I usually don’t watch Oprah, but had to record last week’s episode with Gwyneth Paltrow. Oprah showed a clip of Paltrow’s workout with celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson, who also trains Madonna. So I Googled the girl and found this article on How to Lose 20 Pounds in 6 Weeks.
Tracy Anderson has a very unique training regimen that consists of 1 hour of her cardio dance routine and 1 hour of toning exercises. She uses no more than 3-pound weights and promises that any woman can achieve a tiny dancer-like body. I ordered her dance workout dvd and will try to follow this diet as long as I possibly can. Hey, I’m going to Hawaii in 2 months. I gotta look good! I’ll let you know if I have positive results. Here’s the article and video clip:
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Workout Routine with Tracy Anderson
Madonna’s Trainer: How to Lose 20 Pounds in 6 Weeks
Thursday May 1, 2008Two pounds a week is the typically advised weight loss, but pro Tracy Anderson says she has worked out a way to safely shed even faster!
“It’s perfectly healthy,” the former dancer, 33, tells Us of her plan. And the results of her regime speak for themselves in the super-fit physiques of clients Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna, not to mention her own transformation (the 5-foot mom dropped from 140 to 95 pounds).
“My formula works on everyone as long as they’re consistent,” says the trainer, who has a studio in L.A. She developed her signature strategy, to shape any body into a “teeny-tiny dancer type,” after testing 100 women for five years independently (because “the government isn’t going to fund seeing if you can get a Victoria’s Secret butt out of any woman!”).
The key, she says, is to constantly change the routine. Her students log six two-hour sessions weekly, dancing and hitting the Hybrid Body Reformer (a pulley-system machine available only in her studio, but not necessary to this plan). Promises Anderson, “You’ll keep the weight off!”
The Diet
This short-term diet “ensures you lose between 3 and 5 pounds a week,” says Anderson. The diet bans processed food, dairy and all spices (“They’re bloating and upset your digestive system, which causes you to store fat”), oil and sauces (“They’re just added calories”), discourages drinking alcohol or caffeine (sip 1.5 to 3 liters of water daily instead) and prescribes one serving of whole-grain carbs a day. Once you’re at your target weight, adopt a healthy but less restrictive diet.Below are three weeks’ worth of menus. You can follow as is, or mix and match complete days’ menus to your liking.
WEEK ONE
Sunday
Breakfast
1 cup Kashi cereal, with ½ cup plain — or vanilla — nonfat rice milk
Lunch
3 oz grilled chicken breast — or fresh turkey breast (no deli meat!) — with ½ cup each of chopped cucumber and tomatoes
Snack
1 cup mixed berries (try raspberries, blackberries and blueberries)
Dinner
1 cup organic pasta with ½ cup steamed spinachMonday
Breakfast
1 cup Kashi cereal, with ½ cup plain—or vanilla—nonfat rice milk
Lunch
2 hardboiled eggs with ½ cup each of baby carrots and cherry tomatoes
Dinner
3 to 5 oz grilled sea bass with ½ cup steamed spinachTuesday
Breakfast
1 cup steel-cut oatmeal made with water and ½ cup fresh blueberries
Lunch
3 oz grilled chicken breast — or fresh turkey breast (no deli meat!) — with ½ cup each of chopped cucumber and tomatoes
Snack
1 cup mixed berries (try raspberries, blueberries or red grapes)
Dinner
3 to 5 oz grilled salmon with ½ cup steamed broccoliWednesday
Breakfast
1 cup Kashi cereal, with ½ cup plain — or vanilla — nonfat rice milk
Lunch
½ cup each of fresh spinach, beet root, tomatoes and cucumbers, with 2 tsp tahini
Snack
1 snack cup of sugar-free Jell-O
Dinner
3 to 5 oz grilled chicken breast with ½ cup steamed spinachThursday
Breakfast
1 cup Kashi cereal, with ½ cup plain — or vanilla — nonfat rice milk
Lunch
2 hard-boiled eggs with 4 to 5 celery sticks and 4 to 5 carrot sticks
Dinner
1 cup penne pasta with ½ cup each of steamed spinach and chopped steamed tomatoesFriday
Breakfast
1 cup Kashi cereal, with ½ cup plain — or vanilla — nonfat rice milk
Lunch
3 oz fresh turkey breast with ¼ cup each of cucumbers, alfalfa sprouts and beets, plus 1 slice whole-grain bread
Snack
1 cup fresh strawberries
Dinner
3 to 5 oz grilled sea bass with ½ cup steamed fresh green beansSaturday
Breakfast
2 poached eggs with 3 slices veggie bacon
Lunch
1 whole-grain wrap with ¼ cup of chopped avocado and ½ cup each of chopped cucumber and tomatoes
