Lemon Ginger and Honey Tea ( a True Testimonial)

     If you're like me, you've been trying to lose weight most of your adult life, and it's not been easy. As we age, (dammit) we get thicker in places we don't necessarily want to become thicker. I can remember a week after I gave birth to my firstborn, how very big my breasts became when the milk came in fully, and there I was, loving it, because before those days, I was in fact, a member if not the committee leader of the local "Itty Bitty Titty Committee". Yes, at 24 years of age, I was still wearing an A-cup bra and could barely fill it out. Let's just say, those days are OVER!

    I didn't get "fat" or overly round until after my third baby, and even then, it took another three or four years of less fitness training because I was running around in shorter spurts trying to wrangle children. Despite what people may tell you, it doesn't do much for your body image - it leaves you really exhausted, ragged, and in some ways, because I didn't watch my diet either, I was literally causing myself so much self harm healthwise. I was the epitome of what anyone would say was "normal" or "average". To say I was pleased or accepted my fate would be wrong, but I really didn't see where I would have time or money to go to the gym and have someone watch the kids if I did.  

    Over the next two decades, I really let myself go, and was up to about 215 pounds in 2020 when one morning, the morning of August 3, I woke and decided to do something about it. Back in those days,  I had horses and could use the land they were boarded on to walk and I began doing that. I walked around 3.0 miles a day, and I'd come home and walk more if I could. I would go to the gym and work out, and it helped GREATLY. 

    By Christmas 2020, I was down to 165 and felt really good. Keep in mind, I'm 5'7" tall, so at 165 I was still thick, but not the way I was -- it felt really good.  You would be surprised how many co-workers, friends, family members, and others would tell me how happy they were that I was losing weight - these were the very same people who told me I didn't need to! I do wish people would stop lying to those they love. Tell the people who need to lose weight that they need to, and support them; don't lie to them -that's not love.

    That was literally 4.25 years ago and over that amount of time I've somehow slipped right back to where I was before. I typically don't weigh myself because I get upset if I weigh more than I think I do. Today, I wore a T-shirt that I often wear, which was tighter than before. That's when I knew I needed to take charge again - I had to do more than what I'm doing. It's not about impressing someone else; it's about me. It's about me loving me, and me doing what I know I should do. I've already given up most sugars; not all, but most.

    The weather is starting to improve, so I'll start walking again. My hip hurts, I know it does, and it was what stopped me before, but I simply must push through it until I can afford to get it replaced if the doctor says that's what I need to do. I can't go on feeling the way I feel -- that, the feeling, is much more unhealthy than the way I fit into my clothes. The mind is too close to the soul -- I need to feel good about myself as well as knowing my clothes aren't going to be too tight on my body.

    ENTER -- the one drink I used to drink as a kid, the one  I used to drink when I was running around in Hollywood working in the film industry, because I saw the "stars" doing it, and thought I needed to be as thin as they were. This is a fun fact. For a minute, I hung out with a group of women who shared a flat. There were 5 of them in a one bedroom flat, and they had turned the top closet shelf into a bed for the littlest member.  I was 5'7" and weight 125 pounds and I was the thick one in the flat when I visited.

    Starting today - I will drink at least 2 cups of my old concoction, the one my ladies swore by. They drank it cold, I like hot tea instead.  Here is the "recipe" if you want to call it that.  Water, lemon juice, ginger, and honey. I blend (in a blender) water, lemon, and true root ginger and I pour a little more water in, heat it in the microwave and add honey. It is tart, it is strong, but it is good, and we'll see what happens. 

    I promise to try and keep the calories to around 1500 a day. I promise to try and exercise at a moderate rate, and I promise to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep. This way you'll have a true account of what I am doing and I also promise NOT TO LIE to you -- if I don't lose weight, I'll tell you, but if I do, I'll tell you. I will weigh myself EVERY SUNDAY and tell you how much weight I've lost. I won't tell you what I weigh now.  You don't need to know, but it's up there.

    I'm not going to mention it in every blog, but every Sunday I'll come by and send up a little message to keep those who are interested in the loop. I have something like 25K followers now, maybe after I lose the weight and can prove it that number will go up -- but their bodies will go down!!! HA!!

    Let's hope it happens. I am so sick and tired of going online and reading all these stupid result blogs about how someone lost 60 pounds in 2 weeks -- give me a break. I'm thinking 2.5 pounds a week. I want to lose 50, so that's 20 weeks. Twenty weeks from today is July 20, 2025.  I'll call it my goal date. We'll see how it works out for me. I'm not going to lie to myself or try and harm myself to push something that is supposed to take place slowly.  I'd say wish me luck, but luck has NOTHING to do with this quest.

Photo Credit: Pinterest.com