You have a way w/ words… I loved reading your reviews!  Thank you.

I just got mine today (Mat - but I’m going to order the Cardio Dance, too).  I’m pregnant so I can’t do some of the moves on the floor but I love the arm WO.  Will let you know if I can keep the arms slim throughout pregnancy.  This is my second and last… the first, I did well but my problem areas are limbs (arms, thighs) and butt.  I swear, I get pregnant in my butt first.  Anyway, I can’t wait to pop this baby out and get onboard w/ the program.  Keep posting your results!  Very inspiring.

You made me laugh!  Keep it coming.  :)

hello,just wondering how is it going with the dvd,and how many pounds have you lost??also when u mentioned u lost 7 lbs. was in in 2 weeks?

yes, i am using it.the mat and cardio. its only been 4 days so i will update my results in 2 weeks.are you  following her diet at all?

Any word on the Cardio workout yet?  I am dying to know what it is like!  Thanks cool reviewer!

I am a recent Tracy Anderson convert.  :)  I have always done the Firm DVD’s but got sucked in from that Oprah interview with Gwyneth.  I have been doing her mat workout for over a month and it defintely does work.  I also have her dance workout and can’t master even the first combo. to save my life.  I’ve tried and I can barely go 2 minutes.  She’s too fast.  I’m not horribly uncoordinated but this is really intense.  So I do my cardio on the treadmill/eliptical.  Are you able to have success with the dance dvd?  I know if I could do it I’d be in great shape!!  I also just ordered the post pregnancy dvd.  I had my 4th child a year ago and am struggling to lose this weight.  Have you gotten that one too?  Also, have you gotten her first dance workout dvd?

Well I’m still struggling through that dance cardio one, my feet cannot go that fast!  BUT I did get her post pregnancy DVD and it’s really good!!!  I so recommend this to alternate with the Mat workout.  It was really hard to do so I know I have many many weak muscles.  :)  I just wish I could get that dance one done.

Thanks doerflinger2006 for coming back and giving your update.  VentPark has my 5 page DanceCardio review (quite similar to yours) and I’m awaiting the upload.  You’ll get an email.  That’s interesting about the Post-Pregnancy DVD.  I’ll have to order it!

I can’t wait for your review of the Dance Cardio - goodness knows I need help figuring out how to learn the combos!  But I just got my kiddos down for their nap so I’m lacing up my sneakers as I type and am going to go give it a try! 

Is her first Dance DVD still available?  (O.K., I feel like an addict!)  I would be totally interested in purchasing it (as I sit here sweating after an hour of practice with combos 1 & 2 and a little bit of 3!)

Actually I just ordered her first dance DVD (2007) from her studio.  I called Heather.  She has some in stock there.  Her number is (818) 762-3133    It costs $35.42  I do have to wonder why other popular workout DVD’s are $15 or at most $20.  I wish hers were not this expensive…but now that I’ve been doing all 3 they really do work so it’s worth it.

Hi ECW - I am so impressed that you are doing this while pregnant - kudos to you!  I worked out quite a bit during both of my pregnancies, and while I am still quite a bit, um, ahem, heavier than I wish I was after having two lovely kiddos, I am so convinced that regular exercise kept me soooo much more comfortable during pregnancy than some of my peers who did not exercise at all while pregnant.  Anyway, wow, I know how tough I find these DVDs even in my non-pregnant, semi-fit state, so I am just so impressed. 

Thanks also for the advice on the Dance Cardio DVD.  I agree that taking it one combo at a time makes all the difference.  I’ve now almost mastered both combo 1 and combo 2, and I feel ridiculously proud of myself!  (Although I am sure I don’t look nearly as graceful as Miss Anderson!) 

My son is 16 months old, and I have not even begun to get back my pre-babies body . . .so 12 months is nothing! :-)  And like you, I totally wish I’d had the post-pregnancy DVD right after my son was born.  I imagine I would not be as heavy as I am now if I had Tracy to get me on the right path right away! 

I know that I am probably carrying around at least 15 extra pounds, but no, I do not weigh myself.  I think it’s much more encouraging and self-esteem boosting to go by how your clothes fit, etc., and not by the number in the scale.  It can be so demoralizing if you’re already having a stressful day and the number goes up a bit!

