This has been my summer to learn how to conquer yard work. It has never seemed as difficult as it has been this year …. And I still have two months or more to go!!
I started early and decided it was time to trim my hedges. The plant is known as Variegated Chinese Privet or Ligustrum sinensis ‘Variegata’. In just reading about it to be sure I spelled this information correctly it was noted as a fast grower, growing 4-6 feet tall and equal in width.
In the Beginning!
I would like to add my two cents on this statement. The hedges that I trimmed were at least 12 to 15 feet above my fence! I trimmed these back to below the fence line and they have already reached a substantial 3 feet above the fence! I have more of these lovelies (do not get me wrong, they are beautiful bushes/trees) in another area of my front yard and they have grown past my second floor bedroom window. I think it is fair to say they grow much higher than 6 feet.
This pivet would be a welcomed addition to any yard. It is especially great as it grows in full or partial sun. However, if you choose this hedge, be sure you own a very aggressive hedge trimmer or you have a good tree saw (or a landscape service)!
As my “hedge” had grown to a height of about 15 feet I chose to tackle the project with my trusty tree saw. These hedges grow many limbs from each plant. You will want to keep them trimmed back as they tend to get bare on the bottom if you do not.
I have 18 of these hedges along the fence in my backyard, each with approximately 6 offshoots. I hope this gives you the picture of a totally overwhelming project for a 64 year old retired, single grandma! Needless to say, I have never met a task that I was not willing to tackle and this was not going to be the first time.
I did start out with the hedge trimmer, but soon discovered this was too big of a job for that. So I resorted to my tree saw and worked on cutting each limb. Now my job was complicated somewhat as I live in Georgia and we are overtaken in the summer by a plant called kudzu. It has a way of winding its way into your yard and throughout your trees and bushes. You really have to keep an eye out for it. I was just reading that kudzu came over from Japan and now covers over 7 million acres of the southeastern United States. I am blessed with a lot of aggressive plants.
Kudzu Covered House
As I would cut down a limb I would pull it down and put it in a pile. In some cases the growth was entangled with other branches and this was no easy job. And then when you throw kudzu into the mix of things it got really hard! One time I had cut the limb at the bottom and was trying hard to pull it down and the kudsu had tightly wound itself throughout the top of the branch. I backed up and pulled with all my might and after a few moments it loosened, and then loosened some more and before I knew it I was traveling at a pretty quick pace backwards in my yard. I hung on for dear life and had visions of what lay behind me. I was either going to fall just short of my concrete patio, or land in the blackberry bushes around my bird feeders. With a loud oomph I landed flat on my back just short of the patio.
This is where I must tell you, that if you are going to do these tasks, you have to approach them with a sense of humor. I laid there flat on my back laughing. Thankfully my yard is quite private and no one had caught sight of my antics. Laughter truly is the best medicine.
Another word of advice I would like to offer is make sure you have your cell phone in your pocket. You never know when you might need to call for help. I learned that lesson one year as I was on a ladder cleaning out my gutters and the ladder decided to fall to the ground. My life crossed before my eyes as I fell to a standing position with the ladder sort of wrapped around my legs. Other than an increased heart rate and scrapes and bruises I was okay. But the thought crossed my mind that if I had fallen on the ground and been unable to get up no one would have known I was there. My family was out of town and would be gone for days. Hence, my advice about carrying your cell phone at all times.
The hedges got trimmed and they have grown back beautifully filling in on the bottom. No matter how hard I try to keep these under control, it seems to be a full time job. Before the summer is over they will need trimming again.
I have learned a lot about how to conquer yard work this summer. As this article has become quite lengthy, I will be back shortly to tell you about my bout with poison ivy and a run away lawnmower! The most important tool you need to conquer yard work is the ability to laugh at yourself. Heaven knows I will be a stand- up comic by the time this summer draws to a close!
Recently my daughter and her husband started on another one of their renovations projects. This time it is putting laminate flooring throughout their entire upstairs (3 bedrooms, two baths and a hallway). Being around this type of activity always makes me want to do something creative and gratifying. The woodworking projects I have found in the Woodworking4home package gives me the incentive and direction to get busy and start building!
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I am a retired, single grandmother and I will be investing in these plans and putting them to use. With the economy the way it is today, I am always looking for ways to save money and building my own tables, cabinets, etc. will not only be fun, but also help me stretch my social security payments!!
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I hope this information will be helpful to you. Please stop back and let me know how your projects are coming using this Woodworking4Home package providing you with woodworking projects.
