Thank you so much for your thourough and insightful review - I was having a hard time working up the nerve to spend $30 on a DVD, but your review convinced me to give this workout a try and I am so glad I did.  I love this workout!  I have only had it for a week, and have done it three times so far, and it is just awesome.  SO much fun, feels amazing (well, it burns like crazy, but in a good way!) and it is inspirational.  I am anxious to hear what you think of the cardio dance DVD, as I am considering giving that one a try as well. 

Thank you thank you ecw.  Of course many women gain in their hips and butt with a pregnancy so you’re far from unusual.  I know I did!  While you may not keep the arms slim during the countdown to #2, you will keep them strong and that of course will help with picking up #1 if he/she is a toddler.  It will also help with the exercise effort after #2 is around.  Glad you’re here!

Hi supsonix, I have a 3rd part review turned into VentPark so I’m waiting for them to upload it.  Should be any day.  As for the 7lbs it was probably 2-3 weeks.  Are you using the dvd?

I searched the ‘net for any diet from her and I found a journalist in England commenting on it so I didn’t know if it was Tracy’s or not.  Where did you find the diet information?

Soon, very soon!

Hi Momof4.  Congrats on the improvement.  Isn’t it great?!  I don’t have the other 2 dvds.  I will post on the Dance Cardio very soon and since your registered at VentPark, you’ll get an email letting you know when I do.  Keep up the eliptical.

After about three weeks of semi-regular sessions with Tracy’s Mat Workout, I was really loving it, and starting to see a difference in my body - yes, I am still carrying around fifteen extra pounds, but even so I was able to see more defintion overall, a sleeker look to my torso and arms, and a slightly lifted bottom.  I was so in love with Tracy’s Mat Workout that I decided to give both the Post Preganancy DVD and the Dance Cardio DVD a try.   

The Post-Preganancy DVD is awesome - at 45 minutes it is slightly shorter than the Mat Workout, and it’s emphasis is on the abdominals.  About 25-30 minutes of the DVD is exclusively abdominal work, so anyone who felt the Mat Workout didn’t have tough enough ab work should check this one out.  The DVD finishes up with some side lying and kneeling leg and butt work as well as a briefer version of the same arm series from the Mat Workout, both with and without weights.  All in all, I don’t love it as much as I love the Mat Workout, but with it’s super tough ab work it is a great workout, and definitely not just for new mommies - I think any woman would benefit from it.

As to the Dance Cardio DVD, well, it is going to be great.  I say going to be great, because it is really tough to learn the routines.  As “momof4″ says above, it is hard to get your feet to move that fast!  However, it is a lot of fun, even if I feel totally goofy dancing around my living room trying desperately to follow along with Tracy.  I think the key to this DVD will be trying to learn one “combination” at a time.  I spent about an hour one afternoon this past weekend just focusing on the first combination - watching the tutorial at the beginning of the DVD - trying the dance sequence to tempo - going back and going over the tutorial again - trying the dance to tempo again - and by the end of the hour I was incredibly sweaty, but I had almost mastered the first combo.  My one gripe with the Cardio Dance DVD is that it should have been broken down into “chapters” so you don’t have to fast-forward through the tutorial and the actual dance routine to get to the different combinations.  Also, please note that this DVD may not be right for you if you have joint problems, as it is a true “dance” workout -lots of leaping, spinning, kicking, etc.  Otherwise, this DVD is every bit as fun and challenging as the Mat Workout, and while it is slightly frustrating in it’s level of difficulty, I know that if I give myself plenty of time to learn the different combinations, I am going to love it as much as I love the Mat Workout and the Post Pregnancy Workout.
 

Definitely order the post pregnancy one…it’s really great to add to the routines.  Going to give the Dance one another try now.  Wish me luck!  ha!

I did the same as you.  i finally had moderate success as I was able to do the first 2 combos and then I quit b/c I couldn’t breathe.  :)   I’m just happy I was able to do the first 2.  Now i will try to learn the 3rd and hopefully within the next 2 weeks I can do the 3 combos to tempo.  It’s really hard keeping up with her which I barely do but some progress is good.  I’m ordering her first dance dvd as well so we’ll see how that one is.  I am anxious to hear what the reviewer has to say about the dance one as well.  Good luck to you!!!

See I read somewhere that the original dance dvd was no longer available so I wonder if it was found used somewhere?

I ordered all 3.  I’m 20 weeks pregnant but I’m doing the Mat and Dance Cardio.  I omit the floor leg work and abs on Mat but I do most of the standing and I must say, it’s tough.  I can do most of the arms but what gets me is the weighted part where you have to hold the weight straight out to the side at shoulder height while the other one is working.  I have to cry ‘uncle’ every time.  Soon, I shall master this!!!

As for Dance Cardio… I learned the first combo in about 15-20 minutes (just did the instructional over and over again then moved onto ‘up-to-tempo’).  Instead of going to Combo 2, I just did Combo 1 up-to-tempo about 2-3x in a row.  I have it now and by focusing on just Combo 1, I really got a great WO.  By knowing it thoroughly, I was really able to go all out (as all out as I can go w/ being pregnant!) which made all the difference in the world.

Next week, I shall do Combo 2.  I think this is the way to do it.  There are 8 combos and it’s too hard to swallow all at once… that is, unless you are a dancer and dance steps come quickly to you.  

I am a one-sider meaning I can do one side but when she does the same combo going the opposite way, I feel dyslexic.  LOL.  But I love that this WO is challenging b/c I won’t toss it in the back of the closet.  I will actually use it for a long time.

The only thing about her method is that if you want to do it correctly, it takes 2 hours, 4-6x a week.  I know it’s an investment in myself but I’ve had pretty good success w/ other WOs that only took 20-45 minutes.  My plan is to incorporate her method at least 3x a week as I really love it, and supplement the other 2-3 days w/ my shorter but still kick-butt WOs. 

Hopefully this will be instrumental in me shedding the baby weight quickly after the birth.

Love reading everyone’s experiences so keep it coming!

I am very impressed as well!!!!   I didn’t workout during my pregnancies and I know I could not have handled any of these workouts!  You’ll shed weight quicker.  It’s taking me over a year.  I have to ask though-do you guys weigh yourself?   Although I’m starting to notice the “lines” and people are telling me I look toned (which is the compliment I value over skinny) my weight is still 15lbs more than I’d like.  I finally mastered 4 combos yesterday but I am seriously sore today.  So I guess it does work.  :)   I’ll let you know how her first dance cardio DVD is when I get it.   I think my favorite right now is her post pregnancy one.  I wish I started doing that right after my baby was born.

Hi doerflinger & momof4!

Congrats on tackling Combos 1 & 2 and Combos 1-4, respectively!  I am so impressed!  It’s so much fun, isn’t it?

As for weighing yourself, I have two different views on it.  I know that you can weight “a lot” and still fit into tiny clothes.  For instance, my husband knew a body builder who weighed 150 lbs. but she wore a size 2.  She was all muscle and as Tracy A. says, her skin was glued to her muscles so there wasn’t much room for fluff.  I like to have a pair of jeans as my guide.  If it becomes a little snug, you know you’ve gotta go the other way.

On the other hand, I do like to weigh myself b/c it keeps me honest.  But if you have the mindset of wanting to be 100 lbs. when your body isn’t programmed to be that light, then don’t weigh yourself!  I know that I have a slight skeletal structure and I know what minimum and maximum weight I can be so I play around in that range.  Also, I’m old enough now not to freak out when I do gain some weight.  Oh, this is a hard questions… to weigh or not to weigh oneself.  I guess what I’m trying to say is, if the scale is going to drive your life, don’t weigh yourself.  But if you can use it as an objective measure to guide your progress, then by all means, use it.

momof4, I’m so glad to hear that you are getting lines!  When you see these lines appear, what I like to do is to try to make these lines deeper… meaning, squeeze the heck out of them.  From my experience, this is using isometrics, your own body weight to create long, lean lines w/o bulk.  I can’t wait to hear all about it when you learn all 8 combos.  I just did Combo 1 and I really did feel it all over my body the next day.  I can’t imagine what 8 combos will do for me!

Also, Q for both of you… are you guys doing 2 hours a day?  How are you guys using her videos?

Even if I had two hours a day to myself, I don’t think I would be working out for two hours a day! :-)  I wish I was that motivated!  But since I discovered Tracy I have been trying to consistently work out for at least an hour every day during my kiddos’ naptime.  I’m kind of rotating between doing the Mat Workout one day, spending an hour or so on the Cardio Dance DVD one day, and then doing both the Post-Pregnancy DVD and about 15 minutes of the Cardio Dance DVD on another day.  I have a lot of other workout DVDs, and though none of them have ever captured my interest or shown me such results as Tracy does, if I just can’t face the plywood room I do something totally different (Bollywood Burn by Hemalayaa Behl is lots of fun, Indian Dance style cardio!).  And if I absolutely cannot squeeze a workout into my day, I do try to do about 30 minutes on the stationary bike I have in my basement after I get the kids to bed at night. 

It’s not easy fitting these 2 work outs in.  It literally takes me all day to do it.  I don’t think I could handle 2 solid hours in a row.  I’m so exhausted after her mat/post pregnancy ones.  I do those (alternating days) during my son’s morning nap.  Then I do the dance or elliptical during the afternoon nap.  I can only handle the first 4 combos so that’s only about 25 minutes I think.  But then I’ll do the other 25min on the elliptical.  I feel I need to do this b/c with 4 kids I do a lot of snacking and I just can’t change what I eat right now.  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.  It was hard last summer being at the pool and not liking how I looked.  It’s great to find this website b/c this also helps with motivation.  so keep  motivating me!!! 

Looking forward to reading your review.  I just got her 1st dance DVD today (I ordered it Friday so that was very fast).  I just looked it over and it’s a bit different then her new ones.  She has back-up dancers and an interview and behind the scenes etc.  It looks good to add in for variety.  But another hard one to learn.  :)  Although doable. 

Reviewer, are you planning to review her post-pregnancy DVD? I have enjoyed your other reviews very much!

Hi GoBlue!   Thanks for the kind words.  Yes, our gals here on this message board have inspired me to get it.  I just ordered it yesterday and Amazon said it wouldn’t even go out until Nov. 20 or something so it will be a minute.  I also ordered two of those infomercially type fitness products.  I thought I’d be the guinea pig! 

Hi ecw!  Hey, since you love the arm workout, remember when you get 8-9 months and don’t feel like standing, you can do that routine sitting.  I know when my feet were torn up it made for a lovely sitting workout. ! 
Combo 2 is much easier than the first one but still death defying in terms of cardio. 
Lest you all laugh at me I will keep my you-purchased-that? product under wraps for now. 

Hey Momof4, Yes the ‘VentPark Ranger’ has been slow to get the email out (could be today) but the review is up in the reviews park.  If you click on the top tab “HOME” you’ll go to the home page and them click on Reviews Park and it’s the second one down. 

Can you elaborate on what she said about the treadmill and the glutes?  Did she say that too about elipticals?  I can’t imagine that on an eliptical (long glutes).  But what was she saying about love handles?

LOL.  As you were posting above, I was posting to you about sprinters on the other thread! 
a) I agree with Tracy that repetition is not as ideal as changing up movement.  However, doing something is better than nothing.  Also a slight variation can make a difference.  Afterall, sprinters get in the blocks, take off, and run which is repetition but, each step is “unstable” as they are outside vs. on a predictable treadmill or other machine.  They also do a ton of non-sprinting exercises! Also ballet dancers everywhere in the world do plies, tendus, jetes, etc. every single class, but speed, standing on one foot, slight variation counts for alot.
b) love handles are fat so whether or not a glute muscle is pushing (don’t think I agree with her here) up into the obliques– the goal is to get rid of the fat and then there’s nothing to push up.
c) when she says change the rotations through cardiovascular and dance…again (in my other reply other vent) which dance?  I suspect most want a ballet dancer’s body and ballet cardio output is through resistance and isometric work.  The cardio Tracy is doing is really glorified 80’s aerobics and high impact.  Ballet dancers get to great bodies but never through high impact.  I would call it no impact during barre exercises and low to mid impact during center work jumps.  Ballet men have it harder doing lifts of women.
d) the m&m story…never heard that one but it goes to the general thinking that if you could have two clones with the same metabolic rate, fat ratio, etc. and have them say, take a ballet barre class and one did it with intensity and the other did it correctly in terms of technique but lacked intensity (as it focusing on maximizing each movement) the one doing it with intensity would engage more tiny muscles and make a bigger impact for their body.  But both are doing something and therefore making a difference.  There’s magic to working different angles with variety with unstableness plus a whole lot more.

I know what you mean!!  I swear if I don’t stick to it, I’m an inch up all over and when I’m trying to button a pair of pants this is key!  And my back hurts.  The Mat is good.

Sorry I forgot to mention–I don’t know what shoes she’s wearing but they don’t look much different than a New Balance style.  But I can tell you, shoes won’t get you through that routine.  I say there are high heel women and flat shoe women and all of us flat shoe women have feet/ankles that will not like her Dance Cardio dvd.

The shoes I ordered won’t work at all for her Dance Cardio but I’ve got something up my sleeve on ‘em!!

In terms of the thighs…if yours are weak keep at the routine consistently.  If, like mine, they’re covered in some flab then we have to take a multi-prong approach of the big 3: resistance (Mat), some kind of cardio, and diet, diet, diet.  Tracy’s comment about plies — I think it might have been in relation to squats.  Plies in a 2nd position turn the legs out from the hips so you are getting more all over the thighs.  The squats get the front and back.  However, there are plenty of actresses that do those suckers and get great results.  The key is not to take the bootie below the knees which results in extreme bulking.  That’s why so many Modern dancers (think stage as in Martha Graham style vs hip hop) have big ole thighs because they are going deep to the floor and back up over and over. 

Hey, congrats on your purchase.  I think you’ll enjoy it.  I did not like the no cuing initially, b/c I’m use to tradition workout dvd’s.  But now that I do it so many times a week you end up memorizing it all, including what she says.  ha!  Let us know how quickly you see results to keep me going!  I also have her other DVD’s and alternate them-I’m a big fan of her DVD’s.

I completely agree about the arms.  After the initial 7 lbs weight loss, I fluctuate from losing/back up with 3 pounds however I am so much thinner in my arms, ribs and legs.  And much shaplier.
 

I am still nursing my baby boy (16 months) so I am still stupidly hungry all the time, even though he’s down to nursing only two or three times a day.  . . so, I really have not cut back on calories too much, although I have been trying to cut back on late-evening snacking and that after-I-get-the-kids-to-bed glass of wine (or two, or three).  As a result of these small changes and the consistent exercise, I have lost a few pounds, but I haven’t really been trying to lose weight . . .I think if I was trying to diet right now my results would be much greater.  However, even though I haven’t really lost much weight since I became a Tracy-convert, I have definitely seen a change in the overall shape of my body . . .longer, leaner lines, less flabbiness, more definition, etc.  I think for me the magic has been the consistency with which I am working out . . .I’ve been doing a Tracy workout at least five times a week . . .I don’t do anything to alter her arm routines . . .I’ve just been following them pretty closely, using two-pound weights (I’m not ready for three pounders yet!).  I am amazed that I have been as consistent as I have been, but there is something about Tracy that keeps me coming back for more!  Now if I could quit eating like such a pig . . .!

I will have to go back and check that out.  But I am seeing lines actually….I still have more flab then I want but I guess I just need to keep this up 5 days a week.  Doerflinger, do you do mat 5x/week?  Plus Dance?  Or just an hour a day?  I was told again that I look toned so it is doing something good.  Do you guys worry about the scale?  Or more the jean size?  I’m trying to forget the scale but it’s hard.  I’m going to commit to 5x/week up until Jan 1 and see if I can get down one more size.  :o)   Are you guys only doing Tracy and nothing else?

Thanks for posting that Reviewer!  That makes sense and I needed to be reminded.  I like the part about muscle looking like a baseball and fat looking much bigger and jello.  I hope the flab magically disappears!!  :)    Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  And since we “do” workout so much and hard we deserve to enjoy this holiday! 

Hey everyone: I just wanted to thank you all for talking about the tracy DVD. I just ordered mine. It’s coming wednesday and I’m so excited. I’m just turned 31 and, while thin and in shape, nowhere near what I looked like at 24. I have a meeting in Detroit in 7 weeks where I’ll see a newly divorced ex (from when I was 24!) and I’m hoping to look better this time around. I’m on sebatical and thankfully for once do have 2 hours of time to devote each day. No children yet (but maybe that will change soon!). My question is about how much and how intense of cardio do you need to do to compliment the mat workout? A half hour of dance aerobics? An hour walk? Diet wise should protein be increased?  Any tips from any of you who have had success would be totally welcome!