Hi, Thanks for replying.  I feel better about the whole weight thing.  I have heard that once women gain muscle it does weigh more but you can still get into small sizes.  I do like my jeans size, although i’d like to drop one more, but hate my weight number.  I guess even though in Tracy’s workouts you only use 3lbs you still are gaining muscle even without the weights.  I forget that.
The dance was so great for me to finally master.  I was super sore yesterday and feel better today.  I wish she had a cool down though.  I just repeat the warm-up at the end.  I’m just going to keep plucking away at it and hopefully will see progress by the new year.
When you say you squeeze the lines do you mean during the moves?  I jsut hope my next summer all the flab is gone.  :)    So doing these workouts doesn’t leave you winded being pregnant?  I’m so impressed.  I always felt really awful when I am pregnant that even walking was bad.  .
Yes, I am doing 2 hours a day 5x/week.  Until I master her entired dance workout, I am adding the eliptical for 4 miles for the cardio (takes like 50 minutes).  So I alternate between her mat workout and post-pregnancy and then do the dance/eliptical.  Which is why I’d think the weight would shed.  Although-I don’t think my eating has been the best.  :)  All this working out leaves me hungrier.  Do you find the same?  How long have you been doing these workouts?

All I can say is that we three are totally committed exercisers!  momof4, I am so impressed that you are doing 2 hrs/5x a week!  Please keep us posted.  Really would like to track your progress for my own motivation.  :)

As for the lines… not during dance, but when you are doing the Mat video (I will use arms as an example), when she says don’t have dead arms, it literally means when stretching, feel like someone is pulling your arms out of your socket. When she does a move that flexes the biceps, try to make those muscles pop.  No going through the motions but using every opportunity to tighten and clench your muscles.  You will find that you may back track a little in progress as you will need to stop more frequently, but the results will be amazing.

This week, I’m going to tackle Combo 2.  Wish me luck.  I have Combo 1 down well.  Whenever she does a spin is where I get dyslexic.  Like I said, I’m a one-sider so I have to really concentrate in the beginning which way she is turning or I end up doing the same side.  Can you say lopsided?

doerflinger, I agree… I cannot commit to 2 hours a day.  I really believe that you can get a kick-a** body with 1 hour WOs.  But after the baby, I will probably do close to 2 hours to jump start the weight loss.

Oh, to answer the pregnancy-getting-winded question… no, not really.  I don’t get winded.  I’m in pretty good shape but I do fear that I may overdo it so I pull back a lot. Like when she jumps around, sometimes I just walk around or just lift my heels.  And on those days when I feel I’m too tired, I just rest.  :)  I have no problem just lying still!!!!!

Hey there everyone!  I enjoy reading all these posts…keeps me inspired too!!  VentPark is close to uploading my DanceCardio review AND they are going to give you your own Tracy Anderson message board area so you can continue with each other and others can join you.  Your thread here will soon move over and will be under the post “Tracy Anderson DVD Users and Progress Reports”.  Enjoy! ~Reviewer

[...] I’ve cut back a lot but I’m not one to diet . I gained over 50lbs with this last pregnancy and everything hurt. Now that I’m done having kids I just need to get in better shape and hopefully get rid of the flab. Read more [...]

Actually, where is the link to your dance review?  I never saw that one.  I’m slowly getting better at it but man it’s tough!  I think the post-pregnancy one is my favorite!  I highly recommend even if you’ve never had a baby!  But for moms it’s really a good one. 

Reviewer,
I just read your Dance Cardio review and I have to agree completely about how different her instructional is compared to the up-to-tempo version.  Steps do disappear and I swear, on the spin part (1st combo), I think she lifts the wrong arm on the turns which confused me greatly.  I think the inconsistency of her dancing from one side to another was hard for me.  So what I did was learn one side the best I could and then slowly learned the other side w/o the video (remember, I’m the one-sided girl).  Then when the music came on for the up-to-tempo, I didn’t really watch her but just went at it w/ what I learned.  If I messed up, who cares?  I just moved and jumped and hopped around.

I’ve yet to tackle Combo 2.  I plan on doing that tomorrow.  I do want to learn it b/c it is fun and totally different than the treadmill.  I will let you know how I fare w/ my pregnant belly but so far, so good.

