Level 7 restarted day 62 of Metamorphosis

So, Im back from the land of pains and feeling sick and weak... The heat is taking lots of my energy, but I am back on track. I still eat a bit more than I should I guess, but Meta has my back again. I am not gaining weight, I am not loosing it, I am just right. And I love it.

I decided to restart level 7, as I missed about 4 days due to sickness. And as I said before, it is important to take care of your health. So, it was all good. Besides, I dont feel so bad about restarting the level: I was only 2 days into it. And as before, level 7 is indeed tough. Get ready for it. I definitely cannot do all the reps, cannot go Tracys speed - which I sort of could in level 6, so I take it easy and try to push myself just a little bit each day. I am thinking of starting using ankle weights as well. I want results!!! 

To be honest, I should be happy about what I have. The problem is that I wont be getting visible and evident results I think anymore. No, dont think I am a pessimist - I am not!!! I swear! Its just I cant really become much lighter or skinnier... My weight wont go down anymore - I am in my normal slender healthy weight right now. And skinnier - well everything much skinnier than now (in terms of measurements in a way) would make me unhealthy. So here. The only visible results I could get at this point are muscles... But surprise surprise - TAM doesnt give you too many visible muscles... So, I am definitely becoming more toned, my muscles are more defined, but they are not bulking out and are not too visible. And because of all this I do lose motivation sometimes. Not for long - but long enough to stall my workout for an hour or two...

Now I feel like I need to find a different way to measure my results... I definitely feel more energetic and strong every single day. But how do we measure it? I also feel a little addicted to workouts, and really positive about them, and the day starts only after one workout. Thats good right? It means I am closer to the goal of making a healthy lifestyle a habit. Cheers to that!

Read More..

Meta Level 1 Day 1

So I started it yesterday, the 18th January! Thats the hardest part I guess. And for me finding time is also a very very very difficult task. I wake up early as it is, and as my daughter is still not sleeping completely through the night (after Christmas travelling), I really cant get up any earlier. So instead of working out in the morning like I used to do in the beginning of Meta last time, I work out in the evenings, when Button is asleep already. Today it was quite late - 9 pm. After I put the little pumpkin to sleep at 7pm, I had to clean up and do some work, and finally got around to the workout by 9.

DC. So let me tell you, while I dont remember it, my body DOES!!! I could only remember that DC is crazy jumping. But then the moves start - and here I go, remember even the counts!!! Wow. I decided to start off easy not to overdo it. So, 10 minutes or so, and it was approximately at the limit of my ability for now. I did 11 minutes, and then crawled dead and sweaty to drink some water.

MS. This is tough and easy at the same time. While my body does remember it, the moves are hard to repeat at times. I had to take breaks, and I couldnt to all the reps. But then again, I dont want to overdo it, I need to get into it slowly. So its fine. One thing I remembered I did the last time is switching legs between days, because after the first section, you are already completely dead, and the second leg doesnt get as thorough a workout. Standing abs is still my favourite part, besides the very last 10-20 seconds - when everything is finished and you know - YEY, IM DONE!

Im also adding 3 more things in the end of MS. First, a plank. I started with 20 seconds and will add 5 seconds every three days. When I used to workout pre-pregnancy, I used to be able to do 1.5 minutes. Now 20s was hard... That says a LOT. Second, I added some simple exercises for the back, because it hurts and I need to strengthen it. And third, I am adding as last time some cool-down section with stretching.

EATING. Im not so happy with my eating yet, but I will get there. I will post later about how and what I eat. :) Also to come - my initial measurements, day-by-day reports (or as often as I can), tracking sheets that I prepared which are more convenient for me.

Off to have a lovely long day with my Button and at work. :)

Read More..

Level 3 grand results before and after with pics!

Level 3 is over.

Wait, WHAT? HOW? WHEN?

Yop, this is approximately my reaction on the day I fill in the workout calendar for day 30… I loved level 3 so much, I enjoyed doing every single exercise in the MS, I loved all those exercises for my bum… And now it is OVER? I didn’t put enough of effort into it, I didn’t have enough time to rock it and enjoy it… I didn’t… I didn’t… I didn’t…

It is like when someone you care about leaves for good – even if it is not totally out of the bloom – you sit there stunned questioning, how could that happen and why haven’t you told that person more often how much you cared. Well, same here :) I feel like I haven’t put enough effort into the level 3 workouts, because constantly there were some distractions and urgent things to do. And now that I have to move on, I don’t feel ready. But life is inevitable, and it is my own fault I didn’t enjoy the moment while it lasted, so I will try to do the level 4 better. Learn on your own mistakes, people!

