thanks eyeontheball for that link…i’m going to check it out now b/c it’s concerning me.  This whole bulk up thing got me off the treadmill Fri so I had no cardio b/c I couldn’t handle the dancing.  Not good. 
You bet spanishcurls…I should take a bottle a night!!!  LOL
I agree with the lack of cueing…that was really hard on me at first.  Now I enjoy it (basically I have it memorized and can mouth the things she says when she says it).  I was just used to the Firm.

Here’s to a great workout week for us all!  Cheers!!

Actually, I was not sore at all from yesterday’s mat workout.  I asked my friend and she said she was not sore either.  I took a class at The Bar Method as usual.  I can’t help but feel disappointed when I am not sore after doing a workout I don’t normally do.  Oh well.  

Topanga, I am so jealous you get to go to the studio! What is the class like? Mat and cardio or different either or? Have you seen Tracy there?

Topanga,

I’m so happy to hear you’re seeing fast results as well.  Are you doing anything additional to the DVDs (ie) special diet, etc.? 

I bought the mat DVD and the post pregnancy (PP) DVD.  I’ll be doing different cardio for now.  I’d like to work the GOOP butt in there as well, but I’ll have to watch the two DVDs and figure out a way to “flow” it all together lol.  Might start out alternating mat and PP DVD every day, and doing the GOOP butt… time will tell. 

Spanishcurls~  I wouldn’t get too discouraged about the lack of soreness today.  Rest assured, you are working your muscles, and it will yield you results.  Hang in there, girl.

Have a good night, ladies.

~Ren

My hubs is the best. He told me I should go ahead and order the Dance DVD <3 I was planning on waiting until after we move. I really want to look good by the time we get home and I will be stuck in a car driving cross country in about a month so hopefully I can get another week in of the Mat and then 2 weeks of the Mat & Dance together before we leave.

Totally excited.

hi,
i’ve been lurking around this message board for a couple of weeks now, reading the reviews and comments about the tracy anderson mat workout. and i liked what i heard, so i got the mat workout and have been doing it for 1 week now. i’m not much of a workout video person, but i really like it so far and i never dread doing it.

i’m not sure if any of you have been doing the post-pregnancy (pp) workout in addition to the mat workout; but i was wondering if any of you know how similar the two workouts are? i’ve been considering adding in the pp to the mat in the future just to mix it up. but if they’re really similar i don’t think it would be worth it. any reviews?

thanks so much for the info : - )

Thanks Topanga…I’m hoping so!!!  It’s freaking me out that Feb is next week!!!  My legs (thighs) are the worst part of my body.  Genetically I am doomed in this area but there has to be a way to make them jiggle free and no squat/lunge/dip did it b/f.  I’m confident in TA.  It’s hard sometimes getting in all this time but I break it up during the day if I have to.  I got back to the treadmill today and feel so much better!  I’m glad I’m over the whole bulk thing and treadmill.  I just change it up.  :)  Good luck to you-we’re in this together!!!

Hi EverydayBallerina - For myself, I have not been following a particular diet plan, other than trying to be careful about portion sizes (and cutting back on the wine, darn!) But this plan has been working for me, albeit slowly . . . like a pound a week.  Which is a tad frustrating when I am exercising this much, but at least the results are coming.   

For super-quick results I was going to suggest you check out the “detox” plan Gwyneth Paltrow outlined on http://www.goop.com earlier this month.  You’ll find it under the “make” category on the site.  While it is a calorie-restrictive program, it does seem to offer a varied source of nutrients, and even includes lean protein in the form of chicken.  Since I am cooking for two toddlers, two teenage step-kids, and a meat-eating hubby, I haven’t given this a try for myself yet, but it sounds like a decent way to jump start a weight loss regimen.  

I too have wondered about the severe calorie restriction TA recommends in conjunction with such hardcore cardio . . . I would think that if you were detoxing or doing a very restrictive diet you should take the exercise easy . . . maybe just the Mat routine!  

