Lose Weight, Trim Inches And Lengthen Muscles With Yoga And Pilates

by Kelly Dailey
If you have been working out at the gym and you can't seem to lose that last ten pounds; it's time to add a new activity. How can yoga and pilates change your body to become longer and leaner? When you've been doing the same activity for a while it's time to change things up.

Have you been going to the gym running on the treadmill and lifting weights and now your body just seems to stay the same. Maybe that last 10 lbs just won’t come off. So you’ve been building muscle and conditioning your heart. Awesome! However, you would like to change the appearance of your body to show more muscle definition and rather than bulk up the muscle, create additional strength by lengthening your muscles. Now it’s time to change things up so you can take your fitness to the next level. That is trim off inches by changing your exercise routine.

So here we go…let’s surprise your body into the next level of fitness.

Practicing yoga and pilates are each a way to lengthen muscle and strengthen the core. Also, because of the mind body connection you will increase your focus and endurance. Both yoga and pilates give many benefits to both mind and body. After just a few classes you will see the difference in the length of your muscles. Your muscles will be long and leaner. You will achieve an increase in strength.

Yoga and pilates also will sensitize your appetite. Eat only a light snack of 250-300 calories 2 hours before class; and fully hydrate 1 hour before class. You want your stomach to be fairly empty so that you are able to breathe properly and maximize the core muscles. In other words you don’t want food or water to get in the way. Also, if possible wait about a ½ hour before eating after class so that your body can spend all of its energy recovering to maximize muscle building. Then go ahead and eat a light meal with carbs, protein and fruit/vegetables.