Absolutely loving level 2 of Continuity 2. Cannot wait to tell you all about it with a full review but absolutely must drop into bed. Until I have time to share more, I will say this...
I think that my body was made for this exact workout. It must be, both were designed by Tracy.
Miss Anderson... I salute you.
For those of you coming up behind me on either Metamorphosis or Continuity, you will not be disappointed.
xo
S.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
D162 - C2 - L2 - Special Treat! PHOTO!!!!
Hey hey my Tamily.
How's everybody doing? Seems we've all had a few aches and pains recently. Just want to say off the top, try to take a moment to warm up before you hit the mat, even if it's just a few joint rotations and be sure to stretch out afterward. Do a bit of yoga or follow the stretches in Tracy's book. In fact that might be a good idea for a later post - to suggest some stretches, so if you have faves, drop in a comment or shoot me an email and we'll put something together.
Also, if you feel sore, why not treat yourself to a massage? Go for acupuncture. Take care of whatever is ailing you before it becomes chronic.
Okay, that's enough of a lecture for today. On to the good stuff!! I am soooooo excited to share this with you. I know that today was going to be a preview of Level 2 Continuity but who wants to read about that when they can be inspired by someone's FABULOUS success on the method.
The lovely and beautiful JAH, who has become such a warm and wonderful presence here on the blog was brave enough to send out a photo of her amazing results. When I asked if I could share them with you all, she had some reservations, but then was generous enough to say yes.
She has been working super hard and has been so dedicated to the program and has watched over the past few months as all of Tracy's promises have come true, now she is at her teeniest tiniest point ever and feeling strong and sexy. You go girl! Thanks for the support and inspiration.
Okay, look at those arms? Envious anyone? I know I am. I mean check out the definition in her forearms! And her tiny little waist is so awesome.
I don't know what her routine was before she found Tracy, but I can tell you that since she's started Metamorphosis she's watched her jeans get bigger, felt her body grow stronger, she's become a dancer, she's dedicated a whole room to her new TAM practice and she's turned herself into a morning person. I mean the girl gets up at 5 and 6 am to workout, how's that for commitment?
Jackie, you're a true hero my Meta sistah, keep up the good work!
Hugs,
Shan
How's everybody doing? Seems we've all had a few aches and pains recently. Just want to say off the top, try to take a moment to warm up before you hit the mat, even if it's just a few joint rotations and be sure to stretch out afterward. Do a bit of yoga or follow the stretches in Tracy's book. In fact that might be a good idea for a later post - to suggest some stretches, so if you have faves, drop in a comment or shoot me an email and we'll put something together.
Also, if you feel sore, why not treat yourself to a massage? Go for acupuncture. Take care of whatever is ailing you before it becomes chronic.
Okay, that's enough of a lecture for today. On to the good stuff!! I am soooooo excited to share this with you. I know that today was going to be a preview of Level 2 Continuity but who wants to read about that when they can be inspired by someone's FABULOUS success on the method.
The lovely and beautiful JAH, who has become such a warm and wonderful presence here on the blog was brave enough to send out a photo of her amazing results. When I asked if I could share them with you all, she had some reservations, but then was generous enough to say yes.
She has been working super hard and has been so dedicated to the program and has watched over the past few months as all of Tracy's promises have come true, now she is at her teeniest tiniest point ever and feeling strong and sexy. You go girl! Thanks for the support and inspiration.
I don't know what her routine was before she found Tracy, but I can tell you that since she's started Metamorphosis she's watched her jeans get bigger, felt her body grow stronger, she's become a dancer, she's dedicated a whole room to her new TAM practice and she's turned herself into a morning person. I mean the girl gets up at 5 and 6 am to workout, how's that for commitment?
Jackie, you're a true hero my Meta sistah, keep up the good work!
Hugs,
Shan
Monday, November 28, 2011
D161 - C2 - L1 - Last Day!!
My apologies for the brief absence, am adjusting to my new life and still haven't quite found my groove yet. And here's the thing, I am in the weeds with all of the reading, writing, and research that must be done prior to my internship and now working full time - the next couple of weeks are going to be nuts.
This means that if I want to keep up with my workouts (to which I am fully committed) I'll likely be away more than I am here, so I hope you'll be patient with me and support each other as you've been doing. Reading all of your comments has made me even more grateful for this community. You are my touchstone of strength and motivation. So again, thanks for that.
Today is my last day on level 1. It's taken 13 days to get through it, a couple of days longer than normal, but I believe it's better to get to the top late than to never arrive at all, agreed? But it hasn't been without it's challenges.
I gotta say that level 1 has really kicked my butt and I mean that in the most literal sense. In this level there are several hip rotations that are used to activate the Cinderella muscles in your bum, but if not stretched properly, these little babies can wreak havoc. Lemme 'splain. Check it out.
All those little muscles lie beneath your bigger glute muscles and are responsible for rotating your hip. But if they get tight (which they will when you work them the way we do in the Method) they can press down on your sciatic nerve, which simply put is the big nerve that runs through the hip and down the back of your leg. If that nerve gets compressed, it creates a real pain in the ass! And guess what? Being squeezed for time, I haven't been stretching out as thoroughly as I should have been and now my bum hurts. Bummer.
Don't let it happen to you. The best way to make sure you're getting to these little pretties is to perform the following stretch.
And you can also do this sitting in a chair.
You can take this as a warning or as a gentle reminder to make sure that you're not only working out, but that you're working out the kinks so that you can prevent injury.
Now stay tuned. Tomorrow I'll be tackling level 2 in which Tracy warns us that we are really going to be targeting our trouble zones. Yikes! (the writer bites her nails nervously) And I plan to share all the gory details with you.
Big hugs,
Shan
Ooooh and PS,
Little Miss JAH has sent in a photo of her bad self and I must tell you that she is looking smoking hot and buff! Wowza. I have asked for permission to show the photo to y'all because I think you'll be super inspired. Let's see what she has to say... Again stay tuned eeeeeeeeeeee!!
This means that if I want to keep up with my workouts (to which I am fully committed) I'll likely be away more than I am here, so I hope you'll be patient with me and support each other as you've been doing. Reading all of your comments has made me even more grateful for this community. You are my touchstone of strength and motivation. So again, thanks for that.
Today is my last day on level 1. It's taken 13 days to get through it, a couple of days longer than normal, but I believe it's better to get to the top late than to never arrive at all, agreed? But it hasn't been without it's challenges.
I gotta say that level 1 has really kicked my butt and I mean that in the most literal sense. In this level there are several hip rotations that are used to activate the Cinderella muscles in your bum, but if not stretched properly, these little babies can wreak havoc. Lemme 'splain. Check it out.
Don't let it happen to you. The best way to make sure you're getting to these little pretties is to perform the following stretch.
Now stay tuned. Tomorrow I'll be tackling level 2 in which Tracy warns us that we are really going to be targeting our trouble zones. Yikes! (the writer bites her nails nervously) And I plan to share all the gory details with you.
Big hugs,
Shan
Ooooh and PS,
Little Miss JAH has sent in a photo of her bad self and I must tell you that she is looking smoking hot and buff! Wowza. I have asked for permission to show the photo to y'all because I think you'll be super inspired. Let's see what she has to say... Again stay tuned eeeeeeeeeeee!!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Chi Meegwetch! D157-C2-L1
Chi Meegwetch! It means thanks very much. (It's Ojiway, since we don't have a common word for Thanks in Cree, at least not that I know of, so we use that.) I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Even though it's only Thanksgiving in America, it doesn't mean that those of us outside of the U.S. can't take a moment to share our gratitude and that's exactly what I want to do with you today.
I am incredibly grateful for each and every one of you. I didn't start this blog to change the world, or save some much deserving animal from extinction (although if anybody dabbled with eating a vegetarian meal because of it, I consider that success), I didn't start it to bring attention to a terrible tragedy in a far away place. I wish I were that big.
Truth is, I am a really simple girl. I was struggling with myself. How I fed myself and took care of me and the ways in which I saw myself. I needed to change and wanted to be accountable to that change. Blogging became my tool to do that.
So first and foremost I am hugely indebted to and thankful for Tracy Anderson. She's an amazing woman with so much heart and spirit. Her spirit transcends the television screen and jumps right off the pages of her book and touches the heart of every single person who trusts her enough to let her transform them.
Because of Tracy, this blog had a purpose, and one by one, you all showed up and you continue to show up, not just here, but to your own mats and dance floors and kitchens in towns and cities in countries around the world and our community keeps growing. You have all touched me in ways words can never fully express. But they are tangible ways that have changed my life one little habit at a time.
Just yesterday, I was exhausted and achy, still lying in bed thinking up excuses for skipping my workout. Then I remembered Trish's comment about how level one of Continuity 2 was kicking her ass too, but she thought about how after day three, things get easier so she pushed through. So I got up and I pushed through too.
Do you really have any idea how much I am touched by your daily comments? How knowing that you're doing this too gets me through? Well I am telling you now. Thank you for making a difference in my life every single day. Chi Meegwetch!
And if that's not enough, I awoke today to a link from Tracy's blog with her message to all of us. I was so inspired. It's why I love her, why we love her. So thought I'd share her message with you here. Enjoy.
Exciting isn't it? I wonder what the "after holiday meal plan and exercise boost" will be? Guess we'll have to stay tuned. Happy Thanksgiving, no matter where you are.
Warmly,
Shan
I am incredibly grateful for each and every one of you. I didn't start this blog to change the world, or save some much deserving animal from extinction (although if anybody dabbled with eating a vegetarian meal because of it, I consider that success), I didn't start it to bring attention to a terrible tragedy in a far away place. I wish I were that big.
Truth is, I am a really simple girl. I was struggling with myself. How I fed myself and took care of me and the ways in which I saw myself. I needed to change and wanted to be accountable to that change. Blogging became my tool to do that.
So first and foremost I am hugely indebted to and thankful for Tracy Anderson. She's an amazing woman with so much heart and spirit. Her spirit transcends the television screen and jumps right off the pages of her book and touches the heart of every single person who trusts her enough to let her transform them.
Because of Tracy, this blog had a purpose, and one by one, you all showed up and you continue to show up, not just here, but to your own mats and dance floors and kitchens in towns and cities in countries around the world and our community keeps growing. You have all touched me in ways words can never fully express. But they are tangible ways that have changed my life one little habit at a time.
Just yesterday, I was exhausted and achy, still lying in bed thinking up excuses for skipping my workout. Then I remembered Trish's comment about how level one of Continuity 2 was kicking her ass too, but she thought about how after day three, things get easier so she pushed through. So I got up and I pushed through too.
Do you really have any idea how much I am touched by your daily comments? How knowing that you're doing this too gets me through? Well I am telling you now. Thank you for making a difference in my life every single day. Chi Meegwetch!
And if that's not enough, I awoke today to a link from Tracy's blog with her message to all of us. I was so inspired. It's why I love her, why we love her. So thought I'd share her message with you here. Enjoy.
Exciting isn't it? I wonder what the "after holiday meal plan and exercise boost" will be? Guess we'll have to stay tuned. Happy Thanksgiving, no matter where you are.
Warmly,
Shan
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
D156 - C2 - L1
It's been a really interesting and challenging week thus far and it's only Wednesday. (Short week for my lovely American readers - lucky ducks!) Here in the "Polite State", as I like to refer to Canada, we're pushing through to Friday and beyond, for us and the rest of the world, it's business as usual.
If you are gearing up for a long weekend celebration, AKA, Thanksgiving, I have a couple of Tracy/Bethanny tips for you. We've talked about all this before, but it bears repeating.
A day or two before and in the days immediately following the family gathering or big dinner with friends, try to be mindful of what you're eating. Keep it light. Perhaps a day or two on the Nutrient Boost wouldn't be a bad idea and remember to get your cardio in. (bleck, I know, but for those of us that don't love it, it is a necessary evil) Just because it's a holiday, doesn't mean you should take a day off from your workout, unless it is your regular day off. You wouldn't skip taking a shower or brushing your teeth because it's Thanksgiving now would you? Didn't think so, so hit the mat.
When it comes time to sit down at that beautifully prepared table laden with all your absolute most faves, don't be shy. Nothing should be off limits to you on this day or at this table. Taste everything. Taste it. That doesn't mean that you need a huge serving of everything which would lead to a heaping plate.
It's tempting to pile it on there, but don't be fooled. You'll feel awful afterward. Think of it this way, it might look beautiful on the plate, but will it look as good on your thighs or waistline later? Nosirree. Plus you've all just been working too darn hard to sabotage yourself now.