Have you tried the full workout yet?  What did you think?  I hope you’re enjoying it!

Hi Everyone!  I have been reading some of these posts for the past week or so and decided to join in on the discussion!
I am a fan of Tracy Anderson’s DVD’s.  I have been doing the mat workout for about a month and I am slowly learning her dance cardio workout.  I have only mastered the first 3 combos so far but I am taking my time.  I just received the PP workout and plan on trying that one tomorrow.
Question: does anyone else have trouble with the DVD’s skipping?  My TA dvd’s sometimes just stop and it’s so frustrating!  I actually ordered another mat dvd workout to see if maybe the first copy I received was bad but the new copy does the same thing! 

Beachlover~  Welcome from me as well.  I just got my DVDs from amazon, and they do not skip.  May want to check with them on that. 

Day 2…and I’ll be good if my shoulders don’t pop out LOL.  Other than that going really well.  I’ll have to work out something different with the abs section, because I do the mat DVD (minus the abs).. get that done and try to do the abs on the PP DVD, and my legs are too tired to do anything different than pretty basic crunches lol.  So, still tweaking it. 

I’m headed to Scheels in my town to check out those shoes Reviewer mentioned.  I don’t like to buy shoes online, so I was glad to find a store that carries them.  I’m excited to see what these are all about. Though we do have a lot of snow here right now.. so will probably be an inside thing for the next couple of months.  

Take care ladies.

~Ren

Beachlover~

Thanks for the link..I checked it out… I’d never be able to stick to that diet lol.  Two celery stalks with butter for lunch?  Hahahhahahhahahaha… but much love to those that can.  It’s definitely only a short term diet..I’m no doctor but I don’t think you’d want to keep yourself at that many calories for too long, but I would think you’d definitely see results. 

~Ren

I would become a crazy b#tch if I ever tried that diet!!!  Also, I bet you will slow down your metabolism since your body will go into starvation mode and then the minute you eat a piece of toast, you will gain back all the weight.  

Good luck!!  I just started this week as well. 

Renaissance…and how have you been handling it. Is it really hard for you?

On a side note.. It’s official.. I HAVE to stick to this now…. I just bought…my first EVER in my life….  ((((BIKINI))))   :-P  LOL

Have a good night ladies.
~Ren

LOL Ren-I’m there with ya!!!  I am in hopes that a mother of 4 that really never had a flat stomach previously can get away with a bikini!  How motivating you bought one…do you have it hung up?  That’s great!!  You’ll get there!!
Everyday- you showed great restraint on that teenager.  I know I would have been climbing the walls trying to get this dvd.  It’s so great I hate missing a day.
Good luck!!!  You will love it!  I am incredibly sore this week oddly-I decided to add the Goop butt on the PP days b/c I can’t do her leg series on that DVD.  Man I am SORE so I guess that’s good!  I’m going to start taking measurements the first of every month to see if I’m going down.  I love the idea of us posting our results b/c that is encouraging and motivating.  Plus it may help us get through our own plateaus instead of giving into them and downing a box of cookies! (well my old habit anyway )

Impressive you can resist those…I usually have one sleeve eaten b/f I even get into my kitchen from the front door.  I love those cookies!   I can do the 15th b/c then my monthly friend is gone (and we do gain with our friend )
Reviewer-any updates on her interview?

on a (kind of) sidenote, I think this DVD definitely sculpts the body quickly, but it also does wonders for confidence. I stand up straighter now and feel more secure with my body. I think that is definitely one of the huge benefits of this DVD. its like a lifestyle change. crazy.