Snack
10 to 15 red grapes
Dinner
3 to 5 oz grilled chicken breast with ½ cup steamed spinachWEEK TWO
Sunday
Breakfast
2 poached eggs with 3 slices veggie bacon
Lunch
3 oz fresh turkey breast with ½ cup each of chopped cucumber and tomatoes
Dinner
3 to 5 oz grilled salmon with ½ cup steamed Brussels sprouts or ½ cup steamed spinachMonday
Breakfast
1 cup vanilla — or plain — nonfat rice milk and one poached egg
Lunch
2 sushi rolls (about 10 pieces total) of your choice (none should include mayo, nor may you add soy sauce)
Snack
1 cup soy pudding
Dinner
3 to 5 oz grilled chicken breast with ½ cup steamed spinachTuesday
Breakfast
1 cup vanilla — or plain — nonfat rice milk and one poached egg
Lunch
2 celery stalks with 2 to 4 tsp almond butter
Dinner
3 to 5 oz fresh turkey breast with 1 sweet potatoWednesday
Breakfast
1 cup vanilla — or plain — nonfat rice milk and one poached egg
Lunch
1 slice whole-grain toast with 2 slices veggie bacon with ½ cup each of tomatoes and spinach
Dinner
3 to 5 oz grilled sea bass with ½ cup steamed spinachThursday
Breakfast
1 cup vanilla — or plain — nonfat rice milk and 1 poached egg
Lunch
2 slices whole-grain bread with 3 oz fresh turkey, 2 slices of tomato, 3 to 4 slices of cucumber and romaine lettuce, and 2 tsp mustard
Dinner
3 to 5 oz grilled salmon with ½ cup steamed kaleFriday
Breakfast
1 cup vanilla — or plain — nonfat rice milk and 1 poached egg
Lunch
1 cup quinoa with ½ cup each of chopped parsley, spinach and tomatoes
Dinner
3 to 5 oz grilled chicken breast with ½ cup steamed spinachSaturday
Breakfast
1 cup vanilla — or plain — nonfat rice milk and 1 poached egg
Lunch
2 slices whole-grain bread with 3 oz fresh turkey, 2 slices of tomato, 3 to 4 slices of cucumber and romaine lettuce, and 2 tsp mustard
Snack
1 snack cup of sugar-free Jell-O
Dinner
3 to 5 oz grilled salmon with ½ cup steamed cabbageWEEK THREE
Sunday
Breakfast
1 cup vanilla — or plain — nonfat rice milk and 1 poached egg
Lunch
2 celery stalks with 2 to 4 tsp almond butter
Dinner
1 grilled chicken breast with ½ cup each of chopped cucumber and tomatoesMonday
Breakfast
1 pumpkin spice Kashi bar with 1 cup vanilla — or plain — nonfat rice milk
Lunch
1 cup plain penne pasta with ½ cup steamed peas
Dinner
3 to 5 oz fresh turkey breast with ½ cup each of chopped spinach, cucumber and tomatoesTuesday
Breakfast
1 pumpkin spice Kashi bar with 1 cup vanilla — or plain — nonfat rice milk
Lunch
1 cup soy yogurt with 3 to 4 celery sticks
Snack
1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries)
Dinner
1 cup brown rice with 3 to 5 oz grilled chicken breastWednesday
Breakfast
1 pumpkin spice Kashi bar with 1 cup vanilla — or plain — nonfat rice milk
Lunch
3 oz chopped turkey with ½ cup each of chopped tomatoes, cucumber and spinach
Dinner
3 to 5 oz grilled salmon with ½ cup steamed kaleThursday
Breakfast
1 pumpkin spice Kashi bar with 1 cup vanilla — or plain — nonfat rice milk
Lunch
2 hard boiled eggs with ½ cup each of baby carrots and cherry tomatoes
Dinner
3 to 5 oz grilled chicken breast with ½ cup steamed spinachFriday
Breakfast
1 pumpkin spice Kashi bar with 1 cup vanilla — or plain — nonfat rice milk
Lunch
3 oz grilled chicken with ¼ cup of chopped avocado and ½ cup each of chopped cucumber and beets
Dinner
3 to 5 oz grilled salmon with ½ cup steamed spinachSaturday
Breakfast
2 poached eggs and 1 slice whole-grain toast
Lunch
3 oz grilled chicken breast with ½ cup each of chopped cucumber and tomatoes
Snack
1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, red grapes)
Dinner
3 to 5 oz grilled sea bass with ½ cup steamed spinachThe Workout
While following this plan six times a week, use 3-pound weights, max. Anderson explains, “It’ll get you to your tiniest, tightest point without overdeveloping muscles.” Get video footage of the workout at tracyandersonmethod.com.WEEK 1
Make a 20-minute iPod playlist and do a different cardio activity (treadmill sprints, jumping rope, running on a trampoline) for each song. Switching activities will keep any one group of muscles from bulking up. “You should be dripping sweat and taking very few breaks,” she advises.Get crunching! Do these three moves on a mat:
1. Lie flat on back, legs straight, then bend legs and pull to chest, feeling exertion in abs (50 reps).
2. With legs at 90-degree angle, do 50 crunches.
3. Lie with legs straight, feet apart. As you slightly lift one foot, crunch straight up and down; return foot to floor and lift the other while crunching. Do 60 times, each side.