However, you don't want to deprive yourself either because that can only lead down one road, the road to Binge-ville! Someone (maybe you) worked really hard to prepare this beautiful feast so you don't want to insult the cook or get your family worried that you're starving yourself with a plate that looks like this either. The key here is balance.
This is a time to celebrate and be with the ones you love and food plays a big part in that. So go ahead and try a little bit of each thing, you don't have to have it all and lick the plate clean afterward. Go for moderation. It can be difficult, but if you say yes to everything and remind yourself that you can have anything you want at any time, you might not feel like you have to gorge yourself and undo the button on your trousers at the dinner table.
Why not aim for something that looks a little more like this.
It takes practice to get good at making wise choices. There are a world of reasons why we don't always make the best ones, so if you happen to slip a little over the holiday, don't beat yourself up. Instead, remember Jillian Michaels' analogy, living a balanced healthy life is like being on the road. If you get a flat tire (ie over-eat during the holidays) simply change the tire and get back on the road. You wouldn't get out of the car and slash the other three tires so why use a little slip up as an excuse to binge?
Just don't do it, it ain't an option this year, people!
xo
Shan
If you are gearing up for a long weekend celebration, AKA, Thanksgiving, I have a couple of Tracy/Bethanny tips for you. We've talked about all this before, but it bears repeating.
A day or two before and in the days immediately following the family gathering or big dinner with friends, try to be mindful of what you're eating. Keep it light. Perhaps a day or two on the Nutrient Boost wouldn't be a bad idea and remember to get your cardio in. (bleck, I know, but for those of us that don't love it, it is a necessary evil) Just because it's a holiday, doesn't mean you should take a day off from your workout, unless it is your regular day off. You wouldn't skip taking a shower or brushing your teeth because it's Thanksgiving now would you? Didn't think so, so hit the mat.
When it comes time to sit down at that beautifully prepared table laden with all your absolute most faves, don't be shy. Nothing should be off limits to you on this day or at this table. Taste everything. Taste it. That doesn't mean that you need a huge serving of everything which would lead to a heaping plate.
However, you don't want to deprive yourself either because that can only lead down one road, the road to Binge-ville! Someone (maybe you) worked really hard to prepare this beautiful feast so you don't want to insult the cook or get your family worried that you're starving yourself with a plate that looks like this either. The key here is balance.
Why not aim for something that looks a little more like this.
Just don't do it, it ain't an option this year, people!
xo
Shan
Monday, November 21, 2011
D154 - C2 - L1
Super quickie today as it's not entirely a love day. Actually as I got up and got into my workout this morning - half-way through I had that dreaded question running through my monkey mind...
Why are you doing this? Lordissa it's so hard, what's it all for?
Then I started thinking about other workouts. Running, spinning, swimming etc. I wondered why I couldn't just find some old routine that I liked and more importantly - is easy - and stick to that and do it mindlessly every day.
Probably because THAT DOESN'T WORK! Helloooo - the Method can be fun but that doesn't mean that it always is. It's a real work out. WORK out. It's work. I managed to drag my bottom through to the end and felt better for having done it.
Am off to start my first day of work now. I think perhaps I have a case of the new girl blues, so am just feeling all around miserable and about five years old. I've got that "I don't wanna!" attitude. But I will prevail. The only way out of winter is through it.
Hope y'all are having a better Monday than me.
xo
Shan
Why are you doing this? Lordissa it's so hard, what's it all for?
Then I started thinking about other workouts. Running, spinning, swimming etc. I wondered why I couldn't just find some old routine that I liked and more importantly - is easy - and stick to that and do it mindlessly every day.
Probably because THAT DOESN'T WORK! Helloooo - the Method can be fun but that doesn't mean that it always is. It's a real work out. WORK out. It's work. I managed to drag my bottom through to the end and felt better for having done it.
Am off to start my first day of work now. I think perhaps I have a case of the new girl blues, so am just feeling all around miserable and about five years old. I've got that "I don't wanna!" attitude. But I will prevail. The only way out of winter is through it.
Hope y'all are having a better Monday than me.
xo
Shan
Friday, November 18, 2011
Bonus Round!! Ding ding.
Hey my Tamily -
Just wanted to throw a few more bits of inspiration out into the Tamosphere. The Body Type Calculator has been officially launched. Go ahead.. click the link and take the test. See if you were right all along or if you have to navigate toward a new centric. Guess what? I'm Abcentric. Knew it.
Oooh, oooh, but that's not all. That's not all there's more. This made me so excited (thanks AGAIN Janice!!) to keep working out and to push harder and have more fun so that when this all comes around I'll be ready. Check it out. Fun fun fun.
It's a new Tracy Meta Video Teaser but it's not on YouTube so I had to Link it rather than showing it directly, but it's ultra-fab so take a sec to check it out.
Big hugs,
Shan
Just wanted to throw a few more bits of inspiration out into the Tamosphere. The Body Type Calculator has been officially launched. Go ahead.. click the link and take the test. See if you were right all along or if you have to navigate toward a new centric. Guess what? I'm Abcentric. Knew it.
Oooh, oooh, but that's not all. That's not all there's more. This made me so excited (thanks AGAIN Janice!!) to keep working out and to push harder and have more fun so that when this all comes around I'll be ready. Check it out. Fun fun fun.
It's a new Tracy Meta Video Teaser but it's not on YouTube so I had to Link it rather than showing it directly, but it's ultra-fab so take a sec to check it out.
Big hugs,
Shan
D151 - C2 - L1
So C stands for Continuity if you're new. C2 means that it's the next 3 month segment. And I got my days mixed up, I actually started level one on day 149 not 148 as previously posted - but whatevah! Good, now we're all caught up.
When we get into the Tracy Anderson Method and we've been at it for a while, it's easy to take for granted that we know what we're doing or we get what she's going after or even what Tracy is all about. But there's always more to learn. Sometimes, when I need a little extra boost or want a refresher, I'll go back to her book or re-watch her intro video or any number of other web-clips that are on offer. And somehow, I'm always able to glean some new info or get a reminder of something I'd forgotten to bring to my workout.
I try to bring those reminders with me to the page and share them with you for motivation and that often spurs you to share your tips and tricks with me. I love you guys for that. I also really appreciate the little kicks in the pants you give me when I get lazy and totally slack off - like not doing my cardio (Jah). Thanks for looking out for me. So that's what today's about.
As you know, I have just this week started the second level of Continuity and it is 'old school' tough. We're back to all fours, serious balance moves and hand weights. There is a lot going on with each and every move Tracy has us perform. (little reminder right there to perform those moves) With that much happening, it can be all we're able to do to keep up, never mind doing the moves with precision or control, but without those things we're maybe not getting as much out of the workout as we could be.
So when I came across a TA video recently, I really wanted you all to see it too. My girl Janice often has her pulse on all things Tracy and being that she is a Facebook girl and a computer wiz-kid she often sends me things I miss or don't have access to. Thanks J! She sent me a link to a video that led me to another video that I'd never seen before. It came out even before Tracy's book, she'd just submitted her manuscript at the time. But for me, two things were really significant about this video - the first is that Tracy talks about the sequencing of the moves and how important it is and why. She often mentions sequencing when people ask about what you should do first, but her explanation here is terrific.
The second thing I absolutely loved about the video was the host. You see when Tracy does her workout, it appears absolutely effortless. Then I follow along and am often dying, cursing and cussing her out and I want to quit (the arm workout on her Mat DVD anyone? OMG it's hard) I've said this recently, that if I had to workout with Tracy live and in person, she'd make me cry. After watching this video I now know for sure that it's true. Check out the host of the video - she gets going and does really well keeping up with the master - but it becomes increasingly difficult and by the time she's getting into legs, (we're talking after five minutes here people), she's crying uncle. I laughed, related and I loved her for it.
Enjoy and take heart next time Tracy kicks your butt during a workout - it happens to the best of us.
And be sure to watch out for Tracy's super cute shoes. She does everything she does and she does it in heels. How's that for super-heroic?
Have a great weekend everybody.
Shan
When we get into the Tracy Anderson Method and we've been at it for a while, it's easy to take for granted that we know what we're doing or we get what she's going after or even what Tracy is all about. But there's always more to learn. Sometimes, when I need a little extra boost or want a refresher, I'll go back to her book or re-watch her intro video or any number of other web-clips that are on offer. And somehow, I'm always able to glean some new info or get a reminder of something I'd forgotten to bring to my workout.
I try to bring those reminders with me to the page and share them with you for motivation and that often spurs you to share your tips and tricks with me. I love you guys for that. I also really appreciate the little kicks in the pants you give me when I get lazy and totally slack off - like not doing my cardio (Jah). Thanks for looking out for me. So that's what today's about.
As you know, I have just this week started the second level of Continuity and it is 'old school' tough. We're back to all fours, serious balance moves and hand weights. There is a lot going on with each and every move Tracy has us perform. (little reminder right there to perform those moves) With that much happening, it can be all we're able to do to keep up, never mind doing the moves with precision or control, but without those things we're maybe not getting as much out of the workout as we could be.
So when I came across a TA video recently, I really wanted you all to see it too. My girl Janice often has her pulse on all things Tracy and being that she is a Facebook girl and a computer wiz-kid she often sends me things I miss or don't have access to. Thanks J! She sent me a link to a video that led me to another video that I'd never seen before. It came out even before Tracy's book, she'd just submitted her manuscript at the time. But for me, two things were really significant about this video - the first is that Tracy talks about the sequencing of the moves and how important it is and why. She often mentions sequencing when people ask about what you should do first, but her explanation here is terrific.
The second thing I absolutely loved about the video was the host. You see when Tracy does her workout, it appears absolutely effortless. Then I follow along and am often dying, cursing and cussing her out and I want to quit (the arm workout on her Mat DVD anyone? OMG it's hard) I've said this recently, that if I had to workout with Tracy live and in person, she'd make me cry. After watching this video I now know for sure that it's true. Check out the host of the video - she gets going and does really well keeping up with the master - but it becomes increasingly difficult and by the time she's getting into legs, (we're talking after five minutes here people), she's crying uncle. I laughed, related and I loved her for it.
Enjoy and take heart next time Tracy kicks your butt during a workout - it happens to the best of us.
And be sure to watch out for Tracy's super cute shoes. She does everything she does and she does it in heels. How's that for super-heroic?
Have a great weekend everybody.
Shan
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
D148 - Continuity II Begins! Eeeeeeee.
Hey everybody -
Yesterday, the totally cool and awesome Jules shared a comment that included some thoughts by trainer Jillian Michaels. Jillian cracks me up. Her frank and in-your-face comments often put things squarely in perspective and yesterday's musings were no exception.
You know how sometimes over the holidays we have this idea that we're gonna be perfect, or at least have a plan and be really really good? And then we go to that first party or some damned fool brings cup cakes into the staff room at work and we seem powerless to resist, then all of a sudden we're back-sliding into a full-blown binge? Or is that just me? Anyhoo... Jillian put's that scenario like this.
'If you slip, don't beat yourself up.' (No being a hateful meanie to yourself, it's a shamndment) 'If you're driving down the road and you get a flat tire, do you change the tire so you can get back on the road or do you get out and slash the other three tires? Obviously you change the tire!' It's not rocket science people. Omigod, it was so brilliantly obvious, why do we slash our figurative tires over the holidays? It's crazy and we're not going to do that this season, are we? No - we are not!
We're going to continue to love and appreciate ourselves, to nourish ourselves, and keep working hard using the Method or the gym or running or cycling or whatever it is we like to do to keep fit and healthy. This season really is going to be different because we have the tools and we have each other for support along the way in case we forget how to use said tools. (for the rest of Jillian's advice, see the comments from yesterday)
Now let's get on with it, shall we? This next three months, the next 90 or 105 or 145 days with this section of Continuity, Continuity II for clarity, is going to absolutely kill me. I'm not kidding. Lemme tell you something, the Badass is back in town! There is a reason Miss Tracy has been called the Muffin Top Slayer, Spare Tire Slasher, Booty Kicker, Master T, the Baddass Fitness Guru - is it because she's mean? I'm inclined to say yes because I have just finished level 1 of Continuity II but that's not the reason, the reason is because the woman is good at her job. She does slay the muffin top, and trim and tuck and annihilate any excess you may have hanging around in the truck. She absolutely reshapes your body, but it's not pain free. Is anything? Why is life so unfair? Okay, I'll stop moaning.
A few people maybe noticed that the first installment of Continuity wasn't quite as tough as previous workouts, myself included, but I wasn't complaining, slacker, remember? I liked my 20 reps. Well all that's just come to a grinding halt. The free ride, so to speak, is officially over.