Hi Everyone,
I have officially read all of your posts, followed the links etc. I recently ordered the mat dvd (should arrive by the 3rd) and I am really looking forward to beginning this program!  All of your experiences have been really motivating - so pls keep the posts coming!  A little about me, I have two beautiful daughters 2.6 yrs and 8 mos. I was 125 when I got pregnant with my first and 145 when I got pregnant with my second. I 5′4″ and am now approx. 163.  I am really trying to lose 30 pounds by May end which will put my second at 1 yr. I really need to lose and tone up - I gained the weight all over.  I have been doing 45 mins. of cardio 6 times per week for the past two weeks. Have upped my water intake trying to do 2/3 liters per day and incorporating some resistance training.  I have always been active and have always had to be active to maintain my weight - I hope this will give me a dancer looking body instead of bulking up.  I am really excited to start- I did one of the youtube videos two days back and boy am I still sore.  I tried to do 30-50 reps of the different butt and arm exercises.  PHEW!  Hard work, but I am ready for it.  I still def. have the muffin tummy (just finished breastfeeding and breastfeeding does not help me lose weight) Okay I have ranted enough - but thanks for motivating me and I will update you when I get my dvd. 
Have a great day and weekend.  If anyone can post their inches lost that would be awesome to hear about!

d-

welcome ds77, you will enjoy these workouts.  I agree with topanga-it does give you confidence and improve posture.  I was asked yesterday what my workout is and where can it be bought so that was good. 
on learning the dance dvd, it took me a while.  I don’t know why, but she moves super fast and I couldn’t get my legs to do it.  I was too weak.  I am better where I know all combos except the last one and am starting on her old dvd (agreed-it’s easier to learn and fun).  I am now experiencing shin splints or something on my right leg so I can’t do it every day…then I get on the treadmill. 
Be patient with that dance dvd, it took me a month or 2 b/f I got it down.  Very frustrating but fun now.  I’m not a dancer, just was a very out of shape mother of 4.  I also breastfed and it didn’t help me lose weight at all…made me hungrier. 
I did get on the scale today and was happy to see I got down to 146.8.  Haven’t seen that number since b/f my last baby who is now 16months old.  Just 8 more lbs to go to make me “scale happy” even though I am gearing progress on measurements. 
I’ll take measurements whenever, as long as I’m not the only one posting.  LOL 
Topanga-when is the bbq?  Do you live in a warm state?  Where I’m at, it’s 12 degrees.  FREEZING!
Off to the DVD’s now….  It’s funny-I love doing them, I feel almost high when I’m done with how good they make me feel but getting in the workout clothes and into my basement is the toughest part!!!  Once I get through her standing legs…then I’m good as gold.  But now until then…my body is crying for me to be lazy!!!  Anyone else have that?

Topanga: I am also in Southern California – in Laguna Beach.  The weather is amazing right now but I’m not quite ready for a bathing suit!  I read that you have gone to TA’s studio!  That’s great!  I am only about an hour from LA so I may try to go sometime just for the experience. 
 
As for the cardio dvd, I have learned the first 4 combos.  So, for example, the other day for combo #4 I went through the instructional part quite a few times, then did it “up to tempo” on the instructional part until I really got it.  Then I went to the actual work out and fast forwarded to combo #4 and did that a few times.  Then I went back to the beginning of the workout and did combo’s 1 – 4.  I am really taking it slow and only “mastering” 1 combo per week. 
 
This weekend I am going to buy new shoes.  I am still getting pain in my ankles and lower calves and it seems like it’s from the shock not being absorbed by my current shoes!

beachlover - if you find shoes you LOVE could you let me know what they are?  I bought a pair of RYKA aerobics/cross-training shoes that were great for a month or so, but they seem to have already worn out enough that I am not getting nearly enough shock-absorption from them (hence my ongoing battle with shin-splints.)  

