Dynamic Dining... April and May.

I must extend a heartfelt thank you to all of you who took the time, not only to read the last post but to share your thoughts with me. Your comments have generated an interesting dichotomy. 

Clearly we have several camps to choose from - all of whom I relate to - one says take a closer look at that aversion, examine the resistance and release it, then get on with the ball workout -- another says there is a reason for the introduction of this tool - it is a tool added to assist in further development so suck it up, this is what you signed up for, this is your training -- still another says this is not now, nor has it ever been a one size fits all workout - adapt it to your needs and your abilities and make it work for you -- and yet another simply states that life is too short and working out is too hard to be be messing around with a workout that you don't enjoy - so move on to the next level and carry on. Many of you sit in more than one camp, as do I, so for now... while I think I may have a plan in the works... I want to be sure before I totally screw up the whole system.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the mean time, Sunday April 1st marks the start of the Dynamic Eating Plan Revisited. Also known as April Fools' Day - read into that what you will. Prior to doing Tracy's boot camp, I had never really been on much of a diet. I was on... what did they call it? the seefood diet - I'd see food and I'd eat it. It wasn't really working for me.

I saw some serious results with both the Lifestyle Menu from boot camp and the Dynamic Eating Plan from Meta. However, once I'd graduated from Metamorphosis and started free-styling diet-wise, I did a bit of a backslide. While not at the bottom of Mount Everest per se, I am sitting somewhere near base camp at the moment. 

March found me with a secret challenge on my plate. One I didn't share earlier in the month because I was terrified I'd not be able to follow through. It was an opportunity for me to see if I had what it took to get back to that rigorous 6 days a week workout routine including my pesky cardio and to my sheer and utter amazement, I've been 99% committed. (hey, nobody's perfect, right?) I mean let's face it, if I was going to be a total slacker in the workout department, what would be the point of scaling back the portions? I now understand that the same can be said for the opposite. If you're working out like a maniac, what's the point of eating like a Giant? You're diminishing your results. 

I was reminded of all of this recently when I went back into my little white Meta packet and pulled out the intro video from Tracy. She talks about us having everything we need to completely transform in that little packet, but we have got to work all three parts of the program - muscular structure, cardio and diet - so here we go. When I did it the first time, I tried to follow it as closely as possible because I was hyper aware of the fact that I had the momentum of the novelty of it all bolstering me up. Having done it now, I know what is in store and it will be harder this time around ladies. It's like quitting smoking for the second time. This is why the critics keep saying diets don't work. What I do know is that while on the program, I had retrained my palette to some degree so that's my goal this time around - to learn how to eat well. (it may have been the last time too, but clearly I didn't learn it or I wouldn't be here)

For those unfamiliar with Tracy's Eating Plan, this post might be a little confusing so my apologies in advance. If you are interested in any of the recipes, just shoot me an email and I'll give you what I have.

One of the issues I had with the Meta program was that it was not as balanced for Vegetarians and Vegans as the Lifestyle Menu - even that left a little to be desired so I am combining the best of both for a plan that I hope will work for me while giving me all of the nutrition I require. Keep in mind that I am no expert. This is simply cobbled together from past experience and my own personal needs.

For the next eight weeks, I will be alternating between Nutrient Boost weeks (AKA the Performance Cleanse) on odd weeks and the Body Reset (AKA Lifestyle Menu) on even weeks.

Nutrient Boost vs Performance Cleanse
These are fairly similar, the only difference being that on the latter Tracy gives us 7 dishes plus a power juice, while the former counts the juice as one of the dishes. Have a look.


NB                                                      
Power Juice                                          
Blueberry Apple Sauce                          
Sweet Potato Corn Pudding
Carrot Parsnip Puree
Gazpacho
Veggie (or chicken) soup
Chocolate pudding


PC
Power Juice
Blueberry Apple Sauce
Kiwi Dessert
Edamame and Carrots
Sweet Potato Corn pudding
Gazpacho
Veggie (or chicken) soup
Choco Chestnut Pudding

I'll be sticking with the Performance based program because it includes Edamame beans which are a great source of protein for vegetarian/vegans (it subs this in for the parsnip dish on the other) and it also allows for two juices a day. On the last go around I used a Berry Greens Powder, but since doing the juice cleanse to kick off the new year, I have a new found love of juicing so will be making mine fresh daily. 

My go to Green juice is this -
6 leaves of kale (or three handfuls baby spinach)
1 field cucumber
4 stalks of celery
2 apples
1 orange 
Peel the orange, wash and chop the lot, then chuck it in the juicer. It's light, refreshing and it's a nutritional powerhouse.
It usually makes enough for two so you can have one in the morning and the other later in the day.


Body Reset vs Lifestyle Menu
These are both okay, but I found I wasn't getting quite enough calories or protein on either of them so I added in a serving of granola.


Here's the deal, on the Dynamic plan you have choices to pick from, but there are no veg options, while on the Lifestyle plan there are veggie options but the menu is preset so I found I was having to go out and buy a bunch of stuff. No fun on a budget, especially when you add the cost of juicing to the mix. Just over a year ago I broke the plan down to its very basics and then made choices that fit within that plan, it allowed for a little more freedom while still giving results.


Have a Look at what I came up with back then. I'll be more or less sticking to that for the even numbered weeks. Again, no need to follow my version of things, feel free to adapt it, adjust it and come up with what works for you.

Let me know what little tips and tricks you use to make the plan work for you and your families. Do you substitute? Make things in advance or in bulk? 


Good luck getting ready if you're starting this weekend or keep me posted if you've started already. I'll also let you know where things stand with the ball workout next week.


Have a great weekend.
Big hugs
Shan

PLEASE!!! Weigh In.

Hey hey Tammers -

I am in a bit of a pickle and I need some advice. I thought, no place better to come than to this awesome community for some sage wisdom. You know at the end of the day I'll ultimately do what I feel I need to do, but was hoping some of you might throw in your two cents.

By now, you're probably all well aware of what a huge fan of yoga I am. For reasons that are beyond my comprehension I have yet to put together a practice that doesn't throw me into immobility for days at a time, so in lieu of asanas, I practice the Method. 

It allows that time of grounded solitude on the mat, I am still able to incorporate the breath into my movements, it includes balance moves, strength and stretch as well so it's a relatively good substitute, even if I do injure myself on occasion by falling on my head or whacking myself in the face with a dumbbell.

