Leg Day

Today, I show up to the studio in my widget, ready for some hard core widget-pumping! However, I was in for a leg-day. Nicole had me get transferred out of the widget, onto the pilates reformer. I was disappointed in the sense that I always seem to feel so good about myself at the end of our widget-day sessions! But doing work on the reformer with my legs is, of course, very necessary. So, it was basically like Nicole popped my "fun-bubble." Totally necessary, but reminding me that we got a job to do. Despite the popping of my bubble, I'm kinda glad Nicole put me back to work. (For those of you who watch Family Guy, I totally had a Peter moment. lol)

 

On the reformer, I did some leg-presses...which are a lot more challenging doing them with Nicole because she challenges me to do it by myself. When I push too far back and lock-out my knees, she has me unlock/bend them on my own. I am just so used to having people assist me, so I haven't necessarily tried to "help myself." Nicole encourages me and reminds me of which muscles to engage or relax, but she doesn't just jump in there and do it for me. At first, I was scared of my own assumptions that I couldn't do something. But I'm learning that I can  do a lot more than I thought...I just need to TRY and retrain my body how to work. So, I have  to say Thank You Nicole for helping me start to rediscover my confidence in myself!

 

Along with the leg-presses, Nicole hooked my feet up to these straps above my head...totally reminded me of a sex-machine...the TRX reminded me of a sex-swing...wonder if my lack of sex over the past 7 years has made my mind just turn dirty! ;)   Anyhow, with my legs strapped up there, I pressed my straight legs down towards the ground, and raised my straight legs back up. Nicole had to help me out, I would say mainly with raising my legs back up. I struggle with that motion because my hip-flexors aren't familiar with moving my legs like that. Nicole told me to try pushing my lower back down. I think my body barely started recognizing the motion towards the end of the exercise. I for sure want to keep attempting that lowering and raising of my legs so that I can retrain my hip-flexors.

 

Lastly, Nicole shoved a block under my back. She placed it right above my butt, like where your back naturally curves up. I layed on the block for awhile, allowing my body to relax and get a good stretch. It felt good, and Nicole says I need a massage...oh bummer! ;)