*Health Improvement: There a number of health issues I am addressing during this challenge:

1. Currently I take 4 medications plus acupuncture to try to control my blood pressure. It is erratic at best. I believe that by following this program continually for 60 days I can open my lymph system to better handle the toxins in my body.

2. I have a lot of lower back discomfort making it difficult to travel and limiting many activities. This program should help reduce that discomfort.

3. There is a lot of discomfort in my left knee. I feel the T-Tapp program can help with the re-alignment

4. I’m frequently tired and would like more energy. This program should help remove the toxins that make me sluggish.

In 2007 while on one of probably 30 different weight loss programs I had tried, I was reading their forum and one of the gals kept referring to doing her 15 minutes of “tapp”ing. I wrote her privately to find out what she was talking about and then checked out the T-Tapp site. I called, and based on the suggestion of the T-Tapp representative, I was told all I would ever need was the Total System Package. It consisted of the “Yes You Can” DVD, the “BasicWorkout/Instructional #1" DVD, the “Total Workout/Instructional #2" DVD, the CRT skin tightening brush and two supplements. Since I had already purchased many programs that did not work for me, I figured why not try this new one. So I purchased it.

I started doing the Basic Workout a few times a week. It was quite interesting, so I signed up for a Retreat that was going to be in FL in October. The first day of the Retreat, I realized that I was not one bit prepared. Although I had continued to do the Basic Workout I had only done the Total Workout twice and unbeknownst to me, had very poor form. Not one of my movements was correct and I had no idea proper form was even important. It just never registered. During the Retreat I bought the book “Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes” and took it home with me, however I never even opened it. I was discouraged with myself by the time I returned home, so both the book and the T-Tapp DVDs were set aside and I returned to my old forms of exercise, walking (really strolling), riding my recumbent tricycle, some water walking and attempted some workout DVDs. Any time I tried weight training I seemed to injure myself.

By the time I turned 60 I knew I needed to do something if I wanted to see my grandsons grow into men. I continued my search of various exercising programs, trying to find something that wouldn’t kill my arthritic knees yet be something I could enjoy so I would continue to do it. I was getting injured or just plain winded from so many of them that I would stop after just a few days. Then in January 2009 I received an email about a T-Tapp clinic in the Phoenix area. It was exactly what I needed. We worked on my form which was still not good, but getting better. (I could almost do KLT and have the trainer notice it.) But I was in such poor physical shape that I couldn’t even make it through the first class. I took notes on the second class then went home for the rest of the day.

This time when I returned home, I dragged out my Beginning T-Tapp DVD and actually studied my book, “Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes.” I was so out of shape that I could only do part of the Instructional Video #1. But I read and re-read the form tips in the book and continued to do part of the instructional workout three to four times a week plus walking the half mile to the community center. As long as I concentrated on proper form during the workout, it didn’t hurt my knees or my back and I felt I had really worked out. My weight had peaked at 182 and my size 16 pants were no longer comfortable. I had become the “Elastic Queen.” At this point in time, I guess I was no longer “thick” but was downright fat. I was definitely encouraged to continue the program.

Before I was able to finish the Instructional Video #1, I received an email about the 2009 60-Day T-Tapp Challenge. I started reading the forums to get some idea if this was something I would be able to do. The posts were wonderful. With my husband’s encouragement, I entered the challenge. By the time the challenge began, I had already lost 10 pounds by watching what I ate and dropped to a “very snug” size 14 (but still elastic). Taking my measurements for the challenge was not fun but taking my pictures was a very humbling experience. I couldn’t believe all those rolls of fat in my back. I was so embarrassed! Whatever was I thinking to wear that silly tiny swim suit that I hope to wear some day!

I continued to read the forums regularly for suggestions and encouragement and saw that some participants were doing a bootcamp to jump start their program. Bootcamp, hah! After three months I couldn’t even get through the entire Basic Workout much less do a bootcamp! My hubby was so encouraging, though. He would join me most days to try to help me with my form on the Instructional Video. It took me another three weeks before I could comfortably do the entire beginning workout with pretty good form. Then I did a four day mini bootcamp using the beginning workout. From there, my strength, balance and stamina seemed to just “explode!” I was doing the entire Total Workout by week five, my outlook was incredible and my blood pressure was regulated for the first time in years. My knees were giving me very little grief, my backache was gone and my posture was better. I dropped yet another size and pulled out my old size 12 shorts (no elastic) that I hadn’t worn for over eight years. (Yes, I still have them, plus some smaller ones that are waiting for me.) I’ve actually had to take them in at the waist. I was so pumped my excitement spilled over everywhere.

During the last 60 days my husband has noticed that the teardrop is starting to form in my arms, our adult children told me my blouses were starting to hang and that I needed new ones and I am feeling better than I have for years. I tell everyone about the wonderful results I have achieved in such a short time with T-Tapp. The challenge gave me the boost I needed to take my fitness to another level, I’ve dropped another eight pounds and lost 29 inches. Even on my busy days I manage to get in a brief 15 minute workout. Yes, I still bobble and am continually working on my form, but it lifts my spirits, helps relieve stress and actually gives me energy so I can do more. I really look forward to doing a full workout 3-4 times a week and walk in T-Tapp style every time I remember. That dream of wearing my size 8's again doesn’t seem so unrealistic. I feel better at 60 than I did in my 40’s and 50’s and know that it has become a way of life for me. I’ve always basically enjoyed moving my body so I can see me doing this well into my 80’s and 90's. What an incredible program!