I discovered T-Tapp in Prevention magazine in April 2003. Tried the Hoedowns that were featured and was surprised that I found them very difficult. I have exercised since it was discovered that I had scoliosis at age 18. An osteopath told me that if I didn't do something I would be a hunchback by the time I was 40. Although that seemed to be eons away, I followed his directions, which was to put a bar in the bathroom door and hang on it every time I went to the bathroom. When I was about 25 my new doctor told me to do the Marjorie Craig 21 day shape up every day. For many years, I did them although, of course, it was not every day. Then in my fifties, I started doing Callanetics. After a while I found them boring, and because I was in good shape for my age, and life got in the way, I was not doing much of anything.

Then one summer I had to get a new bathing suit. I definitely did not like the image that stared back at me. My waist was big, my butt was gone, and I had a stomach that would not suck in. Where were my hip bones? Looking at pictures taken on vacation, my shoulders were slumped and my head stuck forward. Where was the person that I always knew and was pretty proud of? This was a picture of an elderly woman. I was getting old, but not gracefully.

Then I discovered T-Tapp. I went to the website, after finding the Hoedowns such a challenge, and the rest is history. I ordered the tapes and loved them. I could not believe how difficult they seemed, since I had exercised most of my life, but they made so much sense, so I persevered. I had wonderful success with them in a very short time, and my body seems so happy to be working again! I have never had a weight problem. My height is 5ft. 5 in., weight today is 130. I have never weighed more than 136, but 126 is my most comfortable, which is where I was when I had a physical set back. First, I had a spell with my heart and was hospitalized for 5 days with arterial fibrillation. After that was taken care of, I went back to Basic Workout Plus and was easing back into I2, when I had a rotor cuff problem. After an MRI, I was told that surgery was my only hope of getting out of pain, but probably would never have full range of motion. The doctor said that normally he would not operate on anyone over 60, but because I was chronologically under 60 he would not have any quims. I called the office and talked to Lauren and she called back after having talked to Teresa and asked if I could do butterflies. I could not raise my arm above bust level, could not flip wrist during PBS, etc., could not move in bed without pain. I started doing butterflies as best as I could, 4 times a day. Got the Sit Down T-Tapp tapes, and did everything I could that did not cause too much pain. I found that I could do some arm movement on the floor that I could not do standing. ie: the arm movement from the Back Pain Article.

I did Plies without arms, then went to the floor and did what I could of the arms. I graduated from Sit Down to T-Tapp MORE, from there back to Basic Workout Plus and as much of Instructional # 2 (from the Total Workout) as possible. I have discovered that after I do Primary Back Stretch each morning if I sit down and do a set of eight Hitchhikers, and eight Butterflies, I can get through just about any workout I am working on at the time. I am currently doing T-Tapp MORE every other day with Balance Sequence and Thread the Needle on off days.

I would do anything I can to encourage my "over 35" group to get moving. I think it will not only enrich their lives, but perhaps prolong it like T-Tapp has mine. By the way, I had my 80th birthday last January!