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PILATES: FOR M A N Y, SUMMER can be a really tough time to fit in consistent workouts. Many of us tend to be on the go due to vacations and more family activities, which means balancing a healthy lifestyle can be difficult. For me, this challenge prompted a look outside of my normal bag of gym tricks, which includes some of the more typical cardiovascular and resistance training techniques. I was at a doctor's appointment recently and complained about my menopausal weight-gain and my struggle to overcome it. I am an extremely active person and sometimes work out three times a day. I also maintain a health-conscious meal plan. So, when my physician told me there was nothing more I could do to combat the weight gain at this stage in my life, I was more than a little discouraged. Then she said, "You're probably going to think that I'm crazy, considering your style of extreme exercise, but try Pilates." She swore that Pilates would help to coun- teract the menopause middle we all seem to acquire. Then my physician added that Jennifer Lopez also does Pilates to keep fit and in shape. So, I figured, why not give it a try? If it's good enough for J. Lo … One question continued to surface over and again: Is Pilates a fancy new word for yoga? As I researched, I realized that both were similar in that Pilates and yoga seek to address stress relief, flexibility, strength, control and endurance; however, the latter has an emphasis on the spiritual component. Not that there is anything wrong with meditation, but as soon as the yoga instructor says, "Clear your mind," my mind is flooded with any and everything imaginable — not conducive to stress relief. While both disciplines require you to be present and to use your entire body via set moves and poses, Pilates focuses more on moves that are practiced on the ground, with emphasis on training the core in sets (i.e., performing 10 to 12 reps of each move). Depending on the style of yoga, you tend to be upright much of the class, exploring balance while twisting a nd pushing your body to ma ximum flexibility, engaging your core without counting or sets. In essence, yoga uses the body to connect with the mind and inner self, while Pilates uses mindfulness to connect to the inner workings of the body. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference, and I'm eager to begin this new fitness journey armed with fresh techniques and enthusiasm. I have learned over the years that I tend to gravitate to more structured, vigorous and chal- lenging forms of fitness, like spin, HIIT (high intensity interval training) and cardio-boxing. In these forms of training, exercises are often grouped into and performed as a s er ie s de s i g ne d t o f low i nt o t he ne x t a nd bu i ld upon the previ- ous movement. P i l a t e s a p p e a r s t o f it t he bi l l on paper, and I am inspired and r e a d y t o give it a go. Honestly, who could argue with Pilates physiques touted by the likes of Lucy Liu, Selena Gomez and, of course, J. Lo? Joni Walton is the owner of Danlee Medical Products and Walton's Total Fitness. Walton holds certifications in Group Fitness and Spin. To learn more about Danlee Medical, call 800-433-7797 or visit danleemedical.com. For more information regarding Walton's Total Fitness, you can contact Joni Walton at 315-430-3655 or joni@ danleemedical.com. n BY JONI WALTON Your Go-To Summer Workout 1 4❱❱❱❱❱ S P E C I A l F E A T U R E