Omni Days 1-14: Metamorphosis Beginnings

For now I would simply like to document my progress with the Tracy Anderson Method Metamorphosis program. I started on August 22nd 2011 after trying to start probably 2-3 times before. I have all her other DVD's and have dabbled in those as well. The furthest I've ever gotten was 23 days of consistent working out. However, this is even more different and even better than any other time I've started an exercise routine.

The first and biggest motivator with doing metamorphosis is KNOWING that it is going to work. I know that if I dedicate CONSISTENTLY I will get results...not just any results...but total toning perfection in a way I have always wanted but truly did not know was genetically possible for me. When I see the after results of these ladies I see perfectly toned arms and shoulders, long tight abs, perky behinds, and lean tight legs. There is no bulk, no excess fat. I am so thankful to have found the TAM and also so appreciative that Tracy would share her genius and what she has created to help so many women. And once I achieve my results, I want to call into QVC when she is on and express my appreciation directly to her and have the opportunity to share my results in the hopes that it will positively affect someone else.

The second reason this time is different than any other time, is that my brain understands this great visual analogy of climbing over a wall. My goal is to get over the wall yet no matter how many times I've tried and how much effort I've put in, I've never made it over. I realized that my biggest error was thinking that my scattered efforts (in climbing up the wall) would add up. I didn't realize that every time I stop and start over (in the name of perfection) that is equivalent to getting off the wall. So you see, the steps have to be one in front of the other in order to actually make it over. Whereas before, I would climb, something would come up causing me to jump off the wall, but in my mind I thought, "Well, I'll do it perfectly next time"...but yet never made it over the wall until this time because I now understand that while I don't have to (and in fact do not want to) be perfect, I must keep going forward.

I have been doing really great, performing meta cardio and toning 5 days a week for the last 14 days. I find doing it 5 days a week is just the perfect amount to not get overwhelmed and not feel that I'm not moving fast enough. It's the perfect balance to do it all week, feel accomplished, take the weekend to recuperate, and be motivated and excited for the next week.

It was really exciting to get past level one of meta, and onto the new moves of level two. Level two was quite the shocker because I had improved quite a bit in cardio and toning my first couple weeks, so level two threw me for a loop with how challenging the moves were. But amazingly, I find myself improving regardless of not being able to do all the moves in their entirety (not even half the moves on some exercises). That is actually my third mental change that motivates me. Dropping the perfectionist, defeatist belief that I have to be able to perform all the moves perfectly to be worthy of the method. Just start from where I am, because doing whatever I am able to do really does add up, and really does improve my strength. I continue to be surprised by how I improve when I just do my best rather than trying to be perfect. It really does add up, really and truly makes a difference.

So far my measurements are the same and possibly bigger because I am doing nothing with my diet to begin with. My only goal is to be consistent with my meta (that in and of itself will lead to wonderful change). In fact, in regards to food I want to utilize Geneen Roth's techniques (of Women Food and God fame) in order to have a balanced mind when it comes to me and food. Once that is better, then I would like to gradually find balance in eating more healthfully. I am not in such a hurry. I will be wearing a lovely bridesmaid dress in November 2012, so I suppose my goal is to be toned and done with excess weight by that time. That gives me almost 14 months which is ample and perfect time.

I imagine that since I'm starting at 170 and 5'3'' 120 is what I will end up at, but honestly I'm not fixated on a number. While I do plan to weigh myself each day, I realize I really do stay in a range, and so in weighing myself everyday it is merely the average I'm interested in.

Those old obsessive thoughts about gaining a pound and another and another are gone, because I am very confident and thankful for the direction I'm heading in. I noticed more tone and tightness on my lower thighs than I've ever seen, and it was a visual for me to realize that one day soon, and for the first time in my adult life, I will no longer and never again (of my own doing) be and overweight person. It was exciting to think about not being self-conscious of an uncomfortable belly, of not worrying if something makes me look more or less fat. I also don't want to project negative body image onto other people. I believe everyone deserves everything good and beautiful in the world regardless of how they look or weigh. Everyone deserves to be loved and respected as human beings regardless of our outer layers. There are curvy girls that are beautiful and don't need to lose weight. For me personally, I have no energy, I feel unhealthy and weighted down. Without adequate muscle and energy I feel like I schlep my body everywhere, out of bed, to work. I sit in the car hunched over with fatigue. I use food in unhealthy ways, and up until now I hadn't exercised my body to make it healthy. These are truths, but I also want a body that looks and feels healthy to me, and for me. I want to feel I am taking care of myself in everyway possible, emotionally, spiritually, mentally and also physically.

My wish is to accept myself and body as it is now, while also making it okay strive toward something different as well and be happy and excited about that too. Here we go!