If it's not already glaringly obvious, I am a fan of Tracy and her Method. But what is even more evident is that I am a wimp. While some of you may dream of working out with Tracy... I'd prefer to chat with her from the safety of the inside of a very crowed Starbucks where there would be absolutely no opportunity for her to drag my sorry ass onto a mat and work me out. A couple of days ago, the lovely and hilarious JAH said that she likes working out with the DVD's because you get a personal trainer who doesn't talk back. Personally I think Tracy developed her DVD's because she doesn't want clients who talk back, namely people like me. (Seriously, such a wimp that my Dentist says that I'm the reason that Dentists to have such a high suicide rate) If I had to spend an hour with Tracy, she'd totally make me cry I know it.
I wanted to cry this morning on the mat and I could stop when I needed to. It was brutal, she wiped the floor with me. It was like Metamorphosis, people! Hard! Check it out. For those of you just getting into Meta, you'll really relate, those of you into Continuity, might think back and have a laugh. You know how around level three or four, it was like suddenly, Trace was on speed? Yeah, that's pretty much nothing compared to Continuity II. Let me put it another way. Have you ever seen a hummingbird's wings? You know they're there. You can hear them fluttering, but really they are just a blur? That's your arm section for level 1, have fun. Ha, you think I'm joking. Just you wait.
Then she adds weights. Now we haven't had weights for quite a few levels. So you might be inclined to think she'd ease us back in. NOPE! The weights are doubled up straight away and she's got us using hand weights through the entire leg series, but don't let me jump ahead. The standing abs are back and they rock. I could feel it in my tummy, sides, back, the tops of my hips, my spine - it was great (if great means it hurt like a mother!) And there are some reallycool - killer abs in the floor work. I had no idea that I had more angles that needed a beating but clearly Tracy's not done with us.
If we're playing the glad game, I want to tell you how glad I am that there are only six different leg moves on this level. If I'm being honest, I want to tell you that she's upped the reps to 30 and every single one is a combo balancing move - talk about flailing around. Good Lord it was a gong show. Twist it in, twist it out, kick it up not once but twice, now raise that weight that you've been balancing on waaaaaaay up over your head and stretch - good! That's 1 only 29 more to go.... good times. If you're a masochist. The good news? Only nine more days to go followed by 8 more levels of ten more days, followed by another three months of the same.
Remind me why we're all doing this? Bon bon anyone? How about a good book by a cozy fire, and... well... more bon bons?
Want to know why we're doing it? I'll tell you why? When we sit around eating bon bons all day doing nothing, then try to pour ourselves into those painted on jeans and then ask our significant others if those jeans make our butts look fat? I'm here to tell you that it isn't the jeans that make us look fat, it's our fat that makes us look fat! Ready to get on the mat now? Get to it! The holidays are coming.
Cheers.
Shan
Yesterday, the totally cool and awesome Jules shared a comment that included some thoughts by trainer Jillian Michaels. Jillian cracks me up. Her frank and in-your-face comments often put things squarely in perspective and yesterday's musings were no exception.
You know how sometimes over the holidays we have this idea that we're gonna be perfect, or at least have a plan and be really really good? And then we go to that first party or some damned fool brings cup cakes into the staff room at work and we seem powerless to resist, then all of a sudden we're back-sliding into a full-blown binge? Or is that just me? Anyhoo... Jillian put's that scenario like this.
'If you slip, don't beat yourself up.' (No being a hateful meanie to yourself, it's a shamndment) 'If you're driving down the road and you get a flat tire, do you change the tire so you can get back on the road or do you get out and slash the other three tires? Obviously you change the tire!' It's not rocket science people. Omigod, it was so brilliantly obvious, why do we slash our figurative tires over the holidays? It's crazy and we're not going to do that this season, are we? No - we are not!
We're going to continue to love and appreciate ourselves, to nourish ourselves, and keep working hard using the Method or the gym or running or cycling or whatever it is we like to do to keep fit and healthy. This season really is going to be different because we have the tools and we have each other for support along the way in case we forget how to use said tools. (for the rest of Jillian's advice, see the comments from yesterday)
Now let's get on with it, shall we? This next three months, the next 90 or 105 or 145 days with this section of Continuity, Continuity II for clarity, is going to absolutely kill me. I'm not kidding. Lemme tell you something, the Badass is back in town! There is a reason Miss Tracy has been called the Muffin Top Slayer, Spare Tire Slasher, Booty Kicker, Master T, the Baddass Fitness Guru - is it because she's mean? I'm inclined to say yes because I have just finished level 1 of Continuity II but that's not the reason, the reason is because the woman is good at her job. She does slay the muffin top, and trim and tuck and annihilate any excess you may have hanging around in the truck. She absolutely reshapes your body, but it's not pain free. Is anything? Why is life so unfair? Okay, I'll stop moaning.
A few people maybe noticed that the first installment of Continuity wasn't quite as tough as previous workouts, myself included, but I wasn't complaining, slacker, remember? I liked my 20 reps. Well all that's just come to a grinding halt. The free ride, so to speak, is officially over.
If it's not already glaringly obvious, I am a fan of Tracy and her Method. But what is even more evident is that I am a wimp. While some of you may dream of working out with Tracy... I'd prefer to chat with her from the safety of the inside of a very crowed Starbucks where there would be absolutely no opportunity for her to drag my sorry ass onto a mat and work me out. A couple of days ago, the lovely and hilarious JAH said that she likes working out with the DVD's because you get a personal trainer who doesn't talk back. Personally I think Tracy developed her DVD's because she doesn't want clients who talk back, namely people like me. (Seriously, such a wimp that my Dentist says that I'm the reason that Dentists to have such a high suicide rate) If I had to spend an hour with Tracy, she'd totally make me cry I know it.
I wanted to cry this morning on the mat and I could stop when I needed to. It was brutal, she wiped the floor with me. It was like Metamorphosis, people! Hard! Check it out. For those of you just getting into Meta, you'll really relate, those of you into Continuity, might think back and have a laugh. You know how around level three or four, it was like suddenly, Trace was on speed? Yeah, that's pretty much nothing compared to Continuity II. Let me put it another way. Have you ever seen a hummingbird's wings? You know they're there. You can hear them fluttering, but really they are just a blur? That's your arm section for level 1, have fun. Ha, you think I'm joking. Just you wait.
Then she adds weights. Now we haven't had weights for quite a few levels. So you might be inclined to think she'd ease us back in. NOPE! The weights are doubled up straight away and she's got us using hand weights through the entire leg series, but don't let me jump ahead. The standing abs are back and they rock. I could feel it in my tummy, sides, back, the tops of my hips, my spine - it was great (if great means it hurt like a mother!) And there are some really
If we're playing the glad game, I want to tell you how glad I am that there are only six different leg moves on this level. If I'm being honest, I want to tell you that she's upped the reps to 30 and every single one is a combo balancing move - talk about flailing around. Good Lord it was a gong show. Twist it in, twist it out, kick it up not once but twice, now raise that weight that you've been balancing on waaaaaaay up over your head and stretch - good! That's 1 only 29 more to go.... good times. If you're a masochist. The good news? Only nine more days to go followed by 8 more levels of ten more days, followed by another three months of the same.
Remind me why we're all doing this? Bon bon anyone? How about a good book by a cozy fire, and... well... more bon bons?
Want to know why we're doing it? I'll tell you why? When we sit around eating bon bons all day doing nothing, then try to pour ourselves into those painted on jeans and then ask our significant others if those jeans make our butts look fat? I'm here to tell you that it isn't the jeans that make us look fat, it's our fat that makes us look fat! Ready to get on the mat now? Get to it! The holidays are coming.
Cheers.
Shan
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
D148 - Last Day Continuity I - Nutrient Boost?? Que?
Hola! How's it going out there in TAM-Land?
Hafta say that I just love love love Tuesdays, especially this Tuesday. What's so special about today? you ask? I've just completed Level 9 of Continuity I, so essentially I've graduated from another segment of the amazing Tracy Anderson Method. Pretty exciting. I'm no longer a freshman. I'll be honest, it was even more of a challenge than completing Metamorphosis because it was a little less structured. The novelty of the system had worn off too and there was no diet to keep me in check. I had a few stops and starts and all in all it took 43 days longer for me to finish these 9 workouts than the 9 on Meta - yikes that's 6 weeks longer. But listen, those 148 would have passed whether I finished Continuity or not, so better to have done some than done none, right?
Which brings me to the other reason that I love Tuesdays. I like starting stuff on a Tuesday because it totally relieves all that Monday pressure. You don't have to hate Monday or feel like you failed in your diet or whatever other endeavor you're undertaking if you missed Monday when you know you're starting on Tuesday. Besides, it isn't assigned for anything else. It's not hump day, that's reserved for Wednesday, it's not a weekend day, those are Saturday and Sunday, and you simply can't start something new on Thursday because it's a day reserved for finishing old tasks before you wrap up the week on Friday - so Tuesday's perfect.
Are you wondering what I'm starting or did the subject of this post give it away? If you guessed that I'm tackling a Nutrient Boost week, you'd be right! I didn't want the pressure of starting a whole new series of Continuity disks while having to manage the work that goes into prepping a nutrient boost week at the same time, so I've decided to stagger them. I also didn't want to start this new series with that 'same old, same old' attitude. I wanted that feeling of brand new to really be a part of these next 9 workouts.
Over the weekend, with a gentle nudge from my pal Sandy, I decided it was time to get clear and many of you seemed to agree with me that this could be a real turning point for us on the journey. Whether you are just starting out on TAM or deciding to recommit to the program, now seems to be the time to get busy.
Since I also have a whole lot of other stuff that I need to get clear on, now also felt like a good time to clear all the junk out of my system. In other words, I'm ready. A couple of months ago, I couldn't stand the idea of doing any kind of cleanse or diet or program. Didn't want to know about what I could or couldn't eat. I just wanted to more or less be left alone. However, left to my own devices, I over-indulged, I binged, I begged off the workouts and took second helpings of everything. Luckily the damage done wasn't that extensive - thanks to the work I'd put in earlier. (I'll know more tomorrow, as it's weigh in and measurement day - yes! I'm still doing that.)
So to officially welcome in a whole new set of workouts - ie. Continuity II, I want to start with a clean slate. And truth be told, I'm in the mood for some serious vegetables. Those of you just new to Meta, I invite you to hang out and muse with me over all the work a nutrient boost week takes, or to brag about how great you feel for being all light and stuff, or to commiserate because you hate parsnips or cannot tolerate that power juice concoction. This is a time for sharing and support as we move together into the holiday season. I want to be ready, to set myself a solid foundation so that when those holidays get here - I'll be ready.
Plus, I've finally gotten a job which starts next week. (yeah!!) It's not in my profession, but it will be a pay check. (small victories, remember?) In addition to that I've secured an television internship (another yeah!) so things are about to get real! I'll be going into over-drive and I want to know that I am grounded in this process. Hence - baby food week. I don't plan on doing a whole 7 days. I know from experience that I am usually good for four or five days before the gagging sets in - so 4 or 5 days it is, starting today, Tuesday!
Here's a really curious thing, and this might help you to determine if you're at that point where you're ready to tackle this too - I wondered how I was going to feel once I actually started prepping the food. There was a point at one stage a while back where just the thought of anything pureed was enough to turn my stomach. I knew I was absolutely on track when, as I began to peel the parsnips this morning and their strong aroma wafted up, I felt all tingly and excited. My senses ignited and I was actually craving these dishes. Even my sweet potato pudding was yummy. I felt nourished, not only in the preparation of all these recipes, but the actual act of eating them felt like I was giving myself a real gift. Totally whacked, right? I know! Tres mental.
I will quite possibly be singing a different tune in a few days, but evidently for today, I'm on the right track. Oooooh, and as an aside, back in the spring I couldn't find chestnuts anywhere so had to make the choco-chestnut pudding with almonds - guess what? Chestnuts are totally in season right now, so get out there and stock up!
Am off to preview level 1 of Continuity II, hopefully I'll have good things to report back after it kicks off tomorrow.
Many and continued thanks for the tremendous show of support from all of you. I hope that in some small way I can help to contribute to and share in your small victories too. After all, we are all in this together. Have you started making or updating your vision boards yet? Let's end this year on a high note. High and thin!
Love all 'a y'all!
