How many children do you have and what are the ages?
I have three children–three BOYS!!–ages 7, 23 months, and 2 months. They keep me very busy!!

How did you find out about T-Tapp? How long have you been T-Tapping?
I found T-Tapp back in 2002, when I was doing WW. I was a member on a WW Boot Camp forum, and heard many of its members talking about how much they loved doing T-Tapp to earn WW Activity Points. I checked out the T-Tapp website, and ordered the Instructionals and Beginner/Rehab within days of my initial visit. I T-Tapped consistently for about six months at that time, until I met my goal weight and life happened. I came back to T-Tapp in January of 2005, 10 months after having my second child, and have been Tapping ever since.

Why did you choose to start T-Tapping?
I chose to start T-Tapping last January because I was severely depressed after having my second child. I was having major hormonal issues, and very stressed out while trying to build a new house and sell the old house.... all while dealing with a husband who was working a lot of overtime. Consequently, I was eating for comfort, and weighed more than I did when I was pregnant with my second son. I knew I needed to get in some form of exercise, as I was previously very active, and I thought that I would do T-Tapp again, as I recall losing about 12" off my body in a relatively short period of time. I wasn’t even really planning to keep track of inches or anything this time, so I didn’t even measure myself until after my first Boot Camp (although I estimate I did lose at least 10" within my first month back to T-Tapp).

What was your first impression of the workout?
I honestly don’t recall what my first impression of the workout was, as it was a while ago. When I came back to T-Tapping, I remember thinking that it felt good to get moving again!! I am sure that my very first impression of the workout was, “She wants me to do WHAT?” For those of you who have never done T-Tapp, Teresa is very flexible, and when she does a move, it often looks far different from what I am able to do. That’s normal!

Did you find T-Tapp easy to learn?
Yes, I did. T-Tapp takes practice to learn proper form, but it keeps you challenged because there isn’t ever a time you can just tune out and not think about tightening this or engaging that or squaring this, etc. People who are new to T-Tapp have to know that they can do this even if it looks and sounds intimidating. It’s an extraordinary workout, in that anyone can do it, but that it is hard work when you’re working on doing it correctly. I really think you’re always learning and always tweaking to make the workout that much better for yourself every time you work out. It’s all about doing what you can do to the best of your ability every time you work out.

As an aside, I remember that when I came back to Tapping, I immersed myself in the forums, and found a wealth of information. This made me hungry to keep at the workout and try to incorporate these tips and tweaks. I think the forums are an amazing motivational and learning tool, and I can’t say enough about the wonderful ladies and men who are a part of the online community.

Which are your favorite moves from T-Tapp?
I don’t have a favorite, really. I really like Pretzel Twist–I think it’s fun. The moves I really feel, and therefore like, are Oil Wells and T-Tapp Twist. I am starting to put the pieces together on Thread the Needle, so that is climbing the list of moves I like.

What would you tell someone considering T-Tapp?
I tell people about T-Tapp all the time. I feel that it’s a workout system that has so many benefits beyond the benefits we can see (inch loss, weight loss, etc.). If you are tired of all the other fad workouts out there, it is time for you to try T-Tapp. Even if you just make a minimal investment and buy the Basic Workout Plus set (with Instructional 1), it will be money well spent, in my opinion. The best part about the system is that even if you’re not ready to buy, you can try some of the best T-Tapp exercises for free. What other exercise system does that? Also, the involvement of Teresa, the T-Tapp trainers, and the office staff is second-to-none. You just can’t find that kind of support anywhere else!

Have you done any other exercise programs prior to T-Tapp?
I have done Tae-Bo, Pilates, TotalGym (strength training), prenatal exercise classes at the local Y, lap swimming, training on elliptical machines and stationary bikes, and various other videos. I also have done a ton of English horseback-riding (jumping and dressage) in the past.

Are you doing a specific eating program?
Not presently, though I did see great results with T-Tapp previously while I was doing the Weight Watchers Points system. I am searching for something that will work for me right now, as I am nursing exclusively, and therefore I’m hungry all the time!

What kinds of inch loss results have you had from T-Tapp?
Before I became pregnant this last time, I had lost at least 10" in my first month Tapping (which was the month before I became pregnant). I even lost another three inches in my abs and thighs during my first and second trimesters of my pregnancy. I have not really measured myself since having my son, but I am fitting into the clothes I was wearing prior to becoming pregnant. They actually fit better than they did before–and I am only 10 weeks postpartum!

What other health benefits have you had while doing T-Tapp (less edema, less PMS crazies, reduction of knee pain, control of depression, etc)?
While it hasn’t been entirely eliminated, I feel there is better control of my depression and symptoms of PMS (though I have not had my period in a year due to the pregnancy). My depression and hormonal fluctuation were the two biggest reasons I began Tapping again.