Another of the reasons I like it so much is that it isn't a prop-oriented workout. Or it hasn't been until now. When I did a regular asana practice I stayed away from those versions that included blocks, bolsters and straps. I find it all to be a bit fussy and overwhelming when I am just trying to go within. 

I have been wrestling with my resistance to this latest Continuity level because it has introduced this pink ball. I'm sure many of you have seen it in photos on the website if you're not already using it. I thought I might get over it. I worked past my resistance to using a chair during certain levels, but this is not getting any easier. In fact, when it comes time to practice, I cringe. Twice during this level I have skipped the DVD altogether and gone for the Mat DVD or a combo of different body parts cobbled together from Tracy's stuff on YouTube. 

The only way to describe the feeling is that of being a caged animal. For some reason using props makes me feel fenced in and not free to just be me moving my body on the mat. Fucksocks I miss yoga so much!

So my question to you all is what would you do? 

Today I did the workout without the ball. That's an option, right? Just carry on with the levels but adapt each move to work without a ball. 

It was better. But I was still irritated. If I were in the room with Tracy, Stacey, Maria or Anna -- training one on one -- I would flatly refuse to do any workout that used the ball. It's just not a way I choose to train or enjoy training.

I looked ahead and it would appear that this ball is on the horizon for the next 90 days. So then I really got frustrated. I don't want to be trying to change every single sequence and rep for the next three months, that doesn't make any sense to me. I understand that Tracy has a plan, in future videos she says things like -- now she is able to get into these complicated sequences to reach muscles she hasn't been able to get to before this and really design -- Great. But do I want to spend the next three months hating my workouts?  

The next option is to jump ahead three months and hopefully get back to routines that don't require props. But will that mess with the design? Or am I just brainwashed into thinking that?

I would even prefer go back and repeat past levels rather than carry on this way.

So please, don't be shy, don't hold back -- what would you do? Feel free to go ahead and tell me to suck it up. I know I am being a bit funny about it all, but the reason past workout programs didn't work for me was because either I grew bored with them or just plain didn't like them. I have loved the Method up until now so... Help meh, puh-leeze!

Muchas Gracias Girlies.
Shan 

For Tricia!

Does anyone remember six months back, nine months back? We had several graduates coming out of the Metamorphosis program. Now all this time later, we're starting to have new milestones to acknowledge and celebrate. I'm not linked to Tracy Anderson in any way - other than being a devoted practitioner of the Method - but it is an honor and a privilege to be a part of this journey that so many of you have taken up.  

In that spirit, allow me to say...
 

Happy One Year Anniversary Tricia!

I know we had this video for our girl Marta too - perhaps it's the new official ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY THEME SONG!? What do you say?

Tricia celebrated her one year a few days ago on the 25th, sorry I'm late with this my friend. 

As extra special motivation for all of you, I want to share Tricia's stats with you. Like a few of us out here, she likes to keep track of her workouts too. Here's what she ended the year on...

I am on day 291 of the MS. I have been keeping track like you did, totalling up how many days of MS and DC in a year.
Did I do perfect? no.
Did I do well? yes.
Can I strive to do better? YES.
Average in a year 4.5 days of DC a week and 5.5 days of MS a week.
Now, we are allowed 1 day off a week (52)...
so in keeping with the 6 times a week I missed 13 extra days of DC and 65 days of DC. So my goal is to be 6 days a week of MS and at least 5 days a week of DC. 


That is incredible. I know that I'm inspired! Congrats buddy.


So coming up next week, it's the grand kick-off of the Dynamic Eating Plan Part Deux! I have been scratching around through my blog archives and through Tracy's book as well as the actual plan that comes with Meta and have been building up a stronger Vegetarian plan for this go-around.


Stay tuned for details and to share your plan for the months of April and May that will lead us up to our best summer ever!


xoxo
Shan

New Attitude - New Challenge!

It's the weekend! I work weekends because as a writer you're never really done, there is always more to write or rewrite, but I love the weekend anyway. It doesn't feel the same as a week day. And now living in an apartment in the city, it's palpable. The neighbors have different patterns and routines on a Saturday than on a Tuesday or Wednesday, there isn't any construction going on and... the best part... the sun is still shining! It's a love day today people.

And today is a peek behind the curtain of what's been going on here for the month of March. I promise you, it is relevant so bear with me. 

It's no secret that I am a huge animal lover. You know about my beloved doggie...

 

 

As a Baby, wasn't he the cutest?! OMG.

He has unequivocally stolen my heart. Being such an introvert and a loner, the doggie has been good for me because he gets me out and we go on long walks and hikes together, it's one of our favorite things to do...

Did he grow up to be a handsome boy or what? I know, right? And look how his tail has grown! Wow.

But he's also a deep thinker too. It's just one of the many reasons that I think he's perfect. Yes, I am one of those. 

I could literally write about him all day long. How he makes me laugh, he's such a goofball, how it breaks my heart to know he won't be around forever. But that's not what this post is about. It's about starting over, on so many levels. Dogs excel at new beginnings. You can rip a fighting dog from the jaws of death, there have been stories of pitbulls with three legs and one eye going on to become service dogs, or family dogs. They are the ultimate teachers in forgiveness. They live in the moment. My dog is my greatest guru. He teaches unconditional love every day.

Seriously, if you've ever had your heart broken and thought you'd never love again... get a dog!

In any case, the reason he came up was because I am an animal lover (boy I went off the rails there a little bit) and as such I have a daily calendar on my desk with photos of 365 different dogs and today's dog is a stoic looking little pitbull puppy. He's the cutest, but what got me and made me want to share it with you was the caption written above him.

It says: "The truest wisdom is a resolute determination." It's a quote from Napoleon. Now whether you agree with it or not, you cannot argue that it takes a fierce determination to go through a Metamorphosis of any kind. Be it following a fitness program like we've done with Tracy, or changing your job, or becoming a vegetarian, getting married, getting divorced, having a child, growing old, going through an illness, losing a loved one... there are so many things in this life that can change you and force you to become something else. 

But here is another saying: "Butterflies are God's proof that a second chance is possible." Don't know who said that one, but I love it! You know me I can wax philosophical with the best of them, but since this blog is called Mastering the Method... today's resolute determination and second chance is all about fitness and here's the real peek behind the curtain.

As you may already know, I went through meta and I reached my goal weight, but having never really learned how to control my eating habits, I found myself at this odd nine pound place. Nine pounds over my goal, and nine pounds under the my heavier self - it's like finding yourself smack in the middle of a tunnel. 

