Winner: Less to Lose Category
Grace Remmer Spriggs
Sorry to disappoint you, but I am not a magazine weight loss cover story by any means. I did not drop two dress sizes or lose ten pounds; I probably didn't even get close to it. But, that is not why I started to do T-Tapp or why I entered this contest. I entered this contest to see if I could accomplish something I never had before, commit to an exercise program and see the results. I have never been too hard on myself to stick to an exercise program because I have always been naturally thin. I am a slender 5'9.5" 125 lbs. frame and am only 22 years old. I started T-Tapp because my mother heard it could relieve chronic back pain, which I suffer from due to scoliosis and injury from a car wreck. After doing the PBS pop-video for 2 weeks and then going on to the beginner rehab tapes I have been hooked and looking for more ever since.
I was introduced to T-Tapp a little over a year ago, a few months before my wedding. I fell in love with the program because my back pain lessened about 75%. I could sit and stand for long periods of time, something I could never do from about the age of 16 years old. I also loved T-Tapp because it changed my way of thinking about my body. I have never had a weight problem, but I have had a problem with my body image. Being one of the tallest girls in my grade and undiagnosed scoliosis I developed bad posture early on in my life. Even though I was naturally slender when I looked at myself in the mirror I saw myself as fat. Contrary to others around me, my body was not perfect; I wanted my thin, long body to be toned. I did the exercises that the health magazines told me to do for that perfect "athletic" body, but not only did my body not change, but my back hurt so bad that I could not even finish most of the exercises. So for years, from age 15 to 21 I hated the way my body looked and began to believe that was the way it was going to have to be.
At the age of 21 years old I began to avidly do T-Tapp on a regular basis. I began to notice little changes in my body, like my stomach slimming down and my back and shoulders becoming toned. I started reading about Teresa's view on different body types and what they were capable of doing. During the workouts I could feel myself getting stronger and accomplishing moves I had not been able to do before. Slowly, my brain opened up to the idea that my body is unique and I am an individual. I realized that my body was not mass-produced in some factory; it was made just for me. I could not change my height or the length of my legs and arms. Then, I realized I had a choice. I could spend even more years obsessing and dreaming of another body, or I could embrace what God had given me and realize how beautiful I truly am. Around this time I was diagnosed with a rare cancer, epithelia sarcoma, in my right ring finger. The only treatment was amputation of that finger. After my recovery was complete I focused on keeping my body clean and free, especially my lymphatic system. The T-Tapp moves and skin brushing were the perfect answer, and were already integrated into my life. After that, I began to look at myself differently. I had to adapt to a new hand, extra motivation to stay fit and healthy, and a new and improved body image. So, instead of hating my skinny calves; I just embrace the fact that I have skinny legs and they will never been thick and muscular. T-Tapp helped me realize that I needed to respect my body and have realistic expectation when I work at enhancing the good things, not try to morph myself into something I could never be. Oh, and one more added bonus, T-Tapp helped me fit into my wedding dress better and have a body I was proud to show off for my new husband without feeling insecure.
Entering this contest was a chance for me to embrace what I learned only a year ago, and working out these past eight weeks has never been easier. I took a full class load during summer school, so I was sitting all day in class and all night at my desk studying. When I could feel the back pain coming on I knew that I needed to stop and do my rehab workout. Fortunately, I was not only doing rehab work on my back, I was getting a full body workout to keep me in shape. Instead of dreading workouts, now I look forward to them. I realize that I am not perfect, but nobody is and I should not struggle to attain something that does not exist. I feel blessed to have this knowledge while I am young. I have been empowered with priceless information. I wish every young woman could come to know this and stop wasting so much time trying to fit into a certain image. Personally, I am so proud of my accomplishments these past eight weeks. I lost a total of 2.375 inches from my upper thigh and up, and gained a total of 1.25 inches in my lower thighs and calves. I lost and gained right where I needed for my body to look more proportionate. It did not take a personal trainer to create personal exercise moves for me to target certain areas. Working out with T-Tapp helps my body know exactly what to do.
These last eight weeks have shown me that being dedicated does not have to be grueling or short lived. I try to do a T-Tapp workout three times a week, but I also try to add other activities in the week as to not get bored. However, I always come back to T-Tapp throughout the week; it's the one workout I can count on to make me feel strong and healthy on the inside and out.
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| LOSSES: |
|
| Bust: |
0 |
| Waist: |
-1 |
| Abdomen: |
- 1/4 |
| Hips: |
- 1/2 |
| Right Upper Thigh: |
- 1/4 |
| Right Lower Thigh: |
3/4 |
| Left Upper Thigh: |
- 1/4 |
| Left Lower Thigh: |
1/4 |
| Right Calf: |
1/4 |
| Left Calf: |
1/2 |
| Right Arm: |
0 |
| Left Arm: |
1/4 |
| INCH LOSS |
- 1/4 |
|
|
|
