Why Emily Osborn is our Pilates 1901 Peep of the Month

Each month it is my pleasure to honor an outstanding person at Pilates 1901.  

Most often, this is a client of ours who’s got an inspiring story,  but this month I thought it entirely appropriate to honor one of my staff as our Peep of the Month.  

Pilates 1901 instructor Emily Osborn set a goal, to weigh 30 lbs less by her 30th birthday.  Last Saturday night, we celebrated her success right on time.  Like anyone who’s ever set a goal and achieved it, she made a decision.  

A decision that not only changed her body, but her life.   Here’s her incredible story.

 “If I were a child’s toy I’d be a yo-yo or one of those wind-up cars that zooms forward until it falls off the edge of a table . . . because that’s what I do. I yo-yo in weight and I burn the candle at both ends, working two jobs six days a week, leaving little time for a personal life. I am Wiley Coyote, running blindly on a path only to look down and realize there’s nothing below me but a ravine. Oops. Then I think it’s too late. I’m spiraling downward. There’s no way back up on that ledge. But don’t you know it—Wiley Coyote always end up back on top of that mountain, back on course, ready to resume his invigorating chase. And I did, too. Here is my story.

As a kid, I was never an athlete. I was always the last one in gym class to cross the finish line when running a mile, couldn’t do one pull up, and could barely touch my toes. When we did cheerleading in gym class, I was automatically put on the bottom of the pyramid; I was nearly twice the weight of my fifth-grade counterparts.

When I moved to Kansas City in 2009, I decided this was my chance at a do-over, to become the person I’ve always wanted to be. I went down to John Benz’s gym, Crossfit on 18^th, put my ego aside, and went waaaaay outside my comfort zone. I decided after the first class that Bootcamp was the hardest thing I’d ever done in my life—but I’d done it. I was hooked. I loved it. Fitness was my boyfriend.

Through Crossfit, I met Tina, Miriam, and Cara, and found out about Pilates 1901. I had wanted to take my love of fitness further, so in 2011, I trained and became Level 1 Mat and Reformer Stott Pilates certified. Pilates 1901 was the perfect place to work—the people were (and are!) wonderful and supportive. It was a safe space for anyone and everyone to achieve the dream version of themselves—including me.  

That being said, I became busy. I had two jobs. I worked 12 to 13 hours a day. I had very little time to get to a gym to workout. Eating right also became a chore. I started eating on-the-go and, although I meant well, didn’t always stick to a healthy food regimen. And at the end of the day, I’d go home and watch TV while snacking to decompress.

Fast-forward to January 2013 (resolution time!). I had eaten my way through the holidays like Pac-Man does those poorly-pixelated dots, and was left with snugly fitting fat pants. It was five months till my 30^th birthday—a milestone for me, since entering another decade makes me feel old and sad that I’ll probably never be carded at a bar again. A milestone birthday felt like an obvious goal to work toward. I wanted to be hot for my 30^th birthday—not cute, not pretty, but I’ll-Show-You-Arms-Michelle-Obama and I’m-The-Real-Girl-On-Fire-Jennifer-Lawrence H-O-T. But . . . how could I achieve such a lofty goal?

I quickly shook off my frustration and self-doubt and confided in my friend, Diana. She told me that I needed to go to the gym and eat right by making my meals at home (there’s not way around it! The key to losing weight has been the same forever…work out and eat right . . . no magic pill, darn it!). I told Diana that I didn’t have time for all that. I was too busy. Then she told me something I never thought I’d hear from her; something so simple, but so profound, that it made me look at everything in a different light. She said, “Look, we’re all busy. The world is busy. Being busy is not an excuse anymore. You will eat right and you will go to the gym—because you have to for you.”

Those words inspired me to start my journey toward a healthier me, and they have kept me going. I’ve learned to plan. I cook my meals for the week on Sundays and schedule when I’m going to the gym (instead of sitting on my butt snacking and watching Conan). That way, there’s no excuse. “Work out” is on the schedule. In pen. I have to go.

I’ve been on vacation a couple of times since this regimen started, and I made sure I had all of the food I needed, as well as scoping out gyms that were near where I was staying (you’d be surprised how many gyms will give you a free 7-day pass to try their gym out . . . so now you can work out when you’re away from home and not have to pay! Again—no excuses. Aw, nuts).  

I was amazed at how easily the weight came off with just a little discipline. It was work, but at the same time it felt effortless. And, of course, I have the great support of my friends here at Pilates 1901 to help me along the way. The best day ever was when I put on my trousers and they fell off me after I buttoned them. Granted, I then didn’t have any pants to wear to work because they were all the same size, but it was a great day, nonetheless.

This month I turn 30, and I have reached my goals and am aiming to surpass them. I haven’t been my current weight for almost 9 years and feel proud of what I’ve accomplished. The proof is in my jeans—my skinny jeans. You know what? I take back what I said in the beginning; if I were a child’s toy, I’d be I’d be an Etch-A-Sketch, because I can become anything I set my mind to.

If I’ve learned anything, it’s that if I can reach my goals with my crazy schedule, anyone can. Think YOU don’t have time? Make the time. You’re worth it. And believe me,it feels awesome.”