EverAfterLand

Do you have a Diastasis Recti? Signs, Symptoms, and How to Check for Abdominal Separation

I was thinking that those first two posts may have caused a lot of people to question their own Jelly Bellies.  I figured it would behoove everyone to let you know how you, too, can check yourself for diastasis recti, in the comfort of your own home!

First off, I feel compelled to let ya'll know that diastasis is not just a problem with post-partum women.  Men can also develop a diastasis.  Even children.  What we so quaintly refer to as a "Beer Belly" in our husbands, dads or grandads may actually be a separation of the abdominal wall. 

What I have learned in all these years of trying to understand what had happened to my body, is that diastasis recti is caused by "forward, forceful pressure," as my physical therapist, Kelly Dean, would say.  This could happen from gaining too much weight.  Or performing pilates or yoga or endless crunches without properly holding in the transverse abdominus.  When you slouch, and see your belly pooch out in front of you, that is causing "forward, forceful pressure."  From what I understand, nobody has an answer as to why some people can develop a diastasis from all that repeated forward, forceful pressure, while others remain perfectly fine.  Although, I do feel that my diastasis might have been averted if I had exercised more consistently (with the proper exercises, of course) before, during and after my pregnancies.  However, I have seen many stories of women who were very fit and health-conscious - triathletes, even - who still developed a more severe diastasis than what I have.  It seems some of us are more genetically predisposed to it and others are not.

And I am part of that lucky bunch.  Yipeeeeeee.

As I explained in a previous post, there are a lot of different muscles all crisscrossed around the midsection.  It takes a lot of work to hold all those organs in!  The "six-pack" muscles are the rectus abdominus, and they are the two long muscles that lay side-by-side, stretching from your ribs down to your pelvis.  But something has to hold these two muscles together.  The linea alba is a line of tissue in between the two rectus abdominus muscles.  Underneath that are the obliques on your sides that allow the torso to twist.  And underneath everything is the transverse abdominus, a corset of muscle that wraps all the way around your midsection. 

It is common knowledge that during pregnancy, everything gets stretched out. 

Everything.

(And if you have never been pregnant, now is probably the time to stop reading this post.  I don't want to scare anyone.  Come back here after you get yourself knocked-up someday, then we'll talk!)

I believe that few women really think about what exactly is being stretched.   There is a combination of two things happening that results in a diastasis and/or jelly belly.  First off, the linea alba is stretched.  This is tissue, not elastic.  Imagine stretching out a ball of playdoh.  When you push the two sides close together again, the playdoh does not reabsorb into itself.  Rather, that stretched out part in the middle folds in half and hangs there, much like the linea alba.  For many women, after months or years, the tissue will eventually reabsorb, if the two sides of the rectus abdominus are kept close together for long enough.  For others, and for a myriad of reasons, it doesn't. 

Now add in the fact that your transverse muscle has also been stretched.  Yes, the muscle can regain its strength, which will help it shrink back down to a normal size.  But the transverse is a difficult muscle to work.  And for many, because it has been through so much trauma, there is a disconnect with that muscle altogether.  So even though you are taking Zumba or Kickboxing or CrossFit classes four days a week, your transverse is never really engaging because it sorta forgot how.

If the transverse is unable to regain strength and shrink back down, add to that all of your resulting bad postures which is repeatedly pushing your stomach out further multiple times a day, then that linea alba tissue never has a chance to be held closer together to allow for reabsorption.

Hence, a diastasis.

But enough about all this physiology crap, you wanna know whether or not you have a diastasis!  Here is a video that explains exactly how, featuring the same Kelly Dean I had mentioned earlier...

How to check Yourself for Diastasis from fit2b.us on Vimeo.

Kelly Dean is a physical therapist with an online course that helps you to strengthen your core and put you on the path to healing.  After years of trying different methods, this 8-week course has been the most effective for me.  But that is another story for another post!  I've had several readers ask me what I have been doing for my diastasis lately, so I wanted to quickly include that information here.  To check out the program, click on The Tummy Team link below. 

 OK, enough talk.  Now get on the floor and check that core!!!

And be sure to email or leave a comment if you have any questions.

(Please note, The Tummy Team link is an affiliate link, which means I have a chance to earn a couple of bucks if you choose to make a purchase.   This does not change my opinions about the program, and I look forward to sharing what that journey was like with you!)

A Squishy Mound Of Goo - A Diastasis Recti Story, Part 2

"Ohmygosh," I remarked to my husband, "it feels like just a hole.  There's nothing underneath."

I was laying on the carpet in a semi-crunch position, checking my diastasis recti a few months after delivering Baby #2.

The gap was wider than I had expected it to be.  Three fingers wide, which, now that I know I had been using the incorrect form (shoulders should stay on the ground) the gap was probably more like a four.  Not only did my stomach feel like a mushy mound of goo, I was horrified at the feeling of nothingness that existed inside that gap.  It felt like a bottomless chasm. 