Lots of bumps on the way during level 3. For one thing, I completely lacked motivation on some days– just didn’t want to do anything. But then forced myself to start the workout and felt much better after it – at least about myself. At the same time, I had lots of work (presentation for faculty), which I had to do last-minute as I didn’t do it earlier (again, my fault!). And I was smart enough to start driving school now. Yes, I don’t have a license (still) and yes, I will have it sometime soon. I decided I am already too old NOT to have a license, I need to do it and Germany is as good as it gets in terms of licenses. Even though it is expensive, it is pretty much accepted everywhere and is given without an ending date. What can be better?! Hence, I am going to driving school three hours each morning for 1.5 weeks… All these matters put together at the same time, I found myself running out of time every day. Sometimes I had to shorten the Cardio by 5-10 minutes or so. And I missed it all together twice.

Sunday was my day 30 and that was the culmination of my struggle against work and laziness. I also made a mistake of starting the workout too early after I ate (and I noticed, I don’t like working out in the second half of the day – as I am already ‘heavy’ and everything aches by the evening, I totally prefer morning before breakfast). So Sunday workout was heavy and hard, I felt like a cow on ice (with no ice) – that was a horrible feeling of being old and tired… And that was AFTER my rest day on Saturday. And as I didn’t give enough time for digestion, I felt nauseous throughout the workout… Honestly, I was nearly in tears, and was feeling horrible for not giving justice to the wonderful level 3… My last level 3 workout didn’t give me any pleasure – such a shame!!!

The next day – Monday – I took another rest day. First, I needed to get some rest and sleep (which I ended up not getting), and second, I still had to finish my presentation for Tuesday… So level 4 had to wait, I was working till late at night and going to driving school for 3 hours each morning. I did get back on track yesterday, and now after driving school bO-O-Oring theory class, going to meet my supervisor and then head home for a nap and my MS (DC done in the morning).

Level 3 has taught me a lot. It taught me that it is better to workout with a smile than tears. So next time I feel SO bad, I would stop and take a rest day. There is a fine line between laziness that stops you from starting the workout and actual suffering throughout the workout. Overcoming laziness is hard, but really really important. Suffering should never happen. Struggling – yes, suffering – no! Even a hard workout (when you honestly want to swear and say all the bad words you can remember) can be extremely enjoyable and refreshing.

But despite of – or may be because of – all the bumps, I did manage to surprise myself with results…
I actually started noticing my body not just firming, but now – changing! The scales are talking less and less these days – and it is understandable: I nearly reached my desired weight (-4 kilos since I started), I don’t really care what the scales say (unless I start putting on a lot). The cm can’t go really too much now – I am already thinner than I think I ever remember (I dont take school into account). I mean honestly thinner. I might have reached approximately my size of 4-5 years ago. I can’t be sure though of course, but seeing myself in the mirror is a surprise every time. I am still not used to having a 65cm waist… Last time it was like that I think I was in high school or my freshmen year of college. Anyway, despite me missing some of the cardios, not being able to do the level 3 workouts to the best, the results really amazed me. I still lost some cm – particularly in my bikini area (and even a bit in thighs!!!).

	days 21-31 (cm)	days 1-31 (cm)
Chest:	-2	-3
Waist:	-0.5	-6
Hips:	-0	-5
Thighs:	-1	-2
Arms:	-1	-2
Left Bikini:	-2.5	-8 (!!!)
Right Bikini:	-2.5	-6 (!!!)
Total:	-9.5	-32
Weight:	-0.7 kg	-4 kg

(I have to say the only decrease that does NOT make me happy is the one in my chest... I mean cmon - I have small boobs as it is!!!)