Congrats Reviewer, that’s awesome to really know your work is paying off.  Hi marlowedh, congrats on your purchase.  It is an addicting workout and honestly you do see results.  Ideally Tracy wants you to do the mat and dance every day 4-6x/week.  It’s taking me a bit of time to get the dance down but I am now up to 30 min (which I think is 5 combos).  So I alternate the mat with the post pregnancy workout 5-6x/week and then tackle the dance every day for 30.  if I am not up for the dance, i do elliptical or treadmill.    doerflinger2006, how’d you like her post pregnancy?  I have seen a change in my arms as well now.  Thanks to Reviewer’s post, I am no longer checking the scale as much as before.

Thanks Reviewer for the wonderful Mat review…it made me laugh really hard a few times!   And also motivated me to go ahead and get the mat workout when I had pretty much decided to put it on the backburner…  I can’t wait to receive it now, it was shipped today!

Thanks momof4…to leaving the info on the first dance dvd.  I contacted Heather and it was shipped on Friday… 

I’ll post a quick background as I’d love to post updates and kit with how y’all progress using the TA method.  I think it could definitely help keep me motivated!

My story is probably a cliche…been doing Firm for years.  Needed a change and also wanted more of a “yoga” type body and started doing yoga, Bar Method and Fluidity this year., some ellen bar pilates fusion workouts.  I was happy with the change in pace and the difference in my body, but kind of resigned myself to the fact that I would never lose the last five pounds and be that next size down that I have been trying for forever…

Then I saw TA on Oprah with GP…. Wow, they both basically have that Jennifer Aniston type body I would die to have.  I did research online and eventually found my way here and decided to go for it!   Did you y’all read about how TA changed Harper’s Bazaar writer’s body from size 8 to 4 in four weeks?

I know it’ll take some time before I’m up to speed and able to do both the workouts but I’m really excited to get going! 

A question…should I go out and get lighter weights than the 3#?  should I start with 1# and work my way up? 

Hi, I’m the anonymous from above.  I must have accidentally hit the box that makes me anonymous.  Oops.

Yes, I feel the same way about you as the Firm.  I was frankly bored with them after doing them for so long and I don’t think all those lunges and squats were agreeing with my hips, thighs(bulky) and knees (crunchy sounds) anymore! 

I have pics of myself from last summer, after several months of Firm workouts and pics of myself from this past summer after several months of Fluidity workouts and there is definite difference.  My arms are much more tight and thin looking even though I didn’t use any weights!  (fluidity uses pushups, dips and band for arm work)  Overall a more toned proportioned look…

So YES I am huge Fluidity fan.  I love Bar Method as well…Fluidity is a more intense full workout due to being able to hang on the bar and use your whole body for almost many of the moves.  It did tone up my thighs and lifted the seat.  It brought me from a size 8 to a very comfortable size 6…

still I wish I was thinner and had a little more tone/tightness all over. 

Before I heard about TA, I was just going to add some cardio to my barre/yoga routine to see if that made a difference.  It probably would have, but honestly ways to keep myself motivated to work hard is the biggest hurdle for me.  TA’s method promising result if you follow the “plan” is what will help keep me going through the holidays and winter to hopefully get closer to my goals by next spring :) 

Thanks for the response!  I really hope I get my dance dvd today!  I’ll go get the 2# weights. 

Hi, everyone -

I think trying to start this routine Thanksgiving week was a bit ambitious for me.  Had to work late last night and didn’t get to finish the floor segments of the Mat Workout.  But I at least managed to get in about 3 miles walking to one of my job sites.
Did the standing part again this morning (which clocks in on my dvd at about 41 minutes).  Hopefully, will be home with enough time to complete the floor and some cardio. 
This morning I tried 1lb weights and I think 2lbs are what I will use for the time being.
I know there has been a lot of controversy on the web about Tracy’s method and comments, but I have to say the original thing that sold me on checking into these workouts were the comments about the upper body workout and particularly the arms.  I carry my weight in the top half of my body, my arms are the bane of my existence, but most workouts focus on the hips and thighs.  Then reading the Reviewers post sealed the deal.  Don’t get me wrong, I could use some firming up in the lower half, but I can live with their shape and size, if only I could have the arms I want!  So, yes, teeny tiny ballerina arms are my holy grail.

I too was a die hard Firmie - have all of them except the new Wave system.  And they are all collecting dust except for the “Classics” and I’m toying with giving/selling them off.  For some reason I’ve clicked with Tracy’s dvds like I haven’t in a very long time.

Just for informational purposes, I’m 45, 5′6″ about 170lbs.  Short torso, long legs, have a modified apple shape.  Very beefy arms, broad back, but do have a slight indention of a waist.  No kids but have a pooch.  I will take some initials measurements this weekend.
If I don’t get to check in tomorrow, everyone have a lovely Thanksgiving!

Cheers,
videochick

HI videochick!

I was totally the same with the firm: a die-hard firm believer, but I have a really small frame and the weights gave me HUGE shoulders. HUGE. I’m expecting TA mat tomorrow. So excited! I have the opposite problem: thin thin upper body and then somewhere between my belly-button and above my knees the problem begins.  I’d love nice sleek arms instead of skinny ones: but I’m really hoping for some help with my bottom and what my roommate poetically calls “the under-butt.” Seriously, sometimes i look in the mirror and think my bum looks like two saggy  balloons filled with lumpy oatmeal. Not Cool.
I’m going to be starting the workout Thursdays- doing measurements tomorrow to begin keeping track of how much and how quickly it helps.

Good luck to everyone staying fit as the holidays begin!!!

I think it’s funny there are at least 3 die hard Firm believers that are becoming TA converts!  ha!  Firm is great but it never toned up my legs…they were always flabby.  I’m hoping TA tones them up for me.  :o)  Keep in touch!!!  Helps to stay motivated!!  Happy Thanksgiving everyone…who’s doing TA Thanksgiving morning besides me???  Anyone???  

Ooooh.  Can’t wait then to start the PP workout if it’s got killer legs!

I’ve forgot to mention…in my insane effort to multi-task and not skip my TA workout I bought a 15″ TV/DVD player (slot on the side of the TV for the DVD) all in one sleek unit. Just plug in and go.  I put that by my regular TV and then can watch the news, TIVO shows, etc. on my big TV as I do my Mat workout on the 15″.  I don’t need the volume anymore for the Mat.  Now I really don’t have an excuse to miss–not that I would have.  As we all have said, somehow this is an addictive-look-forward-to it workout.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.  (I have all the cooking so not sure if I’ll get the workout in or not…maybe before bed.)

I too would love to hear from anyone who has both the old and the new dance cardio DVDs as I am very curious how they compare . . .

I would love to think that I might someday become bored by the new dance cardio DVD, but right now it seems like it will take me a a few more months to learn the combos and then probably even longer to develop the strength and endurance to be able to complete the entire workout!  I’ve still only learned the first four combos, and I definitely have to take little rests between each combo to catch my breath!  Cardio dance DVD days are tracy-kicks-my-butt days here at chez doerflinger!

opps, it bumped me out….when you do the dance DVD, how long do you go?

Hi everyone,

Finally got to the 2nd combo of Dance.  It was so much easier than the first combo!!!!  I did the Mat up to arms and b/c I’m pregnant, I cannot do most of the floor work (poor me  :) ).  So, I went onto do the first 2 combos.  Boy, is she a hoppy one!  I wasn’t able to jump w/ as much enthusiasm as Tracy, but I did my best and it gave me a great cardio WO.  I think after the baby, I’m going to alternate doing her dance cardio w/ some light running, indoor biking and rowing machine.  Should keep me from getting bored.

Okay, for those of you who have learned past the first 2 combos… are they easy to learn as Combo 2 or are there some difficult ones?  Want to get myself prepared.

I am scheduled to do the Mat up to arms tomorrow and will do something cardio as well.  I have to schedule in WOs these days as I tend to get tired and lazy.  If it’s in my calendar, I will do it.

Hi workinprogress,

I can get through the unweighted arm part.  Took me about a week.  The weighted part… egads!  Especially towards the end where you are holding one arm out shoulder height and moving the other arm… kills me every single time.  I’m about to go down and kill myself now.  Hang in there.  It does get easier but then you can always make it harder by making the moves more powerful and controlled.  We are crazy!

LOL.  what weight are you using, ecw?  how frequently are you working out and have you seen some results?  I must say TA has beautiful arms.  It is motivating to believe my arms might somehow resemble that, lol…  also are you feeling something with the standing abs?

I’m using 3 lb. weights.  Just got done doing my WO.  Doerflinger, I cannot get through the weighted arms w/o dropping that darn outstretched arm, too!  One of these days we’ll report back here and say, “I did it!”  I’m rooting for you.  :)

As for abs, I do them very gently as I’m almost 6 months pregnant.  When I tried full out abs, I got cramps.  Not good!  So, I just do them to “dance,” and not go overboard.

How often do I WO?  As often as possible.  I took a long time off (2-3 weeks) but now I’m back.  I just learned the 3rd dance combo.  OMG, I cannot wait to try it full out after the baby is born.  I am doing it w/ about 70% energy and it’s still hard!  I cannot imagine doing all 8 combos (there are 8, right?) 4-6 days a week!  But then, I guess the baby weight will fly off of me.

Will keep you posted.  I’m trying to keep myself from blowing up like Shamu in my last trimester.

I am so glad for this board here b/c I’m feeling so unmotivated to work out this week.  The last time I did the work outs was on Thanksgiving morning (4x last week).  My baby hasn’t been sleeping through the nights b/c of a cold and then I caught it.  So I just feel so worn out and it stinks!  I tried to the mat yesterday but I felt light headed.  ugh!  It’s so cold outside, lots of snow, so I really need to do this but it’s hard.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a Tracy day!  The worst part….I can tell my jeans are getting SNUG!  :S

Hey everyone, anyone else get her 1st dance cardio DVD?  Just wondering if anyone has tried it.  I’m curious, does everyone do at least one of her DVD’s 4-6x/week?

I’ve been doing the mat workout 3days on, 1 day off for a week and a half now. So Sore. But a good sore!

Hi spainishcurls, I do understand what you are asking.   The only thing I can say is that since it’s different from what I’ve been doing in the past (The Firm) and it’s got a dance vibe to it, I find it fun and unique.  I haven’t seen much like her.  I also am kind of tired of lifting the heavy weights, squats/lunges/dips and this is so different from that.  I started her in Sept and I have results.  Not as fast as I want and I will continue to question her skin going back to the muscle on my stomach (had 4 kids and ballooned with each pregnancy) but I’m still working at it.  I do have lines and definition and I got down a few sizes.  I think people are excited about her b/c it’s a dance workout.  I did buy her first one and she says on that one she studied with some pilates guru for an extended time and her son is I think about 12 or so and she started researching all this when she got pregnant.  I don’t even know if I’m answering your question, Reviewer would be better since she also has a dance background.  I still have yet to accomplish the dance dvd 4x/week.  It really kicks my butt!

I do have to say I like the Mat.  I also have her post pregnancy one so I alternate those 2 throughout the week.  Then I add the dance or treadmill or elliptical for 30-45min.  Then I’m exhausted.  :)  I completely agree with you on the dance.  I got it in Sept…tried it and failed miserablly.  Got extremely overwhelmed and decided other means for cardio.  Then in later Oct I tried it again and got 2 combos down (took me a week or 2 just for that) and then kept plugging away at it.  Then in Nov. I had quit other cardio and forced myself to do her dance.  Now I find it easy to follow and I’m up to 6 combos.  I’m not doing them like her b/c she’s so friggin’ fast but I can do it.  I’m hoping in time I can do the moves better but right now I’m just trying to breathe.  :)  It’s very intense and challenging!  Each time I don’t get hurt I’m relieved.  ha!  How’d you like Zumba?    I’ve researched her myself, she has a lot of bad press on gabsmash.com but she’s been around for quite awhile.  For me, I just love her arm/leg workout and there are results.  I have a ways to go though.  :)  Welcome!!  This board keeps me motivated!

Hi All - To answer spanichcurls, I was VERY hesitant to buy Tracy’s DVDs, as I too had read all the negative stuff about her out there . . . I never bought her 2007 Dance Aerobics DVD because I just figured she was some flash-in-pan celebrity sycophant.  I would NEVER buy something just because I celebrity endorsed it! 

When her new DVDs came out I thought that there was no way that I would want to buy one, but I did read the amazon.com reviews, which led me here to VentPark, and our trusty leader’s (reviewer!)amazingly thourough and hilarious review, which convinced me to at least give Tracy a chance, and I am so, so, so glad I did.  For me, at least, these DVDs have been a god-send . . .I am 36, a tad overweight and still quite post-partum-ish (two kiddos, four-year-old daughter and a baby boy who is 17 months now).  I find the workouts not only to be effective, but also motivating . . .I really enjoy my time with Tracy every time I workout.  And I am seeing awesome results, without even trying too terribly hard, I am already seeing a much more taut and streamlined version of myself, which I am so excited about. 

The Dance Cardio DVD is crazy-hard, there is no question.  You really have to take it one combo at a time, and be very patient.  It took me at least a week to learn the first combo well enough to be able to do it to tempo.  I’ve owned that DVD for about six weeks now, and I am able to do the first four combos (but number five looks killer!)

As to the negative rumours, I’ve always thought that “where there is smoke there must be fire” - However, if you go to Tracy’s website (http://www.tracyandersonmethod.com) you’ll find a letter from Tracy explaining how her business partner in Indiana took advantage of her naivete and ended up ruining her studio there, and then went on to start all the bad press/rumours, etc.  I don’t know if it’s true, but as much as I enjoy my daily time with Tracy I want to beleive that she is honest and as nice as she seems in her DVDs.

I’m with spanishcurls on this one.

Her method is great and it is helping me achieve a body I always wanted. I’m not particularly concerned about her ‘past.’ I’m sure that all of those people who have anonymously spread internet rumours, etc, about her also have pasts. Who cares? Her body is great and mine gets better each time I do the workout.

I am 37 with a 9, 7, 4, 1 year old.  I’m very encouraged that Reviewer has rock hard abs now!  Congrats to you!  That so motivates me more.  I bought Lotte Berk DVD’s (I think they’re the instructors from Physique 57) that Kelly Rippa promoted.  How’d you like that class?  Kelly was actually in your class?  Is she as small as she appears on TV?  How long was the class?  I wonder if an hour a day can be enough vs TA saying 2 hours 6 days/week.  Has anyone accomplished that?    What is this Bar Method?  Is that Fluidity Fitness?

Mom- yes, Kelly was in my class and I even chatted with her!!!  I wanted to tell her she was the reason why I was in the class- I had never heard about that studio until I read Shape!  But I held back.  Her trainer taught the class.  It was a lot of fun.  Very similar to what I remember about Lotte Berk.  The Bar Method is also similar.  It’s hard to explain the moves.  You use really small movements but they burn. Sort of like TA.    You use a ballet bar to do certain moves.  I know my explanation sucks- I’m sorry!

Physique 57 classes are 57 minutes long.  The Bar Method is one hour.  The Bar Method also has dvds but I have never seen/done them.

Kelly was very teeny, tiny but buff.  Her arms were killer.  She was absolutely gorgeous, she basically had come straight to the class after her show.  It seemed that she was also going to stay for the next class too!!!

I have to admit that I’m already at my ideal weight although I would be content with losing a couple of pounds  My main goal is to lean out.  My abs are cut as well, my husband likes to say I have a 6 pack but not quite.  I have been working out on and off for years and was able to lose my baby weight very quickly.  I was very lucky!!

Hey it’s been quiet so it was nice to read all the new posts.  Someone said something ever seeing Gwyneth fat.  Here’s a before after pic I found online right after I started researching about TA after I watched Oprah.  I don’t think she’s fat at all in the ”before” shot but you can see a difference…
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/06_01/boogieDM0306_468×850.jpg

Spanish, wow you met Kelly?  She does look so very tiny on tv!  tho her arms are a little buffer than I’d like mine to look… 
THanks Reviewer for telling us about your stomach.  Great motivation.  I haven’t had a flat stomach in about ten years!  I really hope I get the results you have had.  I need to go back and read how frequently you have been working out..

Mom, yes, she looked like she worked out intensely.  I noticed she picked up heavier weights. I don’t remember what weight they were.  I chatted with her about that, since they advised me to use 2-3 pound weights and I can lift a lot heavier.  She told me to definitely listen to them b/c it kills.  

I know what you mean about the Mat workout.  I don’t feel sore at all either afterwards.  I went to The Bar Method today.  That class is a killer.  It is so addicting.  This is the link: http://www.barmethod.com.

I rented one of their old (2003) dvds on netflix: Designer Sculpting.  It’s very similar to the actual workout in the studio.  Their philosophy is “to produce a streamlined and graceful silhouette.  With a focus on elongating major muscle groups….”  They are releasing new dvds today. I will probably buy them- 2 for $30.  I’m not happy with the music on the older dvd.  In class, you work out to current music, like Madonna and Kyane West.  The class is awesome!  One (or maybe both, I’m not sure) of the founders/teachers in the studio that I go to is in the new dvds.  

