Tracy Anderson's Full Body Trampoline Workout Review

Hello everyone!

As I have posted before, Tracy has not only come up with Teen Meta, but also a new full body Trampoline workout.

I was fortunate enough to get the DVD, and I gave it a watch, here's my review.

The workout is about 51 minutes long, and it has both muscular structure work and cardio.

She speaks for a moment in the beginning about how she understands some people can't do the normal dance cardio and how she developed this DVD to help those who can't and explains a couple of the benefits of rebounding.

You will need a mat, 3 pound weights and a trampoline of course.  

She starts with free arms, which are pretty fast like most of Metamorphosis, then does weighted arms.  Then she goes into legs which is interesting, she utilizes the trampoline in the workout too.  Example- being on all fours and holding onto the trampoline instead of having hands on the ground. She goes back to the weighted arms and utilizes the trampoline to make it more full body, like lifting a leg off the trampoline while working the arm.  After that is all done, there is some floor ab work, again using the trampoline as a guide to positioning.

However, she does NOT talk during the workouts. There is NO Instruction.  For me and other people experienced with TAM, this may not be an issue, but for beginners it may be.  I recommend watching the DVD a few times before trying the MS part.

And last, the moment we've been waiting for, cardio!

It's about 25 minutes of trampoline cardio, to me, the majority of the moves she does are very basic, I have seen her Tel Aviv and her Continuity 2.0 rebounder and there are a lot more moves on one foot with those, this one is more jumping jack, low kicks and both feet on the rebounder at once.  A lot more doable if you're a little scared to do anything heroic.  There are some high kicks, but no super high jumps or anything like that.

She also does a back view, basically  mid-workout she hops around so  her back is facing you.  I am okay with this, if it were me I would keep facing the television.

Because of how the cardio is this time, it makes me more eager to get back on the rebounder and try.

You can buy the dvd here on Tracy's site: Tracy Anderson's Full Body Mini Trampoline DVD

Another nasty article about Tracy.. Hmm.

Hello everyone!

My last post was about how Tracy was said to have claimed that Nicole Winhoffer, Madonna's current trainer, a former overweight caterer, this time I find an article about Tracy's claims that Gwyneth Paltrow was, in fact, fat.

Here is the article, taken from the source:

Celebrity fitness guru Tracy Anderson believes that she is a genius who has singularly revolutionized the fitness industry because she practically invented exercise; that her method of "spot-reduction" is so great it defies the science that disproves its effectiveness; and that Gwyneth Paltrow used to be fat until she began working with her in 2006.

Or at least, that's the way that she comes off in a new interview in The New York Times. The piece hilariously opens with Anderson freaking out with excitement over a shiny object—literally bouncing up and down—only to instantly snap into a foul mood something reminded her of some former employees (the uncertified trainers she hired to work in her gyms based on their "hotness") who she says ripped off her routines and stole her clients.

"It makes me sad for humanity, actually, that people would take all my hard work and then pose like they have a method that they have tried and tested," she said of her former employees, becoming so angry she struggled for words. "They're not even lip-syncing what I do. They're, like, karaokeing off my songs."

But, Anderson says that she and Paltrow, as businesswomen, are "really smart like Coca-Cola" so they aren't that threatened by competition. So does that mean that her former employees are Pepsi? Because Pepsi does pretty well and gives Coca-Cola a run for its money.

She also preaches her theories on why her fitness method works, saying things like "proprioception perception," "strength of synapses" and "muscle confusion" that make you think she actually knows what she's talking about when she says that she can make you smaller just in the places that you want, even though experts regard that as a myth, with science proving that you can't actually choose where you lose weight—organically, anyway—in your body.

The idea of Anderson being a charlatan has been flitting around in the media since she first rose to prominence. She's had some serious financial issues, and at one time promoted a super-shady baby food diet that she later denied ever having advocated, even though there was plenty of very public evidence to the contrary.

Maybe people wouldn't question Anderson's methods as much if she actually truly transformed a real person's out-of-shape body into her idea of physical perfection. Instead, she's known mostly for her work with Gwyneth Paltrow, a woman who has been infamously waif-ishly thin, so much so, that putting her in a fat suit in the movie Shallow Hal was the entire punch line of the movie.

Still, Anderson insists that Paltrow was fat, and is kind of a bitch about it.

