Prior to T-Tapp, I had what I refer to as an “Accordion Body.” Depending on the diet du jour or feasting season/cycle, I was big, then small, then big, then in between, then big again… and on and on. I can’t even tell you how many sizes I kept in my closet. I could always seem to lose weight and inches, but I could not keep them off.

I’ve always battled my weight (as has most of my immediate family). I could break out the old family slides and show you a very chunky seven year-old. Teasing from classmates was something I dealt with daily until my sophomore year of high school when I lost the weight for the first time. The summer before that year my mother and I decided to lose weight together, using hypnosis and joining a gym. We kept each other motivated. By the time I returned to school, my classmates thought I was a new student. I was ecstatic!

I managed to keep the weight off through high school until my early 20s. Then, it came back. That’s when the “Accordion Body” really began to be a problem. I even resorted to Phen-Fen in the mid-90s. But, the larger I got and the more time that went on, the more powerless I felt. Getting started with something new seemed impossible – where did I start? what if I failed again? I felt doomed.

In 2001, a group of co-workers and I joined one of the national weight loss programs. I started the program at a tight size 14 and ended a size 8. I was determined to end the “Accordion Cycle.” I would not gain the weight again. I would not suffer the health issues that I saw others around me facing. I was not going to tolerate an immobile, unhealthy future. I *knew* that what would make the difference, keep me healthy, and keep the weight off was exercise.

Even though I didn’t really like to work out, one step at a time, I stumbled down the road to making exercise a permanent part of my life. Some days were good; others weren’t. I tried running, and my knees quickly said, “Um, NOT!” I tried step aerobics with light weights and knew I’d overdone it when I couldn’t lift my arms overhead without pain. But, walking seemed to always be doable and fun.

One evening, while walking on the treadmill and watching television, I caught a news segment about this program called T-Tapp. When I got off the treadmill, I went to find the T-Tapp website. After taking a good look around, my initial impression was complete skepticism. The videos seemed expensive, and the website was claiming some pretty amazing things. I was thinking, "Yea, right!"

I started doing some research about T-Tapp by posting questions on different online forums. Every response I received was positive. I finally ordered the Total Workout. When it arrived, I committed myself to giving it a fair try. My goal was to maintain the loss I had achieved, and I figured I could go back to walking if it did not work or if I didn't like it. But, after six weeks, T-Tapp had taken another clothing size off my body! I developed muscle tone I never had before. I was even eating more – my metabolism was changing! T-Tapp even improved my confidence and outlook on life.

After five years of working with the T-Tapp program, I am more knowledgeable about fitness than this exercise-hater ever thought she would be. My body is still changing, too. I am still developing muscle definition and core strength. And, in 2005, I gained an entire inch from rib-to-hip! I continue to build a strong body that will carry me healthfully through the remainder of my life.

So, what’s my diet du jour now? T-Tapp!!