I have never done fluidity fitness.  What is that like?  It seems like there are a lot of these ballet type workouts available.  I bet it’s just a matter of finding one that you like.

Tanya taught the class that I attended.  She is also Kelly’s trainer.  The article in Shape magazine said that Kelly also does spinning and running.  
I also heard that that issue of Shape was their best selling issue!  I later saw her on the show talking about it and she told Regis that they do a lot of airbrushing.  Her abs look sick after having 3 kids!  I did not see her stomach but her arms were so cut and buff.  I was drooling.  

reviewer, that’s funny cuz I also got asked if I worked for TA when I told people on video fitness forum how much I loved DAnce Aerobics.  Oh well… 

I also absolutely love Fluidity!  If you look around the BM website, there are moves there that you can only do with the bar and Fluidity includes those in their workout…such as flat back and the pullup and also pushing up on the bar during the pretzel…I love my bar and feel it is worth more than I paid

I don’t have a chance to look back at all posts but is everyone on here doing her dance dvd every day or at least 4 times a week?  If not, what form of cardio are you choosing?  I thought Reviewer you were not doing her dance but I could be wrong.  I just finished it and it kicks my butt every time!!!  ;)  I’ll have to check out videofitness.  Never heard of it.  I wanted to buy Fluidity but the price of it has stopped me as well as where would I store it.  How long are the workouts?  Do you alternate TA with that workinprogress?    Man, everyone on here already seems to be in great shape!  Getting me intimidated.  :) 

ps I am trying to do the dance aerobics 6 days a week, even if it is only 10-15 mins.  I read the editor of self wrote recently that she added just 10 minutes of aerobics to her regular routine and a healthy breakfast and she lost some weight so that’s how I’m looking at it.  dont’ think i will ever be able to do 2 hrs daily tho

I have TA’s first DVD.  If you do not like her new dance cardio, then you may not like her 1st since it’s the same concepts.  BUT her 1st one has back-up dancers and I think there are less combos.  I haven’t actually done the routine since I’m still trying to get the new one down.  I got it b/c I have to workout at home and wanted variety when i and if I master her new dance cardio.  If that makes sense.  Her dvd’s are pricey.  What props do you need for the bar method dvds?  Now I’m thinking on the fluidity again.  How does that compare to TA mat routine?

Mom, I actually have not done any of the Bar dvds.  Today I watched one of the old ones but I wasn’t paying much attention.  On this dvd, a couple of them used a bar but one used a chair.  It’s somewhat similar to the TA Mat but the Mat is much more dancey and flowy.   

Reviewer, I’m curious to hear about your new invention- lol!

I am headed to the gym tomorrow.  I’m taking a new class called “Flow Motion”.  It’s described as a muscle definition class with yoga and pilates moves.  I wonder how similar it will be to The Bar Method and TA Mat.

Mom, Yes, I have done various types of Yoga on and off for the past decade.  I also do Pilates on occassion.  Pilates definitely helped me with my flat abs.  However, genetically, I don’t tend to gain weight on my abs.  I gain weight on my butt and thighs…. and I also have underarm pit fat!  That has been driving me CRAZY!!  My arms are getting more toned but I still have a bit of fat that pops out- do you ladies know what I’m talking about???

The other day in the Bar Method class, I was looking at this one woman who seemed to have a very similar shape to mine and she also had that fat!  It was weird.  She was very toned but had that also.

I bet plies work the thighs.

It’s hard for me to say what works best since I am constantly changing what I do!  I know when I did Ashtanga Yoga consistently, my arms were very defined.  Pilates helps with your core/abs.  When my 2nd dd was 4 months old, I went back to Pilates.  My first day, I chatted with the other woman and explained I had 2 girls, including a 4 month old. One woman asked me if I had actually given birth to her since I had flat abs!  I honestly didn’t do any exercise during the pregnancy besides run after my 2 year old.

My good friend is a Pilates instructor- she has that long, lean look.  She’s tall and thin!  Duh.  I feel like- say you are long and lean naturally, you may be drawn or encouraged to pursue dance or Pilates or whatever.   Does that make any sense?  So, I often wonder- what came first- genetically they have this body type and then they pursued dance/fitness, etc..  Or did they begin to exercise and then developed those long, lean looks.

I’m Latina and I have thighs and a nice, round butt.  I have never done anything to get that booty.  I was born with it!

Anyway, sorry this is so long, but I think about this topic often.  I have been chasing that “I want a long, lean body” for so long….but is it even possible, according to my body type.  TA says she can change any woman’s body but again- where are the before and afters???  I’m going to continue doing the Mat workout (and Bar Method, Yoga, Pilates, etc…) because I like and enjoy these workouts but I don’t know if they will create that look that I want.  I’m trying to accept and appreciate my body while still enjoying working out.  

I recently started a blog and have been talking about this- being happy with what you have.  I’m not saying to be complacent but more like appreciating what you have and working with it instead of fighting it.

spanishcurls, I think I know what you are referring to with the underarm fat and I have that too..not too bad. 

Fluidity focuses a lot of the back of the body which they claim most other exercises tend to not work on.  THey have you do the backward pull up on the bar which I love (if this doesn’t make sense to you, if you go to the website, I believe the model on the video demonstrates this.)  I think this really did help me out that area.  I have seen them on the biggest loser do that on the treadmill so I believe it can be done there as well but have never tried it.  hope this helps.

the only thing I will warn about with BM and fluidity workouts…when you are doing the up-on-your-toes squat, someone recently told me to make sure you are engaging your glutes.  I wasn’t doing that and the front part of my thigh got a little overdeveloped(bulging) and it scared me a little bit.  I haven’t done a BM or fluidity WO since 11/25 and that bulge looks like it is going away.  pheww… 

momof4, I can break down for you exactly the workout of fluidity if you are ever interested.  I believe there is also a pretty good review over at the video fitness.com review section. 
ps… my hubby just said to me tonight, wow your face, neck, arms, legs all look thiner!  I took all my measurements before I started the TA workouts, so I am excited to see if there will be a difference.  I think I will wait until day 10…  again, I didn’t do any cardio really before so this could be a big part of it.  I swear, I think you are burning 100 calories for every couple of minutes on the dance dvd….it is so freaking intense.  The longest I have gone is 25 minutes on it and I felt sick afterwards! 

sorry this got long too… hope you all have a great weekend

Workinprogress- that’s weird, I didn’t see your previous post.  Thanks for the GP pictures.  Do you have any idea when the “before” one was taken?  It could very well have been shortly after she gave birth to one of her kids.  I don’t mean to come across as cynical but I worked in advertising and I know how things can be distorted.  

Anyway, last night as I was getting ready for bed, I decided to check out my body- lol!!  Shockingly enough, my underarm fat is going away!???!?!?  I can’t attribute it to any one specific workout but it’s probably that I’m very active in general.  However, I have been going to The Bar Method around 3-4x a week.  My membership is coming to an end in 2 weeks- I already scheduled 7 classes in those 2 weeks.  

I was talking about my body with my husband last night.  I asked him if he thought I looked any leaner.   He said he think so! (But then again, what is he going to say, right??  No, he is very honest with me usually anyway).  But he also said I will never have that dancer’s look, that my body is muscular.   He’s no expert but yeah, my body is more built like a gymnast than a ballerina.  

And yes, I met Kelly Ripa and also chatted with her a bit.  She was gorgeous and so nice.  The entire class seemed to be filled with model/actress types.  For ex, a woman approached Kelly and said she was now on Guiding Light.  I don’t watch any soaps so I didn’t recognize her.  Physique 57 was very, very similar to The Bar Method.  There are a bunch of the same routines with different names.  

Here’s the link for that article with the HS pics of tracy…
http://books.google.com/books?id=Vx0DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA103&lpg=PA103&dq=%22eric+anderson%22+%22tracy+anderson%22&source=bl&ots=yeQK2d1IAt&sig=jtYIVjGZdGQ5hg35vCz68CGcBHU&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result#PPA104,M1

Workinprogress, yes, I agree, it’s so important to find a workout that you enjoy.  If it ain’t fun, then why do it??  Life is too short!  I am constantly trying new things and classes at the gym, so I never get sick of my routine.  

OK, this is too funny.  I went to my gym this morning.  I did 20 min on the Stair Master and then went to the new class called “Flow Motion.”  We start doing the exercises- We did a million plies (sp???) and a bunch of other moves.

Then the teacher says that if you want to create those lean, long dancer’s body, you need to use light weights and many reps and “this exercise helps pull the muscle back to the bone” and I think- wait, doesn’t TA say that???  Then we start doing these arms moves- exactly the unweighted arm section in TA’s Mat video.  My teacher then says that she recently did a training class with Madonna’s trainer!!!!!!

At the end of class, I approached the teacher and asked if she had trained with TA.  She looked shocked that I knew that name.   She said she did a boot camp training with TA right before TA left to go on Madonna’s tour.  

I should have asked her more about TA.  I’d love to know what she is like in person.  I plan on going back to the class next week so I will be sure to ask her.  I just had to laugh.  I came home and ran to the computer,  My husband asked- what are you doing- and I said I have to tell my friends!!!!

WIP- I look forward to checking out that link.  Thanks!

Mom, Yes, I do feel lucky that I live near NYC (I’m a born and raised NYer.  I lived in NYC for years and years but we had to move out to a burb when we started a family.  It’s insanely expensive to live in the city with children and we wanted more space).  I have seen many celebs throughout the years just walking around.  I have chatted with a few, like Usher and Jamie Lynn Singler (sp).

As for making peace with my body…..I’m not there yet but I am trying! Thanks for pointing out that it’s an issue that most women have.  I forget that.  I really want to focus on having fun with exercise.  

I understand what you mean about lifting heavy weights.  One of my favorite classes was Body Pump.  It’s a weight lifting class set to current, fast music.  It’s a great class.  I was so used to lifting heavy.  Lately though, I have been obsessed with The Bar Method classes and only lifting 2 and 3 pound weights.  Today at the gym, I could not believe my eyes.  My arms have gotten extremely defined and more cut.  It has to be due to the low weight but high reps!

The article I read I think was different so check out my link if you get a chance.  the one I read, the HS picture was only of her so there shouldn’t be a question…
The article seemed to also tell her side of the story and had some comments from her clients that were also favorable so it’s hard to sort it out….

Hey work, thanks for the article.  That was interesting.  Seems like if she could find a good business partner she’d be successful.  No wonder she’s thin-with all that stress I’d be a size 0 too!  :)  Where is the Harper’s Bazaar article?  These people with the great results within 10 workouts must be doing mat/dance 6 days/week.  When you guys do the standing leg series…does it hurt you while you are doing it?  It doesn’t me so I’m wondering if I’m doing the moves completely wrong.

Someone on videofitness.com posted a link to a new TA article.  She is opening up a studio in NYC.  However, it doesn’t look likely that I will be able to check it out.  Well, I will go in to check it out but based on the interview, it seems that each person will have to follow a customized training program.  It seems very interesting but also very expensive.  Based on the other interviews, it seemed that this studio will cost thousands of dollars. However, I know many NYC women who are already drooling thinking about this studio!

When I talked with Heather to order her first DVD she mentioned she is opening a studio in NYC next. Spanishcurls, do you know the title of the new Physique 57 dvd’s?

Hi, Welcome!  What do you mean Gwyneth being upfront about her involvement? 

Mom, when I was at Physique 57, I asked the woman at the front desk about their dvds. I don’t remember her exact words, but it was something along the lines of “not for a very, very, very long time”.  I also remember she laughed when I asked her that question.  

Physique 57 and The Bar Method seemed to have extremely similar moves.  I was only at Physique 57 one time though, so you can take that with a grain of salt. They suggest 2-3 pound weights, both use the ballet bar to stretch and for lower body moves, both use great, fast music….

Livingit, I have commented about TA’s past and also question her expertise.  As for GP, I do wonder if she helped fund the studio. Probably.  She probably also gets a huge discount (if she even pays at all) for TA’s services for all the added publicity and endorsements she provides.  But I don’t know if you are referring to something else?

Work, I hear you about all the buzz and drama.  

For whatever it’s worth, I agree with those of you who have said that this is getting to be just too much drama.  We all started these posts to keep ourselves motivated and talk about our experiences with the Tracy Anderson DVDs, not get into the finer points of what she did or didn’t do to her clients in Indiana, etc.  I honestly have found a lot of the posts over the past few days to be the opposite of motivating . . . 

Several of us had been seeing a lot of wonderful changes in our bodies since starting the DVDs and we had been receiving positive reinforcement from our peers by chatting about our progress, and I wish we could get back to that on this site.  Maybe I am being naieve, but I like to think that Tracy Anderson is human, just like us, and yeah, she may have made some really bad business decisions in the past, but she has been an instrument for a lot of positive change in my life, and I think in the lives of some of the other women who have been posting here, and surely she deserves some credit for that . . .

I agree, I rather hear about  the workout.  It’s a workout I enjoy and see results!  Don’t much care about what she does as a person, it’s all about what works for the muscles! 

Here’s the link to the video on self.com: http://www.self.com/fitness/workouts/2008/11/sculpt-a-list-arms-fast

Reviewer, thanks for the link.  I actually have that special issue of People but I hadn’t read it yet.  

Mom, I will be sure to report back when I check out her studio  The thing is, based on the article, I don’t think someone could just take one class and that’s it.  Maybe I’m wrong??  It seemed to suggest that she would create a unique fitness program for each individual, but maybe I am not reading it correctly.  I imagine it’s going to cost thousands of dollars (based on her past studios and from the interviews) to join???  

I just checked out the People link from Reviewer.  Good to know the moves are on her DVD’s, except for that one stomach one.  Can anyone do that advance pike without putting their feet on the ground?  That is a killer for me.  It’s in her PP DVD.  Also, what do you mean by gallop, knee up hop knee up hop etc. on treadmill?  How is that possible?  I tried her run a minute, walk last night and I’m sore this morning.  Can’t imagine hopping without falling honestly.

Now I do have a question though if anyone can answer….in TA 1st dance DVD she says treadmill bulks up love handles b/c it pushes on that muscle or something like that.  Now I have always thought 3 miles on treadmill or eliptical is good…but now when I was doing it today I was nervous that the progress I make with her DVD’s by making by bum smaller, am I only making it bigger by walking/or doing elliptical 3 miles a day?

Mom, Somewhere on this thread wasn’t there something that Tracy was doing a treadmill workout w/ Madonna?  If that’s right, then it’s counterintuitive to not doing it unless there’s a distinction she was making long ago such as not doing only treadmill for all of your exercise needs.

Also earlier you asked if the mat still hurts.  Do you mean the next day (sore) or burn while you exercise?
And yeah the rant vent was pretty hard core but she’s entitled to her opinion correct or incorrect.

Oh yes, the leg work still burns like crazy when I am doing it, both in the Mat DVD and the PP DVD.  There are many days I cannot even get through the leg portions without having to stop for a second or two and shake out my legs.  The PP leg work is so hard!  Why oh why is it so hard!?!  That first exercise, especially, where your leg is out to the side and you lift it straight up . . yikes!  It is soooo good for my hips though! 

why does TA say that constant repetition creates bulk but then says work up to 100 plies?

so doing 100 plies will tone the legs and not bulk them up?  I did PP today and did better on the leg part than before.  Do you also think doing these workouts 4-6x/week will give you great bathing suit results by May?  :) 

Well, I am an eater!  I feel if I’m going to do all these workouts I can eat (I guess that’s why my progress is slower).  To be honest I eat a banana and an english muffin with pb with a big glass of ice water in the morning.  2 hours later I have a snack, I try to keep it to a 80cal protein snack or kellogs 100cal bar.  Then by 11:30ish I eat lunch (this is where I go bad), I eat a regular sandwich on low cal bread (turkey or ham with cheese), pretzels or baked chips and cottage cheese with ice water.  Then I eat grapes or something within 2 hours after that (I’m honestly hungry) then my kids want to snack snack until we eat dinner at 6:15  so around 4ish I’m hungry (probably more wanting to stress eat b/c of my 4 kids around me wanting wanting wanting haha) then dinner is usually chicken or tacos or spagheti.  I try to do a small portion of dinner so I go to bed hungry.    OK, slam me.  B/c I KNOW this is my downfall every time!!  :)    I just finished the dance dvd and could only manage 30 min.    Do you think doing the mat and pp 6x/week and 30 min of some cardio will do it? BTW  Thank you for your suggestions!!!!!  I really appreciate it!

Hi Mom,   Just some suggestions… Change english muffin to Ezekiel  Sesame Bread (it’s not bread made from flour it’s made from sprouts) just 1 slice.  PB is okay if it’s 1T and a pure PB organic not Skippy.  Better is a 2-3 whites only scrambled egg with veggies and salsa or hummus (Tribe all natural is good).  Change the banana to an apple.  Water is good.

Snack: the kellogs is probably sugary.  Try a slice of Ezekiel w/ just hummus.  
Lunch:  lose the pretzels and baked chips.  Lean turkey with greens and a lemon squirt is good.  Add raw veggies. 