"She hid her problem areas so well before me that I'm like, ‘I really wish your naked butt was everywhere before me and after me.' "

In the January issue of Redbook—of which Paltrow and Anderson grace the cover—Paltrowrecalls the first time the pair met:

"She pulled my pants off…I'll never forget it. She was like, 'Oh, my God, wow, I am just so surprised, because you look so good in clothes. I wasn't expecting this."

But Anderson apparently knows that she seems like a total whack job, telling the Times that it's "part of trying to create progress; you get called crazy, like any inventor."

Anderson, who just released a workout DVD to make children 10 and up "teeny tiny," ends the interview with a humble brag, "But the nice thing is, any time I'm testing on someone the bargain is that don't worry, whatever happens to you I can undo. I hate to say it, it's my gift."

My opinions:

I personally think this article is biased and taken out of context.  Those quotes I believe were taken from several different articles.  Also still, I honestly do not care what she does in her personal life or what she says about other people for the most part.  They say she has not taken a real person and transformed them, and that is BULL.

1. I know people who are "real people" and have had great success with the method.

2. A while back, I posted how they helped a man lose 100 pounds in six months, going from 388 to 288 pounds and counting.

And yes, Gwyneth very well COULD have looked bad under her clothes because of what they call "skinny fat".  Yes. You CAN have a small body and still have a lot of body fat.

Nicole Winhoffer Overweight?

Hello everyone!


As you may or may not know, Madonna's current trainer, Nicole Winhoffer (who is the trainer in Madonna's Addicted to Sweat DVDs) formerly worked with Tracy Anderson, and then that's how she became Madonna's trainer.

Now there are some not-so-nice comments that Tracy is allegedly slinging about.

"Madonna's new personal trainer, Nicole Winhoffer, was apparently in poor physical shape until she began working out with Tracy Anderson, the star's former personal trainer.

According to a source speaking to the New York Post: 'Nicole was overweight until Tracy shaped her body. She was a caterer and wanted to be famous.’

The 'insider' claims that Ms Anderson trained Ms Winhoffer herself before introducing her to then friend and client Madonna.

Out with the old, in with the new: Madonna's former trainer Tracy Anderson (left) is believed to have once worked with the pop star's new trainer Nicole Winhoffer (right) to get her in shape

They explained that when Ms Anderson moved back to the States after living in London with Madonna, she sent Ms Winhoffer in her place.

 

The source is dismissive of Ms Winhoffer's methods too.

A-List client: Madonna (in London in December) began working with Ms Winhoffer after apparently falling out with Ms Anderson

'Nicole doesn’t understand the reasons behind the moves, just the motions,' they said.

The report adds fuel to the apparent long-standing feud between Madonna and Ms Anderson.

After working together for three years, the former close friends had an unexplainable falling out and the relationship turned ugly fast.

In the aftermath of the split, the Post was told the pop star ‘had grown tired of the baggage that Tracy always seemed to be carrying with her’ and that it had become a ‘distraction.’

An insider told the Post that even more problems came about when Ms Anderson developed a relationship with Philippe van den Bossche, the former head of Madonna’s Raising Malawi charity who was forced out for alleged mismanagement.

The reported rift between the women has revved up again recently with the release of Madonna’s new workout DVD series Addicted To Sweat.

The new DVDs, endorsed by Hard Candy Fitness, which Madonna co-founded, feature the star alongside Miss Winhoffer. 

Although Madonna has refuted rumors that her new workout DVDs are aimed at competing with Ms Anderson’s growing fitness empire, it seems as if the bad blood between the women will continue with the ever presence of Ms Winhoffer by Madonna's side."

My opinion- They do not say that TRACY herself said it, and somehow to me it sounds like a bunch of bull.

I personally like both trainers, and stuff like this doesn't affect my desire to do one workout over another.

What do you guys think?

Building a Support Network By Yourself

Hello everyone!

We always hear that for weight loss, an excellent way to help is to have a support network.  Well, what if you don't have a support network, or you recently moved away from your old one?
Here's some tips on how to build support and be your own cheerleader.

