Winner: Health Improvement Category
Angela Flores
I started the T-Tapp program just over two years ago. While I have measured small successes along the way, the changes achieved during my two-month journey have considerably improved the quality of my life, not only for my body, but also for my mind and spirit. My body is firmer ~ I see definition in my torso, thighs, lats and arms, the cellulite on my thighs is greatly diminished, I have lost my third butt cheek (although I will not miss it), and my saddlebags are gone. My body is healthier ~ I have more energy, require less sleep, handle the stress of my job much more efficiently, back and neck pain are significantly reduced, my elimination cycle is efficient for the first time in my life, and after a 25 year battle with estrogen dominance my hormone levels are in a state of complete Zen.
As a very busy single mom, frequently traveling and sometimes working more than 70 hours a week, maximizing my workouts in terms of time and efficiency are imperative. I decided to concentrate on form and work against isometric contractions, pushing to the max of each move to get the most out of each workout. I would also take a few minutes each day to focus my intention by visualizing the changes I desired. I started the challenge with a four-day Boot Camp using:
Beginner / Rehab Day 1
Tempo Lower Body Day 2
Maxi Max 3 Day 3
Tempo Torso/ Tempo Arms Day 4
Then I proceeded to every other day ~ sometimes every third day ~ depending on my schedule, using the following workouts. Although the workouts were not in any specific order, my goal was to do each at least once within a two-week period.
T-Tapp to Tempo Total Workout
Tempo Torso and Arms section from Tempo Arms
Maxi Max 3 (which I have grown to love!)
Tempo Lower Body
Basic WO – without tape – done very slowly concentrating on form
Step Away the Inches
Additionally, I did the following:
Three to four nights a week I did Organs in Place, Diva Derriere, Pretzel Twist and Awesome Legs as well as the crunches, abdominal crossovers and the bridgework from Hit the Floor.
PBS and Hoe Downs were done every AM and PM.
During the last three weeks I decided to add more cardio so started walking three to four miles in Metatreks two to three nights a week, using proper T-Tapp form and technique. This adjustment quickly reduced my third butt cheek and saddlebags! Finally, for the past six weeks I started American Tribal Fusion Belly Dancing classes, which to my surprise, uses T-Tapp stance and form to complete the moves! To dance, in T-Tapp stance is not only fun but also a fun workout. I brushed daily and took a sea salt bath most evenings. I tried to eat God Made/Man Made every other day and drink plenty of plain and grapefruit oil flavored water. I take 12 to 16 Alfalfas a day, one Fibertox, Udo’s Oil, B-12 and Cal-Mag in the evenings.
Over the course of the past two months, several life issues got in the way that forced me to reduce the amount of time I could workout. I hurt my back hauling luggage and had to take it easy while it healed, although I attempted PBS and Hoedowns daily. On two separate weeklong business trips I did not have the luxury to do a full workout being engaged in meetings from 7 am to 10 pm and still needing to complete work as I returned to my hotel room. There were times when I considered dropping out of the contest because I did not think I was working hard enough. Remembering Teresa emphasizes less is more with the right type of exercises and realizing I am human with distractions, schedules and deadlines I decided to continue. Once again, Teresa has proven correct. T-Tapp has given me so much. I have made noticeable improvements to my physique in a short period of time. I have the knowledge to keep my body healthy and in balance and a workout that delivers results without spending hours at the gym. I have made friends that I will have for the rest of my life and have met some of the most incredible women.
In comparing my ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos, I was surprised. As I looked at them, seeing the improvement in my body, my eyes filled with tears, silently overwhelmed with gratitude to T-Tapp for the changes I made. Teresa has developed an amazing program for maximum results. By focusing on form and isometric contraction, I have been able to push my body to the next level. I sent both sets of photos to my mother, a breast cancer survivor. Over the past two years I have asked her numerous times to consider the program for its cancer prevention benefits. Upon seeing my pictures, she responded: “Angela, you look 10 years younger. I can’t believe it. I think I will have to give this T-Tapp thingy a go. You look so happy.” She is right, I am.
The dictionary defines contest as a competition, especially one in which entrants perform separately and are rated by judges. I discovered that while we are competing with each other, we are more importantly challenging ourselves to grow, excel and transform. We are being called to find within ourselves a seed that can take root, to be nurtured, and bloom into the essence of who we are. Remarkably, as my body was transforming, my mind and spirit were undergoing a marvelous renovation. As the challenge nurtured my body it became the catalyst to facilitate changes in other areas of my life - which may have otherwise remained dormant. Within two weeks of starting the contest, a spark of positive energy ignited within me, propelling me forward, to embark upon several creative business endeavors with my closest friends and to initiate a website supporting women’s empowerment and personal growth – both of which I have procrastinated over for some time.
I have challenged myself, judged myself, and found that the changes I have made were long overdue. I have won. I am empowered. I am confident. I am balanced. I am self-assured. I am beautiful. I am happy. I am healthy. I am strong. I know the direction my life is going, and I love it! The greatest benefit afforded me through this experience was rediscovering myself and defining the woman I am becoming. The seed has taken root and I know as I continue to nurture all areas of my life, the rose who I am, is blooming.