Snack: no fat vanilla yogurt with whole strawberries or blueberries.  Maybe a little Kashi Go Lean cereal.  

Dinner: Chicken or salmon 3-4 oz with oil spray skillet fresh veggies and quinoa or whole grain Barilla Plus spagehetti is good (high protein and Omega-3).
Fruit in it or added is good.

You can do variations of this but this is a basic and will leave you full after a couple of days of detox.  Always toast the Ezekiel.

Thanks for the pita tip…I’m trying it.  I love the MorningStar breakfast patties (fake sausage) so I could add one of those to your salsa pita…yum!

I’ve only found Ezekiel in the frozen section (made w/o preservatives but the stuff lasts FOREVER) of health food stores. Morningstar has an entire line of stuff to choose from but you have to check calories. 
The main thing is you have to have protein with every meal or snack to curb the cravings and help build the lean muscle.
Vitamins:  I take a ton of stuff (I started these when I started Tracy) and it’s made a world of difference.  Like the regular grocery store processed “crap” there is the same in the vitamin world if you walk into say a Jewel.  Shaklee is the best.  They have stringent quality testing and controls and you’re getting pure stuff.

Hi, -

Can someone tell me who was on the cover of the special edition of People magazine.  I’m trying to track it down!

I was out of town last week in DisneyWorld, a lot of walking and I did my own version of TA arms.  Back on the wagon today with PP w/o and hopefully a treadmill w/o.  I did order the Dance Aerobics DVD directly from the studio and have to say it came very quickly and Heather was a pleasure to deal with.  However, I haven’t really concentrated on the new Cardio DVD yet, so I really shouldn’t have been buying her first dvd but I had to have it!  And it’s true,  being away from the w/o for a few days, I felt like a limp noodle.

Also, I saw Kelly Ripa jogging/running while I was at Disney - she is one teeny tiny girl.  I look like an american gladiator next to her.

I just wanted to add my small tip to the Reviewers arm flapping suggestions.  When holding one arm out while the other is moving, I’ve really been trying to concentrate on isometrically contracting those arm muscles of the straight out arm.  When TA says your arm should be  killing you - I scream at her- in a good way.

Hope everyone is doing well.  And thanks reviewer for posting your meal recommendations, I need that after a week of Disney Character breakfasts!

Peace to All-
videochick

Hey everyone,
  Adidas did a YouTube of Tracy…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taCiMBFc0sc

The clothes/shoes are by designer Stella McCartney for Adidas. You can find them by clicking through one of the Amazon links at the top.
In the youtube Tracy talks about the standing abs and how it does take work to connect to the movement and the muscle while standing.  I’ve noticed that once the sausage rolls were gone, I can feel the abs but of course not the gut wrenching when she has you do the dead leg lifts!
The clip also talks about her Reebok boot camp and you see training session but it’s all moves from her DVDs.  Enjoy!

I had family staying with me from out-of-town all last week, so I ate and drank way more than usual, and didn’t have much time for myself, but I did manage to squeeze in a few sessions in the plywood room - so no “progress” - but at least I didn’t really gain any weight or lose too much of my new-found definition!  

Merry Christmas everyone!  I am working out today and am proud!! Yee-ha.

Merry Christmas!!  I miss this borad!   I too did her mat workout!!!  Had to do my TA, love that girl!!!  :)  Also-getting compliments.  So that helps.  :)  I am really trying to do 4 for the least but 6 preferrably.  I feel so much better when I do.  I was doing her Dance DVD this week and hurt my knee tho so I’m laying off that for a few days.  :(  Do you know if her shoes are Nike Shox?

Hi, everyone -

Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays!  I, too, missed checking in on this board for motivation.  While I haven’t been able to do a full Mat or PP workout, I’ve been doing certain segments, mainly the abs and arms, my  trouble spots.  I have to say I’ve had serious DOMS from that PP ab segment.   I need to find a way that I can make my own copy with chapters or something for those days that I just can’t fit in the whole thing or the ability to split the workout in the a.m. and p.m. without fast forwarding.  Really, by the time I fast forward I probably could just do whole workout?!  Still haven’t tackled the Dance DVD.  I’ve just been trying to get on the treadmill and bang out some serious cardio.  I’m hoping in the New Year I’ll have some more time to devote to learning the cardio.

videochick

Hello!
I haven’t contributed to this thread before. I did leave an Amazon review for the matt workout, I am SansSouci11 over there.
I have all four dvd’s, but mostly do the matt and post pregnancy ones— still learning the routines on the dance ones.
I have not lost much weight, maybe 5 lbs in a few weeks; but I have lost a jeans size..  I am 5′9″, size 10, (well, I guess an 8 now!) and 51 years old.  ( My post pregnancy was about 24 years ago, but I am using it anyway! )
Usually ab work does make me firmer, but not smaller.  So far,  Its 4″ off the abs, 5″ off my behind, and one inch off each thigh, and half an inch off each arm, 1″ off the bust and waist is the same.

I swear I feel it too, its like there is a wall of muscle there, with the abs, and my arms are getting their old shape back. I *think* the cellulite is leaving, but I am still wonder if that is a hallucination…

So far I can only do about 3/4 of both matt workouts without a rest.
I am a former Firm user too, also Tae Bo, Callanetics, a little pilates… kundalini yoga, and the gym. I have a bowflex and a mini trampoline. I use the trampoline for my aerobics , till I get the moves down. Its supposed to be a good anti aging thing, so we will see. Oh, and a foam roller.

I want to see her contraption that is like the pilates reformer (I think that’s the name for it) Has anyone used one?

Hi,  thanks for the welcome! I don’t finish them all at once because of lack of strength.   I do finish them, I just take a small break.  My arms fall too low.  I stop half way through the section using weights.

If she had it where you went to a different area and then got back to the arms, the way she does the legs, then I would not have to take the break.
On the post pregnancy one, its the same problem, except I can’t do that much ab work all at once. I wish it was chaptered in a way to mix it up and go back to it later. Maybe she did that on purpose though.

Yes, I was really surprised about the inches too, especially since I did not lose that much weight! Even though you read about it, I had never had that happen. I thought it was more for body building anyway.

I thought it was weird my waist stayed the same and everything else got smaller.
However, my jeans are baggy at the waist, which is weird, I didn’t lose there.  Its the opposite of muffin top, which I had earlier, even with spanx.

Its like I went back to the shape of when I was younger, same fitting problem from 20 years ago.

I think when this is over, I mean, when it seems like there will be no more shrinking… I will go to that place called makeyourown jeans.  The jeans are only around $50,  and fit you perfectly, like the $200 ones, (or so they say). 

On Nov 23rd (above) Reviewer posted what a lb of fat vs muscle looks like.  You should look for it, it stopped me from worrying about the scale.  Honestly.  I use to check daily my weight. I couldn’t accept that after a week of TA that I built so much muscle already but her post states the moment you begin exercising you are building muscle.  I found the post extremely hopeful.  LOL

I saw that lb of fat and muscle, momof4! I guess I just didn’t think I had that much muscle, so used to thinking of myself the other way! Or that it was only from body building and took months to build up to that, because before it has always taken so long to see the smallest change.

I just got a book from the library, its written by Michael Thurmond who makes over stars. He basically says the same things that Tracy does about all the tiny little supporting muscles.  And it made me think about her lack of chaptering in the dvd’s… maybe she didn’t chapter the dvd’s because they have to be done in sequence to get the larger muscles worked out first.  I was thinking they were just lazy—which didn’t make sense, she is so particular about the  details. ( But if she wants you to do arms twice, they really should have put a break in there).

Thurmond also writes that lunges and squats really don’t do much, they just build up that front muscle, and I flashed on “The Firm”.  He says he tells his clients not to do them.
For some reason, in my past life of exercising, I kept thinking that  the cure for my legs was lunges and squats, and just kept trying to do more. It never occurred to me that they don’t work. 
But years went by, and they didn’t work. Jeez, I am kind of slow to catch on! I thought something was wrong with me, didn’t realize it was the workout that didn’t work!

If its true that the exercise you do builds the body you want, and
That will be nice,  to start designing yourself to that degree, eh?…I have never gotten that fit to even consider it, my goal was just to take off the fat, and someday I would work towards the shape,  but maybe its best to set the intention of a shape right from the beginning…

( My intention is to not have short sinewy-vein popping looking muscles like Madonna…she looks the opposite of what Tracy says she strives for to me, It must be what she did before she met Tracy. Or, Madonna  likes that look. She must like it, she took the time to create it.  I want to have the shape like Gwyneth has worked for. (It doesn’t look like they share the same trainer to me…)

I had a duh moment when I woke up. The reason the jeans fit differently at the waist is because jeans arn’t  worn at the waist, they sit smack in the middle of the abs!
Even though I only lost an inch on my bust, my bras are riding up,  like I shortened the shoulder straps.   My rib cage must have shrunk..speaking of ribs..
I am terrible at the rib cage isolations. I can feel them, they made me really sore. But I don’t do them in a sexy way like she does. In the mirror it looks like I am doing nothing at all except jiggling around… I don’t have that nice crisp look that she does.

SS572: Thanks for the info.  Isn’t it amazing that working out (lunges, squats) didn’t help?!  Ya’d think anything would make a difference but now that we have TA, we know differently.  I agree about the Madonna arms.  For awhile she was looking better but I think she’s just a gym rat (I’ve heard up to 6 hrs a day in the gym for her).  If you look at footage of her current tour, she has her biceps pumped way up (and yes veins-a-poppin’ which means hard core) but the triceps are flapping away from the bone.  Kelly Rippa, despite her tiny body has the biceps way built up.  Not a look I prefer.  Regis poked at them one day and said “Pippa you’re scaring me.”  But she totally loves that look which is her choice.

I have found my strength has gone waaaayy up since doing TA and much more than when I ever tossed around some weights.
Momof4:  girl you betta rest that knee or I’m gonna hurt you.  I told you all that DC dvd is too fast for good stabilization.  New shoes are always good but don’t put your hopes for them to stabilize your knees.  Alright I’m out of my busy period so I’m going to get my next review done of a new shoes/new cardio plan that I’ve promised you.  The VentPark owner is out of town but I’ll get it done and beg him to upload it.  (It often takes him over a week to do so.  You can go to the Feedback tab and crack the whip on him.)   Meanwhile, rest that knee until it’s 100%.  Ice for 20 minutes at a time too.

Hi, all -

DOMS - Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness!!  As in I was okay the day I did the workout, but - oiy! - the next day my abs were killing me.

Congrats to all that have seen inches lost!!  Love to hear all about it, especially the arms and abs.  I always have had “beefy” arms - yes an old boyfriend even commented on it once, and only as I hit my late 40s have I had an issue with the muffin top, Dunlap tire.  So all your results are motivation for me!

After eating and lounging at various sibling’s homes the last three days, I did the standing part of Mat this a.m.  It is always a killer when I’ve taken a few days off.  I too, had to rest between the unweighted and weighted arm segments.   Tonight I’ll finish the floorwork and then, skip, hop, and jog on the treadmill.

I think in the DVDs Tracy is wearing Nike shox, but in the videos posted on YouTube she is now wearing Addidas.  I had a pair of Nike shox when they first came out and liked them, but some other pairs that I bought I didn’t find as comfortable.  I have a pair of Saucony Grid Propel which have a similar sole construction - just not the round shape like Nike -  which I like.  I had gotten them at DSW if you have one of them near you.   I usually wear New Balance, but lately I find that my size 10 feet don’t fit in their size 10 anymore.   I think like jeans, it’s all trial and error with sneakers, too.

I haven’t done any measurements at all since I started this TA stuff around Thanksgiving or so.  So like most Americans, I will take them in the New Year. 
Cheers,
videochick

Hi,

Just checking in that I did PP this morning.  Had to take a few breaks during the leg segment.  I think I really need more of a warmup in the morning.  Also since the arm segment isn’t as long as Mat, I upped the weights to 3lbs.  Didn’t get my cardio in last night as I had to work late.

I don’t know if the skin will ever go completely back to my arm muscle, but anything will look better than now!

Have a great day,
videochick

I so agree about the “high” - TA’s workouts leave me feeling so good and so happy!  I have been totally slothful and not exercised for the past week or so (sick husband, sick kids, holiday craziness, etc.!) and I totally feel depressed, my skin is all broken out, and I feel puffy and horrible all over.  I can hardly wait to get back into my normal “routine” next week and devote myself to Tracy on a daily basis again! 

Happy New Year!

I didn’t have time to do a TA workout this morning before work, so I popped in Karen Voight Streamline Fitness and did the standing portion, she only uses the 3lb green balls (and she says you’ll get a good workout with them) and the music is good.  I’m hoping and can “do” the whole Mat workout both Sat and Sun, if I can find a whole hour to myself!

Did anyone see Kathy Smith on QVC yesterday - she’s 57! - she looks great.  I got her Total Body Lift DVD for Xmas which is “dancer inspired” meaning like barre workouts and using very light weights.  It’s split into different chapters which you can mix and match.I haven’t tried it yet.  I hate to deviate from TA because I’d like to see what results I could get with real consistency but sometimes I just don’t have time for the full Mat/PP workouts. 

Cheers
videochick

Hello all:

I am new to this site and was thinking about ordering Tracy Andersons Dvds! My only concern is that I am not sure which dvd to order.  I had my first and only child 3 and a half years ago and I have been unable to loose the last 15 pounds. I also have that extra skin in my lower belly area. Do I order the post pregnancy dvd even though it has been 3 years or do I stick to the other ones. Please help me,

Emerald3277

Thank you Doerflinger2006:

I will definitely order both, thanks for the tip! I will try to come on here and post my results!  Everything that everybody has posted has been very helpful.

Thank you for all the tips, I cannot wait to get started!

Hi, all and welcome emerald!

Just want to add my two cents to get both the Mat and PP if you can.  I’m 45 and have no children (however my menopot looks like I’ve had about 5 kids!)  but I use the PP for the reasons others have suggested - variety and its shorter than Mat.  Also, if you’ve read through all the posts you’ll see that it takes sometime to be able to do the whole workout straight through, and well, I break it up into a.m. and p.m.  Believe it when she says she’ll wake up your accessory muscles and the thing is, I think that feeling is addictive!

I have Mat planned for tonight and then 30 minute powerwalk.

Cheers,
videochick

Congratulations, Momof4!! 

just to add: be very careful you aren’t pushing too hard on the treadmill.  I was doing an itrain treadmill workout about 4years ago when I felt a definite twinge in my knee and I had problems with it for a long time afterwards (never got it checked out but it seems all right now).  I vowed to never sprint on a treadmill again!  maybe outside…

again, congrats!  awesome!!

Wow.  So glad you posted about Oprah.  I caught the last 30mins of it.  I didn’t hear about the weights, etc.  Was that at the beginning? 
It figures though that her guy Bob Greene would stay with that stuff if that’s what he did with Oprah before.  You gotta realize that a) Oprah has an empire arm with Bob so she has to stick with the promo of his book, his method, etc.  and b) the Tracinator is too revoluntionary and so it’s hard for the old order to change up. Bob comes off as a nice guy and Ms O knows him and trusts him. But he nor Oprah are going to jump ship to a new non-Bob way. Until this go round doesn’t pan out.

I don’t think her weight gain is so much lack of willpower as seems the case.

Thanks so much for your comment - I have sometimes wondered if I am doing my children a disservice by workoing out when they are napping - It’s obvioulsy easier for me to get my workout done without my wee ones underfoot, but at the same time I think it’s important that they see me taking the time to do something healthy for myself.

It sounds like you are setting such a wonderful example for your girls.  That is fantastic!  My daughter is 4, and I’ve done yoga with her since she was a baby.  One evening recently she got up after I’d put her to bed for the night, and she found me doing yoga.  I ended up letting her stay up for an extra thirty minutes so we could do “mommy’s yoga” together.  It was such a nice experience.  I hope I can continue to teach her about the joys of exercise, without passing on any of my neurosis about my body image, weight, etc.!

I agree with GP…I eat what I want b/c I work freakin’ hard too!  :)  The more you do these DVD’s, the stronger you feel so you can work out hard.  I love the results!  I don’t eat as much as I use to b/c I don’t need it anymore but I don’t deprive myself.  I’m watching Biggest Loser now and I just want to tell them all “TA is what you need!”  hahahaha
I too do not talk about the diet word or skinny word infront of my kids (2 girls/2 boys).  They do see me workout b/c I do get 2 hours a day in but I do it all day long.  I have a treadmill and elliptical in my house so I can jump on for 15 min and then break and go back etc.  To find 2 hours in a row is very difficult.  I am also a stay at home mom so that helps.  But I’m still very busy but I have found if I don’t do these workouts, I feel like crap and then get crabby.  I love the high after these workouts.  Plus the addition of fitting in a size 6 motivates me!  :)   My daughters know I work out b/c I enjoy it and it makes me feel good and it makes me strong.  I really talk about the strength and how I’m able to do a lot of things from it.  I soooo pray my kids follow my lead and it’s just routine to exercise.
Another thing that has helped me out a lot is during the bewitching hours (for us 3PM-6PM with kids), I will make tea.  I use to graze during this whole time b/c of the stress of the kids and how they’re crabby and tired by this time slot.  The tea has definitely helped me out from doing that. 
Keep up the good work gals!!!  Just imagine how good we’ll feel this summer and keeping up with our kiddos!