What I later learned is that there's tissue that connects the two sides of the rectus abdominals (the upper layer of muscle or your "six-pack") right down the center called the linea alba.  As you can imagine, during pregnancy that tissue, along with the transverse abdominus, stretch to the max to make room for the little miracle setting up camp there.  That tissue, unfortunately, is not elastic.  So once it is stretched out, it can take time to return to a semblance of normal.  For many women with a diastasis recti and weakened transverse, that tissue never has a chance to rebuild.

In that moment, laying on the floor, it just felt weird.  Really, really weird.

Having given up on the Tupler Method book, subsequent Amazon searches helped me to find a new book.  Exercise After Pregnancy: How to Look and Feel Your Best, by Helene Byrne, was the book that made me feel confident that I could finally be diastasis-free!

The book starts off an easy-to-understand explanation of the anatomy of your abdominals - without scaring the snot out of you (like that other book). 

Then come three sets of exercises, starting with a sequence for beginners, then becoming progressively more difficult as strength improves.  The explanations for each exercise are a bit lengthy, but each move is accompanied with a series of photographs to help illustrate what you are supposed to do.

Of course, now I know that many of the exercises described in the book do not actually work your transverse in the best way.  Positions that instruct you to be on the floor on all fours, or want you to lay on your side or back are not the most beneficial for a weakened core.  I don't believe the moves would make a diastasis worse, but they're not necessarily making it any better.

I was oblivious to that information, though, all those three-odd years ago.  I used that book every other day, religiously, for months.  Eventually, I checked my diastasis again and, to my great relief, could easily feel the linea alba tissue underneath my fingertips.  I no longer had a bottomless chasm.

But I did still have a diastasis.  And it was hanging in there at around three fingers wide. 

The problem I had with the book was that I was unsure about when it was time to advance to the next level.  I didn't necessarily feel strong enough to move from beginner to intermediate, but after a month or so of the same exercises, it seemed like I should be moving on to something.

More importantly my tummy did not feel much firmer after months of half-hour core work every other day.

My search continued.....

New Year, New Me! Now, Weight Watchers, meet Tracy Anderson...

4 pounds.

No, really, FOUR WHOLE POUNDS!!!!  

Four days of no sugar, no wheat, and carefully typing food entries into my Weight Watchers app, and now here I am, four whole pounds lighter!

Don't think this success didn't come at a price.  It was basically four days of hell.

After a 2013 filled with many downs and very few ups, where all of my therapy came in the form of a greasy paper bag or a crinkly wrapper, I topped off the whole year by spending the entirety of the holiday season sustaining myself on nothing but chocolate.

I know, I know, I'm being melodramatic again.  It wasn't just chocolate, there were plenty of cookies involved, too!

And my main form of exercise has been the lifting of all these delightfully sugary treats to my lips and then back down to grab some more.

My tummy was happy!  But the rest of me felt slow and sluggish and not at all thrilled about pulling the Size 10's back out of storage.  Even worse when I found that half of my Size 10's didn't fit me anymore, either. 

With four pairs of pants left to wear, and a belly that muffin-topped over every single one, I swore that the New Year was going to bring changes.

Drastic changes.

First up, the sugar had to go.  And while my body functions much better when I am wheat-free, I found that it is not realistic for me to stay wheat-free forever.

Yep, it's the cookies.  Who could stand a life without cookies???

But my body was so screwed up, it didn't even crave vegetables anymore.  Or water.  So I was concerned that if I tried to go completely low-carb, I would wind up eating nothing but hotdogs and cheese all day long.  And, as far as I know, that one is not exactly approved my the Medical Association.  I have yet to see the "Hotdog & Cheddar Diet" on the cover of a book.

Although......

Enter Weight Watchers!  I had used WW years ago after having Miss Priss.  While the food tracking can become a bit tedious, it did make me think twice about eating anything.  Not just because of the point cost, but because I'd have to take the time to enter it!  And I thoroughly enjoyed the ability to earn more points by exercising.  It gave me so much more motivation to get up and get moving, if moving meant ice cream could exist in my future!

Of course, the program has changed since then.  And it works even better for me!  In the PointsPlus program, almost all veggies are 0 points.  ZERO!!  Including watermelon!!!  Yippee!!!!

And the handy dandy app really makes that tedious tracking a lot more feasible.  Now, you can instantly discover that the chicken nuggets you just wolfed down cost you 11 points, instead of waiting to be depressed about it until you got home. 

Isn't technology wonderful?

Do I plan to stay on WW forever?  Absolutely not.  But it is the tool I need right now to get back on the right path to health. 

And as for my marvelous 4 pounds - I know it is mostly water weight.  But can you believe I had FOUR POUNDS worth of bloat!  My tummy has already shrunk, and my pants are fitting better!

I am sorry to say that my beloved Tracy Anderson had taken a vacation from my house for the past year.  But I am very much looking forward to her return!  Although, this time around, I plan to ease into the program a bit more slowly.  And Tracy, being so great, already released a new Beginner DVD just for me! 

Because we are absolutely BFFs!

So if you would like to follow along on my journey back to fitness, be sure to pick up a copy!