(And I am so so so jealous of you being in Laguna - I grew up in SoCal and I am now stuck in the frigid midwest - I am crazy homesick just thinking of how nice it must be there today!)

by the way can I just vent as to how much I hate the sides of my butt right now? the area between my hips and the sides of my butt looks like a small 8. There’s a weird space that doesn’t look right. I hate looking at it. I need to do focus on TA’s outside leg exercises i guess? are those for the booty? gaaaah!

you California babes are lucky!  Very cold here!
If people are interested in posting, should we just start the first of the month since it’s this Sunday?  Thoughts?  Plus, no clue how to start a new thread. 
I hate my legs too….they’re just disportionate to my body.  I did PP today and then attached sexy arms and goop butt to it.  I’m exhausted but determined to get these legs under control.  Still just relieved to not do squats/lunges/dips again.  :)  Love TA

beachlover - I don’t think you need to wait 24 hours with the Tracy workouts . . .I think most of us do them on consecutive days with no negative repercussions.

anyone interested in posting number - I think I figured out how to make the new “thread” - just look for “tracy anderson user’s measurements” - I haven’t had time to measure myself yet, but I’ll try and do it by the first 

ds77 - I didn’t have any problem downloading it but I have a imac. I just watch it on my computer not my ipod [since it isn't a video one]

I too find my legs to be my trouble area…especially those dreaded saddlebags.
tonight i’m planning on hitting the treadmill and sprint a song, skip, side step, basically mess around for about 45mins then do the Mat workout

Hello everyone,
    Not to rain on everyone’s parade, but,
a) not sure if ya all want to start posting your emails here as, after all this is the world wide web and there are kooks out there, and
b) I was thinking about this desire to post measurements and I’m not feelin’ it.  Here’s an article to read about female body types..
http://www.acefitness.org/fitfacts/pdfs/fitfacts/itemid_76.pdf
The point is there are women that are naturally more muscular, more round, etc.  Also if someone has a 30″ waist and they are 6′ vs. 4′10″ that 30″ means something different.  And what are the gals with DD boobs going to do?  They’ll always read as heavy here when, well, they have big boobs and maybe no back fat.

Now ya all can do as you wish.  I just didn’t want eventual disappointment when people start in with “girl, I wish my waist was 24″ and now I hate you.”  Of course we’re all too civil for that and I wish my waist was 24″. 

I would prefer to post how many inches I’ve lost from starting TA (for any given measurement I wish to reveal) and how many more inches I’d like to reduce to feel oh so very happy–for me (not what a chart says, etc).

But I believe that everyone should do as they so choose and if putting down measurements helps anyone’s cause, then have at it!!

I agree that the 1st of the month is good so let’s have at it on Sunday, Feb 1, ‘09 on the other Measurements thread.  Now are those measurements with or without a girdle on?  hehehe

Okay, I’m going to keep ya all reading.  Here’s an article about why the myth of 36-24-36″ is all wrong unless you’re a Barbie doll…
http://news.illinois.edu/gentips/03/03curves.html

Hey all,

Reviewer~  I completely agree.. Each to their own comfort level as far as posting.  And you’re right.  All body types are different, and measurements don’t tell the true story.  Before finding this board, I was trying to find a workout buddy in my area.. and all I got was “Oh yeah, I’d be so happy to be 135 lbs, I hate you.” … but here’s the thing.  I have a 33 inch waist measurement .. and a 27 inch hip measurement… (can we say apple? THANKS MOM :(   LOL)  So.. I think it would be more helpful (personally) to go with inches LOST since starting TA. 

On a side note.. I have lost an inch.. IN MY CHEST… LOL .. No, fortunately my boobs haven’t shrunk.  Which is good because even after breastfeeding two babies the boob fairy never came to visit.  Must’ve left my bra under the wrong pillow or someting…  :-P  ANYWAY….. I noticed this morning that I can now wear the innermost hooks on my bra, which I’ve never been able to do before.. so I measured, and there it was.  Everything else thus far is the same LOL, but I’ll take it.  :-D  I was really proud of myself for doing my workout today because today was a really low energy day for me, and I REALLY had to push myself All. The.. Way… Through…. It…… lol  But I did.  How was everyone else’s workout?

Enjoy your weekend ladies.
~Ren

I’m soooooo glad you corrected that Ren!! I was thinking, apple? Nuclear cloud mushroom maybe.  27″ hip would be on a 9 year old I think.