A friend of mine (we frequently exchange magazines) gave me the copy of US magazine.  I got to read it more.  On page 74, there is an interview with Molly Sims and she mentions TA.  Then on page 76, there are reviews of dvds, including her Dance Cardio workout one.  She’s all over the place!

I was going to mention GOOP to everyone too . . .if you haven’t heard of it, it’s Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifetsyle website - all kinds of cool ideas, recipes, shopping tips, etc.  There is also a newsletter you can subscribe to.  Last week’s newsletter had GP’s New Year’s Detox program, and this week’s is about Tracy Anderson, as tinat mentioned above.

Thanks tinat for posting that.  I never heard of it.  I just finished watching it and that really seems HARD to follow.  Especially doing it after Mat/Dance then that….holy cow!  GP says your butt will be changed in 10 days and if I really was even able to do all that…I know it would.  :)    Some of those moves, I would completely fall off the chair. lol  But-it’s good to be challenged.  I’m sure if you just add 1-3 of those moves it helps. 
I’m also glad GP said some days she hates it and some days she loves it.  I can already tell my workout will be a struggle today but it never fails the high I get after each and every workout.  I do hope she makes new DVD’s.
I have never detoxed, GP doesn’t eat for 7 days?  I know nothing about it and already know I couldn’t do it for a day.  ha!

I hope the detox is the one that includes eating some food, just very clean foods, like the one oprah did.  I don’t agree at all with no food detoxes…but maybe I am biased since I am hypoglycemic and get crazy if my blood sugar gets low!

btw, I had read in one article that TA may try to get her band workout and contraption(I’m thinking she means the one GP used on Oprah) into homes one day.  Oh, if anyone ever hears any update on that please let us know.  that is definitely something that I would try to do if I could afford it! 

ok, did the 20 minutes of the Dance aerobics today and will be doing the Mat soon.  I literally feel it through my whole body on days that I do both but same thing as many of you have said, so invigorated!  I love it.  My body looks a little different each week!  I love it!!   good workout vibes to y’all

Popping in to say Hi to everyone.  Have been off the TA wagon this week video-wise.  But I’ve been trying to do the arms on my own and some plies squeezed in here and there.  I’ve had some long work days. 

Thanks for posting the GOOP site.

cheers,
videochick

So I did the little butt workout from GOOP last night - whoa! - it totally kicked my butt, literally and figuratively!  I did NOT fall off the chair, miraculously, but oh my was I sore when I finished the little workout.  It only took about 10 minutes or so, but if you want to work on lifting and shaping your rear, that little segment is the bomb!

Totally love my girl Tracy with that butt video.  Thanks whoever posted.  I did it this morning after elliptical.  I didn’t get sore but was totally impressed especially with the first exercise on the chair.  (I might not have gotten as sore because I hadn’t done the Mat, however I must confess, I’ve been doing Mat with 1 lbs. weights on each ankle for about a month). She’s our girl!!  We can now all run on the beach in Rio with thong bikinis and in slow mo we won’t have jiggle.  I will also run with you all but with a light crew of maybe 4 or 5 people for advantageous and flattering light.

I know,  I know!  I did it again today and I am still so sore!  I haven’t been really sore after a Tracy workout for a while now (not that it doesn’t burn like crazy when you’re doing it!) but this little extra butt work is killer! 

Had to log on and say how SORE I am doing her extra moves.  It’s really awesome!  I haven’t felt this sore since the beginning.  I also have to say I just feel so much stronger and my legs are really my weakest area so I’m excited now for my jiggle free summer!
Welcome Leechy-you will find this board motivating.  It’s so great to hear everyone’s progress and to know you are not alone doing these workouts.  TA suggests to do both mat/cardio every day 4-6 x/week.  I find her dance dvd challenging so I can’t do that every day so i’ll alternate with the treadmill/elliptical for my cardio but faithfully do the mat.  I do also have her post pregnancy one which I recommend as well.  It’s great to alternate with the mat and has a killer ab workout.  I just wish I could handle the leg portion of that dvd! 
Also….when I started out I contacted Heather (off TA’s website) and she said it’s best to do the dance dvd first-then add the mat.  Now I do my cardio b/f the mat and it does help my mat workout vs doing mat first then cardio….hope that made sense.  You will SOOOO love the results.  I can fit into a size 6 just 2 1/2 months of doing this consistently.  It’s the best workout out there!

I am so happy and thankful to have “drifted” here.  I got my first taste of Tracy A through my SELF online subscription a few months ago.  I just got another email featuring her arm workout which led me here.

Not reading it thoroughly the first time I viewed the workout,  I tried a few moves demonstrated with my handy 5lb weights. I quickly discovered a “realization!”  Taking safety into consideration, I will get some 3lb’ ers and do the right thing. 

I am in the market for a good overall workout and the messages here have moved me to considering the Mat instead of kettlebell. Yes I have that much of an arm “issue.”  Looking forward to adding positive reports of my upcoming results.

Welcome poppyblu!  You’ll enjoy this site-it’s very motivating.  I agree with doerflinger, this workout gets results.  I see the lines in my legs and arms.  It’s also very fun to do.  I actually did the pregnancy one this morning and I hardly ever workout on a Sunday.  But I wanted to.  There is a high I get when I’m done with the workout.  I feel stronger immediately, my mood is better, and my energy level totally has increased.  It really is a win win. 
Are you all doing her new additional moves?  I try to do 3-4 of them but can’t get them all.  Are you guys doing 20 reps/leg each move? 

hi everyone!

I am so glad I found this board on amazon reviews!  All of your stories are so inspirational

I have not been exercising in a LOOONG TIME, but I received a wii fit for xmas and now have been exercising 1-2 hours a day for the last 18 days (and feel AMAZING as a result).  Somehow, I stumbled across an article on the TA Method and after reading all the reviews and articles I could find, bought the mat workout dvd yesterday.

I tried her adidas workout yesterday after finding it on youtube.  I woke up with a sore butt and looking forward to more when the dvd arrives.

I am not going to order the dance dvd at this point.  I think it would frustrate me and I am pretty happy with the cardio I’m getting with the wii outdoor challenge and wii fit. 

I really love how dilligently everyone posts their progress here and hope I can also contribute.  I am so looking forward to getting the results all of you are getting

MIA

Thanks for the welcome momof4!  I recieved the Mat DVD on Friday and tried it out for the first time on Saturday.  Tracy Anderson kicked my butt!  …but I was able to power through and complete the entire workout.  Sunday morning I woke up and was a little dissappointed that I was not more sore…….That is until I put on the DVD.  I didn’t realize how sore I actually was until I tried to do the workout again!  I had trouble getting through the standing legs and the unweighted arms was so difficult that I had to skip the weighted arms entirely!  This morning I am very sore and trying to decide if I should try the workout again today or rest today and workout tomorrow.  Anyone have a suggestion?

I would say work through it.  I remember in the beginning my Monday and Tues workout would be without soreness so I’d really go for it and then Wed-Sat would hurt!  Some days I can really push myself through the mat while other days I have to take it easier-but I still do it.  Sometimes I take more breaks as well but jump back in.  It’s totally worth pushing through the soreness b/c that’s when you KNOW your muscles are changing and you’ll see the results very quickly.  Don’t know if you guys checked out her new moves she added on, it’s on a link here from the http://www.goop.com newsletter.  We’re all excited here b/c we are tacking those onto the end of our workout and it’s helped as well.  It’s called New Years Butt. 
Thanks Reviewer, still so funny that even though I fit into 6 (still snug although) my weight is still 10 lbs up.  I definitely can see now that’s due to the muscle.  So now I’m happy with the scale.  LOL  Good luck this week!!  We’re off to a jiggle free summer!!!

Hello, all! I’m a brand new visitor to this site. I started Tracy’s Mat Workout last Wednesday — I did my Day 5 today. I have a million questions but will start with just three. 1) How long did it take for you to feel like you had the strength to more or less keep with her? 2) Has anyone here started this while having significant weight to lose? (I need to lose probably 50 lbs. So I imagine it will be a lot longer for me to be able to see results?) 3) What are you all doing for cardio? I’ve tried Tracy’s Dance Cardio DVD but I can’t remotely keep up. I’ll keep chipping away at trying to learn the routines, but I have so much weight to lose I really need to be doing some other cardio until then. I have an elliptical trainer that I’ve been using (for 30-60 minutes daily) but I’m afraid I’ll build up those bulky legs Tracy warns against. Any advice?

I’ve so enjoyed reading all your comments! Thanks so much. It’s all very helpful and inspiring to me!

*Jaw Drops*

Wow, momof4- from a 12 to a 6 in such a small time frame?

That is amazing!!

I wish we had a function to post before/afters

Hi Everyone, and Welcome Shari MacD and miaculpa - To answer ShariMacD’s questions, 1) It took me at least a month of regular practice to be able to more or less follow along with the Mat Workout and the Post Pregnancy workout without having to stop to rest.  And like momof4 mentions, I still have days where I just can’t get through certain segments of the workouts without having to stop to rest.  2) I started these workouts thinking I had more or less 15 pounds to lose, but I just bought a scale and it turns out I have more like 25 pounds to lose.  So I definitely and with you in the “needing to lose a significant amount of weight” category! That being said, when I first started the DVDs last Fall, and I was being careful about my diet (not dieting, just eating and drinking a little less!) I saw results within a few weeks . . .not a huge drop in weight, but leaner, longer lines all over.  Finally, to answer question 3) I have been trying to learn the Dance Cardio DVD, but it is very difficult!  I also purchased Tracy’s 2007 “Dance Aerobics” DVD, and it is a lot easier to learn the combos in it, but it is still very high impact.  What I’ve found works best for me is to do 20 minutes or so of some other aerobics or cardio, and then I’ll spend another 20 - 30 minutes with the Cardio Dance or Dance Aerobics DVD.   I also have a stationary bike in my basement, so sometimes I’ll use that for my cardio.  Cardio is definitely my weak point . . .one of my goals for this year, in addition to losing 20 pounds is upping my cardio!

It’s funny but yesterday and today I am struggling through the workout.  But I am remembering to stick with it.  :)  So I’m doing it regardless.  I’d like to add that I started doing her mat back in Sept but wasn’t consistent…only 3-4x/week.  In Nov I began 5-6x/week and do 2 hours a day (mat or pregnancy/cardio) and cut back on my food.  Now I can fit in a size 6 and I get compliments that I look toned.  My legs are my worst area (then stomach a close 2nd due to the 4th pregnancy I was huge), and they are jiggling less and I love the lines on the side of the thighs.  I’m hoping to keep this up to be completely jiggle free this summer.  It takes a while but it WORKS!

Leechy- I have not tried the Dance-workout yet but I always feel better when I workout in the evening as opposed to morning. 

Everyone- As of last night I have completed my 4th Mat workout (everyday for the last 4 days) and I must say that the soreness in my muscles is completely gone now.  The 4th workout was still difficult to get through and I felt the burn the entire time, but I woke up this morning with no muscle soreness.  Does this mean I need to start pushing a little harder?

ShariMacD - Hang in there!  I’m only 4 days/4 workouts into the Mat DVD and while I cannot see results (probably due the the layer of insulation covering my muscles) I can feel the results.  I’m already feeling much stronger overall and I can feel that under the insulation my abs are significantly stronger than just 5 days ago.  I have the hip popping problem (i’m 33yrs old and 175lbs) as well and am also hoping  it will go away with time. Don’t let lack of visable results derail your momentum! If you stick with it you WILL get there. Go back and read all of the previous posts on this board if you need more inspiration!  Good Luck!

Hi Everyone - 

To ShariMac, Hang in there!  Losing four pounds in one week is a lot to lose!  That is amazing.  And as momof4 says, you’ve also accomplished six sessions of the mat workout plus your cardio sessions - just achieving that is awesome!  I know it is hard when you don’t see those easy-to-quantify results right away . . .and it is so easy to get hung up on watching the numbers on the scale!  But I am such a believer in Tracy’s workouts that I can almost guarantee that you will see visible results soon if you keep working at it like you have for the past week!  

To Leechy, - You might want to try a more thorough warm up than Tracy gives us in the DVD.  At least for me and my 36-year-old joints, the Dance Cardio DVD can be painful if I am not very careful. I’ve found that if I do some form of lower-impact cardio for a few minutes before getting into the dance combos, I am less sore after the workout.   

Hi Shari - I was just wondering how you were doing today . . .  glad to hear things are going o.k.  I just finished up the Mat Workout, and I feel totally wiped out . . .today was a hard day for some reason (maybe the super-cold, super-dry air outside is sucking the life out of me!) and I feel a little bit like “hey, why is my gut still so huge with all this working out I’ve been doing” but I am sure this will pass.  Maybe making homemade pizza for dinner isn’t such a good idea . . . Hang in there!

miaculpa-enjoy your first mat workout ! Let us know how it goes!

doerflinger2006- I made homemade pizza on Monday.  For my portion I took a ball of dough little bigger than a golf ball and rolled it out thin (made about a 9in pizza) topped with sauce, mushrooms and sprinkled lightly with fresh mozzarella.  Then after I baked it I filled it with fresh veggies (sprouts, spinach, chopped olives, roasted red peppers, parsley) then folded it over and ate it with a knife and fork.  It was really really good and since I had made it with a small portion of pizza dough, light on the cheese and stuffed it with veggies, it was very filling and fairly low in fat and calories.  Just a suggestion to help you feel better about your homemade pizza

Thanks so much for the pizza suggestion - “cooking light” can be a challenge when cooking for four kids (my two little ones and my teenage step-kids) and a meat & potatoes-loving husband!  

That sounds just like my house. My husband thinks tofu is some sort of torture device!  To be fair, he has learned to appreciate my semi-vegetarian ways over he years, but still, it is hard making everyone happy! 

I think that Tracy has you you do all the exercises on one side, in that particular order, because the muscle fatigue that occurs as you go through the routine requires your smaller muscles to work harder and harder as you go along.  For instance, take the last exercise from that Butt routine, the one where you’re kneeling on all fours and extend one leg straight behind you and rest it on the back of the chair and then lift straight up.  If you do that exercise on it’s own, without having just gone through the other seven exercises, it is not particularly difficult, but when you do it at the end of the routine, when all of your butt and upper leg muscles are screaming, that exercise is all of a sudden a lot tougher, and so it’s probably doing more precise toning than it would be doing if you did that exercise first . . . I hope that makes sense . . . I’m cooking and typing and refereeing my kiddos all at the same time . . .

omg I just watched it all the way through and I am tired/very frightened/excited to start this tomorrow!

SO, my question to you veterans:

Are your bodies becoming like TA’s?  How are your results SPECIFICALLY?

I am built similarly to her, though I am about 4 inches taller by the looks of it.  I am a size 8 currently and really want to FINALLY (at 40) get the look she has. 

The video is really terrific to watch!

I have to say that I have become a bit addicted to doing the mat DVD.  I completed my 6th workout in 6 days yesterday.  I had planned on taking today as a rest day (because TA says do the workout 4-6 times a week) but I really don’t want to!

That was a good explanation doerflinger, I can see that now.  I wasn’t doing it all on one side b/c it hurt.  lol  I guess I need to embrace pain more for results. 
The results are so awesome, and they do come.  I agree with workinprogress that if you monitor in a monthly basis vs. daily or weekly-you’ll stay  motivated.  TA says it takes time and most people admit it took them months.  I’m going to continue 6 days a week until Spring and pray the jiggle is gone.  I do get complimented a lot.  Some people think I’m nuts when I tell them how much I do this and how can I with 4 kids etc.  But the big difference is I am addicted to TA’s workouts.  They’re fun and make me feel young!  When I started this in Sept I was so frustrated and down b/c I couldn’t adapt quickly to her workout.  She’s taught me through these months it’s not a quick fix, you need to give it the daily attention to chisel away at my problem areas.  When I started consistent 6 days/week in Nov….I feel so great now.  You guys help a lot too!!! 

I saw it too and second it.  I don’t think I have to write anymore because some of you take the words right out of my mouth!  I remember doing that crap, hating it, and not getting any results. I remember even stepping up onto my sofa with weights in my hands.  Yuck.  I dreaded it and it didn’t work.  TA…I do it willingly and am surprised at the sometimes daily results.

