, but it is totally worth it. Your instructions are so clear! Thank you for a good first day.
Yeah! I love that! I’ve always wanted to go to New Zealand. I imagine it’s a lot warmer where you are right now 🙂
It really is! It’s a bit warm for my liking. Bring on the autumn.
LOVED every minute of that. Definitely feeling the burn!! What is your instagram??
Awesome! So glad to hear that 🙂 I’m @thebalancedlife on Instagram.
Thank you Robin! I’m done with Day 1!!! YAY!!! I’m post baby by 2 years myself, and y’all are right about C-sections and babies doing things to these abs!!!
Nice work Mendy! yes, take your time as you re-build your strength. We’ll all get there 🙂
Loved day 1! Excited for a whole month of this 🙂 Thanks Robin!
Oh good! It’s going to be a fun month 🙂
Done and done. This on top of the 7 mile hilly hike I just got back from. Thanks, Robin!
Amazing. Go girl!
Yay! I did it! I am determined to do it every day! Thank you!!
Good to hear Julie! You CAN do it!
Finally got to do day 1. Loved it!! Definitely felt the burn 🙂
Good to hear Sarah 🙂
This was great. I never would have pushed myself that hard on my own.
Glad you enjoyed it Grey!
I’m surprised I could do it but I did! Thank you!
Isn’t that a great feeling Janelle? Just wait until day 28. You’ll love it 🙂
Day 1 Done!
Nice work Megan!
Oh my this was great! Got to it tonight and this is fantastic I am so psyched for the next work out. I worked muscles in my stomach I didn’t know I had. Thanks!!!! 🙂
Glad you like it Mina. Yes, Pilates will help you discover all kinds of new muscles! It’s going to be a fun month. Glad you’re here! 🙂
I was tired, with a head ache, my baby finally went to sleep and all I wanted was to do the same. Still I didn’t give up and did day one. was hard, and felt great! I’m looking forward to day 2, and 3, and all 🙂
Oh Einat, I can so related. SO glad you did it even though you were tired. Your body and mind will thank you as you continue to take care of yourself this month. xo
Hi starting a day late just found you but better late than never!
Colleen
Of course it is! Easy to make up Day 1 by doing it along with Day 2 today. Glad you’re joining!
Thank you! I’m looking forward to the 28-day challenge (even though I got started a day late 🙂 I have a hard time keeping the work in my abs out and out my hips and hip flexors. Any tips?
Hi Katie! Glad you’re here! That is a common problem when starting Pilates. Typically because you’re relying on those muscles more than you maybe should. Eventually your abs will be more easily accessed and hopefully that issue will disappear. A few tips. Consciously think of keeping your thigh bone heavily weighted in your hip socket (like someone was pushing down on your knee when your knees are in table top). Also, in table top, you can draw your knees closer into your chest until you get stronger. And you can also modify by resting your feet on the floor instead.
Today’s stretches will feel nice on your hips!
Thank you so much for responding! I’ll keep this in mind going forward!
Katie
A little late but done day 1 and 2. Feels good!
Better late than never! Glad you’re on board 🙂
I did this workout again today; one of my new favorites–great burn! 🙂 Thanks!
You’re awesome 🙂
Love this, great idea for February, thank you.
My pleasure, Jane. Glad to have you as a part of this community 🙂
Day #1 finished (I procrastinated) and I’m so impressed, love that it the first session was a manageable 5 minutes! Can’t wait to catch up now, looking forward to my daily pilates sessions. xxx
Hi Nicole! So glad you’re catching up with us! Keep me posted on your progress. 🙂
Would these be OK if I am pregnant? I really want to do this!
Hi Sarah,
Congratulations!! What a special time for you 🙂 I have to say that I created these workouts for non-pregnant women 🙂 So that being said I can’t say that all of the exercises are safe for all 3 trimesters. You can always ask your Dr. and see what he/she thinks.
But I do know that after 20 weeks you should avoid laying on your back for more than a few minutes and avoid flexion exercises (like crunches). Have you seen my prenatal program, Balanced Beginnings? You can do it all from home and I filmed all the workouts while I was pregnant too. http://thebalancedlifeonline.com/balanced-beginnings/
Is it too late to sign up?!
No, not too late at all! You can jump right in and join us. And since the workouts are short it will be easy to make the first few days up if you want to 🙂
Finished Day 1 of the 28 Days of Pilates!! Awesome ab work!! Thank you Robin for the challenge!
Oh good! Glad you’re jointing us! xo
I just found your blog so I’m starting a little late but I did it this morning and felt great! I love pilates. I was a dancer for 8 years so my body really adjusts well to it for exercise. Love your personality! Thanks 🙂
Welcome Gina! I used to dance to which one of the reasons I LOVE Pilates. So glad you have you here as a part of the community 🙂
Just finished day 1. I’m starting late, but I’ll follow a few days behind (or maybe catch up?). Thanks!
Welcom Hannah! Feel free to pair a few videos tougher each day to catch up! Or you can add the days you missed on at the end. Whatever you prefer. Glad you’re joining in! xo
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very EXCITED to start this!
Oh good! SO glad you’re joining!
Just started (I’m very late!!!) & it was amazing 🙂 It was only 5 minutes but my abs were burning!!!
Welcome Yaritza! I’m happy you’re here! Enjoy the workouts 🙂
I’m a month behind. I saw this program on your instagram originally and I’ve been meaning to start but I fell behind. I’m starting today and looking so forward to it!
Hi Monika! Glad you’re joining in! Enjoy 🙂
Hi Robin so glad you are back
Is a great workout I started today 8/28/14.
I am behind but I will catch up promise. I am an older woman and is excited to have 5 minutes work out thanks.
Welcome Luz! So glad you’re jumping in!
Ok, I’m in. But know it was only a matter of seconds before my 5yr old joined me and 30 seconds later my daughter had 20 questions about what I was doing and then my 3yr old body slammed me.
In hindsight….I’m locking the bedroom door tomorrow.
Be well~
I just found you on Pintrist last week, and started your 28 day workout today. After having a baby at the end of April I’m still trying to get all my muscles back to being toned like they used to be and Pilates is a fun way to do it. Thank you so much for doing these videos!! I’m excited!
You have fantastic extension through the legs and toe point! I did gymnastics and did these ab exercises and was wondering if you had a background in gymnastics or dance? Your form is perfect!
Thank you! I was a dancer 🙂
You’re welcome! It definitely shows! What kind of stretches do you do to get that amazing toe point!?
Just starting doing pilates workouts for the first time ever! I’m only 26 years old but my lower back hurt more than my abs in this workout. Is that normal? Am I possibly doing it wrong or is my back just really not up to par yet haha
Hi Ashley! It could be a combination of the 2. Be sure to watch my “Pilates For Beginners” series on YouTube to learn more about the form and proper muscle activation. It will help! Here’s a link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZZBp71NETYHOTa7ili6TLslwE2WhmgN5
I felt the same thing in my lower back as well as my upper legs. I was really working to keep the neutral spine so I’m thinking I just need to strengthen those muscles more.
Hi Crystal! It’s possible that you are relying on the muscles of your hips and back to do the work that should be coming more from the deep abodminals. Here’s a helpful post: http://thebalancedlifeonline.com/qa-wednesday-why-do-my-hip-flexors-hurt-when-i-do-pilates/
Keep up the great work! 🙂
This is my first experience with Pilates and I’m really enjoying it. Still trying to get back into working out after having my son and this was perfect. Short yet effective. Thanks for sharing!
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