An introduction and a few questions

[twinkletoesmomma]

Hello, I am new here! I'm a 34 year old homeschooling mother of 4. I started some T-tapp exercises (try before you buy) over the past few years, but finally bought MORE. I chose this workout because I had pretty severe adrenal fatigue for a few years. I was mostly bedridden for almost a year, but slowly have been improving until I am now functioning somewhat normally (but still low energy). So, just a note to others who are struggling with their health...there is hope!

I started T-tapp MORE at the end of March, so I am almost 2 months in. I did the instruction workout for 4 days in a row, and now I do the regular workout 3-5 days a week. My questions are:

1. Should I increase my workouts in order for it to be more effective? Sometimes I skip 2-3 days depending how I am feeling. Other times, I am able to do 2-3 days in a row.

2. I am having lots of gains, then loss, then gain. My measurements are going up and down week to week....or just staying the same for 2 months. What could be causing this? I'm not too discouraged since I've lost 8.5 inches overall since I started, but it is kinda depressing to lose 2 inch on my abdomen and then 2 more inches and then gaining 2 back. what am I doing wrong?

I measure every 2 weeks or so.

Here are my measurements:
---------------- 3/28/12------ 4/13/12----------5/5/12--------- 5/17/12
R. Arm------- 12.5 ----------12.25----------- 12.25-------------13
L Arm---------- 12.5-----------12.5------------- 12---------------12
Pecs--------------34---------- 32.75-------------- 32---------------32
Bust------------35.24--------- 34.5----------------34---------------33
Ribs-------------- 31------------30.5--------------29.5-------------29.5
Waist-------------29.25--------28.5-------------30.5------------- 29.5
Abdomen--------37------------35.2---------------33.25------------35.2
Hips--------------38.25--------37.75-------------37.5--------------37
R. Up Thigh------25------------24.5-------------24.5---------------24.5
L. up Thigh-----24----------23.75---------------24-----------------24
R. low Thigh---19------------19-----------------19-----------------19
L low thigh------18.5----------18.5---------------18---------------18.5
R calf------------14.25---------14.5---------------14.5--------------14.5
L calf------------14.25----------14.5---------------14.5-------------14


So, is there anything I can do to quicken the inch loss or is this a good rate?
Would dry brushing help or is that just to tighten things up?
I haven't lost any weight during this time.

3. What workout would I go from here? I don't feel exhausted after the MORE workouts like I have with other exercise. I'm wondering if there is something better. I could just increase reps, but are there dvds with totally new exercises? Is BWO the same as MORE, just more reps? How about TWO? I have a bunch of trouble areas (c-section apron, fat arms, fat thighs, big hips/butt).

Thanks so much for any help. I've stalked these forums for years, but thought I should officially join now that I am actually using a dvd.

[BlessedMama]

First of all, welcome!

You picked the right workout!

1. No. With recovering from adrenal fatigue, you do not want to overdo it or it will be counterproductive. You might actually stall inch loss and then crash. Ask me how I know!

2. My guess is either a) fat shift --you lost off the lower abs, and as the muscles cinch in and push the fat up and out, it has to go somewhere! We tend to tighten up from the transverse abs up. That happened to me, too!

or b) you might be leaning forward or back and getting your shoulders out of alignment with your hips. Shoulder/hip alignment is key to losing in the arms, tummy and thighs. Get with a mirror and check. Ribs up is more of a vertical feel--elongating the space between ribs and hip. Many of us tend to lean back, "tilting" our ribs up, or we use our traps to push our shoulders back vs. tightening the lats (muscles around your br*a band) to lift the ribs. Think of when you pretended to be a model with a book on your head vs. a military shoulders back at attention.

3. That's good! You should NOT feel exhausted! I would not increase reps, nor would I go to another workout just yet. If you don't have form down well with MORE, it will be harder as the others go at a bit faster pace. In fact, many of us went to MORE from TWO and BWO+ and found a whole new level on form!

Are you utilizing any of the shorter workouts on MORE? You could add one of the shorter workouts on off days or add one to your MORE. Really listen to your body, because usually by the time we realize we're overtraining, we're really suffering for it! A few options:

M-MORE
T-Chair
W-MORE
Th-PBS, Broom
F-MORE
S-PBS, Step Away (lots of instruction on this one--but after you know how to do it, just start walking as soon as she starts talking and don't quit until Regina and Terri do the other moves with her!)
S- PBS only

OR

M-MORE plus Chair
T-PBS and T-Tapp Twist only
W-MORE plus Broom
Th-like T
F-MORE plus Step
S- like T
S-PBS only

Also, be sure on plies and lunges to really hold those thighs tight! Try sinking your heels into the floor to help keep them tight. On Plies, pretend to be holding elevator doors open with those knees.

Are you brushing your apron? I had a section with my last one 5 1/2 years ago and I have only a tiny ridge of flab there. No hanging anything! I truly credit body brushing, dead sea salt masks and Teresa's alfalfa!

This move is really, really good for Mommy Tummy and you can do it every time you visit the bathroom! (And it's a great "arms" move, too! ):

[mamalove]

Welcome Twinkletoesmomma!! Btw, I love your "name"!

[sghulett]

Welcome Twinkletoes, I am a homeschool mom of 3 but only 2 left at home. I started here just a few days ago. I look forward to hearing more from you.

