More to Lose + Health Improvements - Under 50 Category

Sherylann J.

I was so blessed to have received the T-Tapp workouts as a gift from one of my best friends and her mom in December, right before going on vacation to Mexico. I took it with me upon her insistent urging and used it the first morning we were there. I had watched the T-Tapp team interviews on the plane ride over and was not sure if I believed everything I was hearing until after I finished that first instructional workout. The sweat was dripping off of me. That doesn't usually happen even when walking/jogging on the treadmill for much longer than a mere 15 minutes. I was breathing hard, felt energized, and, as the day went on could feel all the many muscles that I had engaged during the basic workout. Pretty impressive for 15 minutes. I could not believe it. I felt not only powerful and strong from the workout but empowered as well and wanted more. I woke up the next morning with a flu type illness and passed it on to my fiancé two days later. It pretty much took all of January for us both to really kick it. During this time, I had sporadically used the basic workout plus on the days when I felt good enough to do something but wasn't being consistent. When I got the notice for the January challenge, I thought it couldn't have come at a better time to help get me motivated.

I have to say that beginning this challenge I was in it to win it. I started out focused on getting down in size as quickly as possible and wanted to do everything I could to make that happen. I even thought that my upcoming May wedding would also be a great motivation as well so I started out with the god made/man made plan at the same time as the challenge. I would read and reread all the before and after stories online and in the Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes book to see what else I could do to make this happen. I was obsessed. My first week measurements revealed a total loss of 8.5 inches. I was elated but more than that driven by the thought of where I might be by the end of the four weeks and better yet by my wedding. During this time I thought I would try kicking it up a notch and decided to incorporate the total body workout. On my first day of doing it, I struggled so much that during the last 20 minutes, I just broke down crying and continued to work out through the tears til the bitter end. This was not so great for the ego mind of someone with a strong dance and fitness background growing up and someone who had already set her sight on becoming a Certified T-Tapp trainer. As if that day wasn't self defeating and punishment enough; the next day I decided to attempt the TBW again. All I needed to do was to push through, I thought. This time, I only made it half way through before I broke down into tears again. Lying on the floor, literally having another breakdown and reviewing the same thoughts as the day before about how could I have ever let myself get this out of shape and when had I decided to give up on myself. The feelings of not being good enough, not measuring up were just overwhelming. Feeling all the anger, guilt and shame over my inability to complete the workout. As I laid there in a mess I started reviewing all the information I had read regarding T-Tapp. I started thinking what would Teresa say to me if she were here. And I started remembering success stories I had read and someone who got to their goal just by doing the BWP everyday for a year and how someone else wrote about their story that with T-Tapp doing less is more. I had that experience the very first day I did the instructional. Each person that used T-Tapp had amazing benefits regardless of how much or how little they used it and even came back to it because they experienced it's magic. Each person's journey progressing in it's own way. No one's journey is the same. I suddenly got it! I just want to progress. I want to FEEL good about myself. I want to BE good TO myself. I decided it wasn't about winning the challenge, or getting chosen to have the opportunity to meet, work with and learn with Teresa Tapp or about being a certain size by the wedding. Slow and steady wins the race! I no longer have anything to prove. I am enough. I can let that go and enjoy being me. In each moment. I can be good to myself. I have won. By continuing. And by not punishing and forcing myself through something. This is not a sprint. It is a marathon that doesn't end. A continual journey that I am excited to experience as it unravels. Without judgment and without forcing something to happen.

I did manage to complete a 14 day bootcamp using the Basic Workout Plus. I took two days off and have worked out every other day or every two days since. I also use hoedowns on days that I don't get a complete workout in. I used the god made/man made plan diligently for almost two full weeks and again decided I was putting so much pressure on myself to be perfect that I decided to just let my eating happen naturally and I have definitely noticed a change in what I want and crave on a true hunger and nutritional level. I am actually craving healthier options instead of the processed food standard and perceived convenience. The foods that used to bring me some kind of enjoyment aren't that satisfying. I may eat a portion of something until I realize it is just not satisfying anymore. To me, this is a hugh win. I keep incorporating food changes. Upgrading as I call it and and falling in love with food in a whole different way. No guilt. I think that is why I am starting to really taste my food again.

For one reason or another, I wasn't able to get measured on any other Thursday after that first week until the final day, Sunday, January 27th. I didn't end this challenge by losing the most inches, I'm sure. In fact, I gained some. After my friend finished measuring me, I considered not submitting my final entry because of this. But then I told thought I can't help but feel that I am a winner. My body has changed. I am sleeping better. I am feeling so emotionally and mentally empowered and physically powerful. My skin is clearing up (I also body brush). I feel that cinching up feeling around my torso that is talked about. Like a girdle of muscle is forming. I also have to say my boobs feel tighter. I don't know how else to explain that one. My shoulder strength has improved tremendously. As a massage therapist I have incredible strength in my shoulders in order to perform deep tissue massage but was unable to vacuum my house without crying in pain and agony. I VACUUMED the whole house without shoulder pain and my fiancé was very pleased since he is usually the one that has to do it for me. Also, during the BWP, in the beginning, I was unable to clasp my hands behind my back, much less do the lift and now I can. I actually go around saying "YES YOU CAN" which I was so annoyed by at first. Now it is my mantra.

I am extremely excited and blessed to have the T-Tapp experience in my life. I feel Teresa' philosophy and workouts are a new way of life for me that will transform my health and well-being from the inside out as well as having a new outlook and perspective on food and eating. I feel free. I thank you. I look forward in participating in other challenges along my journey and know that eventually I will get the opportunity to meet, work and learn with Teresa and the other members of the T-Tapp team. Until then…..I'll keep plugging along, knowing, remembering and reminding myself that slow and steady wins the race.

VIEW THE OTHER 2011 JANUARY JUMP START WINNERS!