I was introduced to camping when I first got married many years ago. It was a delightful experience until one occasion when we were camping on Cape Cod and were surprised by an approaching hurricane!
We had returned to using a tent. A word of advice to people who hang their towels to dry over the frame of the tent … DO NOT do this. As the wind picked up the towels were blown on top of the tent and this negated the waterproof properties and the rain began pouring inside the tent. We had suitcases filled with wet clothing and everything else inside the tent was pretty soaked. It was a long uncomfortable drive back to Providence, RI. We looked liked pathetic drowned rats when we stopped to get breakfast (take out, of course) at McDonald’s. At this point I vowed never to go camping again!! Of course that is not true. I have since gone camping with my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren.
Once our daughters were born we changed from “tenting” to a Cox Pop-Up Tent Trailer. Being off the ground was easier with the children.
You need to develop a system to make life easier when going camping. A system will save you a lot of time and confusion and help you get on the road without raising your blood pressure!
We had a large basket that perfectly fit between the two fold out beds (with room to spare) where we kept cookware, dishes, silverware and miscellaneous items such as salt and pepper and other items that would keep well left in the camper outdoors. This made our weekly packing a lot easier.
Strip your beds when you are folding up the camper and wash the bedding when you get home and it will be ready for your next trip. Items that needed more rigorously cleaning was removed and cleaned. The floor was swept and washed and we were basically ready for our next weekend. We actually camped almost every weekend.
I would go shopping and slide the food bags and clothing bags right in the camper. We packed an ice chest in the trunk of the car to hold items that needed to be refrigerated. My husband got home from work, changed his clothes, hooked up the camper and off we went for another exciting weekend. At the time we were living in an apartment and we really looked forward to our weekends away.
We camped in many different areas from Cape Cod, to Vermont and Canada. It was great fun. We had best friends who had three children that usually packed up their tent camper and went with us. What a great experience for the children.
There is nothing quite as wonderful as the smell of coffee brewing on the camp stove and breakfast cooking. The smell of bacon and eggs awakens any sleepy appetite.
Before we purchased our Cox Camper we had a couple occasions to camp with the girls when they were quite young. I must admit that the tent camper was a lot easier.
As you become proficient at camping you will learn many useful tips. One time in particular the temperatures were cooler than we had expected. With the girls in their flannel pajamas, and sleepers we were concerned that they might not be warm enough in their sleeping bags. An older seasoned camper gentleman told us a wise old tip. He told us to be sure the girls, or anyone for that matter, are warm to make sure they are wearing socks and eat a candy bar before going to bed. It worked like a charm every time.
Before you leave on your camping trip check out the park you are planning to go to. Nowadays, with the internet, it is easy to preselect your desired site, or at least get an idea of where you want to stay. If you have small children, it is a good idea to plan to stay nearer the bathrooms! My daughter is a real pro at choosing the “best” site.
Although I personally enjoy just getting away from the everyday rat race and just spending time with my family, you might want to take into consideration activities in the area where you will be camping. Make a list of “things to do and places to go” and in this way you will be ready to have a lot of fun.
Board games, cards, bubbles, and balls are good things to pack. If camping with older children you may want to make sure the MP3 (or whatever digital sound device you have) is well changed and packed. By all means do not forget to take sunscreen and bug spray. Take along a camera (batteries charged/charger to charge) to capture all those special moments.
It is a good idea to make a list of things you will need. The following list will grow as you continue to camp and realize items that you “miss” from home. In addition to those things mentioned above here are a couple of suggestions:
Tent/tent camper
Sleeping bags
Hammer
Towels,
First Aid Kit
Sunscreen
Bug Spray
Toiletries
Benadryl (just in case you encounter some poison ivy)
Cleaning spray
Salt and pepper
Cookies and crackers
Packages of oatmeal
Coffee
Coffee French Press (we enjoy the finerthings even when camping!)
Marshmallows
Candy bars
Graham Crackers (anyone for s’mores?)
Skewers
Cocoa
Cereal
Citronella candles
Table cover (plastic or cloth)
Plates, silverware, cups
Paper towels
Napkins
Dish detergent
Dishpan to wash dishes
Container to carry water
Charcoal
Lighter Fluid
Matches
Bathing suits
Rain Ponchos
Appropriate clothing and shoes
And whatever else you think you will need
With technology being what it is today, you will be able to take a TV, but I would suggest enjoying being away from those types of things that demand your attention at home and just enjoy spending time with your family.
I was amazed at all the new camping equipment that is on the market. Fancy coffeemakers, and really great collapsible water carriers and double dish washing basins and even portable toilets!! You can decide for yourselves how rustic you want your experience to be.
