Gross self harm avoided with Pilates April 30, 2008

I’ve been hating my ribcage for years.  It’s not deformed, it’s just big, and wide.  I’m a broad gal, and no matter how slim I get (believe me, I got mega skinny once when dumped by an ex - the “malteser and grief” diet there) - the rib cage still pokes out and makes me look broad.

I’ve always thought that just hacking a couple of the bottom ribs out would make a big difference in creating a slimmer silhouette.  But, it seems, I can now avoid the break/remove rib plan - with the altogether more serene Pilates.

 

We did some exercises last week where the aim is to flatten the rib cage, you have to kind of “think” your muscles into moving in a certain way  - it’s not easy, this Pilates lark you know - and then stretch whilst pushing ‘down’ on the ribs.  Anyhoo, I wasn’t convinced until I stood up and lo and behold, after just a wee bit of work, the ribcage did feel slightly flatter to my body.  A few of the girls felt it up and confirmed that I did have a large ribcage (yah, thanks!) - had they felt me ribs before the class, I think they would have noticed a difference.  I certainly think I did.

So  - now I’m well motivated to keep up the Pilates in the hope of achieving a less massive torso.  I do actually enjoy it, I’m not just going now I know I can sort the ribs and avoid running into things at high speed in the hope of breaking them, but it’s a heck of a bonus!