Shan
Hafta say that I just love love love Tuesdays, especially this Tuesday. What's so special about today? you ask? I've just completed Level 9 of Continuity I, so essentially I've graduated from another segment of the amazing Tracy Anderson Method. Pretty exciting. I'm no longer a freshman. I'll be honest, it was even more of a challenge than completing Metamorphosis because it was a little less structured. The novelty of the system had worn off too and there was no diet to keep me in check. I had a few stops and starts and all in all it took 43 days longer for me to finish these 9 workouts than the 9 on Meta - yikes that's 6 weeks longer. But listen, those 148 would have passed whether I finished Continuity or not, so better to have done some than done none, right?
Which brings me to the other reason that I love Tuesdays. I like starting stuff on a Tuesday because it totally relieves all that Monday pressure. You don't have to hate Monday or feel like you failed in your diet or whatever other endeavor you're undertaking if you missed Monday when you know you're starting on Tuesday. Besides, it isn't assigned for anything else. It's not hump day, that's reserved for Wednesday, it's not a weekend day, those are Saturday and Sunday, and you simply can't start something new on Thursday because it's a day reserved for finishing old tasks before you wrap up the week on Friday - so Tuesday's perfect.
Are you wondering what I'm starting or did the subject of this post give it away? If you guessed that I'm tackling a Nutrient Boost week, you'd be right! I didn't want the pressure of starting a whole new series of Continuity disks while having to manage the work that goes into prepping a nutrient boost week at the same time, so I've decided to stagger them. I also didn't want to start this new series with that 'same old, same old' attitude. I wanted that feeling of brand new to really be a part of these next 9 workouts.
Over the weekend, with a gentle nudge from my pal Sandy, I decided it was time to get clear and many of you seemed to agree with me that this could be a real turning point for us on the journey. Whether you are just starting out on TAM or deciding to recommit to the program, now seems to be the time to get busy.
Since I also have a whole lot of other stuff that I need to get clear on, now also felt like a good time to clear all the junk out of my system. In other words, I'm ready. A couple of months ago, I couldn't stand the idea of doing any kind of cleanse or diet or program. Didn't want to know about what I could or couldn't eat. I just wanted to more or less be left alone. However, left to my own devices, I over-indulged, I binged, I begged off the workouts and took second helpings of everything. Luckily the damage done wasn't that extensive - thanks to the work I'd put in earlier. (I'll know more tomorrow, as it's weigh in and measurement day - yes! I'm still doing that.)
So to officially welcome in a whole new set of workouts - ie. Continuity II, I want to start with a clean slate. And truth be told, I'm in the mood for some serious vegetables. Those of you just new to Meta, I invite you to hang out and muse with me over all the work a nutrient boost week takes, or to brag about how great you feel for being all light and stuff, or to commiserate because you hate parsnips or cannot tolerate that power juice concoction. This is a time for sharing and support as we move together into the holiday season. I want to be ready, to set myself a solid foundation so that when those holidays get here - I'll be ready.
Plus, I've finally gotten a job which starts next week. (yeah!!) It's not in my profession, but it will be a pay check. (small victories, remember?) In addition to that I've secured an television internship (another yeah!) so things are about to get real! I'll be going into over-drive and I want to know that I am grounded in this process. Hence - baby food week. I don't plan on doing a whole 7 days. I know from experience that I am usually good for four or five days before the gagging sets in - so 4 or 5 days it is, starting today, Tuesday!
Here's a really curious thing, and this might help you to determine if you're at that point where you're ready to tackle this too - I wondered how I was going to feel once I actually started prepping the food. There was a point at one stage a while back where just the thought of anything pureed was enough to turn my stomach. I knew I was absolutely on track when, as I began to peel the parsnips this morning and their strong aroma wafted up, I felt all tingly and excited. My senses ignited and I was actually craving these dishes. Even my sweet potato pudding was yummy. I felt nourished, not only in the preparation of all these recipes, but the actual act of eating them felt like I was giving myself a real gift. Totally whacked, right? I know! Tres mental.
I will quite possibly be singing a different tune in a few days, but evidently for today, I'm on the right track. Oooooh, and as an aside, back in the spring I couldn't find chestnuts anywhere so had to make the choco-chestnut pudding with almonds - guess what? Chestnuts are totally in season right now, so get out there and stock up!
Am off to preview level 1 of Continuity II, hopefully I'll have good things to report back after it kicks off tomorrow.
Many and continued thanks for the tremendous show of support from all of you. I hope that in some small way I can help to contribute to and share in your small victories too. After all, we are all in this together. Have you started making or updating your vision boards yet? Let's end this year on a high note. High and thin!
Love all 'a y'all!
Shan
Saturday, November 12, 2011
D145 - L9 - C1 - 115 days to go!
Here are some interesting stats - or maybe they're only interesting to me and terribly boring to all of you, for that I apologize, but here they are nevertheless. As I've been keeping track of my days on the program I realized that it took me 105 days to get through Meta (I don't believe that includes the 8 or 9 days off that I took to recover from re-injuring my neck on level 8). In any case, I've been pursuing Continuity for 145 days and after today I've still got three more workouts to go on level 9 before the first segment of Continuity is complete. So quite a bit further behind.
But taking these numbers into account, it means that I have only 115 days left before reaching my year-long commitment. It really does go by. Time passes whether we pay attention to it or not. And during the past two months or so, I let time slip by while I half-assed my way through my workout and ate my feelings of stress and anxiety. But that's all coming to an end, right now, today. I am slowly but surely regaining control of my diet once again. (Thank God for small miracles.) And I am recommitted to the workout - even my version of the cardio which is about 20 minutes of DC no less than 3 times a week. I know I know, it isn't up to standard, but I am in no mood to set myself up for failure here - so I am doing what I feel is realistic for me and keeping accountable to that. Believe me, that's progress.
Now, recently, the lovely, the beautiful, the talented and effervescent Sandy Grason wrote me an email telling me to get clear. How the hell did she know that I was floundering around all muddy and mixed up? I totally thought that I was hiding it. I'm gonna go off course a little bit here, I can feel it so just bear with me, kay? Sandy's this woman who lifts your spirits, she makes you laugh, makes you feel good when you're feeling rotten and she totally gets it. She gets what it's like to want to be successful in your life, not only in the obvious big ways like family and career and fitness, but in all those other little everyday miracle kind of ways that make life worth living and she came along with this message that has kinda fired me up a little bit. It was the loving kick in the pants that I didn't even realize that I needed. Weird right? She told me to create my vision board.
Know what that is? This has been all over Oprah and other self-help shows and in books like The Secret and it's basically a tool for you to construct to aid in visualizing the dreams and goals that you have for yourself. The idea is to take images that represent those goals and pin them up to a board where you can see them on a regular basis and manifest them into your life. I've always had some form of this, for as long as I can remember - I'm a visual girl. It's the reason that I write for film and don't just write straight fiction - I think in images, like a poet.
A while back it became clear that I was sleepwalking through my life, so I took some baby steps to rectify that. I started working out more and paying attention to my health, I created this blog. I chose to move away from my sleepy beautiful little beach cottage and into the city so I'd be more motivated to go after work with a bit more vengeance. The funny thing is, that I deconstructed my vision board in the move and didn't rebuild it. Sandy encouraged me to get back to it, but she implied that it could be more fun, a bit wilder and more imaginative. While she didn't use those words, that's what I took away from it - so the process has begun. I've cut out some pictures of people doing the things I want to be doing and pasted my face over theirs. It is fun to imagine what it would be like to achieve these far-out goals and do these crazy things - but what of my real life? The life that is right in front of me now?
I wondered how I could affect the next 115 days to make them even more effective than the past 250? How crazy would it be if I could regain and even improve on the sleek middle I had at the end of Meta and do this almost effortlessly? If I can imagine it, it's possible so...
Something that I've not really done on this blog is show myself. Yes, there is that horrible before photo and there are after photos of body parts, but you can't really see me. Even in the about page, the photo I chose was blurry. So in a move to get grounded (get clear) and find my footing in my own life and in this goal to be fit, strong and healthy, I have to feel like I own it.
Why have I been hiding? A fear of failure? Some deep seated fear of success? Ooooh, fear of judgment. That's a good one. Yet, I've confessed some crazy stuff to you on this blog. Everything from binging on pizza and brownies during a pretox, to hating cardio to loving instant coffee and not giving it up during the Meta diet, to most recently admitting to feeling like a loser when I do my workout! That's alotta stuff.
There's a quote that says 'a life lived in fear is a life half-lived'. I've shared so much with you, why have I been holding back?
I think it's high time I turned the page. I am a strong capable woman, why shouldn't I share that with you? So here goes...
Hi Everybody. It's nice to meet you. You will notice that I've managed to cover up my Abcentricities, a little soft around the middle lately, remember? But I am officially working hard to rectify that. Who's with me?
(And as long as I'm coming out, YES, I really do workout in a pair of Hollisters every time I work out. They are my absolute faves. Not into lycra, I'm a true sweat-pants kinda chick. So there! Now you know everything.)
That was really quite terrifying, not even sure I want to hit publish post, but I'm gonna, Sandy. I'm getting clear baby. Thanks for the nudge.
But taking these numbers into account, it means that I have only 115 days left before reaching my year-long commitment. It really does go by. Time passes whether we pay attention to it or not. And during the past two months or so, I let time slip by while I half-assed my way through my workout and ate my feelings of stress and anxiety. But that's all coming to an end, right now, today. I am slowly but surely regaining control of my diet once again. (Thank God for small miracles.) And I am recommitted to the workout - even my version of the cardio which is about 20 minutes of DC no less than 3 times a week. I know I know, it isn't up to standard, but I am in no mood to set myself up for failure here - so I am doing what I feel is realistic for me and keeping accountable to that. Believe me, that's progress.
Now, recently, the lovely, the beautiful, the talented and effervescent Sandy Grason wrote me an email telling me to get clear. How the hell did she know that I was floundering around all muddy and mixed up? I totally thought that I was hiding it. I'm gonna go off course a little bit here, I can feel it so just bear with me, kay? Sandy's this woman who lifts your spirits, she makes you laugh, makes you feel good when you're feeling rotten and she totally gets it. She gets what it's like to want to be successful in your life, not only in the obvious big ways like family and career and fitness, but in all those other little everyday miracle kind of ways that make life worth living and she came along with this message that has kinda fired me up a little bit. It was the loving kick in the pants that I didn't even realize that I needed. Weird right? She told me to create my vision board.
Know what that is? This has been all over Oprah and other self-help shows and in books like The Secret and it's basically a tool for you to construct to aid in visualizing the dreams and goals that you have for yourself. The idea is to take images that represent those goals and pin them up to a board where you can see them on a regular basis and manifest them into your life. I've always had some form of this, for as long as I can remember - I'm a visual girl. It's the reason that I write for film and don't just write straight fiction - I think in images, like a poet.
A while back it became clear that I was sleepwalking through my life, so I took some baby steps to rectify that. I started working out more and paying attention to my health, I created this blog. I chose to move away from my sleepy beautiful little beach cottage and into the city so I'd be more motivated to go after work with a bit more vengeance. The funny thing is, that I deconstructed my vision board in the move and didn't rebuild it. Sandy encouraged me to get back to it, but she implied that it could be more fun, a bit wilder and more imaginative. While she didn't use those words, that's what I took away from it - so the process has begun. I've cut out some pictures of people doing the things I want to be doing and pasted my face over theirs. It is fun to imagine what it would be like to achieve these far-out goals and do these crazy things - but what of my real life? The life that is right in front of me now?
I wondered how I could affect the next 115 days to make them even more effective than the past 250? How crazy would it be if I could regain and even improve on the sleek middle I had at the end of Meta and do this almost effortlessly? If I can imagine it, it's possible so...
Something that I've not really done on this blog is show myself. Yes, there is that horrible before photo and there are after photos of body parts, but you can't really see me. Even in the about page, the photo I chose was blurry. So in a move to get grounded (get clear) and find my footing in my own life and in this goal to be fit, strong and healthy, I have to feel like I own it.
Why have I been hiding? A fear of failure? Some deep seated fear of success? Ooooh, fear of judgment. That's a good one. Yet, I've confessed some crazy stuff to you on this blog. Everything from binging on pizza and brownies during a pretox, to hating cardio to loving instant coffee and not giving it up during the Meta diet, to most recently admitting to feeling like a loser when I do my workout! That's alotta stuff.
There's a quote that says 'a life lived in fear is a life half-lived'. I've shared so much with you, why have I been holding back?
I think it's high time I turned the page. I am a strong capable woman, why shouldn't I share that with you? So here goes...
Hi Everybody. It's nice to meet you. You will notice that I've managed to cover up my Abcentricities, a little soft around the middle lately, remember? But I am officially working hard to rectify that. Who's with me?
