More to Lose + Health Improvements Category
Carol C.
You know what? I didn't want to do this challenge. Christina and Megan, my daughters asked me to come along and did it with them. I hesitated, whined, jostled around a bit and finally agreed. See, the playing field's different than the last challenge because we don't live together any more. I'm in Maryland. Christina and Megan are in New York City. Then of course, there's still that 60 to 100 pounds my doctor's been insisting that I lose. Plus, I've had some not so pleasant little heart games going on lately. So-o-o, between not dropping the ball for my girls and just a bit terrified about my own mortality, I was one motivated Momma.
I did a four day T-Tapp Boot Camp, took, two days off and then launched into a daily regimen of T-Tapp More Rehab and either Broom Step Away for our challenge month. There were 3 or 4 days when lethargy or circumstances won out, but again even I was astonished at how little it took of me to stay in the game.
So what's different today than on January 27th? Well for one, remember that arthritis in my hip that was making it impossible to sleep? I realized with a jolt a few days ago that I was going to bed, resting on my favorite right side falling asleep and staying that way for the entire night!
Cynvisc injections in the knee with the torn cartilage stopped giving me any relief awhile back. I'm still careful not to overdo those deep knee bends in my daily sessions with Teresa but bend I do and it rarely aches at all, day or night, now.
The compressed nerve in my lower back is still giving me tingles down the outside edge of my left leg, but I only had the red hot needles sensation which used to be a daily occurrence in the last month. I had been on my feet for hours. Earlier, my doctor recommended knee lifts before rising in the morning to try to free the nerve that's hung up on something in my spine. No improvement. T-Tapp, especially the twist and primary back stretch, has been much more effective. I intend to give my doctor one of your info DVD's so he can spread relief to others. I look forward to the day that even the tingles will be gone for me. Yes, I can!
Oh Yeah! Did I mention that I lost ten beautiful pounds? I know weight loss is not our ultimate goal, but it sure feels good! Will power and deprivation diets don't work very well for me at my age. Not to mention that I usually crash and burn on way too many goodies way too soon, because I feel deprived. Where's the deprivation in T-Tapp? Just a little jog for a few minutes a day, even I can do that.
How did I lose 15.5 inches in one month? It's amazing! I must be a slow learner, but I finally am committed to letting T-Tapp be a regular part of my life, a healthier life, challenge time or not.
My last blood pressure reading was137/65 and that was at the cardiologist's office waiting for some test results. Yeah, I was a bit tense. That bottom number that I'd dropped during last summer's challenge was still down! Minus the stress situation, who knows what numbers I might have seen. My dream, no goal, is to be able to stop the meds entirely.
That swelling and pain in my left ankle received more than it's fair share of Icy Hot since Thanksgiving. I even started wearing an ankle brace when I was working in retail for the holidays. Still it would swell every day and hurt like crazy. I've been reluctant to keep the brace off yet but there's seldom even a little swelling and hardly ever any pain. Could ½ hour a day actually make such a huge difference in my comfort and well being? Yes, it can!
You're only as old as you feel. Isn't that how the old saying goes? Well, time be darned, I feel younger today than I did a month ago. The only Bingo I'm playing is a simple, life changing choice:
B 30 minutes a day
I 3 Connolly Girls
N 30 Days to a Lifetime
G 10 pounds
O 15.5 inches
BINGO!
We all win the jackpot for the rest of our lives.
Thank you, Teresa, Christina and Megan. I owe you my Life! |