Hi All!  I’m new here.  I just got TA’s DVD this weekend and started on Tuesday and did it 3 days in a row.  I didn’t do it today because I am so sore!  I know it’s not injury, but my whole body hurts in places I didn’t know I had muscles.  I am a horrible excerciser and have rarely stuck to any excercise routine.  I am 35 and have always weighed 122-127 pounds without thinking too much.  But over the past 3 years, I have busted out of a few pairs of Jeans and this last weekend found myself at 151 lbs!.  I’m 5′5″ by the way.
I am on a mission.  I just joined weight watchers mainly to learn my portion sizes again.  I feel like I eat healthy, but wan’t to really track my eating for a while.  I suspect this is more of a weight gain because of my age mostly. 
 I plan on doing TA’s DVD 5 to 6 times a week.  I haven’t started cardio yet, but plan to after I don’t hurt so much.
I do plan on keeping up here because it has motivated me so much.
I do have a couple questions.
1) will a half hour speedwalk on the treadmill be enough?  Time is hard for me (Like it’s not for you, right?)
2) My friend and I just took “before pictures”.  Mine killed me!  I am thinking of creating an anonymous account and creating some kind of private group to post the photo.  Would anyone else be willing to post any “before-after” photos as well?
What kind of results do you think I can see by June if I do a half hour of decent cardio and 5-6 with TA?  I am a little worried that I am not going to see results like I might with Jillian Michael’s “Shred” DVD.  But I really don’t want to bulk up and think my body has a tendancy to do that.  I’d really like to be back down to a size 4 again.  I will do my best to stay away from the scale.
Thanks for all of your inspiration here!  Looking forward to posting my progress as well.  

I am in for a before/after site!

EyeOnTheBall- I was referring to the one you suggested.

Yikes, I don’t mean to be so chatty on here…I will try to limit my future posts.  ha

momof4- I also love the chatty posts..please keep it up!  I seem to have missed the “sexy arm” thing…can you repost it ?

Hi Everyone!  A couple of things:

I went to http://www.youtube.com yesterday and searched for “tracy anderson” - there are several Tracy videos there, some of which I’d seen listed here before, but there were two videos I hadn’t seen before - they were Tracy talking about the “boot camp” she ran at the Reebok Fitness club in New York, interviews with women who did the boot camp, clips of the exercises they did, etc.  It was interesting, and there were some good little nuggets of info.  I can’t remember if these videos were mentioned in a previous post, but if you haven’t seen them, check them out (they include a bit where Tracy demonstrates the skipping and hopping on the treadmill) 

On the “before and after” thing, I would totally be up for that.  I was kind of thinking of the same thing, so I set up a blog to keep track of my progress.  It’s fairly boring, as it is mostly just a list of what workout I do each day, but I do intend to post photos/measurements on a regular basis (kind of humiliating, but it is keeping me from slacking off!)  If you want to check it out it’s at http://www.theplywoodroom.blogspot.com 

Have a great weekend everyone!  

Ok, so I am not used to being on Flickr.  I made the group available for viewing, but people have to be invited to join.  Should I just make it open?  Let me know what I can change to make it better.  Or if you think there is a better way.  I wish we could just post photos here.  Check the link and my big fat butt.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1007938@N23/

yay!  Thanks!

I stumbled onto this website and started reading your input on the TA DVD.I have been debating on whether to buy it or not.I am 42 years old,I am a size 14 and weigh to my surprise 200 pounds and I am 5?5 in height.Do you think that It would be ok if I started on the Mat DVD? Or do you think that  it is too much for a person of my size? Honestly,my body type is very curvy,so it doesn’t even look like I weigh that much,which is why I was very surprised.I exercise on and off and I can’t seem to stay motivaded long enough to start seeing a difference. A few months ago,I exercised for 2 weeks without missing a scheduled exercise day(every other day cardio(with the Firm,and the other days compound exercise with Jari Love,whom I really like),and started loosing inches(exciting)but then something threw me off track(life)and haven’t been able to stick with anything.But I do love how you talk about the arms because I have fat arms and legs and would really want to see them not only get thinner but have some kind of definition to them by the time summer gets here,which is in less then 6 months.I would like to see results quickly to keep me motivated. I so deserve to be so much thinner.I am so tired of feeling disgusted of my fatness.
Love your input on Tracy Anderson DVD,it was great.

Hi egomezgarcia - Welcome! And to answer your question, yes, you can definitely do the Mat DVD - it’s honestly not that “hard” in a tough, greuling, painful way - I mean it is difficult, there is no question, but I think that it is something that anyone could learn to do with time.  I think most of us “regulars” on this board found that for the first few weeks of learning the workout, we had to take tiny “breaks” throughout the workout in order to complete it, but that is totally normal.  I think it it hard basically because it is so different from what most of us are accustomed to (traditional weight workouts like The Firm, etc.)  And yes, I think you will see positive results form doing this regularly.  As I’m sure I’ve mentioned before, I am very curvy, and on the heavy side right now (170 pound, 5′7″) but even so, when I consistently do the Mat Workout I see longer, leaner lines and a more taut and toned frame all over.  And as I cannot say enough, the true magic of this workout is it’s addictive quality, it’s sticktoitivness.  No matter how much it hurts one day, you truly want to go back and do it again the next day!  Good luck with your fitness quest!  And happy Martin Luther King Day everyone!

This is an awesome message board. I purchased the Mat DVD about one week ago, and love doing it. I’ve been doing the gym thing for years, am bored stopped seeing results in my early 20s. Now I’m in my late 20’s and my body is changing! Not in a good way. I HATE my arms and my thighs.

I love this workout. Trying to do 6 days a week. Tomorrow heading to her studio in LA for a live mat class. Not sure what to expect but I have high hopes! I hope to see results in a few months, just like so many of you.

Did anyone also catch the Tracey Anderson video workout that Gwyneth Paltrow posted on her website, Goop? It’s great, it’s a butt exercise that Tracy created just for her. You can download it to your iTunes & iPod.

Anyways, fantastic message board! Keep up the good work, beautiful ladies!

Hi, All -

Welcome all new posters.  I’ve been lurking and pretty much not exercising at all except for any walking required by my job.  Just wanted to add that I love the chattiness of this board - hearing how others fit the workouts into their day is a lot of motivation for me to get back on track.  While I’m single with no kids, I have been living with my recently widowed sister and 4 year old nephew.  It has been a huge life change for me going from my own place and schedule to kind of an “instant” family - maintaining the house, pre-k, playdates, etc.  Sharing a bathroom!!!  Not that I was so discplined when I was on my own - Ha!  So I appreciate hearing from both the moms,  the singletons, married/SO with no kids, etc. 

I too have trouble doing both the Mat and the suggested amount of cardio, so what I was doing when I was in the groove was using the 10,000 steps target as a way to get in activity.  While I know it’s not as intense as TA’s cardio or using the treadmill/elliptical, I was able to squeeze in the steps during the workday, and then I’d finish out the remainder on the treadmill.  10,000 steps is about 5 miles give or take.  

I’ve planned the PP for tonight.  As TA says “it’s a good sore”.  I don’t know what it is about Mat and PP, I find it easy to get into the zone with these and while I do feel sore, it’s more like my muscles are alive sore, if that makes sense.  I think that’s what makes it addictive once you start, the feeling is addictive - I never had that feeling with other workouts. 

And that is my chatty post for today.  Everyone have a good one!!
videochick

No, nope, no way - Dance Cardio is sooo hard!  I still haven’t figured out all of the combos, and I definitely have to stop to catch my breath between combos.  I love what I’ve learned, but it is tough and intense.

The Dance Aerobics DVD from 2007 has been a lot easier to learn.  I’m still having to pause to catch my breath a little bit, but I can see being able to get all of the way through it in the near future.  My only issue is that I keep getting really bad shin splints.  What does this mean?  Am I not warming up enough?  Am I doing the workout to intensely?  I just don’t know what to do.  Anyone have advice?  I did it on Saturday and have been off of any impact cardio since then just because my shins are still killing me.  

Thanks momof4, you rock! Your progress is totally motivating.

The class was fantastic, but so intense that I think I nearly threw up. Twice. ha. The ladies in there were all very nice, but it was a bit intimidating. I got to see those wonderful machines that Tracy created and am thinking about doing one of those too…eventually, when I, you know, stop throwing up from the regular classes. The trainers had dancer’s bodies. One looked like a ballerina.

I have a question: Did all of you do both mat and aerobic DVDs? Here I thought I was going to just do one live class a week, the mat DVD 5 times a week, and then jog 30 minutes a day, but then today during class I was told regular jogging gets in the way of success; that we have to stick to her type of aerobic workouts. Anybody have any feedback about this, in terms of what worked for you or what didn’t? I’m lost.

Shin splints are almost always too little or shot cushioning in shoes or impacting on too hard of a surface.

Hello all,

I just stumbled across this board after reading some good things about the TA DVDs.  Reviewer, thank you for your thorough reviews, they helped cinch the deal for me as far as deciding on this being the way to go. 

I’m 28, a mom to a 3 and 4 year old, and have kind of hit a plateau on losing the baby weight.  I was 160 lbs and a size 14, and am currently 135 lbs and a size 4.  Problem is, I still look pregnant.  And we won’t talk about my thighs LOL..  So I need to TONE!!   I’ve always had broad, thick shoulders and arms no matter what I’ve done, so I’m hoping this will take care of those.  I read through all of your comments last night and am so encouraged and excited to get started!  I look forward to getting to know everyone better over the coming months. 

Reviewer, who is interviewing her???  I sent Heather (from her studios) a link to this website and told her to tell TA to stop by with tips!  That’s so cool!!!!!!!  I hope it gets posted sooner than later. 

Topanga-thanks for posting your experience at her studio.  How long was the mat?  similar to the dvd?  On her 1st dance dvd she says if you want a dancers body-you dance.  The treadmill creates bulk.  But, I change it every 5 min (walk high incline/jog/sprints/etc.).  I wonder if I am hurting my results.  I can’t see how jogging creates bulk though b/c my butt and thighs kill while I am doing it.  Runners have toned legs, right??  After doing some of her dance today, I am sore, good sore.  I am going to try and get that going more.  But she has to have an alternative for those who just can’t manage that DVD.  Did you see a dance class there?
I am so with you on the puking…..many many times I’ve felt like puking!!!  I think it’s a good sign !(I hope anyway)  LOL
Doerflinger-I just bought saucony from Dick’s ($50)  They’re good…totally helped my jogging (which I need to maybe stop) and during the dance DVD.  Good support.  I looked into the Nike Shox (which look like TA’s in her DVD) and was told they’re not good for your knees and since I have a bad knee I chose the saucony. 
I love this board-you guys all keep me motivated!  Bring on TA!

It will be exciting to see what she says. I am still waiting on my DVD’s to come in so that I can get started on that body that I want to have by the time summer comes. I think their is still enough time for me. And this time,I will not give up. I am very determine. And reading everyones input does help me because at least I know that I am not alone in this Battle of the Bulge War, so everyone..THANK YOU!!!! I wish we could all meet some day.

Congrats on the looking-like-a-17 year old Reviewer!  That’s awesome!  And I am so excited about the interview!  Can hardly wait!

And don’t worry, aayanka, I’m sure you’ll be able to get into the groove of again quickly.  We all have off-days, off-weeks, even off-months.  That’s life.  What’s important is that you have such a positive attitude about sticking with it!  Enjoy your workouts everyone! 

Yea Reviewer!!!  You ROCK!  Can’t wait to see it.  When I tell people about TA’s theory on running, so many people say she’s wrong.  You can’t create bulk by running….what’d you guys think now that you’ve been doing her WO?  Reviewer, what’s your cardio?  How AWESOME to be mistaken for a 17 year old!!!!  I would LOVE that!!!  :)   I agree with doerflinger, aanyanka-just stick to it like GP says.  These last 2 days I’ve struggled with it…not a good WO week for me at all which is a bummer but I’ve still done it.  I’m struggling with ya!  But I know I’d feel worse if I didn’t do it.  Just like she said…we have off days and on days. 
I’m just wondering what’s everyone doing for cardio? 

Thanks!  Okay as most of you know I’m always working behind the scenes for products/things/ideas to make us look more fab.  I am currently testing a few but some take a couple of months for me to make sure they do something worth your time.
As ya all know, I couldn’t cut it with the quickness of TA’s dance cardio but for those who can handle it, I say go for it!  I do have a review for a product and new cardio that I’ve been doing that I am very excited about.  I haven’t released it because I thought it would be super cool to make a video of the movement to go along with it however that would significantly delay the release of the review.  Also currently VP is having a hard time adding the “photo upload” ability to this board. 
So let’s take a vote.  To get my next review up VP has to stop working on finding the glitch for the photo upload feature in order to upload my review (and then they can go back to the photo thing). Also I’d be releasing it without the movement video (which isn’t hard at all, it’d just be nice to have it be seen).
Review first or photo upload capability first?

Review please.

Welcome balance….glad to hear you think the Mat has gotten harder.  I’ve always thought once i’ve done a workout long enough it should get easier.  It’s good this one doesn’t…it’s still hard for me too.  
Reviewer, anxious to hear about your cardio!  Whichever is easiest I’d say do (meaning review or photo).
Found a new article on TA I thought was good to share.

http://www.cookiemag.com/brain/2009/01/tracy-anderson

helps keep me motivated. 

Mof4:  what’s a “runner’s butt”?? …no butt?

A lot of my friends are runners and they all have amazing bodies! They have that long, lean look that I love. They run outside and also on the treadmill.  Running is not something that I enjoy but I wish I did.  I know I have asked this before so please don’t gang up on me, but does anyone know TA’s credentials.  I know she was a dancer but what else?  I’ve read she did a lot of “research” but I wish I knew exactly what that entails.  I think it’s a shame to make people feel bad or afraid to use the treadmill or else they will bulk up.  She is a marketer and is selling her dvds and now gym memberships (hello, at 5k for 3 months in NYC) .  Of course she is going to recommend only using her products.  

I’ve been taking classes at The Bar Method (they also have dvds).  I feel it’s similar to TA.  In class, we use 2 or 3 pound weights.  I was just looking at their site and someone asked about running while doing The Bar.  She doesn’t mention anything about bulking. This was her response:

Should I do cardio exercises along with the Bar Method?
Three or four Bar Method classes a week is all you need to be fit and healthy, because the workout includes all the key elements of fitness: strength, flexibility and stamina. If you’re athletically oriented, you’ll probably want to add a movement-oriented activity such as hiking, a martial art, biking or dance to your fitness routine.
Avoid running, however, unless you absolutely can’t live without it. Running strengthens your heart and lungs, but over the long term it beats up your knees, hips, back and face.

Hi All!  I have enjoyed reading this board and have become a TA addict since reading the review (thanks Reviewer!) and subsequent posts.  I am a 33 yr old mom of two (4.5 and 2) and am 5′, 115lbs.  The 10-15 extra lbs are currently distributed as about 2 inches of flab around the middle and thighs.  
It is day 6 of TA workouts for me, alternating PP and Mat and doing 1 song of cardio dance.  That dance is SOOO fast, admittedly, I am sadly out of shape and not a cardio fan in general.  I am determined to workout everyday doing at least cardio if not mat/pp as well.  I too have downloaded the “goop butt” and also ordered the 1st cardio dvd to see if it is any easier.  Then I could work my way back to the latest.
I have in fact noticed a big difference in my body.  My posture is improved and after the initial 3 days of mind numbing soreness (even my neck!) I feel really good!
I workout in the early morning before everyone is up, so hopefully I can keep this up…thanks for the great support

Reviewer-I have no clue what a runner’s butt is.  I assume from what she talks about building bulk that a runner’s butt is bulkier than a dancers?  Jennifer Aniston is a runner/yoga and her butt does not look bulky.  I’m such a fan (more addict) of TA that when she says something I go by it.  But this no jogging thing has me confused.  She has to know her dance dvd is a killer and most won’t be able to do it.  So if that’s the case, isn’t it better to jog than do nothing? 
I just did the dance and stopped at 30 min (lots of breathers too) and I’m sweating and dying.   I’m going to be SORE later!!!
Anyone see that link to cookie magazine of her and her son?  I posted the link.  She says she gained 60lbs with Sam but was back in size 0 6 weeks later.  Seriously?

I think marathon runners have no butt.  Sprinters have JLo butt (which isn’t bad–depends on your personal preference).  Ballet/Jazz dancers have butt but it’s compacted (hollowed out on the side and higher in the glute (medius, minimus).  Sort of smaller sprinter butt, but I’ve never stood next to a sprinter.  On TV they look like they are huge but in real life they could well be a size 2 or 4.  TV does make things bigger.  Modern dancers have big butt.

Now since I started the GOOP butt, bam! my butt is turning into a sprinter’s butt (after 6 workouts) but that’s okay by me.  Gwyneth said we’d have a new butt in 10 workouts.

