Revelations and Modifications...

I don't know about you but sometimes I feel like I'm going along, doing my thing, minding my own business, not really thinking what I'm doing, why I'm doing it, or whether it's right for me. Take for example this exercise routine I've been doing for some 5 months now, the Tracy Anderson Method. Basically you do half an hour of muscular structure work per day and half an hour dance cardio per day (when you can get yourself motivated to do both if you're me!), both 6 days a week. Since I started the program, in combination with starting to eat clean(er) over the past 2 months I've only lost a grand total of...... wait for it...... 4 pounds! In a more impressive 'ta-da' moment though I have gone down a dress size, sometimes 2 sizes, so that's the good thing.

But what I am now is what I think is only a slightly shrunken version of myself  6 months ago, I have much better shoulders/arms than before and in shadowy light I can see my abs right from the top in a line right down to the top of my legs now, so that's good too. But there's still not much to report (apart from general shrinkage) in other areas. So I've been looking for 'something' to change up.

Nancy Reinhardt, before and after. Wow!

I've been following Nancy Reinhardt on Facebook, she's made an amazing transformation, she was 200 lbs after having 5 kids and decided to eat clean and lift weights and now she's 122 lbs, has an amazing toned body, and is still working at it. She's just started her own coaching service for diet and exercise, she's like an expert! I was telling her that despite some improvements, I feel stuck now, that nothing is really changing. I hate admitting the Tracy Anderson Method might not be quite enough for me but there you go, I've said it!!! Don't hate me!!! Maybe I'm just impatient??? So anyway, Nancy said that if I start lifting some weights I'll definitely see another change, the new muscles I create will be burning fat harder, which will in turn help me get smaller and maybe lighter again. She said she was 'stuck' on 130 lbs for a couple of months but during that time still went down 2 sizes, just from building muscle and losing fat. So it's clear it's not all about the numbers game (weight), it's about the size and shape you are and how you feel and look. 

So anyway, after taking on board this advice and realising that lifting some weights and gaining a little more muscle is what I want and need to do, this is my new plan...

- Still do Tracy's MS 5 times a week and always use wrist and ankle weights if she's not using free weights

- Do Tracy's dance cardio 3 times a week, 20-30 mins

- Do weights at home 3 times a week after Tracy's MS and before the cardio (if doing that day). Nancy said do the cardio last so that's what I'm doing!

- Do a class at the local leisure centre of Body Pump and/or Body Combat once/twice a week - a good combination of cardio and muscular work.

- Continue and improve my eat clean lifestyle, including lots of protein and more water

I did some weights last night and boy do I know about it, as the day goes on my legs are more like jelly when I go to sit down - just think going to the loo, not even funny! But it's a good sign - it means I did some real work with my muscles!!! I haven't been sore AT ALL doing any of Tracy's stuff, so maybe that should've told me something a long time ago.

I really hope this brings a change in me, I'm excited to find out. I know Tracy doesn't want us to use weights as it will 'destroy all her work redesigning my body', but I think her method WITH weights can surely only attack things from a deeper place, accelerate progress and give more visible results. Add some free weights and other exercise to it and hey presto, toning in action! 


So I admit, I do like a little bit of muscle, not too much (think Jodie Marsh - NO!!!) but a bit is good.

I just hope I can stick to this plan now... wish me luck! 


Janice