Tone Do 100 reps each, or 200 for moves that alternate sides:
1. With feet shoulder-width apart, hold arms out in a T and rotate palms from -facing floor to ceiling.
2. In same stance, bend one wrist and pull across body, arm straight, in a smacking motion across your body. Alternate arms.
3. Then, with arms straight behind you, palms to-gether, snap your wrists from side to side.
4. Hold a 3-pound weight above your head with elbow bent at a 90-degree angle. Then lift weight straight over head. Do all reps on one side, then switch arms.
5. With weight in hand, hold one arm out in a T, bend at elbow to cover eyes, then straighten, keeping arm lifted. Do all reps on one arm; switch.
6. Arm Raise: Using 3lb weights, stand with feet shoulder-width apart. Slowly move arms together straight up into a V above your head. Elbows and wrists are bent slightly. Then gently lower your arms back down to your sides and without pausing go straight back up again. Work up to 100 reps.
7. Single arm overhead pulse: Using 3lb weights, stand with feet shoulder-width apart, arms at your sides. Raise one arm above your head with your elbow slightly bent and then straighten your arm completely over your head. Pulse like that, up and down. Work up to 100 reps on one side and then the other.
8. Do grand pliés: Stand with feet -shoulder-width apart, toes pointing out. With hands on hips and back straight, slowly bend knees until thighs are parallel to floor.WEEKS 2–6
Increase cardio 10 minutes each week, so by week six, you’re up to 60 minutes daily, plus toning exercises.
Entries (RSS)
September 24th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
I am just watching the recording of the Oprah show and started to do research on Tracy Anderson. I am very intrigued because she says that she can change anyone’s body. I can’t wait to see how the program works for you. I read an article in Harper’s Bazaar where she transformed one of their writers in only 4 weeks. The writer went from a size 8 to a size 4, lost about 11lbs and 46 inches all over incl. 4 inches from her waist and 5 inches from her hips. That is amazing.
Please keep us updated with regular posts.
Good luck!
October 14th, 2008 at 12:09 am
She did a one week boot camp in my gym last week. I joined it, 630a-830a M-F. She also put us on a meal plan as well and I’ve already dropped one size in my pants. She is a genius, very sweet, and genuinely wants people to feel healthy about their bodies. I highly recommend taking her classes if given the opportunity or getting her DVDS which Gwenyth did say she uses when Tracy is out of town.
If you are in the NYC area she’s opening up a studio soon. Can’t wait!
October 15th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
A bootcamp sounds like so much fun! I hope she does one again? Did you do cardio and toning exercises? And what kind of meal plan? I have all her DVDs and have been really enjoying them!
October 20th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Yeah…I have her DVDs as well and I love them! I’m also wondering what the meal plan was that mary mentioned tracy had the “bootcampers” on…
October 20th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
It may be the same meal plan that I have posted.
October 20th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
I was interested in this woman’s meal plan and workout…as it seems to be very effective. Just out of curiousity, has anyone calculated the calorie intake a day for her meal plan? Well I just did for day one, using CalorieKing.com, and assuming that the food listed is all that will be consumed, no oils/fats added for cooking. Day one was only about 680 calories. Most meals seem to run about 200 or less calories. I don’t know about you, but 680 calories doesn’t seem like enough to sustain the intensity and time she advocates for the cardio and toning. Most high intensity cardio burns about 100 calories or so every 10 minutes. In the beginning she has a client doing 20-30 minutes of intense cardio, so that should burn +/- 300 calories, followed by 100’s of reps of toning exercises. By week six, the client should be up to 60 minutes of cardio (+/- 600 calories burned)! I imagine that the beginning workouts with just 30 minutes of cardio, by the time you are done toning, burn close to your intake of food. However, most people have jobs and kids and cleaning and chores to do….which all burn a lot of calories…just typing burns calories. They recomend over a thousand calories for the average person to simply live, not including intense exercise.
No wonder her clients are dramatically losing weight, they are eating under 700 calories a day, and literally burning off every calorie consumed in the gym, before accounting for calories to get their body through the REST of the day. Losing weight under her plan is a mathematical certainty! I just don’t know if health experts would consider this lifestyle a healthy choice! It seems more like a crash diet that one could only maintain for so long, before going back to eating more, and consequently experiencing the weight climbing back up.
I’ll probably try it anyway, as I believe calorie restriction and high nutrition are the keys to living longer and healthier (read the CRON diet). The CRON diet is based on the research conducted on the scientists who lived in the original Bio-Dome who were extremely healthy although underweight and underfed. Further studies showed that when reducing food intake by 30% with mice, they lived on average 30% longer. However, it is a known side effect of CRON dieters, that because they take in so few calories (quiet similar to Tracy’s calorie limits), exercise is limited to walking. They do not take in enough calories to sustain an intense workout like that mentioned above. I have been losely following the CRON diet, and have found that yes, I lost a lot of weight, but working out became a real challenge. Exercise is good for you, no one disputes that fact, but I discovered that I looked my best and was at my lowest weight as a calorie monitoring Nazi, and only took 30 minute walks and did toning exercises. Running was out of the question unless it was for a couple minutes here and there.
