Total Workout Category Winner

Laura S.

Health Improvement:  I was diagnosed with arthritis at age 26 and have struggled with pain off and on for the last four years.  It is often centered in my neck area with other dull aches in my joints and morning stiffness. At the most extreme, I have been bed ridden for several days at a time and had extreme swelling in my face and neck.  I have struggled to find an exercise program that does not cause arthritic flare-ups.

I began T-Tapp off and on in January.  However, I was lacking in motivation and kept telling myself I'd really get serious if there was a 60-Day Challenge.  When I received an email stating the dates of the 60-Day Challenge I nearly bailed before I began.  The 60-Day Challenge kicked off during the last week of school (I am a band director and that means concerts, graduations, etc.) and continued on throughout my summer vacation which would involve constant travel for the remaining seven weeks of the contest.  I would be spending the last 7 weeks of the contest traveling to six islands/countries as a volunteer missionary hosting youth retreats for teens.  This would involve living out of a suitcase and going from various hotels to people’s houses to camp sites for the entire summer.  In addition, I would not always have access to 24 hour power or shower facilities.  But, I did promise myself I would get serious so I took the chance and entered.

After only three days of working out I came down with the flu and was very sick.  For five days, I hardly had the energy to make it out of bed. I was very upset because I knew I was falling behind in the contest and I knew I was already behind with the schedule I would have during the sixty days.  However, about 10 days in the competition I was able to give myself a true 10-day boot camp and saw amazing results.   My clothes seemed loser and my stomach area didn’t appear quite so flabby. This boot camp was done over three different housing situations, and in some instances, I had to move hotel furniture just to make room for the exercises! 

Almost immediately after the 30 day submission, I had to travel to the Philippines for 9 days where I would be staying for 7 days at a camp ground facility.  For the most part, I was unable to continue in the workout, but if I found myself alone in my room or the bathroom, I would at least fit in a set of Hoe Downs or Primary Back Stretch.  I tried to do at least three sets of Hoe Downs a day since I was unable to continue in the full workout.  Not only was I unable to give myself a full workout, but the conference I was attending in the Philippines was linked to the US and we had to stay up all night via video conference to attend.  This meant little sleep and added meals in the evenings.   

For the remaining two and half weeks, I tried to be as consistent as possible. This has meant exercising in a hotel bathroom since it was the only lay-out feasible to do all the exercises as well as a Sunday School room in a church.  During the 60 days, I did 32 Total Workouts and 7 partial workouts from the Total Workout video (ranging in 20-40 minutes). On the days I did not workout, I tried to fit in a set or more of Hoe Downs.  Though my pictures and measurements might not seem as dramatic as some, I am very excited with the changes I have seen take place and the consistency I was able to maintain amid the flu and an extremely hectic travel schedule to so many countries.  I am so excited that I have already ordered additional T-Tapp DVDs that are waiting on my return to the US. 

In addition to the changes I have seen in my body, I am very excited to have found a workout that does not hurt my body. For the last four years I have struggled with arthritis with particular inflammations in my neck.  As I have tried to workout, the results have typically forced me to be bed ridden or have caused extreme pain and discomfort in my neck.  Last year at this time, I tried running which resulted in my neck and face to swell to such an enormous size that I was unable to return to the states when scheduled because the doctors feared my travel.  However, since starting T-Tapp, I have not once experienced any neck pain in the last sixty days!  Not only is this remarkable from not experiencing neck discomfort from exercise, but from the excess amount of flying and scuba diving that often cause my neck to inflame.

All summer long I have recommended T-Tapp to my friends along my travels.  The most visible results are looking at my face and through my neck, shoulders, arms, ribs, and my butt.  I am also seeing results in my waist and am anxious to continue the program to see the additional progress I can make. In 60 days, I lost 11 inches!  If I can do it with my schedule, then Yes, You Can!