My little riding lawnmower is broken down.  As you can see, my husband has it totally taken apart.  All this for a darn $2.34 part.  The steering went out on it two weeks ago while  I was cutting a lawn.  Actually, what happened is the darn thing, it quit turning to the right.  All it would do is make a clicking noise when I turned the steering wheel.   Needless to say, finishing that lawn by only being able to turn left was tricky.  I was proud of myself though.  I was able to finish the job.

My husband had me  ordered the two parts he thought it needed but neglected to order this little $2.00 piece.  So here we are…..waiting again for that little piece to come in so he can reassemble my mower. 

I’ve been having to use my pushmower on yards I usually use my rider.  I’m afraid to use my husband’s lawnmower.  It’s a zero turn commercial Ferris and it goes so much faster than mine.  I can still remember when I was afraid to learn how to use the other riding mower.  I finally attempted it when I had a 3 acre yard to work in.  I figured I would have plenty of space to turn around.  I’ve finally graduated up to smaller and tighter areas. 

I’ve been getting a lot more exercise using my push mower.  I don’t like the self-propelled type so it’s all “pushing.”  Anyone that has spent much time in Tennessee knows it’s hard to find a flat yard.  I’m up and down hills and gullies most of the time.  I know that is burning off more calories than sailing across a flat piece of ground.  I’m losing my weight slowly this time and hopefully will be able to KEEP it off.

I enjoy being outside.  Cutting grass for me is more fun than working in my flower garden.  I hate pulling weeds and hoeing.  The past few weeks it’s been very hot.  There have been several heat related deaths in our area.  To combat this hot and humid weather, I’m drinking plenty of water, taking plenty of breaks in my airconditioned vehicle, and trying to remember to use sunscreen.  I only had one day I quit around noon.  The combination of the heat and humidity just took my breath away.  I started having cold chills so I knew I had been at it too long. 

I’ve got to go meet my husband at the church and cut the grass on the playground. 

Have a safe and happy 4th!!

When people are starting their weight loss journey, they always sent themselves some type of goal.  Some set a goal to lose “X” amount of weight.  Some set more detailed goals to lose “X” amont of weight.

To reach their weight loss goals, people use various diets, pills, and drinks combined with exercise. There are so many weight loss gimmicks out there, with more being presented every day.  It’s a real money maker for these companies.

I’ve read a ton of books on weight loss and tried so many methods of weight loss.  I find I get discouraged.  When that happens, I gain back the weight I’ve lost.  I’ve been analyzing why this happen to me.  I’ve decided it is because of the way I measure success!!  I always set myself up for failure….thus leading to my weight gain.

I have redefined success in my weight loss journey.  I am looking at the positive things I do each day and realizing it is a success.  Example:  Delivering meals on wheels.  (I know….you are thinking….what is she talking about.)  I now see delivering these meals is two hours of exercise.  Jumping in and out of the car, walking to the door with the food…..it’s burning calories. 

For me, it is taking a look at my day and seeing all the positive things I’ve done and realizing it’s been a successful day for me.  I make sure I document it all in my weight loss journal. 

I’ve talked before about setting realistic goals.  I have found for me, the most important thing is measuring my success.  Of course, some days are better than others but each day, I find I’ve made at least on successful choice.  It is keeping me on track and I feel so much better.  (I’ve lost another 10 pounds!!!!)

I know I haven’t made a post in sometime but I’m back and will be sharing some of my experiences of late in upcoming posts.

We’ve got a heat advisory out for today so I’m going to get my running done before it gets too hot.  I hope you all have a great day.   Toodles….I’m off to the store!!!!

There is good news and bad news about the Wu-Long Tea Diet that is so prevalent on the internet today. Do any search for “lose weight fast” and you will eventually find yourself reading an advertisement for Wu-Long Tea. These expensive programs claim quick weight loss results if you consume their mysterious and previously “unavailable” tea blends. Although some research studies absolutely support the fact that Wu-Long tea speeds up metabolism, the amazing truth is that all teas have those same qualities.  Also, you don’t need to buy Wu-Long tea from these overpriced sources because they’re not selling anything you can’t already purchase at the local grocery store.