Anyway, that is my two-cents. Every is always so focused on what workout is best, and how long to do it, and how to get the quickest results. I have found with my obsessive dieting/fitness experience that you can work your ass off doing all SORTS of different workouts, but the ultimate deciding factor on how much you change the scale and the dress size is what you put in your mouth, and how much of it. This is clearly the logic Tracy Anderson subscribes to, as anyone who eats 680 calories a day will lose weight. Add in 2 hours of workout, and you will lose it even faster, possibly to your own detriment if you don’t stop eating so little and working out so much.
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:57 pm
when and where is tracy anderson opening a studio in nyc?
November 6th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Where can I order DVD sets, including dance aerobics? Thanks!
November 6th, 2008 at 10:33 am
You can order on her website: tracyandersonmethod.com
November 11th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
how did you go?
November 16th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Hi Oodora:
Just wondering how your progress is going with the tracy anderson diet/exercise program. I recently bought her post pregnancy work-out and mat and want to try her diet program. Thanks in advance!
November 17th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Hi Pia,
Thanks for checking back. Honestly I got bored with the dance cardio dvd. I’m not a dancer and the learning curve is pretty high to get the movements down. Instead I jog/sprint on the treadmill four times a week and incorporate pilates, yoga and weight training classes at the gym. This works best for me. As far as the diet portion the calories are too low to support the amount of exercise I am doing. Instead I eat as much raw fruits and veggies as I can, vegetable and rice soups (homemade), raw smoothies with fruits and greens (homemade), gluten-free muffins (Zen bakery), and little to no dairy, breads or meats. I hope to post my healthy eating diet and exercise program in the future.
December 9th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
You do realize that you pick up more than 3 lbs throughout the day, right? A good many trainers know better. This is a fad. Look at what historically works. Also look at the science of the body, including metabolism and nutrition. The calories listed in this meal plan is hardly enough for the average woman sitting on her butt, much less moving around. If you want to do cardio, do cardio. If you want to lift, then lift heavy. This is like hopping on a gym bike and trying to win the Tour de France.
But hey, good luck…
December 11th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Who has the time to work out 2 hours per day??? I am trying to work out every day for 40-60 minutes and I thought I was good. But 2 hours? Not very realistic if you are a working woman and have kids (and no nannies or a cook or …).
January 13th, 2009 at 8:25 am
She had a studio in Indianapolis she totally mismanaged. She closed the doors without telling her clients or without returning thier prepaid packages. Basically she ripped them off and headed West. Google her. She has a long list of complaints & lawsuits against her.
January 18th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
I was wondering if it was possible to do this diet, jut to lose the weight, then go back to regular eating and exercising? the restricted calories scares me because ive struggled with a ED but im thinking if i didnt wokrout i would feel as you know… restricted
January 18th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
can anyone tell me if they tried this and succeeded
February 12th, 2009 at 6:18 am
Can anyone tell me an English equivalent of Kashi cereal, or what it is like, as I cannot find it in UK
February 12th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Gwenyth mentioned that she was able to work out with her, and yet eat whatever she wanted. She wasn’t good at dieting, but was able to do the exercise part of it. Either her or Oprah said something about how this was better than being on a treadmill and watching the clock, etc… while on it. That says it must be adaptable to the person.
February 16th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
i have her mat video and i love it. i am thinking about getting her cardio video too.
February 24th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Mat is AWESOME! Skip the cardio dvd. Expensive and difficult.
March 1st, 2009 at 2:11 pm
For a woman under 5′ tall who weighs only 95 pounds, this diet is harsh but doable. For someone who is 5′8″ and breastfeeding, it would be restrictive. I’ve got no problem dumping dairy, most carbs, refined and processed stuff for a period of time, but I’d have to add 2 snacks in with the rest of the meals to stay sane.
March 3rd, 2009 at 4:34 am
Sounds very restrictive…. I know that Gwyneth follows the doctor Joshi plan (by the way this guy is nice but very expensive and drops alot of names whilst your’e in his company… not sure that I like that) which I have also followed…… but it would be silly of us to think that this is all Madonna and Gywn do…they have an endless list of vitamins and minerals that they take….have all the best beauty treatments to support the exercise and diet plans that they are on and guess what…it all costs a bomb… sure we can do a less expensive equivalent but honestly they have no reason to not be in the best shape….. oh and did I forget to mention the colonic irrigations that they have…… I have done all of these things and trust me if you don’t keep term up the weight piles back on……… best to perhaps follow the plans as best you can and add a little more healthy food in and some good olive oil…. the recipes above look borning and taste less. Olive oil never killed anybody. Good luck to all. x x x x
March 3rd, 2009 at 4:43 am
Hiya,
Spices do not bloat unless you are using them wrong. Well chosen spices and herbs will help with digestion, decrease bloating, up metabolism, help skin and when mixed with certain oils will help soothe sore muscles. try grinding/grating them yourself to really get the benefits (not to mention the great smell and flavour). Small weights and lots of reps has been common in the weightlifting world for a long time. This is nothing new. Her dance video is pretty crap. Its hard to get in to it when she’s pouting at the camera. Oh well. Some of her strength moves are pretty cool though. And it’s a great idea for the soul-sucking treadmill. Might actually give it another go…
March 6th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
I have her videos and have really seen my body transform. I have lost 40 lbs. 35lbs were from my second child and I have just lost and extra 5. I was never able to loose all the weight from my first child and now I am almost back to where I was when I got married. I do the mat work out 5 days a week and try to do cardio 2 days a week and that alone has begun to reshape my body from very stocky muscular to very lean more dancer like. My family and friends and even said I look taller. Like Tracy Anderson I am only 5 ft tall. I know this works…nothing else has ever worked to get leaner muscles for me. You can loose weight with any program but if you are trying to reshape your body from something you weren’t born with this really works!!
