Thursday, September 8, 2011

43 Inches GONE!!


It is time for me to celebrate!
Another 6 weeks is over, a T-Tapp anniversary has come, and 43 inches are gone!

On September 8, 2011 I celebrated my 6 month anniversary with T-Tapp.
It has been a challenging journey, but one that I am so thankful that I have started. Here is a re-cap of the last 6 months:
*Combo body type*

*I started as a snug 18 and now I can fit into almost all of my 14's (still have a couple size 14 dresses I'm waiting to get into)*

1.I started out doing BWO 5 days a week, adding in HD's occasionally in the afternoon ( I do PBS before bed at night with one or two moves like OIP/HF/E or MCB)
2. No dieting (more on that below)
3. No weighing on the scales (no exceptions, I have no idea what I weigh, as the scales only serve as a DIScouragement to me - thanks Trisch!)
4. When I first started TT I could not feel ANY muscles in my stomach
5. I measured weekly until that started to be discouraging too and then went to measuring every 6 weeks or more.
6. I lost 33.25 inches doing only BWO and BWO+
7. I started instructional 2 on June 6 and then moved to TWO (on off days I occasionally will do BWO+ or SATI)
8. I have lost a total of 9.75 inches since starting Instr. 2/TWO (that is only 3/4 of an inch a week since starting TWO!!! Sounds awfully SLOW looking back, as I did not realize it was THIS slow, BUT I'm down 43" now, so who cares!! : ) Also this 9.75 inch loss has been in key areas!
9. I have been consistent. I have not missed ONE work out. I have written down "Ladies, I was consistent" from Charlotte Siems You Tube Clip which has been very inspiring to me. (I have been blessed with good health and have not had to take any "sick days")
10. I had a back injury when I was young (fell off a horse and landed in a sitting position, ouch!) and always suffered lower back pain. Also, I had another injury due to what I think was lifting/pulling a carpet cleaner. Both of those issues are near 100% healed!
11. I had very sore knees before starting TT due to what I think was incorrect form on lunges from another workout program. My left knee is almost pain free and my right knee close behind. (the only time I notice pain is when I bend ALL the way down, like squatting position)
12. I had plantar fascia for 2 years and now I can get up in the morning with little or no pain. (I used to have to almost hop to the bathroom!)
13. I am noticing marked improvement in my breathing when going up stairs.
14. I brush daily and take only Teresa's alfalfa (as I can afford to). I also am loving the SS body oil, great for problem areas and I use it on my cuticles. It keeps my skin soft and supple without being greasy! 

Have I always been encouraged and happy with TT? 
NO I HAVEN'T! 

I am a MTL and am in a BIG hurry to get this weight OFF! There have been many times when I was going to quit in the beginning and times where I did not think it was ever going to work for ME.  I have since learned that taking my time and doing it right, being consistent, not worrying about how long it will take and all those little losses really do add up will reap me big rewards in the end. Slow and steady wins the race!

I am most thankful to the Lord for allowing me to find TT. It was by "chance" (Ha! nothing is chance with God) that I found TT through an internet search for strength training. 

Thank you to Teresa Tapp for creating a workout that works! You have given me the tools and help that I need to get and keep myself healthy for years to come!

I have an extremely supportive DH, which has been a huge encouragement to me, I could not have gotten so far without that!

Another BIG support group has been the TT forum! You girls are AMAZING and have given me encouragement when I was down and rejoiced with me when I met goals. This is such a knowledgeable and friendly group of people and I am so thankful for each of them. One of the main reasons I knew that there was something special about TT was that Michelle Barbuto, a T-Tapp Trainer offered one of the ladies on the forum 30 days of free help with her. To me that really said a lot about TT and what kind of people work for/with Teresa! They are so generous with their time on the forum and always willing to help and answer questions I have!

Eating changes are at the end of this post...

Life can be uncertain, goals and inch loss can be uncertain at times, but here is a verse that tells me eternity does not have to be uncertain. A great encouragement in uncertain days and times we are living in:

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:7

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Peter 1:3

Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:12


As promised here are the changes I have made in my eating since starting TT:
1. No dieting
2. Most of the time I eat when I'm hungry and stop when I'm full. (easier said than done, but this has been my goal)
3. Trying to get rid of diet soda (I have only had 2 in 6 months)
4. Eating more healthy foods: trying not to eat canned goods, making more home made foods, we don't eat out that often, eating more veggies.
5. Eating 35-50 grams of protein (for muscles), daily.
6. When I'm hungry in the afternoon, I snack on: almonds, fruit, string cheese
7.It's ok to eat something you love!
8. I no longer eat every time I'm out
9. If we have company or go out and everyone is eating dessert, I eat it too. (If I'm at home, I do a couple sets of HD's after)
10. Portion control: if I don't put it on my plate, don't eat it and I try not to go back for seconds.



That is really it. I eat what I want, I'm just trying to make healthier choices. If I'm really in a chocolate mood, I grab some almond M&M's (it only takes a few) or a tootsie roll sucker (my favorite dessert right now) I know I can always have something if I really want it because I am not limiting anything, but teaching myself that I don't really need as much as I used to think I did! 

*Trying to incorporate the fruits of the Spirit, namely self-control! : ) 
Galations 5:22,23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

I am looking forward to what the next 6 months will bring and am excited to share with each of you my progress. Stay tuned.....