Half as far in as you are out and it really can go either way. An interesting place to find myself indeed. A year ago February I did the 30 Day Method Boot Camp and on March 1st of last year I started Metamorphosis. I still keep my original workout tracker close to hand. A couple of weeks ago, I pulled it out and looked it over. I was faithful to that workout, never missed a day (of the mat work, I did skip a few cardio workouts of course). So my secret challenge to myself was to see if I could match the number of days worked out in March 2012 with the number of days worked out in March 2011. 

Are you curious? I did hurt my arm on level nine and had to take a couple of days to recover, but in and around that I skipped a couple of rest days too and if all goes according to plan... somebody please touch wood... I will achieve my goal of training 27 out of 31 days. If done right, that would have been six days a week. 2012 hasn't been that smooth, but 27 days is 27 days. It'll be one of those small victories that keep me going.

But here is the really interesting thing. My weight hasn't dropped. In fact that pound I lost during the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards last month is back and I can't get into my skinny jeans at the moment.

I've said this a million times because it is so obviously true, I just haven't been living it. Diet is of paramount importance to weight management. If you want to lose or maintain your weight, you have to watch what you eat. Still wrestling with that. But I don't want to find myself working out like a mad demon and still covering up all summer long. I haven't worn an actual pair of shorts for a really long time. I want to do that this summer.

So this is the challenge part. Starting April 1st, I am going to challenge myself to eight weeks (eight long weeks) on the Dynamic Eating Plan. Or my version of it at least. Now that I have proven to myself that I am recommitted to the fitness aspect of the program, I need to get back on the wagon food-wise. I have to put this one out there front and center or I know there's no way I'll actually do it.


I know a few of you out there had mentioned that you were returning to the plan for a bit to get yourself recalibrated and back on track. So I'm here to say...


Me too! Any chance we can do it together? Because I suck at following it alone. Last year, I found the forum to be really helpful. There were less of us on it and it was easier to find people. I rarely go there these days because I find it a challenge to use. So I am doing it from here.


I thought April 1st would be a good time to start since eight weeks puts us at the end of May - just in time for June's warmer weather... sun dresses, tank tops, shorts and maybe even bikini's if we're really brave. What do you say?


Cheers.
Shan

Friday. C1.3 L1

It's a miracle. The sun is finally shining on the West Coast and when that happens, this place becomes paradise. Can't think of anywhere I'd rather be. Okay... maybe Hawaii, although I do love Manhattan in the spring. I hear Paris is pretty fab this time of year too. Hmm. In any case, it's uplifting and it makes me want to get moving.

I'm now into Continuity 1.3 sequence (level) one. This is the final disk for year one of content from Tracy. It's definitely different. I was dying on sequence nine of C1.2. No kidding. I didn't think I was going to pull through it. There were moments that I found myself thinking... I don't remember signing up for this. It was super hard for me and once again, trying to keep up with Tink I hurt myself. But once I remembered that this isn't a one-size-fits-all program, I tailored it to my strengths and kept it at the outside edge of my limits, and it turned into something that I could appreciate doing even while it was a struggle.

Now that we're into a whole new level, Tracy has introduced the pink ball. (Incidentally, I picked up a purple one at a local sporting goods store for $5.00 so I wouldn't be hit with shipping and the higher cost of ordering one. Frugalista, remember?) My girl Tricia warned me that I might find this level easier than we'd been used to. 

She was right. 

The moves are challenging, in that there's a lot happening in each one and there isn't any voice over to talk you through it, but once you watch each move and mimic it so you've got it down, it's not so hard that you're crying uncle before you're through, if that makes sense. But in that regard, there's not much to sink your teeth into. I know I know, if I'm not complaining, who am I, right? It's not that. I like the work out and frankly am relieved that I don't want to die half-way though, but the thing is, I've been on it for a few days now and I don't feel it afterward. No matter the level on the Method, no matter how difficult or easy it was perceived to be, I always felt a new workout in the days after. It's not an issue really, after the beating I took from the last level, it's nice to be pain free for a few days.

However, when the sun peaked out yesterday and I wanted to move my body, I mean really move it... I actually considered skipping my mat work and going straight to cardio. I know, cray-zee! Nobody panic, I didn't do it, okay. What I did instead was pull out Tracy's Mat DVD and I did that instead. It was brilliant! Oh how I've missed my beautiful Mat workout. I mean to tell you my arms were dying by the end. My hip flexers were burning, my abs hurt, it was so awesome. Doing nearly an hour of mat I was only able to pull off 15 minutes of cardio but it was so worth it.

If you have the buzz of spring fever and you really want to 'do something' and the same old same old just isn't cutting it, why not jump ahead in your workouts, just for one day? Or go back and visit an old fave -- or an old nemesis? Today I'm tempted to pull out The Muffin Top Slayer - level 3 of Metamorphosis, the level that really laid the boots to me way back when and see how it feels to do it. It could be fun... or I could wind up with vomit on my mat, hey it happens.

Spring fever is a great motivator to shake yourself up, to really dig your heels in and get that wagon back on the road if it was derailed over the winter. Look around and see what you can draw on for motivation. It might not even be your workout that you want to shake up. Could be the dinner table. Spring's a great time to make the switch back to crispy salads. Or it might be the skin care routine or even just a good old fashioned spring clean of the abode. Get up this weekend and do it!

Have a great one ladies.
Shan

For Marta!

Play it loud, this one's for you Marta!

Hey everybody, my Canadian girl Marta has been practicing the Method for a whole year as of today. Happy One Year Anniversary, buddy.

Even though I feel as though I know most of you personally and a lot of you have become like besties to me, I don't often have the opportunity to meet many of you in person. Mostly because we come from all corners of the globe. And while Marta and I are from the same country, Canada's huge y'all.

However, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with her, live and in person on a quick business trip to her fair city. And what a treat. Ladies, she is a stunning woman, fit and teeny tiny and beautiful. And such a great example of what hard work and determination can accomplish.

During some of my difficult times on the Meta dynamic eating plan, Marta was always there with an encouraging word, she was so damned good at that diet. On the forum, it was her positive attitude and words of motivation that kept so many of us going. Thanks for sticking with it!

For everyone who's graduated from the Metamorphosis program, to those of you hitting milestones -  like Marie who recently accomplished six months - and Marta who is celebrating one year today - I want to send out a hearty congratulations. It's because of you and all those that come up behind you that I believe change is possible. Not just change in our physical bodies, but in our strength on and off the mat, change in how we see the world and how we see ourselves in it. You've all made such a difference in my life and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Warmly,
Shan

Rolling in the Deep.

