Grand Prize Winner
Average to Lose Category
Marilyn T.
In many ways my pre-T-Tapp life is typical of many women. I’ve struggled with body image issues, weight gains and losses, and fluctuating self esteem. I considered my trying out every new diet and buying every new exercise fad as my hobbies!
A couple of years ago I joined Weight Watchers which helped me to learn portion control and helped me make smarter food choices. I walked on a treadmill for an hour every day and lifted weights and did crunches on a ball. I lost about 25 pounds and gained a mind set that I had to keep up the long workouts to keep the weight off.
Many T-Tappers have shared their challenges which derailed their progress. Mine was that I lost my sense of smell and therefore taste. I ate endlessly, searching for some flavor that I could taste, that would bring some satisfaction. Not many people realize what it is like to lose two senses at once. I became very depressed, stopped exercising and ended up heavier than I had ever been before.
When I found T-Tapp, I did my typical process again. I bought the Heather Petrie package and everything else I could afford. I lurked on the forums and let the workouts gather dust with all of the other “miracle workout programs.”
Over the next year, I regained about 45% of my lost senses. I started to appreciate what I could smell and taste. I also decided that it was time to start what I call “my journey.” A journey to find my happiness and return to the person I wanted to be. I saw on the forums that T-Tapp trainer Carol Heinrich was coming to Phoenix to teach a series of workshops. I saw this as a golden opportunity to get my form tweaked, build my confidence, and jump start my journey. Carol provided all of that and more. Thanks Carol!
And then came the 2010 60-Day Challenge.
I asked myself, “Is this the next step in my journey? Could I really post my before pictures for the world to see? Would I commit to following the program and would I finish?” The answers to those questions were “yes, I can.” I shared my entry with a few close friends and asked for their encouragement. I also gave them the secret words, “Safety Harbor” if I was falling off the wagon. Surprisingly, no one needed to use it.
I started with a 14 day boot camp because my mind was programmed to having to do a full workout everyday. I did the instructionals a few times along with many other workouts. I measured and was very disappointed that I hadn’t lost any inches. I realized that I hadn’t really spent enough time learning the proper form so I went back to the instructions and worked out with a mirror. What a difference learning to tuck butt makes!!!
Although I still struggled with going to every other day, I stayed true to the advice and guidance of fellow T-Tappers and trainers and generally alternated between TWO, Tempo Arms and Step Away the Inches. I resisted measuring because I and others could see that my clothes were looser and my back fat had started to melt off.
Some of the most important things I’ve learned so far on my journey:
* I actually look forward to my tapping time. I get this feeling of “Zen” unlike any other form of exercise. And, it stays with me.
* I changed Teresa’s “Yes you can” to “Yes I am.” Yes I am doing it and loving my workouts and my body.
* When I let old self doubt creep into my day, I would look at my before pictures. Wow, did I really look like that? And look at me now! In just 60 days! I’ve lost just under 25 inches!!
* When I didn’t get a workout into my day, I stopped freaking out and made sure I appreciated what I was doing with my time instead of feeling guilty. I reminded myself that this is my life, not a life sentence. During the last week of the challenge I only got one workout done due to a painful root canal and I’m even okay with that!
* Work, work, work on your form. Every tweak makes a difference. And when Teresa says, “Two more, yes you can” if I’m not ready to give up right then, I’m not in proper form or I’m not working to my personal max. And when I am, Teresa knows exactly when to say it!
* I watched what I ate but didn’t deny myself anything if I really wanted to have it. I did find that the constant barrage of donuts and junk food at work rarely tempted me anymore. Another by-product of T-Tapping!
* Put your trust in what Teresa tells you. It works.
Of course I would like to win the contest. Who wouldn’t want to be awarded the prize of being able to join others from the T-Tapp community, at Safety Harbor, to share successes and challenges in person? Who wouldn’t appreciate the opportunity to learn new tips and form tweaks from Teresa live? I’d like to win so I could show the continuing successes I will have from T-Tapping.
I call this experience the “journey to me.” I’m on the road to a happier, prouder, less stressed, confident and stronger woman. I’m traveling with T-Tapp to my emotional, physical and personal max.
Finally I’d like to thank Teresa, her trainers and office staff and all the tappers on the forums for creating the environment for success. I encourage everyone to start, re-start or continue your own journey. I am absolutely worth it, aren’t you? |