Still working hard on the arm section of the Mat video.  That, by far, is my favorite right now b/c I can do it even w/ my growing belly.

Which informercial fitness products did you purchase?  I can’t wait to hear all about it!  You are a great guinea pig!  :)

Hello everyone, Reviewer where is your dance review?  I didn’t get notified on it.  I’m anxious to read it and am relieved to read what ecw says about it.  Tracy does skip steps or something in the up-to-tempo part.  I barely go along and my form is lacking completely but I hope in time I’ll build up endurance so I get the moves down better.  She says in her 2007 DVD that the constant rotations of dance is what gives you the fast results and that the treadmill tends to give you long glute muscles that tend of life the love handles and not get rid of them.  So now I’m more encouraged to learn this darn dance DVD and work at it daily vs. whimping out and running to my treadmill or eliptical.  Now I’m quite curious as to your purchase….I’d probably get it! 

Yes, I will play it again and then relay what she says   “the worst thing you can do if you are trying to get a more lean long body is be in the gym on the eliptical over and over, pumping weights over and over using the same rotations over and over-all you are doing is over exercising the large muscles creating bulk.    If you want a longer leaner dancer body-don’t run at the gym-dance.  If you do the same repetitive motion over and over on an eliptical or treadmill,  you’re creating a long glute muscle that tends to push up the love handles.  So when people ask why they can’t get rid of their love handles, they are working the muscle in the wrong way.  You need to change your rotations all the time during cardiovascular work…which is what dance does.”
  Another interesting thing she tells is of a study of 80 people who were to sprint a football field, 40 were professional athletes and 40 were every day exercisers who mostly used running for their cardio,  the 40 every day people didn’t burn 1 peanut m&m after sprinting the field, the 40 professional athletes burned the entire bag.  Shows most people are running and think they are running, but they’re not really running and engaging every single muscle.   I just thought that was interesting.
Sorry if this turned out to be a long reply.  :)  

Hi Everyone - Two things:  First, momof4, I’d love to hear what you think of the actual workout in the 2007 Dance DVD . . .how does it compare to the newer one, is it any easier to learn the combos in the old one vs. the new one, etc.  Second, although I’ve worked out every day, I haven’t done the Mat Workout since Sunday, and I have to say my back is aching and I feel sluggish and icky and puffier allover - I’m starting to get a little weirded out by the magic that is the Mat Workout - seriously, how is it so good?  It is just amazing.  I must return to the plywood room during baby boy’s naptime today!

Hi!  doreflinger2006, when you said you haven’t done it since Sunday, have you done anything else?  I agree with you on the back, I don’t have any back aches now that I’ve been doing this but I didn’t know if that was more from the post preggo one.  Reviewer, I’m glad to hear your thoughts on what she says b/c you are in fact a real dancer.  B/f I would do the elliptical/treadmill to get cardio in.  But, for me, trying to master the dance DVD these last 2 weeks is so much more intense.  My legs/feet are just not that strong and hopefully will get stronger now (if I don’t kill myself of course).  Do you have dancer shoes like Tracy’s?  You mentioned you ordered shoes and I’m curious where she has those.  I just wear regular gym shoes and I don’t know if that’s good enough support for all the bouncing.  Let me ask your personal opinion, what do you think is a really good thigh toner move?  I have many trouble areas but my thighs upset me the most and I read somewhere Tracy said 100 plies is better than doing “something” that I can’t remember.  But I thought maybe if I could add an additional something b/c I don’t feel like her leg routine is strengthening me enough yet.  It’s so hard and my legs are weak but I”m use to squats/lunges/dips.  My thighs are really flabby and I’m beginning to wonder if the skin will ever even find a muscle in there.

For the 2007 dance dvd, to be honest I just watched it.  It’s interesting though b/c she has a longer interview and a behind the scenes thing.  This DVD has back-up dancers (2 are men and 3 other girls).  One of the guy dancers was interviewed and he said he is a professional dancer and this dance workout makes him breathless as well.  So I’m wondering how many breaks Tracy takes in filming these combos when the consumer is suppose to tackle all combos right in a row.  I wonder how many can.  Sorry, back to the DVD, she has different moves and the DVD is set up with a table of contents type thing so you can click on which dance combo you want.  Unlike her new one you have to forward.  She also has an arm/ab routine that is similar to her new DVD’s but you are dancing through it actually.  I will  learn a few of the combos and let you know by next week.  I do like that she has other dancers in it.  But no one plays the “if you are a beginner, follow this person” part.  It’s a lot of bouncing from what I’ve seen but some cool moves.  Now when I see the plywood room, just makes me crack up!  :) 

