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Current Toning/Strength Workout

November 18, 2013August 25, 2015 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 2 comments
Current Toning/Strength Workout
 

After I finished the 30 Day Shred I knew that I wanted to keep up with the toning/strength workouts instead of slacking off on them, as I usually do, and sticking to mostly cardio. I eventually decided to buy a workout that I’ve actually been looking for quite awhile but haven’t purchased until now. I’m totally kicking myself that I didn’t buy it sooner because I have fallen in love with it. In love, you guys. And what is that workout, you might ask? The Tracy Anderson Method Mat Workout. I think one of the reasons I stayed away from it until now is that reviews for it are so mixed. It looks like there isn’t a lot of middle ground on this one. You either love it or you hate it. Here’s why I’m in the love it camp:


1. It’s an hour long and yet that hour flies by. I’m now in my third week of using this program and it still feels like no time at all. And, as I’ve stated before, I get bored with workouts easily, so that’s quite the accomplishment.

2. I feel the burn while working out and I like feeling like my workout is actually doing something.

3. I also feel really good. When I finish the workout I feel energized and just… good. I know. Really descriptive, but that’s how I feel.

4. I feel stronger. Her arm workout is killer. She talks about what to do if the arm workout is too easy (because she doesn’t want you to use weights larger than three pounds in order to prevent you from building bulk) and I’m standing there thinking, “How could this ever be considered easy?” But after three weeks it’s already getting easier. I mean, that’s not to say that I think it’s easy. I won’t be doing the arm workout twice in a row yet! But it’s not quite as hard to get through now as it was when I first started.

5. I feel more flexible. And I’m not very flexible at all, so that’s cool.

6. It doesn’t hurt my foot (BIG plus!) and I think it’s easy on the knees too. I don’t have knee issues, so I couldn’t tell you 100% that it won’t bother knees, however it doesn’t have any squats or lunges. There are some plies. The workout reminds me a lot of a ballet toning video but she has you do some of the moves at different angles to hit different muscles.

I think what I’ve discovered about staying interested in my workouts is that I want variety and I want to be moving throughout the workout. I never liked yoga until I found vinyasa flow. I love dancing, but the workouts that keep me interested for the longest period of time are workouts like Zumba, that teach you a dance or that switch up the routines throughout the video. With the TA Method Mat Workout, there’s a good flow to the workout. You’re constantly moving and I like that.

Someone jumped up on the chair to check in during my workout last night.

I can’t tell you how long each section is, but here is a quick overview of the program:

1. Warmup.
2. First legs section, you stand and use a chair for support. (I just keep a chair in my workout area now.)
3. First abs section. This is also standing and it’s a series of chest isolations. It takes a couple of tries to pick up the “choreography” of the section and it might take a little bit longer for people who aren’t used to chest isolations.
4. First arms section, without weights.
5. Final arms section, with weights.
6. Final legs section, on the mat.
7. Final abs section, on the mat. (This is probably my favorite section on the whole DVD.)
8. Cool down.

I think I’ll talk about workout-related topics more often on the blog, but probably no more than once a week (if that). Working out is seriously becoming a hobby of mine again and I’ve been talking about it to anyone who will listen in my day-to-day life. Some people have asked for updates on this workout and others have expressed interest in what I do while choosing exercise DVDs. I do quite a bit of research when picking one out and rarely dislike a workout that I buy during the first try. So, if you’re interested stay tuned for more workout chats!

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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2 comments

  1. Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird says:
    November 18, 2013 at 3:23 pm

    I just promised myself that once NaNo is over I'm going to start the Shred. I want to lose some weight and get a little muscle by my wedding, and that's only 7 months away!

    P.S. I'm giving away a pair of really cool sunglasses today, come check it out!

    Reply
  2. Crystal says:
    November 19, 2013 at 5:43 am

    The Shred was a great program and definitely got me into the habit of working out again! You'll have to let me know what you think when you start. šŸ™‚

    Ooh, thanks for telling me about the giveaway!

    Reply

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. šŸ’™
Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. ā€œThe water looks cold,ā€ I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. šŸ˜‚)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. šŸ˜ PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
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