But the most amazing things for me are the visual changes of my body… I can see lean muscles on my arms! My upper-body and arms have always been weak, and here we go… I tried to do a video of my dance cardio (to motivate myself a little bit) and I could see those muscles in movement!!! I can see my butt is lifting higher. I fit in the jeans of size 27 (which I could not zip for 3-4 years!), but they look better on my now than they ever have! My abs – wow! I can see my abs, my flat stomach and those nice lean muscles, which you can’t really see too well, you just see the shape of them… My love handles – where did the bigger part of them go?! Yuppi, I never liked love handles and I have just a trace of them left. I am fascinated and amazed, and looking at the pictures, made me sure – I am not imagining it all in the mirror.  Check for yourself - the changes are small, but so important!!!

Front - check out my arms and abs!!!

Back - the difference is barely visible, but hey love handles are much smaller!

After all this, I am not stopping. I feel great, I feel more energetic, I love myself, I feel more confident, I walk around with my head up and my back straight. Because I have a reason to be proud of myself: I am strong enough to get in shape, I am strong enough to overcome my extreme laziness, years of inactivity and change my life style.

I love IT! One of my colleagues also noted yesterday that I looked amazing during the presentation. I had a skirt and blouse on, and she said she could see the change so well and that I look amazing. “What are you doing, Liuba?” And answered “Tracy is the answer” :D

Love yourself, people, when you achieve somethine. Love yourself even more when you don’t, because you need all your love and strength if you want to achieve something – anything. Believe in yourself and don’t leave any chance for a failure. Then you will succeed in whatever you start. Have a beautiful, happy day everyone!

Read More..

Continuity 1 1 Level 4 Oh Boy

Level C1.1.4

Day 4

So folks, I started level 4! I was really tired and bored with level 3, as again I had to redo it at certain point. Sigh... Now thats done, and I was SOOOO happy to move on to level 4. I still get really excited about MS changes - they are new and unexpected. I know a lot of people like to preview the new levels, but I dont. I actually like to turn it on an be surprised. :) It means of course that MS does not take 30 minutes, but well over 40 at first - as I pause and rewind and do the exercise again. But it is so great - the anticipation of something new and you dont know what to expect!

My verdict so far: I loved level 4! It is weird and strange, but I still loved it! But beware: it is different!!! It is surprising and strange.

First, I think there is a little weird thing going on with reps (I am not sure if it was supposed to be that way or not...). Basically all exercises are repeated - and it looks like it is simply repeated by copy-pasting the video... 

Second, there are no arms with weights or standing abs. That was a shocker. So basically you do the sequence of moves for the arms without weights, and then they are repeated a second time. Weird. And then a shocker: after arms, you go directly to the mat for abs. And to be honest, I liked this little change - whether it was indeed planned or not... You would think that arm exercises without weights would be easy-peasy... Nope! I still cant even contemplate doing them with wrist weights: my arms are falling off as it is. The abs - well I have to be honest, all the exercises are doable and dont seem hard at all, but by the end your abs really hurt. For me this change is somehow "Back to simplicity"... It is great!

Third, the leg moves are doable! Wow! I actually can repeat most of the reps from the start and after day 5 will be putting ankle weights. And I like them - they are truly enjoyable. Lots of moves, during which you feel stretching all along your body. There are many of the exercises - about 8, and some of them I feel very very very well on my inner-thigh! Goody!!!! 

WARNING: Level 4 definitely has some video-making problems. So left leg lifts miss 3 exercises!!! Not one, not just a different angle, but whole 3 exercises! And nice ones too - from the very beginning. Hence, the video seems to be really short (total of 27 min), but if you do all the leg moves on the right and left, it becomes about 30 min workout. What I do - I simply rewind the video back to the start of right leg moves and mirror then for my left leg. By now I am almost able to do them on my own.

So, that is level 4. I have in generally not been eating extremely healthy. Me and my bf really want to go on diet - together to lose some of those kilos (I didnt really gain anything...), but I definitely lost some of my tight and cool abs (as I cant really workout more often than 4-5 times a week these days...)

But I think Im still keeping it up reasonably well....

I also found a cool way to sparkle the DC a little and make it a little more fun: little skirts for dancing and tennis! They are so cute - I love them!!!! :)

Read More..

Level 2 grand results no pics for now

Today I have started level 3. There is nothing more encouraging than doing well. Really when you succeed in something, it gives you more and more energy to continue to succeed. I guess until you lose interest in succeeding in this particular field. So I hope when this happens to me, working out will already be a habit and a lifestyle. But till then every single little achievement is a HUGE achievement.

