Plateau after 2 months?

[MSGTomo]

I am a healthy 31 year old mom and I discovered TTapp in July, and have been TTapping consistently (Basic Plus and Step Away the Inches) since then. Usually doing both every other day, or rotating each workout each day. I have no idea how many inches I lost the first month since I didn't measure, but it was a LOT as I finally fit into my pre-pregnancy clothing after a full year of my size not budging at all post-pregnancy (size 12 down from a size 14)!

Then I thought I should start measuring - and I lost another 14.5 inches over my whole body the next two weeks! However, the following week I lost 1.5 inches, and this last week I lost 0 inches.

Have I plateaued in terms of how difficult the exercise is? It still feels quite challenging - but since I've been doing the same workouts is my body just used to it now? I tried to do Lower Body Tempo, but it was far too difficult and I ended up over-extending my knee.

Should I try something else for a while? Take a break? I just got Hit the Floor in the mail - but I'm a bit worried to try it as it might be too difficult...thanks for any advice!

[BlessedMama]

First of all, welcome!

Secondly, doing BWO+ and SATI together is a full workout and should only be done every other day. Alternating them is fine.

Thirdly it is normal for the body to go through a regrouping time. Losing inches is great, but it is still a stress on the body and the body needs time to regroup. Often this is where we panic and overdo it or starve ourselves, further damaging our metabolism which eventually will work against us!

Here is a thread I posted about plateaus:

http://forum.t-tapp.com/showthread.p...ys-a-Bad-Thing!

How long did you spend on the Instructional? I would revisit the Instructional for 4-5 days, take a few days off, then either continue alternating BWO+ one day, SATI the next, or if you like them together, do both but take a day off in between.

Watch HTF first. And make sure you have ab activation! When I first started HTF I made myself promise when I lost ab activation on a move, that move was done. I just reset and got ready for the next move. That meant I only did 2 reps of some moves!

If you can't tell if you have ab activation, stick with the standing workouts for now!

Do you have the book and the dvd that came with it? Organs in Place, Half Frogs and Elevators are a good start for floorwork

HTH!

Congratulations on your inch and size loss! That's great!

[MSGTomo]

Thanks - I need this reminder!

And oh my goodness - your post on plateaus made me laugh at first ("need to change it up" - that's me!) and then was very sobering. I have always pushed myself too hard in the past and this is what I'm trying not to do this time around.

I only did the Instructional a few times, and then moved onto BW+ - I felt quite comfortable with the moves and form (I have years of dance/yoga/pilates/body awareness) but I will revisit this per your suggestion - I don't think I'm perfect!

I don't have the book or DVD with it - I ordered the BP startup kit? The ab work is a bit unclear to me, so I'll make sure I watch HTF first...

[BlessedMama]

You may be more connected than some, but the Instructionals are still great! Most trainers advise revisiting them monthly--I try to at least every 2 months. Of course, with becoming a trainer now, I feel like I live in them! LOL!

Here is a great tweak on the move in BWO+, The Box. I think it is just OUTSTANDING as a great move for the abs--while standing! You can do this away from your workouts--I usually try to get in 2-3 throughout the day.

[TaraC]

I agree with what Trisch said! LOL!

[MSGTomo]

Thanks for the video - that is a great "tweak!"

[Lavenderbabe]

Hi MSGTomo!
Welcome to a wonderful workout! And welcome to the forums!

Congratulations on your impressive inch loss! You have a great success story. Isn't it amazing how effective these short workouts are!
Enthusiastic yes to what Trisch said.
Listen to her... she's knows tons...especially about the part of letting your body regroup and not panicking!
As you read the forums, you'll see that inch loss is rarely 'linear' - most people lose a bunch, then as they continue a moderate workout schedule, their body re-groups and heals from within, then drops more inches. Others workout for months with little loss, then drop a bunch 'overnight.'

There's more benefit to re-doing the instructionals than just learning the moves.
T takes you through the moves slowly, with focus. The slower pace kicks it up a notch. So does the focus.
Listen to Teresa's tips through the workout... she'll point out places that the body tends to slip into "the path of least resistance" where you need to pay special attention. Really check... are your knees bent? butt tucked? lats engaged? It's harder than it seems.
And it's one of the reasons this workout grows with you -- you can keep bending, tucking, lifting even more!

The Inch loss is wonderful, and you'll discover so many more benefits!
Welcome, and Enjoy the journey!

[Insideout]

Yes, welcome, welcome! So glad you are joining us on the forums as well as in the workout. There is so much to learn here. And congratulations on your inch loss! That is always exciting to hear.

And yes to what Trish said. A lot of times a couple week or even a month long stall in inch loss isn't a true plateau because your body is re-adjusting to the inch loss. Sometimes nothing will happen for weeks, than, "Bam" you start to drop again without doing anything different.

However, to help you over the edge, do what Trish says. Do the instructionals again. You could also add an extra PBS either first thing in the morning or in the evening before bed. You could also add in an extra set of hoe downs once or twice a day. I don't want you to think I'm saying you have to add stuff to continue to see progress, but if you want to, and will feel better about doing a little more, then it never hurts to add in a PBS or hoe downs.

And then always, always focusing on activation and staying activated through an entire move. It is easier initially to activate the muscles, but holding that activation throughout the move takes a lot of practice and can really, really boost results without adding/changing duration (longer workouts) or frequency (more often).

[joyfulmom26]

I thought we were to be familiar with TWO before HTF?

MSGTomo, welcome and let me chime in on the *do not panic and overtrain* bandwagon. I've btdt. I didn't even realize how easy it is to do. It goes against every thing you have ever heard about exercise, but LESS is truly MORE. I see more consistent loss when I hold back from doing more, more, more. Be encouraged!

[MSGTomo]

I thought we were to be familiar with TWO before HTF?

MSGTomo, welcome and let me chime in on the *do not panic and overtrain* bandwagon. I've btdt. I didn't even realize how easy it is to do. It goes against every thing you have ever heard about exercise, but LESS is truly MORE. I see more consistent loss when I hold back from doing more, more, more. Be encouraged!

Thanks for this - I get a bit confused with the videos! I did not realize they were progressive, I thought you could pick and choose, so I ordered some that are WAY too advanced for me!

So - TWO is next?