Wu-Long = Oolong

First, let me eliminate the mystery: Wu-Long tea is the same thing as Oolong tea. It is simply another translation into the English alphabet. A few years ago, certain companies began using this alternative translation in an attempt to deceive the public. They hoped that dieters would think a new secret tea blend had come from Asia to magically increase their metabolism. And, unfortunately, it worked.

Many people were deceived and spent too much money on something they already owned. Oolong tea is probably served in your local Chinese restaurant. Of course, it certainly is a delicious and healthy beverage, but, it is not some secret formula that is only known to these diet companies trying to hype their weight loss products.

What Is Oolong Tea?

In North America, we typically group tea products into four basic types of teas (white, green, oolong, and black). It should be noted that Chinese classifications are slightly different and include yellow and red teas among other slight alternative groupings.

Whatever the classification scheme, all teas come from the Camellia Sinensis bush and are so named by the way they have been processed and the degree of oxidization. White tea is the least oxidized and black tea is the most oxidized. Oolong is semi-fermented, or partially oxidized, and the taste qualities reside between black and green teas.  The leaves of oolong vary in color, too, from the less oxidized green shades to the more oxidized dark brown shades.

Sometimes called the “champagne of teas,” oolong tea is richly aromatic with a range of floral flavors that are smooth and complex. The variety of leaf colors is determined by how oxidized they are and also determines the flavor and aroma characteristics. The lighter green the leaves, the more floral the flavor. This complexity makes oolong a favorite among tea connoisseurs.

Mostly cultivated in Taiwan and Southeast China, oolong teas involve the most difficult and time-consuming processing of all four tea classifications. It is vital that the leaves for oolong tea are picked at a particular time and immediately begin the processing stage. The processing starts when the leaves are placed in the sun to wither. Next, the leaves are placed on bamboo mats and are shaken so that they bruise, just slightly, on the edges.

This aspect of the processing is required to partially oxidize the leaves. After being shaken they are placed in the shade until they turn a slight yellow. The entire process is repeated a few times. Once the desired level of oxidation is reached, the leaves are placed in high heat so they will not oxidize any further. They are then dried a final time and packaged. Because oolong teas have less moisture in the leaves they have a longer shelf life than green and white teas (but slightly less than black).

Is Oolong the Only Diet Tea?

As research about the health benefits of teas arise, so do fads and exaggerations.  We must beware of the diet hype and lies claiming Wu-Long is the one and only “slimming tea”. The fact is that all teas contain a variety of thermogenetic benefits, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. These antioxidants, as well as other helpful ingredients such as fluoride and caffeine, work to fight heart disease and cancer, strengthen bones and teeth, raise metabolism, and improve mental cognition.

So the truth is that dieters and health conscious individuals in general can benefit from drinking all teas. It is also true that white and green teas typically contain more antioxidants than oolong and black teas; however, there are other benefits in the more oxidized teas that are not available when drinking less oxidized teas. For example, Pu’erh teas undergo an additional stage of processing that allows them to age well in contrast to all other teas, and simultaneously lower an individual’s LDL cholesterol.

Lose Weight and Improve Your Health with Any Tea

Go to pubmed.gov and do a search for “tea”. You will find over fourteen-thousand medical studies that have been published and recorded by the US federal government analyzing the benefits of various teas on the human body. The fact is that all tea is good for your health and the best thing you can do is to drink a variety rather than just focus on one particular style looking for some unique benefit that may not exist in other teas. Remember that all tea comes from the same plant.

