Dear Taebo Family,

I am sending my sincere THANK YOU for giving me the Key to my success in my weight loss. Each day that I put one of my many Taebo tapes into my VCR, I invite Billy Blanks, Shellie and the other Taebo Heroes into my living room to guide and encourage me through the tough spots and to inspire me through my workout. Billy’s words of encouragement needless to say are VERY inspirational and ARE what pulls me through.

I was always a naturally thin person until I had two very unforgiving pregnancies and gained a lot of weight. I was a frumpy size 18 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. I never had to work at being thin before. One day sitting in the car I was crying to my Mother about my obesity and how I was going 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 loose weight”. She told me that I could do it all from my living room. She told me about ladies from work mentioning Taebo and how intense it was. For 1 I knew I heard the name but I was one to not follow what most people did and 2 I never have done aerobics ....EVER!

One day I was sitting on the couch on a Saturday in February 2000 watching TV and the Taebo 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, being 26 years old. 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 tape, but I was wrong. I just didn’t give myself enough time to build up the stamina to make it through the Advanced tape. The Advanced tape was much more difficult than I thought imaginable. So, I went back to the Basic Tape and did the Basic for 5 months total and reconsidered trying the Advanced tape again. To my surprise I did the tape with flying colors. I really impressed myself!! So, from that point, I ordered another Taebo tape series to add variety and then I found myself ordering more and more. I now have a total of 37 Taebo Tapes and I love my variety!! I did not notice immediate results on the outside but, I felt terrific inside and I knew that the outward signs would follow, because I was terribly sore. As I continued to do Taebo I noticed that my self-esteem started to return and I felt great inside and out.

I am very proud to say that after 11 ½ months I reached my goal weight and lost a total of 80 pounds, down to 19% fat, and going from a 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, and abdomen. When I reached my 1-year anniversary with Taebo, as a reward to myself, I went to the Billy Blanks Taebo Center of Houston to do one of the classes. I live a good distance out of Houston so going to one of the classes was truly a treat! It was electrifying! I walked through the doors with such energy and pride. I thought to myself... I DID it! Not just the workout that day…but “I Did IT”! I completed my weight loss journey and ahead is the REST OF MY LIFE!

Now it has been 3+ years since Taebo has become a part of my life and I have maintained my weight for 2 year and 5 months. I give sincere thanks to Billy Blanks for all he has inspired me to do. I have not only lost weight and gained confidence in myself but I have found an overwhelming desire to TEACH kickboxing myself. I wanted to give back to others what Taebo has given to me! I wanted to go through the Taebo Certification to teach Taebo but after the horrible floods in Houston TX during June of 2001, The Taebo Center sustained an overwhelming amount of damage and to my disappointment the decision for the center to not be re-opened was decided. I had to make a decision to find another outlet to teach kickboxing. After going through all the national certifications with AFAA to teach Kickboxing, I now have been teaching kickboxing 1 year. I have labeled myself with my success story carrying my before and after pictures and it has really helped others at the gym and I am proof that it CAN be done! In fact, my friends and family have given me the nickname of “Taebo Tanya”. I now know that there is the Boot Camp program at the Billy Blanks World Training Center and my Dream and ultimate in my personal journey is to attend the Boot camp and become Taebo certified. That will complete my journey BUT it will NOT end my journey but allow me to give the gift to continue to give to others the way Billy has given me. I am a firm believer in his philosophy and I want to be a part of Team Taebo with all my heart! I will one day achieve that goal. It will take time saving funds to allow flight accommodations, room and board, and the Taebo certification costs that lie ahead. But, I will achieve that dream just as I have every other goal I have set for myself!!!

I wanted to send my story to you to share with other Taebo 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”, as Billy would say, to pull you though. I cannot THANK Billy and all the heroes enough for giving me the Key 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 and GOD for giving me my Health and my Will because I found the Way!!

Thank you for everything
--Tanya Lane

More Photos of Tanya: Before | After