My son is now 13 weeks old (that’s me carrying Jonas at 8 months prego), and because I am no longer nursing; I am embarking on my journey back to a healthy body. The plan is that I am going to focus on how I feel and how my clothes fit versus the number on the scale.

Along with my PlasticSurgery.com co-workers and Beauty Chat contributors, we are all challenging each other to an in-office “Biggest Loser” contest. The winner gets a pot of money, which is inspiring me to lose my baby weight.

I have 30 pounds to lose and three to four dress sizes to go down to. My goal is to continue tracking my calories and fat on TheDailyPlate.com, walk on my lunches with Jennifer, and do some Pilates at home when the kids are in bed (I also have a 3 year-old daughter).

I would love to hear your weight loss suggestions, and of course your support is appreciated.

Track along with me and personal story on Beauty Chat!

‘Til next time…

Photo Credit: A Beauty Chat exclusive, taken at our recent Bejeweled photo shoot!

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Check out this satin silk dress in two different colors below. OR is it a blouse? I suppose it’s whichever you prefer. If your legs are one of your best features and you’re on the slim side, this look might be perfect for you. If you a bit shapelier (ahem, me) and “bottom heavy,” then jeans or leggings underneath could be very flattering. (A-list stars are loving the flirtatious look of Hale Bob.)

What do you think of this look for winter?

~ Elana

Photo Credits: Courtesy of Dennery Marks PR

Denice’s Personal Story: OK…so on to Pilates’ “Day 4” (…Well not actually “Day 4,” more like week 6, session 4! HAHA!)  So I took off way too much time form Pilates.  It was quite a wake up call to my muscles.  I arrived at the Body Center in Claremont California at 4:45 p.m. with a miserable cold.  I really was having second thoughts about participating today due to not being able to breath, but I thought I had missed so much; I needed to jump back on this horse.

Stephanie came in as her bubbly self (she really gets me motivated!) and I explained I was having some breathing issues and she said to just take it easy.  I said, “OK!” And we were off! 

We always begin the session with leg work.  I enjoy these because it really helps me feel the burn in my quads.  My favorite is when we do “High Toes” on the bar and let our heels fall under.  It really works the quads and hamstrings.  FEEL THE BURN!!!! 

I found myself really concentrating on keeping my focus on the correct muscles and not just going through the motions, and boy did I feel it!  Stephanie had us do a new exercise…not one of my favorites, but I could tell right away I need to do more of them.  It was a mock push-up type of exercise. We were on our knees and facing the top of the Stott reformer machine, and we used ONLY our quads and abs to pull us.  My arms were getting the “crazy shakes” (as she always says) and it showed me how weak I am!  It is my new goal to be able to do this exercise with ease in the next few weeks.

After the session was completed, Stephanie had us stand next to the reformer and reach to touch our toes, then roll back up, and stand on our tippy toes.  I never really understood why we do this; it seemed meaningless to me after such a rigorous work out. But Stephanie explains it like this: “It helps you notice if your body is off balance, like if you overworked your back, you might fall forward, showing you that you may need to work your abs a little more and vise versa.”  I get it now! 

I am excited we are back on track — check back next week!

 Elana’s Personal Story: So my “Day 4” of Pilates was more difficult than our first day! I mean I almost wanted to say, “Stop! No more…I (inhale) can’t (exhale) take it (inhale) anymore (exhale)!” But it’s no one else’s fault but mine.

These are the 3 honest reasons why I allowed my body to move in slow motion and perform poorly:

• Skipped 2 weeks! (one of us was sick at one point, one of us couldn’t gather herself away from the computer to make it on time…wonder who that was?)
• Gained a few holiday pounds that didn’t quite make me feel as flexible and fit
• Grabbed a machine smack in front of the mirror! (Instead of noticing the definition of my arm muscles, I couldn’t keep my eyes off the size of my thighs!)

With these faults in mind, I am still proud of myself that I DIDN’T QUIT!!! But I must have done something right, because even writing this recap now – 3 days later – I can still feel the tightness of my abs.

