In my first go-round with T-Tapp, I didn't do the CRT skin brushing. I bought the CRT package as a gift for my mom, and I watched the how-to video, but just never bothered to do it. Why? Just lazy, I guess. But when I came back to T-Tapping after having had a baby, I had extra motivation to skin brush... extra cellulite left over from the 35 pounds I'd gained, loose skin on my belly, stretch marks galore. If such a simple, quick, inexpensive technique could make a difference, if there was even a chance it could make a difference, it'd be worth a try, right?
Right. So, so right. Consistent skin brushing has made a world of difference. It's delivered on all the promises, and I think it's a big reason why I won in the Less to Lose category of the 2007 60-Day Challenge. That's what Teresa told me, that she'd been impressed at how much tighter and firmer my skin looked in the final set of photos. (The link above shows one set of before and after photos, and also has my essay explaining how little I'd actually worked out during that period.)
Like everything else, consistency is the key to success with skin brushing. You just have to do it. Aim to do it every day. If you're prepping for a big event -- a beach trip, or perhaps a wedding or gala when you'll need to wear a strapless dress -- you can brush twice a day. It's not hard, it doesn't take long, and it actually (I think) feels good.
But it's hard, I know, to start any kind of healthy habit and keep it going. We've all got reasons to resist change, so let me tell you some of the ways I've fought my way around my reluctance to get into the brushing habit.
Excuse: I don't have time.
The whole CRT brushing routine takes about three minutes. Is having a smooth rear view worth three minutes a day? I think so! Find a time when it's convenient to fit it into your schedule, and remember, you don't HAVE to do it right before a shower. Brushing doesn't make you dirty, in my opinion. I feel like it leaves my skin clean. It's good to brush after doing PBS or doing a workout, but again, you don't HAVE to... brushing at any time of day is better than not brushing at all.
Excuse: I'm too tired.
I used to brush my skin right before getting into bed, but I realized that I was skipping it more often than not because I was tired and too eager to just get into bed. Maybe brushing before bed would be a good time for you, but for me, it was just one step too many in my bedtime routine. I find that I'm much more consistent if I make brushing part of my "getting ready in the morning" routine. I brush before getting dressed, and because NOT getting dressed isn't really an option on workdays, I get it done.
Excuse: It's too cold.
Teresa might not have this problem in balmy Florida, but in my less-tropical clime, and in my drafty old house, I DO. With the thermostat set at 62 degrees, even three minutes of standing around naked is two and a half minutes too many. I've just given myself goosebumps just THINKING about it. Brrr. I've solved the problem with my yet-to-be-patented Bathrobe Trick. You can do it too, I know you can, because if you live somewhere with actual winter I know you already have the crucial ingredient: a thick, warm bathrobe. Here's what to do: start out wearing nothing but your bathrobe and slippers. Make sure the bathrobe belt is tied firmly around your waist. Now pull one arm out of the sleeve and brush it, baring the breast when necessary. Re-sheathe your arm and do the other side. For the rest of the body, I find I can brush my legs without untying the robe, so I only have to totally open the robe to brush my belly and butt. To keep my feet warm, I generally keep my slippers on, and only pull my feet out of the slippers when I need to brush them, and I always make sure to do my brushing standing on a bathmat or rug because my hardwood and tile floors are COLD.
Excuse: It's boring.
I've got a rather low boredom threshold, and so I find even three minutes without entertainment or distraction to be a chore. At least while I'm doing my workout I have Teresa to watch, myself to check out in the mirror, and I really need to focus on what my body's doing. Brushing doesn't require that kind of focus, in my opinion, so feel free to avail yourself of entertainment while you're brushing. Watch TV while you brush. Call a friend and talk to her on speakerphone. Turn on the radio and sing. Personally, I like to read magazines while I brush. I just open a magazine on the bathroom counter so I can distract myself with the sweet, sweet written word. I'd read books while I brush, but they're harder to keep open without using one's hands, so instead I use my three minutes every morning to keep up with the new spring fashions. (Which are dreadful. Big bows on dresses? Are you KIDDING me? But that's a topic for another day.)
Excuse: It can't possibly work for me.
You're right. It can't possibly work if you don't try it. If you've got a CRT brush that's collecting dust, break it out and use it. If you don't have one yet, go to the T-Tapp webstore and treat yourself to either the full CRT set or the bargain option, the skin brush with written instructions. The brush and instructions set is only $15, and in my opinion, it's worth so much more than that. We've got three months until shorts season (that is, for those of us not lucky enough to live in Florida or Southern California) and four months until the swimming pools open. That's enough time to make a real difference. That's enough time to make this your most confident summer ever.