Now that I've shed those first four pounds, I think I might deserve a reward. 

These first four days were not my favorite.  Between the headaches and insatiable cravings for anything that smelled like chocolate (the remnants of a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup on Miss Sunshine's fingers included) I was not a happy camper.  Have any of you seen the monsters and beasts that regular people turn into on that show Grimm?  Yeah, you could say I might have had a few qualities of someone possessed by a demon.

"Just a FEW?" I can hear Hubby asking himself.

But today I feel free.  Free of all the sugar and junk and cravings.  Free to move forward toward a goal of health and wellness!

Now, how does Ben & Jerry's Phish Food Ice Cream covered in Hot Fudge sound for lunch? 

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again, nobody is paying me for any of the comments made here.  Trust me, if they did, you would hear the screams of joy as I cash my paycheck!  If you do click the link for Tracy's DVD, and purchase anything from Amazon using that link, I will receive a few pennies.  But, hey, I live in Honduras, so pennies can go a long way around here!

 

Tracy Anderson Comments On Moms - But Is She Wrong?

Poor Tracy.  She sure stepped in it alright. 

For those of you who hadn't noticed (because, truthfully, there are more important things happening in the world right now), Tracy Anderson has gotten herself into a bit of a firestorm when comments she made during an interview in DuJour Magazine got some national attention.

What?  Never heard of DuJour Magazine?  Yeah, me neither.

Tracy was commenting on "body after baby," saying, "A lot of women use pregnancy as an excuse to let their bodies go, and that’s the worst thing."

I have to say, Tracy, that I'm inclined to agree with you.

I know it was my excuse.  And I had plenty of support with that excuse.  Has anyone else ever heard this commet?...

"You look good...for just having had a baby!"

Uh huh. 

There is an expectation in our society that a few things are going to happen the moment you become pregnant. 

1) You will eat everything in sight.  The fattier the better.

2) You may become a blob of a woman afterward.  But that's OK.  It was the kids' fault.

It is easy to become caught up in this way of thinking.  Having a newborn is overwhelming and exhausting and tiring, and the last thing you want to do is think about what you're putting in your mouth or doing anything more strenuous than lifting up your baby. 

Being naturally muscular my whole life, I had expected to just go back to working out the way I had before my first child.  I had not stuck to any kind of workout routine, but could walk into a workout class and be able to keep up well enough.  Boy was I in for a shock!  That natural muscle I had never really appreciated was nonexistant.  One of those things they don't tell you during pregnancy - if you don't use it, you absolutely lose it. 

Then I hit my 30's, and what all those old people told me when I was younger turned out to be true -  Your metabolism really does slow down.  Like a creeping turtle.

All the while I kept telling myself that this is what's supposed to happen.  This is just how a woman's body ages.  I will embrace this new body that I have!

I tried to embrace it.  But really, I hated it.  I hated my stomach sticking out, and my boobs being deflated and my butt spread.  And I hated that other women really did seem to magically return to their pre-baby selves.  Like a rubber band snapping into shape.

My BFF was commenting one day about how I constantly lie about my age.  "Why do you do that?" she queried, "I've never wanted to lie about mine."

"Honestly," I told her, "it's because I always thought I'd look so good, it would be unbelievable that I was whatever age I actually was, with kids.  But my stomach and all that.  I look like a mom in my mom jeans.  And that's OK, it's just not where I thought I'd be."

It was four years before I was really OK with my body.  Not that I had tried all that hard to change it.  Dieting didn't seem to do a whole lot.  I couldn't manage to stick to a regular workout routine.  Let alone find one that wouldn't make my diastasis (the separation of my abdominal muscles) worse.  By then I had a whole new wardrobe and was more adept at hiding the tummy and highlighting the assets. 

And yet...

It was that diastasis.  When nothing is holding the front of you properly together, the back can't hold itself together either.  My lower back began to hurt.  Not a lot, but enough.  After combing the internet, purchasing books, and trying out videos, I knew there were only two options.

A) Workout consistently with the proper abdominal exercises or

B) Have surgery to close the separation.

I really, REALLY hate cutting into myself if I don't have to.

It took a long time to find the right thing for me, and in that time I knew from other exercise routines that when I worked out, my back didn't hurt.  When I stopped  (and I always quit eventually) within a few weeks, the achs and pains returned.

When I decided to try Tracy Anderson's Metamorphosis, it wasn't to lose weight, or fit in skinny jeans, or even "get my body back."  All I wanted to do was make my core strong and alleviate my pain.

I am happy to say I'm pain-free now.  And also acheived something else I never thought to ask for -

I got my body back.

Not the original model.  I still insist on a push-up bra, and my belly might always pooch a bit.  But I am strong, and I am lean, and I DID THAT.  There was no natural muscle, there was no metabolism of a teenager, there was no genetic gift anymore.  I took that ball of dough, I worked it, and I am still amazed at the result.

Tracy has also gotten a lot of flack for "getting her body back" in six weeks.  No where in that article does she say that every woman would, should or could do the same thing in that ridiculous amount of time. 