Been listening to a lot of Adele lately, who hasn't right? I mean the girl is heart breaking and beautiful and passionate and emotional and as human beings aren't we all? The title of this particular post is stolen from one of her songs. It's sort of a preface about this post... let's just say it ain't a light and fluffy one today people.

I'm a Cancer, so I tend to be emotional and moody at the best of times, but I become more so at this time of the month when we are coming up on the new moon. For many people, the full moon shines and they get a little wonky, but for me that new moon tugs at me and turns me inside out. I swim the depths of my soul looking for those answers I've sought since I can remember forming thoughts.

Why are we here? Why were be born into a human existence? Is there something beyond all of this? How can we experience happiness amid the suffering we know is out there? Am I doing enough to make a change in the world? What will be the legacy I leave behind?

I don't know a lot of people. That's what happens when you're a loner, but the people that I do know, or have known in my life are all extraordinary. Without exception. Lemme give you an example... I grew up in a very small town in Saskatchewan. The literal "middle of nowhere". I don't get home much, unfortunately, but a few years ago, I did make the trip for a milestone birthday for my Mother. It just so happened that there was a high school reunion at the same time and I thought what the hell, I'm here already. I decided to pop in and see who looked familiar. (Not a hugely popular girl in school).

One of the guys I had the good fortune to catch up with turned out to be a rocket scientist. No joke. He didn't have an easy ride either. Between graduation and that reunion, his whole family had died. There was an accident, some disease, I won't go into details but his siblings, parents, everyone... gone. Yet with everything stacked against him, he still went on to do phenomenally great things with his life. He was even working for NASA at one point. There sat I, the unproduced writer. What made him exceptional - apart from the fact that the man is a freaking rocket scientist - was that he was not at all judgmental or arrogant. He was grateful. He was gracious. He was so humble. His spirit was huge.

Someone else that I caught up with was always one of the popular girls back in high school. You always wonder what will become of them, don't you? Turns out that the life she went on to lead could have been a page torn from the life book of Brad and Angelina. She set off for Africa. There, she gave her time, her life blood and her helping hands to make things better for people that didn't have what she grew up with. She was so brave and generous and amazing. And there sat I, the unproduced writer.

In my youth, I had visions of saving the world, of really making a difference. I was interested in companies like Amnesty International, the Peace Corps, Red Cross, World Vision. Later I turned my sights to spiritual healing. I became a yoga teacher and volunteered in various centers and ashrams teaching students who wanted to learn, but an injury put an end to that.

Being moody and emotional, I could wallow. I have been known to throw one hell of a pity party. There are days where I feel like I haven't done anything. Alternatively, I could give up the life I've created, run off and join a cause and "DO SOMETHING"... or I could give this life I've created another look.

It has often occurred to me what a mimic I am. I've written about this before. If I meet someone who's an equestrian, suddenly I think I need to learn to ride. I nearly drowned in Ecuador because I thought I should learn to surf. I can barely swim people. Becoming a rocket scientist is out of the question because I suck at math. And running off to New Guinea or Haiti or Africa to offer relief isn't going to help anyone because that is not where my skill set lies. Unless of course I was there to introduce them to the Method. Although somehow I don't think they'd find it as useful as many of us have.

I am starting to realize that perhaps I do have a purpose. It might not be as grandiose as that of the people listed above, but we each have our part to play.  Mine is to give a voice to the people who have been silenced for too long. Mine is to tell my stories. The world needs stories. Stories are the medicine of the spirit.

I've traveled, not as extensively as I'd like, but I've found myself in some impoverished places, broke bread with people who had only that loaf to share and what I learned from them changed my life. I've learned that to be generous of spirit is the greatest gift one can give. I've learned that people need hope. They cling to hope more than anything else and their very survival depends on it. Hope doesn't only nourish the hearts and souls of people living in dire conditions, it feeds the starving souls in developed nations too. And do you know what stories do? Stories offer hope. Stories share the human condition. They ignite the spirit, they rally the troops, they remind us where we've come from and where we have the potential of going.

How do I know this to be true? Because I've heard stories, been touched by them, moved and fired up because of them. And not just the stories on bookstore shelves or in the cinema, but those stories of everyday people. Stories like yours. You amazing and brave women who come here every day. You share your victories and you share your sorrows, and you share my stories too. For that, I am grateful. Every day a new story is told, who knows what tomorrow's will be.

Until the next one.
Shan

Spring Equinox.

Today is officially the first day of spring and I've made it through level nine of Continuity 1.2. One disk to go and the first year of Continuity is done and dusted.

It's not been easy, there have been many ups and downs, weight loss and weight gain. I've been in and out of my skinny jeans, have shed tears of joy, sorrow and real pain. Together we've shared moments of triumph and victory and other moments where we've collectively wondered why the heck we're all doing it.  Some days are definitely harder than others.

I've compared Metamorphosis to climbing Mount Everest, but it could just as easily be compared to these ducklings trying to get up the curb.

If I've learned anything on this journey it's that no matter how you feel about it, the cardio is mandatory, that it doesn't make an ounce of difference how hard you work out if you sabotage your efforts with junk food, and no one gets through it alone.

Happy spring. Onwards and upwards troops.
Shan

Rebounder Workout - Now Available to All

Hey guys,
In case you haven't yet heard, Tracy Anderson's Rebounder workout is now available for purchase. Check it out on her website. 

It's reasonably priced and you no longer have to wait to get to year two of Continuity to have it. How great is that?!

Just to be clear, anyone who has received a complimentary rebounder workout with your Continuity 2.0, it is the same workout. Would be a bummer for you to order it and wind up with two of the same thing.

Happy bouncing.
Shan

Own It.

Happy Wednesday everybody. 

I know this might sound sort of odd but I really like Wednesday. It's that day of the week, where if it's a terrific week, it's only Wednesday so you've got all kinds of time to continue enjoying it. Or if you find things are going badly you can console yourself knowing that the week's almost over... because it's Wednesday. Or if like me you have a few more pages to write, edits to make, deadlines to meet, there's still plenty of time... ah Wednesday. It's good day. Hump day.

I realize that I haven't written much here lately. There's been some stuff going on for me that I've wanted to process before checking in. I've had another one of my revelations in which I realize that I haven't been following the shamandments very well.

