Is Yoga/Pilates Good for Weight Loss?

If anyone who knows me read that title they might be a bit surprised that I’m talking weight loss. My ethos with Flow is very much about supporting a healthy lifestyle where we embrace our shapes & sizes & work with what we’ve got & where we are at. We gently learn how our body (generally) is a reflection of our habits, routines & choices. Sometimes that can be a challenging realisation, but the important point is so often our focus is on ‘weight loss’ & not on the why behind what we are trying to achieve. 

So, back to the title. Can a yoga, Pilates or barre class, whether online or in person help with weight loss? 

Well, in a word, yes. Even yin yoga. I’d go as far as to say our mindfulness sessions could be as powerful a tool for weight loss as our sweatiest fitness class 

Why?

Because it’s rarely just about that class. Of course there is a level of energy in - energy out happening so in some classes energy out is going to be higher, but our bodies are very clever at adapting & there’s been many studies which look into tribes who can run all day & their metabolism adjusts to these demands. 

That’s not to deflate your efforts, you’ll definitely notice physical effect of increased activity, especially when exploring new movement, but what can be much more powerful are the impact of how we behave around this activity

So often people talk about ‘earning’ their food or ‘reward’ for exercise. This can frequently lead to over eating or a sense of reliance of the exercise to mask any unhealthy eating habits. 

What & how we eat are regularly documented as the primary factors in any weight change. So if we beast ourselves in the gym then are sedentary for rest of the day, sluggish & stressed we undoubtedly reach for convenience food, highly processed & nutrient poor. 

So how can a yoga/Pilates class help with weight loss?

Taking a yoga class, for example, aims to not only connect your body to your mind with healthy movement, but helps build a sense of value of your body & awareness, meaning you’re more likely to make conscious food choices after a class, or feel inspired & motivated to take an extra walk, rekindle that feeling with another practice or eat mindfully to aid digestion

Committing to a class can significantly shift your mindset to one which is more positive, connected & purposeful. If we are feeling overwhelmed or busy we end up, for example, not taking the time to move our bodies. Often with that then comes a feeling of disappointment, alongside the lack of positive benefits to the actual movement, which can lead to more destructive food choices

So ultimately, Pilates, yoga & barre can all have a positive impact on a weight loss journey, not only through the act of moving the body & working the muscles, but also by improving our sense of wellbeing and in turn impacting our food choices

So if you are looking to loose weight, joining a class can definitely be a positive step. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss a healthy lifestyle further. For information on our classes head to the Studio page