Hello Everyone! While this is my first post here I feel as though I know you all as I just spent like 2 hours (atwork…shhh!!!) reading through all the reviews and comments you have writen over the last couple months…and let me say I am soo excited to be here! Please know you have all inspired me greatly. I have been going back and forth for a couple months about wether to buy the dvd’s or not feeling really unconfidant in my ability to stick with it for more then a month and depressed at how much money I have watsed over the years. But you and your success and support of each other has made me determined and I hope to get results and get to know you as well!

General info about me- I am 28, from Chicago, I am a former ballet dancer. I am a recovering bulimic. I have put on about 30 lbs over the past couple years from depression and struggling to get over my ED. I am about 155lbs right now, 5′4″ and would like to lose about 15lbs (in a healthy, lasting, sane way)  to feel confident, beautiful and fit into my clothes. I ordered the Mat DVD and cant wait for it, as for cardio, since I am in Chicago it is FREEEEEZING so that means no walking about outside but I made a dance mix on my itunes and will be dancing it up in my apartment until I can afford an indoor machine or decide to get her dance dvd. With that said…a couple questions…

1. Can I start with the Butt moves from GOOP and arm moves from Self? Or since I am not a seasoned TA exerciser should I hold off for mat dvd?
2. Regaurding the dance dvd- I have a teany apt and am concerned about space, it sounds and looks from that oprah video that she is jumping around alot and you need lots of space?

Again- I am so happy to be here. Thankyou for inspiring me. *hug*

Re: Cardio, I would think that anything is better than nothing, and like momof4 says, TA’s cardio DVDs may not be a possibility for some due to the high-impact moves.  

Re: post-baby weight loss, I lost all of my baby weight within about a month (30 pounds with my daughter, 35 with my son). Crazy, I know, but it was gone.  But (there had to be a but!) my post-baby lifestyle caused weight to start creeping back on slowly over the course of time.  So I say I want to lose my baby-weight, but really what I am toting around is weight I put on through snacking, eating too much kid-friendly food, and not getting enough exercise.  Guess I can’t blame the kiddos!

Hey Everyday Ballerina!  I’ll talk fast in dance lingo…Go ahead and do the arms and butt but only after a thorough warm-up…2nd position grand plies (25), T stance/lean down, pike position rock back and forth, squat one leg other back straight, general dance stuff.  Also a great warm up to get you prepped…8 tendus en croix from 1st, and stand 1st pos and port de bras (50x).  You’ll probably love this workout as it’s very freeing in movement and dancelike.  Get your mat and arm weights too.

Doer- Thanks for such a quick reply! And thanks for the info regarding the space needed, I couldnt find any info on Amazon or her website.  And from the looks of all the videos I saw, it appeared she was leaping about such large areas! But It think I’ll be able to make due in my apartment.

Reviewer- let me first say how much I adored your review of the Mat dvd, it had me laughing out loud (which almost got me caught not working!!!) haha. AND THANKYOU for your reply, it has been a few years since my last serious ballet class and it was so refreshing to read those terms. I am so anxious to get out from behind this desk and throw on some legwarmers (for memories sake) and get to it!

Thanks for making my day.

welcome new ladies. I am new as well. =)

momof4:  At the studio, I did see a cardio class going on. It was being conducted with one instructor and two ladies-in-training. They didn’t take up much space at all with their dancing, but were very coordinated. It looked like the ladies had done the session before, so they kind of knew the routine. It looked fun! I might go for that next.

My mat session took about an hour; it was an extended and harder version of the DVD. The same core moves but also many additional moves added in. The trainer corrected a few things I had been doing wrong that I noticed; things like making sure my legs were bent during certain moves and my foot faced the floor during the floor leg routines. It’s hard to explain, I wish we had video capatibilities here so I could show you guys.

I’m still sore from yesterday’s workout at the studio, but I’m totally pumping myself up for doing the DVD today as well (trying!). The muscles that hurt from that workout are muscles I have literally never worked before, so I was hurting in the most random places (like parts of my shoulders & neck, parts of my thighs that never get worked out, etc.).

I think you guys inadvertently talked me into buying the cardio DVD too; i am also concerned about the space needed, but from what I saw at the studio, not much space is needed.

It’s great that the board is getting popular. I’m glad I joined. We should try to organize some type of iChat video group workout! How awesome would that be. I also almost wish we had some type of way to note our results, our strategies, our goals, pics, etc. on here, kind of like how Gymnee.com does.

I’ll send you guys more info about the studio the more I go in for sessions and stuff.

ecomezgarcia-my husband noticed a difference in my butt after just six mat workouts.  I have also noticed a difference in my arms and legs.  I definitely have miles to go to get where I want with my body but things seems to be changing already.
Topanga - I agree it would be nice to have a place where we could compare workout strategies and progress and maybe also post our nutritional plans and what we actually are eating from day to day.  I track all of my food on fitday software but it would be nice to see what everyone else is eating (I for one could use some culinary inspiration!)

Good Morning everyone!

OK! SO LAST NIGHT I DID THE GOOP workout for the booty and then the youtube video’s…let me just say my butt has never been so exhausted! haha…ouch!!! Cant wait for the full hour to add to it.

Momof4- do you have a link to that blog? I would love to read it.
Also where can I buy the first dance dvd? Would you recommend it over the 2nd one? Any major differances?

Hey, GOOD FOR YOU!  It is a great soreness tho?  I would get the first dance dvd.  It is easier for me to learn and it’s variety.  The music is not as good as her newer one but I like watching the back-up dancers perform it.  It’s good.  Just contact Heater at her studios at heather@tracyandersonmethod.com (got it off her website).  She’s the one I dealt with in getting her first dvd b/c they had some at her studio, only place to get it.  If I had to pick one over the other, I would go with her new one b/c the music is good.  I’ve only done 2 combos on the 1st one (I will do more this week) and it just seems a little less on speed as her new one.  I also think it’s great to have both. The blog I read (it’s from last year) is http://tracyandersonstudios.blogspot.com/ It’s funny she compares brushing your teeth every day to training your muscles every day.  That totally hit home to me that it’s just as important and this needs to be for the rest of our lives. 

Hi Everyone! Thanks for the welcome and sharing your progress.
After just one week I have noticed that I am stronger and my abs have made themselves noticed under the sad, saggy skin that is now my stomach.  I am wondering though if anyone has noticed that their skin is “going back to the muscle”?  I am really hoping that it happens for me.  I don’t have a lot of weight to lose but after 2 kids and the 50lb gain and loss rapidly, I fear that maybe my skin will never go back to where it was-that the flabby muffin top is here to stay…I am going to stick to the workouts  days a week.  I agree with you momof4 that the muscle training needs to be maintained daily and believe me, it is soooo hard to get out of bed early ( I love love love 2 sleep) but it is so worth it and my kids get a kick out of it when they catch me doing these workouts.  It’s also a great for me to have them see me exercising and to introduce them to the idea of taking care of yourself and your body.

workinprogress, I agree, some of these workouts/trainers make claims that intuitively do not make sense.  At The Bar Method classes, I have spoken to quite a number of women (and let me tell you, these classes are filled with gorgeous, fit, lean & toned women).  Some say they love to jog or go to the gym while others say they only take Bar classes.  I have been so focused on the classes and while I love my results, I do miss the feeling after I get a great cardio workout.  Tomorrow I plan on going to the gym and either taking a spinning class or using the treadmill.  I think you have to listen to your body and most of all, enjoy what you are doing.  

I can’t wait until TA’s NYC studio opens up.  I was told it would open in Feb or March.  I plan on checking it out, getting a tour, etc, just out of curiosity.  I don’t like close enough to the city for to join and there is no way I will pay 5k for a 3 month membership. But who knows, maybe I will spot GP or TA there!!

modmama- I remember seeing an interview with GP where she says that she never thought the skin around her middle would go back the way it was before she had the two kids…but with a lot of hard work it did go back.  I haven’t been doing the TA method long enough to see this result myself…but I have hope that it will happen!

On the old cardio vs. new cardio DVDs, I definitely think the old one is easier to learn and easier to get through without constantly having to stop to catch your breath.  It has nine short dance combos, and a quick version of the standing ab work and the arm work w/out weights.  I really like it, although it is definitely as hard on your joints as the new cardio DVD is.  The old one is called Tracy Anderson’s Dance Aerobics, and is available from her studio in L.A. - Contact Heather (her email and phone number are on the TA website) and she should be able to get it sent to you. 

thank you aanyanka and reviewer for your feedback.  I did see gp’s interview and was encouraged but I started thinking that maybe i’ve waited too long to start working it out…my youngest will be 2 in a couple of weeks.
Even if it never went back I am so glad that I started on these workouts and found this board for inspiration.  I am also going to up the cardio.  Momof4, I checked out the blog link (thanks 4 that) and while I am learning the combos I’ll just load my ipod with 30mins of music and move my body for at least a 1/2 hour.  I’m currently only doing about 15mins because I am wiped out mentally and physically trying to get just combo 1 and 2 down.  Hopefully the 1st cardio dvd will come today and I will give that a shot too.

Modmama let me encourage you….you will see the SAME results as the others!  Doesn’t matter if you were sedentary (sp??), just put forth as much as you can and each week you’ll see you can handle more b/c your energy is up and your stamina is up and you are stronger.  It can’t be too late to start b/c I”m in the same boat.  This is not easy for me….this week has been a struggle and my sticktoitvness is being tested   But I am sticking to it.  For every workout you want to die over, you will have a workout that is awesome!!!  We’re rootin’ for everyone on here as we all do this.  I don’t think this is easy for any of us but just think how strong/lean/sexy we’ll be in a few months?  Summer is coming! 
Thanks Topanga for the post…I will check it out after I tackle the dance dvd. 
I so agree with doerflinger on the dance dvds.  I also like that if I just can’t do it, I’ll throw my ipod on and dance around the combos I can handle. 
Good luck!

momof4, thanks for posting that link, I wish she would have written a bit more.

ShariMac- congrats on the weight loss, dont worry about the small set back, it happens to me all the time and I know how discouraging it can be. The hardest part (as you probably know) is just starting up again and then it is easy to keep going…

I did the booty workout again. OUCH! Where are my dvds?!?!?!? haha

Reviewer, your results ARE SO encouraging to me.  I have that post pregnancy “pouch” below all the other tummy rolls lol, and I so want to lose all that.  I’ve wondered if it will go back at all, but thanks to you I now have hope!!  :)  TY!

I’m right there with you doerflinger!  It is FRUSTRATING!  I’m actually up 3 lbs which makes me want to scream.  But I can still fit into that size 6 pants so I’m going with it’s muscle.  I took a nutrition class in college in 96 and she said whatever your inches are, times it by 5 and that number is the middle of your weight scale.  For example, I’m 5′8″ so my number is 40.  She says that I should weigh 140.  Ic an go down 12lbs or up and still be a healthy weight (pending on bone structure).  Well I am currently an upsetting 150 when last week I was 148.  I’m not overeating but i’m also not depriving myself b/c I couldn’t keep doing this workout 2 hours/6days a week.  I would think with all this exercise and the times I turn those sweets away (daily b/c I have kids) I should be 138.  That’s the weight I want to be.  but I do see the lines, I see muscles so I assume it’s muscle!  Still doesn’t help though.  I still want these 10lbs off.  I’ve read many success stories on shapefit.com and most all of them said it took a year to 14 months and talked about how it took months to see the numbers come off the scale. 
So I appreciate everyone’s honesty on here b/c this just seems like an impossible task to get that number down.

Hey thanks spanishcurls for the link! I am supposed to be 141 lbs. That means 10 lbs to go. I kind of keep track of my weight, but I am more concerned about fitting into a good pair of jeans. I wear a 12 now and would love to get into an 8. I never thought it was possible (I have a JLO butt and thighs). With me I don’t look like I am 150-ish which is frustrating. It’s a good thing don’t get me wrong, but when I complain about my weight to others, they all think I am crazy. I was blessed to carry my weight pretty evenly (even though I do have a butt!). But I know I weigh 150 and I am not toned and I am a size 12. So I am going to lose the last 10 lbs and get toned all over and fit into those size 8 jeans and a good bathing suit for summer!! Thanks for all the motivation. I have been doing the mat DVD for the past week and do feel stronger. I need to start the GOOP butt workout and add cardio, but hey 1 thing at a time! And I am still thinking about the Post-Pregnancy DVD. I had 3 c-sections and I always thought that it would take surgery to get my belly looking better ( I have the flap of skin due to all the weight gain (50lb) and surgery) I will get it! Good luck to all you ladies too and thanks for the inspiration.

Momof4…what was that math?  One more time please.  I did that Self link weight calculation and my happy weight would be 14 lbs. more than now and I WOULD NOT BE HAPPY. 

HI guys.  Thanks for all of your updates.  It’s getting busy here, ey? That’s so cool.  Just wanted to check in.  I started TA, cardio and Weight Watcher’s two weeks ago after an alarming weight in and no excercise in years.  I did TA 3 days the first week and 4 days last week (I weight in on Wednesdays).  I surprislingly am really enjoying Weight Watchers.  I feel like I am eating so much more now.  I am because I’m adding leafy green nonfat salads 3 times a day as snacks.  I also have cut out Alcohol for the most part which I think is mainly responsible for my weight gain.  I love me a glass or two of red wine!  The wine not only adds calories 90 calories for 4oz, ouch!  But it also makes me lazy the next day.  So I’m saving it for special occasions only.  Going to bed early and waking up early has been huge for me too.TA is kicking my ass.  I can make it *almost* all the way through, but stop quickly here and there.  I haven’t noticed a difference looking at my body.  But I have lost 6lbs and feel it hurting in all the right places.  Hopefully when I drop some more fat, I will be seeing the differences soon.Cardio.  Cardio sucks.  I hate it.  But I have been walking on the treadmill everyday for 20-30 minutes.  I did just find a few days ago a podcast that has really helped my cardio.  It’s free on iTunes and you can find it by searching “Podrunner Intervals-workout music for tempo-based excercise.  It is a 9 week running playlist designed to get you to a 5k in 9 weeks.  I just did the first couple of them, but it did push me in a really good way.  I finished 30 minutes on the treadmill and jogged for about half of it at intervals.  I didn’t feel that hard.  I’m excited to continue with it.  Reviewer, I read how you are going to up your cardio.  You might like this one.  I wish it wasn’t so techno, but it does keep you energized.I’d like to follow Ta’s advice on shaking up the cardio.  But right now, I just need to get my heart rate up for at least a half hour.  Hopefully I don’t bulk up on the tredder.I guess if this site is going to allow us to post photos, I’ll rip that old flick’r site down.  Although I really would love for someone to post a before and after…..Talk to ya’ll in a week.

EverydayB: take a short 3 second break and try to get back in. Overtime you’ll find it a tiny bit easier.  If you have to rest, rest. On good days you’ll kill it.

Mof4: okay I’m 5′ 5.5″ so does that mean I should weigh 127?

Any long timers:  do you have strong vertical indentation lines in the outside of your thighs?

Mof4:  Yes I use the Velform’s every single time. a) I posted a ? for you just as you posted (see 5:17PM) and did you see Renaissance’s at 11:28AM today about the Velform’s?
Asking again, anybody have a vertical indent bigtime on the outsides of thighs?

No true vertical indent for me . . . kind of a shadow of one, but not a well defined one . . .

So just so I am sure I understand, if I am 5′7″, according to momof4’s cool calculator I should weigh 135 plus or minus 12 pounds?  Hmmm . . . I am not even close to the top (147)  end of that!  Yikes!  

I just wanted to say hi!
I just got my Mat DVD a few days ago and last night was my 4th consecutive workout with it. Is it crazy that I think I’m already seeing a difference in my abs and arms?  I used to have a indent line on my legs before we moved and I put on 15lbs, I did a lot of running [about 12 miles a week], bikram and some weights. Last night after my workout I swear I saw a slight shadow of it coming back
I was totally going to put off ordering the DVD until after we moved back across country [my husband has to deploy], then I read this review and was like “I have to get this NOW”..I am waiting to get the cardio DVD until after the move since its in about a month and thats a tank of gas for the trip but I am getting it…maybe as a bday gift.

Question…anyone notice any lifting in the boobs? I’m about to be 30 this April and had a pregnancy..I in no way have large boobs but they are sitting lower I have noticed since having my son.

I think I have bulky legs and butt. I did notice that when I was doing the Bikram [hot yoga] with it that it helped my legs be more slim. When we moved to where we are they didn’t have a Bikram studio near me so I just ran and my legs got huge. I have stopped running pretty much and on occasion I will do 2 miles but mostly use the treadmill to skip, sidestep and speed walk.

Has anyone noticed a almost faint pulsing of the muscles after the Mat workout? I do it at night and usually head to bed after that and a shower and I swear I feel a faint all over pulsing in my arms and legs

For those who have the original dance dvd, do you do it barefoot? When work out at home, I don’t use sneakers but I wonder if her dvd is too bouncy and harmful on the joints to do it barefoot.  Any advice?

Thanks!

