Confessions of a Pilates Instructor.

Pilates Instructors workout all the time. False.

Pilates Instructors are on a strict diet. False.

Pilates Instructors have perfect form. False.

I’m a Pilates Instructor and I absolutely love what I do. I work in a beautiful studio with amazing clients and a wonderful staff. I don’t work on Sundays and for the most part, I make my own schedule. I have physical fitness and wellness at my fingertips daily. And yes, I wear yoga pants like they’re going out of style.

This may cause you to make some assumptions about my lifestyle. Well guys, I have a few confessions to make.

  • Fitness is not my life. Yes, fitness is a significant part of my life and heavily influences other aspects of my being. But contrary to belief, I don’t live, eat and breathe only fitness. I have a life outside of the Pilates studio that I pour daily energy into. We instructors have spouses, children, and other jobs that take away from our focus on fitness. But hey, we’re not complaining. Health isn’t just about physical fitness. The mind needs more than one element to stay healthy.
  • I like sugar in my coffee. My dieting habits are in no way perfect and I still crave unhealthy foods as much as the next person. Oh, and (insert GASP here) I love french fries and baked goods. For the most part, I am a healthy eater. Smoothies, veggies, whole grains, and lean meats are all part of my diet. I don’t count calories. I simply focus on eating healthy, holistic and nutrient-rich foods. However, I have been known to order a Pumpkin Spice Latte from time to time.
  • I still have “blah days.” I never call myself fat or say that I need to shed pounds but I definitely have days where putting on a bathing suit is the last thing I want to do. Referring to my previous confession – I’ve been known to have a late night slice (or 2) of pizza.
  • I don’t always feel like teaching or working out. Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE what I do and I find it extremely rewarding. However, I am human and those “I want to lay on the couch with a bag of chips and Netflix” days are very real.
  • My form is not perfect. You may think “wow, what a beautiful Teaser” when I demonstrate in class but i’ll let you in on a little secret…that was ONE Teaser and i’m not already fatigued from 45 minutes of class. Catch me 30 minutes into our Advanced Power Mat Class and I can promise my Teaser won’t look quite as elegant.
  • I don’t workout all the time. People find this hard to believe. If I had a dollar for every time I heard “you’re always at the studio, you must workout constantly” I would be rich. Yes, I am always at the studio – but that does not mean I am always working out. When I am with a client, I am extremely focused on them and their needs. During an hour session, you can find me standing, squatting and/or sitting next to the client. I know my clients pay good money for Pilates and I want to make sure they receive my highest level of attention..always.
  • I can’t train myself. Yes, I know about a million abdominal exercises. Surprisingly, creativity is not the culprit. Staying focused is the problem. If I set aside an hour to workout, I rarely make it through the entire hour. I start out strong but almost immediately become distracted with flipping through music, looking to Instagram for inspiration or thinking about lunch. Why do you think we instructors jump into other classes when there is an open Reformer?

Well there you have it. I may know a lot about fitness, but i’m not perfect. I don’t workout daily and I have unhealthy cravings just like everyone else.

Pilates may be my profession but I am still learning and growing everyday. There are ton of things in this field that I don’t know and I am always looking to others for inspiration. But there is something I do know. I have a passion for encouraging others towards becoming their best self and I will continue to share that passion will all of you.

Katey Diaz