Hi,

I just received my DVDs yesterday from Amazon.  I purchased them based on the extensive review and comments here at VentPark - thank you!
I only had a chance late last night to preview the Mat Workout DVD.  I really like the music and that the moves seem choreographed to it.  (Which was something I like about the “Classic Firms”created by Anna Benson.)  While there’s not much cuing, I’m guessing long term that’s a good thing.  I  hope to start using the workout tonight. 

The Reviewer’s comments about improvement in the arms is what sold me.  I also dug out some Curves arm wraps that I had bought from Avon ages ago and will use them to combat gravity.

I, too, took dance class/instruction for many years, well into adulthood.  I stopped and kind of miss it.  While the reviews say the Cardio Dance has the most difficult learning curve, it might be the challenge I need - like some people use a 5K race as motivation for running each day.

Again, thank you for the indepth reviews of this series.  I hope everyone is still enjoying these workouts.

When I saw the new posts today I realized how much I’d been missing the dialogue we’ve all been having about these DVDs . . . so here’s my little update:

First, yea for little or no cuing!  Like momof4 says, when you’re doing these workouts several times a week, you don’t want to hear the same annoying chatter over and over and over again - I love Tracy’s cuing, or lack thereof . . .there are a couple of exercise that I think she could give more in depth directions for, but otherwise I think the amount of cuing is perfect.

Second, what is happening to my arms?  I swear I have not lost any weight at all (well, maybe a pound or two) but my arms are totally different than they were a month or so ago . . they are slimmer, there is more definition . . . they are looking really great, and I am so, so pleased. 

Finally, I’ve been working at the Cardio Dance DVD and it is starting to function like a real workout for me.  I have learned the first four combos now (not perfectly, but well enough to not feel like a clumsy oaf while doing them) and I am able to go through them with only one or two pauses to “catch my breath” - I have been having a problem with pain after completing the workout, especially in my shins.  Yesterday I made an effort to make all of the jumping/leaping/high-impact moves a little smaller and gentler and I was really able to keep up with Tracy and had a lot less pain - I wasn’t jumping as high or leaping as far as Tracy does, but I think that making it a little less intense actually helped me get a better workout.

Does anyone have a shoe they really love or reccomend for the Dance Cardio workout?  I need athletic new shoes anyway, and while I usually favor all-terrain running shoes, I know they are not the right shoe for this cardio dance (hhmmm, maybe this is why I’m having the shin pain?)

I have to say I missed the dialogue too b/c now after hearing what you say about your arms, I want that.  Are you doing anything different then what she does?  I can’t say the same about mine yet.  I’m just frustrated on the weight loss/gain.  I’d like to take off 10-12 lbs but I also realize that doesn’t get rid of flab per say. 

Did you see my Mat Review Part 3 in Reviews Park?  I do the arm flapping with arms bound and pitched forward. 

Okay, found this on the Net (below) and it is the answer to our questions!  I think we’re all incredulous that these DVDs and being faithful to doing them could make that much difference.  We knew the stuff below (we’re not stupid) but seeing it in a picture and then thinking about it on our bodies is the explanation to why we’re feeling and looking leaner and toned, getting great comments, but not seeing the scale drop.  So yes, it does start right away…

One pound of muscle and one pound of fat are NOT the same size.

If I place one pound of muscle on a scale and one pound of fat on a scale, they will both weigh one pound. The difference is in total volume. One pound of muscle may appear to be the size of baseball; one pound of fat will be three times the size and look like a squiggly bowl of Jell-O.

Why is it that we can lose sizes, yet the scale remains the same? Because muscle weighs more than fat…

The muscle weight you gain also beefs up your metabolism which in turn, helps you to burn off more fat. Talk about a win-win situation! (You won’t jiggle as much at your ideal weight, either.)

To answer momof4’s question, I am only doing about an hour of Tracy a day, kind of rotating between the cardio dance, the mat workout and the post pregnancy workout, with my goal being to workout six days a week.  And when I said my arms looked better, they do, but they’re still not teeny-tiny teenage girl arms - they’re definitely still 36-year-old mommy arms, but they’re definitely getting better with every pass through the arm routine!