(And as long as I'm coming out, YES, I really do workout in a pair of Hollisters every time I work out. They are my absolute faves. Not into lycra, I'm a true sweat-pants kinda chick. So there! Now you know everything.)
That was really quite terrifying, not even sure I want to hit publish post, but I'm gonna, Sandy. I'm getting clear baby. Thanks for the nudge.
Friday, November 11, 2011
D144 - L9 - Continuity I
Hey guys,
You'd really think I'd run out of things to write about the Tracy Anderson Method by now, wouldn't you? But nope. I got opinions, me.
If you take a gander to the right of the screen, you'll notice my list of shamandments, they are sort of a little thing I ripped off of Gretchen Rubin and her Happiness Project.
Shamandment #11 reads that the drapes must remain closed at all times while practicing the Method... to spare the neighbors. This is a rule that I follow even more strictly now since moving to the city where at any given time there are at least 2 people walking by on the side walk out front.
One of my very lovely readers, Morgan, made a striking comment yesterday that really got me thinking. She said that she doesn't really know why, but whenever she gets dressed in her workout gear and gets ready to go off and do her TAM workout, she feels like 'the world's biggest putz'. Her words, people, not mine. But I found myself hardily nodding along with her, thinking I know what you mean, sister!
What the hell?
I discovered Tracy's Mat DVD nearly 20 months ago, that's almost 2 years now. I knew as soon as I did it that it was something different, something special, something that could, maybe not take the place of, but certainly supplement my beloved yoga practice since I'd injured my neck. Since then, I've added Tracy's pregnancy DVD, all three of the Perfect Design Series DVD's, The 30 Day Method, Abcentric Metamorphosis and Continuity to my repertoire and have been seriously committed to doing this practice between 4 and 7 days a week for over nine months - like the time it takes to conceive and grow an entire baby! Sometimes twins even! That's a long damned time, no?
So why oh why, when I have found something that I love so much and that has radically improved my health and my life, would I too feel like the world's biggest putz - or a gianormous weirdo when I do it? I keep my drapes closed for sure, without exception, but is it really to spare the neighbors?
Bang the gong of humiliation! It's not. It's because I don't want anyone to see me.
Lately I've been extra diligent at doing my workout first thing in the morning, the moment 'he who shall not be named' steps out to go to work. Why? Yes, because doing my workout first thing is another one of the shamanments, but that's not the only reason. I do it because my building is currently under renovation and there are workmen crawling all over the place after 9am and I don't want them to 'catch' me doing the Method. Is that totally weird?
I commented back to Morgan that I could do yoga all day and all night in front of God and everyone and never give it a second thought. In fact, I have done yoga in public spaces (in an airport, at the beach, in a park) and the more people that surrounded me, the deeper I would go into my practice and somehow be able to shut them all out. So why do I feel like a complete freak doing the method? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
When Morgan made her comment, I was like Omigod, thank you Lordissa, I am not alone. Does anyone else feel like a tool too? Like what's the big deal? Who cares who sees us? And yet I do, I totally do. Part of it might be that I feel like a geek working out with my little video on TV, but why? Where does that come from? I know a girl who absolutely will not workout with a video. Does not matter what the content is. She flatly refuses because of the fact that she feels strange working out in front of a TV. But for me, I'm not entirely convinced that that is the reason. I feel uncomfortable working out in a gym, doing anything at all - lifting weights, running, cycling whatever - can't do it. Don't like people watching. It's bizarre and now that I know that there is one other person out there who feels the same, I absolutely must know why!!
Somebody 'splain me, please.
xo
Shan
You'd really think I'd run out of things to write about the Tracy Anderson Method by now, wouldn't you? But nope. I got opinions, me.
If you take a gander to the right of the screen, you'll notice my list of shamandments, they are sort of a little thing I ripped off of Gretchen Rubin and her Happiness Project.
Shamandment #11 reads that the drapes must remain closed at all times while practicing the Method... to spare the neighbors. This is a rule that I follow even more strictly now since moving to the city where at any given time there are at least 2 people walking by on the side walk out front.
One of my very lovely readers, Morgan, made a striking comment yesterday that really got me thinking. She said that she doesn't really know why, but whenever she gets dressed in her workout gear and gets ready to go off and do her TAM workout, she feels like 'the world's biggest putz'. Her words, people, not mine. But I found myself hardily nodding along with her, thinking I know what you mean, sister!
What the hell?
I discovered Tracy's Mat DVD nearly 20 months ago, that's almost 2 years now. I knew as soon as I did it that it was something different, something special, something that could, maybe not take the place of, but certainly supplement my beloved yoga practice since I'd injured my neck. Since then, I've added Tracy's pregnancy DVD, all three of the Perfect Design Series DVD's, The 30 Day Method, Abcentric Metamorphosis and Continuity to my repertoire and have been seriously committed to doing this practice between 4 and 7 days a week for over nine months - like the time it takes to conceive and grow an entire baby! Sometimes twins even! That's a long damned time, no?
So why oh why, when I have found something that I love so much and that has radically improved my health and my life, would I too feel like the world's biggest putz - or a gianormous weirdo when I do it? I keep my drapes closed for sure, without exception, but is it really to spare the neighbors?
Bang the gong of humiliation! It's not. It's because I don't want anyone to see me.
Lately I've been extra diligent at doing my workout first thing in the morning, the moment 'he who shall not be named' steps out to go to work. Why? Yes, because doing my workout first thing is another one of the shamanments, but that's not the only reason. I do it because my building is currently under renovation and there are workmen crawling all over the place after 9am and I don't want them to 'catch' me doing the Method. Is that totally weird?
I commented back to Morgan that I could do yoga all day and all night in front of God and everyone and never give it a second thought. In fact, I have done yoga in public spaces (in an airport, at the beach, in a park) and the more people that surrounded me, the deeper I would go into my practice and somehow be able to shut them all out. So why do I feel like a complete freak doing the method? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
When Morgan made her comment, I was like Omigod, thank you Lordissa, I am not alone. Does anyone else feel like a tool too? Like what's the big deal? Who cares who sees us? And yet I do, I totally do. Part of it might be that I feel like a geek working out with my little video on TV, but why? Where does that come from? I know a girl who absolutely will not workout with a video. Does not matter what the content is. She flatly refuses because of the fact that she feels strange working out in front of a TV. But for me, I'm not entirely convinced that that is the reason. I feel uncomfortable working out in a gym, doing anything at all - lifting weights, running, cycling whatever - can't do it. Don't like people watching. It's bizarre and now that I know that there is one other person out there who feels the same, I absolutely must know why!!
Somebody 'splain me, please.
xo
Shan
Thursday, November 10, 2011
D143 - L9 - Continuity I
Half way!!! I'm half way through level 9, only five more brutal workouts to go. This level is a tough one for me. Not as bad as any of the level 3's I've encountered thus far, but still I feel it. I get stitches and pains and cramps and the whole damned thing just makes me feel old. Until it's over of course, then I dance around and chant "Rocked it!" Really it's more of a happy dance to celebrate the fact that the routine is finished and I can tick one more day off my workout tracker. And this happy dance is NOT to be confused with cardio - much less happiness in that for me. I know, I know, there are many of you out there who love your cardio and Tracy promised that I'd grow to love it too. I'm waiting Tracy...
Got word that my next installment of DVD's has been shipped. Yikes, does that really mean that I am a whole three months behind schedule? How did that happen? In five days I will launch into Continuity II, but it's Continuity III that's been shipped today. At least I don't have to worry about my workouts not arriving on time.
I did the math and thus far I've been through 21 different muscular structure workouts. If you include Tracy's Mat DVD and Perfect Design Series - that makes 25 in all. Sure, I can be all proud of myself, but the real accolades go to the Tinker Bell Trainer who came up with all of these workouts, then had the presence of mind to say, hey I could share this with women all over the world if I filmed it and presto - there are like what.... 83 thousand of us all doing Meta now? If we all come together to support one another in our efforts, we could potentially raise the collective consciousness and all become one thin and toned group of beauties. What do you think ladies? Put our heads together and think good (thin) thoughts?
I really do want to know how you're doing. Have you been doing your workouts religiously? If you've fallen off the wagon and are feeling a little guilty, you can always always come back - there's absolutely no judgment here. I've slipped and fallen so many times I've got permanent grass stains, and the beauty of the program is that it's here ready to go whenever you are.
Perhaps you'd gotten your shiny white box in the mail and cracked that baby open with eager anticipation, did a few levels and got busy with life and haven't quite come back yet. Or maybe you made that September "back to school" resolution with me, let's eat right, get back to our routines - then BAM - life threw you a curve ball and six weeks later you're staring down the barrel of your fat pants. Don't worry about it. There are plenty of people who have been carrying on, going at it day in and day out - people like my girl Jah with her very own workout room, or Victoria who's been quietly getting in her MS workouts while walking a million dogs a day - someone has been where you are and still someone else is where you are going, so get in here and get back to it. Do the work with me. Do it with Tracy. Let's do it together.
Think back to why you wanted to get in shape or lose weight in the first place and do it for that, for you. Just imagine, in a few months or a year you can say you've done 30 or 40 levels and not believe how perky your butt's become or how strong and capable you feel and we can all continue to inspire one another doing this program in whatever way works for us as individuals.
Lemme hear from you. I want to know what inspires you to keep going or what's motivated you to come back.
Big hugs,
Shan
Got word that my next installment of DVD's has been shipped. Yikes, does that really mean that I am a whole three months behind schedule? How did that happen? In five days I will launch into Continuity II, but it's Continuity III that's been shipped today. At least I don't have to worry about my workouts not arriving on time.
I did the math and thus far I've been through 21 different muscular structure workouts. If you include Tracy's Mat DVD and Perfect Design Series - that makes 25 in all. Sure, I can be all proud of myself, but the real accolades go to the Tinker Bell Trainer who came up with all of these workouts, then had the presence of mind to say, hey I could share this with women all over the world if I filmed it and presto - there are like what.... 83 thousand of us all doing Meta now? If we all come together to support one another in our efforts, we could potentially raise the collective consciousness and all become one thin and toned group of beauties. What do you think ladies? Put our heads together and think good (thin) thoughts?
I really do want to know how you're doing. Have you been doing your workouts religiously? If you've fallen off the wagon and are feeling a little guilty, you can always always come back - there's absolutely no judgment here. I've slipped and fallen so many times I've got permanent grass stains, and the beauty of the program is that it's here ready to go whenever you are.
Perhaps you'd gotten your shiny white box in the mail and cracked that baby open with eager anticipation, did a few levels and got busy with life and haven't quite come back yet. Or maybe you made that September "back to school" resolution with me, let's eat right, get back to our routines - then BAM - life threw you a curve ball and six weeks later you're staring down the barrel of your fat pants. Don't worry about it. There are plenty of people who have been carrying on, going at it day in and day out - people like my girl Jah with her very own workout room, or Victoria who's been quietly getting in her MS workouts while walking a million dogs a day - someone has been where you are and still someone else is where you are going, so get in here and get back to it. Do the work with me. Do it with Tracy. Let's do it together.
Think back to why you wanted to get in shape or lose weight in the first place and do it for that, for you. Just imagine, in a few months or a year you can say you've done 30 or 40 levels and not believe how perky your butt's become or how strong and capable you feel and we can all continue to inspire one another doing this program in whatever way works for us as individuals.
Lemme hear from you. I want to know what inspires you to keep going or what's motivated you to come back.
Big hugs,
Shan
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
D141 - L9 - Continuity I - Recipe!!
Warning: it's a long one today. xoxo
Still haven't come down off the hurt of level 9 yet. Why I insist on doing extra reps at this point is beyond me, it just seems like the thing to do. I should be busting through these moves by now - or would be if I'd been super consistent with it. So I'm testing a theory - if I remain committed (seriously I should be committed) perhaps in a few levels I'll get back to tip top shape and a new level will only bother me for a day or two, then I'll be able to kill it! Experience proves otherwise but we'll see.
The interesting thing for me is that as of late, my life has been in a massive transition period. In the past, when going through major change, exercise and diet are the first to go and the last thing on my mind. This time, while my diet fell by the way side and I sought comfort in food, I still managed to workout a couple or 3 to 4 times a week. That's saying something. Other than yoga, no other activity has had this kind of pull on me. But like anyone else I want to get the absolute most out of the time I put in, in other words I want my cake and eat it too, I want it all. But I've noticed, even while I am managing to maintain my weight loss for the most part and I haven't actually gained in inches (I don't count that quarter of an inch - it isn't even a whole inch) I have become soft in the middle. Yep - soft. Doughy. I'm not saying I look like a full blown marshmallow on tooth picks here, more like a mini-cupcake.
