Tracey Mcleod - HQer of The Month

December’s HQ-er of The Month, and the last for 2019 is Tracey Mcleod.

Tracey is a superstar, she is a mum of 2 kids (aged 7 and 4) and is lucky enough to be able to work from home 3 days a week with 1 day in the office (Melbourne).

Tracey started out at HQ just over 3 years ago in our Group Rehab Classes focusing improving her abdominal separation post bub. Over this time she has improved so so much, and has moved on from our Rehab Classes into our Reformer Pilates Classes (Beginner & Intermediate).

Tracey’s Journey has been incredible to watch and we can’t wait for you to read on and hear all about it!

Tracey, Tell us a little bit about you!

I have 2 kids, aged 7 and 4 and work for a great company that allows me to work from home 3 days per week and 1 day in the office (Melbourne). I also enjoy going for early morning walks while listening to a podcast or audible book, it seems to set me up for the day better.

Why Did You Decide To Try Pilates And What Made You Choose Pilates HQ?

It was actually my husband who recommended it to me first because he had met Steph through his work. Pilates was a nice way to ease back into regular exercise after having my daughter - particularly as I had a large abdominal separation (10cm!) which I had been working on closing with a physiotherapist. I also wanted to strengthen my core which was a bit worse for wear after having two children. Pilates HQ is a lovely, welcoming studio and it feels nice to support a local business.

You Started Out in Our Group Rehab Classes & Have progressed to Beginner & Now to Intermediate Reformer Classes,Tell us a little bit about that Journey.

What prompted your change to Reformer Classes from Group Rehab?

I really enjoyed the group rehab sessions, particularly as there was a regular bunch of ladies who were so interesting and funny (shout out to Mandy, Jo, Sally and Jo!). I changed to reformers as I had picked up an extra day at work and the reformers class suited my schedule better.

Why did you decide to give Intermediate Classes a go?

To be honest, I never would have tried the intermediate class if Jess hadn't suggested it. I was still getting a decent workout in the beginners reformers class and wasn't thinking about trying the intermediate class.

How did you feel about jumping into an Intermediate Class, were you nervous?

If you were how do you feel now that you have done a few classes at this level?

I was pretty nervous at first and the warm-up for my first class was vigorous with deep squats (at 6am!). I was just hoping that I would survive the next 40 minutes. However, while there are some exercises that make me inwardly (and sometimes outwardly) groan, my core has held up and I have also enjoyed this class. Sometimes I leave with slightly wobbly legs and my body feels a bit tight in the core and legs the next day or so, but I know it's completely worth it. I have already noticed improvements in executing some of the exercises which I found to be tricky at the beginning but are easier now.

Do you have any advice about someone who is in a Group Rehab Class and is thinking about trying a Reformer Class?

The group rehab classes are an excellent introduction to the different exercises you can do on the reformer. I think the reformer class then pushes you a little bit further - as everyone is doing the same thing in the reformer class, you will likely do more sets or reps than you would have in the group rehab.

Have you noticed any benefits from your continued Pilates Practice?

My core has improved and I feel stronger overall. Sometimes I have busy weeks where I don't get to exercise much, but I've at least got a pilates class booked in every week.

We Love our little Town of Buninyong and would love to know…

Where do your kids love to go for a play outside?

They enjoy playing at De Soza Park or going for a bike ride near our house. They love the Buninyong pool in summer!

What's your favourite place for a hot drink/coffee?

I'm not a coffee drinker and sometimes my cafe choice depends on whether I have the kids in tow, but I do really love the range of chai teas at Chocalatto.

What's your favourite thing about Buninyong?

The small town feel and being able to stroll safely around our neighbourhood. Plus, that clean, country air!

Trace, thanks for choosing us at HQ and blessing us with your amazing sense of humour each week. We all look forward to having you in our classes and we can’t wait to see what we can help you achieve in 2020.

Steph & The Pilates HQ Team

Xx

P.S Want to be like Trace? Contact Us to have a chat or Book Your First Class Today by clicking below.

Our Top 4 Tips for Getting Back into Exercise After a Long Break

“I am so unfit.”
“I’m so inflexible”
“I am going to be so uncoordinated”

Do you ever tell yourself these things?
Well, you are not alone!, It’s what almost every new client of ours says. But, once they start they are always surprised By how much they CAN do and how coordinated they actually are!

Getting back into exercising after a big siesta can be scary, it can also be hard to know what sort of exercise is the best to do.
So, here are our top 4 tips on getting back to exercise after a bit of an exercise siesta.

1.Start gently

One of the most common things I notice as a physio are people who go GUNG HO!
They want to get fit and so they throw themselves into exercise, join a gym or boot camp or start running and they go from zero to 100 straight away. Then they end up injured and sore.

The best and safest way to get back into an exercise routine is to start out slowly.
- Start walking a small distance a couple of times a week.
- Join a fitness class once or twice a week and then rest on your other days

Whatever you choose remember to start slowly and then gradually increase your exercise from there.

2.Build Up You Strength

If you decide your goal is to get back into running, that is great! But it’s also a great idea to add in some strengthening exercises as well.

If you haven’t exercised for a while you most likely will have lost some muscle strength, tone and endurance, and whilst running alone is great, you will also need the strength in your muscles to help you go further and faster, and to help minimise the chance of injury.

HOT TIP
Start with Strength Exercises once per week and then try to build up to the recommended guidelines of 2-3 times each week.

3.Pick Exercise You Enjoy

Exercise is an important inclusion into everyone’s life, as it helps to combat chronic disease, as well as improves mental health.
For Exercise to be beneficial we need to be doing it most days (5-6 times a week), and to be able to maintain an exercise routine you not only need to create great habits, but you also need to find a form of exercise that you enjoy!

HOT TIP
If you aren’t sure what it is you enjoy, maybe try a few different things.
- Go for a ride with your family
- try a new class at the gym,
- try Pilates or yoga.

Whatever you do, find something you love, something you look forward to doing (most of the time) and you will be so much more likely to create a lasting healthy relationship with exercise.

4. Find the right people to guide you

Starting from scratch can be scary and you can often feel overwhelmed with information and questions like; What exercises should I do? How much should I do? How often should I do them?

HOT TIP
Rather than scour the internet for information (which can sometimes be misleading) find someone that knows all of this information and more, someone who can guide you safely on your exercise journey towards your goals.

Our team of instructors at Pilates HQ would love to help you to get back into the exercise game!
We love helping people find their feet again after a big break, and we pride ourselves on providing clients with a safe and welcoming environment.

We have lots of different class times as well as varying class levels and we would love to give you advice on where and how to get started.

Have a Read of Our Where to Start Page Here, and if you are still wanting to know more then Send us an email here OR give us a call on 0429578987 to find out more.

Steph & The Pilates HQ Team
Xx