I’m down with simply posting our inches lost. I agree sometimes we can get lost in someones else measurements because we apply them to our body type.

Sadly the apartment gym was closed [grrrr we are supposed to be able to access the gym, pool, and basketball court till 10pm] so no cardio like I had planned. I did the Mat DVD and the Goop butt [even though I really had to push through that part]. Plan to attack the gym in the morning.

Good morning everyone!

I want to start off by saying that I’ve been lurking around this site (reading all your posts) for over a month.  I normally don’t join these types of discussions but have felt that this one is different.  Let me re-phrase that… all of you are different (in a GREAT way!).  It’s wonderful to see the positive comments and the desire to get in shape through good old fashioned “effort”- exercise and proper nutrition!  

Now, a little about me…
I have always had a love for exercise (believe it or not), and know that with my love for Italian food and my Italian genetics- exercise is pretty much a requirement for me!  Well for the last 2-3 years, life has kind of gotten in the way and exercise and proper eating became non-existent.  All of a sudden I was carrying around an extra 50 pounds of fat on my 5′4.5″, small framed body that used to be 125-135.  My “ah, ha” moment was around my 38th birthday this past December.  I made a realization that as hard as life is- the thing that I can control the most is “me”.  That’s when it all began.

I know that this is getting kind of long so let me summarize for you the last 6 weeks of my life.
I eat well, cut back all unnecessary junk food, drink lots of water, etc.
I exercise 6 days a week-  Cardio: 30-60 min. per day + Tracy Anderson’s MAT workout (love this workout!).

Overall, I have lost weight (16) and inches (28)!  I do believe that taking measurements is important because even if the scale doesn’t move… the inches lost is extremely motivating!  I also agree that we should post  ”inches/pounds lost”- I am motivated by everyone’s success including my own!

Ok… enough for now.  I look forward to getting to know everyone better and wish everyone much success.

CLE70 congratulations on such great results after only 6 weeks! wow! I hope I have some great results by next month. so far my scale hasn’t budged…but I think my clothes feel a bit different, I didn’t find my tape measure until yesterday.

I’m really hoping I won’t do to much damage when I have to drive cross country at the end of the month..stuck in a car for 5 or 6 days. Its so hard to stay away from bad food. I plan to stock the car with homemade trail mix, apples, and…hmm
anyone have some roadtrip food ideas that don’t need to stay cold?

Welcome CLE70!  Congratulations on such great results! 

Last night I did the PP workout for the first time.  I planned on trying it Thursday but got too busy - exactly what we are not supposed to do, right?  We are supposed to make exercise a priority!  Anyway, I am so sore today!  I definitely could not do the “pike” section very well - could only raise one leg instead of both, and with the “frog” exercise I had trouble straightening my legs.  My butt is also sore.  This is good though because I no longer get sore after the mat workout, even though it is still difficult to do. 
I love how the PP workout is so different than the mat workout!  The classical music is very calming.  I do not have kids yet but I still want to continue this workout.  My husband walked though the room during the comment Tracy makes about your body changing during  pregnancy and he thinks it’s funny that I am doing a PP workout with no kids. 
Today I will do as much of the dance cardio workout as I can.  I hope to find some new shoes this weekend to help absorb more shock and support my ankles!

Hello again and thank you all for the warm welcome.  

egomezgarcia  Yes, I did lose the pounds and inches in only 6 weeks (I made a commitment to myself to do this 100%)!  Funny thing is the 2 weeks of Christmas and New Years was in the middle of that and I worked out only about 3 days each of those 2 weeks and definitely didn’t eat right.  Other then that- yes, I skipped a day here and there but have worked out 6 days a week each of the other 4 weeks.  