March 19th, 2009 at 11:37 am
hello…I would love to see the Tracy Anderson/Oprah video that you have. How can I view it? Thank you, Traci
March 19th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Hi Traci, try the new link I posted.
March 21st, 2009 at 6:51 pm
I will try. Can you see Madge and Tracy’s shapes ?
I feel so good just looking at them
BLI AYIN HARA.
All the best,
Cris LL.
April 27th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
I have both the mat and the cardio dance work out. I started with 1 dance and then did the mat dvd. Now I’m up to 5 dances 3 times a week and mat workout 4 times a week. I’ve only lost 4 lbs in 4 weeks without dieting. It’s better than nothing! My tummy is much less flabby and my legs look great. No difference in my arms. I eat healthy for the most part with 1 splurge a day. I think Tracy should stick to workouts, and not give diet advice. She has repeatedly stated that she is the worst at dieting. I enjoy the DVDs and I look forward to the feeling I have afterward. For that, I value her workout.
April 28th, 2009 at 2:46 am
Hello,
I ‘ll try the DVDs, especially the dance cardio and will emphasize on the arms.
I already do “advanced” mat and small ball pilates, but i’m trying to get rid of some 6 pounds of fat! and the 3 are on my arms
As for the diet plan, i think it’s far to hard for me. I measure 173cm - ( i think 5′8) and 66 kg (146 pounds), i have an athletic body type and my BMR was measured at approx. 2200 cal, far higher than average women’s. I tried a low calorie diet some 12 years ago ( now i’m 38) and when i reached 61 kg (134) my period stopped.
Anyway, diet was never my strong point. No will power when i’m hungry! An after the gym, I am SO HUNGRY!
April 28th, 2009 at 10:08 am
I’ve just started working out using her mat dvd, and after only 3 times I’ve noticed that my arms are stronger and my tummy is in much better shape, love it! It’s amazing how much stronger you get after each time. I’ve tried out one short dance video she posted on GOOP and it’s great too, when you learn the movements and are able to just dance it works great!
May 1st, 2009 at 5:41 pm
I’ve been doing the diet for a week now and I dropped 5 pounds the first week. You have to be very comitted and not cheat and it will work. I’m also a diabetic and it has helped me on the way that I force myself not to have any sweets so the diet can work completely. After that, it’s just a matter of control to keep the weight off. It works! Thank you Tracy!
May 6th, 2009 at 11:15 am
I just ordered both DVD’s and have taken down this eating plan. I have been reading and watching Tracy do her thing for a while now - i am very intrigued. I have about 10days of travel coming up so i will try very hard to stay inside her parameters - though I will use it as a guide and refocus when I return. (travel just for business so shouldnt be too hard).
May 13th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
the meal plan is just showing you how to lose up to 20 pounds in 6 weeks. She goes on to say that after that or your target weight to switch to something less restrictive. The diet is pretty much just like a no carb diet aka South Beach. I am going to do it for 2 weeks (like phase 1 of south beach) to make me less bloated and to start to eat clean.
May 14th, 2009 at 1:58 am
must also have a veg 3week weight loss programme. also must suggest ingredients available in indian market
May 14th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Initially I liked the look of the diet, but the more I think about it, it seems very restrictive. I am 5ft 6, 180pounds and a student with my end of year exams coming up. I either workout in the gym for 1-2hours or I do bikram yoga everyday. And though I am trying very hard to lose weight and tone up, the diet seems as if it would just about support my workouts, but would leave me too tired to get on with anything else that day, let alone study. I wonder if you know of a more adaptable and more longterm eating plan that one could follow. Or even what she might recommend to snack on when you need an energy boost?
May 16th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
I have both dvds, and I really like the mat workout, it’s really peaceful. The dance cardio is difficult, because I don’t like the idea of learning dances. It reminds me of my cheerleading days. Anyway, everyone is complaining about the diet, but if you want to lose weight, you HAVE to change your eating habits. We all know she trains Madonna and Gwyneth, she must know what she’s talking about. She’s only giving you this plan for a certain amount of time, if you really want to lose weight you have to follow that, and then, like she says, gradually add more to what you’re eating. It’s common sense, you have to work out really hard and eat really healthy foods for you to look your best. That’s why the celebs look great! You have to do the work. The saying, “You are what you eat” is very true!!
May 21st, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Anyone had success with this plan? Im starting it this Sunday.