My girl Janice gently reminded me that the reason Tracy's method is so effective is because of her diet. None of us really wants to hear that do we? But it's true. I'm the first to admit that no other program has worked for me the way Tracy's has, but it's also the first time in my life that I've ever been able to follow a diet. Uh oh, what does that mean? No, we're not going back on a diet per se, but we've got some things to look at.
An article was recently posted about How to Look Like a Victoria Secret Model. Who doesn't want to look like that? It's about the extreme measures these women will go to to look that perfect before a show. Check out the article and the lovely Julie's spin on it here.
Basically what the article is saying is that if you work out twice a day and have no solid food for nine days, then no fluids for a day, you too can look like a model. Gulp. I feel a headache coming on from dehydration just reading about it. Kinda makes Tracy's gourmet baby food seem appealing. I said kinda, not totally. For us mere mortals who still want to look fab in our Vickie Seek Garb, but don't want to juice ourselves to death to do it, what can be done?
I dunno - haven't you read my bio - I'm no expert. What are you askin' me for?
Ah, but I do have an opinion, as usual. At least I'm consistent with something.
I took a look at Tracy's Pre-New-Year plan from last year - and here's what the first week looked like -
I think I pulled that off of Goop or Tracy's site last year and posted about it, but can't seem to find any of it. So email me if you want a copy of the full three week plan or my veggie version of it and I'll send it to you.
In both The 30 Day Method (her book) and on the Dynamic Eating Plan for Metamorphosis, Tracy asks us to cut out processed foods, sugar, dairy, spices, caffeine and alcohol, although she lets us get away with a glass of wine a couple of times a week and some chocolate pudding every other week while on Meta. But we aren't expected to follow these diets for life. We're supposed to go back to normal eating once we've lost weight. Just like I'm sure that the Victoria Secret super models eventually get to eat solid foods once their shoots and shows are over, at least I hope they do. Still not sure where that leaves us and it's been a hot topic for debate among many of us who have finished with the diet.
I'd once thought that I'd cracked the code for the 30 Day Method so I could more or less follow it loosely without going bonkers trying to stick religiously to the menu. It looked a little like this -
On the New Year's menu, we were able to have carbs once a day - so cereal for breakfast or pasta for dinner. I like that idea, it has more balance, plus you know me, I love my granola for breakfast, this also makes a nice change from fruit.
So how can we put this all together, winterize it and make it feel like we're not really on a diet? That's where the trick of knowing what you like to eat comes into play. Think about it. What do you love to eat this time of year? What can't you live without? Is there any way to make it skinny or less fattening if it's fatty? for example, if you love pasta in a creamy Alfredo sauce, would you be just as happy if you kept the pasta but changed the sauce to a tomato based sauce instead? Bethenny Frankel calls this the Differential.
Here's what she says:
The Differential is the difference between two choices, and whether or not that difference is worthwhile. If the healthier version of a food is pretty much just as good in your opinion, go for that choice.
Makes sense, right?
The next thing we might want to try is limiting those carbs. Stick to having them just once a day as Tracy suggests. For me that's not always an option since many vegetarian foods that count as protein are also carbs, like beans. When this is the case, try to have the best version of carbs that you can. Choose quinoa or brown rice instead of a potato or bread.
So here's the skinny -
When you can, choose egg whites or fruit for breakfast. Or, if you're like me, I like my granola or hot oatmeal for breakfast, especially on a bleak winter day. So go ahead and have it, just keep your portion size reasonable.
Try to keep lunch light. If you can't face a salad when it's cold out, try a stir fry or steam up some fresh veggies with a small piece of tofu (read chicken for you carnies).
And dinner offers lots of choices when you're able to have protein and veggies. Why not whip up some of Tracy's Tofu soup or try a warm veggie chili. It's comforting but low in fat.
As for snacks, a favorite of my sponsor Nicole is some low fat cottage cheese with a bit of pineapple thrown in. I'm really digging apples at the moment because they're fresh off the trees here in BC. Another option if you have a sweet tooth is a pudding cup - choose your favorite flavor and indulge guilt free - they range from 60 to 100 calories per serving so it won't sabotage your efforts.
I realize that this isn't exactly a prescription, but I'm in no position to write one, not an expert, remember? But, I feel like this is a plan I can get behind and not feel deprived or like I am on a diet.
Now with that, I want to share with you one of my all time favorite recipes and it's what I'm making for dinner tonight. Of course there have been some adjustments to the recipe because I have to be Shannon.
North AfricanCouscous Quinoa Paella
I choose to make this dish with quinoa rather than couscous because it has a higher nutritional value and can then be served on it's own as a main dish. It comes from the lovely cookbook Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home. Enjoy.
2 tbsp veggie oil
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
4 scallions chopped (about 1/2 cup)
2 cloves garlic minced or pressed
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp turmeric
pinch of cayenne
2 cups hot veggie stock
1 block of firm tofu cubed
1 cup fresh or frozen peas
1 cup quick cook couscous
1 cup quinoa
1 tbsp of butter (skip this for less fat)
salt and ground black pepper to taste
coarsely chopped toasted almonds
chopped fresh parsley
lemon wedges (or lemon juice if fresh ones are not available)
Heat your oil in a sauce pan. Add peppers, scallions, garlic, coriander, turmeric and cayenne, and saute on medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes stirring occasionally.
Stir in your stock, add the tofu and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until the tofu is hot.
Stir in peas, then add (couscous and butter, cover and let stand for 5 minutes)
well-rinsed quinoa and butter if you're using it *remember the differential* cover and simmer over low heat for approx 15 minutes or until all the stock is absorbed.
Uncover the pan, use a fork and fluff your quinoa. Add salt and pepper and serve topped with toasted almonds parsley and lemon.
It's so yummy, I hope you enjoy it and it's pretty much guilt free and so so healthy.
xo
Shan
Still haven't come down off the hurt of level 9 yet. Why I insist on doing extra reps at this point is beyond me, it just seems like the thing to do. I should be busting through these moves by now - or would be if I'd been super consistent with it. So I'm testing a theory - if I remain committed (seriously I should be committed) perhaps in a few levels I'll get back to tip top shape and a new level will only bother me for a day or two, then I'll be able to kill it! Experience proves otherwise but we'll see.
The interesting thing for me is that as of late, my life has been in a massive transition period. In the past, when going through major change, exercise and diet are the first to go and the last thing on my mind. This time, while my diet fell by the way side and I sought comfort in food, I still managed to workout a couple or 3 to 4 times a week. That's saying something. Other than yoga, no other activity has had this kind of pull on me. But like anyone else I want to get the absolute most out of the time I put in, in other words I want my cake and eat it too, I want it all. But I've noticed, even while I am managing to maintain my weight loss for the most part and I haven't actually gained in inches (I don't count that quarter of an inch - it isn't even a whole inch) I have become soft in the middle. Yep - soft. Doughy. I'm not saying I look like a full blown marshmallow on tooth picks here, more like a mini-cupcake.
My girl Janice gently reminded me that the reason Tracy's method is so effective is because of her diet. None of us really wants to hear that do we? But it's true. I'm the first to admit that no other program has worked for me the way Tracy's has, but it's also the first time in my life that I've ever been able to follow a diet. Uh oh, what does that mean? No, we're not going back on a diet per se, but we've got some things to look at.
An article was recently posted about How to Look Like a Victoria Secret Model. Who doesn't want to look like that? It's about the extreme measures these women will go to to look that perfect before a show. Check out the article and the lovely Julie's spin on it here.
Basically what the article is saying is that if you work out twice a day and have no solid food for nine days, then no fluids for a day, you too can look like a model. Gulp. I feel a headache coming on from dehydration just reading about it. Kinda makes Tracy's gourmet baby food seem appealing. I said kinda, not totally. For us mere mortals who still want to look fab in our Vickie Seek Garb, but don't want to juice ourselves to death to do it, what can be done?
I dunno - haven't you read my bio - I'm no expert. What are you askin' me for?
Ah, but I do have an opinion, as usual. At least I'm consistent with something.
I took a look at Tracy's Pre-New-Year plan from last year - and here's what the first week looked like -
The diet bans processed food, dairy and all spices (“They’re bloating and upset your digestive system, which causes you to store fat”), oil and sauces (“They’re just added calories”), discourages drinking alcohol or caffeine (sip 1.5 to 3 liters of water daily instead) and prescribes one serving of whole-grain carbs a day. Once you’re at your target weight, adopt a healthy but less restrictive diet.
WEEK ONE
Sunday
Breakfast
1 cup Kashi cereal, with ½ cup plain — or vanilla — nonfat rice milk
Lunch
3 oz grilled chicken breast — or fresh turkey breast (no deli meat!) — with ½ cup each of chopped cucumber and tomatoes
Snack
1 cup mixed berries (try raspberries, blackberries and blueberries)
Dinner
1 cup organic pasta with ½ cup steamed spinach
Monday
Breakfast
1 cup Kashi cereal, with ½ cup plain—or vanilla—nonfat rice milk
Lunch
2 hardboiled eggs with ½ cup each of baby carrots and cherry tomatoes
Dinner
3 to 5 oz grilled sea bass with ½ cup steamed spinach
Tuesday
Breakfast
1 cup steel-cut oatmeal made with water and ½ cup fresh blueberries
Lunch
3 oz grilled chicken breast — or fresh turkey breast (no deli meat!) — with ½ cup each of chopped cucumber and tomatoes
Snack
1 cup mixed berries (try raspberries, blueberries or red grapes)
Dinner
3 to 5 oz grilled salmon with ½ cup steamed broccoli
Wednesday
Breakfast
1 cup Kashi cereal, with ½ cup plain — or vanilla — nonfat rice milk
Lunch
½ cup each of fresh spinach, beet root, tomatoes and cucumbers, with 2 tsp tahini
Snack
1 snack cup of sugar-free Jell-O
Dinner
3 to 5 oz grilled chicken breast with ½ cup steamed spinach
Thursday
Breakfast
1 cup Kashi cereal, with ½ cup plain — or vanilla — nonfat rice milk
Lunch
2 hard-boiled eggs with 4 to 5 celery sticks and 4 to 5 carrot sticks
Dinner
1 cup penne pasta with ½ cup each of steamed spinach and chopped steamed tomatoes
Friday
Breakfast
1 cup Kashi cereal, with ½ cup plain — or vanilla — nonfat rice milk
Lunch
3 oz fresh turkey breast with ¼ cup each of cucumbers, alfalfa sprouts and beets, plus 1 slice whole-grain bread
Snack
1 cup fresh strawberries
Dinner
3 to 5 oz grilled sea bass with ½ cup steamed fresh green beans
Saturday
Breakfast
2 poached eggs with 3 slices veggie bacon
Lunch
1 whole-grain wrap with ¼ cup of chopped avocado and ½ cup each of chopped cucumber and tomatoes
Snack
10 to 15 red grapes
Dinner
3 to 5 oz grilled chicken breast with ½ cup steamed spinach
I think I pulled that off of Goop or Tracy's site last year and posted about it, but can't seem to find any of it. So email me if you want a copy of the full three week plan or my veggie version of it and I'll send it to you.
In both The 30 Day Method (her book) and on the Dynamic Eating Plan for Metamorphosis, Tracy asks us to cut out processed foods, sugar, dairy, spices, caffeine and alcohol, although she lets us get away with a glass of wine a couple of times a week and some chocolate pudding every other week while on Meta. But we aren't expected to follow these diets for life. We're supposed to go back to normal eating once we've lost weight. Just like I'm sure that the Victoria Secret super models eventually get to eat solid foods once their shoots and shows are over, at least I hope they do. Still not sure where that leaves us and it's been a hot topic for debate among many of us who have finished with the diet.
I'd once thought that I'd cracked the code for the 30 Day Method so I could more or less follow it loosely without going bonkers trying to stick religiously to the menu. It looked a little like this -
Breakfast consisted of egg whites sometimes with veggies about three times a week, while the rest of the week was fruit. (Not what I want to be eating during the winter so we'll get to that)
Lunch was generally a soup or salad with protein - it was harder on the veggie diet because there wasn't enough protein prescribed and on Meta it was almost non-existent so I made some concessions there. But as we're just doing a breakdown - that's what it was, soups and salads or the occasional stir fry - which is like a hot salad if you think about it.
Dinner - if we're keeping it simple was a lean protein with veggies.