Level 9 of Continuity 2 hit me light a freight train. It's a tough one and it moves fast. In an effort to try to do "everything" all at once and do it perfectly like Tracy, I wasn't practicing the Method in a way that was right for me. During the three months that it took to complete Metamorphosis, my learning curve was extremely high. I learned what I was capable of, what was beyond my limits (I injured my neck pretty badly around level 8 and had to take time off to recover) and I realized that the program is not one size fits all. Especially the diet, so I changed it up and made it suit my needs. I made it my own. On the rare occasion that there was a sequence of moves that I felt my neck could not handle, I would adapt that as well so that I was still doing the move but in such a way that I could support my neck. But somewhere along the way...maybe while having the whole family over from the UK and Saskatchewan in the fall, or maybe during the move to a new city, or while working day and night to meet impossible deadlines, I lost sight of that "make it your own" rule. It's number one on my list of shamandments - Be Shannon.

On Friday in a crazed effort to keep up with Tracy, literally at the start of my workout, I moved my arm in a funny way while holding the weight and felt this incredibly sharp pain in my neck and shoulder. I froze. I was like holy crap I've really gone and done it now. I stopped the workout (obvi) and checked out my range of motion and very quickly realized that any anterior movement of my left arm was a problem. In other words I could not lift my arm straight out in front of me. I thought, no worries, I'll skip the muscular structure and just do cardio on the rebounder and not move my arms. What?! Yeah, no way that was happening. So no workout on Friday. I monitored my thought process pretty closely. What can I say I spend a tremendous amount of time in my head. And my first instinct was that's it, it's time to retire. I'm a 40 year old woman, I can't even do yoga for crying out loud. I'll just take the dog for longer walks and that will be it. Well rat's ass, I couldn't even walk the dog because my arm was too sore to hold the leash, what the hell? Then I became all depressed and sulky.

Over the weekend while resting my arm, I got a reassuring comment from my lovely Tricia who is ahead of me on this crazy train and she gave me the heads up that level 1 of Continuity 3 was super easy. Different, but easier than level 9. Whew, there was the light at the end of the tunnel that I so desperately needed. After taking a couple of days off, my left arm is as right as rain. No problem, it was just some weird strain. But the time off gave me more time to think. Oh goodie! Just what I needed. (not)

The thing is, that because the program keeps changing and I have this stupid magic number in my head and a size I want to be or get to or whatever - I lost sight of why I was doing this in the first place. Yes I was at one point chasing perfection, gave that up pretty darn quickly when I realized it was no different that being a junkie chasing the dragon - you'll never get it. Be yourself and be happy with that. I got it. But I also got into the Method because it was making me feel better. It was making me stronger and while for some bizarre reason doing a yoga practice immobilizes my neck, the Method, I can do. It keeps me active, puts me in touch with my body, gives me a strength that transcends the mat and has helped me attract this lovely community. Had I somehow lost sight of all that that? I wondered.

When did this practice no longer belong to me? And if it didn't belong to me and I wasn't practicing it to be the best version of myself I could be, then why in the world was I doing it? If I couldn't find my way back to that honest and authentic practice then it really was time to retire.

So I dragged the mat out, ditched the ankle weights and changed from 3 lb dumbbells to 2 lbs and I thought right, I am going to do this workout but I am going to do it with grace. With all of the grace and intention that I have always tried to bring to the mat during my yoga practice and can you guess what happened? Well first off there was no way I could do 30 reps and certainly no way I could do them in the time Tracy provided. Did that make me a failure? No. I did ask myself what I could reasonably do though and I found that with precision and the use of my breath I could perform 20 reps and I could do them beautifully. You see when you put the moves of level 9 together and you slow them down, they become almost like an elegant and fluid interpretive dance sequence. I've fallen in love with level 9. Who would have ever guessed that? Certainly not moi!

But something else happened this week too. In an effort to lose weight I decided to go under the knife. Ha ha... not the knife exactly, more like the scissors. You can't really tell from my photos but I have pretty long hair. So I kidded with my beloved that to get the last 8 or 9 pounds off it might help if I cut my hair. Of course everyone I spoke to including my beloved, my sister, mother in law, some friends and even my freakin' stylist said, oh no.. we can't cut your hair. So she gave me more or less a trim and it didn't even touch the scale dammit.

But what did happen at the hairdresser's was another profound realization that leads back to the shamandments. At my stylist, they have a changing room where you take your top off and put on a robe. As I was in the fitting room, in different light, I saw my torso. While I haven't lost pounds or even inches really, I could definitely see the difference that all the extra standing ab work I'd been doing has made. Well that and the cardio I guess. My abs were making a comeback, the bloat was gone and it made me feel like maybe the scale wasn't the be all and end all. But something else happened.

I looked at myself, I was okay with what I saw (there is always room for improvement) but I realized that I wasn't a better person because I was looking better.

Allow me to say this again. I wasn't a better person because I was looking better. So why, when I'd gained the ten pounds back and could no longer fit into my skinnies did I feel less than? That really struck me. If I wasn't better for looking better, why did I automatically default to being worse when I didn't look as good? Rule number 7, no being a hateful meanie to myself. When did I forget that?

Had I been sleepwalking the past few months? Could that explain why I'd been filling my face with "ten extra pounds" worth of junk food? Have I been so busy trying to get to the next level of my career, of my fitness program, or even of my life that I wasn't actually living my life? Being a Yogi isn't just about asanas (postures) it's about non-violence, about compassion, about awareness, it's about being present. Just because I no longer stand on my head for ten minutes a day doesn't mean that I have any business giving up the rest of my practice. Because aren't we all looking for -  if not thee meaning of life - at least some meaning in life? And do any of us stand a chance of finding meaning if we're just going through the motions?

Tracy's method has helped to reinforce that for me once again. If I just blindly go through the motions on the mat, I will injure myself. If I blindly go through the motions in life, won't that hurt me too? It's definitely something more to think about.

Happy Wednesday. And remember, there's still enough time left in the week to make it count for something, or if it's really unbearable...you're halfway through already.

Love you.
Shan

The Day After...

Just a quicky today.

I managed to get back on the horse, so to speak, by tackling level nine again yesterday. I had only a slight pinch more success with it, in that I had more of an idea of what I was supposed to be doing. Although at one point, while the dumbbell was supposed to come in across my body and touch my opposite shoulder while coming into a sort of plank / lunge position with my free hand on the ground for balance, I managed to bring my knee in too quickly, bump the weight as it was crossing toward my shoulder and whack myself in the face with it. Good times.