May 29th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Hi - the Tracy Anderson method is so inspiring. Two things for clarification 1) where can you get her band reformer and 2) when Tracy refers to 3lb weights does she mean using 3lbs per arm or combined ie 1.5lbs x 2 (arms) to get the 3lbs she refers to? Love your advice. Love your blog!
May 31st, 2009 at 1:05 am
Yes maggie!! ive had tons of success with this diet and workout! I have her First dance aerobics, and her mat dvd, soon to have her new Cardio and Post Pregnancy video(because i heard it works your abs TONS more than the Mat)… Im doing it right now!! would you like to keep each other motivated over yahoo IM’s? or via some other method online? I did it for 3 weeks and dropped 12 pounds! i stopped the diet, and really started to “maintain” weight instead of lose it.. so im going back to the Diet until i get to my “happy weight” then ill eat normal again. you can get in touch with me via my website if you would like to do the diet together(so to speak) =)
May 31st, 2009 at 1:08 am
This diet plan works so fast and her workouts are very effective! Im also starting this diet again!
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Thanks, Kimberley! She uses 3lbs per arm.
June 4th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
The exercises that Tracy has been doing on the Daily 10, are these exercises on one of her videos?
June 5th, 2009 at 9:36 am
So I see some people have actually seen success with the diet. I am going on a cruise in 5 weeks and I am on the verge of a panic attack every time I see a bathing suit! Would anyone like to try this diet “with me”? I would like to have a buddy so we could keep eachother motivated
My goal is to lose 20lbs before this cruise…. I’ll keep everyone posted!
June 6th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Hey Angelina,
I am thinking of trying out this diet too. May we cab buddy up? I dunno how to get in touch with you though..I don’t see your e-mail.
June 8th, 2009 at 7:55 am
I have been doing the her DVDs now for the last 3months 4-6 days per week for the cardio and I do the mat dvd 6 days a week, I dont follow her diet instead I stick to around 1000 calories a day monday to friday and splurge a little at weekends. I have probably only lost about 5lbs but I can definatly say thats the diet not the exercise. I have noticed a big difference in how toned I now am and feel that my body has changed to a much leaner shape. What I would say though is make sure after every 4 weeks you change your mat routine, I have used youtube and made up my own toning moves to mix it up a bit as change is important to results. when I first tried the dance dvd I really struggled with it and could only do a few tracks but stick with it and within 2 weeks I was doing the whole 8 tracks. Im lucky I work from homw so I do the hour cardio in the mornings then the toning in the evenings whilst watching TV, once you have been doing it a while you can memorise it so now I dont need to watch it.
June 8th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Hi Angela - I volunteer!! I have the post-pregnancy workout and was looking around for reviews on the dance cardio and found this blog…I am SO intrigued and want to do as much of it as I can, but I’m a stay-at-home-Mom that works about 3 feet from the kitchen so I’m going to need someone to help keep my butt in line. I’m also wondering how in the world a woman with a family to feed is supposed to eat these dinner meals while she cooks something else for them and doesn’t let herself eat it. YEAH RIGHT!!
June 8th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
I have been doing the exercises and the eating plan (sticking to it best I can). I have lost weight and inches. I love it! Tracy and I are the same height and I was a gymnast for years. So to see some transformation is great.
June 16th, 2009 at 8:35 am
I have been doing all three dvd’s. The mat workout, the post-pregnancy (lots of ab work) adn the cardio. It took me about two weeks to learn the dances, and once I knew them I started dancing to my own music on my ipod. I just made a 40-45 min playlist of my favorite upbeat songs and I just dance. I’m only 22 and I have already been working out for 10 years, I know I started out young, but I really was a chubby kid, anyway, now I do it for the high, nothing can beat the high of those endorphins. Anyway, I just wanted to say that once you’ve learned the dances and you can just dance to your own music its very relaxing, takes the day’s stress away, very therapeutic. And yes, I do it before bed, it’s so exhausting that I fall asleep right away. And the mat dvd’s are also great. I aslo have the webisodes, yup I invested in a lot in these new workouts, but I was really getting bored with traditional workouts, I absolutely hate going to the gym, I have always worked out at home while watching TV and now I can still do that, except with the webisodes, they’re 10 mins each, there’s one for the butt/thighs, one for the arms and one for the abs. They’re fast paced and amazing! I have not tried the diet, I try to keep my diet clean, and eat wholesome foods. I don’t do diets.
June 20th, 2009 at 1:53 am
I FOLLOWED THE DIET FOR 3 WEEKS. IT WORKS !!! WEEK ONE I LOST 6LBS, WEEK 2 I LOST 5LBS AND I HAVE YET TO WEIGH IN FOR WEEK 3 WHICH I WILL DO ON MONDAY…..I AM NOT A BIG FRAME JUST NEEDED TO SHIFT THE LAST FEW POUNDS AND I HAVE !! THANKS TRACY
June 29th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
This diet really works fast. I’m 5′7″ and I started the diet at about 127 pounds and two weeks later was down to 120. Don’t cheat on it though - it will really set you back. It is restrictive but it is just intended to be short-term. I actually found that after being on it for 2 weeks, my carb and sugar cravings were dramatically reduced. I also did the dance video 3-4 times per week and did the mat workout 5-6 times per week. I have the best results from tracy’s programs.