"12 Ways to Stay Motivated On Your Own

1. Give yourself a pep talk. Remember Jessica, the self-affirming Internet sensation ? Sure, her self-pep talk is silly and cute, but she's wise beyond her years and that positivity is infectious. Channel your inner Jessica and set aside a minute every day to let the positivity flow; write down (or say aloud) everything that you like about yourself and your life, and use that minute to reaffirm why you want to meet your goals. You may feel silly at first, but it's harder to feel unmotivated when you're literally cheering yourself on!
   
2. My opinion: A good idea, it's always good to remind yourself that you are worth it, and sometimes we DO need a reminder on why we are working out.
3. 
   
4. Find some virtual buddies. Technology makes it easier than ever to connect with like-minded people-and it doesn't matter where they live! Online communities (like SparkPeople) can be great resources for support and tips. Chat on message boards about topics from diet and nutrition to exercise and fitness. 
5. 
   
6. My opinion: I have started to do this, I have made a few supporting friends via the internet.
   
7. Surround yourself with success. It may be said that misery loves company, but it should be that success loves company. Why are weight-loss reality shows so popular? Because viewers can see that other people have overcome obstacles on the way to achieving their goals. Success stories can be great for lifting you up and revving up that motivation when it's lacking, and reading that someone else had the same problem and pushed through can help you push through the hard times, too. 
8. 
   
9. My opinion: I love watching and reading people's success stories.  They do give me a burst of hope that maybe even I can lose weight.
   
10. Pat yourself on the back. Even if no one else knows about your accomplishments, they shouldn't go unnoticed. Commemorate finishing a marathon by framing your bib or medal, or engrave the date of a huge accomplishment on a piece of jewelry. Not only does it feel good to celebrate the achievement, but it also serves as a visual reminder of your progress, which can help keep you pumped up on those less-than-motivated days. 
11. 
    
12. My opinion:  This is a good idea that I have not tried before.
    
13. Challenge yourself. A little competition can be good for you! Join an online weight-loss challenge for that extra push you need to meet your goals, as well as the support from others who are going after the same goal.
    
14. My opinon:  I would perhaps like to do one of these challenges myself.

1. Commit to weekly check-ins. Just because you live alone or with people who don't support your goals, that doesn't mean you're doomed to fail! Unlimited cell phone minutes, email, and web chats can make checking in with a supportive friend or family member a breeze. Set a weekly date with your mom, sister or an uncle with similar goals to help you stay on track. 
2. 
   
3. My opinion: I believe this would be a good idea, I know people who check in even daily.
   
4. Get involved. If you're new to an area, it can be hard to make friends and find that support system that makes you feel at home. Join a gym, take healthy cooking classes, or join a local meetup to find like-minded people who share similar goals. You may not click with everyone you meet, but in no time you'll have found a key person or two who can be the foundation for your new support system and will help keep your goals a priority. 
5. 
   
6. My opinion: You can also find like-minded people online if you can't find people out in the world.
   
7. Use your pet as a workout partner. Dogs rarely turn down the opportunity to exercise. If you have a dog but have relied on the backyard for potty breaks, start taking a trip around the block with your new workout buddy! Or get out in the backyard with your pooch to play fetch or chase. You'll often find that once you're outside and moving, doing an extra block or two sounds better than another episode of reality TV anyway. 
8. 
   
9. My opinion: I do this with my dog too!  He does love walking, and the area around where I live is pretty walkable and dog-friendly.
   
10. Call on your co-workers. They may not be part of your "inner circle", but if you see them every day, your co-workers can be great motivational support. Make weekly lunch dates (or better yet, walk during your lunch breaks) to check in with co-workers who may be trying to eat better and get or stay fit. You can also give co-workers permission to take away your quarters when they see you heading to the vending machine!
    
11. My opinion:  I have had coworkers that have had special walk times with other coworkers, I do not have coworkers right now, but if I did, perhaps I would let one or two in on my goals.
12. 
    
13. Journal. Writing down your goals, struggles, setbacks and successes can be a great way to support yourself even when no one else will. You can go the pen-and-paper route or take it online in a blog format, or even do a video blog. Sometimes just writing about your struggles and reminding yourself why you're working toward your goals is all you need to get going again. 
14. 
    
15. My opinion: I do it here, and on video, and in pen/paper.
    
16. Pay yourself.Don't do all of that hard work for free! Set up a reward system that works for you. Throw a dollar in a jar each time you work out or meet a healthy eating goal and watch both your health benefits and your money grow! Use that money for a healthy treat after a few months-a massage, a new workout outfit or a gym membership are all awesome splurges. 
17. 
    
