Pilates and Hormones: Navigating Perfectionism and High Cortisol With Lesley Logan
Overview
In this episode, Lesley Logan and I discuss the benefits of Pilates for mind-body connection and hormone health. Lesley shares her personal hormone journey and the importance of advocating for yourself in healthcare. We also delve into the topic of perfectionism and how it can hinder personal growth.
What you'll learn in this episode:
00:00 | Intro
02:23 | Lesley's background as a Pilates instructor
06:21 | The mind-body connection in Pilates and how it differs from other workouts
11:23 | The importance of balancing strength and flexibility in workouts
15:26 | Cortisol and its relationship to different types of workouts.
17:31 | The importance of syncing workouts with the phases of the menstrual cycle.
25:38 | Importance of hormone testing and natural hormone regulation
33:38 | Strategies for incorporating new habits into your life
36:57 | Overcoming perfectionism and embracing imperfection
42:57 | Taking messy action and celebrating progress
46:20 | The importance of authenticity and self-love in attracting what one wants in life.
48:34 | OPC (Online Pilates Classes) and its unique approach to pilates
Resources:
Lesley Logan's Instagram
Lesley Logan's Website
Try Online Pilates Classes!
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Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is not to be taken as medical advice.
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Embracing Imperfection: Pilates, Hormones, and Self-Love for a Life You Love
In the hustle of motherhood where perfectionism often reigns supreme, finding balance through physical movement and self-care takes on a paramount role. Pilates, often misconstrued as a pursuit of the impeccable form, emerges not just as an exercise system but also as a gateway to embracing one's imperfections. Vanna's conversation with Leslie Logan on the Mom Guilt podcast illuminates an intersection of wellness, self-love, and hormones – they reveal how Pilates serves as more than a body transformation tool; it's a catalyst for lifestyle change and understanding oneself.
Key Takeaways:
Pilates as a Movement Meditation: Pilates is not merely about achieving a perfect exercise form but about creating a mind-body connection that can guide daily living.
Hormone Balance and Exercise: Optimal hormone health can significantly affect one's energy levels and weight management, highlighting the necessity for a personalized approach to wellness and fitness.
The Pitfalls of Perfectionism: Perfectionism can act as a barrier to achieving goals, and messy action is often more fruitful than inaction borne from the fear of imperfection.
The Mind-Body Synergy of Pilates
Pilates attracts individuals aiming for a concise connection between mental focus and physical strength. Vanna aptly points out that Pilates can be challenging, but its true difficulty lies in the requirement for intentionality with every movement. Rather than mindlessly executing exercises, Pilates mandates presence, pulling practitioners away from perfectionism and into a state of moment-to-moment awareness. Leslie Logan emphasizes, "You have to pay attention on each rep. What's moving from where? How am I doing this?" She points out that Pilates offers an active static stretch, improving flexibility and muscle endurance – essentials for preventing injury and maintaining youthfulness in movement.
The key here is that Pilates is more than an exercise; it's essentially a "movement meditation." In the busyness of life, especially for mothers managing multifaceted responsibilities, Pilates provides an opportunity to carve out time for self-reflection and mindful presence through physical activity.
Hormones & Holistic Health: Listening to Your Body
Leslie shared her personal hormone journey, which resonates deeply with the wellness challenges that women universally face. Hormonal imbalances can account for persistent tiredness and weight management difficulties, underscoring the importance of understanding hormonal health in conjunction with exercise. Leslie astutely observed that "movement is supposed to be there to help your body remain healthy and strong," highlighting that exercise can be tailored to one's hormone cycle to optimize personal health outcomes.
It's crucial to note that hormone health extends beyond the scope of exercise. Vanna and Leslie discuss the value of syncing activities with hormonal cycles, a practice that can lead to more effective workouts and overall wellness. This holistic approach transcends the simple paradigm of fitness as a means to an end, offering a nuanced perspective on how hormonal balance can deeply influence energy levels, moods, and vitality.
The Imperfection Imperative
The podcast illuminates the stifling nature of perfectionism, which Leslie categorically rejects. Instead, she encourages messy action as a conduit to personal growth and self-betterment. Leslie and Vanna both agree that striving for perfection can be limiting and detrimental to progress and happiness. This ideology is further endorsed by Leslie's approach to Pilates and life, emphasizing that learning from mistakes is more productive than striving for unattainable perfection.
It is through imperfection that authenticity emerges. In the world muddled with curated selves and performance-based accomplishments, embracing one's authentic, imperfect self is what truly resonates and attracts. Leslie's philosophy of using Pilates as a platform for practicing imperfection reflects a broader lesson applicable to all walks of life: perfection is neither achievable nor desirable. What matters is the sincerity of the endeavor – the ability to be comfortably flawed and truly oneself.
Through the lens of the Mom Guilt podcast, we come away with insightful themes: the restorative power of Pilates as mind-body exercise, the critical role of hormone health in overall well-being, and the liberation found in embracing imperfection. Vanna and Leslie’s discourse underscores that imperfections are not drawbacks but powerful catalysts for growth and authentic living. By prioritizing wellness, listening earnestly to one’s body, and shedding the weight of perfection, anyone can craft a life marked not by the pursuit of the flawless but by the embrace of genuine, full-hearted living.