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:17 am
I am wondering if Tracy has a arm video ???
July 18th, 2009 at 1:09 am
I am considering trying the dvd’s and the diet; I am a full-time student with 6 kids and I have put on 15 pounds over the last year that I can’t get rid of due to a crazy schedule and stress. I have recently started Bikram Yoga, but that has not helped enough. I just read the Bazaar article regarding her and her business. So, my impression is that things are going well for most of you and I wanted to see where some of you are at? Have you maintained the weight loss and the muscle tone? Are you happy that you did the program? Should I invest in these dvd’s?
July 18th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Hi,
I could not find the band reformer but I found something similar.
http://www.stretchtofitness.com/ordering.html
I was intrigued by the video she did with Gwyneth at her house, seemed so cool to workout with rubber bands!
I will probably try the diet in two weeks, since I am still waiting for the videos!
July 21st, 2009 at 12:56 pm
I think you all should be very careful about following the advice of someone with no background in either nutrition or biomechanics. She was a ballerina who was ‘fired’ for being (in their warped eyes) ‘too heavy.’ She probably weighed a normal amount. The dance world is notorious for its rampant eating disorders. The fact that Ms. Anderson comes from this background, is reported to have a large, junk-food filled appetite, and exercises like a madwoman spells ‘eating disorder’ to me.
Also, very restrictive diets usually end up depriving the body of essential nutrients. Is it really worth it to suck the Vitamin D and Calcium out of your bones just to fit into a smaller size dress?
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:57 am
Hi ladies, I have two small children and have been suffering with depression for over a year now. I am on anti-depressants and have put on 28 lbs in that time and am desperate to lose weight. I lost the weight after both of my pregnancies however I cannot shift it now. I’ve bought the cardio dance and found the routines really hard however I will give it another try. I’ve bought the mat dvd though and really like that one. Is it worth me buying the post pregnancy dvd as my stomach and round the back is where most of my fat seems to be.
I would be happy to hear any of your views. I find it impossible to diet but I will easily cut out any junk. The diet listed here is too restrictive and i know that I wouldn’t even last the morning. The main reason I got her dvds as she mentions that she can’t diet or do you think that is just a con!
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:32 pm
I’m interested in trying this workout and diet…I think it’s important to remember that this advice from her is strictly on how to lose a certain amount of weight in only 6 weeks. I am SURE she doesn’t intend for people to live this way forever. I think it’s more for if someone has an event planned and they need to look trim and fit and is willing to go the extra mile temporarily (usually celebrities). Once at a happy weight, then I think it’s about simply eating in a basic healthy way and doing the workouts to maintain the weight and strength gained.
July 24th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Does anyone have any other ideas for cardio with this plan? I do the dance DVD several times a week but I’m getting bored…
July 31st, 2009 at 3:34 pm
I’ve been doing the mat workout and following the meal plan as best as I can. In three weeks, I have lost 10 lbs. What’s even more interesting is I’ve lost a lot of inches, most noticeably in my arms and abs. I’ve done heavy weightlifting and I’ve gotten bulkier but like she promised, I have been looking leaner and thinner. I haven’t done the cardio yet but have attempted a few times. I do other dances for my cardio but will attempt it again.
I do the mat workout 5-6x a week. Know that you’re going to be hungry but that’s ok. She only claims it’s a 6-week plan. I’m telling you… it works! I’m impressed! Reply if you have any questions!!
August 9th, 2009 at 3:46 am
I love the way that some people who commented (even though they say they need to lose weight) say things like ‘looks a little restrictive’ or ‘I would have to add snacks to get through the day’ etc etc
It’s attitudes like this that got you into the state you are in. You will need to restrict your intake to a degree and train hard if you want results. OR you can keep up with the excuses and keep on piling the pounds on. YOUR CHOICE!!!! But don’t blame the program.
And stop blaming your kids. If it was having kids that made people overweight, there would be no fat kids, young teenagers or men. Get over yourself and do something about it.
Signed Extremely fit, hard training, healthy eating mum of five.
August 11th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
I have ordered my DVD’s and am going to try and start the diet plan this Sunday. Can anyone help me with finding the Australian version of the Kashi cereal? Icam really looking forward to starting this as i have put on 20kgs and am in desperate need to lose it.
August 13th, 2009 at 3:54 am
I just wanted to know if someone knew an alternative to the pumpkin spice Kashi bar (which are in her diet) in the uk - tricky thing is im gluten intolerant so cant have any wheat in it?
any ideas?
August 17th, 2009 at 10:02 am
Yes, it does look restrictive, but it contains protein, carbohydrates, wholegrains and plenty of fruit and veg so your body would be getting sufficient nutrients. If I followed it myself I’d probably add some extra vegetables here and there and maybe have slightly bigger portions if the workouts were tiring me out but when it comes to weight loss and getting fit you get out what you put in - if you work hard you get results.
August 30th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
You go Joanne! I 100% agree!