I would like to make a statement here that I think will benefit all, regardless of weight loss or lack of:  if you stick to a program that works and give it 100% while you are doing it- you will see results.  (Tracy’s program just seems to show results a lot quicker)

Again, I used to be a fitness enthusiast (absolutely no dance background) and I knew what I needed to do to get back into shape.  I chose Tracy’s MAT DVD because the principal behind her method made a lot of sense.  I also knew that for me- I had to see my body changing (and fast) in order for me to stick to the program- regardless of weight loss.  I am done obsessing over a number on the scale!  Anyways, this program works!  I posted my measurements on the new thread that was created and am happy to say… this is working for me!  I still would like to lose 30+ more pounds but going from a size 12/14 jean size to an 8 is something I’m more then happy with!  

egomezgarcia  You can do this!  Do it for yourself and put in the effort!  The most important thing is believing in yourself and with each movement- knowing you are sculpting your body!  Keep me posted on your results.

P.S.  Don’t forget about nutrition (I hate the word “diet”).  All your efforts will not show if you sabotage them with poor eating habits.

CLE70~

Welcome, welcome!!!!!  And TY for posting your results!  That’s truly an inspiration to me as well.  I’m like you.  I don’t say the “D” word lol, because then my mind goes crazy and I start craving things I normally wouldn’t if I hadn’t told myself I was on a DIET.. LOL

Doerflinger~  So THAT’S where she went… LOL  Wondered why she missed my house. 

mrshoneyclover~  I’d maybe pre pop some low fat popcorn, if you like that kind of thing.  I’ve read that almonds and unsalted nuts are a good snack too, as long as you watch quanitity.  I don’t know if you’re cutting sugar out of your diet… but these pudding cups don’t need refrigerated, and are fat free (Chocolate!) and around 100 calories.. Here’s the nutritional info:  http://www.stepuptotheplate.net/Sponsors/Snack_Pack/SnackPack_FatFreeChocolate.asp
I get them at the grocery store here.  Hopefully you can find them in your area too. 

spanishcurls: I made a mistake when answering your barefoot during cardo question. One of the trainers told me that, although you can go barefoot during the TA mat dvd, you shouldn’t go barefoot during the cardio. Sorry for the misinfo!

hope everyone is doing well and keep up the good work! I love that we’re all lovin our quick results!

Welcome Torontomom!  This website is very motivating and keeps me encouraged to keep going.   I too cannot diet…I would be a size 0 by now with these workouts if I could stop putting something in my mouth constantly.  However, if I”m going to workout like this-then darn it I can eat whatever I want.  :)    That’s my theory anyway.  LOL  
I too had trouble learning those dances and keeping up with her.  It’s like someone put the workout on fast forward and we have to keep up.  I wonder how many breaks she took in filming it??  I did see on her boot camp interview she takes a few combos and then just does them to music for an hour.  Honestly, how could your body handle this 6 days a week?  I’m hoping my shin splint is gone, feels better now.
I suggest her first dance DVD as well…it’s fun and new moves.  Easier to learn as well. 
Reviewer, I might have missed it but did someone start a thread on posting measurements?  Are we posting what we’ve lost or the actuals?

One more thing….WELCOME torontomom!!!!
So what was your size before you started the DVDs and how much did it help you melt off and inches. I love hearing about it, it really motivates my tight 14 body!!! (hehe..I have to laugh at myself or I’ll cry)

Thank you VentParkRanger for adding the new PHOTO UPLOAD feature now available on every Reply. 

Who’s going first??!!

I’m glad I found this site. You guys are all so motivational! I just recently discovered Tracy 3 weeks ago. I have the Mat and PP workouts - they are awesome. I haven’t done any other workout like it. How often do you do the “GOOP Butt” workout? Do you tack it on top of the Mat or PP? Thanks!

Thanks momof4! Do you think that it would be less effective to do the Goop Butt after PP? PP is shorter, so it’s easier for me to do it after that workout instead of Mat. I’m still on the fence about the dance cardios. I’ve read that it’s given other people shin splints because it’s so intense! Ouchie.

