Plana Forma and the Mighty Inch

Discovering Plana Forma

When I was pregnant two years ago, I gained 50 lbs. I already reached my maximum weight gain at the beginning of my second trimester and I just kept getting bigger until DW finally came out!  I didn’t think much of it back then because I thought good old metabolism would take over and I’d be back to my pre-pregnancy clothes in no time. Boy was I wrong. Although I lost weight I still had that last 10(or is it 15)lbs to lose. I also had FLAB.  I had flab under my arms which could pass for wings! And my thighs, well they jiggle at the  slightest hint of movement — kinda like the water in the plastic cup in that scene from Jurassic Park where the kids were trapped in the jeep and they were just watching the water inside that plastic cup ripple. And my tummy? I only have 2 words for it – muffin top! I had a stationary bike that my dear hubby fixed so that I could work out but I wanted to tone my body and I wanted to feel strong as well.

I knpw that going to the gym is not for me. I once was a member of a gym way back but that quickly fizzled. My goal back then was to toning and strengthening. Well whaddyaknow, they’re still my fitness goals now!

When news about Plana Forma came about, I knew I had to try it.  Three weeks ago I found myself, together with two good friends, grunting and sweating, pulsing our behinds and thighs with teacher Julie telling us to have strong bodies but stronger minds!! My body ached for a week. AND I LOVED IT. It was what I really needed. I knew a class set-up would be the best for me. Our teacher, Julia Alagde-Carretas is a dynamo and her enthusiasm is really infectious. I also realized that I need a teacher to call me out if I’m slacking or cheating haha 😀  I know Julie knows me well now because I’m “row 4” as in I’m the worst because I can’t keep my positions!! Julie keeps calling me out and assisting me, which is another great thing about Plana Forma – the small class sizes.

What you will hate and love

You will hate your thighs, arms and abs because the workouts will kill you! You will hate how an inch can bring you so much pain!! Holding positions and pulsing, which is moving an inch up and down in a position will really make your thighs shake. The term “nanginig ang kalamnan” perfectly describes the experience. When I first tried Plana Forma, my legs felt like jelly for a week. I had trouble going up a flight of stairs because they were so painful!!

What you will love is the challenge and overcoming your trembling thighs and the burning sensation that inevitably comes from waking up muscles that have long hibernated.  I love that Julie switches up the work-outs every session. I feel pain in new areas of my body every week haha 😀 But honestly, aside from the pain (which lingers up to Wednesday now) I do feel much more energized and refreshed. Taking the classes on a Sunday morning makes me much more eager to take on the upcoming work week. I guess it’s because I’ve psyched myself that I can workout like a maniac for 55 minutes and not give up makes me feel that I can take everything else head on! (Hear me roar! ROAR! haha)

More Please

I wish I could attend at least two classes a week but my current day job would not allow me. You can try out for a class and get the 2 in 1 promo they’re currently promoting. That’s what I had first. I paid for the promo after the first class because I knew I found the workout for me. I’ve just recently paid for 5 classes in advance too.  From a person who hates exercising, that’s a huge deal!! (patted myself on my back too haha).

To know more about Plana Forma, you can visit my sister-in-law’s review of the class at ManilaFitness.com — http://manilafitness.com/2011/03/21/plana-forma-yoga-dance-pilates.html Ginger is my Plana Forma partner and the one who unfortunately has to hear all my grunts and complaints when we do our thigh exercises.

You can register for classes online at If it’s your first time to sign-up, you can pay for your class at the studio 🙂 Locker rooms  are also available. If you’re enrolling in a Sunday class let me know!!!

To the peeps at Plana Forma, good job and more power! (and hi to teacher Julie! ahaha)

*photos are from http://manilafitness.com, http://forma-asia and plana forma’s facebook page