Hi marlowedh,
    Here’s my input to your question and I’m sure others will give their input.  I’d do the Mat workout out 7 days a week and if you can’t get through it at first, rest, take a break, but make it your goal to complete it that day.  A brisk walk for 30 minutes is great.  Protein is good with quality carbs (veggies, fruits) each meal.  If you go to the Reviews Park here and read my Part 3 of the Mat workout at the end I list a bunch of no-no foods to avoid which will help your efforts tremendously.
     The main thing is to keep doing it.  Yesterday a friend I hadn’t seen for 2 mos. freaked out and litterally went on and on for a half hour saying how great I looked and how I looked a decade younger and wanted to know everything I was doing!

Hi, again!
I have done the Mat workout twice since receiving it this past Thursday.  Couldn’t squeeze it in yesterday.  I had to break it up this morning doing the standing part only, I’ll do the floor work tonight.  I have been trying to get 30 minutes on the treadmill or elliptical, because I don’t think learning the Dance routine at first is intense enough for the results I’d like to see yesterday, lol!  I used my Bally neoprene arm wraps but I forgot to bend foward for the unweighted arm segment.  I used 2lbs today, but may try 1lb tomorrow as my arms are killing me even as I type.  The legs not so much, but maybe because I didn’t do the floorwork yet?

For someone who is not a morning person and quite resistant to morning exercise, I find this workout to be very serene at 6:00 a.m.  I don’t have to worry about jumping around, etc., which I can do later in the day during cardio.   This workout really reminds me of “dancer’s workout” which I think the Reviewer might have mentioned.  When I used to take dance classes, we always used pretty much the same of 30 minute warmup at all sessions with limited cuing and all the arm work was without weights but focusing on the energy of the limbs, etc. 

As for eating - ha!  I have been trying to get back on the wagon at Weight Watchers but it’s been a struggle.  Right now I’m just trying to watch portion size, snacks and mindless eating.  I’m hoping that focusing on following Tracy’s workout method for 5-6 days a week will bring the eating into line, meaning I feel so good from the workout that I won’t be reaching for carbs and snacks to feel better.

Cheers,
videochick
 
 
 

Welcome!  I find this motivating as well to keep this up.   I have to say, I’ve been spending too much time letting the scale determine my progress when I have actually gone down a jean size and fit quite comfortably in.  Maybe another month and I’ll be down to my goal size, even though that number on the scale irritates me.  Thanks to Reviewer for her post, I am not focusing on that anymore.  :)  I’ve been doing her workouts since Sept. and I do try to get 5x/week.  Recently I’ve added the dance cardio b/c it’s just so intense and hard for me.  But on a good day I’ve managed the 5 combos (30min) and then I’ll do 30 on the elliptical or treadmill.   I have a library of Firm DVD’s (love Allie) and love them all but I rather have a long lean look vs. bulk so I’m giving this a shot.  Plus I got a little tired of the tradition leg workouts (squats/lunges/dips) b/c it was not getting rid of my flabby thighs (it’s the worst part on me) and Tracy’s rotations are unique and I do see lines on my legs so they do work.  Just need to get the flab off.    I do 2 lb for Mat workout (and it’s actually still quite hard for me) and I do 3 lb with her pregnancy one (b/c it’s not a long arm workout).  I use to do up to 10 lbs with the Firm and can barely do 3 with Tracy.  It’s just a very different, awesome arm workout.  Like they all say, get the move down then add the weight. 
I have a question for you all…do any of you do push-ups or dips?  That’s all weight baring so I’d assume would not bulk you up.

How’d you like fluidity?  I almost bought that to get those dancer legs but then saw Tracy on Oprah.  I love dancing and thought it’d be more fun to do this workout.  Do you recommend fluidity?    So you could tell a difference in your body?  I did not read in Harper’s Bazaar but thanks for sharing b/c it only motivates me! 

Again, Reviewer/doerflinger2006 are you still consistently sore after the leg/arm workout?

PS…Vent Park really needs to have a preview option as I see that some of my sentences need editing, lol. 