So it’s been about two weeks since I’ve been doing the Mat DVD’s every day (minus one day, when I was sick), and the live Mat sessions once a week and I am now seeing results. Tiny results, but my arms are toner and I just noticed a (tiny!) line in the upper part of my stomach, where there was nothing before. Fantastic. I really am a convert to this method. Now I just have to tackle the 30 minutes of cardio along with the mat session and hopefully the results will be even bigger. I don’t wanna weigh myself just yet, but I might start to measure myself instead.

What are everyone’s thoughts on this? Do you weigh yourself or measure yourself and if so, how often?

Congrats to everyone else, and keep up the good work!

Thank you Topanga!  

Anytime, Spanishcurls! =)

Anybody have an update as to when this site will allow us to have a chat room, post goals, have more advanced profiles, etc?

btw, there’s a way to do your profile here. Just click on MY VENTS at the top and then MY PROFILE.

I’m only doing the PP workout about once a week, but I am fairly certain it is helping a LOT with my whole abdominal area, muffin top too.  

I agree that the scale is not a friend . . . and momof4 is so right that going by pant size is so much healthier . . . I can see a huge difference in my appearance since I’ve become a little more serious about things this January, and while those scale numbers haven’t changed much,  my skinny (well, skinnier) jeans are fitting great, and my arms and abs are much more taut and defined already, after a month of being dedicated to TA workouts and slightly more careful eating (and drinking . . .I still seem to need that glass of red wine after I get the kids to bed at night!)

For mrshoneyclover, definitely no lifting of the boobs for me, but I am still nursing baby number two (he’s 18 months, and we’re slowly weaning) and my boobs are a ridiculous cup size right now, like an F.  That being said, I have noticed toning and more definition in my chest, so I would think that a smaller breasted girl would see some lifting . . .I just think my monstrous boobies are beyond help right now . . .

Doerflinger–

I totally hear ya about the glass of wine after the kiddos are down for the count. 

~Ren

Re:  drinking wine and children.  A good way of looking at it is, if you have 2 kids, you should have at least 2 glasses of wine a night.  If you have 3 kids, then you should have 3.  Momof4, I think that means you deserve a bottle a night  

At least, that is what my friends tell me..LOL!

doerflinger2006, no problem!  I have a friend who is very witty.  According to her, it’s never too early to drink when you have kids

Speaking of kids, this afternoon, a friend of mine came over with her two daughters.   She was really interested in doing TA’s Mat dvd so we did it.  It was a bit challenging to do with 3 kids underfoot (my older dd was at a birthday party) but it was hysterical, as the girls (my 3 1/2 year old, her 3 1/2 year old and 2 year old) were trying to do TA’s moves.  So freaking cute!  My friend said she enjoyed the workout but the lack of cueing drove her nuts.  However, she said she may purchase the dvd!

Hmm.. Slow day today LOL.  Everyone must be recovering from their workouts. :P  I start tomorrow.. Hurry up UPS!!!

~ Ren

Renaissance: It is slow today! Might be because it’s monday. Did you buy the Mat DVD or the cardio?

I did my live workout yesterday at the studio (btw they lowered the price to $15 a session if anybody out there also lives in LA and wants to join me in a session), but I am setting today’s DVD sesh out, because I have a class in the evening. If I try to work out after class, in the evening, I get so wired it gets hard to fall asleep. It’s like drinking a cup of coffee, that DVD.

I’m totally fiending the routine, though. I guess this week I will do the Mat 6 times as opposed to 7 and will give my booty a rest.

Words really cannot describe how happy I am with this new workout and with the quick results. For anybody new out there, any lurkers who haven’t posted yet, THIS STUFF WORKS! And  so quickly too. We are all living, walking success stories.

Question: Does anybody do the Mat DVD AND the goop butt workout AND the cardio? Or do you leave the goop butt for a few times a week only?

hellos all around.

I’m resting tonight. Last night was my 6th night of the Mat and I tagged on the GOOP video to the end..I only managed 20 reps per move.

My husband says he is seeing the results on me already…I’m hoping to have good results after next week is complete. I tend to stack my weight in my butt and hips and always lose there last.

I wish they had a studio in Orlando! I would totally drop $15 a class for that since I was paying $15 for a 90 min bikram class.

I’m torn on whether to order the Dance DVD or the Post Pregnancy DVD next.

I’m not really doing a diet. I just try and eat smart. I enjoy pasta every other week and I usually have mostly veggies ..like last night I had some pasta with roasted veggies [broccoli, green beans, cherry tomatoes, and garlic] so it was mostly the veggies with a dash of pasta mixed in.

EverydayBallerina:
The class is crazy hardcore. The first time I did it I got nauseous, but I stuck to it till the end. I had only been doing one week of the DVD, but the live class KILLED ME. It was kind of embarrassing how exhausted I was. I was literally on the floor when it was done.
The routine follows the Mat DVD closely but it extends the workout by pegging more reps, higher lifts, and several additional moves. Imagine doing the DVD but faster, with way faster music (sometimes they have electronic music or rap playing) and a harder kick. It makes me sweat more than doing the regular DVD. The cardio class is a separate class. Last week I did two live sessions but I’m shooting for just one per week. The rest of the days I do the DVD. I’ve never seen Tracy there, though but I haven’t been there much.

mrshoneyclover: I’m gonna try what you did and tack the goop butt workout to the end and do 20 reps. I’ll probably be dead by the time you finish reading this! Your hubby sounds darlin’!

Renaissance: I’ve been 75% vegan raw for about 2-3 months, and before that I was vegetarian.  I have stayed away from dairy  generally, but once in a while I have raw milk and munch on a little bit of cheese (once a week maybe?0 because i want to get my calcium. um and im addicted to cheese. My body is weird though, because no matter how I eat, I still have problems with my booty and my thighs.
No other DVD’s or workouts though. I stopped going to my gym completely after finding TA.

Hello Everyone!!!
Welcome nailpunch….you’ll enjoy Tracy’s workouts.  They’re pretty awesome and have good results.  I love the lines down my thighs and on my arms.    I have all 4 of her DVD’s and if she makes another one-I will buy.  :)   The PP DVD is great too.  It has about 25 min of ab work…lots of different rotations to really bring the skin back to the muscle.  Then it goes into some leg and arm work.  It’s a total of about 45 min where the mat is 57 min.  I like to rotate between mat/pp during the week.  When I have time, I tag on the Goop but only 20-30 reps per move.  Also can’t get each move in but I try to do 3-4 moves. 
I’m happy to say I’m over the treadmill thing and I got back on it yesterday.  hahahah  My right shin is hurtin’ from the dancing so I need to take a few days off from it.  I’m doing more speed walking then jogging.  
SO someone asked if anyone does cardio/mat/goop and I do.  I put in 2 hours 6 days/week.  I’m pretty serious about being jiggle free for summer and know I need to put in serious time right now.  It yields great visible results but I think it takes time to get all the jiggle to go back into the muscle. 
Reviewer-I’m off to see your cardio review……

momof4: your routine sounds amazing. I think I am going to copy it =). Right now the worst part of my body are the backs of my thighs, which have the beginnings of cellulite and they have bad jiggle. I need to get rid of these by May or else I will not put on a bathing suit in the summer and will be just miserable. I bet your routine can get rid of stuff like that.

Hello Ladies! Hope everyone’s week is going great! So I have a general question about eating habits while doing the TA workouts…is anyone doing her jump start diet? It seems pretty intense, and the far fewer calories while doing such intense cardio…?  I have to be careful of extreme diets because of my ED past, but I also need some pretty dramatic results early on to keep me motivated. Just curious.

Hey Ladies~

Got my DVDs today.  YEA!!  Did my first full workout with the Mat and LOVED it.  Got done and was warm and sore in a really good way.  Watched the PP DVD to see what the abs section looked like.  Tomorrow I will see if I can splice it together, since I don’t get much use from her little rib rocking section in the mat DVD.  My body just doesn’t want to do those that fast yet LOL.  So I’ll use the PP DVD as my abs section.  Looked very cool. 

Momof4~  I soooo hear you.  I’ve always carried weight in my thighs as well.  I have very high hopes for this routine though. :)  I’m so impressed at your dedication though to keep at it that much every day.  I know you’ve said you break it up.. but to me that requires much more dedication, because you have to keep stopping and starting all day.. so MAJOR willpower.  Very cool, girl. :) 

**Just remembered that I wanted to go back to Reviewer’s review of the mat DVD to look up that inner thigh exercise.  That is my worst trouble spot, leg wise.  Need all the help I can get there lol.  And the mat DVD it seemed to be major outer leg working, not too much inner.  I was pleasantly surprised to feel my entire oblique working on those leg lifts though. 

Nailpunch~  I just got the PP DVD today as well as the mat one.  I’ll keep you posted, I didn’t have time to get through both today. 

Have a good night ladies.

~Ren

beachlover: weird. Mine don’t, but I noticed on the Amazon reviews a few people said this was the case as well. Welcome to the boards!

I think my dvd player might be overheating causing my dvd’s to skip.  Will try to get my husband to fix that problem. 
What kind of shoes do you guys like for the dance cardio workout?  I have been wearing New Balance cross trainers, but I have terrible pain in my lower calves!  Yesterday I did combos 1 through 3 twice.  Tonight I learned combo #4, but my lower calves are so sore from yesterday that it was difficult to get through the jumping.  I am in pretty good shape but mostly from jogging which uses very different muscles of course!  Any tips on how to avoid the lower calf pain? 

My goal is to try to break up the workouts and do either the mat workout or PP in the morning and the cardio in the evening.  I work 9-5 so it’s hard to fit it all in at once. 

I haven’t really changed my eating habits but I probably should!  I have seen some of you talk about TA’s eating plan.  Is this the one you are referring to?
http://www.usmagazine.com/madonna-and-gwyn-diet-tips

Has anyone tried it?

So tomorrow morning I will do the PP before work and then if my legs feel better I will do the cardio dance workout!  Happy workouts to you all!

I couldn’t do that diet but she does say it is a “short term” diet..I guess no more than 6 weeks and you will lose 3 to 5 pounds a week.

I had my rest day on Monday and ever since I swear it feels harder to do the Mat and Goop now

Hello everyone,
I recieved my Mat and Cardio DVD’s today..yaaa
I watched them both and I sure do have my work cut out for me.Now let’s see what They can do to my fat limbs and midsection. If these dont help me,I don’t know what will. I really love her cute body and would love to get my 5″5 200lb body that way. It almost looks hopeless but I will not go down without a fight. So wish me luck everyone, I will be starting on them tomorrow.

One other thing..both of my DVD’s skip and that really disappoints me because I have been looking forward to getting these. I am not sending them back,I want no delays on my routine.

Not too bad.. The arm segment will definitely show you where your weakest muscles are.  That is where you will most likely be sore.   Mine are the tops and front of my shoulders.  I’m really happy that so much of the leg work works the oblique abs as well.  I’ve always had trouble hitting that spot, and it is one of my trouble spots.  Keep me posted on how it goes for you.

That sucks that your DVDs skip too.  Beachlover was just mentioning that as well.  I guess I was just really lucky with mine.  I’d still email amazon.  You paid full price, you should get DVDs that work.  JMHO.  I know what you mean though about not wanting to wait to start your routine.

~Ren

Hello Everyone! I have posted in a couple days (though I have been reading your posts!) because I have been ANXIOUSLY awaiting my long overdue dvd- by my account it should have been here on Monday, and being as it is now Thursday I was seriously sad about it….well about an hour ago, I get a knock on my door and its this woman from the apt upstairs…apparently her (horrible! terrible) teenage son somehow got the package a few days ago and he told her he returned it- SHE FOUND IT IN HIS ROOM TONIGHT! what a creep! I’ve had problems with him in the past, but he is a teenager, and I am an adult so I accepted her apology and eagery put it in to watch! I am going to start tomorrow, so excited!
EGO- My dvd doesn’t skip, I hope your’s is not too bad that you cant do it!
Renaissance- YOU ARE GONNA ROCK THAT BIKINI THIS SUMMER!

I wish so badly we could have a live chat or somewhere to post our stats and success.

Wish me luck tomorrow!
Sorry this is the longest post ever, have a great night and a wonderful Friday!!!

Ugggh!  Cookies.  The (cursed!) girl scouts delivered their (evil!) cookies to our home the other night.  I have so far managed to resist . .  wish me luck!

I had two days w/o Tracy this week, and then did the Mat Workout and three combos from Dance Aerobics yesterday, and I could hardly get up the stairs to go to bed last night I was so sore!  But like TA says, it is a good pain!

I’m doing a monthly weigh-in and measurement taking, but I was planning on doing it at the 15th of the month, but I could change that to the 1st of the month if we all want to post our progress reports at the same time. . . would it be weird to just post our stats here?  Any other ideas on where we could post them?

egomezgarcia: Welcome to the boards! Keep coming back, you’ll see it’s totally motivating.

I have another question, ladies: For those of you who are experienced in her cardio workout, how did you breakup learning her dance moves? I’ve been doing the mat DVD for three weeks now, but just purchased the cardio and it arrived yesterday. I watched it and learned the first dance routine. I plan to review that first dance routine again today and then learn the second one, etc etc etc.

Anybody have any feedback as to whether this is the most efficient way to do the DVD? Should I have learned all the moves at the same time?

I’ve already got my first trial by fire. Heading to a pool party/bbq on Sunday with my boyfriend. Lots of fit girls in bikinis, and lots of bread lying around (im off bread, but i love it since I started eating raw). I’ve stepped up my butt workout this week and am extra careful with my intake; i just wanna feel secure and comfortable enough to not have to wear shorts when all those hoochie mamas (some are models and have the shape of 12 year old boys, imagine that) are wearing bikinis. Wish me luck! I’m nervous but determined.

For me, the Cardio Dance DVD has been a challenge to learn.  I was learning it like you described, one routine at a time, but after a month or so I was only up to routine number five. 

 I recently purchased TA’s old “Dance Aerobics” DVD, and while it is very similar, the routines have been easier to learn.  It only took me a few times through to learn all nine of the routines. 

I’m planning on going back to the Cardio Dance and trying to learn the rest of the routines sometime soon, but I am having to take it pretty slow, since I gave myself shin splints doing the Dance Aerobics DVD! 

The most recent on the interview is that the Manager emailed that the publicist said they needed to get caught up on other press that were in first and that TA will get to it but they can’t say when.

That sucks.  That publicist should follow Tracy around and write down the answers and send it our way.  It would be a good workout for her.
Do you all really really really want to post your inches/wt? What if we blow up on the 15th of a month?!? Why don’t you just open a new ‘vent’ in the TA Msg Board page and we can put them there so it’s in a tidy place.  The title could be “Tracy Anderson User’s Measurements”

I finally found my measuring tape! I think a separate thread would be great for us to post our results. I don’t know if there are any actual changes yet [looks like it] but since I was unable to measure myself before starting I don’t know.
Last night was my 8th session of the Mat DVD, my Dance DVD should be here by Monday [my rest day] so I will probably just view it and then maybe play around with the first combo. I like the suggestion of the reviewer to put it on the fastest slow-mo during the “normal” section.

Hello everyone, today was my 1st day doing the Mat, and boy was it a killer…but honestly,I really enjoyed it. I will try to do both DVD’s tommorow (in my dreams). Or at least the Mat and 1 combination. This is very exausting and a bit frustrating,but I am determine!!! Summer is coming, and I won’t be able to hide what I am hiding now,since it’s winter wear here in Germany…burrr

beachlover: if you ever make it out here to the studio, let me know and we can take a mat class together (cheap, its like $15 now). I’ll send you the schedules if you email moi (zombiegato at gmail dot com). =)

momof4: It’s out here in LA, the bbq. We’re getting some nice weather this week. Not like summer heat, but all the hoochie mamas are already sporting their summer wear lol. The pressure is on much earlier for ladies in California to look their best, because the sun comes much too early for us.  SUCKS!

The cardio dvd is hard! i get lost and feel like a weirdo with two left feet. I’m gonna take your advice about this dvd and keep breaking it up, but maybe i’ll go quicker than i am right now.

I’m down to post my measurements, but I might need instructions, I don’t know how or where to measure, lol.

Hello Ladies,
I discovered Tracy Anderson while watching Oprah one day. I thought to myself WOW, what a unique way of working out. A few days later I received my copy of SELF (or SHAPE. I forget) in the mail and there was a tear-out workout routine for Tracy’s Arm workout. I did it consistently and even though at first I thought 3lbs was a joke…I thought my arms were going to literally break off or pop out once I started doing the routines.
I bought the Mat DVD and have been doing it for 4 weeks going on my 5th.
I have been doing it a minimum of 4 days a week…usually 5-6 days a week in conjunction with 30minutes on either the treadmill or elliptical. I also do Bikram Yoga once a week to de-stress my self and my muscles.
I can’t begin to explain how HAPPY I am to see that there are other women like myself who are addicted to this workout regimen. It’s amazing! I have begun to see “amazing results”…as promised by TA.
 
I started doing just the mat DVD and then found