For those who like a tea with a weaker richness than black tea, but not quite the grassy notes of green tea, oolong offers the perfect compromise. And with so many tastes available, it is worth exploring the immense varieties of all teas to find a suitable match for each and every palate. Certainly give oolong a try and reap the metabolic rewards of this tea. But, don’t fall prey to the claims that Wu-Long tea is the one and only miracle diet beverage. Save your money from these scam artists, look for a reputable company that sells premium quality loose leaf teas, and drink to your health.

Contributed by Steven Van Solkema, Founder and President of LeafSpa Organic Tea.

This past week I’ve been busier than a bee.  I’ve been working too many hours at the various places I volunteer.  I haven’t had a free day this week and I am working tomorrow as well at the thrift store which is part of our local mission. 

I got a phone call Thursday night and I start training next Wednesday for 5 days to work on the 2010 census.  That’s going to be about 11 hour days by the time I drive there and back home.  

The bad thing is, I’ve been helping others so much….I’ve been neglecting myself.  That paper and pencil I put on this page…..well……that is just what my daily journal looks like for the past week.  Hurry here…hurry there….grab a quick bite of crap food and off to another job.  I was only able to help my husband with the grass service one day this past week.

I  feel so drained tonight.  I haven’t been able to walk or go to the gym once this week.  None of my volunteer jobs consist of any type of physical activity.  Delivering meals on wheels, sitting in an office pushing a pencil, and working in the kitchen of the gift shop doesn’t burn many calories.

Maybe after I get a good night’s sleep, I’ll feel better.  I have to learn  to say “NO” when people call  me to work for them.  I’ve always been a pushover. 

I know not losing any weight this week is my own fault.  Tomorrow’s a new day….I’ve got to get my weight loss journey back on track.  I’ve decided that going to the gym is going to have to be like a job to me.  I never missed work before I retired and have never missed a scheduled volunteer day either.  Putting it into that perspective, I shouldn’t miss any more days at the gym.   (They are open 24 hours)  NO MORE EXCUSES FOR ME!!

Since I have renewed my weight loss efforts two weeks ago, I have successfully lost six pounds.  I am still as committed to winning this weight loss battle.  These are the things I’ve done in the past two weeks to lose  six pounds:

1.  I have been working 3 days a week cutting grass with a push mower for my husband’s lawn service . (4-6 hours each day)

2.  I have been drinking approximately 10 (8 oz) glasses of water each day.

3.  I am religiously keeping a journal of all my activities as well as what and when I eat.

                                                                            4.  I have switched to low fat foods as well as reducing my carbs to approximately 15 grams or less per meal.  I’m eating more fish and chicken while reducing my intake of red meat.   ( I also kicked  bread to the curb)  I now snack on fruit such as watermelon and fresh strawberries. (no more hershey bars or gharedelli candy)

                                                                            5.  Working out at the gym 3 days a week. (I’m up to 45 minutes now)  I’ve also started using some of the weight machines. 

                                                                           6.  I’ve changed my sleeping habits. I’ve been turning the tv off by 11:00 pm instead of staying up half the night. (my worst snacking use to start after the 10:00 pm news)

These are the things that are working for me.  Having realistic short term and long term weight loss goals are also helping me.  Hopefully you can incorporate some of them into your life and have success as well. 

It’s time for me to get ready to go work in the gift shop at the hospital.  I enjoy the people I work with and also the customers.  God has blessed me so so much!!!!!!

We have a new lawn customer and we cut and trimmed her yard yesterday.  I volunteer with her in the gift shop at the hospital when her partner can’t work.  I decided to rake all the leaves that were in the front ditch and under her hedges.  This bright idea took me three hours and a multitude of leaf bags.  

Raking…..bending over and filling the sacks…..carrying them/dragging them to our truck….wow….that was a GREAT workout.  Although the weather was cool, I managed to work up a sweat.  When I finished and stepped back to look at my work.  I was pleased.  It looked great.  She kept telling me to quit because she thought I was working to hard. I knew she was happy with the end result.

