10 Reasons Why Exercise is Important As We Age

Taking care of our bodies through exercise is important at any age, but as we get older, being active becomes all the more critical.

Aside from trimming down or adding muscle, working out has some serious health benefits for the parts of the body we can’t see. If you need more convincing to get moving, here are 10 reasons why hitting the gym, taking a yoga class or simply going for a walk is beneficial for anyone, especially as we age.

1. Regular exercise can prevent or delay illness or disability.

But if you’ve already been diagnosed with a disease or disability, regular exercise can often improve health conditions/complications.

2. Not exercising could kill you.

A study showed that 10 percent of premature deaths were caused by inactivity.

3. Exercise makes your heart muscle stronger and lowers blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.  

If you’re dealing with high blood pressure (as many older...

Why You Should Stop Skipping Meals For Weight Loss

School is back in session and everyone is getting back into their usual diet and exercise routine. 

There is a great desire to shed all those added “summer pounds”. I  have overheard clients talking about their dieting habits and how they are planning on losing weight.  While most are healthy, I would like to talk about why you should stop skipping meals for weight loss.

You may feel drained of energy

Going too long without food denies your body glucose, the sugar that supplies your brain with energy. Without energy, it can feel more difficult than usual to work or perform everyday activities. You will likely get less work done and will be slower to make decisions if you have an empty stomach.

You may want to skip meals to reach a certain weight, but doing so may have an unwanted reverse effect. People who often skip lunch or dinner burn fewer calories overall and spend less total time exercising....

Meet the Team: Lauren Santos

Lauren Santos is a born and raised Miami native who has continuously engaged in sports rehabilitation, and health fitness studies from a young age.

Such as her parents, Lauren has chosen to pursue a career in the realm of medicine to ultimately become a licensed Physical Therapist specializing in sport rehabilitation. Lauren is an active member of the Sports Science Organization where she participates in various events involving exercise sciences and fitness studies throughout the academic school year at Florida International University (FIU). Lauren is as adventurous as she sounds, always creating a comfortable, and welcoming environment no matter where she is. In Lauren’s free time you can almost always catch her working out getting her fitness on or just simply enjoying the outdoors. As a part of the Pilates in the Grove team, Lauren is always willing and able to assist clients whilst on their fitness journey!

Favorite thing to eat for breakfast...

Top 3 Reasons To Practice Pilates During Pregnancy

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard “Can I do Pilates when I’m pregnant?” YES! And furthermore– YOU SHOULD! Pilates is a wonderful addition to any fitness program, no matter your experience or current fitness level. But it’s especially beneficial for those who are expecting, for a number of reasons. We’ve narrowed it down to our top three reasons why you should practice Pilates during pregnancy in this blog post

1. Pilates can strengthen your core... help prevent a diastasis recti

This condition is when the rectus abdominal muscle or “6-pack” muscle separates along the lines alba. In all pregnancies there is a thinning and widening of this fascia as the uterus pushes up against the abdominal wall- but in many women this separation widens greater than the normal 2 finger width and becomes problematic from both a function and aesthetic standpoint.

...

Top 3 Reasons To Practice Pilates During Pregnancy

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard “Can I do Pilates when I’m pregnant?” YES! And furthermore– YOU SHOULD!

Here are my top 3 reasons why

1. Improved core strength, especially of your transverse abdominis, can help prevent a diastasis recti.  

This condition is when the rectus abdominal muscle or “6-pack” muscle separates along the lines alba. In all pregnancies there is a thinning and widening of this fascia as the uterus pushes up against the abdominal wall- but in many women this separation widens greater than the normal 2 finger width and becomes problematic from both a function and aesthetic standpoint. The stronger the deepest layer of abdominal musculature is (the transverse abdominis), the more the rectus will be supported and less likely to separate. Pilates focuses on this deep abdominal layer and can help teach you how to engage your TA more...

Pilates: A Great Way To Help With Back To School Anxiety

If you are at all familiar with the history of Pilates you may have heard some of Joseph Pilates’ famous quotes from “Physical Fitness is the first requisite of happiness” to “ The Mind when housed within a healthful body possesses a glorious sense of power”.

Mr. Pilates also firmly believed in the health of our children and held true to his belief in “First Educate the Child”.

Habits

Both good and bad habits begin to be formed in early childhood. Joseph Pilates believed that if we could introduce his form of exercise into a child’s routine it would help them create good physical habits early on in life. It was his dream to have children learn his exercise so they would grow up knowing how to properly take care of their bodies. Pilates can help establish a correct foundation of movement that children will use for their entire lives. It will also create a balanced musculature that...

Meet the Team: Carrie Foster Heberling

Carrie has a Degree in Exercise Science from FIU, where she also competed as a Division 1 Swimmer. 

Her love for Pilates came about while nursing a shoulder injury and trying to find a workout routine she loved after 15+ years of swimming. After a few years of practicing, she completed the Core Advancement Teacher Training at Pilates in the Grove.

Outside of the studio she Coaches swimming and enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs.

Questions for Meet The Team

Favorite thing to eat for breakfast

Eggs with GF toast and spinach

I don’t leave home without?

 My water

If Joseph Pilates were alive today what would you ask him or have him teach you?

I’m not sure that I could pick just one thing, I’d like to know everything. I think I would have just latched onto his side and followed him around.

What qualities do you admire in a teacher?

 Passion, humor, someone who pushes you, knowledge

Top 3...

Breakfast of Champions

Breakfast has always been my favorite meal of the day, so much so that I have been known to eat breakfast burritos for lunch and dinner too. 

As much as I love the taste of a greasy burrito or breakfast sandwich, my gut doesn’t always agree with me afterwards.  I have put together some of my favorite healthy recipes for all my fellow breakfast lovers out there that are not only delicious, but easy to make! Breakfast is important – not only is it the first meal of your day, but it also sets the tone for the next 12-15 hours you spend awake. Let’s make it count!

Berry Banana Steel Cut Oatmeal in the Slow Cooker (adapted from kimscravings.com)

Vegan and gluten-free

Ingredients:

• 1 cup steel cut oats (may be gluten free if needed)
• 2 ripe bananas, sliced
• 1-2 cups of frozen blueberries
• 2 cups of water
• 2 cups of unsweetened almond milk (or your milk of choice)
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 2...