Winner: Health Improvement Category
Rose Riggs
I began this contest not really sure of what category I belonged in so I entered three: more to lose, health improvement, and normal losers. Within my mind, I fit within each category. I have not yet reached my goal so I have more to lose but I have gained tools. My health has improved in many ways. And I have had good days and bad like a normal loser.
I was introduced to T-Tapp in the spring of 2002. I saw a segment on T-Tapp on the local PBS station. I caught just the last 3 minutes but that was enough to peak my interest. It looked simple. I am not very coordinated so complicated exercise videos just frustrated me. I was walking for exercise at the time, which made me feel good but did nothing for my stomach. I am the mother of 5 children and my stomach was without tone, period. I could not suck in my stomach. I could not distend stomach. It was a blob. I bought the first Instructional and did it for three weeks and felt tons better. I felt so much better I bought the second Instructional and B/R. Life became complicated and T-Tapp was left a fond memory.
We moved and my T-Tapp tapes were among the first items packed. Big mistake. We thought it was just for a few months but ended up spending a year with our belongings in storage. When we finally unpacked, I was eager to begin again.
I began Jan 1 with a 6-day boot camp and continued EOD until the end of April. I had not experienced a measurable inch lose and I had gained weight. I was not holding my shoulders back and I spent more time bobbling than moving. I became frustrated and cut back to just PBS, HD and TTN. I did this for the month of May in the bathroom in front of the mirror, where I was able to correct my shoulder slouch. I started June 1st with the Instructionals and what a difference! The muscles felt different. When Teresa said to hold the stomach in, I could hold the stomach in. I had not been able to do that for 5 years! I also had an “ah ha” moment that even though I was not a beginner, my body was rehabilitating after years of poor posture, 5 pregnancies, and general neglect. This gave me more patience with the process and myself. I began CRT brushing and alfalfa and felt a difference immediately. I continued through June and became welcomed the contest as a goal post.
I began July by doing 2 5-day boot camps. I tried for a ten but I missed a day. I also did extra PBS, HD, and TTN in the evening during the boot camps. Then, I went to EOD. It worked well with my schedule and my children came to expect the T-Tapp floorshow during breakfast.
The first of Aug. I began to feel strong enough to venture in to the world of HTF. Oh my word! I am glad I waited! 18 minutes into HTF my stomach rebelled, again the muscles refused to move. I posted a help plea on the T-Tapp forum and received an answer from Teresa on how to approach my workout. It helped a lot. She pinpointed areas I had problems with, without having watched me workout. Wow. I realized that if she was able to know this others must have been in my state of stomach recovery and come out of it. She said form was more important than number so I am still building towards completion HTF on my off days. I can feel the difference during B/R.
Life has changed in many ways besides being able to tighten my stomach. Little things that add up:
-I can let my toddler ride on my shoulders with out shoulder pain, neck pain or a headache. For years, I hated for people to even touch my shoulders because it hurt so badly. Now, nothing. I am free to be hugged with out pain.
-I had a late miscarriage that messed me up hormonally last fall. My periods were all over the place and lasting twice the normal time. I am back on a 28-day cycle. That is without hormonal intervention from the doctor.
-I have had gestational diabetes during my last 2 pregnancies. After the miscarriage, I began to have the feelings that I have grown to associate with blood sugar problems. By the time I had it checked, the feelings where gone and the blood sugar test was normal.
-I can sneeze with out crossing my legs. I won't say more.
-I have been off and on depression medication for years having been diagnosed with severe depression. I have dramatic reactions to the medication so that it has been a hard choice too between physical well-being and mental well-being. Since I began T-Tapping my moods have been the most stable they have ever been with or without medication. It is a relief. I am grateful, not to mention my husband.
-I lost my stomach apron. This may be part of stomach tightening but I rank it separately because I have had it for 14 years and have only had poor stomach muscles for 9. The skin has tightened, stretch marks faded and a scar from having my appendix out (that was 25 years ago) has disappeared.
I am glad I participated in this contest and I am grateful for the association of the women on the forum. Even when I am just a lurker they provide support and vast degrees of knowledge.
|
|
LOSSES:
|
|
|
Bust:
|
-2 3/4
|
|
Waist:
|
-2
|
|
Abdomen:
|
-2
|
|
Hips:
|
-2
|
|
Right
Upper Thigh:
|
-1
|
|
Right
Lower Thigh:
|
-1/2
|
|
Left
Upper Thigh:
|
-1 1/4
|
|
Left
Lower Thigh:
|
-1/4
|
|
Right
Calf:
|
-1/2
|
|
Left
Calf:
|
-1/2
|
|
Right
Arm:
|
-1/2
|
|
Left
Arm:
|
-1/2
|
|
TOTAL
INCH LOSS:
|
-13 3/4
|
|