She took six weeks.  I took six years.

This is the body I made.  Through life, through kids, through exercise and chocolate chip cookie dough.  And, finally, I think it's absolutely perfect.

So the question is, what body are YOU making?

 

 

Tracy Anderson Method at 90 Days - The Results Show!

Can you believe it?  Can anyone out there believe that I actually made it through 90 days of ANY workout regimen???

As you can imagine, I am extremely proud of me.  And, well, a little bit sad. Just like finishing a good book, it was a bit of a downer to say goodbye to my much loved Metamorphosis.   I even took an extra day off during that last week, trying to delay the inevitable.  Yes, I had Continuity already waiting beside my DVD player, but it's always a bummer reaching that finish line, the big goal you've worked so hard for.  They say it's really all about the journey, right?

And what a journey it has been!  Especially for my wardrobe!!  But more on that in a bit.... let's get to those stats!

                             Day 1                  Day 60                    Day *90*

Bust                      36"                        36"                                34"

Arms                   11.5"                    11.5"                               11"

Waist                  32.5"                    30.25"                        29.5"

Belly Button      34"                        32"                             30.75"

Hips                      42"                        41"                             39.75"

Thigh                  24.5"                    23.5"                            22.5"

Weight              146.4                   140.4                           133.8

 

If you missed the 60 Day Results Show (or just forgot), let me explain the belly button vs. waist measurements.  Having been pregnant with two (still ungrateful) children, my abdominals separated and never came all the way back together (a diastasis), causing that "pooch" that a lot of mommies are sporting.  This means the widest part of my waistline is the area around my belly button, so I added a line for that measurement. 

And there it is!  The fruits of all my hard, HARD labor.  I swear to you, Tracy just about killed me with that last level, Level 9.  I had no idea the human body could be contorted like that and still move!  Then I saw some breakdancers performing at a street fair last week, and couldn't help noticing how many of Tracy's muscular structure moves closely resembled what these guys were laying down.  Grab my boombox, folks, I may just have the foundation for a second career!

Anyway, I am totally amazed at how my tummy has shrunk.  I knew Tracy would work my core, but I still couldn't imagine actually having a waistline again!  And the other phenomenon is in the lower region.  Ya'll, somebody done STOLE the JUNK in my TRUNK!!!  When I set out on this endeavor, I never expected to see such a change in my hips and thighs.  Add in the flattening tummy, and you've got a recipe for a whole new wardrobe!  When I began, I fit into a size 10.  Maybe an 8 on a good day.  Now I am a solid size 6.  I actually weigh a couple pounds less than I did before I was pregnant with my oldest!

Which I'm sure some of you are pointing out right now.  I can already hear it, "Of course you've gone down in sizes, you lost 13 pounds!"

Well, that is true.  Losing weight will definitely get you into a smaller dress size.  But smaller underwear?  Not for this girl!  The only other workout that I stuck with for about the same amount of time was Body Pump.  And all those squats and lunges made my butt muscular, but they didn't do anything to shrink the bodaciousness of my badonkadonk. 

(Spellcheck is gonna LOVE this post!)

People, I have some additional news....

I bought a bikini.

No, no, not a TANKini.  A BIkini, as in two tiny separate pieces of fabric that, if worn properly, will not come anywhere near touching each other.  Mind you, it is not yet ready for public consumption - this is a strictly Backyard Only Bikini.  But can you imagine?  My oh-so-pale stomach will once again see the light of day!  (Pass the SPF 600, please.)

In other news, I, unfortunately, did not win the Detox in the Hamptons contest that all of you were so generously kind to lend your vote to.  I didn't even make it to the Top 10.  But I did stay on Page 1 (Top 25), which I thought was pretty impressive!

I would also like to add how excited I am to hear that two of my friends have purchased the Metamorphosis program!  Tanya works crazy hours in the medical industry and knows from the get-go that she won't be able to work out the prescribed six days a week.  I'm fascinated to see what her results will look like on an every-other-day type of schedule.  And Becca just had her third baby, so she'll be tackling this Meta on top of juggling an infant and two preschoolers.  I am thrilled to see how the Metamophosis Journies will develop for both of these women.  Best of luck to them!

Tracy Anderson Method - Contest To Detox In The Hamptons!

Remember that earlier post when I mentioned that I am, in no way, being compensated by Tracy or her people, but that I would happily accept a trip to her spa in the Hamptons in exchange for my positive posts?

(Oh, yeah, I have tons of integrity!  So long as nobody continues to offer to pay me for anything.)

Well it looks like I am one step closer to that day. Because Tracy is having an Instagram photo contest and the first place prize is an all-expense-paid trip to her studio in The Hamptons!

Notice, I did NOT call it a vacation. The term "vacation" assumes there will be relaxing, and eating, and drinking, and more relaxing. My understanding of her spa/studio, is that there is very little eating and whole lotta sweating!

(I know, only crazy people are excited at the prospect of more sweating and less eating, but is any of this a surprise to you by now?)

