It’s an urban legend that people who have reached their goal size maintain a perfect body and perfect schedule. Life happens and pounds and inches come and go. The key is to monitor when too many inches and pounds come, then make a plan to make them go. But perfection? Excuse me while I choke and snort my water.
Tools like Plexus Slim can definitely help with the plan, but no matter how you eat, T-Tapp helps reshape your body, strengthen your core and heal from the inside out.
Over the past seven+ years of T-Tapp, there have been occasional longer periods of time with no workouts. The longest has been six weeks after medical procedures, but other than that the times range from a week to two weeks. When those times come (and they will for all of us), this is how to get back into T-Tapp:
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Start with a short workout. MORE is my preferred back-to-T-Tapp workout. If it’s been more than two weeks, Instructional #1 is recommended. After a week or two of MORE (about 4 times a week), strength and endurance are regained enough to move into other workouts. After illness or fatigue, I might start with Primary Back Stretch only for a few days, and work up to a whole workout.
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Be vigilant about water, alfalfa and brushing. With the fall-off of workouts, brushing usually gets sporadic also. This is a good time to re-commit to the brushing routine along with the workout routine.
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Fit in an extra move or two later in the day. A single set of Hoe Downs or some Butterflies can compound the effect of your short back-to-T-Tapp workout.
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Choose good thoughts. Blaming yourself for skipping workouts or regretting the last however-many-weeks is counter-productive. It will take a while to get back on top of things, but don’t let yourself get discouraged about it. Thoughts like “I’m going to feel so much better” or “This is so good for my body” are much more effective. Expressing gratefulness to your body for healing and restoring actually affects you physically on a cellular level, according to recent brain research.
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Taking an extended time off from workouts can make you realize how good T-Tapp is. After a few days of no formal exercise, I notice far more aches and pains, from my back to my limbs. I feel a little foggy and don’t have as much energy.
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The first few days back can be a little challenging, as you’re working out the kinks. You may feel a little stiff and your endurance may not be what it was. You may find it difficult to keep knees bent and out, and your balance may be off. That’s okay. Be kind to yourself, but don’t give yourself permission to throw in the towel. Pick up the towel and use it for Primary Back Stretch arm pumps. You’ll be glad you got back to work.
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Breaks happen. A week or two may pass without a formal whole workout. Just make sure the break doesn’t turn into a way of life. Get started again in a doable way: no punishing yourself with an impossible schedule, no mean thoughts about yourself.
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You don’t want your brain to associate getting started again with negativity and pain. Instead, treat yourself nice, think good thoughts, smile and look forward to getting back to T-Tapp!
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How do YOU get back on the wagon after a break from T-Tapp?
I had gotten back on the wagon of T-tapp when we went on vacation, I planned to exercise while we were gone……”it’s only 15 min!” But the time change really works on me when I fly out of state. I determined to have a good time and not worry about exercise just enjoy my time away from chores and cooking. When I got home I got caught up on my sleep. I feel so much better when I T-tapp and I tell myself that “it’s only 15 minutes and you feel so much better” I’m in the mitts of menopause and that in itself will make your weight go up and down. But knowing that TT will help me feel better and have a better outlook and keep me healthy. Your article made me smile because I’m right there! Thanks! I needed that reminder and encouragement. Have a blessed day
Anita, you’re wise to guard your sleep and emotional energy! And to admit that vacation (and menopause) are real-life situations that we have to work with. 🙂
Thanks for the encouragement Charlotte! I have been able to get back into T-Tapp since I started on Plexus, and then just a couple of nights ago, I started skin brushing again. It is so heavenly! I love T-Tapp and skin brushing so much, I just can’t figure out why I ever let them get knocked off my schedule! 🙂 And now, with the lack of cravings for junk food, and the energy that Plexus gives me, I’ve been so consistent with those things that give me such pleasure.
I’m starting to hear this from others, too, Sally–that Plexus helps them feel better so they’re ready to move more! Glad you’re back in the T-Tapp groove! 🙂
Thank you for this! I am getting started again after I fell off the wagon halfway through my last pregnancy. I am 6 weeks postpartum and have done the instruction tape 1 a couple times, but only do 4 reps on the arms part during plies, haha. That part always gets me! Anyway, it was nice reading your tips and knowing that I’m not the only one in this boat. Thanks!
We are all human, Abby! You have an especially good reason to move in and out of consistency! Don’t feel like you have to do a whole workout–try setting a timer for whatever time you can spare, then stop–guilt-free! Congratulations on your new little one!
Hi Charlotte!
Do you still use T-tapp? I miss reading about it on your blog!