My T-Tapp journey started about 2 years ago...

For as long as I can remember, I've always been what my family called "a little chunky". I've tried different diets over time, but none of them really had super results.

I was at my heaviest 2 summers ago (2003). I was wearing a size 16 and I think I weighed 185. It wasn't just the weight, though, I felt miserable about myself. One day when my mom was visiting, she told me about our friend Carol who had amazing results with this workout called "T-Tapp". Huh, I said. A workout is a workout, what's so different about this one? But after trying a few of the exercises (breaking a sweat immediately!) and reading practically the whole T-Tapp website, I bit the bullet and decided to order the Total System. It has turned out to be the best investment into my health I've ever made!

My sister and I began doing the workout, and I actually felt pretty silly because I was falling and wobbling all over the place. This was harder that it looked! As time went on, however, I could feel myself getting really strong, underneath all that flab! For the next year, I did a few workouts here and there, but never got really serious about it. I did manage to get into a tight size 14 by the next summer without trying too hard, which as nice, but not where I wanted to be. I decided to do the "60 Day Challenge" in the summer of '04. I did a 14 day bootcamp to start, and then went on to do the Beginner/Rehab Workout every other day (even on vacation!) for the remainder of the contest. I don't think I lost many pounds, but I dropped from a tight size 14 to a tight size 12 in those 2 months, losing 15 inches overall. I began using the CRT system and body brushing, and that post baby belly flab started to tighten up and smooth out. I felt really great, and my balance and strength was getting better every day. I did this without dieting AT ALL. In fact, I found that I was eating more than usual, but still losing inches. People were taking notice (especially my husband!) and I loved talking about how great T-Tapp makes me feel. Love it!

That's the first part of my T-Tapp story.

I slacked off a bit in November and December of 2004, but still kept my size by doing Hoedowns after meals, Primary Back Stretch in the mornings, and using PG Spray. In late January 2005, I figured I better get myself into gear if I wanted to really look good for my brother's wedding in April. In February, I tried on the dress I was supposed to wear for the wedding and it fit perfectly. Then, sometime in March, something started to happen. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I didn't feel "right". Even though I was working out a lot (I did a 4 day 'bootcamp' and was doing T-Tapp Tempo every other day, with hoedowns after meals), I felt like I was getting puffier and squishier... When April rolled around, after working out consistently for months and eating healthy, I tried on that same dress and could barely breathe. I was back into a tight size 14. I still dislike looking at those pictures of me from the wedding. It was a beautiful occasion, but I felt like my body was betraying me.

Finally, out of desperation, I called the T-Tapp office to see if I was doing something wrong. They're so nice and helpful; I don't know what took me so long to call! They put me in touch with a trainer (Annette). I really believe God sent her to me (or me to her!). She understood what I was going through, and said she had been down the same road. What a relief! She told me that I was most likely going through a metabolic and hormonal change, due to my symptoms and also the fact that I'm almost 30. She said that, in addition to T-Tapp, I should to change my eating habits to get my body back into balance. I started following the 5 rules, outlined in the book 'Mastering Leptin'. The first 3 days were hard...I stopped following the rules for a few days but realized I felt so great when I ate that way, maybe I should give it a fair trial, say 2 weeks. To my amazement, I stopped craving sugary foods and felt so much better. My moods began to stabilize again. Adding this way of eating to T-Tapp was the one two punch I needed to get through this.

I had started the 90-Day Challenge in April and had not seen any inches lost, even after a 14-day bootcamp and Tapping every other day for over 2 months. I lost 8 lbs in the first week and a half of eating the Leptin way, which surprised me, because I wasn't even looking for it. I lost 2 precious inches. I had hope!

I've been Tapping and following "the 5 Rules" together now for about 2 1/2 months. By the end of the contest, I lost about 11 inches and was feeling more "myself". Now I'm down 15 pounds and a little over 17 inches. I don't feel deprived, because I’m not on a diet. I try to make good choices, but eating according to the 5 rules is becoming easier and easier. I'm not obsessed with food anymore. I love not having to work out every single day; less really IS more with T-Tapp! As I get better at the workout, I can feel my body working harder and smarter! I’m thankful for finding something that I can follow the rest of my life, not just short term to lose weight. There are days I can only manage the Basic+ workout, but I still get so much out of it! I've added a few T-Tapp DVD's to my collection, each one I like for a different reason. This is a big deal because I've never been much of an "exerciser". Not one-penny do I feel has been wasted on T-Tapp.

I'm back into a comfortable 12. (I can squeeze into a 10, but I'm not counting that yet!). I'm haven't reached my "big goal" yet, but I'm getting there and having success along the way! I was looking at old picture yesterday, and I am really amazed at how different I look now than I did 2 years ago. And how much T-Tapp has improved my self-image. My little sister got married two weeks ago, and I felt so beautiful in my dress this time. I owe a debt of gratitude to Teresa, Annette, and so many others who have helped me along this journey. I like to say there's no such thing as a magic bullet, but T-Tapp is the closest I've gotten to one! I love it.

The first one was taken mid June of this year, about 2 months into the 90 day challenge. Ugh.

The last one is me about 2 weeks ago. :) Much happier!

Thanks for letting me write this all out... it's so helpful to really see how far I've come, even though I feel I have a long way to go!

Jennifer Stumbaugh
Illinois