I wish you a fun filled camping trip that will supply you with memories for years to come.
[I really like this post from my friend Jon Benson. I think you will too!]
Can you workout only one day out of three and make gains?
I certainly can… and I bet you can too.
Today I begin my audio series where I address your questions and comments. Today’s question comes from Mike K. in NYC who asks…
“Hi Jon…First, I LOVE your Every Other Day Diet and 7 Minute Muscle books! But I was wondering if you could help me with a problem. I’m having a hard time finding the time to make it to the gym using 7 Minute Muscle. Obviously I’m not referring to the 7 minutes (ha!) but the 5-day-per-week Monday-Friday schedule you recommend for beginners. Is there any alternatives? Thanks!”M
Below you’ll find my response and a workout plan you can put to use today to make faster gains with less overall time in the gym. Just click the “play” button to listen in.
With the state of our economic crisis today, many people are finding it difficult to make ends meet. This is causing an increase in our credit card debt. It is much too easy when you do not have the money in your bank account to charge your various bills. This article is being provided to give you information to show you how how to achieve debt consolidation.
If you have reached the point where you are overwhelmed with your overall debt, consolidation may be the answer. There are many ways you can legally alleviate your debt.
You can find many ways online to achieve your end result. This post will serve to put many options at your fingertips in one location. To find many articles writen by people with expertise in this area, please visit: http://howtoachievedebtconsolidation.blogspot.com.
The object of this article is to provide you with information that will lighten your financial burden and give you information to show you how to achieve debt consolidation.
[I really like this post from my friend Jon Benson. I think you will too!]
Top 3 Responses To The Following Question
Will Win A FREE COPY Of The Power of Thin
Weight Loss Hypnosis Kit!
Question:
Tell me why you think you’re ready to try
REAL hypnosis (the kind used in the study
below, not the hokey kind you see on TV)
to increase YOUR fatloss…. starting NOW.
REMEMBER: Leave your response in the Comment area below. NO responses that involve financial reasons for winning will be considered, as the course is already more than half off! ANYONE can afford this… the question is WHY SHOULD YOU be given this Kit for Free!
Thanks, have fun, and good luck!
P.S. Contest Ends Wednesday, May 5, 2010!
———-
STUDY:
Hypnosis has long been used to help people lose weight. There have been multiple studies that have shown the long-term benefits of hypnosis on weight loss. In one meta-analysis, researchers found that after receiving several sessions of hypnosis, overweight women lost on average of 11.83 pounds while women who did not receive hypnosis lost 6 pounds. This means that the hypnosis group lost 97% more pounds than the non-hypnosis group.
What is even more astonishing is the follow-up that was performed on the participants of the study. Researchers found that those who received hypnosis lost an average of 14.88 pounds during the follow-up. This compares to only 6.03 pounds in the non-hypnosis group. The participants who received hypnosis lost 147% more weight than those who did not use hypnosis to lose weight.
This study shows that hypnosis is not only beneficial in helping people lose weight in the short term, but it helps people continue to lose weight even after treatment has ended. This is powerful information that can help a lot of people reach a healthier weight.
Kirsch, I. (1996). Hypnotic enhancement of cognitive-behavioral weight loss treatments: Another meta-reanalysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64(3), 517-519.
In writing articles we are encouraged to write on subjects we are passionate about. As I sit here with my right eye half swollen shut, I am VERY passionate about poison ivy. I would like to start this article by quoting the saying, “Leaves of three, let them be.” My goal is to provide you with information on the things you should know about poison ivy.
Here is a picture of poison ivy climbing a tree to help you identify the plant that can cause you a great deal of pain and money. Poison ivy also be a free standing plant.
Poison Ivy on a Tree
In my entire 64 years I have never been allergic to poison ivy. That was until about two years ago. I was using the weed whacker in my back yard. I was wearing shorts and upon cutting through numerous poison ivy plants and flinging these pieces of plant up and down my body.Let me tell you I ended up being covered in a severe poison ivy rash. I never traveled far from my spray bottle of alcohol. It took several trips to the doctor, a shot and then a two week regimen on steroids before I began to find comfort.
For this reason, I am extremely careful trimming around this area in my yard. I was working at eliminating new growth the other day when the end of one of the vines hit me in the face under my eye. I had gloves on, long pants and a long sleeved shirt and was still attacked by this obtrusive plant. I instantly came in the house and took off the gloves and put those in the trash, put my clothes in the washing machine and began washing my face and body with cool water. The are various schools of thought on washing to rid the skin area of the urushiol oil that causes the rash. Some advocate the use of soap and water, while others say the soap just spreads the oil on your skin.