During my pregnancy, I noticed markedly less edema, especially while taking the BBB Premium Blended Alfalfa. I could feel the tightness leave my fingers within 30-40 minutes after taking my dose of alfalfa.

What kind of advice do you have for women contemplating adding T-Tapp into their lifestyle?
I feel there is nothing out there quite like T-Tapp, so I would urge anyone considering T-Tapp to try it. Just doing a few moves a day or purchasing the Instructional 1/Basic Workout Plus DVD/video can show you how effective T-Tapp can be. If you try it and don’t see wonderful benefits of some kind, I’d be shocked.

What modifications did you make to the Total Workout during your pregnancy, if any?
Honestly, I was able to do the Total Workout in its entirety up until about my eighth month. I carried my son very high, so my belly was not in my way for even Thread the Needle. Some days I just didn’t have the energy to do the full workout, so on those days maybe I would do just 4 reps of the moves instead of 8.

The MORE 4-in-1 DVD was also a lifesaver in my last trimester. I found it to be very doable once I got to the most uncomfortable part of my pregnancy. It kept me active and kept my muscles working, but it was short enough that I didn’t feel overextended when I was finished.

How long after pregnancy did you start up again, and with what workouts?
I began doing Primary Back Stretch (the version found in MORE) within a week of delivering my son. I did this daily, along with skin brushing, until I was about 2-1/2 weeks postpartum. At that point, I started adding on individual moves here and there until I was doing about 15 minutes of T-Tapp moves per day by my fourth week postpartum. I didn’t do an actual workout (with DVD) until my fifth week postpartum, when I started back with MORE, then the Instructionals. I attended my first postpartum T-Tapp class at 6 weeks postpartum (after having been cleared for exercise by my health care provider), and was able to keep up with the rest of the class without feeling pushed beyond my limits. Since then, I have been attempting to do full workouts a minimum of three times a week, as the kids allow me to.

Do you do any other kinds of activities with this pregnancy such as walking, aerobics, etc.?
With this pregnancy, I did do walking (using Stepping Away the Inches) and–much to my midwife’s dismay– some horseback-riding. However, I would say that 99% of my exercise was T-Tapp.

What advice would you give a woman recently pregnant regarding T-Tapp?
It is never too late in your pregnancy to start, in my opinion. The moves and the workouts can be modified around your body and expanding belly. As long as your health care provider has given you the okay to exercise, this is the perfect pregnancy workout–right up there with swimming! Take it slowly, especially if you’re new to T-Tapp, and LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. I can’t stress that enough. Working out X amount of days was a priority before you became pregnant, but you cannot let that mentality rule you while you are pregnant. You are exercising to further the health of you and your baby, not jeopardize it.

Why would you recommend T-Tapp during pregnancy?
This is a workout that, as I said before, is the perfect pregnancy workout. It’s not a bunch of jumping around, which is obviously a big pregnancy no-no. If a move is too difficult for you, most can be easily modified so you can still receive benefit.

I was also impressed with the support system for myself and other T-Tapp Mommies on the Mommy Fitness forum. The other T-Tappers and trainers always go above and beyond with information and encouragement.

Were there any specific T-Tapp moves you used while pregnant or in labor to increase your comfort level?
Not really. I walked around during most of my labor. Once I was ready to deliver, I had to lay on my back. At one point, while pushing, the nurse assisting said, “Wow, look at those abs!” Of course, you know where THOSE came from!

Are you using Teresa's Cellulite Removal Technique?
Absolutely. I brushed faithfully every day for the last five months of my pregnancy. I have noticeably less stretch marks than I did with my second pregnancy. Since I have started brushing, those old stretch marks have turned silvery and are so much less noticeable than the reddish-purple they were before brushing.

I cannot say enough about the Premium Blended Alfalfa, either. Very good stuff, and worth every penny! I was skeptical, but after a camping trip where it was very hot and I was battling with swelling, I knew this was something I needed to have every day. I took my dose of alfalfa, and it was amazing how fast I could feel the tightness from swelling disappear.

Are any other Better Body Basic product that you used during your pregnancy?
I also used Skin Saver Solution (with Fruit of the Earth aloe gel) for several months, until I ran out. I loved the way my skin felt (and smelled!), and it also assisted even further with preventing excessive stretch marks and fading my old ones. Now to save the money to buy some more....

Are there any other nuggets of wisdom you want to share with other T-Tapp Mommies about T-Tapp and pregnancy?
A very important one for me was that if I ever took more than a few days off from Tapping, I would start back into it slowly, building myself back up to the full workout. Generally, this meant beginning with Basic Workout Plus, then adding on the lunge sequence at the next workout, then the balance sequence, etc. I did have to do this a few times toward the end of my pregnancy, as I picked up a stomach bug while traveling.

I attribute so much to T-Tapp and my supportive Tapping friends (especially my lovely Michigan Tapping ladies! Woohoo!). This truly is a one-of-a-kind workout.