More to Lose with Health Improvements* 3rd Place Winner

Carol C.

*Health Improvement: I have torn cartilage on my right knee which gives me chronic pain. Both of my feet have fallen arches, requiring the use of orthotics. I am taking medication for high blood pressure. I also have osteopenia (pre-osteoporosis), degenerative discs in my neck (though I don't have a clue how to measure any improvements with those last two issues). I look forward to seeing how T-Tapp can help with these issues.

I hate exercise. It’s sweaty, useless drudgery. Who needs more work? Not me.  Health? Well-being? Energy? Surely those things will take care of themselves while I am raising our kids, caring for home and husband, and bringing home the proverbial bacon.

My doctor has tried everything from dire warning and threats to earnest concern to motivate me to lose fifty plus pounds for my own health. Even he knows that, after my tears or sassy comebacks, I just won’t come back for those weight or blood pressure check ups…until I’m sick, have palpitations or my back is killing me.

So why am I writing to you now, after losing 24 inches over the last two months? I have a daughter, Christina, who has gently nudged me about the dreaded “E-word” every now and then over the last several years. This time, since she lost her job and moved back home for a few months, I agreed to join her for the T-Tapp Challenge…oh no, not that it would help me, I could bolster her resolve to do this thing!

Mothers can be strange and wonderful creatures, but are a bit puzzling to the general population at times. “They” definitely are not so to me. I would do just about anything for my kids and am so touched when they give so much of themselves to me.

Our T-Tapp routine wasn’t work. Christina (Child #1, More to Lose category), Megan (Child #7, Youth category) and I were rowing a boat together. We took turns saying yes to T-Tapp when we (at least I) was definitely leaning towards no sometimes. Since Christina and I were doing a different routine than Megan, we didn’t actually “workout” together…but Christina and I always did…every other day for about half an hour. T-Tapp MORE was my connection with Christina…and Teresa Tapp!

A couple of days, I was sick, furious or exhausted and passed on T-Tapp. I picked it up again after the smoke cleared and my daughter’s gentle, “Wanna T-Tapp tonight, Mom?”

Megan can drive me crazy sometimes, like growing a clothes forest in her room. She sure took the Challenge lightly at first, then got more and more excited at the results she was seeing. Her excitement was contagious.

My results to date have been absolutely unbelievable!

- 25 inches lost, especially around that apple midsection that worries my heart and my doctor so.

- I had a professional fitting at a lingerie store today. I dropped TWO band sizes! I was so excited, I sold my fitter and another customer on checking out T-Tapp’s website. Who can’t manage 20 minutes every other day?

- At my last doctor’s appointment six months ago, my blood pressure reading was 140/80. Today my readings averaged at 138/69. I’m making an appointment with my doctor on Monday to follow up. I know I’m on the right track and he’ll be STUNNED!

- I have degenerative disc disease in my neck. I am plagued by headaches which often last for days regardless of medication. Since beginning the T-Tapp Challenge, their frequency and strength have dropped remarkably. In the last six weeks, I’ve only had one! I credit the Primary Back Stretch and rolling it up one little disc at a time.

- I have been suffering from bouts of upper and lower back pain for years. I often blamed stress or maybe “just” some more bone deterioration. My mom had osteoporosis and I was diagnosed with osteopenia about 8 years ago. Even though I’m taking calcium supplements and Fosamax daily, according to the bone scan technician and doctor, my bones are still getting thinner. I didn’t have a bone scan during the Challenge, but I can certainly verify that I can’t remember the last time I had that pain. I credit “tuck butt, shoulders back” as a 24-hour-a-day mantra, as well as our actual T-Tapp routine, for such blessed relief.

- I get Cynvisc injections in my right knee to relieve the pain of osteoarthritis and torn cartilage every six months. My last injection was in January, six months ago. The results of these injections show up about 2-3 weeks after the first one and are definitely waning after about four months. By six months, I’m usually in pain, having trouble with stairs, getting out of chairs and cars. I’m happy to say that now, six months after my last injection, I’m getting out of my chair and car with little to no pain and taking stairs like an adult, instead of one foot at a time. Even I can hardly believe it!

- My goal is to be able to get down on my knees and get up again without a whole production number. My knee doctor says that would be “very high functioning.” I say, “With T-Tapp, I can do it. Just watch me!”

- I have fallen arches and wear orthotics. If I stand still for more than a few minutes, my feet start to get numb. That hasn’t gone away yet but it definitely takes a lot more standing before it begins now.

- With no change in diet, I lost five pounds. Not a ton, but who knows what lies ahead? No eating plan, no calorie counting, just a jaunt with my girls every other day…even I don’t think that’s work.

- I know this contest has some fabulous prizes but I have already won the very best. Thank you for giving me the joy and hope of a longer, happier and healthier life with my family.

The true hero here is Christina. She is so patient, gently persuasive and persistent. Her enthusiasm and determination were irresistible. She posted our one month results on Facebook and answered myriads of requests for more information from friends and family alike. The bravo’s are great but even better is the aunt who is in pain and searching for a (shudder) exercise program she can live with. She’s already bought the MORE DVD. T-Tapp has profoundly affected Christina’s life and she has profoundly affected my life and countless others. She took me with her to the T-Tapp Retreat last year but I was just a tourist, not a participant. Wouldn’t it be a dream come true for these three Connolly women to travel together to T-Tapp?

P.S. I’m sure glad that T-Tapp isn’t exercise (shudder) because I still hate that word!