HEALTH BENEFITS
I started the T-Tapp program just over two years ago at a time in my life where my hormone levels were in a state of chaos. For over 25 years I suffered with a case of chronic fibrocystic breasts, often suffering in silence as millions of other American women, because doctors are unable find a ‘cure’. Over the years I have visited the surgeon’s office several times to have them drained, with an 18-gauge needle, because the pain was so intense and the cysts so large. My marriage suffered because I could not stand my husband to touch me. It hurt to walk or wear a bra. When I had mammograms the radiologist would always find something suspicious because the cysts made up most of my breast tissue. Sadly, the surgeon I would visit came to recognize me by my mammogram films as soon as he put them on the light display ~ never my face with my name, always my films. I had asked him upon several occasions if there was anything I could do, each time being told no, it was just a symptom I have to live with.
I started taking birth control pills when I was 17 as a way to control my menstrual cycle that was extremely erratic and painful. When I was 19 I was diagnosed with endometriosis and each month would experience bloating, cramping and pain that would put me in bed for a day or two. I soon realized that this was to be a way of life for me. I endured ten laproscopic operations to remove endometrial growth and ovarian cysts before I was 28, when I had a hysterectomy. Four weeks after the hysterectomy I developed a cyst on my right ovary and the doctor put me on birth control pills. I have since referred to myself as the ‘Great Estrogen Experiment”, sad but true. About 18 months ago, I hit rock bottom.
I had no idea why I could go to bed one night and wake up ten pounds heavier. My ankles were swelling, my abdomen was distended, my face was puffy, I was depressed, unhappy, semi-confused and I did not recognize the woman in the mirror’s reflection. Intuitively I knew that I was in an out of balance condition, but I did not know where, nor how to resolve it. I went to the doctor. All test results came back within the normal range. Through it all I would continue to tapping even though results at that time were negligent. I watched my food intake, I took my supplements. I could not understand what was occurring in my body. Over a two month period, I would lose the ten pounds, then one night gain it back again, with the swelling and severe breast tenderness.
I turned to the forum, the T-Tapp office and finally to Teresa herself. In between bites of cake at the Safety Harbor Event last September, she says to me “Oh, you are estrogen dominant”. She suggested I incorporate the following into my daily life:
Increase alfalfa to 12 a day (I was doing 6)
Udos Oil
Raw Brazil Nuts for the Selenium
Cal Mag in the evenings
PBS and Hoe Downs at least twice a day
Natural progesterone cream
This results? Almost instant relief. Within two days I felt like a different woman and when you compare two day to 25 years it almost instantaneous. I first noticed the change while taking a bath. As I washed myself I noticed something strange. No pain. I sat up, puzzled. I pressed against them. No lumps! No cysts! Over the past year I have continued to experience cyclical fluctuations every two months, understanding it would take a little time to restore this out of balance condition. Interestingly enough I noticed the last ‘estrogen surge’ in mid June. I believe that the concentration and power of intent I utilized to rid myself of this condition once and for all has moved me to a place of balance. If I feel there may be a spike or surge in estrogen, I increase my Alfalfa to 16 a day and do an extra PBS and Hoe Downs.
During two months of the contest period, I have noticed a greater stabilization in my body and hormone levels. The breast pain is gone, I have no swelling, I can see my ankle bones, I have not gained ten pounds overnight and my abdomen is flat. I am aware of my body, how it working, what it is feeling and what it needs. I have found a greater balance over the last two months with no cyclic fluctuations. My body is firmer ~ I see definition in my torso, the cellulite on my thighs has greatly diminished, I have lost my third butt cheek (although I will not miss it) and my saddlebags are gone.
I went to the doctor a few months ago, the same breast surgeon I have visited for years. He said hello, looked at my chart, and put my films up on the display light. Then he did a double take! He looked at me, at the chart, at the films and said, “WHAT did you do?” He could not believe the change in my breast tissue from one year to the next. “Simple,” I said, “I cured myself with the help of a tremendous woman”.
Teresa, I will never be able to thank you enough for helping me get rid of this painful condition that affected me mentally as well as physically. I pray that women all over the world can learn that there is no longer a need to suffer in silence but find relief and healing by restoring balance in their lives. I consider what has happened to me a miracle. Thank you!
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LOSSES:
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Bust:
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-1 1/2
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Waist:
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-3
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Abdomen:
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-2
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Hips:
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-1
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Right
Upper Thigh:
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-1 1/2
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Right
Lower Thigh:
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-1 3/4
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Left
Upper Thigh:
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-1 1/2
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Left
Lower Thigh:
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-1 3/4
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Right
Calf:
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-3/4
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Left
Calf:
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-1/2
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Right
Arm:
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-1/4
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Left
Arm:
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0
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TOTAL
INCH LOSS:
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-15 1/2
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