Momof4:  I’m not sore at all after workouts.  Now I can actually crank the leg and lift it high ala TA. I just wake up feeling “young” in the arms, back, ribs, legs, bootie.  It’s great and, yes, addictive.  Easy on the joints, I highly recommend the Mat workout.  In fact my Post-Preg DVD came in and I haven’t even opened it yet!

Hi Reviewer,  I’m glad you say that.  Although today while doing the mat and dance DVD, I’m sore.  So I know it’s working.  I have to remember doing every day is what gets the fast results and makes me feel young.  My arms are killing.  :)   Just funny  b/c last week I was sick and barely worked out 3 times and this week it feels as if I never worked out before.  Like my muscle tone already left my body.  Can’t wait to hear what you think of the post pregnancy one…working out to classical music is so calming!!!  BUT I hate her leg workout on that one b/c I can’t do it well at all.  It really hurts me. 

I do still get sore - not crazy, killingly sore - but mildly sore, where I am definitely aware that I have worked out for many an hour after I am finished with the workout - I love it that others find these workouts as additcive as I do!  I’ve never loved one single workout enough to stick with it so diligently.  I’ve been sick with a horrid stomach flu I picked up from my children, and haven’t visited the plywood room in days, and I miss it so!  I hope I am recovered enough to at least do the post pregnancy workout tomorrow (although I must agree with momof4 on the leg routine on that one - those rotations kill me!  they are so tough!)

HOpe the holidays were good to you all.  Got my Dance Aerobics (the first DVD that i got through TA studios…) and I think it is excellent!  THanks again momof4 for the tip.  Can I ask how the newer dance workout differs from the older one?  it doesn’t break down the workout the same way?

Can’t wait to get the Mat DVD, due Tuesday!  Got my measurements all written down and have been visualizing good results, lol.

Hi!  I do have both but have only actually done her new one.  I have sat and watched her older one and it’s very good.  She does break it down a lot more than her new one.  Plus she has dancers with her in the back dancing.  It’s a lot of bouncing around with different moves.  I think it’s worth getting if you like her new dance DVD.  My thinking is eventually I could get bored with the new one and then can rotate the old and new.  She has a cool dance arm/ab workout.  Same concepts but different moves.  I don’t know about you guys, but her DVD’s still give me a major workout.  I found my calves were killing me last week since I did the dance 4x. 

I agree with you, I think it’ll be a ways off b/f I’m bored with it.  And I know it’s a ways off b/f I can perfect it.  I wonder if I’ll ever.  I wonder how long Tracy worked at this.  I know Gwyneth said it’s been over a year or so since she’s been doing the workout.  I guess it takes that long.  It is funny how I do get the compliments and the other thing is I ate whatever I wanted over the holiday and I didn’t pork out.  So this does work.  I just pray it tones up the thighs!!!!  I try doing extra plies without going down too far.  HOpe it magically works.  :)  Doerflinger,

Hey, guys!  The first DVD sounds easier than the newer one.  I have learned more than half of the combos in 3 workouts.  I think w/n two weeks I will have the whole thing down, but not necessarily be able to do the whole thing at once! 

My calves are on fire today!  My calves are really underdeveloped so I hope this makes them a little more shapely.  has anyone found that has happened to them?

ps., I love that I can do 2-3 of the dances to just add another 10 minutes of cardio to my usual routine!

I finally got the Mat WO and did it for the first time.  I do really like it.  Not feeling anything with the standing abs?  Maybe it takes a bit to get the form right. 

The arms, good grief, I could barely get through the unweighted part.  I used cans for the weighted part as I haven’t had a chance to get weights yet.  I can’t imagine being able to do this with 3lbs!  has anyone here gotten to that point yet?  how long did it take?

I can make it through the unweighted arms section without stopping, but not the weighted arms - yikes - those kill!  And I am only using two pound weights!  Like ECW I do fine ’till the part at the end with one arm extended and the other working - then I have to drop the extended arm!

On the standing Ab work, that is definitely something that comes with time - probably the first 6 - 10 times I did the workout I didn’t really “feel” anything when doing that section.  These days I am careful to really hold my abs as tautly as possible while doing those, and I definitely feel my muscles working and feel a bit sore after I finish. 

I had a mini breakthrough today and was able to get through the entire standing legs routine without having to pause and shake out my legs, so hooray. 