All I had to do to enter is upload a photo on Instagram. The photo then popped up on Tracy's official Facebook Page, along with all the other entrants.

Now, this is the part were all of you come in.  I need your VOTES!!!  All ya gotta do is click on the picture below, and it'll take you to Tracy's page. You'll have to "like" her page first (the button in the top right corner) and once you do that, my photo will appear. Click the "like" button above the photo, and that's it! You will be getting me one vote closer to the Top Ten!!

On June 17th, voting will close. Then Tracy will decide amongst the Top Ten who will win the fabulous Hamptons trip.

Right now, the #1 vote-getter has almost 500 votes. But #10 has 99, and I think, with your help, we can totally tank her!

Now, if my pic does not get chosen for the Grand Prize, that's OK.  Because, if you recall on that earlier post, I was equally happy to be paid in hand towels.  And guess what the Top Ten Finishers receive?

A gift certificate to the Tracy Store!

Wonder how many hand towels I'd get to score with that???  I will be RICH with hand towels!!!  I will use them to make a Hand Towel Fort, where I will live and do my Tracy Anderson workouts.  It shall be a palace!!!

Anyway....

Happy voting! And thanks so much for all the support!!!!

 

Tracy Anderson Method - Timing Is Everything, Part 2

Last week, I talked about when I schedule my Tracy workouts (Spoiler Alert: It's at 5:30 in the morning, right before the demons kids wake up.)

But the flip side of that coin is how OFTEN I actually manage to get these workouts worked in.

Because I'm sure I am not the first person out there to have opened up my much-anticipated box of Tracy Anderson wonderfulness, quickly read through the instructions, and say out-loud, to nobody but the dog, "She wants me to do this HOW MUCH???"

So here's the skinny, and I think I have alluded to this in an earlier Tracy Post, The Method requires you to perform the hour-long workouts (30 min. Dance Cardio + 30 min. Muscular Structure Work) every day, six days a week, with only one day off.

(I am REALLY enjoying my bolds and font sizes lately!  What is up with that???  Anyway....)

I used the word "required" because Tracy has a way of making you feel (especially in the book) that if you do not do the workout exactly as prescribed, you will somehow not benefit from it.  Scratch that, not "not benefit," more like "not benefit as much."

Now, I know she has her reasons.  And she is VERY passionate about her work, which I absolutely applaud her for.  However, in real-life, real-world, I-don't-have-a-Nanny-nor-am-I-being-paid-to-be-this-skinny kind of lifestyle, I'd like to clarify a few things I have learned in the midst of my journey.

#1.  If you miss a day, the world is not going to end, nor will your muscles suddenly atrophy.

Let's face it, most of us are going to miss a day here or there.  I found the discussion boards on Tracy's website to be amazingly encouraging when it comes to this.  It was on those boards that I saw posts from women who have been through Metamorphosis and continued through Continuity and have been doing these leg lifts and standing abs for a year or more and guess what?  Not all of them do 6 days a week.  Many do 5 days.  The lowest I have seen is 4.

I think it is important to stick to the schedule as much as possible through the Metamorphosis program, though.  How did I "stick to it?"  About as well as a post-it note, to be totally honest.  I can count on one hand (actually, it might be two, but just barely!) how many weeks I've worked out all six days.  But I can also tell you there's only been about three weeks that I've only worked out four.  So my average is five, and that is usually because it's really tough to find time on the weekends (ie: one or both of the demons munchkins winds up with a kick to the jaw.)

#2.  No matter what, do what you can, it's going to make a difference!

Tracy's whole Method centers around getting you fit fast.  But as I said before, if you are not on the marquee for the next $130 million blockbuster, then maybe you don't need to work toward "perfect."  The Method is going to make you strong, and it is going to make you sweat.  The biggest rule you have to follow for her program is to do each level for ten actual working-out days.  Maybe your ten days takes three weeks because of newborns or crazy houseguests or working the late shift.  I can't "guarantee it" because I've never actually tried it, but I bet you'd still see some pretty great results even if you have to take more than one or two days off a week.  (If you do try a different workout schedule, make sure you let me know how it goes for you!)

It may not make your body "perfect." 

But "perfect" never made your kids love you more.

"Perfect" never made your husband love you more.

And "perfect" sure as hell won't make the dog love you more!

(Although, if it does, let me know about that, too!  Or, well, if the dog is loving you THAT much, maybe keep it to yourself.)

Long story short, if you're on the fence about trying Tracy Anderson's Method (either the 30-Day Method "Bootcamp" Book or Metamophosis DVD's) because you're really not sure you can dedicate so much time to it, stop agonizing and just try it.  See how it works for you in the time you've got.  I promise** you will be fitter by the time you're done! 

** By "promise," I mean "pretty sure this is going to happen, but don't know absolutely for sure, so please don't sue me." 

*** I am still not receiving any compensation from Tracy for any of my own opinions you have just read in this post.  Actually, I should probably add that these are all my OWN opinions, so, please, Tracy, don't sue me, either.

