Day 1

[ChickaBoom]

Well, today was weigh-in day for the fitness challenge, so I came back home and just went through the instructional #1. Oh my, I hope my form gets better. I struggled with the plies and anything that involves moving more than one body part (well, maybe not that bad). I feel like putting it in slooooooow motion.

So, I assume it gets better, right? Other than that, a few questions ...

Is there a newbies group I can join, preferably that has a few experienced people to learn from? Or do I just post here when I feel the need?

Are there any challenges I can join?

If my rib to hip is 5.5-6", am I automatically a long torso? I was really identifying with the combo type, as far as where I gain the weight, etc. I can post specific measurements if you want. I am not sure if I am measuring the right rib for this!

I measured myself this morning (per the guidelines), and as I measured, the fattest part of my abdomen never fell under the tape. Should I measure that anyway - that's the part that I really want to see go down!

And, is there anyone experienced and nice who wants to help me get a game plan for the fitness challenge? I am at 22% body fat, according to the weigh-in. How much should I work out, (was thinking once a day), diet plans, ideas? The areas where I carry the bulk of the fat are the abs, lower back, outer and inner thighs. I took some pics, but don't really want to share them for the world, but perhaps if it would help someone to create a plan with me, I can share them so you have an idea of what I look like currently. I wonder if I should throw in any other workouts that T-Tapp offers. After I get the BWO+ down, that is! ;)

Thanks for any help! I'm going to browse the forums a bit now ...

[BlessedMama]

Sarah, just keep asking questions! You could join one of the groups on the General Forum if you want. I'm on the 6 Weeks to a New You, and we just check in and encourage each other. You set your own goals and no one comes to beat you up if you don't meet them all the time! ;) You can join any time, so don't wait for the start of the next 6 weeks!

Yes, it DOES get better! And then harder! LOL! You get more coordinated and stronger and your max changes and you start bobbling again! But that's GOOD!

How often you work out depends on what you are choosing for the challenge. Some of the workouts are considered full workouts and should only be done every other day, with 20 minutes or less of activity on your "off days".

If you are new to T-Tapp and doing the challenge, I wouldn't worry so much about diet other than making some baby steps. For me it had to be very gradual as I am an emotional eater and even focusing too much on "eating well" was counterproductive!

I'm sure a trainer will pop in and give more specific advice, but I will tell you I've lost 7 sizes and 148 inches in almost 3 years of T-Tapp by consistency!

Welcome to T-Tapp! And best wishes on the Challenge! :)

[MargieK]

Trisch, it looks like Sarah is doing a different challenge with her husband (http://forum.t-tapp.com/showthread.php?t=65535). I went back and looked, because I remembered someone was doing something like that, and she said yesterday was the first day of the challenge -- whereas the "January Jumpstart" begins on the 15th.

I just joined the "6 weeks to a new you" group, and agree with Trish that you'll find a nice mix of newbies, veterans, and people returning after some time away. So you'll get encouragement there for sure. I don't know as much about the other groups but I think you'll find they're all supportive; if you jump in and introduce yourself and let people know a little about you, they'll all be very helpful.

I would say that there is no "one size fits all" way to approach this. A lot depends on your current fitness level. Starting with a "bootcamp" (where you do the same T-Tapp workout for several days in a row, typically 4, 7, 10 or 14 days, followed by two rest days and then an every other day ("EOD") schedule) is OPTIONAL. You might set out to do a bootcamp and find that at some point you just don't have the stamina, time, ability, whatever to go on. That's OK. It's perfectly fine to start with an EOD schedule -- which gives your body time to recover and strengthen so that your "max" the next time is even better.

BWO+ is OK to do every day (with one day off a week, of course) if you're able. But if you do BWO+ plus something else like SATI, that's considered a full workout. You shouldn't do a full workout on a daily basis (except for a limited time, such as on a bootcamp).

22% body fat isn't all that bad for a woman your age (probably about right). You really don't want to go a whole lot lower than that, no more than 5% lower, I believe. So while T-Tapp will help you build (add) muscle, which would affect that percentage, your actual goal (as Trisch so often notes) should be less about weight or body fat percentage and more about improving your fitness and shape.

If you can do BWO+ every day, great! Start with that. Take at least one day off a week. Focus on the instructional, and stick with it for a week or two. Depending on how you do with that, you could add SATI on alternate days, or do BWO+ one day and SATI the next (that's generally what I do, due to time constraints). It's pointless to set up a schedule until you have an idea of where you're at in terms of your ability; even then, your schedule has to reflect what you have time for, as well as include appropriate time off.

Best of luck to you. Contests can sometimes be motivating, but in general I prefer not to think of fitness and health as a competition; we each have our own unique "deck of cards we're dealt with." It's never a good idea to get into a weight loss competition with a man because they naturally have more muscle, so it's easier for them to achieve a calore deficit that leads to weight loss.

T-Tapp is good for your body, so regardless of how your challenge turns out, you'll be doing something good for yourself. You won't regret it!

[ChickaBoom]

RE: The challenge I'm doing: Yes, it's through my husband's work, and they have "teams" made up of 1 man and 1 woman (because 2 men could blow the competition out of the water!). My goal above all goals is to get rid of the extra fat around my middle and thighs. The weigh-in measuring person said it was average for my age, and looking online, some places say it's better than average. Regardless, the fat around my middle and thighs has to go - it wasn't there a few years ago, and it hinders me from wearing my favorite jeans, LOL! Not only that, but I know I could be, and should be, in better physical stamina to keep up with my children. I've always been fairly lazy when it comes to exercise, physical fitness, etc - except for talking walks and hikes, I guess.

Well, today is Day 2. I'm sore but excited to do it again today.

I'll join something over on the other forum in a bit here! Thanks!

[GardenGirl639]

Great job, Sarah! You will learn more and get better at the moves every day! Keep up the good work!

[bevibrant]

Per if 5"-6" rib to hip makes you a long torso....I would say, no, not automatically. I have about that much and consider myself a combo because I gain all over, especially in the butt and gut. I do gain a little extra on my thighs/saddlebag area so I'm a combo/long torso, (meaning combo with some long torso tendencies). Make sense?

Keep working with the instructionals!:clappinghands: