Friday, August 14, 2009

Getting Started: T-Tapp at Your Own Pace


Recently I've been talking to many new T-Tappers about how to get started. There seems to be a general concept out there about fitness that more is always better, but with T-Tapp less is really more. New T-Tappers are trying to rush through the Instructional Workouts to get to the workout without the instruction. The problem here is that the Instructional Workouts build the foundation of your understanding of the exercises and proper form, plus allow your body to start building the mind-to-body connection needed to make it through the entire T-Tapp workout. The better the understanding of the Instructional Workouts the better the overall results from the program will be.

This morning a post on the T-Tapp Forum really caught my eye and totally relates to this topic. Read on...

Breaking down my T-Tapp goals (by LisaG)
When I first got the book, less than 2 weeks ago, I was so inspired by the success stories! It was encouraging to see so many women who began at my size, and were able to become slim. I even saw women with "c-section aprons", who had gotten rid of them! This gave me so much hope, and I began to set my sights high.

After having trouble following the directions in the book, I ordered a DVD. My goal was to do the Basic Workout Plus instructional for 4 days in a row, then do the regular version for the next 10, taking off only on Sundays.

I got my DVD yesterday, and have used it for the past 2 days. I now realize that I need to slow down on my own expectations. My new goal is to do my personal best each day. Because I am so heavy, uncoordinated, and have a short torso, I am not able to do some of the exercises yet. I don't know how long it will take before I am ready to move from instructional to regular Basic Workout, but that doesn't matter - I am making progress every day, and that is what I am going to focus on.

LisaG is on the right track! The important part of this message is to do your personal best and take it one day (or workout) at a time. With T-Tapp, as long as you are working to your best ability you will make progress, get results and reap the health benefits.

If you feel as if you cannot complete an entire workout, even if it is Instructional Workout #1, you only need to go to your personal maximum ability. Meaning, if you cannot stay in correct form and keep up with Teresa, then only do as many repetitions as you can with correct form. If you can only complete 4 repetitions at your maximum, don’t worry; you will still lose inches! It is actually better to do fewer repetitions with your best form, than it is to do as many as Teresa with bad form. Slower is better. Most newcomers have the impression that if they don't do all the repetitions they will not get the results - this is not true. The T-Tapp workout works for all fitness levels. As long as you go to your potential and do the form correctly you will see the results, get stronger, and be able to progress to Teresa's level with time. It's a learning process in the beginning and its not easy, but trust me... the more effort you put in the better results you will see with inch loss and your overall health.


Using the Total Workout

The T-Tapp Total Workout is the original T-Tapp exercise program. ABC TV in Philadelphia called the T-Tapp Total Workout "The Workout that Works" for all ages and fitness levels. This total body workout has a special sequence of comprehensive, compound muscle movements that use isometric linear alignment along with lymphatic pumping to deliver higher aerobic, strength, flexibility and body sculpting - as well as rehabilitative benefits to shoulders, back, hips and knees. Inches drop quickly since muscles are developed with density, not bulk, to cinch-in, uplift, tighten and tone. The Total Workout also teaches how to increase intensity without adding weights or repetitions so you can always challenge your body and get results with only one set of 8 repetitions. Less IS more with T-Tapp! The Total Workout delivers a full body program that not only builds a better body with optimal fitness and wellness, but helps you keep it for the rest of your life.


The T-Tapp Total Workout includes:

  • Instructional Workout #1: teaches how to do each exercise step by step with detailed instruction.
  • 15 Minute Basic Workout Plus: includes all of the movements from Instructional Workout #1 done without instruction at the regular pace, plus the exercise Hoe Downs.

  • Instructional Workout #2: teaches how to do each exercise in the second half step by step with detailed instruction.
  • 55 Minute Total Workout: includes all of the movements from both Instructional Workout #1 and Instructional Workout #2 done without instruction at the regular pace.

Plus...

Basic Plus Tempo

  • NEW Basic Plus Tempo - Level 2 DVD*: This workout is the next level after the 15 Minute Basic Workout done with increased muscle activation techniques for better results. Basic Plus Tempo is an 18-minute routine will help to push your fitness level up a notch. Also includes a separate menu for you to choose the exercises individually.

  • Yes You Can With T-Tapp Seminar DVD: a 90-minute seminar explaining how and why the T-Tapp program works, includes several exercises to target different areas of concern (arms, torso, back fat, stomach, thighs, knees, inner core balance) and how to apply T-Tapp techniques with daily activity.
  • Total Workout Audio CD: This is an audio recording of the Total Workout DVD and also includes the Basic Plus Tempo audio recording as well. Great for travel! Download to your MP3 player and go.
  • Measuring Tips
  • How To Guidelines booklet
  • God Made/Man Made Dietary Program brochure
  • Additional Tips for Optimal Results brochure
  • Unlimited Free Tech Support

Once you have the Total Workout, you will start with the Instructional Workouts. They will teach you the proper form and techniques for each exercise. You will first do the Instructional Workout #1. Do the Instructional Workout #1 until you feel comfortable with all the exercises. Depending on your fitness level you may spend anywhere from a few days to a month on each Instructional workout. Since you are working out with Teresa on the Instructionals you will see results, so there is no rush to get to the Total Workout.

Once you know feel comfortable with the exercises and proper form on Instructional Workout #1 you will be able to progress to the Basic Workout Plus. Basic Workout Plus takes the place of Instructional Workout #1 because it includes all the same exercises, but it is done without all the instruction and Teresa adds the exercise Hoe Downs. This way you can go straight through the workout in only 15 minutes! You may want to use the Basic Workout Plus a few times to get accustomed to doing the exercises straight through.

When you are ready you will add the Instructional Workout #2 after completing the Basic Workout Plus. Please note that each day you do both the Basic Workout Plus and Instructional Workout #2 back-to-back it is considered a full workout and is counted as a day of Bootcamp. Continue to use the Basic Workout Plus and Instructional Workout #2 back-to-back until you feel comfortable with all the movements on Instructional Workout #2. Once you feel confident with the exercises on the Instructional Workout #2 you will be able to use JUST the Total Workout. Continue on to do a Bootcamp using the Total Workout until you have reached your desired results.

I personally spent 2 full weeks on my Instructional Workouts; week 1 was Instructional #1 once a day for 7 days in a row and week 2 was Instructional #2 once a day for 7 days in a row. Then I moved on to the Total Workout and started my 4-day Bootcamp as outlined in your DVD booklet.

Overtraining is possible with T-Tapp, as it is with any exercise program. If you do too much you can slow or stop your results completely because you aren't allowing your body to rest and repair muscles after tough workouts. Excessive intense physical activity releases stress hormones, such as cortisol, into the body. This can actually inhibit weight loss, causing your body to react by storing fat and retaining water out of self-protection. In relation to T-Tapp, you don't want to do a Bootcamp longer than 14 days in a row using the Total Workout to prevent overtraining.

If you purchased another starter system, like the Basic Workout Plus or T-Tapp MORE, and have questions just let me know. I'll be more than happy to walk you through the best way to get started with your program. Give me a call at the T-Tapp office Monday through Friday! 1.877.TAPP.FIT (877.827.7348) OR email me at casey@t-tapp.com.

Happy T-Tapping!

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