More to Lose with Health Improvements* Category Winner

Tara A.

*Health Improvements:
1. R. ACL repair (knee), limited mobility, stiff and painful
2. Neck and back pain and instability that cause migraines due to several car accidents including the sciatic nerve area.
3. Core strength lacking after twins and a hernia
4. PCOS with no periods and typical weight gain/distribution

My journey with T-Tapp began about two years ago when I saw a friend for the first time in 6 months or so. I was amazed at how good she looked! She looked better than I had seen her look in the 20 years I had known her. She told me a little bit about T-Tapp. At first I did nothing about it...

Almost 5 years ago I adopted a brand-new baby. Seven months, one hernia, 3 months of moderate bed rest, Cholestasis of Pregnancy, a failed induction, and one C-section later I gave birth to twins. When the twins were eight months old, I had surgery to repair the hernia that I had gotten in the pregnancy. Two months after that, I was in a car accident. Hit from behind. After 10 months of Chiropractic care I was just starting to feel a little better. Just in time to be hit really hard in another accident that involved my whole family. Someone had run a stop sign and t-boned us. Thankfully our injuries could have been so much worse. I cried at the accident scene because I knew how much time I would lose all over again with migraines, trips to the chiropractor, and days of just plain pain. Getting three babies in and out of car seats, cribs, high chairs, and changing tables was SO taxing to my neck and back. With all of the events that had occurred one after another, I was not exercising and my core strength was shot! I remember looking down at a crying baby and wondering if it was bad enough that I needed to pick her up. Not that I did not want to, I just knew it would hurt. Some days were almost unmanageable. Housekeeping was nearly impossible. I couldn't sleep at night because of the pain. It seemed like as soon as I got an adjustment I would pick a child and my spine would go out again.

Meanwhile, my PCOS continued to spiral out of control. With three toddlers I had my hands full. I tried to eat healthy as much as possible, but with no exercise the insulin resistance helped me to pack on pounds and flab. I was really discouraged and overwhelmed. Where could I even start? My mom brought over the T-Tapp seminar DVD and the things Teresa talked about made so much sense. I had already decided that I really had to do something to target my core strength while pursuing Chiropractic care. I really believed that if my core was stronger and helping to support my spine, over time I would feel better and better. But every time I got on my elliptical trainer I would get a migraine - almost immediately following a workout. Even walking was difficult. I could take the babies, but after years of playing soccer and gymnastics, my knees were already arthritic. I had torn my ACL playing soccer in high school, so that knee would get especially stiff with exercise. When I tried to do crunches or just pull my belly button to my spine, I couldn't feel a thing. I could not even fell my stomach move when I tried to tighten it.

Finally I made up my own plan. I decided that starting January 1, I would workout every day with T-Tapp. I would go to the Chiropractor as often as necessary - even if I went every day. I would go right after my workout when my muscles were most limber. Then at least I would get one full day of my spine where it should be. I was amazed at how fast I could feel my body getting stronger. I did not know that results could show up that quickly!!! Over the next several months I was going to the chiropractor less and less. I rarely have migraines now. Even my knees feel better! I don't workout every day right now. I workout as often as I can. With a comprehensive 15 minute workout I don't have a lot of excuses, right?

I have to say... I HATE WORKING OUT! I have a competitive nature and would run and run and run in any sport that involves a ball and a score. But working out for the sake of working out does not get me all excited. This is the first workout that I do not dread. I actually enjoy it. I love that less is more. I can put in 15 minutes any time any where. That does not intimidate me. I can put in a longer workout only once or twice a week. I love that my workouts are doable, they fit my busy life. I love that I see results with every workout. I love that my now preschoolers try to workout with me. I love that when I get done with a really good routine I may be tired but I do not hurt. I love that my workout improves my spine health, it does not jeopardize it. I love that Hoe Downs make me less insulin resistant.

I am supposed to say something about winning the challenge. I know there are lots of people with far more discipline and drive when it comes to exercise. I have no anticipation of winning at all - I have not been consistent enough for that. But I will say, I have won already. I won because I have an exercise program that I can follow... for the rest of my life. For me, that is a first!