Tracy Anderson's 30-Day Method Part 1

I’ve been curious about Tracy Anderson ever since the day I read (GOOP: Tracy Anderson Method) she was Gwyneth’s trainer. Last summer, I decided it was time to finally try The Method. I was so happy to find the book in The Big Bookstore (aka Fully Booked at The Fort) as I was just about ready to order from Amazon. The night I bought it, I read it from cover-to-cover. The days following my purchase, I was psyching myself and preparing for the 30 days. I knew that I was going to stick with it, no excuses, and I wanted to make sure I was ready. 

So, I began on a Monday, the 9th of May 2011...

Day 1: I am not a breakfast person. I’ve always loved fruits, but somehow it’s so much easier to just grab a cup of coffee in the morning. So, the strawberries were a great way to start my journey.

Lunch: Tomato Minestrone Soup - Yes, I blended it, I am not a big vegetable fan. Reminded me of my Cabbage Soup days...

I was surprised to realize that I actually enjoyed the Dance Aerobics. I am not a dancer, mind you, I am awkward, uncoordinated and just plain self-conscious. But alone in my room, with my new playlist, I was THE Dancing Princess. (I started off with 20 minutes of jumping and 20 minutes of step-tapping.)

My Playlist: 

Please Don’t Leave Me - Pink

Pretty Girl Rock - Keri Hilson

Beautiful - Akon

Good Girl - Alexis Jordan

Commander - Kelly Rowland

Your Love is My Drug - Kesha

Teenage Dream - Katy Perry

DJ Got Us Falling in Love - Usher

Who’s That Chick - Rihanna

Club Can’t Handle Me - Flo Rida

Only Girl (In the World) - Rihanna

Dynamite - Taio Cruz

Do You Remember - Jay Sean

Meet Me Halfway - Black Eyed Peas

Born this Way - Lady Gaga

And because I love them so much, I listened to The Script for my Mat Work (also called Muscle Design).


O!!! M!!! G!!! The Mat Work was brutal. Now I understand what Tracy meant when she said I was gonna discover muscles I never knew existed. She was NOT kidding. To think I started with the minimum 20 reps.

Day 2: 








Breakfast: Turkey Avocado Roll-Up - I replaced the turkey with chicken breast 






Today is the day I admit that I am a Belieber. My brother and I are taking his 2 little girls to see JB in concert. But my calves are killing me, I can hardly walk!!! My niece, Alessa, looks at me funny and says again and again that I am walking like a really really old lola! Obviously, there are no heels in my footsies’ near future, especially in MOA’s concert grounds with screaming lovestruck tweens. Thank you, ballet flats! 

Tracy says that for the next 30 days, working out is my JOB. Because I knew I wouldn’t be able to work out in the afternoon, I squeezed in my workout during lunchtime. I have never sweat so much in my life!!! Only two days and I now have a newfound respect for all those celebs with bodies I would kill for! It is no joke to workout this much! I am keeping my fingers crossed I can survive the next 29 days.

Day 3: I’m beginning to look forward to breakfast. Well, same goes for lunch...snack...dinner...I cannot stop thinking about food! I have a text buddy I send random text messages to on what I’m craving for the day. He always replies with “Tracy won’t be happy.”

I WANT Japanese rice crackers. But...thank you, Tracy, for today’s lunch and dinner - I looooooooooove salmon!!!

My legs are still not my own. 

Day 4: 

Breakfast: Berry Compote






I’m so getting into dance time, I think I’m actually developing some moves. Not to worry though, I don’t think there will be clubs that won’t be able to handle me right now. I’ll leave that to Flo Rida.


Oh, no!!! Our cook sabotaged my dinner!!! She added salt, pepper, rosemary AND olive oil! Her reason? “Maam Kars (she has decided to call me this!), you look so kawawa parang walang lasa yung food mo...” Hmm...she meant well. Okay, I have to keep an eye on her!

Day 5: Heaven! I never thought half a chilled grapefruit drizzled with honey would make me so happy. And guess what, my legs are finally alive again. I woke up and the pain was gone. It’s a miracle!!!