I really thought I had been successful until the next morning when I got up and saw a bright read blotch under my eye. Before long the blisters appeared. I am including below some facts on the rash:
The poison ivy rash typically starts one or two days after exposure, though the delay between contact and its onset can be longer, up to several days. This may lead to confusion over where the exposure took place. The first signs of the rash are curved lines of red, itchy bumps or blisters. These continue to appear for many days, depending on how much resin touched the skin at a given point. This makes it seem as though the rash is “spreading,” although the fluid in blisters is just part of the allergic reaction and contains no chemicals or bacteria. It also makes it appear that there may still be poison ivy in clothes and/or on pets. Although this is theoretically possible, repeated washing of these often produces no improvement.
I am thankful that I escaped with only the one area being affected. Not being able to totally see out of one eye is the biggest inconvenience as I work on the computer. It was good to read that poison ivy is not contagious, neither from one person to someone else nor from one part of the body to another.
I would like to insert a word of caution here. Even though you do not make contact with the poison plant yourself, the oil can get on your dog or cat’s fur and they can bring you the gift of this lovely rash without your even knowing it.
The best precaution you can take against this is to be certain you do not have this plant in your yard. There are a few products that are good at eliminating the plant from your yard all together. Make sure you read the label to see if it will destroy any of your other plants. I used the spray a couple of years ago and I eliminated all of my blackberry bushes!
Glyphosate- The product is sold under the trade names of Roundup, Roundup concentrate and Kleenup. It is applied to the foliage of poison ivy but is trans-located throughout the plant, including the roots. Glyphosate has no soil activity. It will kill or injure all plants contacted by the spray, including grasses. Applications near the foliage of desirable ornamentals should be made with extreme caution. Glyphosate should not be applied when rain is expected within six hours of application because its effectiveness will be reduced. After treatment, the vegetation should not be disturbed for several days. Remember, dead poison ivy still contains poisonous oils and should be handled with care if the soil in a treated area is to be worked. When glyphosate is the active ingredient listed on the label it is identified as Isopropylamine salt of glyphosate.
Amitrole - Amitrole is sold under the trade names of Amitrol-T, and Weedazol. It is applied to the foliage and is translocated throughout the plant. It is nonselective, therefore it will kill or injure any plants to which it is applied. It also remains active in the soil for several weeks after application, therefore it is important not to use it near other desirable plants. The soil activity also prevents the planting of new vegetation for several weeks.
It should not be used in areas where food crops will be raised or animals grazed. When amitrole is the active ingredient listed on the label, it is identified as 3-Amino-1,2,4-triazole.
2,4-D - This product is sold under many trade names and is often mixed with 2,4-DP to improve its effectiveness on woody plants. Weed-B-Gon Jet Weeder is a 2,4-D product for use around the house that can be purchased at most lawn and garden centers. It is not the most effective treatment for controlling poison ivy, but it does not kill grass.
I am taking Benadryl and a triple strength antibiotic ointment with pain reliever. Here are some other suggestions for treatment of the rash:
Once it begins, the rash will usually clear on its own by 14-21 days. Treatment is directed at controlling the itching. Oral antihistamines (like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) may help the itch somewhat, but often they do no more than make people drowsy. Cortisone creams, whether over-the=counter or by prescription, are only helpful if applied right away, before blisters appear, or much later, when the blisters have dried up. Compresses with cool water or Burow’s solution (available without prescription) can help dry the ooze faster.
When the rash is severe, such as when it affects the face or causes extensive blistering, oral steroids (for example, prednisone) can help produce rapid improvement. This course of therapy should be maintained, often in decreasing doses, for 10-14 days or even longer in some cases, to prevent having the rash rebound and become severe again. Patients who are given a six-day pack of cortisone pills often get worse again when they complete it, because the dose was too low and administered for too short a time.
Here are some cases where you may be best to consult your physician. Far more powerful agents are available by prescription for the rash and itching of poison ivy.
Facial or genital involvement. The skin in these areas is easily damaged and scarred, and swelling from rhus dermatitis can be dramatic.
Involvement of large areas of skin. Ten percent of the body’s surface, or about the size of the entire front abdomen. This is too large of an area to self-treat.
Signs of infection. These include pain and tenderness, growing redness around the rash, or pus. Clear or slightly yellow transparent fluid is common from poison ivy blisters and is not a sign of infection. Be cautious if you find yourself scratching the rash as dirt and bacteria can be under your nails and cause infection.
