Interview with Chloe Hodgson - Pilates master

Tell us a little bit about your daily routine.

First thing I have lemon in water followed by a vital green juice. I always wash my face with Dermologica products and moisturize after – morning and night.

Breakfast is definitely my most important meal and have it as soon as I wake up. I normally have oats with almond milk with some Greek yogurt, seeds (sesame, flaxseed, pumpkin and chia) and blueberries on top.

I take the following supplements after breakfast:

Vitamin C

B-Complex

Multi-vitamin

Ultimate Omega D3

My diet is pretty healthy and rich in omegas and healthy fats (I eat a LOT of avocado, oils, nuts, oily fish, etc.) which helps to keep my skin in good condition. I drink lots of water throughout the day. I eat 3 meals a day with lots of healthy snacks in between! I try and get 8 hours sleep a night.

So, from working in PR to becoming an Pilates instructor, how did you make that big decision?

I had been doing PR & Marketing for about 8 years and really enjoyed it but I didn’t feel that it was my ‘lifelong career’! I wanted to do something that I absolutely loved and felt passionate about and health and fitness has always been a huge part of my life.

A few years ago I was encouraged to try a Pilates class to build my core strength after injuring my back in an accident and miraculously I no longer have a problem. This convinced me of the benefits of Pilates and I have been a dedicated devotee of all types of Pilates ever since. I then decided to take my Pilates to the next level and began teaching as I felt that I wanted to offer the benefits of what I’ve learnt to others whilst also enhancing my own understanding and technique. Pilates and teaching Pilates has completely changed my life and I feel very lucky to be doing what I do!

What is the best part of your job?

Being able to help people achieve their goals whether it is to loose weight, recover from an injury or just to enjoy some regular, safe, exercise.

Why is pilates such a popular form of exercise for women?

There are so many reasons! Pilates is great for improving overall body strength in a safe and controlled way.

It will help build long, lean muscles by combining exercise and stretching and is an effectible body-sculpting workout.

Pilates is also an extremely popular exercise to do during pregnancy. Pregnancy and childbirth are times of significant change for our bodies. Prenatal Pilates is an excellent way to assist your body in adapting to these changes as well as preparing it for the final stages of pregnancy and the birthing process. Pilates throughout pregnancy will stand you in good stead for a quick recovery after the birth and giving you a head start in getting back in to shape.

I love yoga and pilates, I feel its great for my mental and physical health, If I could go every day I would but sometimes I just cant find the time. What are the best positions to try at home?

Again there are so many but I would suggest focusing on your core, bum and stretching. I have recently posted a few exercises that you could follow here:

http://chloespilates.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/my-favourite-stretches-using-pilates.html

http://chloespilates.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/10-minute-pilates-bum-tum-blast-you-can.html

What is your favourite meal to have with family and friends?

If I am with friends, I love going out to dinner in London – E & O in Notting Hill is one of my favorites. But if I am at home with my family, my mum always cooks the most delicious dishes with lots of home grown vegetables. Her slow cooked chicken and roasted beetroot is amazing!

If you were only allowed to eat one thing for breakfast for the rest of our life what would it be?

What I have every morning!! Oats (or granola) with almond milk, Greek yogurt, seeds (sesame, pumpkin and chia) and lots of blueberries on top.

Finally, what is the best advice you have ever been given?

Live every day as if its my last! And what we say to ourselves has an amazing impact on how we feel. Turn your negative thoughts into positive thoughts – it helps to write them down on paper. This can be very hard to do but the more you practise it, the more you will become aware of it and the easier it will become. Some examples: “It's an opportunity to learn something new”, “I am going to live today as if it’s my last”.