I'm now up to 30 reps in my Mat Work.

Day 6: I am drowning in self-pity today. Saturdays are the absolute worst! So, I locked myself up in my room and caught up on Private Practice and Grey’s Anatomy. (Thank you to my fave doctors for brightening up my day!) After I munched on a cup of grapes (yes, everything is measured carefully!), I felt alive again.







My pesonal fave ♥♥♥

The hardest ingredient to find for this 30-day menu is the kale. I tried emailing and calling all these specialized organic farms (Thank you Fab V for your contacts!) to no avail. I have had to make do with spinach or just about any green leafy I could actually stand. 

Day 7: I am sorry, Tracy, I did not do my job today. I’m seriously debating on declaring NO WORKOUT SUNDAYS.

Day 8: Back to work. I actually missed it! The whole routine seems to be getting easier, so I am now jumping 23 minutes and step-tapping for 17 minutes during my dance routine.

Day 9: Ack!!! I woke up with the strangest dream...I ate a small bag of Gummi Bears and when I turned on the TV to start my routine, there was Tracy reprimanding me for cheating! Am I going crazy?

I still, and I truly believe always will, hate beets (the ironic thing is, one of my BFFs - Poops - actually calls me this - Beetsy) 

Day 10: I finally got the poaching bit right! This will be my new way of cooking fish! Sometimes, simple is really best.

Bonus: My Spanish teacher, Mati, asked me if I was doing something new with my skin. She says I am glowing!

I survived the first 10 days!!! 


My cheats? 
1.) I couldn’t really eat the steamed veggies - carrots, beans, beets - and so I decided better to not eat than to substitute. 
2.) I’ve also drank chamomile tea with honey on days when Mumsy invited me to Starbucks. 


So far, I’ve lost 6 pounds, I reached the 40 reps on my Mat Work and I’m loving my Cardio Dance Time. 

And because every girl deserves to be pampered, I gifted myself with a 1 1/2 hour massage from Spa Amansala. All relaxed and feeling zen, that night, I was ready for twenty more days. - KAB

* Photos from: health-fitness-exercise-equipment.com, teamsugar.com, primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk, amazon.com

Closet Must-Haves: Our Top 5 Shoe Essentials

KIT

I am a firm believer that one can never own too many pairs of shoes. And I seriously doubt there is a woman alive that would disagree with me.

But for the sake of this blog - and limited closet space - I will narrow it down to the five pairs that I think every woman must have in her closet.

The Ballet Flat

Usually in black, although works just as well in any color, ballet flats are perfect for women on-the-go. These can easily take you from day to night, and casual to cocktails - especially for those of us who just donʼt like wearing heels. Ballet flats, or any variation of flats, are my travel staple since they keep me comfortable and looking polished all day ....

Tod's

Jellies

Iʼve lost many a pair of my favorite shoes to the pouring rain. While I do own a pair of the hottest rain boots, the schizophrenic Manila weather doesnʼt always permit me to stay in these all day. My solution to this dilemma is - jellies! Thank the fashion goddesses for bringing out jellies that are more patent-looking as compared to those translucent jelly

shoes of the 80ʼs! If the forecast is sunny with a chance of rain, donʼt take any chances! You can wear these jellies all day and not worry about ruining a good pair of shoes in case of a sudden downpour.

Tory Burch Jellies

Sandals

Flip-flops are great for the beach or after your work-out but I, personally, am not too hot about wearing them around town. In our tropical climate, sandals are great for those days when you feel itʼs just too hot out to wear shoes. Just be sure to give yourself a pedi first! Otherwise, keep those toes hidden!

Charles & Keith

Neutral Heels

Neutral or nude heels are as versatile as you can get! At any heel height, if you get a shade closest to your skin tone, they magically give you the illusion of longer legs! Now, who wouldnʼt say no to that?

Tod's Python Pump

Black Heels

A good pair of black pumps can be worn with a smart suit for the office, with skinny jeans and sexy top for a night on the own with your girlfriends, or with that other closet musthave - the LBD for a hot date with your man.