I just saw your post doerflinger!  How long have you been doing the workout and how frequently?  I don’t even think my cans I used today were 1lb so i can’t imagine even 2lbs!  it sounds like you are doing great!!!   thanks for your advice on the standing abs.  I just tried going back and forth small with my abs really taut and I think that will make the difference!!

Hi, everyone -
Back after long weekend.  I did not get in as many workouts as planned.  I did manage to do the full Mat workout (stopping here and there) on Sunday and I did the abs segment of the PP workout this morning.  I like that the PP workout is about 45 minutes even though I didn’t get to do the whole routine this morning because I woke up late.  I have such a block with hour-long workouts in the morning, I mean its only an extra 15 minutes, right?

I’ve been using 2lbs as I found the 1lb a little too light.  The last weighted arm section when you work the one arm only  and hold the other arm straight out kills me too.

The dance classes of my past are all coming back to me with these workouts.  I remember trying not to scream while holding my arms out, palms up for like 32 counts and the teacher making sure there was “energy”!  The standing abs is a typical ribcage warmup that is included most dance warmups, though Tracy goes a little bit quicker than I remember or maybe it’s just my older age?  As the Reviewer might have mentioned, it’s good for loosening up the spine and core.  And that pike segment, we use to do 100s of those, or at least it felt like it.  That was in the early 80s, then the tide turned and straight leg situps and lifts were taboo.

I have not attempted the Cardio workout yet.  It’s been easier for me to hop on the treadmill with the iPod as Tracy suggests in some of the recent articles about her workouts.
Everyone have a great evening.
videochick

Hi workinprogress - to answer your question, I try to work out at least six days a week, although that’s not always possible, and I know it’s going to be tough to find the time during the holiday season.  If I had to give you an average I would say I’ve been doing either the Mat workout or the Post-pregnancy workout 3 - 4 times a week, and some cardio 2 - 3 times a week (cardio is definitely my weak spot!)  I’ve been doing the Mat workout since late September, I think.  I loved it so much that I purchased the Post-Pregnancy DVD, and then a while later decided I had to try the cardio dance DVD too.  So yes, I have totally become a Tracy Anderson junky!  But I am loving how my body looks and feels with these workouts, and I am not dieting, or even being that strict about my workouts.  I think the key for me is that I ENJOY doing these workouts so much!  I truly look forward to my time with Tracy every afternoon during my kiddos’s naptime (not that I wouldn’t prefer to be curled up in bed with a good novel and cup of tea, but time with Tracy runs a close second to that!).  Enjoying working out is making it so much easier to stay motivated and stick with my little regimen.

Thanks for answering my question Doer.  I feel the same, I look forward to doing the workout (even the dance one!) and I really think it is one WO I will continue to enjoy!   It is so weird because I have been doing the dance one everyday (anywhere from 10 mins-1hr…whatever I am feeling up to) and the Mat WO one time yesterday and this morning my arms, stomach and thighs all look tighter.  Can I be imagining this?  it seems too good to be true!  I really do wonder about her whole small muscles pulling in the skin theory!!!

momof4, have you tried the first combo of Dance Aerobics?  It is so much fun!  so far that one and #5 are my absolute favs, very easy to learn.  song 4….not so much.  (ps sorry to hear you are feeling bad about taking a little break.  pls don’t be hard on yourself.  overall it sounds like you’ve been doing fantastic!)

Hello everyone!  I see a few familiar names from videofitness.com.

I have the Mat dvd and enjoy it a lot.  I haven’t done it much b/c I prefer to exercise in a class setting.  I’ve been going to The Bar Method a lot and also the gym.

I tried the Cardio Dance today.  Well, I put it on for a minute or two.  I thought it was awful.  I did watch the routines, etc.. and it’s just not for me.  I AM considering the Dance Aerobics one but I’m on the fence.

Has anyone seen any pictures of what TA looked like when she gained weight?  She mentions she gained weight (how much are we talking about???)  in her interview.  She was a dancer and yet she still gained weight and never achieved that dancer’s look (according to the interviews on the dvds).  How does that make sense?  I don’t know much about her past, her credentials, etc…  but I have read some bad things about her past online.