Larissa, the Kashi cereal is really just a low-cal, high fiber, puffed cereal. If you can find something like that.. go for it! Also, if you have Fiber One brand.. I enjoy that as well. You might want to try it!
Rochelle, try looking in health food stores such as Whole Foods and Trader Joes. They tend to carry specialty items such as gluten free, dairy free, etc. Just try to be careful when you are picking one out that will have around the same amount of calories and REALLY REALLY watch out for the grams of fat. Some bars will have low calories but still be packed full of fats and sugars. I love to eat Larabars, however I am not sure how the alternative. If they carry them in the UK, Larabars have about 190 calories per bar, with 8g of fat (kind of high, but worth it because the bar is full of healthy nut fats) and 21g of sugar (again, worth the sugar because the bar only have 3 ingredients in it!
good luck!
Does anyone know where I can get the DVD for a cheaper price? I am a college student only looking to loose about 15-20 pounds but I don’t have extra money to just throw at things. Thanks!
September 1st, 2009 at 8:04 am
Thanks for that Liz,
Would fully reccomend doing it - it has paid off for me.. im feeling heaps better than myself and lost about 6lb in the first week!
As far as the DVD - depending on which one try Amazon.co.uk they have good deals.
With the bars - the best alternative is the lara bar or trunch bar (which are really yummy!)
If you want to discuss the diet and exercise feel free to reply back - im into my third week now.
Good Luck
September 5th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Hi Rochelle,
I would rally like to know what is your diet and exercise routine, since you’re doing so well.
I have all the DVD’s and the webisodes. I can’t get it together with the dance DVD, so I have just started to do her treadmill workout but I do it outside, without a treadmill. It’s really strenuous, but great. Love all her mat workouts.
I now have to do the diet a bit better.
In Australia there are no think thin bars, lara bars or kashi cereal.
September 13th, 2009 at 5:49 am
i got the mat dvd last week and i’ve done it 4 times now. I still can’t make it through the whole leg sequence, let alone the arms! but then i haven’t exercised properly in about 2 years. so far i haven’t noticed visible difference but i do feel i get stronger each time i do it. i’ve ordered the cardio dvd and can’t wait forit to arrive.
i’m going to start the diet tomorrow. i think it will be difficult, but i went on a juice fast last year, which was a killer. at least you get to eat on this one. the only thing i’m not big on is the fake bacon, jello and soy pudding. given that she talks about eating non-processed food, i think its a strange choice. i think i’ll probably replace them with a piece of fruit. the only thing i’m a little bit concerned about putting the weight back on as soon as i start introducing a more calories back into my diet. if anyone has managed to stick to the diet, could you tell me how it went when you started eating more again?
also, for people in australia who can’t get kashi cereal, i looked on the their website and their cereals seem kind of similar to the vogel’s cereals we have in australia. depending on which cereal you choose, they seem to have similar fat and protein content.
September 16th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
All of your comments have been so encouraging. I’ve had both dvd’s for about 4 months now and love them both. When I hunker down and do it, I notice inches lost right away and soon after not working out for a while, I go back to my normal size 8. I’ve been really inconsistent and can’t seem to do both tapes in one day, just not enough time. On a good month I do 3 days of cardio and 3 days of the mat video a week. I don’t want to loose weight as much as I’m interested in changing my body type as Tracy promises her program can do.
Thanks to all of your comments I’m going to give this a solid try and include the diet and see if I can loose some inches and a dress size. I’m about 10lbs over my goal weight so wish me luck.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:07 pm
I followed the diet and lost 6lbs in week one and then 5lbs in week two. it works !
November 8th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
really fantastic. Mat video is wonderful and has gotten my body to change already even though I just eat healthy as normal and don’t even do it more than twice a week usually. I do go to the gym and do cardio on treadmill though. cardio video was not worth it. i actually had the same experience as Tracy in terms of bulking-and yes, that did turn to fat when I stopped working out regularly! inconsistency is a fact of my busy life. now I’m getting toned and smaller muscles, and I’m so pleased-didn’t think it was possible! however I don’t do diets, and I sure as hell am not about to do this one. Trying to eat what’s good for you and being present as you are eating is so much easier to stick to. but I understand the need to lose weight fast. I’m interested in seeing what people update with after they have stopped the diet and go back to regular diet. good luck to you all!
November 18th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I’ve had the post-pregnancy video for several months but just started doing the exercises about one week ago. So far, I’ve done the routine three times in that period. When I looked at myself in the mirror yesterday, I had to make sure it wasn’t my imagination, but my entire mid-section seems to be pulling together more tightly. It’s not an effect I’ve ever gotten from doing traditional ab work. It’s literally as if it’s all drawing in from all sides. I just came across this diet plan today. I’m not exactly sure if I want to commit to the diet, but so many people have posted such amazing results that I’m seriously considering it. I highly recommend the post-pregnancy workout. From what I’ve read, it’s much more intense than the mat workout and helps trim your abs, arms, hips and bottom. As for cardio, I think I’ll resume doing 20-30 minutes of intermittent sprints on the elliptical machine.