I was always a naturally thin person until I had two very unforgiving pregnancies and gained a lot of weight. I was in a tight fitting size18 with no energy and had a pathetic case of severe depression. In the past, I never had to exercise before because I was naturally thin. One day, I was crying to my mother about my obesity and how I wanted to change my life but didn’t have the funds for an expensive monthly membership at a gym. I clearly remember that she looked me straight in the eyes and told me…”Tanya you do NOT have to join a gym to lose weight”. She told me that I could do it all from my own living room. She told me about ladies from work mentioning Tae Bo and how effective it was. I knew I had heard the name “Tae Bo” before but knew nothing about it. The very next morning, I was sitting on the couch, channel surfing and the Tae Bo Live! infomercial came on. I was very inspired by the 76-year-old lady on the infomercial and I thought that if a 76-year-old lady can do the workout, surely I can do it too! So, I placed my order. Little did I know that that order would be such a Life Altering change for me. I did the Basic tape for 2 months and felt that I could move onto the Advanced workout, but I was wrong. I just didn’t give myself enough time to build up the stamina to make it through the Advanced workout. The Advanced workout was much more difficult than I thought imaginable. So, I went back to the Basic workout and did the Basic for 5 months total and reconsidered trying the Advanced workout again. To my surprise I did the tape with flying colors. I really impressed myself!! So, from that point, I ordered another Tae Bo workout series to add variety and then I found myself ordering more and more. My rapid growing library is now up to 85 Tae Bo workouts and I love my variety!!
At first I did not notice immediate results on the outside but, I felt terrific on the inside and I knew that the outward signs would follow, because… I was terribly sore. As I continued to do Tae Bo, I noticed that my self-esteem started to return and I felt great inside and out! After 11 ½ months I had finally reached my goal weight and lost a total of 80 pounds. I went from a tight fitting size 18 to now wearing a size 4. I have not only lost quite a bit of fat, but I have gained muscle. I have NEVER been this defined before in my arms, legs, abdomen and back.
Now it has been 6 years since Tae Bo has become a part of my life and I have maintained my weight for over 5 years. I give sincere thanks to Billy Blanks for all that he has inspired me to do. I have not only lost weight and gained confidence in myself but I had found an overwhelming desire to TEACH kickboxing myself. I wanted to give back to others what Tae Bo has given to me! After going through all the national certifications with AFAA (America Fitness Aerobics Association) and Turbokick kickboxing certification I taught for 4 years. After setting forth yet another goal of attending Tae Bo Certification boot camp to because the “Tae Bo Certified Fitness Instructor” that I so longed for I achieved that goal in 2004. I have been teaching fitness for a total of 4.5 years and I have been a part of Team Tae Bo for 1.5 years. However, due to financial limitations I was not able to return to re-certification camp that is an obligation to maintain your certification annually. But, I guarantee that when funds permit I will return to certification camp again. Until then I will continue to carry my success story with my before and after photos with me. It has really helped and inspired members at the gym and gives them just what they need to know that THEY can do it too!
In September 2003 I was a featured success story for the Capture the Power Tae Bo 2004 infomercial. That was a wonderful experience!! It was an emotional triumph to share my story with Billy and Shellie in person! It was awesome to express how Tae Bo is such a huge part of my life. In fact, my friends and family have given me the nickname of “Tae Bo Tanya”. I am a firm believer in the philosophy behind Tae Bo and I am truly honored to be a part of Team Tae Bo! And to my surprise I was called 2 years later in August 2005 to be featured as a testimonial in another Tae Bo infomercial called Billy’s Bootcamp “Elite” due to be on television airwaves in January 2006.
I wanted to send my story to you to share with other Tae Bo participants to inspire them and let them know that it CAN be done with a lot of hard work, determination, and dedication. The road may be long for some and not as long for others but I looked upon my road as a Journey. And with a journey there are a lot of ups and downs. But, during the down time is when you “Reach for the Man Up Stairs” to lend you a helping hand and to pull you through.
In closing, I cannot THANK Billy Blanks enough for creating such an effective program. This program allowed me to find the key that I needed to use to open the door to freedom from my own personal prison and to help me accept that I am a “hero” myself and for that I am forever Grateful!
I feel great and I thank Billy Blanks and GOD for giving me my health, my will, and my ability to help others through experiences with my own personal struggles and triump
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