Jan

Jan is a 47-year-old mother of seven children, ages 26, 23, 22, 14, 10, 7, and 6. Her girls are the 22-year-old and 7-year-old and the rest are boys. She is also a grandmother to a nearly 2-year-old little boy! Jan has been a T-Tapper since April 2002. She lives in Pecan Hill, Texas, and is a homemaker. Jan home-schools her three youngest children, as her 14-year-old entered public school this past school year. In addition, she also takes care of her grandson daily while his mother works.

Stephanie: Hi Jan. When I read your story and saw your photos I was thrilled to be able to talk with you. How did you find out about T-Tapp?

Jan: I found out about it originally from the Woman's World article in August of 2002, where they talked about the routine and gave an example of four of the exercises. I tried the exercises for awhile, but never felt like I was accomplishing anything, because I was not quite sure of the posture. I then went to the website and downloaded some of the exercises through the articles selection (http://www.t-tapp.com/articles/) to learn more. Still, I knew I needed the tapes so I could really learn how to do the exercises right. So when I received money for my birthday in March of last year I ordered the tapes along with the CRT Skin Tightening Technique.

Stephanie: Have you done any other exercise programs prior to T-Tapp?

Jan: At first I tried using hand weights and did a routine from another magazine designed to tone muscles, but never had any improvement. This was about four years ago. Poor muscle tone runs in my family, as does cellulite. Well, after an injury to my back, and a operation to correct a fistula caused by an overzealous episiotomy, I gained a lot of weight back. The doctors found out I somehow ended up with a herniated disk. I still cannot quite place how that happened, perhaps it was when my then 4-year-old jumped on my back while I was exercising, or it was the time I fell off the sliding board while playing with the kids. I also have a hernia from a breech birth and torn ligaments, in addition to a herniated umbilicus from so many pregnancies. Later I tried yoga and stretching. I still do a lot of stretching with my T-Tapp routine or on alternate days. I gave up the yoga and replaced it with back exercises from my physical therapist.

My physical therapist said I was not making much progress with the hand weights as my inner core muscles were not strong. So then I tried water aerobics, which I enjoyed, but gave them up as they were too expensive to continue and were only offered seasonally at the local YMCA.

I found because of my herniated disc I was limited as to what I could do, as most aerobic exercise or walking would cause too much pain.

Stephanie: So what made T-Tapp different? Why did you decide to try it?

Jan: Well, the inch loss that they talked about in the article, but also I was concerned that I had such poor muscle tone. I knew if I could lose weight and get my muscles strengthened, I probably would improve my back.

I would say that because of much prayer, and T-Tapp being a part of the answer to pray for me, my pain is 99% gone. I rarely notice my lower back problem with the disc. The only time I have much back pain now is if I carry my grandson too much in one day, which I had to do one day on a field trip when I forgot the stroller. Ouch! That was a long day.

Stephanie: I bet that was a long day, but am very happy that T-Tapp helps to keep your back pain in check. Now you are using the Cellulite Removal Technique as well, what have your results been from that?

Jan: I was using that and really had results. Since then I have discontinued the supplement, but I still do dry skin brushing. My husband noticed a difference right away and loves the feel of my silky skin now.

Stephanie: Are you also doing a specific eating program?

Jan: At first I used “The Zone Diet,” I actually started it several months before starting T-Tapp. But once I got down to a size 12 in my clothes, I found all I have to do is eat healthy and splurge once in awhile at a party and I still am losing, I suppose because my muscles are so strong now I burn more calories. I am now sometimes in a size 10 clothing! My goal is to be a size 8.

Stephanie: So what kinds of inch loss results have you had from T-Tapp?

Jan: I have lost 28 inches so far, 8 inches off my abdomen alone, which I really believed to be impossible as I had this flap of fat that was horrible! Also since I had been told my stomach muscles were split from the herniated umbilicus in addition to the torn ligaments across my lower pelvis, I never believed I could do it much good; but, it has helped.

Stephanie: What kind of advice do you have for women contemplating adding T-Tapp into their lifestyle?

Jan: The greatest thing I love about T-Tapp is I did not have to join a spa or fitness center to do it. I do not have the money or the time to be running off between schooling my kids and field trips. We belong to two home-school associations.

Another thing is Teresa is right there on the video slowly taking you step-by-step. Once you learn the routine you can perform it anywhere. Once I had the routine memorized I quit looking at the video and now and then just do it by heart.

I also like it because you do not need a lot of room to exercise. I do it next to my bed when my grandson is napping or while listening to music with my kids. It's just a small 4 foot by seven foot area. Sometimes my 7-year-old daughter will join me.

I have also shown a few of my friends the routine or parts of it and they cannot believe that what looks like easy exercises can actually work your body so hard and raise your metabolism. I even taught my 22-year-old daughter the Primary Back Stretch. She is about a size 2X and as she is not use to any exercise she was out of breath and sweating profusely. When I started out I could barely do eight repetitions and was all over the place with my balance, having to grab the bed post to maintain balance. Now I can do 20 repetitions if I want, and rarely have to reach out for help in my balance. This is great for me as I have never had much coordination or balance. Now I feel so much more confident in my carriage and posture.

I also like it as it is kind of broken up into three steps or sections, so if I am doing dinner or get a distraction with the kids, I can stop at different points and go back to it.

Stephanie: Those are some reasons why I love T-Tapp as well. I think a lot of mothers (and fathers) are grateful for the ability to break up the workout. Jan, thank you for sharing your wonderful story with us and do stay in touch.