Seriously, I don't know what is more bruised after that second workout, my knees or my ego - both took quite the beating. I noticed at about the half-way mark that the whole right side of my face was twitching. I get twitches and ticks when I'm super-stressed. Guess my body was interpreting the workout as a stress-er. I found that rather amusing.

Gee thanks for the workout Trace, yep even the accessory muscles in my cheek got a workout. LOL.

Have a great weekend ladies. Keep up your hard work.
Shan

Continuity 2, Level 9 Review. (I'll use that term loosely here)

the following post may contain scenes of bad behavior, self-destruction and coarse language...

reader discretion is advised.


Dear Tracy,
Hi. It's Shan, your faithful Canadian client. I've been working out with you for a long time now. In fact, this April, it'll be two years that I've been practicing the Method and have been with you through my Metamorphosis and into Continuity. The program's great. Thanks for creating it.

Yesterday I started Level nine, the last level in the second series of Continuity and I just have one question...

Why do you hate me?  Why Tracy?

I have nothing but love in my heart for you, why do you want to be so mean? Seriously, my hands are so sore from using dumbells for nearly the entire workout that I'll have to finish off this letter later... for now... I need a rest...


Lordissa, you guys I think she's trying to kill us. I'm lucky I'm not in traction today, because God knows I can't walk! But lemme tell you this, if I lived closer, I'd crawl into her studio and find her and ask, does GP really put up with this? Seriously? What is she nuts? 

My everything hurts. Hurts I tell you. Yesterday, during the actual workout when I was gasping for what I was sure was going to be my very last breath, I looked down at my pudgy belly and I thought, I could learn to love you my little love handles, my sweet muffin top, my beautiful Buddha belly... I mean come on! ANYTHING'S gotta be better than what the badass fitness guru is putting me through right now!

I wish I could begin to tell you what it involves, but there are no words. She's a mean lady. There's a move about halfway through that in any other segment would be the "hard move". You know the move I mean, right. The one where as you're doing it, you're thinking to yourself - "if I can get through this, I'm home free". Um yeah... hate to tell you this but that move in this sequence is the easy move. I am not kidding.

It's like you're on the palms of your hands, but one hand is balanced on a dumbbell. So if the dumbbell is in your right hand, your left leg is stretched out behind you and your right foot comes up, knee bent, and rests on the outside of that right hand. With me so far? Then you put all your weight onto your hands and that right foot, you pick up the left foot, raise your butt in the air, the left knee folds out like a figure 4 and the front left ankle swings in and touches the outside of the right calf - or some proximity of that. Yep. That's the easy move.

The rest of it, I have no words for, no words. Weeelllll, that's not entirely true, I had a few shall we say - choice - words, a few F^@k's, a couple of sonnova - bleeps! But even those were few and far between because I could not catch my breath. She had me moving so fast, literally whipped my ass around that mat back and forth, side to side, it was like being in the spin cycle of an industrial washing machine! 

I got myself really worked up too. I was like there is no freaking way I'm doing cardio after this woman! You can just forget about it Tracy. No wonder her rebounder workout is so easy for level bloody three. If sequence 9 of C2 is any indication of what's to come, I should say it should just be step touching in place for ten minutes and that's it! I can't even twist to the side today. (ok, yes I'm old but that has nothing to do with it! Gawd!)

And... AND - the sweat was quite literally pouring off me. That never happens. Believe me, I never work  out hard enough for that. I was soaked, my mat was soaked and I was sorry I'd ever heard of the Method. Once it was over, before my entire body ceased up, I went into full teen-rebel mode. I went to the market and I got me a tub of Ben and Jerry's. Oh yes I did! I got the one called 'If I had 1 000 000 flavors' because it literally has everything I have been denying myself for the past two months. And bloody hell if I didn't get an ice cream headache just to add insult to injury. Wow.

For those of you who've been with me longer, or who may have gone back and read some posts of yester-year, you might know that level 3 of Meta really kicked my hiney. I called Tracy the Muffin Top Slayer back then, and then she came out with another murderous one where I lovingly labelled her the Spare Tire Slasher because she was like something out of a horror movie that targeted waist fat. Remember those levels? Yeah, take them any day of the week and twice on Sundays over C2 L9. I'd even do them both on the same day to get out of doing this. Okay maybe not both but you know what I mean.

It's hard, people. H-A-R-D. 

The beautiful, insightful, and lovely reader Tricia has gone through this level before me here. And she said that the first time she did level 9, it took her 50 minutes to complete it. She said first she had to figure out what the heck Tracy was actually doing with all her limbs flying akimbo this way and that, then to actually perform 30 reps of each one... well... it took some time.

Listen, Tricia. I was thinking about you yesterday girl, and in fact I still am. If I decided that I was even capable of completing 30 reps of each... I'd still be on that damned mat. Sister, you are a super hero in my books!

So because you've done it and I am assuming you're human, although I am starting to suspect you of having some goddess status somewhere in your bloodlines, I will try the workout again today. But like later today, much much later.

And there is a reason that I gave up dairy. Who knew that stuff could make you so stiff? Yes the workout is partly responsible, but my joints are aching today. It's like trying to move through mud, like every muscle fiber is filled with hardening cement. My body most definitely no longer tolerates moo juice. I wasn't kidding when I said my hands hurt. I have arthritis and my knuckles are very swollen today.

Finally, in other news, because I came to the end of level 8, I decided it would be best if I got out the old measuring tape and scale. I sort of stopped doing that when I gained the ten pounds and couldn't get into my skinnies. Still not brave enough to try those puppies on, but here's what the other instruments had to say.

The scale is still crying uncle. I have kept the pound off that I lost during production week before last, and maybe have lost another pound? Not sure. What I do know is that I am still 8 pounds away from my dream weight but at this point if I could shed 6 of those and keep them off I'd be whistling Dixie.

As for my measurements - that stupid-ass cardio must be doing its job - because overall I've lost an inch. Not off my waist of course, but 1/2 an inch off my chest, a 1/4 inch off my hips and a 1/4 inch off my arms. It's nice after months of going backwards, to finally feel like I'm moving in the right direction once again.

I am such a damned freak show. Thanks for sticking with me.

xo
Shan

Put Some Muscle Into It!

Finally, it's starting to look a bit more spring-like around here. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and the cherry trees are blooming tiny pink buds. Incredibly precious.
 