Anyhow, my achievements are diverse and are a little different from level 1. This is of course expected, as different muscles are targeted at different levels, and in the beginning it is also a lot about bloating and detoxing. Hence, very different things go on in my body, that’s obvious. While the first 10 days were the straight high-jacket of weight decrease with losing something like 2.5-3 kilos within the first 10 days, in the next 10 I only lost some hundred grams. At the same time, my biggest cm loss in level 1 was in my waist and some in my hips, level 2 was dominated by loss in my hips and bikini area. Yey! My ass is getting smaller and is lifting up! There is nothing more encouraging for the summer! I do really want to have a nice butt for a bikini. :) Though I am not going to go for a vacation this summer, but the thought of how it could have been is still great.! :D

So, without further ado, here are my results after level 2 (in cm):

	days 11-21	days 1-21
Chest:	-1	-1
Waist:	-1	-5.5
Hips:	-2.5	-5
Thighs:	-0.5	-1
Arms:	-0	-1
Left Bikini:	-3.5	-5.5
Right Bikini:	-3	-3.5
Total:	-13	-24
Weight:	-0.4	-3.3

Overall, I lost less kg, but more cm. Fine with me! I also think that I have now much nicer abs, my ass does look smaller… Bur for now I will not upload pictures, as I am on the move today and had no time to take pictures, I also don’t really have the same clothes with me. Besides, I don’t think the change is so visibly drastic.

Anyway, I am really excited and looking forward to new results and new me! :) 

Read More..

Meta Level 4 results with photos

Well, to be honest, they are not so grand. For anyone, but me. Cos I know my body best, cos I know what it is like, and what it was like. I had so far a great - an amazing and fulfilling journey! But my best friend (Ritych) once said "May be it is because you have not worked out before, your body got shocked from all the exercise". And I think she was right. Truly right. Very often it takes so much longer for people to see any results at all, when their bodies are toned and fit already. It takes so much more time to reach those accessory muscles of theirs, and tone everything up, lean everything out. For me - all my muscles we shocked, I was shocked, and here we go. 

No, I have not reached a plateau. I just nearly reached my desired weight - I dont really want to lose weight much below 52 kilos. And I am already quite small in measurements. So in the past level I got my boobs back :) Sorry for mentioning that, but i guess I will always go around 1-2 cm up and down there. The only other areas I still lost cm in were thighs (HOORAY!): -1, left bikini: -1 and right bikini: -0.5. Weight went 0.5 kilos down, but it generally tends to keep within a kilo or so throughout the week (going up and down).

And as I am not going to present the before and after pics now... As a teaser, and for all those who are still not inspired enough... I am gonna show you my abs... They are getting better each day... But when I got a new bikini (cos I am going to Italy this summer - YEY!!!), and took some pics for my boyfriend to see... I could not believe them myself. So just see for yourself. It does work, people!

Can you believe it is only 1.5 months in between the pics on the right and left??!! I still cant! :D :D :D

Just really look look look at my abs... :)

In the end just wanted to say... I do feel good. I do eat enough, I exercise, I am following most of the things. I love the way I feel. I love the way I am. I love when I cant find my sizes in shops as everything is too big. I love to fit in my old jeans. I love to feel confident and secure, energetic and healthy. I run up the stairs, and I dont loose my breath. I dance for an hour in salsa, and I am still able to go on. I love it. It is not only how you look (it is just the easiest to present) - it is a lot how you feel, ladies. And I feel great!!!!

Read More..

Level 1 grand results before and after with pics !

So a little late, but here are the first results. I tried to keep with the diet for the most part, but not all the time,  - it was not as difficult as I thought. All together I am amazed, and fascinated by the results. Really. So here it goes (pics are below!):

Weight: -2.9kg

Chest: -0 cm
Waist: -4.5 cm
Hips: -2.5 cm
Thighs: -0.5 cm
Arms: -1 cm
Left Bikini: -2 cm
Right Bikini: -0.5 cm

So, the numbers are not mesmerizing compared to other women out there, but hey, Im a small girl and any change is amazing for me. Any change is amazing for anyone! Baby steps!



And finally, here are some pictures of before and after. Indeed, it has only been 10-12 days of training, but I could def see more definition, my tummy literally went away (I didnt held my breath or anything!), arms seem to become a little slimmer and with muscle appearing to be there somewhere, waist is more defined... It is all small and tiny changes, but hey - it is only 10 days! Way to go! Love handles are still there, but oh well... Check out how differently my shorts fit!!! They are the same ones :) Haha!

