Life is a Highway: How NOT to Get Overwhelmed with T-Tapp
Life is a Highway: How to NOT Get Overwhelmed with T-Tapp
by Charlotte Siems
If we were planning a driving trip and we didn’t know where we were going or how to get there, we’d be in trouble. Having a map and a destination makes all the difference. It’s the same with T-Tapp exercise.
“I don’t know where to start. I feel overwhelmed with all the options.” These are comments I’ve heard from people brand-new to T-Tapp. Never fear, you’re normal! T-Tapp is so unique and effective, it’s a little hard to comprehend at first.
Whether you’re just now finding out about T-Tapp or you’re dusting off your DVDs to climb back on the wagon, here are some tips:
Start with Instructional #1. That’s the 25-minute teaching workout on the Basic Workout Plus disk. Don’t just watch it, DO it. Hold the stance while Teresa Tapp talks. Sweat while you hold the stance. Kick out if you need to. If it’s been a while since you T-Tapped, still start with the Instructional. Do it at least 4-5 times (more is better) before you move on to the workout. Continue to go back to it once a month.
Note: If you have more health issues, more weight to lose or more birthday candles on your cake, start with the MORE workout (and the MORE Instructional, of course). Even if you don’t have any of these issues, MORE rocks!
After Instructional #1, do Basic Workout Plus. This is the 15-minute workout of wonder. This is where I started, and where I stayed for a good long time. Perfect for busy people!
Have a simple, doable schedule. Every other day is a good plan. Or Monday through Friday. Or every day except one. Always take at least one full day off every week. Depending on your fitness level, tweak to adjust.
Keep going. Three weeks of staying consistent is fabulous—congratulations! But it took me about seventy-five weeks of consistency to reach my goal. Not perfect—consistent.
And that’s it.
Of course you’ll have form questions. Check out the T-Tapp forum, contact a trainer, attend a clinic. I attended my first form clinic after five months of solo T-Tapp.
Having to know all the details, wanting to figure out the first year, fearing form errors—these are a good way to get overwhelmed and to avoid starting.
Ahem.
It can be like a form of blocking yourself from doing what you know you should be doing. Sitting in the driveway with the engine running sounds good but it gets you nowhere.
Get started, and you’ll know what questions to ask and the answers will make sense.
Keep it simple, keep it doable, don’t burn out either physically or mentally with complications and overdoing it.
Zoom past the overwhelm and move forward on the highway to consistent, effective exercise (and your new body) with T-Tapp!
Please leave a comment below!
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Thanks for sharing this! I can say I was surely overwhelmed and confused at first (1 week ago), as you said, because T-Tapp is so unique. But after doing Instructional #1 for five days last week, I already feel better about it all–not perfect, mind you, because I feel like I have a long way to go in getting my form down. I'm even close to being willing to venture away from the Instructional #1! 🙂
And for the best part….after only one week, I lost 7 1/2 inches! That is so amazing I almost can't believe it!! I can't wait for next week's measuring session! Thanks for your encouragement!
That is fabulous!! Just keep going and stay consistent. Note all the other improvements you're feeling, too. Don't get discouraged if you don't lose that much next week–losing even one inch is a good thing! I had plenty of weeks with NO inch loss but I just kept going!
After 3 years of Ttapp and 62+ years of life, I intend to keep on ‘keepin on’ with Ttapp. First 6 mos was Basic (4-5 days wk), next 2 1/2 yrs of Total Workout, Rehab Sections (4-5 days), now i am using Total Workout Tempo Plus Arms (4 days). I also walk a mile each day and do (beginning) Step Away the Inches on rainy or icy days, weather permitting. I use Obagi beauty products with Trentinoin and 15% Vit C on face (and i face/body brush about 3 times a week). Our Charlotte is the ‘real deal’!
Thanks, Ellen (she’s one of my faithful favorite local T-Tappers!)
Thanks for this encouragement. I am starting week 6 and feeling really good. I asked hubby to put the scales away as I will focus on inch loss only from here on out. The scales were too wishy-washy and stealing my new happiness. Focusing on lifting ribs as opposed to leaning back.
Charlotte, this is just the encouragement I needed. I just finished a 14 day boot camp where I lost 18 inches and 10 lbs. Your story is so close to mine and I struggle with how far I have to go but I just continue to keep you in mind and trust that I will get there. ( I am 5’10” and started at my all time high of 260.) I am so grateful. For T -Tapped and your encouragement! Thank you!
Hi Charlotte,
Thanks for this post. I just finished reading How to Get Started With T Tapp, also. Your story is incredible. I have been on again, off again with T Tapp for three years. So I really need your consistency lessons. In January I started the 60 Day Challenge and promptly dislocated my shoulder doing the Total Workout. I have a really loose shoulder! I also have Lyme disease that I’m working hard on, and I believe I have metabolism issues associated with lyme. I feel like I’m always hiking uphill. I have recently decided that I need to pull my expectations way back and be satisfied with just the 15 minutes a day. I used to be a swimmer and I keep thinking that I have to do epic workouts. I came to your site hoping for help with this issue, and I think I’ve come to the right place. Your encouragement to just stay consistent is what I need to focus on. T Tapp definitely seems to be the best hope I have. I need to lose about 90 pounds.
{{{Hugs}}} to you, Monica! Take it one day at a time and keep it doable. You’re right, if we keep waiting for time and energy to do epic workouts most of us will never get around to it! Best wishes on your journey!