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!!

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!!

I had to go to the doctor this past week for my yearly check up.  I can’t skip it anymore because I have to get my prescriptions renewed every year.  For the past 5 years, I have been taking medicine for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and water retention.

I hadn’t gone to the doctor’s in about 20 years but had gained weight and started having dizzy spells 5 years ago.  I had blamed it on the stress I had at work but thought I better get it checked out.  I had a 75 mile commute one way to work and didn’t want to pass out and cause an accident.  That is when I the doctor diagnosed me with high blood pressure along with an irregular heart beat. 

I had worked for over 34 years so I decided to retire to eliminate that stress.  I chose not to take the heart medicine as you can’t ever quit it once you start.  I figured I’d be ok once I quit working. 

I have been plodding along on this weight loss journey.  I’ve been up and down more times than a Duncan YoYo.  Of course, I’ve never gotten close to my ideal weight.  This past winter, without having lawns to mow, I’ve gained the weight I lost last year and along with a few more pounds. 

I got a letter from my doctor yesterday along with a copy of my blood tests.  A new thing has popped up…..my sugar is on the borderline of being high!!  He sent me a letter explaining he had called a prescription into the pharmacy for me.  I went to town and picked it up.  I was surprised when I read the use of the drug…..to reduce the risk of heart attack, blood vessel blockage, or chest pain.  It is used in combination with a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet to lower cholesterol and trigliceride levels in the blood.

Although the doctor didn’t tell me I need to lose weight….it’s quite obvious I’m wayyyy over weight.  I’ve posted a copy of the picture with the insulin needle in the cookies on my refrigerator.  That’s an eye opening reminder to me on what NOT to eat. 

I’ve been having a good day.  All I’ve eaten so far is a bowl of home made cabbage soup and it’s already two in the afternoon.  I’m fixing broiled fish, brown rice and green bean for supper.  I’m on my 4th glass of water and have only had one diet coke.  (hardest thing for me to give up)  

I’m got a membership to a local fitness center but haven’t been faithful at going.  I’m heading there in just a few minutes.  I hope this determination I have right now sticks with me.  I know I can win this weight loss battle…..one pound at a time.

I’ve got to go back to the doctor’s in 6 weeks and have my blood drawn again.   These tests will tell me if my diet and weight loss regime is working. 

Time to head to the gym.    I’m grabbing a couple of bottles of water and my Ipod.  Wish me luck!!

Yesterday was the 2nd week I have attended the Shape Up Tennesse 2009 Class.  I know I said I thought the exercises would probably be hokey and not be of much help.  Geesh……I’m proven wrong again!!

I never realized how much my right shoulder had tightened up until I tried to do a specific exercise.  Hold your arms out to your sides with your palms facing down and then bring your arms up straight over our head with th back palms of your hands touching.  If you are doing it right, your arms should be touching both sides of your head.

The first few times I tried this exercise….yikes…my shoulder cracked like I had just broken a twig. Then of course, it really hurt and burned like heck.  I only did that one a few times because I couldn’t stand the pain.  The good news is, I practiced it all week and was able to do it without any problem yesterday.  It still makes a little crinking noise but it’s not painful like the first week.

Another exercise which was really good for me is putting one hand over the shoulder and reaching back as far as I can while using the other hand to reach behind your back (as if unhooking a bra) and reaching up as high as possible.  Then you have to switch and do it the other way. I sure feel that one in my shoulders.  

These exercises are better than any physical therapy class for me.  I remember going for physical therapy twice in my life.  Once for my back.  Those whirlpool baths were only good while I was in it.  Once out….back was right back to where it was.   I  went to therapy for my left shoulder.  Now that was really goofy.  She put this electrode thing on my shoulder.  It didn’t do a darn thing.  After my  third session,  I quit going.  I ended up joining the gym at the hospital and started working out on the weight machines.  That really helped.  Now it’s my right shoulder that needs some limbering up.

Each week I’ll share another exercise or two that I’ve learned at this class.  Becoming more limber will help to make a person more mobile.  Thus, increased exercise which will equal weight loss.  I love how they all work together.

My husband and I have been busy this past week.  The best workout I got was definitely this past Thursday.  We volunteered to distribute commodities to families in our county.  We were told this is one of the largest counties this agency services. 

I spent four hours lifting grocery bags full of food into a shopping cart and then unloading them  in the people’s trunks.  I always seemed to get the person that was parked at the far end of the parking lot.  I had to laugh to myself when I’d ask them where they were marked and they would point and say, “Way down there.”  I said to myself,  “Ah, just more exercise.”

I forgot to bring my Onrom pedometer.  It’s the perfect size and easy to use.   I didn’t take one break during the four hours of food distribution.  Heck, just pushing the cart from one end of the armory to the other was quite a haul.  All in all, it was a great day.  I was tired when I got done but my arms and legs didn’t hurt.  

This agency only distributes food 3 or 4 times a year.  This makes the 3rd time in succession I have helped.  I can see I am getting in better shape.  The first time I only worked for two hours and went home a whipped puppy and my arm and leg muscles were sore for a few days.  Three months ago, I helped for about 2 and half hours and had sore arms for a few days. 

I enjoyed talking with the people as we walked to their cars.  I hope I was able to brighten  someone’s day.  I look forward to the next commodity day.  I’ll be volunteering again.  Perhaps the next time, I’ll remember my pedometer.