Duck Feet

[Jillmar]

Good luck Yumster. Let us know how you doing!

[yumster]

Just a quick update to bring hope to all you duck footed t-tappers! I have walked like a duck since childhood (I am 55). As a result I had the worst saddlebags and knee knocker fat you can imagine. I've been tapping since August (2009). EOD, I do BWO+, AL, pretzel twist, DD . Other days, TWO. You might recall I had been doing this in a RV as we travel all summer. So I didn't take photos, measure, etc.

I actually noticed my right saddlebag looking bigger but kept on tapping. Well, today, both saddlebags have smoothed out. The knee fat is reducing and I am easily into a size 4 (I'm short...4' 11"). I focus on keeping those duck feet straight and am actually able to walk that way for the most part.

Keep focused, KLT, watch your form and it will work

[Jillmar]

Congratulations, Yumster! I knew Tapping would pull through for you! Good work!

[Dantheman]

Hi Yumster,
I have been working on this for sometime now, and I think these tips will help in correcting “Duck Feet”. Since you have always walked this way, I hope that using these T-Tapp fundamentals will bring you into alignment quickly.

Let’s position yourself with your left foot forward and your right foot back in a walking stance. Forget about the position of the left foot for the moment. Oddly enough, your focus begins with the back foot as you begin to walk. The first thing you should do is make sure that the right foot is in alignment. Meaning that your right back heal and toes are in a straight line. Also that your ankle is positioned directly your under knee. Think back to Jazz Twist and the Second Lunge move, your back heal needs to be in this position (don’t let your heal point out or in; keep it nice and straight) before you begin to roll on the foot to lift it forward. Ok, is your back heal now in the alignment? GREAT! Now, as you begin to roll on the right foot, allow your weight load to compress against the bottom of outside portion of the foot (KLT fashioned) and finish the move using your little toes to leave the ground last. The second thing is: as you are moving your right leg and foot forward is to keep the foot, ankle and knee alignment from lift. Third thing is when your right foot comes along to the side of the left foot is to keep the spacing or distance very very short. They will almost touch but don’t. Forth thing is; while still keeping the right foot, ankle, and knee in alignment allow it come down in alignment and with the same spacing distance that you had when it passed your left foot (very very close). Check it out! Does the Right foot QUACK?
Now follow this sequence for your left foot.
So, the focus is on the back foot alignment with ankle, and knee and it is carried through in the step keeping a narrow spacing between feet.
For practice, go to a parking lot that has driving lines painted for cars (but don’t play in the traffic). The Driving lines are about 4 inches wide. As you walk along, try to keep you inside of shoe within the edge of the line. Adjust this spacing according to your comfort level. I am thinking you may be more on the line than on the edge of the line. You don’t want to walk the line heal to toe like a railroad rail, but use the line as a guide to ensure your spacing is close and consistent.

Let us know how about your progress.


Dantheman

[cbuffy]

Ooooh, now I want to run down to the parking lot!!!! Thanks Dan! (again)

[Dantheman]

Go for it CBUFF!

I'll wait to hear back from you!

Dantheman

[BlessedMama]

I'm going to have to go update that list of your tips again, Dan!

Hmmm...parking lots are pretty scarce here in the boonies. Might have to "go to town" to see what I can find!

I just wonder what people will think seeing a lady in her jumper, headcovering and walking shoes out walking the parking lot lines like when we were kids.......

Never know though! Might be able to strike up a conversation about T-Tapp!

[just wonder if I can get dh to try it.....HE'S actually the one who walks like a duck!]

[BlessedMama]

I found it! Coming back from my walk down a country lane (well, sort of a country lane!) I have to walk about 100 feet of state highway. I'm walking along the edge and THERE IT IS!

The white line on the side of the road! YES!


So I take Dan's advice and walk the line---of course also watching for oncoming cars! --and let me tell you! Even if you're NOT a duck walker, this will work those thighs!

So now on my way to and from my "country lane" I can "walk the line"!



See? Even we country gals out in the sticks can find a way!

[yumster]

Thanks so much, Dan! The duck-walk issue has been a tough one, since I have ALWAYS done it. Focusing on T-tapp stance and form has certainly helped (and I have seen results with lessened saddle bags and knee fat) but I really have to focus to keep in alignment when I'm not tapping. Your description resonated with me and made even more sense when I put on my MBT trainers. Like Blessed Mamma, I have been using the lines in the road since we live in a semi-rural area...it sure forces you to tighten up even through the lower abs. I'll keep you posted...thanks again for the instruction.