 So here is what I vow to do in preparation for “Day 5” (which I already started today!):

• Do a 20- minute workout at home before I go to work
• Eat a protein-based breakfast before I get my usual Starbucks or Coffee Bean cup of caffeine
• Drink my 8 glasses of water a day!
• Get lots of sleep
• Return to recording my nutritional and fitness habits on www.dailyplate.com.)
• Forget about having a chocolate milkshake only a few hours before….(tear drop)

So I know I didn’t go too much into detail with my “Day 4” as I did with my “Day 3” details on the practice of Pilates.  So I will turn you to the recent, enjoyable interview with Jeff Fairley, the director and owner of the Body Center.

 Wish me luck for “Day 5!”

xoxox, Denice and Elana (so you probably figured out by now that those aren’t pics of us, but we thought you would get a kick out of seeing the EXACT type of movements we do!)

As Denice and I continue to commit to the practice of   Pilates, we are really learning about the focus of this exercise. During an in-depth interview with Jeff Fairley, the owner and director of the Body Center in Claremont, we gathered some great details about the uniqueness of Pilates and how it differs from yoga.

Beauty Chat: What is the main difference between Pilates and yoga?

Jeff Fairley: I think that first and foremost I should stimulate that I am a doctor of physical therapy, a functional movement expert, but I would not call myself a certified Pilates instructor because I’m not. I haven’t dug into the background and history of all the different holds of these exercises. I take a biomechanical approach and a neuromuscular control approach to Pilates, meaning I look at how the brain controls these muscle groups.

In general, yoga takes it’s origins many of thousands of years ago in India as a kind of exercise, but also part of an awakening and the introspection that comes with it. Many of the Pilates positions and activities are similar to many of the yoga poses; the work originally came from Joseph Pilates. He had some ideas about how the body should move and how you could heal yourself by having better control over your body; and how to do different exercises to try and help you get some of that control. So I think that there are definitely some parallels and similarities between the two.

B.C.: Why does the Body Center choose Pilates over yoga?

J.F.: That is a good question as well. Well it is interesting, a brief history: my wife and I purchased this studio approximately a year ago and it was called the Body Studio previously. When they [the Body Studio] planned the center they did yoga as well as Pilates and physical therapy. They made a business decision to slowly fade their yoga out of their business model, and so they added the reformer Pilates and physical therapy. We [the Body Center] tried a couple of different ways to introduce yoga, and we recently have introduced it again. 

 So we do have it a couple of nights a week because there is a crowd of people who want yoga. You know, my experience with yoga is that the challenge is slightly different then even with the mat or with the reformer Pilates machine. There is a more of an asymmetrical kind of sustained positioning; a bit different focus in the breathing, a little bit different mental focus, and I think my personal experience is that Pilates is more focused on being precise, and more controlled in the movements. With yoga, I kind of feel like I’m backing away and kind of…

B.C: Just letting it guide you?

J.F.: Yes.

Denice and I go onto agree that with Pilates, you can’t let your mind relax if you want to get as much as you can out of the exercise. Yoga, on the other hand (in its many forms), seems to losing yourself in the relaxation of it all.

Beauty Chat will bring you more interviews with Jeff from the Body Center. Be sure to follow our personal journeys towards getting fit, firm, and fabulous bodies!

We’re curious: Did you know the difference between Pilates and Yoga? If so, which do you prefer?

~ Elana

Photo Credits: www.bodyandmindworks.com and www.worth1000.com

Yes, we are still hard at work with the Body Center in Claremont and our Pilates adventure, but we are taking a break on telling you all about “Day 4″ until after Thanksgiving! 

Please check back soon to catch up with us.  Enjoy your holiday and eat lots of turkey!

xoxoxx, Denice and Elana

 Denice’s Personal Story: So I really did not want to go  to Pilates the day of session 3.  I was tired…more like EXHAUSTED!!!!  But, for the good of my body (and to stick something out) I reluctantly went.  This turned out to be a good decision on my part. 

When we arrived at the Body Center in Claremont, Elana and I were greeted by the ever-so-charming and happy face of Jeff Fairley, owner and director of the “Physical Therapy and Pilates Training” facility. Jeff makes you feel so important and welcome;  he is always so encouraging and makes you feel like you can do anything.  We love Jeff!  We were a tad bit early today so we took a breather and relaxed on the comfy couch in the back of the center and waited for our fabulous instructor, Stephanie, to arrive. 

And of course she was there,  ready to work us at 5 p.m. SHARP. Today was unique as Elana and I were the only two in the class!  It was kind of cool because I did not feel bad stopping and asking Stephanie to clarify questions on technique or position.  She was great at explaining how important the position of your pelvic area and lower back are in Pilates. 

Here is some terminology (EverythingAboutPilates.com) that Stephanie throws around that I am finally getting a grasp on:

Neutral Spine:  where your hip bones and pubic bone are held in the same plane. It is neither too flexed nor too extended in the lumbar spine.

Imprinted Spine: A term generated in the Stott Pilates method of Pilates. A place where the lumbar spine is slightly more flexed giving the feeling of your lower back being closer to the mat.

Table Top: When lying on your back, a place where your legs are elevated and bent at a 90 degree angle both at the hip and at the knees. Legs squeeze gently together to engage inner thighs.

C-Curve: Where the spine is flexed into letter “C” position. Enables the feeling of strong navel to spine and prepares you to roll through the spine smoothly.

Now that I know and understand these terms and their importance in Pilates, I am able to concentrate on the specific muscle groups needed to perform the actual exercises.  I think my favorite would have to be leg circles.  I feel like I get the BEST stretch on these.  My least favorite thing to hear come out of Stephanie’s mouth is “Let’s do 100s.”  When I hear this, I know the “Good Shakes” are to follow.

Check back next week to see how I am doing!!!

Elana Personal Story: I was completely in tune with my body on “Day 3.” In fact, I actually busted a sweat. In pushing myself to really stretch, twist, and follow instructions, I began to notice how flexible I’m becoming. Who knows? Maybe after awhile, I will be able to do the splits! (Then again, I couldn’t do splits at 8 years old even when I took gymnastics…so I need to at least maintain some sort of realistic expectations)

That said, I take back the fact that Pilates doesn’t make you sweat. Maybe I should rephrase my initial thoughts to: “Pilates can cause you to sweat but not nearly as much as cardio.” There – that’s much more accurate. I’ve just redeemed a relatively false statement.

As Denice mentioned, we had private lessons from Stephanie at the Body Center. Even though she enjoys it a bit more when her class fills up to capacity, we were fortunate enough to receive direct, one-on-one attention from her, a certified Pilates instructor. I only know this because I asked her; I was curious to know which type of atmosphere is more conducive to her enthusiastic type of teaching. She still looked like she enjoyed our efforts, saying “Great job you guys!”

The next day I didn’t feel a thing really, except for a bizarre sort of pain under my armpit. Everywhere else was fine. Tonight is session 4, and I am going to have a little chit-chat with Jeff prior to our Pilates course at the Body Center in Claremont. I look forward to interviewing him! Not only is it a pleasure to learn even more about this intricate type of exercise, but Jeff is such a pleasure to work with, so I know his answers will be real and forthright.

xoxox, Denice and Elana

Denice’s Personal Story: Well walking into Pilates today was a little easier than “Day 1.”  I was much more comfortable with what was going to happen.  I was still a little sore from the first session, but I know that this is only making me stronger. 

I have a long history of hating any form of exercise.  Believe it or not, I was actually once really active.  In high school I played volleyball and swam (I was on the diving team!).  It was not until I injured my knee for the second time that I became less active.  Through college I was busy being social (shock for those who know me) and living the college experience.  Then I got married and had a kid.

Fast forward to present day…an inactive business woman.  That’s me!  I sit at my desk for at least 8 hours a day!  I do some walking, but not nearly the amount of activity I should be doing. 

Enter…my mom.  She has been attending the Body Center for Physical Therapy and Pilates Training with Jeff Fairley for the past year.  I have watched her go from having a bad back that would go out pretty frequently to being stronger than I have ever seen her before.  Jeff has helped her tremendously.  SO I thought, why not let him help me?  If I don’t want to end up with back trouble, and I want to be healthy, now is as good a time as ever.

So, I am hitting Pilate’s full force, and I love it.  My second session seemed much more difficult than the first.  Stephanie, the instructor, claims that it gets “Harder for me the longer I do it.”  She says this because you become aware of the muscles you are trying to strengthen, and your focus comes away from trying to remember the movements to concentrating on isolating the specific muscle. 

I actually think I did better “Day 2.”  Jeff and Stephanie are both very encouraging.  I think the atmosphere  at the Body Center helps you feel ready to take on anything…especially Pilates!  Look out session 3…here I come!            