**** I do, however get a little tiny slice of whatever you buy on Amazon if you click through the link for the Bootcamp Book.  So please do so, if you've got something to order.  (And, as always, please don't sue me!)

Tracy Anderson Method - Timing Is Everything

"You have to MAKE the time for yourself.  Schedule it on your calendar, just make time for YOU!"

I don't know about you, but I've heard this phrase (or something similar) so many times from just about every Workout Guru and Fitness Magazine out there. 

They act like it's so easy.  Just jot that hour's worth of workout down on your calendar and it will magically happen, exactly like you had predicted it would!  PLUS, little fairies will come down and dry each bead of sweat glistening upon your forehead with little towels made out of sun-dried moss.  If only you would just WRITE it on your CALENDAR!!!!

Um, right.  Suzy Squats and Joe Lunges must not have small children.  Little time-stealing monsters who are in constant need of snacks or dress-up dresses or markers or band-aids or plunk down on your lap with no intention of moving for the entire duration of that magical hour you have blocked off on your magical calendar.

Several years ago I purchased a book entitled What Mothers Do Especially When It Looks Like Nothing by Naomi Stadlen.  According to the back of the jacket (because who really has time for actual reading?) mothers have to be "instantly interruptable." 

Instantly Interruptable.  This was a bit of an epiphany!  This was the key to why my days had felt so lost and why I had felt so inefficient.  It wasn't me, or the lack of scheduling - it was simply the career of Motherhood.  Something that had been left out of the job description as I had originally perceived it to be:

Must be kind, generous and patient, ability to kiss away boo-boo pain a must, experience in crafting animal shapes out of food a plus, and instantly interruptable.

When I first began Tracy's program, I had attempted to do the workout in the afternoons. 

And almost kicked Lil Miss Sunshine in the face.

What can I say?  My kids LIKE being around me!  (And would be horrible contenders for a show like "Wipe Out.")  There are precious few years that I get to enjoy their company. 

But I was very serious about committing to the Tracy Anderson Method.  I had to find some sort of compromise.  Somewhere, there had to exist an uninterruptable time slot.  The one and only time slot that I had been avoiding for oh-so-many years - I set the alarm for 5:30 in the morning.

Ah, but I do not just SET my alarm.  Oh, no, I set the alarm on my phone, then place said phone in the bathroom, all the way on the other side of the bedroom, so I am FORCED to get my lazy bones OUT of bed if I am going to shut the darn thing off.  And I'd better run over there, or the sound might wake the children!

Once I'm up, of course, I'm UP!  I used to have thoughts every so often of stealing back into bed, catching a few more zzz's beside my nice, warm husband. 

Then I imagine how disappointed Hubby would be if he saw that I had not completed my workout that morning.  "You skipped?" I could hear him saying in a disappointedly disapproving kind of way.

(Now, Hubby doesn't care one snit whether I get up or sleep in, but I have trained my brain to THINK that he would care, so don't ruin my delusion!)

Most mornings, though, I'm already up, clad in spandex, and downstairs filling up my water-bottle before I have had a chance to realize that I had, indeed, actually removed myself from my nice, warm bed. 

And by 7:00 AM I am already feeling empowered because, if nothing else happens that day, there is one thing I can cross off my calendar....

Dance Cardio - Check!

Level 8, Day 9 - Check!

Before I know it, my workout is finished and I am on to the rest of my totally interruptable day.

Tracy Anderson Method at 60 Days - The Results Show!

Every so often a friend asks me how I am liking the Tracy Anderson Metamorphosis program that I have been (literally, as you are about to see) working my ass off with.

"Have you noticed a difference?" they would ask.

"Oh, yeah!" I would say exuberantly.  "I'll be posting the results really soon!"

And by "really soon" I apparently meant "two months from now."

 

(Quick tip: if I ever ask you to babysit and tell you that I'll be back "really soon," it would be a wise idea to get a firm timeframe and then text me every thirty minutes until I return!  Unless, of course, I'm paying you, in which case you will find me extremely prompt.)

 

I have been diligent about keeping records of my progress with Tracy.

Every ten days, like clockwork, I grab my Tracy Anderson tape measure and, while wearing the exact same clothes at the exact same time of day and standing in the exact same spot, document the progress that I have been making.

And there IS progress, people!

I have passed the 60 day mark (out of the 90 days of Metamorphosis) and, in retrospect, I am glad that I waited.

I feel much more confident explaining how my body has transformed after 60 days than I would have after only 30.  Mainly because somebody besides my husband finally NOTICED!  To be honest, though, it was my friend who was on painkillers for a broken rib at the time, so it's possible she was delusional.  But I'll take it!  (Thanks, Julie!)

But you don't care about my feelings!

You just want the results already!

OK, here it goes....

                        Day 1        Day 60

Bust:               36"              35"

Arm:              11.5"          11.25"

Waist:           31.5"            30"

Belly:             34"             31.5"

Hips:              42"              40"

Thigh:          24.5"            23"

Weight:       146.4          136.2

 

So how about that!

I suppose I should explain what a couple of these numbers mean.

