8 Week T-Tapp Challenge: A Man’s Perspective

When Stacy started T-Tapp I wasn’t sure it would be any different than any other exercise program she’d tried and I’m a skeptic when it comes to a lot of this stuff.  But I was glad she’d found an exercise routine SHE could enjoy.  Then she said I should try it.  Yeah, right.  Let me watch a video of some random lady and follow along…sure.  I’ve seen Richard Simmons – I can’t “sweat to the oldies” because I’m laughing too hard.  I’ve tried Tae Bo – same deal.  How can you be serious?  I reluctantly agreed and when we started the 8 week T-Tapp Challenge in early January I was already in the routine of Tapping a few times per week.  As a man, I am not embarrassed to say that I exercise using T-Tapp and would recommend lots of other men do the same.  Let’s talk about why.

1. It doesn’t take long. I work a full-time job, help Stacy with this website, run several other websites and do financial counseling.  Not to mention I’m a husband and father.  I’m busy and I am not going to waste my time on something that doesn’t benefit me sufficiently to make it worth my while.  I can spare 15 minutes three times per week and have done so for a few months now.  If I can give up 45 minutes in a week’s time, I think pretty much anybody can.
2. It is easy. I have always had to work to keep my weight down and I’m too lazy (yes, I admit it) to do any exercise that is really hard.  From my very first experience with T-Tapp, I thought it was a piece of cake.  It was EASY, so I keep doing it.
3. I have a history. I reached my peak weight when I was 15 years old.  I was a bit over 300 lbs. and wore a size 50 jeans…yes, 50!  Now I weigh about 210.  I did not use T-Tapp to lose all that weight – I started working, and the job was pretty physical.  When I started to lose a little weight I got excited enough that I gave jogging a try.  At 300 lbs., I wasn’t much to see but I eventually got up to where I could run three miles – and did so several times per week.  The weight was melting off!  By 18, my weight was an even 200.  But then I stopped running because it started hurting.  In fact, I stopped exercising altogether because college and work combined made for a busy schedule.  At my highest weight since, I was nearly 250, but I’ve kept my weight mostly in check through diet and exercise (when required – I generally hate both).  My history tells me I need to do something to stay healthy and maybe even lose some pounds.
4. I’m not losing weight, but that isn’t the point of T-Tapp. In my mind, I was supposed to use T-Tapp to help me lose weight.  I got on the scale after my first week and…nothing.  I took all my measurements and…nothing.  But I felt better, so I kept going.  I’m a few months in and from a weight loss perspective, all I can tell you is that I made it through Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s without gaining any weight – and that usually doesn’t happen.  That being said, I know all of the weight loss tips out there and most of them do apply if you’re trying to lose weight.  T-Tapp may help you drop the pounds, but T-Tapp to me has been about feeling better.
5. I have back problems, and T-Tapp REALLY helps.  I didn’t know this when I started, but Teresa Tapp has back issues as well and developed T-Tapp partially because of those issues.  I have scoliosis and kyphosis and doctors tell me I can either have surgery or deal with the pain and challenges my back brings.  T-Tapp honestly helps my back feel better.  Even if I never lose weight, I will use some of the T-Tapp exercises to keep my back stretched and strengthened.
6. Modesty exists! I’m a man, so I’ll openly admit I like to look at beautiful women.  God made me that way and it is normal. However, he also gave me a beautiful wife to whom I am dedicated and instructed me to flee temptation.  Many (most) exercise videos out there are going to include young women dressed in skin-tight clothing doing things that men shouldn’t watch.  I had this concern with T-Tapp but was pleasantly surprised that the most skin is shown by Teresa herself.  Her outfit (see photo) isn’t something I would encourage Annie to wear, nor is it appropriate for all situations, but for exercise, I don’t believe it is inappropriate either.

Have any of you guys out there (or ladies, you can speak up for him) tried T-Tapp?  What’s your experience?

Week 1: Why T-Tapp?

Week 2: Getting in a Groove

Week 3: TappCore for Kids

Week 4: Cutting Back on Sugar

Week 5: A Man’s Perspective

Week 6: Simple Carb Crackdown

Week 7: Saving on T-Tapp

Week 8: The Results