Read More..

Teaser pics in level 8

Folks, I decided to wait with the final pics of my results in Meta till I actually finish it: it is only 1 level left, only 9 more workouts, so if I publish anything now, it would be a little disappointing in 10 days: I dont expect HUUUGE changes in the last 10 days of Meta. Dont get me wrong, there will be changes, but not so visible I guess. (Besides, I am feeling a little bloated recently, so should wait a little)

So, you have to wait for the final comparison pics for another 2 weeks or so. But right now, as I did promise something, I am giving a little bit of a teaser :) 

Some of you might recognise the picture below which was taken 7 years ago (or for those who are new to my blog, see my post "A little bit of history and pictures")... This picture (on the left) was taken when I was much younger, I didnt do any sports, but rather kept up the skinny self by not eating too much. Those were still the days, when metabolism was fast and I didnt have a worry in the world :) In all senses: I was a carefree student, not worried about jobs and money, not because I had money, but just because that is how you are when you are a student. I had some random jobs here and there. I studied, I succeeded and failed, and didnt really bother to exercise. But I was younger!

And so now I noticed some similarity of this old photo with the pic taken from the holiday we had in Italy this past June. And I thought to compare. And I myself was surprised. Truly. This was in a way a pic I was aspiring to: slender and kinda fit. But the comparison surprised even me. First, I do look as slim. If not slimmer. But, hey - second, I also look better and much more fit! Just look at those muscles on my upper-back, and look at that bum??!! I never had such a round cute bum!!!  Well, Im not going to stop now. No, no, no! In four months I managed to get the body I wanted and even more than I ever thought possible, to be honest. I wish you all the same, guys! :) Impress yourselves and often!

Read More..

Level 7 started… and dropped…

So, yes folks, I have started level 7. And as Michelle Styles mentioned – all of the levels would be different and surprising. And it is so true. Level 7 also surprised me – may be a bit less than level 6, but it was only because level 6 sudden change was so unexpected…

Level 7 is tough though. I can do only half of the reps at most now I guess. And some of the exercises simply kill me – I start swearing quite not-lady-like and scream sometimes. Ah, the joys of exercise! It is a good excuse to use bad words! ;) Surprising is the ending of level 7 MS, cause you find yourself… on your back… Yes – that was really shocking. “Are we doing abs AGAIN??” But even though those exercises do involve abs, they are still for legs. Ah well. :)

But as the title says – I did manage to start level 7 (days 1 and 2), but then I could not continue. I also missed 2 days in between level 6 and 7, and 2 days already now. I feel bad about it, but really there is nothing I could do about it. I felt really sick all week. First some digestion disorder, then I managed to do two days of workout, and then I started having strong pains in my lower abdomen and - well girls’ parts… So there was NO way I could jump, or squeeze any muscles for that matter. I am still in recovery today – even though the strong stabbing pain went a bit away, I am able to move (yesterday I spent most of the day in bed or on the couch – exciting huh?!). So we are going to an outdoor weekend now, for some badminton, tennis, games and fun. It’s not like I’m going to be able to participate in all the fun – but at least the sun, fresh air and greenness would be good.

So, I’m still smiling, still shining, but just taking a break while I recover. Have a great weekend everybody!

Just enjoying the sun and breeze of a great sunny day in a cabrio. :)

Read More..

C1 1 2 killer or just a new level

Its official: I started level 2 of Continuity 1.1. And well, I heard lots and lots about this level - that it is tough and really really challenging. Well, to be honest, it is hard, but I didnt find it harder than some of the levels in Meta. It had lots of exercises, it is almost 5 minutes longer than level 1, and yes - the moves are tough. But some similar moves we did in Meta, and I would say they are doable... But that said, I do think I will have some sore muscles tomorrow! During MS I felt like my ass was on fire, and after that I was a bit exhausted. Needed (and still do actually) a nap. 

In two weeks Im moving to a different office, and there I will have a big fat couch... and you can laugh at me, but I will start taking naps in the middle of the day. And I am afraid I will start living in my office at some point. :)))) Ooops.

OK, so great weekend to you all! Im going back to work and thinking of a holiday in December. Sigh.

Read More..