I have a diastasis, which means my abdominal muscles did not come all the way back together after having my (totally ungrateful) children, so my tummy pooches out a bit.  A lot.  OK, depends on who you ask!

So I measured at the smallest part of my waist (hence, "waist") and then at the largest part, which is around my belly button.  As you can see, quite a difference there!

Sure, losing ten pounds will help your middle whittle, but I have weighed in at this amount before, and my tummy did not change a whole lot.  Tracy has a lot of fantastic abdominal moves that work the midsection in ways nothing else ever has!

And check out those hips! It's still hard getting used to wearing pants and not feeling the fabric stretch tight like a drum across my round rumpus. And then there's my underwear! I thought I owned bikini-style underpants, but now that they are no longer stretched to the max horizontally, they are sitting up above my hip bones. I never thought I'd be bragging about my (practically, almost) Granny Panties!

Mostly, though, I'm feeling good. Stronger, and fitter, and slimmer. I ordered Continuity (the continuation of the program after Metamorphosis) today.

And once I'm done with my 90 days of the same Dance Cardio video, I'm really looking forward to the new Cardio that's on its way to my mailbox!

Now, there is OH so much MORE I could tell you about Tracy, but it would add up to the longest post in the world!  So I'll split it up and delve into other topics like "Dance Cardio" (aka: How I'm A Slacker) and "Diet" (Not Exactly Tracy Approved).  Of course, I'll be getting to these topics soon. 

Yeah.  REALLY soon.

 

(PS - I have in no way been compensated by Tracy Anderson. All the views expressed are totally my own.)

(PPS - However, if Tracy would like to compensate me in some way, I would absolutely not be offended. It doesn't even have to be money. I would happily accept a week's stay at her new spa in the Hamptons! Or, you know, a hand towel. Whatever she wants to offer!)

The Madness In Her Method - A Short Explanation Of The Tracy Anderson Method

As some of you already know from my previous post, I have recently been indoctrinated into the Tracy Anderson Metamorphosis workout series. Last week's post was a rehashing of my lifelong fitness quest - one that was (not surprisingly) totally lackluster - until it culminated with the discovery of The Tracy Anderson Method. Will this, my new-found passion, be the ticket to a healthy well-being?

After that first post, I had a few inquiries as to what the heck I was talking about, and what sort of guru am I hitching my wagon to THIS time? Hence, this follow-up to (hopefully!) shine a bit of light on the what's what of this program.

First, a little background (aka: what I read in the book). Tracy Anderson began developing her Method about ten years ago. Her background is in dance, and you can see the influence of that in many of the movements. She eventually became Madonna's trainer and (I think) that's when people started to notice her. She and Madonna had some kind of falling out (that was NOT in her book, THAT was found somewhere on Google), but Tracy has had a string of celebrity clients ever since. Names like Shakira, Courtney Cox, Zoey Deschanel, and her most vocal client, Gwyneth Paltrow. Gwyneth believed so much in The Method that she became a partner and helped bring the Metamorphosis program to market.

Tracy (yes, we are on a first-name basis. I am on a first-name basis with anyone I see every single morning!) initially released a few DVD's here and there. Titles like "Dance Cardio" and "Post-Pregnancy Workout." Then she released her "Design Series," which was a set of three DVDs. Then came the book (as previously mentioned) and now the "Metamorphosis" program, followed by Continuity (but I'll get to those later).

Just tell us WHAT it IS already!!!!!

OK, ok, cool your jets!

Essentially, her program consists of two things - Dance Cardio and Muscular Structure Work.

The first time I saw (and tried to perform) the "Dance Cardio," I thought, this is absolutely NOT dancing. This is just jumping around like an idiot!

Until I eschewed the icky background music on the video, and supplemented with some upbeat tracks from my iPhone that one would actually DANCE to, and my tune changed.

OH! OK, with the right music, this IS more like dancing!

But, to be really totally honest, it is a lot of jumping around like an idiot. Tracy does not even remotely look like an idiot. She is very svelte and totally gorgeous dancing around like she's doing an Irish jig. Even her jumping jacks look HOT.

I look like the idiot. Because Tracy is not terribly instructional on her videos. (And by "not terribly instructional" I mean "there's about 30 seconds worth of voice-over, and that's it!)

Don't get me wrong, it is ultimately one of the reasons I love the program so much! Part of my boredom with other videos is that it gets really old listening to the instructor say the same thing day in and day out.

BUT, that means you've really got to pay attention and be on your game. Not too bad, actually, I find that it keeps my mind focused.

To help you visualize what all this Dance Jumping looks like, I've got a handy YouTube video to share. (See, I do all the visualizing work for you!)

See what I mean??? The Metamorphosis video I have has less arms and fewer spins, but PLENTY more jumping jacks.  And she wants that done 30 minutes a day, 6 days a week.

But what about that asthma you mentioned before? Isn't your body rejecting this kind of stuff???