My husband did most of the lawn with the riding lawn mower.  I also did all the trimming.  Where I live in Tennessee, there aren’t very many flat yards…so it’s my job to use the push mower on the areas that can’t be done with one of our riders.  I finished cutting along the ditch and bank of the front yard. 

Back and forth…..up and down with the lawn mower is great exercise.   I like doing that much better than going to the gym.  Today I have a little soreness in my shoulders.  My stamina is getting better.  One day at a time…..that’s what I’m telling myself.

I tell myself:     Healthy eating=weight loss……………… Working out=building muscles and toning up.  What can I say………Life is great……I’m feeling good…….ready to tackle another day on my weight loss journey through exercise and healthy eating.

Off I go……today’s my day to work at the hospital gift shop.  I hope you all have a wonderful day!!!!  I wanted to thank everyone for their comments.  They are such a confidence builder for me.

This blog is like a dairy to me.  I realize there are many that read it but since I don’t have personal contact with them…it’s ok.  In fact, there were only three people who know of this website…..two of my sons and my husband.  None of them read it very often.

I’m so upset at my husband.  He took it upon himself to show my website to a couple of his friends when he was doing something to their computer Saturday.  (They have to know VERY little about a computer to ask him for help.)  I told him it was an invasion of my privacy. 

I only got about two hours sleep Saturday night.   All I could think about is someone I know, reading my stuff.  (I’m hoping they read this and delete the website off their computer.)  I’m actually a very private person and don’t share things about myself.  I’ve always been that way.  Actually, I’m a good listener and most people do love to talk about themselves or people in their lives.

My point is with sharing this is…..I am still staying on my weight loss path.  Normally, when things use to upset me, I’d find myself raiding the refrigerator for comfort.   There’s nothing like a cheeseburger and fries  or a pizza, to take my mind off what’s bothering me.  This time, I’m sticking to my bottled water.

Today is my 10th day on introducing my healthy life change.  I have decreased my calorie intake, and increased my exercise.  I am proud to say, I have lost 5 pounds.  I had lost 6 pounds but the scales says 5 pounds this morning.  Either way, I’m happy with this weight loss.  I am not using any particular diet or drugs.  I’m just back down to the basics….eating healthy food in moderation and going to the gym.

I refuse to let anyone rain on my parade…even if it is my inconsiderate husband.  Gotta run…time to deliver Meals on Wheels for the disabled.

The grass cutting season is finally here.  Today was my first day helping my husband with his lawn service.  He does the riding mower and I do the push mower.  It’s one of our bigger jobs.  It’s a small apartment complex along with 3 single dwellings.  The isn’t a lot of grass with the complex but each of the homes have good size yards.  Of course, two of them have pretty good inclines at the back of them.  Trying to cut grass on the side of a hill…..IT’S HARD!!!!!

The first cut of the year always calls for clean up first.  Plenty of sticks, bottles, cans, and plain old junk to pick up first.  I know the bending up and down is good for me.  It’s just that I’m so out of shape.  I was surpised how much my arms and legs bothered me pushing the lawnmower.  I’m taking notes of how I felt in my food journal so I can compare how I feel as the season progresses. 

It’s now been four days since I have recommitted to my weight loss journey.  I have been doing great.  Last night after everyone had gone to bed, I was sitting there thinking….hmmm…..I could get into the fridge and they would never know.  Yikes……what the heck kind of thought was that.   It’s funny how I talk to myself in my head.  Maybe I’m a basket case and don’t even know it.  Oh well, if that is the case, I’m going to be that way only thinner.  I told myself to get a bottle of water and forget the food. 

My mind is set, I’m going to lose this weight and KEEP IT OFF this time.  I’ve lost 100 pounds three different times.  I didn’t use pills, drinks, or any weight loss program other than one I set up for myself.   I called it the “Green Diet.”  Believe it or not, I only ate green vegetables.  I also use to walk the track near my home at night the last time I lost the weight.  The other two times I lost 100 pounds, I was a letter carrier, so I got plenty of excercise delivering the mail.