Stella Luna

JENNY


HAVAIANAS in Solids and Metallic Colors
Anyone who knows me well enough knows that i’m at my most comfortable when I’m in my Havaianas… I use them at home, to and from rehearsals, when lounging around… just about anytime and everywhere! I have over a dozen of them in a wide variety of colors. :P

PUMA Ballet Flats

I’ve two of these type of Puma flats. I guess you can say that they’re my trusty and comfy “walk-around town” ballet flats. They’re just perfect to have on when you’re going about your day or traveling all over the place… they’re very kind on your feet. :P

BLOCH Dance Sneakers

A gift from my llf’s on my birthday two years ago… these are the shoes I use during rehearsals, particularly on “choreo” days… I may not be the best dancer out there, but I’m equipped with dance sneakers that make me feel and look like I am. :P

MIZUNO Wave Creation 8 Rubber Shoes

Everyone’s got their fave pair of rubber shoes and mine are my Mizunos. I gotta admit that I originally bought this pair for the sole reason that it was the only green pair in the store! It’s now proving to be more than just an “eye-candy” pair of kicks… I love them! :P

ALDO Cream Pumps

A gift from Jason, I think to try to bring out the “girlier girl” in me, hahaha! I only usually get “dolled-up” when I have to and that’d be work related— for events or corporate shows. So seeing me in heels and all dressed up is not that common. I gotta admit though that this is one of my fave pairs of heeled shoes that I own. :P

* Photos from: papeldeliha.wordpress.com, kaboodle.com, attitudedancewear.com, runtheplanet.com, shopdeathbyplatforms.blogspot.com

KARISIA


Ballet Flats

If I had to choose one type of shoe to wear for the rest of my life, ballet flats would definitely be it. They're classic, chic and comfortable. Bestie Kit and I have these matching Tory Burch Revas that dress up any outfit. I especially love how easily it can go from day to night.

Wedges

Q - Shoes that:

a. Make you taller

b. Make your legs look longer

c. Are kind to your feet

d. All of the above

A - D! A girl's best friend!!! These Philosophy by Alberta Ferretti wedges are my all-time fave.

Gladiator Sandals

I know people wear slippers everywhere now; I, however, still reserve them only for the house, the beach or for after a pedi. My gladiators from Boutique 9 are my staple for running errands.

Black Heels

I believe every girl should have a pair of black heels. My fave pair was a birthday gift from My Sissy. I love these Badgley Mischka peep toes with the little bows as they go with just about everything in my closet - from my fave pair of jeans to my ever-growing collection of LBDs.

Nude Heels

The first time I put on these nude BCBG stilettos, I wobbled and almost lost my balance in the store. I was just about to put them back when a saleslady, oh so patiently, led me to a full length mirror. I was in awe, I had never seen my legs look longer in my life! I knew I had to have them. These are one of those times when suffering for fashion is definitely worth it. And when I can hardly walk by the end of the night, I think to myself, "this is why I have all those ballet flats."

RORIE

Flats

The new trend? Loafer style with a bit of a heel. Go for something with a bit more flair—look for subtle embellishment or a leopard print. 

Balenciaga

Aperlaï

Wedge

For those who hate wearing high heels but want the extra height, wedges are your best bet. Despite the added inches, they are actually quite comfortable to walk around in. 

Nicholas Kirkwood

Evening

Yes, black is the most versatile color but it doesn't have to be a basic, boring pair for those special nights out. Pick a show-stopper! A whimsical flower or full on glitz lends instant wow factor.

Roger Vivier

Nude Heels
If you want to look thinner and taller, pick a nude shoe that's close to your actual skin tone. 

Jerome C. Rousseau

Black Pumps

The shoe staple that is a must in every closet. This goes with EVERYTHING and can take you from the office straight to a cocktail party. 

Alejandro Ingelmo

* Photos from style.com

Let us know your Essential 5 and get a chance to win one of our Shoe Fund coin purses. XOXO!!! - Bolso Babes Jenny, Karisia, Kit and Rorie