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Workout Wednesday–Accountability

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

I know I thought I’d have a “surprise” for you, and I hope to really soon–but as usual, things take longer than you think!  LOL!   I’ll give you a heads-up when I know it’s coming for sure!

 

One of the biggest keys to my success in T-Tapp has been accountability.

 

When I started T-Tapping, there were several ladies in my church who also T-Tapped, but I live over an hour away from most of them!

 

A few months after starting T-Tapp, I found the T-Tapp forums, and a little while after that, found Habit Formers on the forums, where you get a discount through the trainer who runs it to purchase T-Tapp products.  Good incentive!

 

Having a spot online where I could list my workouts was really nice–no losing your papers or forgetting to check them off!

 

I also had joined the 6 Weeks to a New You thread on the General Discussion forum.  It’s more chatty, but you can just state your goals and then check in.  If you don’t check in for a long period of time, someone will try to find you!  Donna, who heads up the thread, graciously sends anyone who asks a 6 week calender where you can keep track of your measurements and write in your workouts.  I write mine in pencil, then check off when I actually do them.

 

That really helps you see when the inches are slowing if maybe it’s just a time of healing and rebuilding, or if you’ve been doing way less in the workout department than you thought you were!

 

I really believe the forums have helped to stay consistent.   I highly suggest you join Habit Formers or at least one of the weekly accountability threads.   Even if you can’t check in every day or be chatty with everyone, just knowing others will be asking how you’re doing really helps!

 

Now you may have a dear friend or sister who is willing to be your accountability partner. Even if she doesn’t T-Tapp, you could ask her to check up on you.    She could even just ask if you are keeping up with your goals.

 

Let me say that it does help to have someone who understands the ideas behind T-Tapp–sometimes ladies have shared how their husband or a friend who is more “gym-minded” may not think they are doing enough.  I want to say again that I lost 9 sizes doing mostly shorter workouts, and although I did have some weeks of 6 workouts per week, that was not all the time.   I haven’t figured it up exactly, but my average is probably more 4-5 workouts per week.  And those were shorter ones–20 minutes or less!

 

 

Some of you are probably like two of my daughters, who love checking things off, so a nice check-off chart might be all you need to stay accountable! ;)

 

Others, like me, like to do that, too, but sometimes it’s not quite enough to make me go lace up my Skechers and push play!

 

With all the electronic gadgetry available, there are apps now you can download and use either on your phone or computer.  There’s the good old-fashioned small notebook you can keep in your purse or a prominent place.  Or you can keep your accountability sheets in a binder, like this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have different tabs for form tips, online classes I took, nutritional advice, and a whole section is all my former 6 Week calendars.  I know some people also print out success stories that inspire them and have a section for those as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have another notebook I use now because I have my trainer info in there.  In the front pocket I have my before and after pictures beside each other.  I also have index cards in the back pocket for when I give an “Intro to T-Tapp” type talk.

 

 

It is also nice to reward yourself for your consistency!   Sometimes progress seems slow but you know you’ve been consistent.  Instead of rewarding inch loss, reward yourself for consistency.   It might be a new workout shirt, a new dvd, scented dead sea bath salts, some yummy body lotion–it doesn’t have to be expensive!

 

On the T-Tapp forums, some ladies shared how they put change in a jar when they work out, and when it’s full, they use it to purchase something as a reward.  That’s a great idea!  I call saving change my “painless savings plan”!

 

I’ve not put anything in the cover yet, but I might use this neat “Wordle” that trainer Kayla Howard came up with!

 

T-Tapp Wordle

 

 

Or you could frame that and put it in a prominent place so you will be inspired to work out!

 

 

Before I go today, I want to give you this link to Kayla’s blog where she demonstrates how to really get those ribs up–and not just during workouts!   Keeping ribs up throughout the day will help strengthen your muscles and then improve your form during workouts as well as help trim the tummy and keep those muscles activated.

 

Are you slouching?

 

 

Keep those ribs up and let me know if you have a system of accountability that is working for you!