Making Short T-Tapp Workouts Effective
Short workouts were what drew me to T-Tapp in the first place. As a busy homeschooling mom with eight children still at home (the youngest one year old), hour-long exercise sessions weren’t going to happen. “Fifteen minutes” was an enticing promise, a novel idea that encouraged me that I could fit in exercise. After losing seven inches the first week with fifteen minutes a day, I was hooked!
There were a few things I did to help make those short workouts effective.
First of all, I actually DID the short workouts. Not just once or twice a week, but pretty much every other day, at least 4-6 times a week (six times per week during harder efforts for a season, like the 60-Day Challenge, four times per week during regularly scheduled life, especially during the holidays).
It’s possible that long workouts every other day would give faster results overall, but only if done in good form. In other words, flopping quickly through the Total Workout in an effort to speed up inch loss would possibly give less results than a mindful, muscle-activated short workout. I say “possibly” because it would depend on overall form, strength, fitness level, etc.
I became a student of T-Tapp. I am “an inquiring mind who wants to know” so my search for information was probably more intense than the average person. Many people are not the type to read everything they can find on a subject. However, even the most casual learner can scribble a question about form on a post-it note as they work out and look it up on the forum later using the “search” function or study the move in Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes. I read and posted on the forum almost every day, so that knowledge base built up.
Of course reading a form tip and applying a form tip are two different things, and you have to DO the workout to apply the form tweak.
I kept on doing short workouts. We’re not talking three weeks. More like seventy-five weeks to go from size 22W to size 6. It’s one thing to “try” T-Tapp and “try” to stay consistent for a month or two, and quite another to commit to staying consistent for many months.
I challenged myself with short workouts. As I got stronger and learned more about form, I pushed myself. Rather than getting by with wimpy fingers and relaxed arms, I worked hard to tighten muscles and not use momentum.
I worked out mindfully. I never watched TV or listened to music while doing a T-Tapp workout. There was too much to think about, running a constant circuit in my mind checking aspects of form: bend knees, press lower back flat, oops bend knees again, and so on.
I got the majority of my results with short workouts, 30 minutes or less. There was a season of time for a few months when I added in the Total Workout and I think that was valuable, but for my busy life short workouts were much more practical and doable.
It might take you longer to reach your goal if you do only short workouts, but you’ll never reach it if you don’t have time to do long workouts and therefore, you don’t.
Try a 15-30 minute workout and see if it helps you stay consistent. Just make sure you work hard and push form to make that short workout effective. You’ll be glad you did!
Please leave a comment if you have any questions!
I'm a believer that shorter workouts make a BIG difference! Many people don't have time for a 45-60 minute workout every other day. Taking the less in more approach with T-Tapp you can focus on pushing your form as best you can for a 15-20 minute routine in order to get the most out of the workout. Rushing through a longer workout with sloppy form doesn't benefit you much. It's best to focus on doing the best you can with your form on each exercise, even if that means less repetitions at your own pace. Taking that route will get your body stronger faster so that you can do more each time you exercise.
Right now I'm using the T-Tapp MORE program, which is a 20 minute routine. Have been doing it daily for the past 6 days. Even though it doesn't seem like much, I am feeling (and starting to look) so much better!
Exactly, Casey! Less is More doesn't mean less effort. It means push form and go to your max so you accomplish more in less time, which T-Tapp is ingeniously designed to do!
Very good advice! I finally have listened and applied it. I feel so much stronger and am down a size finally. I mostly do the chair and I know like you mentioned it will take me longer but I’ll get there. That is the Best! I will get there!
Thank you so much for all your encouragement!
Thank you for your information and encouragement. I am new to T-Tapp (have had the book, Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes, for about a week and I’ve read completely though it.) I’ve began with the 15 minute workout, but I’m finding myself confused on several of the steps/movements especially on how long to hold when she doesn’t indicate. I don’t feel it’s going smoothly. Is this normal? Should I order the DVD of the workout. I definitely feel that what I’m doing is working (muscle tightness, sweating), I’m just not sure if I’m doing it correctly. The only thing I really feel I have down well are the hoe downs. I’m used to watching/doing workouts on DVD. Reading a book while trying to workout is a little foreign. I think it takes me about 25-30 minutes to get through the 15 minute workout, so I must be doing it wrong. I eventually would like to do the 45 minute complete workout, but want to make sure I’m doing it right. Do you recommend the DVD’s or do you just use the book? Thanks for your help!
Hi Tara, Congratulations on getting started with T-Tapp! I personally love the book for the success stories and to check form, but I ordered the DVDs after trying to work out with the book–once! Teresa Tapp gives form cues and the rhythm throughout the DVD, so it’s extremely helpful. Definitely get the DVDs! Here’s a link to the Total Workout: https://www.t-tapp.com/affiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=119_15_3_13
Hi Charlotte
Happy New Year and blessings to you for the coming year!
I am planning to start with T tap again and the 60 day challenge is a good place to start. Also want to get a gym pass as it helps me to be motivated and committed when around others. So looking forward to get going again. A wild couple of months with music obligations and learning Flute. ETC. 🙂 Have a great day! Thanks for your encouragement.
Gale, you’re smart for “knowing yourself” and what will work as you get going again! Best wishes on your journey!
i must say I was really happy to read this article 🙂 I just started t-Tapp and wasn’t able to get past the 15 minute workout! As another busy homeschooling mom of 3 too I’m looking for a time-saving workout, so reading your story really encouraged me 🙂 thanks!