Well, for some reason, jumping doesn't affect my lungs as much as running. Maybe because I'm moving in all directions, instead of just forward, I'm using more muscles? I don't know. I still have yet to do the whole 30 minutes without have to "walk it out" in the last half, but my endurance is really improving!

Wouldn't a good, long walk work just as well? It all burns the same calories, right?

Actually, Tracy says no. In her book she talks about the research that went into using this type of cardio, versus running, walking, or whatever else. She swears the one that made the biggest impact on her clients was the Dance Cardio/Jumpin' 'Round Like An Idiot workout. So I'm sticking with what Boss Lady tells me to do!

Onto the second half of the program - the Muscular Structure work.

I'm not even sure where to start on this one!

It has a bit of dancey-looking arms, some very different, ab-annihilating crunches, and finishes off with some1980's, Jane-Fonda-style-on-steroids leg lifts. But it's only 30 minutes!

Alright, let me see what I can find on YouTube to help you with your visualizing.

This is a great little instructional video!  But let me make it clear that in Metamorphosis, there is NO instruction as to what you are doing or why you're doing it.  Which is why the book really comes in handy to help with understanding the moves.  Also, I am absolutely NOT doing 100 reps of anything!  In this program, she does 40 reps, max.  At least so far!  (Oh, Lord, please let there be no more than 40!!!)

Arms are first done with no weight and movements are pretty fast. Then you pick up your 3 lb. weights, and work those arms a little more. It LOOKS easy. And I do make it through all the motions. But my shoulders have definitely felt the burn when it's time to put those weights down!

Next up is abdominals, starting with standing abs. Moving your rib cage and hips back and forth, in opposition to each other, you get to feel like a hip-hop star!

Then, it's time to hit the floor. The biggest difference with Tracy's ab work is that she like to perform the mini-crunches (lifting just your head and shoulders off the floor) with the legs straight, not bent like we all have not-so-fond memories of being forced to do in high school gym class.

If you survive abs, Tracy attempts to finish you off with leg work. This is done mostly in that old school style of "four on the floor." In other words, you are on your hands and knees with one leg at a time kicking backwards, forwards, to-the-side, and even at a diagonal. It hurts. No, I mean it, it HURTS!!! But I have had no problem with my knees or my wrists (despite having a ganglion cyst in one that should be making this unbearable). No, what hurts is my ass, my hips, and some deep place in the inner-most regions of my thighs. And yet, in some weird, twisted way, I look FORWARD to this work. I may not be able to do ALL the reps, but I look forward to seeing how many more I'm able to accomplish each morning!

Which leads me to the schedule. I don't know what she recommends on her previous DVDs - I have yet to own one of those. But I do know how it works with the book and Metamorphosis (Meta, for short).

The book is a "Bootcamp." It is meant to be completed in 30 days and is more intense than Meta. And "more intense" is really simply "more time-consuming." Tracy would like you to dedicate between 1 1/2 to 2 hours per day, six days a week. Which was why I never got around to doing the workout in the book. 2 hours?? EVERY DAY???? It sounded much too daunting. And I was a bit afraid of the cardio. And I tried some of the muscular work, but felt like I was doing it all wrong. Unfortunately, I had forgotten that the book comes with a DVD in the back. If I had popped that in, I would have felt much less confused! 

Eventually, I decided I was really going to commit to a program - no matter what. And after checking out Meta for about a year, decided to take the plunge and just do it! (The rati onal side of my brain did note that there is a good resale value for the program on Ebay - just in case!) Meta comes in, what Tracy terms, "Centrics." Each centric targets your particular problem area, or where you tend to gain weight. They include Abcentric, Hipcentric, Glutecentric, and Omnicentric. I think you can guess what area each one emphasises, except Omni. Omni is for women who tend to gain weight evenly all over. BK (Before Kids) I would have been Glute or Hipcentric. But AK (After Kids) I have been gaining weight in the middle before anywhere else, so I purchased Abcentric. There is a handy dandy quiz that Tracy has posted, to help you decide which centric you are. I don't know what the differences are between the centrics. From what I understand of what others have posted, the exercises are pretty much the same, but will be in a different order, or have a couple of omissions or additions. The initial program is 90 days worth of workouts - so 9 muscular structure programs that you change every 10 days - and one Dance Cardio video. The workouts consist of 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of muscle work. One hour total. Absolutely doable! Of course, we are talking about six days a week. Admittedly, that was a little rough at first. (Super Secret Insider Tip: It is advisable that you do NOT begin this program the week of Valentine's Day!)

Once the 90 days are over, Tracy offers a Metamorphosis Continuity program. Every 90 days they will ship you another 90 days worth of workouts, in your centric, for $29.99/month. This is very exciting to me! Unlike other DVDs that come out with a handful (at most), Tracy will stay with you for YEARS!

And that's it! There you have it - The Not-So-Short Explanation of the Tracy Anderson Method! I hope this answers some of your questions. Next up, you can look forward to my thoughts on the Meta eating plan (did I mention it comes with a diet?  Well, it does!) and letting you in on what has "metamorphosized" from my first 30 Days of Metamorphosis!