Time for me to hit the shower.  I am working in the gift shop at the hospital for a friend tonight.  I hope I’m busy so the time will go by fast.  I’ve had four good days in a row with my weight loss journey.  If you haven’t started or had a bad day……just put it behind you and start anew.  Do like I did, get family and friends involved for support.  Once you tell them….you are going to feel a lot better.  It’s really a confidence builder.

In the past when I was attempting to lose weight, I never let anyone know.  I figured if I failed, no one would be the wiser.  Heck, when I lose twenty pounds, a person can’t really tell.

I know I’m serious about my weight loss this time.  I’ve told my husband and my mom (she lives with us) I am going to lose weight.  They were glad I’ve decided to take off this weight. 

I’ve told them we are going to start eating more fish and more salads.  They both said that would be great.  They are encouraging me. 

My husband said, “When you make up your mind to do something…you do it.”  (I’m stubborn as a mule)  I got to thinking about that….and he is right.  I’ve got the old fire and will power back I use to have when I tackled projects in the past.

I’ve done great the last two days.  I’ve always had the problem of turning into a chow hound after 9:00PM.  I’d usually snack until I went to bed.  I’ve now traded the food in for bottled water.  When I feel hungry, I am drinking my water and telling myself…..this feeling will pass.  I say a prayer and find something to  do.  When I’m working on a project, I don’t think about eating.

I’ve restarted my food journal.  I’m writing down everything.  I’m also keeping track of what I do that day.  I want to see, if I end up having a bad day…. what may have triggered it….or what I use as an excuse for eating unhealthy.

I’ve have  a busy schedule  for today.  I’ve got to deliver Meals on Wheels and then work in the gift shop at the hospital.  I’ll be leaving the house at 9:00AM and won’t get home until about 4:30PM.  I’m going to have to go the gym tonight after I fix supper.  Good weather is finally here.  I don’t mind going out in the evening when I don’t have to wear a coat.

Time for me to get ready to go.  Hope you all have a great day on your weight loss journey.  Remember, we aren’t dieting….we are making healthy lifestyle changes!!!

Today after I made my post I put on my tennis shoes and out the door I went…heading for the gym.  I turned off the main street on to a side street one block from the gym.  There was an older gentleman in front of me in an older grand am.  His car stalled out on him.  Naturally I stopped to help.  We got it pushed off the road. 

He didn’t live in town and didn’t have a cell phone.  Of course, who can you find to help on a Saturday afternoon.  I took a look at the car but couldn’t get it started.  I figured it was probably the fuel pump.  He had me take him down to Auto Zone and he bought a fuel filter.  I knew I wouldn’t fit under the car to be able to change it.  He could barely walk and I knew he wasn’t going to be able to do it either.

My solution…..call my husband. I explained the situation to him and asked him to bring jumper cables, gas, and tools to see what he could do.  It took him about 20 minutes to get there and he tried to get it going without any luck.  He thought it was the fuel pump too.  

The elderly man locked up his car and my husband took him home.

This side-track episode took over an hour.   The whole time I was waiting for my husband I was rationalizing why I was going to have to skip the gym.  I had to go to the store to get the fish for supper.  I just knew I couldn’t do both and have supper on the table by 5 pm.  It’s funny how I fight with that little voice in my head.

The little voice tells me….”You NEED to go workout at the gym….supper can wait.”  The othe voice says, “Tomorrows another day…you will have more time.”  I went back and forth with those thoughts while we were messing with that car.

What won out…….The GYM!!   I was so glad I went after I finished my workout.  I only worked out for 35 minutes but it was better than not going at all.  I was happy to see there wasn’t anyone else at the gym.  I don’t feel self-conscious working out when I’m alone.  I was glad I went once I got in the door.

I ran to the store when I was done but didn’t get home until 5 pm.  We ended up having leftovers for supper.  I’ll be fixing the fish tomorrow after I go to the gym.  I bound and determined to lose this weight!!