On the New Year's menu, we were able to have carbs once a day - so cereal for breakfast or pasta for dinner. I like that idea, it has more balance, plus you know me, I love my granola for breakfast, this also makes a nice change from fruit.
So how can we put this all together, winterize it and make it feel like we're not really on a diet? That's where the trick of knowing what you like to eat comes into play. Think about it. What do you love to eat this time of year? What can't you live without? Is there any way to make it skinny or less fattening if it's fatty? for example, if you love pasta in a creamy Alfredo sauce, would you be just as happy if you kept the pasta but changed the sauce to a tomato based sauce instead? Bethenny Frankel calls this the Differential.
Here's what she says:
The Differential is the difference between two choices, and whether or not that difference is worthwhile. If the healthier version of a food is pretty much just as good in your opinion, go for that choice.
Makes sense, right?
The next thing we might want to try is limiting those carbs. Stick to having them just once a day as Tracy suggests. For me that's not always an option since many vegetarian foods that count as protein are also carbs, like beans. When this is the case, try to have the best version of carbs that you can. Choose quinoa or brown rice instead of a potato or bread.
So here's the skinny -
When you can, choose egg whites or fruit for breakfast. Or, if you're like me, I like my granola or hot oatmeal for breakfast, especially on a bleak winter day. So go ahead and have it, just keep your portion size reasonable.
Try to keep lunch light. If you can't face a salad when it's cold out, try a stir fry or steam up some fresh veggies with a small piece of tofu (read chicken for you carnies).
And dinner offers lots of choices when you're able to have protein and veggies. Why not whip up some of Tracy's Tofu soup or try a warm veggie chili. It's comforting but low in fat.
As for snacks, a favorite of my sponsor Nicole is some low fat cottage cheese with a bit of pineapple thrown in. I'm really digging apples at the moment because they're fresh off the trees here in BC. Another option if you have a sweet tooth is a pudding cup - choose your favorite flavor and indulge guilt free - they range from 60 to 100 calories per serving so it won't sabotage your efforts.
I realize that this isn't exactly a prescription, but I'm in no position to write one, not an expert, remember? But, I feel like this is a plan I can get behind and not feel deprived or like I am on a diet.
Now with that, I want to share with you one of my all time favorite recipes and it's what I'm making for dinner tonight. Of course there have been some adjustments to the recipe because I have to be Shannon.
North African
I choose to make this dish with quinoa rather than couscous because it has a higher nutritional value and can then be served on it's own as a main dish. It comes from the lovely cookbook Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home. Enjoy.
2 tbsp veggie oil
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
4 scallions chopped (about 1/2 cup)
2 cloves garlic minced or pressed
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp turmeric
pinch of cayenne
2 cups hot veggie stock
1 block of firm tofu cubed
1 cup fresh or frozen peas
1 cup quinoa
1 tbsp of butter (skip this for less fat)
salt and ground black pepper to taste
coarsely chopped toasted almonds
chopped fresh parsley
lemon wedges (or lemon juice if fresh ones are not available)
Heat your oil in a sauce pan. Add peppers, scallions, garlic, coriander, turmeric and cayenne, and saute on medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes stirring occasionally.
Stir in your stock, add the tofu and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until the tofu is hot.
Stir in peas, then add (couscous and butter, cover and let stand for 5 minutes)
well-rinsed quinoa and butter if you're using it *remember the differential* cover and simmer over low heat for approx 15 minutes or until all the stock is absorbed.
Uncover the pan, use a fork and fluff your quinoa. Add salt and pepper and serve topped with toasted almonds parsley and lemon.
It's so yummy, I hope you enjoy it and it's pretty much guilt free and so so healthy.
xo
Shan
Sunday, November 6, 2011
An extra hour!!
Did you remember to push your clocks back last night (those of you overseas did this last week right?) Not a huge fan of daylight saving, it doesn't make sense to me, doesn't matter how it's explained. Then I saw this and it made me smile.
I love my heritage.
So what have you done with your extra hour? Did you do more TAM. Not me... I slept in and it was great!
xo
Shan
So what have you done with your extra hour? Did you do more TAM. Not me... I slept in and it was great!
xo
Shan
Saturday, November 5, 2011
D138 - L9 - Continuity I
Um... so hi. What's up? What are y'all doing today? It's Saturday and what would normally start out with a workout... hasn't quite... um started that way. Omigod you guys, what was I thinking yesterday? Challenging Tracy and thinking I could get all up in there and be all that. Yeah, I am just so not that cool or fit or young. Foolish foolish foolish.
If you're just getting caught up, I had this brilliant idea yesterday, I was even starting to think it was a stroke of genius. I decided that I was really going to get back into it - MS that is - so I opted to watch each leg movement, pause the DVD, do 10 reps slowly and "with perfection"(read sarcasm here please) perform the damned moves like the woman says, and by woman I mean the evil badass fitness guru, Muffin Top Slaying, Spare Tire Slashing, Booty Kicking Meanie, Tracy Freakin' Anderson!!!!
Well lemme tell you that my interpretation of genius has gone from - stroke of genius - to - way to go genius (the way your brother would say it if you spilled the milk at the dinner table, know what I mean?). I can hardly walk this morning. My whole backside is on fire, from my lower back to my butt and all the way around each of both of my thighs nearly down to the damned knee! Level nine is so about your caboose and pins. No two ways about it. Yes, sure my lower abs hurt a little but nothing compared to the entire lower half of my body. It even hurts when I'm sitting. Like right now.... it's all hurting. That little quake in my thighs after my workout yesterday that I'd interpreted as good should have been my first clue. Like helllooooooooo?!
Long story short - when Madame says this will be the hardest level yet, what should you do? Should you:
a) proceed with caution?
b) skip this level and move on to an easier one?
c) decide to be a hero and add more reps on the first day?
I'll give you a clue - it AIN'T C! you feel me?
Just take my word for it, don't make the same mistakes I make people - you cannot go from slacker to hero in one day. It just doesn't work that way. You must build up to it. Add more reps as you go - as you get stronger - NOT ON THE FIRST DAY OF A NEW LEVEL!! Any questions?!
Oh, and did I mention that I am finally all caught up on my bonus arms so also added in bonus arms level 9 to that workout? It's taken me three hours to type this because I can barely move my hands because my arms are practically broken (Okay I made that last bit up, but my arms and shoulders are killing me too.)
If you've ever been under the impression that you can never be too enthusiastic - I gotta ask, what are you, nuts?? This is Tracy we're taking about here and missy don't mess around.
And yet... it's a challenge and I like my challenges. I'm all like - You think you're gonna make me say uncle?
Well yeah, sure, she has done that, but I won't say uncle twice! I am gonna get back in there today and do that workout again and tomorrow I'll do it again, and the next day again, like 9 more times! So there!
But for now, it might be all I can do to get myself into a tub of Epsom salts. Slacker, remember?
Have a nice weekend. And good luck to anyone starting a new level, be careful it can be dangerous out there.
Shan
If you're just getting caught up, I had this brilliant idea yesterday, I was even starting to think it was a stroke of genius. I decided that I was really going to get back into it - MS that is - so I opted to watch each leg movement, pause the DVD, do 10 reps slowly and "with perfection"(read sarcasm here please) perform the damned moves like the woman says, and by woman I mean the evil badass fitness guru, Muffin Top Slaying, Spare Tire Slashing, Booty Kicking Meanie, Tracy Freakin' Anderson!!!!
Well lemme tell you that my interpretation of genius has gone from - stroke of genius - to - way to go genius (the way your brother would say it if you spilled the milk at the dinner table, know what I mean?). I can hardly walk this morning. My whole backside is on fire, from my lower back to my butt and all the way around each of both of my thighs nearly down to the damned knee! Level nine is so about your caboose and pins. No two ways about it. Yes, sure my lower abs hurt a little but nothing compared to the entire lower half of my body. It even hurts when I'm sitting. Like right now.... it's all hurting. That little quake in my thighs after my workout yesterday that I'd interpreted as good should have been my first clue. Like helllooooooooo?!
Long story short - when Madame says this will be the hardest level yet, what should you do? Should you:
a) proceed with caution?
b) skip this level and move on to an easier one?
c) decide to be a hero and add more reps on the first day?
I'll give you a clue - it AIN'T C! you feel me?
Just take my word for it, don't make the same mistakes I make people - you cannot go from slacker to hero in one day. It just doesn't work that way. You must build up to it. Add more reps as you go - as you get stronger - NOT ON THE FIRST DAY OF A NEW LEVEL!! Any questions?!
Oh, and did I mention that I am finally all caught up on my bonus arms so also added in bonus arms level 9 to that workout? It's taken me three hours to type this because I can barely move my hands because my arms are practically broken (Okay I made that last bit up, but my arms and shoulders are killing me too.)
If you've ever been under the impression that you can never be too enthusiastic - I gotta ask, what are you, nuts?? This is Tracy we're taking about here and missy don't mess around.
And yet... it's a challenge and I like my challenges. I'm all like - You think you're gonna make me say uncle?
Well yeah, sure, she has done that, but I won't say uncle twice! I am gonna get back in there today and do that workout again and tomorrow I'll do it again, and the next day again, like 9 more times! So there!
But for now, it might be all I can do to get myself into a tub of Epsom salts. Slacker, remember?
Have a nice weekend. And good luck to anyone starting a new level, be careful it can be dangerous out there.
Shan
Friday, November 4, 2011
D137 - D1 - L9 - Continuity
I took a rest day yesterday, more of a mental health day than a physical rest day. I wanted to take stock of my new situation, re-prioritize, and really get ready to tuck into level 9, the last level of this round of Continuity, so I could hit it with new focus and commitment.
It's somewhat of a milestone to be here again, on the final level of another three month goal (okay I'll admit it's taken closer to five months to get here, but I'm here. Small victories, remember?)While perhaps somewhat less climactic than hitting level 9 on Metamorphosis, I still feel like I am standing near the top of a mountain. Proud of my climb and enjoying the view. Could this be what getting to base camp on Everest might feel like?
I did the whole weigh-in and measurement thing yesterday, more out of obligation than a real desire to know where I'm currently at, but I was pleasantly surprised. I'd only gained two pounds through all of my transgressions and a quarter of an inch around the waist - so still the four pounds away from my ever elusive goal weight and an inch away from my dream waist. (Another of my dangling carrots to egg me on toward the finish line.)
After watching level 9 two days ago, I will admit to being just a little intimidated. Not so much because it looked horrible, in actual fact it looked quite doable, more so because Mademoiselle said this would be our hardest level to date. Gulp. So I watched it again today before actually doing it.
I was ready. I made a decision. Because of my last day on level 8 where I realized that I'd been doing a couple of the moves wrong for 9 days, I chose to do something that for me (who is a total slacker) was unprecedented. I decided that with each leg movement, I'd watch one leg repetition without doing it so I could see what the hell Tracy actually does and not break my neck, then pause the DVD, perform 10 reps of that leg exercise slowly and with precision, then turn on the DVD and do the rest up to speed with Tracy. I may have over-estimated my abilities just a 'lil bit but I stuck to my guns and did it.
And guess what? It was good. I had that quakey, jello-y feeling in my legs and I was soaked through with sweat. If sweat really were glittery fairy dust, baby I was golden and that was all before I'd even started cardio. Yep, you read that right. I did my cardio. I just did the 20 minutes, this is me after all, but I worked hard, neighbors be damned. I didn't care. Well I did a little bit, so I was careful to try to maintain my soft little hops. By the end of it all, I looked like I'd just come in from a rainstorm without an umbrella.
Then it hit me. Everything doesn't have to be right in your world. In fact some stuff can really stink, but when you take control of the things that you have control over - like your workout - you're guaranteed to have at least one thing in your world be right. And for today, it was. My muscles are achy and tired in a good way. Who knows if I'll be able to walk tomorrow. But that's for tomorrow to worry about.
As for how I feel about level 9? Bring it on. The arm section is beautiful. It's ballet inspired and I was able to follow it without feeling horribly awkward. The abs are focused on the lower region which is where my ponch is coming back so I felt like I was working the right area. Standing abs were awesome, reminiscent of Tracy's much loved mat video. As for the legs, there are one or two in there that I have not mastered this first go around and it might take until the 10th class to get it right, but none of it felt beyond my grasp. So looks like even after slacking off, I'm still capable and all is not lost.
Next hurdle, my poor eating habits. More on that next week. Have a great weekend and enjoy your share of fairy dust. It's yours for the taking.
xo
Shan
It's somewhat of a milestone to be here again, on the final level of another three month goal (okay I'll admit it's taken closer to five months to get here, but I'm here. Small victories, remember?)While perhaps somewhat less climactic than hitting level 9 on Metamorphosis, I still feel like I am standing near the top of a mountain. Proud of my climb and enjoying the view. Could this be what getting to base camp on Everest might feel like?