I love spring. Everything wakes up. It's a clean slate. And... It marks a change in our wardrobe when we can shed those extra layers, change out of boots into sneakers and shoes and pretty soon we'll be donning our short sleeves or sleepless tops.

Are your arms ready?

I hate to make these public confessions but every now and then, when keeping it real, I come here to 'fess up. I will say in all honesty that I have really been slacking in the bonus arm department. Dunno if it's just plain laziness on my part or if I simply don't want to have to change the DVD three times. One for my mat work, one for my cardio and yet a third for bonus arms. Whatever the reason, I've been skipping them.

That doesn't mean that I haven't been doing some serious arm work to get ready for the warm weather. I love the teeny tiny and toned look my arms get with Tracy's Method so, in the last two weeks, I've been supplementing my mat work with additional Tracy arms from YouTube.


Here is one of my faves. It's ten minutes, so it's a nice one to sneak in later in the evening after dinner, or first thing in the morning if you want a quick wake-me-up.

 Give it a shot and have some fun with it. I've also really been digging the bonus Ab workout with Stacey on Tracy's Community Page. Sign in and try that out too if you're looking for that little something extra.
 
Tomorrow I begin level 9 of Continuity 2. I previewed it this morning and it looks like a real bee-atch! I don't wanna do it. I'm actually afraid I might break a hip doing it, so for today I'll relish moving through my last day on level 8. Tracy said level 8 was the hardest of the three sequences in this 30 day routine. Hardest my ass - level 9 is likely going to kill me.

Will keep you posted with a review if I can still sit upright after doing it. Good times!
Hugs
Shan

Resolution Review

Happy Saturday!

I'm thrilled that it's the weekend, in spite of my over-due deadlines, but I am really in the mood for spring already. A few trees are sprouting leaves and some spring blooms have managed to poke through the soil, but it's still grey and gloomy out there.

So...I thought it would be the perfect time to touch base with a follow up on one of my New Year's Resolutions from this year, going Cruelty Free. 

I ripped this off Peta's website:

Some personal-care product companies are still living in the Dark Ages: They needlessly pump their products into animals' stomachs; rub them onto animals' raw, shaved skin; squirt them into their eyes; or force animals to inhale them. 

It's a - not so gentle - reminder as to why I made the decision to change my 'mindless' product-loving ways into more mindful choices. I certainly couldn't bear the thought of doing any of the above to her...

Could you?

Of course not. So freakin' cute.

Silly me, I've been a vegetarian for over 20 years now (sorry my vegan buddies, I'm a total backslider in the 'giving-up-eggs' department, although my chickens do run free), but it wasn't until I read the story about the Beagles being rescued from years of captivity in a lab and seeing sunlight for the first time in their lives that it occurred to me... Duh, Shan! You could help put an end to practices like this by no longer supporting companies that test needlessly on animals, and the Resolution Revolution was born.

Being in a spring-time frame of mind, a time of year when many of us start thinking about changing up our skin-care routines from the moisture dense products of winter to something lighter and with more sunscreen, I thought it would be a good time to let you know how I've been making out. (Gawd that was a long sentence, it's the weekend, no time for grammar)

There has been an awful lot of trial and error, lemme tell ya! It was never my intention to run out and replace everything all at once, I am on a budget you know. But as things ran out, one by one, I've been on the hunt for cruelty-free replacements. And not just for my skin, but for my hair, teeth and household cleaning as well. The cleaning products have been an easy switch. The cruelty-free dish-soap still makes bubbles and that Seventh Generation stuff gets my bathroom clean. Same with my laundry detergent, even panty liners and tampons were no prob. One trip to Whole Foods, a bit of label reading and Bob's your uncle. All natural toothpaste is pretty cool too once you acquire the taste for it. I like Tom's of Maine myself, but 'he who shall not be named' prefers Jason Naturals. As I said, trial and error, keep trying stuff till you hit on one the whole family loves.

Skincare on the other hand has been the real challenge. I found the Vegan Beauty Market online and ordered a handful of samples. Sadly, the shipping to Canada cost me an absolute fortune and I wasn't thrilled with the products. I tried samples from 100% Pure, MyChelle and Gabriel, none of which agreed with my funny mid-life-crisis, starting to wrinkle but am still getting spots, skin! Although I do have to say the 100% Pure Coconut Nourishing Body Cream was divine, however the sample was so small it barely covered my legs. If I am ever in America (haven't seen it in Canada so far) I will get some, for the smell alone! Awesome.


Failing my online trial, I went back to Whole Foods to see what they had stocked on the shelves. Green Beaver was an epic fail, 'he who shall not be named' (because I've pulled him up onto my band wagon) is trying Alaffia's Antioxidant Face Cream and seems to really like that, so I might steal a sample for myself (from him, not the store) and see how that goes. I did manage to hit upon a Greek company called Korres and their Wild Rose products are pretty good... however I've since learned that they are distributed by Johnson and Johnson and J&J are not on the cruelty-free list. Crap! So while my moisturizer may not have been forced into a bunny's eye, the company distributing it may have done something horrible to an innocent animal and that is bang out of order!


Please, if you're in my boat with the funny mid-life-crisis, starting to wrinkle but am still getting spots, skin, and have found a product that you love (bonus points if it contains sunscreen) don't be shy, TELL ME, I'm dying to know.


It hasn't all been error in this trial period however. There was one arena in which I struck absolute gold. I am not a make-up wearer. Don't know how to apply it, can't be asked to go to all the trouble of finding a match to my skin and so have always only worn powder. In the new year, I automatically defaulted to Revlon, since they haven't tested on animals now for over 20 years. YEAH REVLON!!!! We're so proud of you. But because of the - funny mid-life-crisis, starting to wrinkle but am still getting spots - skin, their powder was just dusting the little hairs on my face making them stand out, while sinking into all the little lines. Not a pretty picture, it was making me look older than I already am, something had to be done.


I screwed up my courage and marched my butt down to the Mac store. Never been in there before. Find it terribly intimidating and far too cool for the likes of me but... I did it for the bunnies. Went straight up to some tattooed, teased-haired, make-up goddess and threw myself completely at her mercy. Ha! Turns out she was super sweet and nice, took me over to a palette of powders with a dizzying array of colors, plucked one off the shelf straight-away and said "you need this!" I was like, that's a little dark, ain't it? (because I am totally common and know absolutely nothing about cosmetics, even less than nothing as it turns out) And she was like, "you are aware that you have dark skin, right?" And I was like um... sure?


