Exercise in the Distraction-Free Zone
Exercise in the Distraction-Free Zone
by Charlotte Siems
Loud music. A blaring TV. People in and out, talking and laughing, asking questions. Text messages coming in. Phone calls. We all live with distractions in our active, busy lives.
So what’s that got to do with our T-Tapp practice?
T-Tapp is best done in an atmosphere where you can concentrate. My preference is in my bedroom, with the door shut. Or in the dining room early in the morning before anyone is up.
As an experienced mom of twelve, I have definitely developed the skill of multi-tasking and working with distractions. So why would I isolate myself to do T-Tapp?
Because to get the most benefit from workouts, concentration is important! It might be just a fifteen minute workout, but I want to squeeze every last drop of goodness from it. If I’m going to change clothes and dedicate precious time to fitness…and sweat…I want to get results.
An atmosphere of quiet (well, as quiet as a household of eight or more can get) helps with these secrets of successful results:
· Being “all there” (mentally present, in the zone)
· Progressing in personal max
· Using full range of motion, no momentum (reaching and extending all the way, tucking, turning to best abiity)
· Pushing form to fatigue and muscle failure
· Constantly running a circuit in your mind to maintain all aspects of form
· Really activating muscle—no wimpy donut fingers, no straight knees, etc.
· Attentively listening to cues on the workout DVD
That quiet room doesn’t help with things you don’t need:
· Comparing yourself with anyone else
· Having perfect form (that never happens!)
· Doing every single rep every single time
Of course life still happens and you won’t always have a silent and peaceful space in which to work out. But some planning and attention to a non-distracting atmosphere can help you take your workouts to a new level. Communicate the importance of this with family members if need be. Hint: They can’t read your mind.
Carve out some space and semi-silence to care for your body and your spirit. Spend your fifteen minutes or half hour of exercise in the zone, and then you’ll step out into your world of noise and distractions with more energy and patience!
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 Charlotte Siems is a home-maker, home manager, T-Tapp Trainer, teacher, speaker and author. Her story of losing over 100 pounds with T-Tapp has encouraged thousands of people all over the world. She specializes in making home management and T-Tapp “doable” for real people and real life. She is happy to be a wife and mother of twelve children whom she has successfully taught at home for 25 years. |
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I like to go into the house we are building and exercise in the great room. It is cooler in there than outside, and much more quiet. I wait until just after sunrise (so I can find my way over) and take my mini dvd player, since we do not have power over there yet. It is next door to the home we are currently living in. By the time I get finished, it is time for everyone else to get up and start the day. I always work out first thing in the morning for 2 reasons. First of all, it is easier to be alone. Secondly, I would most likely come up with excuses (too tired, not enough time, etc.) if I waited until later in the day.
I always wait till before bed time not only does T-Tapp help me fall asleep faster but I don’t have a lot of distractions as I do during the day. Plus the living room is people free during this time of day so no watchers! This is the only time of day that works for me at the moment but I try my best to make it count with proper form and no rushing through the exercises. Plus before and after I always message my T-Tapp buddy to let her know I am pumped and help her get pumped as well and after the workout we message eachother saying “We did it!” which is of huge importance and makes one look forward to te next day! 🙂
I exercise in my bathroom before I get dressed in the mornings. I have privacy there, plus mirrors to help me watch my form. I like the idea of starting the day with exercise to activate muscle throughout the whole day, and also so that I don’t end up pushing it to the back burner or totally excusing it.
I exercise in my bedroom with a portable DVD player with the door locked after Bible reading but before starting the day. I still might get knocks on the door from my 3yo, but the older ones can help him know it’s mommy’s alone time.
Thanks for the reminders Charlotte! I wondered why I always feel I get a better workout when I seclude myself away and now I know!
First I am like, the mother of 12! WOAH!! You deserve a trophy just on that merit. But I think I missed something. What is T-Tapp?
T-Tapp is the exercise program I used to go from a size 22W to size 6–and stay there–for years now! I mostly did the 15-minute workout. Check around here on this site and you can read lots more!
Thanks Charlotte, some good advice. I agree, I need to be able to concentrate to get the most out of my workout and to be able to hear Theresa encourage and remind me. But today was one of those days I had to do my workout amongst all the noise, kids and hubby. But thankfully, at least I got to do it.