18. My opinion: This is a good idea, I would like to set something like this up for myself.
    
19. Reward yourself for meeting weekly goals. If you don't have spare dollars to throw into your workout stash as mentioned above, reward yourself in other ways for meeting weekly goals. If you meet your goal of losing a pound or working out five times, pamper yourself. Whether it's a long bath or a day off from exercise with no guilt, have a reward in mind for meeting your weekly goal and stick with it. 
    
    My opinion: I plan to use my Sundays for the relaxation.
    
    Sharing your goals with others is a sure way to get support. But even if you're in a new city or don't have that support system in place, encouragement from yourself and others is possible!"

Miracle Noodles

Hello everyone!


What if there was a noodle you could eat and not gain any weight from eating because they have no calories?  Well, there is!

In Japan, they often eat a noodle called shirataki noodles, which are noodles made from the fiber of the konnyaku yam.

The best thing about these noodles: They have 0 calories.  They are all fiber and take the place of noodles and fill  you up like noodles, but don't make people fat like noodles.

They are marketed online from a company called Miracle Noodles (www.miraclenoodles.com) but I got some cheaper from my local Asian grocery store. 

Miracle noodles are made in the USA and cost about $4 a bag. The ones I bought are imported from Japan and cost $1.25 a bag.  

I haven't tried them yet.  I am still looking for a recipe to try them with but when I try them I will post!

Have you guys ever tried these noodles?  How was it?

Belly Fat... Is it really that difficult to get rid of?

Hello everyone!

It's always the hardest thing to get rid of (seemingly)- Belly fat.  People do countless numbers of crunches and ab exercises, and all those things and don't see results.

I read a blog that basically says that all you really need to do to get a flat belly is watch your carbs.  Starch and sugar = belly fat.  Protein and vegetables = flat belly.

The blog even says that the only way to get a flat belly is the one thing nobody wants to hear- exercise alone is not enough.

The following is from the blog-

"Finally, and this is the most important thing and the thing no one ever wants to listen to, you can’t do this with exercise alone. You could be doing all of the exercise stuff just right and not lose weight or belly fat and perhaps even gain it because DIET IS THE MOST CRUCIAL ELEMENT IN BODY CHANGE AND FAT LOSS.

Too often people simply say “i am eating right” and they don’t realize this simple fact: if you are not getting results then you are not eating right.  If you are not getting results in fat loss, then no matter how good you are eating, it is not good enough for you and you are going to have to take it to the next level. This is just the way it is. Your metabolic formula is different from everyone else and you need to stop being the dieter and start being the fat loss detective. We all need to look at ourselves and realize while we may be comfortable with our current diet practices and be convinced it is enough, it simply may not be.  The point of your nutrition practices where you start seeing losses in belly fat is the point where you start seeing results NOT the place you are comfortable with.

Too often people get to a point where either consciously or unconsciously they decide  “this way of eating is good enough and I am comfortable here”. Sorry, but your level of comfort has nothing to do with it.  If you want change you have to make change and that change may be much more drastic then you have ever considered. It’s not fair, but it is the way it is.

Too often people are spinning their wheels trying to change up their exercise program in an attempt to get rid of the belly fat when in reality it is the diet program that needs to be manipulated, changed, and experimented with the most. This is the real way a six pack is built.  Abs are indeed made in the kitchen."

For this and more, check out the Metabolic Effect blog at- http://blog.metaboliceffect.com/2011/11/15/pack/

New surgical procedure for weight loss- a pump?

Hello everyone!


As everyone knows, there are two major surgical means to lose weight- Gastric Bypass (where a doctor removes most of the stomach making it tiny) and Lap-band surgery (a less invasive version where a rubber band sections off the majority of the stomach).  


There is another one they are trying to get on the market, pending FDA approval.  

Attaching a pump to your stomach to pump out undigested food!

Yes. Attaching a pump.  To suck out undigested food.  From  your stomach.

In other words, surgically-induced bulimia without the vomiting.  

I think this is a VERY extreme measure, and one that has great potential to be abused. 

What do you think about this?  A good idea, or a new low in the lengths people will go to avoid dieting and exercising?