Mommy-I do it after the PP actually b/c I can’t handle the leg series on that DVD.  Also-b/c PP is a bit shorter, I do it then as well.  I have a shin splint from the dance and i’ve also hurt my knee (really not a good sales pitch) however, I love them.  I just rest from it for a day or 2 and then go back to it.  It’s such an intense workout and it’s fun.  Whatever cardio will work is good tho (even tho she says no running). 
Good luck this week aanyanka, glad you are feeling better.
Spanishcurls-have you been back to her studio? 

Hello everyone.  I was hoping I could get some information here.  I already have the Mat workout and love it.  However I was thinking about ordering the PP DVD and/or the Cardio Dance Routine DVD.  I would love to hear what each of these are like.  I am hearing that the PP DVD (I have never had children) is great for abs, and the Dance Routine is a little hard to pick up at first?  I want to know a little more before I spend the $60 bucks.
Thanks so much =)

Hi Doerflinger2006…Thanks!
I just read your review from November and it was definetly helpful.  I am going to order the PP DVD and lookinto getting her old Dance Aerobics DVD first, then look into getting the dance cardio one. 
I have two left feet when it comes to learning coordinated dance moves…so I dont want to be falling all over the place. =)

Hi belladiamondz….i got the first dance dvd.  You have to email Heather at her studios (on her website) and she has some in stock there.  That’s the only place to get it from.    I like her old one, the combos are a bit easier for some reason to learn for me.  Have fun with it!

Good morning everyone!  Welcome to: mommy22girls and welcome back to: aanyanka and ksmourich.  

My new Fitness Goal/Challenge:
Well, today is the day I’m going to start Tracy’s Cardio workout.  I’ve owned it for awhile now and only tried it only once!  I’m not very coordinated at all.  Reading all these encouraging posts and feeling like I’d like to kick my cardio up a notch- I’m committing myself to 5-6 days a week of her Cardio and Mat workouts.  

After hearing that we have 6 more weeks of winter (D__n Punxsutawney Phil)- I decided that this would be my next goal in preparation for spring!  Anyone else want to join in on the Challenge?

Wish me luck….

Hi, All -

Like a few others, I’m back, too.  January was a killer for me work-wise.  But all your posts have me motivated to get back in the game this month.  I think the idea of using six more weeks of winter as a milestone is a great idea!  I will take measurements tonight to start. 
And I agree with everyone else, if you can get the PP workout, do so, it’s great for alternating with Mat.  I’m hoping GOOP will post an arms and/or abs add-on like the butt workout out as those are more of my trouble areas.

Have a great day everyone!
Cheers,
videochick

Hi egomezgarcia - Don’t get discouraged!  I know exactly where you are coming from, and there is no question that these workouts are HARD!  I remember reading an amazon.com review of the Cardio Dance DVD where the reviewer said that she was giving herself a MONTH to learn each combo - it sounded crazy to me, but after viewing the DVD for the first time I could see why she said that.  What I did when I was just starting out with it was to not try to use the Cardio Dance DVD as my workout for the day, because if I did I would get so frustrated and feel like I wasn’t getting a good workout because I couldn’t do the combos up to speed, and was just wasting my time, etc.,  . . . so instead I would do some other workout for 30 - 40 minutes, and then try to tack on 15 minutes or so of “practice” with a combo from the DVD.  It took me well over a week to truly get the first combo down to where I could do it up to tempo, with some semblance of grace and coordination.  And even then, I know I was not executing it perfectly, and I’d be gasping for breath by the time I got through it.  (So then you can use your breath-recovery time to start trying to learn combo 2!)  And I hear what you are saying about feeling like you’re not as light on your feet as Tracy is, etc.  As I am sure you’ve noticed from my previous rants about my shin splints, I have learned over time that being 36 years old and 20-25 pounds overweight, I need to not go at these dance combos full-throttle . . . I try to bounce a little less, leap a little lower, make my moves a bit smaller, etc., otherwise I hurt myself . . . so you might try that!  Hang in there, and keep up the good work with the Mat workout. It is the greatest!