#ThisIsActive Q&A with Pilates Lover Lindsey Strobel
Our #ThisIsActive Q+As are part of an ongoing series to show how plus size women live their active lives. Share your active life with us on social media by using #ThisIsActive on Instagram or send your story to social @ junoactive.com for a chance to be featured.
Lindsey Strobel is, in her own words, a corporate cog by day, master’s program and Pilates teacher training student by night. She lives with her husband and five cats in the west metro are of the Twin Cities and in what little free time she has left, she loves to garden, travel, and volunteer with local non-profits.
What made you fall in love with Pilates?
I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (a connective tissue disorder that primarily affects the skin, joints, and blood vessels) and I struggled for years to find an activity that was right for my body. Pilates feels like it really fits me. It is customizable based on an individual’s needs, so my practice focuses on strengthening the muscles that support my joints — the place where I most feel the effects of EDS. I’ve been at it for a little over a year now and I feel better in my body than ever! It’s helped me build confidence to resume doing things that I enjoy but have struggled to not get hurt doing, like yoga and hiking.
Why is living an active life important to you?
There are so many things that I want to see and do! Taking care of my body is what will allow me to make the most of those experiences.
What inspires you to work out on days you don’t want to?
I think back to my life pre-Pilates and how frustrating it was to feel like I was constantly fighting my body to be active. Mentally I was ready, but despite my best efforts, I didn’t have the stability and strength I needed to safely do even very basic things. Pilates has changed all that. The very conscious exercises we perform in class have translated into my day-to-day movements. I feel good in my body more often than I don’t now and I never want to go back.
Do you have an exercise schedule or weekly plan you follow?
My normal Pilates routine has me in class three times a week: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday. Sometimes I’ll add in an extra session on Friday if I’m feeling good. I also like to get in some dedicated, low-impact cardio a few times a week, so I’ll go for walks or, if the weather isn’t great, I’ll hop on the elliptical.
Who would be your dream workout partner?
It feels kind of terrible to say this, but I’m very much a solo athlete. It’s best if the only person I’m competing against is myself. I know that’s not really in the spirit of this question, but trying to think outside of this box is completely stumping me!