I did the whole weigh-in and measurement thing yesterday, more out of obligation than a real desire to know where I'm currently at, but I was pleasantly surprised. I'd only gained two pounds through all of my transgressions and a quarter of an inch around the waist - so still the four pounds away from my ever elusive goal weight and an inch away from my dream waist. (Another of my dangling carrots to egg me on toward the finish line.)
After watching level 9 two days ago, I will admit to being just a little intimidated. Not so much because it looked horrible, in actual fact it looked quite doable, more so because Mademoiselle said this would be our hardest level to date. Gulp. So I watched it again today before actually doing it.
I was ready. I made a decision. Because of my last day on level 8 where I realized that I'd been doing a couple of the moves wrong for 9 days, I chose to do something that for me (who is a total slacker) was unprecedented. I decided that with each leg movement, I'd watch one leg repetition without doing it so I could see what the hell Tracy actually does and not break my neck, then pause the DVD, perform 10 reps of that leg exercise slowly and with precision, then turn on the DVD and do the rest up to speed with Tracy. I may have over-estimated my abilities just a 'lil bit but I stuck to my guns and did it.
And guess what? It was good. I had that quakey, jello-y feeling in my legs and I was soaked through with sweat. If sweat really were glittery fairy dust, baby I was golden and that was all before I'd even started cardio. Yep, you read that right. I did my cardio. I just did the 20 minutes, this is me after all, but I worked hard, neighbors be damned. I didn't care. Well I did a little bit, so I was careful to try to maintain my soft little hops. By the end of it all, I looked like I'd just come in from a rainstorm without an umbrella.
Then it hit me. Everything doesn't have to be right in your world. In fact some stuff can really stink, but when you take control of the things that you have control over - like your workout - you're guaranteed to have at least one thing in your world be right. And for today, it was. My muscles are achy and tired in a good way. Who knows if I'll be able to walk tomorrow. But that's for tomorrow to worry about.
As for how I feel about level 9? Bring it on. The arm section is beautiful. It's ballet inspired and I was able to follow it without feeling horribly awkward. The abs are focused on the lower region which is where my ponch is coming back so I felt like I was working the right area. Standing abs were awesome, reminiscent of Tracy's much loved mat video. As for the legs, there are one or two in there that I have not mastered this first go around and it might take until the 10th class to get it right, but none of it felt beyond my grasp. So looks like even after slacking off, I'm still capable and all is not lost.
Next hurdle, my poor eating habits. More on that next week. Have a great weekend and enjoy your share of fairy dust. It's yours for the taking.
xo
Shan
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
D135 - Continuity
Day 135, that's as good a day as any to finish off level 8, finally! Damned flu. (For new readers, no it did not take me 135 days to do one level, it took 135 to do all 8, not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but not that bad either.) It's funny as I was going through the workout with as much focused attention as I could muster (last day and all) I realized that I was feeling it more more than I had been. Bloody hell, had I been doing certain moves wrong all this time? Yep I sure was. Don't cha just hate that? At least I got it right in the end and like they say, better late than never.
I was feeling quite chuffed with myself for having gotten through it and I had some time, so decided I'd take a sneak peak at level nine. Do you ever do that? Peak ahead to see what's coming up? Does it ever scare the crap out of you and put you off doing this program all together? I sure does me! What's wrong with that woman? She claims to be all proud of us and our hard work (um, yeah, obviously Tracy and I have not been kicking it recently, so she has no idea what I've been up to) then she goes on to say that this is the hardest level yet. OMG and WTF? I'm watching this and I can see that we're into Iron Man II territory here. Hellooooo, Tracy... I think your Pal Gwyneth was quite a bit further along in her 'restructuring' when you prescribed some of those moves for her so how is that fair exactly?
In any case, I'm forging ahead, new month, new me and all that, so if by some miracle of God I manage not to break a hip on level 9, I'll post ya my review of it and letcha know how it went.
Peace,
Shan
I was feeling quite chuffed with myself for having gotten through it and I had some time, so decided I'd take a sneak peak at level nine. Do you ever do that? Peak ahead to see what's coming up? Does it ever scare the crap out of you and put you off doing this program all together? I sure does me! What's wrong with that woman? She claims to be all proud of us and our hard work (um, yeah, obviously Tracy and I have not been kicking it recently, so she has no idea what I've been up to) then she goes on to say that this is the hardest level yet. OMG and WTF? I'm watching this and I can see that we're into Iron Man II territory here. Hellooooo, Tracy... I think your Pal Gwyneth was quite a bit further along in her 'restructuring' when you prescribed some of those moves for her so how is that fair exactly?
In any case, I'm forging ahead, new month, new me and all that, so if by some miracle of God I manage not to break a hip on level 9, I'll post ya my review of it and letcha know how it went.
Peace,
Shan
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
D134 - 1 more day on L8 - Continuity.
News flash ladies! In case you haven't noticed, this stuff ain't easy. My girl Jah commented on level three continuity yesterday. She said it was 'brutal but effective'. I laughed out loud. It's so true. I am terrified to hit level three on the next series of Continuity workouts, but at the rate I am currently moving through them, it won't be for ages!
Getting in shape, staying in shape or both, are hard. Who among us would be working up a vigorous sweat and eating rabbit food if we didn't have to? Okay, you know what? Those of you who raised your hands, sit down, I don't want to hear from you right now! Seriously, I know there must be people that this comes easy to, but I am not one of them. So not one of them.
Are you guys sick of me yet? With all of my short-comings, my failings, restarts, do-overs, on the wagon, off the wagon, whiney addictive, sorry ass, can't seem to stick with the program attitude? Sorry 'bout all that. I haven't officially quit just yet though, so can we still be friends?
When I started this program, I went into it absolutely wanting to give it my all. My neck injury on level 8 of Metamorphosis really knocked me off my stride and I'm not sure I've been quite the same since. It would be so much easier (and possibly less humiliating) if I had this inner struggle privately. Why I began to post so openly in the first place I really have no idea, and yet here we are.
Things have fallen apart a little over the last three or so months, but never more so than when I got company. It's not an excuse, it's just what happened. However, this isn't the first time that I've gotten knocked completely off course and had to restructure my thinking and be more disciplined.
In September of last year, I went through the 30 Day Method with Tracy's book and I loved it. It was hard, I suffered, I was a big old baby, but I gave 100% and was rewarded in the end. And then came the holidays. I tried to keep up with her Perfect Design Series and webisodes but my eating got the better of me and slowly I slid back into my bad habits. When Metamorphosis came out, I attacked it with renewed vigor.
It's been tough since my move, the upheaval, getting the flu, adjusting to working out with neighbors on every which side of me. For the most part, all I seem to be able to do is sneak in my 30 minutes of MS and that's it. I don't pay good attention to what I'm eating, I don't do cardio. In short people, I have been half-assing it and I deserve better. I owe it to myself to treat myself better. And to be honest, I kinda feel like I owe it to you too. So many of you out there are working your butts off, eating well, putting in your time day in and day out and you keep me going. Hats off to you.
As I am one who works better with a carrot dangling in front of me, I've given myself something new to go after. A Bellicon rebounder. Have you seen these things? Has anyone tried one? Are they really worth the cost? Check this out.
Isn't it beautiful? And that Mac desktop in the background ain't too bad either. This mini trampoline is touted as the Porche of rebounders. Who knew? I really wasn't even aware until recently that there was any difference and I wondered why the heck you'd pay more than $40 for one of these things. Lemme tell you ladies, 40 bucks doesn't even cover the shipping on one of these puppies.
Anybody out there got one you're not using and want to sell it to me for ultra cheap? Pretty please?
As mentioned, I work very well when heading toward a payoff; the end of the 30 day boot camp, the end of 90 days on meta. I really have tried to wrap my head around doing all this for life and that's all good and well but it doesn't motivate me to go hard in the short term. I need an end game and I think the Bellicon might just be it. My next short term goal to get me through the holidays. I thought it would also make a lovely year end commitment gift to myself on or around the first of February when I've completed my goal of one year on TAM.
A lot is going to have to happen between now and then for me to pull this off. I have debts to clear, I've still got to find gainful employment, and I'll need to save up. But, I went to the German Website and picked out my very own personalized rebounder, right down to the color. And would you believe that shipping to Canada is cheaper from Germany than from their partner in the US. In any case, the thing's gonna cost an absolute fortune, but much less than other fitness equipment that people purchase for their homes, like a treadmill or elliptical machine and I know I'll use it. I know because I already use my little cheapy squeaky one all the time. Plus with Tracy's new rebounder DVD coming out, I have even more incentive to stick to the program.
So there it is darlings, my dangling carrot to carry me through my final three months. I bloody well hope this works.
Okay, off to work out. Eeeeeeee. Happy first day of November.
Shan
Getting in shape, staying in shape or both, are hard. Who among us would be working up a vigorous sweat and eating rabbit food if we didn't have to? Okay, you know what? Those of you who raised your hands, sit down, I don't want to hear from you right now! Seriously, I know there must be people that this comes easy to, but I am not one of them. So not one of them.
Are you guys sick of me yet? With all of my short-comings, my failings, restarts, do-overs, on the wagon, off the wagon, whiney addictive, sorry ass, can't seem to stick with the program attitude? Sorry 'bout all that. I haven't officially quit just yet though, so can we still be friends?
When I started this program, I went into it absolutely wanting to give it my all. My neck injury on level 8 of Metamorphosis really knocked me off my stride and I'm not sure I've been quite the same since. It would be so much easier (and possibly less humiliating) if I had this inner struggle privately. Why I began to post so openly in the first place I really have no idea, and yet here we are.
Things have fallen apart a little over the last three or so months, but never more so than when I got company. It's not an excuse, it's just what happened. However, this isn't the first time that I've gotten knocked completely off course and had to restructure my thinking and be more disciplined.
In September of last year, I went through the 30 Day Method with Tracy's book and I loved it. It was hard, I suffered, I was a big old baby, but I gave 100% and was rewarded in the end. And then came the holidays. I tried to keep up with her Perfect Design Series and webisodes but my eating got the better of me and slowly I slid back into my bad habits. When Metamorphosis came out, I attacked it with renewed vigor.
It's been tough since my move, the upheaval, getting the flu, adjusting to working out with neighbors on every which side of me. For the most part, all I seem to be able to do is sneak in my 30 minutes of MS and that's it. I don't pay good attention to what I'm eating, I don't do cardio. In short people, I have been half-assing it and I deserve better. I owe it to myself to treat myself better. And to be honest, I kinda feel like I owe it to you too. So many of you out there are working your butts off, eating well, putting in your time day in and day out and you keep me going. Hats off to you.
As I am one who works better with a carrot dangling in front of me, I've given myself something new to go after. A Bellicon rebounder. Have you seen these things? Has anyone tried one? Are they really worth the cost? Check this out.
Isn't it beautiful? And that Mac desktop in the background ain't too bad either. This mini trampoline is touted as the Porche of rebounders. Who knew? I really wasn't even aware until recently that there was any difference and I wondered why the heck you'd pay more than $40 for one of these things. Lemme tell you ladies, 40 bucks doesn't even cover the shipping on one of these puppies.
Anybody out there got one you're not using and want to sell it to me for ultra cheap? Pretty please?
As mentioned, I work very well when heading toward a payoff; the end of the 30 day boot camp, the end of 90 days on meta. I really have tried to wrap my head around doing all this for life and that's all good and well but it doesn't motivate me to go hard in the short term. I need an end game and I think the Bellicon might just be it. My next short term goal to get me through the holidays. I thought it would also make a lovely year end commitment gift to myself on or around the first of February when I've completed my goal of one year on TAM.
A lot is going to have to happen between now and then for me to pull this off. I have debts to clear, I've still got to find gainful employment, and I'll need to save up. But, I went to the German Website and picked out my very own personalized rebounder, right down to the color. And would you believe that shipping to Canada is cheaper from Germany than from their partner in the US. In any case, the thing's gonna cost an absolute fortune, but much less than other fitness equipment that people purchase for their homes, like a treadmill or elliptical machine and I know I'll use it. I know because I already use my little cheapy squeaky one all the time. Plus with Tracy's new rebounder DVD coming out, I have even more incentive to stick to the program.
So there it is darlings, my dangling carrot to carry me through my final three months. I bloody well hope this works.
Okay, off to work out. Eeeeeeee. Happy first day of November.
Shan
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