The whole Gwyneth thing makes me laugh.  Again, aside during her pregnancy days, has anyone seen her fat??  I just don’t see the amazing transformation.  In my eyes, she has always had a great body, that long, lean body type.  I’m one of those people who love the “before and after” shots.  I guess she got toned up and tighter.

I hope my post doesn’t come across the wrong way.  As I mentioned, I do enjoy her Mat dvd.  It’s unlike anything I have ever seen.  But, I just wonder about her educational experience, etc…  What is her background?  Why are people listening to her?  Just b/c of Madonna and Gwyneth??

Thanks for replying momof4.  I’m a mom to two little girls myself.  I’m just very curious about her background and the basis of her claims.  Like many others, I’m drawn to her philosophy since I also crave that lean, long look.  I’m petite but also very muscular, so I hear what you are saying about The Firm.  I used those in the past as well.  I’ve been laying off heavy weights and relying on The Bar Method.  I will probably start using the Mat dvd more.

I wish I could master her Cardio Dance but I was so turned off.  I do enjoy dancing and hey, I do well in Zumba but hers seemed really challenging.

To Spanishcurls,
Hi. To the before/after pics of TA w/ or w/o weight I said the same thing in my Part 1 Mat review.  There are various levels of dance training.  The most elite are the high-end ballet bun heads that are destined for a ballet company.  They are long and lean.  From there you go all the way down the scale to a recreational YMCA hip hop class (think Zumba) and they may call themselves ‘dancers.’  I can tell you w/o knowing Tracy she has probably taken some ballet classes but not trained seriously.  So her recreational ballet/modern/jazz approach does not guarantee a dancer’s body.  Those bodies come from ballet class 6 days a week for years.  So did she get heavy?  Probably.  How much?  Probably no more than 20 pounds non-pregnant.  Still for an active person that feels like 100. 
BUT, does it matter?  No.  It’s not about TA or her past…that past is gone.  All that matters is that that Mat workout does the trick big time.  I started in mid Sept. and I have actually lost all of my sausage rolls in my gut I am proud to say. My obliques are rock hard. 
While TA’s Mat WO is killer, it is effortless in just lifting legs, flapping arms, etc.  It makes me want to do it everyday rather than think about squatting, lifting, push ups, etc.

I don’t really care about her past, ie, what “shady” activities she did or did not do.  Maybe I’m just being nosey but I would like to learn more about her, her background, her training, etc…  I didn’t realize she had a child.  Does she mention it on the Post Preg dvd?  I would think that she would promote it, look at her abs!

On her site, she talks about her dad having a Danny Devito body type and even though she had great skills, she was told to “fix that body” in order to make it as a dancer.  I would love to see what “that body” looked like.  Is anyone else curious??  Maybe something is wrong with me!

I worked in advertising for years.  It’s common knowledge in the industry that having a celeb endorse your product usually means financial gain for the company, unless you are OJ Simpson!  If she were just a “regular” trainer, she would not have appeared on Oprah.  Every time you see TA’s name, it’s usually followed by “Madonna and/or GP’s trainer”.  

My questions have not stopped me from enjoying the Mat workout.  I wish I loved the Cardio Dance one and I am still tempted to get the Aerobics one but I’m not sure I would enjoy it.  I think it’s fantastic that you all have experienced such great results!  That is a true testament.  Hey, have you guys taken pictures???  Maybe you can submit them to TA!  How cool would that be?!?!?!

PS- doerflinger2006, I’m also 36 and have 2 children- 5 1/2 and 3 1/2.  I have always loved exercise but have really upped the anty this summer.  My body type tends to develop muscle very easily and I felt I was getting too bulky.

I still wonder though, can someone really change their genetic or body type? Well, I guess it’s possible, but it must take a lot of work and dedication to do that and also maintain it.  With Madonna and GP, I am sure they follow a certain eating plan and they do work out with TA’s bands and that special machine.  I don’t think they got their body solely using TA’s dvds.  

I went to a studio in NYC a couple of months ago- Physique 57, after seeing the Nov issue of Shape magazine with Kelly Ripa on the cover (she was in my class- so nice!!!).  Then I discovered The Bar Method studio that is a lot closer to my house.  Both studios recommend using 2-3 pound weights for the upper body segment and then your own body weight for the bottom half.  Then you have all those ballet style dvds, etc….  Clearly, it’s a big trend right now.