New Series: Fit for the Saddle!

It seems like everywhere you turn, there’s a new fitness craze. Yogalates. Piloxing. Prancercising. What?! I can’t keep track anymore! And how do you figure out which one is best for you? The topic of fitness in the equestrian world is pretty common, but I couldn’t find any specific plans or details for a comprehensive program.

After a ton of research and reading reviews for numerous DVDs, books, classes, etc… I decided to try a combination of a few things. I knew I wanted to incorporate a lot of Pilates into my workout because of the huge benefits it has for riders – mainly because it focuses on building core strength. I checked on classes in my area and none were available at a time that worked for me (not everyone can attend a 10:30am class). So I decided to go with a DVD. I was leaning toward an equestrian-themed Pilates DVD, but eventually decided on a more broad approach. I took Pilates classes in college, so I wanted something beyond an introduction with multiple workout options. So, I went with “Element: Pilates Weight Loss for Beginners” by Brooke Siler. I like that there are two pretty challenging workouts that you can either trade off between or choose to do both back-to-back.

But, I knew I also needed to gain muscle strength and incorporate some cardio. My husband was also interested in starting a fitness routine, so we decided to search for DVD options that we’d both be interested in. A friend recommended “The Biggest Loser” DVD series and I scored a few on Amazon for a great deal! We started with the “30 Day Jumpstart” and “Weight Loss Yoga”, switching off between those two and the Pilates DVD mentioned earlier and making sure we work out for at least 30 minutes each day. So far, I think it’s a well-rounded workout. They do a great job of explaining the exercises and I like that there’s a warm up & cool down option also. The DVDs do incorporate the use of weights, resistance bands and water balls. We opted to purchase the first two, along with exercise balls because we noticed that our other Biggest Loser DVD utilizes those. I highly recommend Amazon and Target for great deals on equipment and DVDs.

After all that work seeking out great options for exercising, we also realized that our diets required tweaking. Mainly, we had to cut down on the sugar (WAY down!) and dairy while increasing the fresh veggies, fruits and proteins. I’m a vegetarian, so we ruled out a specific diet plan and just decided to try to eat all whole foods and avoid chemicals. We’ve only been at it for a few weeks but I can already tell a big difference in the way that I feel. Especially on “cheat days” or celebrations when we eat sweets or fried food and realize how bad it makes us feel.

As a rider, I’ve noticed that I have more energy and stamina when working at the barn all day and during long lessons. I’ve also noticed that I tend to feel less exhausted during the day. I hope that I’ll continue to build core muscles (my main goal) and gain a bit more muscle in my arms. I think the key in any new diet and/or fitness plan is set realistic goals and try to stay motivated even if you can’t see results right away. By having an overall goal of becoming more healthy instead of placing emphasis on pounds or counting calories, the pressure of “the diet plan” tends to fade away and all that other stuff just happens naturally over time.

I plan to share updates, helpful hints and other fitness-related posts this Winter and hopefully throughout the next year. If you have anything you’d like to share, I’d love to hear it! What are some things that help you stay motivated? Any specific routines or DVDs that you love? Let me know in the comments below!