In my case, Indigenous might be short for idiot. Yes I have dark skin, but all this time I had been wearing this super light pale powder just like the kind my grandmother used to wear. Identity crisis, perhaps? It is a theme in most of my writing so...


I digress.

There I was standing in the hallowed halls of the Mac Store - my new favorite place by the way - (once I've saved up I am totally going in for a complete make-over) - holding this rather dark powder - it looks like this...

No kidding. Paid a fortune for it, (for the bunnies, remember) and was seriously skeptical when leaving the store. I am happy to report, it is by far the best investment I have made this year. 

It blended in flawlessly (seriously, who knew? I still can't believe it) and it makes my skin look beautiful. I look healthy and more like myself than ever. I guess that's what make-up is supposed to do. Again... who knew?

While my skin has suffered a wee bit, still haven't found a moisturizer I love (there have been days where I have longed for Lancome - I need only think of the beagles) I am happy with my choice and my resolve to be cruelty-free. Eventually I'll hit upon something that works for me (help me out here ladies!) until then, I still try to have fresh pressed juice daily since there's nothing better than good old fashioned nutrition for glowing healthy skin.


Next week I am into Continuity 2 level 9. Eeee. I'm scared. Of course I'll share the whole goofy gong-show with you.


Have a great weekend.
xo
Shan

Tracy Anderson Rebouder Workout Review.

Hey guys! 
I've finally had a chance to not only "watch" but also "do" the new Tracy Anderson Rebounder workout and I have a lot to say about it. Shocking, I know.


If you're new to Metamorphosis and the Method or if you've not been keeping up with recent content, once finished your Meta program, you have the option to sign up for Continuity. For more on that, click the tab above. In any case, every three months you get new cardio content and for the start of Year Two, our lovely Fitness Fairy Tracy came out with a workout that is performed solely on the mini trampoline. That is a huge bonus for anyone with a lot of weight to shed who might be less able in the beginning to jump around on the hard unforgiving ground for dance cardio, and that goes double for those with injuries; have shin splits? aching joints? age? Whatever, the rebounder is the way forward for all of that and it's fun for the rest of us too. (I confess to having the age thing.)


Before I get into the review I want to give a wee bit of history on why I was so uber-excited to get this DVD. In between coming out with her book, The 30-Day Method, but before the release of Metamorphosis, Tracy had a really accessible website. From there, she launched several web workouts, diet posts, tips and tricks to keep us all in shape. Way back in December 2010, she shared a link to a rebounder workout that she'd taped while on location in Tel Aviv.


If you've not seen it, where ya been? I have posted a link to it previously, but here it is again, if you missed it or you'd like to give it another go. This link has the whole thing in its entirety, so have fun. (I for one am a huge fan.)

When I began working with the Method, I was not a lover of dance cardio. Not a whole lot's changed since then, but I have accepted that it is part of the program and I simply suck it up and do it. 'Nuff said.


But having the mini-trampoline workout saved me on many an occasion. In fact during those first trying 90 days on Meta, I often adapted the dance cardio routine to my trampoline and interchanged that with the above workout and doing that, I managed to get in a helluva lot more cardio than I would have done otherwise, and much more than I did toward the latter part of last year. That's not not really within the scope of this post so I'll put a cork in it for now.


Needless to say, in the last two months, I've really made an effort to make a mental shift and incorporate dance into my life. Having recently re-awakened my age-old neck injury, the better part of February's cardio was indeed performed on the rebounder. So you can imagine my excitement when the email showed up announcing that new cardio content had been shipped and it was the Rebounder DVD!! Eeeeee!


Clearly I'm a fan of the Method and its Creator, I've dedicated this entire blog to my endeavors on the program, so it's with a heavy heart that I must confess that I didn't love the new workout. That said, here is my totally subjective review. (it's just one opinion, mine - so feel free to disagree)


Tracy is looking well in the workout, she's upbeat and clearly enjoying herself, which is fantastic, since during a few of the continuity workouts, the same could not be said. When you're laboring along with a workout, you don't always want the super-cheery up-beat trainer because that can make you want to shoot the TV, but you don't want a total Debbie-Downer either. It's one of the reasons I really enjoy working out with Tracy, she's so not on happy-crack, nor is she a nasty hateful drill sergeant. In general she's positive and encouraging without overkill. And this is definitely the case with the new rebounder content.


She has also made it a point to include some great arm choreography throughout the workout which may have been lacking slightly in the above video. So for that I will heap on the praise. She works the arms from many different angles, she incorporates ballet-style movements and she is consistent throughout.


However, (remember this is just one girl's opinion) the workout overall, for me, lacked imagination. Tracy is the Queen of Imaginative workouts so you can understand why this was such a surprise.

Throughout her history in developing the Method, a benchmark in her workout is to vary the movements, especially during cardio. You do not want to be working those large muscle groups over and over building up a big butt and thighs. So there was some disappointment for me when we didn't get to tackle all those various angles in the legs during this workout. 

If you've done the above workout, you know she has you kicking, doing knees up, heels to the back, angles out to the side with both bent and straight legs. During the Continuity Rebounder workout, I found the moves to be discouragingly repetitive, lots of knees up, too many jumping jack motions in the legs and not much else. 

Now in her defense, she does say this shouldn't be done entirely in place of your dance cardio. Fair enough, she's not a rebounder workout guru, dance really is the foundation of the Method, I get that. I'd just really hoped for more of what we got from her YouTube rebounder workout. The legs in this series were not very challenging and I found myself growing bored. (not good for a girl who dislikes cardio and has trouble getting to the end)


My other major let down was the music. I had sincerely hoped that in Year Two, the TA team might have sprung for some new music rights or at least dug out some music from the archives of say... her Mat workout or other Cardio DVD's. The music on all of those original videos was terrific. To have it be the same old sad mix kinda put a damper on my enthusiasm.


While I will continue to include this workout in my routine and I heartily applaud Tracy for hearing her clients in their cry-out for a rebounder workout, it certainly won't be the first DVD I grab when it's time for me to slog it through my cardio. If you're gently 'encouraging' yourself to do something that doesn't come particularly naturally to you (read - not a fan of cardio), you need to put in something fun and inspiring.


For my money, I will continue to do the original cardio workout that came with the first 90 days of Meta adapted to my rebounder, in addition to free-styling it with my own play list incorporating the routines I learned from Tracy through her older cardio DVDs.


Warmly,
Shan