[bevibrant]

Hey there! Homeschooling momma of three here as well! HUGS! I know it's frustrating to lose and gain and lose and gain. Guess what, my measurements are almost identical to yours RIGHT NOW. My abs, waist and thighs are slightly smaller, but only slightly. Here is the deal. From those measurements yo-yo's, I would venture to guess that you are not getting the ribs up correctly and could tuck press a bit more. Trisch has given you tons of fabulous links and info. In addition to that, can you:

• Lift ribs straight up out of the hips. Be careful not to lean back, but pull your middle in like you are squeezing the middle of the toothpaste tube.
• Get those knees bent deep SO THAT you can tuck the buns under until you feel the lower abs engage.
  
  Press onward---it will get better! It took me 5 months as a less to lose to see the inch loss I wanted.

[twinkletoesmomma]

Thank you all so much for the warm welcome. There are a lot of homeschool moms here! Abbie, I love your name too. My little sister has the same spelling as you.

Thank you for all your tips. I am going to read and re-read them while practicing so hopefully I can internalize what you are talking about.

I don't feel like I can squeeze my lower abs...I just figured it was from the c-section, but perhaps there is hope?

I'm not dry brushing at all. I know I can buy a kit from the website, but is there somewhere I can just get a brush locally?

Trisch, I'd love the recipe and instructions for the dead sea salt masks. I have alfalfa pills already. Can I just take those or is it a special kind?

I am very short (under 5') and 120+ lbs. I'd love to lose a size or two to take me down from a tight 6 to a loose 4--or even a 2. I'm guessing I'd need to be 105 lbs. This is the size I was right before my last pregnancy 4 years ago. I stayed very tiny throughout my pregnancy (probably only weighing 130ish at my due date). After my daughter was born, my health declined, I was forced to be sedentary, and the pounds piled on. Surprisingly, I just had lots of blood work, and I don't have thyroid issues. (I'm still in denial even after a few tests. LOL)

Thank you again for all your help. I'm looking forward to being a part of this community.

[TalyQ]

Welcome to t-tapp. I am a 41 year old mom to 7. I am just starting and learning. But you have come to the right place. There is so much instruction, encouragement and support here!

[just7]

Hi! :waving:

T-Tapp, homeschooling, mom of 7 here! It sounds like you have a great handle on listening to your body. And I would submit that thyroid and adrenals are two different birds! The adrenals run the whole endocrine system. They could be quite compromised before showing up elsewhere, like the thyroid. The extreme fatigue, being almost bed-ridden would tell me that your adrenals are in fact worn out. Slow and steady, it will come. Like you said, though, you are already a testimony to that! What a great encouragement to read about your recovery.

[BlessedMama]

I agree with Jennifer...adrenals are kind of a "silent" issue and really saliva testing is the only accurate gauge. Then you have to have someone read it correctly. Even with the thyroid--many drs. think the lower half of normal is still okay. But your body might not agree!

As for a brush, the brand T-Tapp sells is Yerba Prima. I think they are available at Bed, Bath and Beyond? Mainly you want a natural bristle brush.

Alfalfa--I'll be honest, Teresa's is the best! I was using a good brand before, and finished that bottle. Then I tried Teresa's--wow! I shed water, and my skin started looking much better! I try to stock up when it's on sale.

Salt mask: Take 1 TB or so of dead sea salt and chop finer either in a mini-chopper or a coffee grinder. I take that into the shower and add just enough aloe vera gel to dissolve the salt and slather on the area(s) of concern. Leave on 5-20 minutes. After rinsing off, shea butter is really good for the skin!

With a c-section, it might take awhile to get those abs totally on board! It took a long time for my center section to really tighten at will. Keep doing that Mitten Chop Box--if I had had that in the beginning it might have happened sooner! Just "think" tighten--and keep pressing in your hands there. That actually does help the nerve transmissions!

With the health issues from a few years ago, for now see T-Tapp as your rehab program. Let your metabolism heal and you will get results on the outside! As a less-to-lose it will take longer to see those outer results, but they will come!

HUGS!

[twinkletoesmomma]

Thank you all for your encouragement. Oh yes, I definitely have worn out adrenals that are on their way to recovery! I have had several saliva tests and have been working closely with a dr who specializes in adrenal health (holistic dr). At my worst (2009), my test results showed that I was at a stage 7, bordering on the auto immune form and adrenal failure of Addison's Disease. My dr thinks I've been fighting this since I was 18--after a huge crash. Ever since then, I have also had many thyroid symptoms (cold hands, etc) that have been going along with my adrenal issues. After this many years of low adrenals, I "should" have thyroid and hormone issues, but the many test results keep showing I am in perfect health....even when looking at alternate "normal" ranges, not just what the lab shows. My endo is of a more alternative health bent, so she is into looking at the big picture. Nothing is showing any red flags. Oh well! I am just so thankful for the Lord's healing that has already taken place in my life so I can enjoy being a wife and mother again. God is good!

Thank you for the information about the brush. How often do you do the dead sea salt mask? Also, where do you get that particular salt? I have celtic sea salt, but I'm guessing that is different.

I'll keep up the Mitten Box chop. I'd love for my abs to be normal again!

Thanks again, ladies. I really appreciate all the time you put into helping new members!