Elana’s Personal Story: During session 2, I could have sworn that Stephanie turned it up a notch; I mean I really felt it in my muscles. They were stretching to a new level than the first session. But, as Denice mentioned, Stephanie explained that the more you engage in Pilates – the harder it feels! It’s funny, because with many other exercises, it’s the exact opposite. When I used to run on the treadmill (which I need to get back to!), I was able to increase my time increments because it got easier each time I hit at the gym. Five minutes turned into a non-stop 10 minutes, and before I knew it, I barely broke a sweat in a 20-minute run.

But that’s a cardio workout.

As for Pilates at the Body Center, I enjoy it getting more difficult because it DOES feel like a hardcore hour of exercise – minus a drop of sweat! Ironically, I didn’t feel as sore the next few days. So maybe in that sense, my body is growing accustomed to the pulling, lifting, and stretching. I am also proud to mention that I was not Ms. Klutzy on the machines this time around. In order to properly shift movements and positions, it is important to do it delicately and slowly. That might have helped.

Pilates revolves hugely around the breathing exercises, such as when to inhale and when to exhale. This is not easy when you are instructed to concentrate on how your back and abs are positioned on the machine (“neutral” gives you the cat-like arch in your back, and then you switch to pressing your abs against the machine, and back…Pilates definitely involves thinking. You can’t just wing it!)

Tonight is “Day 3!” I got my L.A.M.B. “band bag” packed and ready to go to the Body Center in downtown Claremont. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention one of my favorite detail about Pilates: you don’t have to wear shoes! So instead of packing my sneakers, I happily threw in a pair of comfy, cotton socks.

Here we come!

xoxox, Denice and Elana

Photo Credits: Denice’s camera working its magic!

Denice’s Personal Story: So my palms are sweating and I am so nervous!  I am not the most coordinated person, nor am I in any sort of physical shape, but I am entering the world of Pilates.  My mom suggested I try it out; she does it twice a week.  I thought, “Sure, why not.  If she can do it, I can do it”.  Well, I thought Pilates was similar to yoga. 

BOY WAS I WRONG! My editor, Elana, and I signed up at the Body Center in Claremont California.  Jeff Fairley, owner and director of physical therapy, helped us get situated.  Jeff gave us the grand tour of the center and briefed us on the Pilates machine.  That’s right, I said MACHINE!!!  Who knew Pilates was on a machine!

After we became familiar with the machine, it was off to our semi-private session with Stephanie Stevens, our STOTT Certified Pilates instructor.  The class had two other women in it and it was held in a comfortable room.  Stephanie helped with our positioning and form on the machines.

The class was an hour long, and boy did I feel it!  It was not a cardio type of work out, but a muscle strengthening type of work out!  I was a bit uncoordinated and clumsy on the machine (and yes, I did see Elana stumble a bit too!), but Stephanie helped us out and encouraged us to keep going.

The next day I was sore, but it felt great.  I loved it and I am looking forward to “Day 2″ tonight! Check back to see my progress.

Elana’s Personal Story: ….So I’m finally down with  Pilates. Thank heavens that Denice invited me to try this amazing workout for weekly sessions. I’ve always had a sort of athletic-shaped body – flat stomach, strong legs, and a defined back.

 Yet, amidst my long hours of writing, proofing, e-mailing, and pitching story ideas to PR reps and fellow bloggers (and trying to fit lunch somewhere in between), I find myself eating a few too many dark chocolate Milky Way mini-bars and chocolate chip cookies, or skipping meals altogether! Yes, I know, totally unhealthy. So in trying out a new fitness course of action, I look forward to regaining my toned shape. I hope Pilates inspires me to hit the gym much more frequently than I am now – not at all!

Yes, Beauty Chat readers, the editor of a Blog who preaches the importance of maintaining a healthy body inside and out is not taking care of her health as properly as she should.  This is why I’m so happy to take on a challenging, new fitness regimen.

So with tonight being “Day 2″, we are both excited. My energy is a bit charged, as compared to my fright from last week, because I now know what to expect. In fact, I am already predicting the type of breathing exercises we are going to do. It’s not easy y’all! But Pilates definitely works every muscle in your body. The next day at work, Denice and I compared who had the most aches. I’m not sure who won, but it wasn’t enough to stop us from continuing with Pilates!

Check back next week to see how we’re feeling from the session tonight ….

xoxoxo, Denice and Elana

Photo Credits: Denice’s camera. Can you tell we don’t know what we’re getting ourselves into?