Extreme itching. Itching which disturbs sleep or normal daily activities despite using OTC treatments should be treated by a physician.
I hope that you will find this information on poison ivy helpful. Ideally, I hope that you will never have to use it. The internet holds a plethora of information on this topic.
Happy gardening and I wish you a summer that is poison ivy rash free!
P.S. I can tell you from my own first-hand experience, which I document in “Fit Over 40″, that my personal 10-year-journey through the muck of obesity was ANYTHING but happy.
I was depressed, to the point of suicide at times (thankfully I never went that far.) I was socially hidden. I wore “fat-clothes” all the time. The few times I HAD to wear jeans or dress pants I rushed home to change into sweats because they were just too damn uncomfortable to tolerate.
Bottom line: I was “fat-n-miserable”.
I think most people who are overweight or obese feel more despair, sadness, or perhaps just really frustrated than “happy”. Of course you can be happy and be any size, color, shape, etc. But I’ll tell you from my experience that I am MUCH happier now that I’m fit and trim.
Part of that is just because I feel better. The other part is how the brain functions. When you’re more active, you release more “feel-good” hormones… and these are powerful anti-blues hormones… they really make you feel like a champ. At least that’s been my experience.
But go watch the 5-min video and see what you think…
[I really like this post from my friend Jon Benson. I think you will too!]
Sometimes you have to nearly lose it all to realize what you truly have.
I can honestly say that I have come close to death several times in my life. I’ve had my share of accidents, medical emergencies, and a near-fatal accident while driving.
But there was something about just laying on the gym floor today with two doctors hovering over me that gave me serious pause.
Time for some major reflection.
Now, before you get too alarmed (for those who know me, or just think I’m a pretty good guy… ; )… fear not. I did not have a stroke or anything like that, thank goodness.
What I did have was a major drop in blood pressure… so much that I came dangerously close to entering the “coma” zone.
I kid you not.
And trust me… I felt like I was slipping fast.
My girlfriend was there with me. I had her kneel down and, just like Spock in an old episode of “Star Trek”, I had her slap me several times in the face. Hard!
“If my eyes roll back, hit me harder.”
The doctor probably thought I was nuts… but I know that’s one way to elevate my blood pressure.
So, what happened? Am I falling apart at the relatively young age of 46? Is my dietary and exercise advise dangerous after all?
No… and here’s why:
I actually VOLUNTEERED for this.
Before you think I’ve totally lost my marbles, hear me out. If you listen to the rest of the story, you’ll see that not only has my advice been of great value when it comes to exercise and dietary strategy… it actually ended up saving my butt!
—————————————–
Really Bad Genetics Meets
The Cath Lab: A Wild Encounter
—————————————–
First, the “volunteered for this” bit needs explaining… right? Right.
If you read my first book, published in 2004, called “Fit Over 40″ (read more at www.fitover40.com) then you may recall that I went into great detail about my poor genetics and horrible health in my early and mid-30s.
Since then, and knowing exactly how bad my genetics are for such things as high blood pressure (oh, the irony!), heart disease, and stroke, I adopted the dietary plan and exercise routine I use to this very day. The very ones I cover in “The Every Other Day Dietplan” and “7 Minute Body.”
(If you don’t have these books and want them, you can get both here… The Every Other Day Dietplan Revealed — oh, and I have a short video up on this page if you have not seen on a 1-minute fatloss tip… )
Now, let’s get real folks: Dietary power and exercise MAY not be enough to overcome really bad genetics when it comes to certain diseases. And being ever curious, I wanted to know exactly how my own health was doing on my plan. So a month or so ago I paid a visit to the hospital to have some tests ran. All my yearly check-ups were okay, but I wanted a closer look at my heart… and I mean “literally”.
I wanted to be “cathed”… this is where they insert a camera into your heart, going up the femoral artery in your right leg, and take a look around. If they find anything dangerous, like a clogged artery, they can fix it right then and there with a stent. A stent is a metal device that presses plaque against the artery wall and opens up a clogged artery.
Of course I hoped I would not find such a thing… and certainly nothing worse. I mean, can you imagine? “Mr. Benson, you need a quadruple bypass!”
I could not, that’s for sure… and I was fortunate because, as you probably guessed, I didn’t hear those words from my doc.
It’s hard to get a cath done as it’s a risky procedure. I can’t even tell you how I managed to pull it off … that’s how touchy the hospitals are when it comes to this kind of stuff. Afterwards, I volunteered to do 5-10 workouts at their heart care facility so I could hook myself up to some nifty gadgets. I get to watch my EKG (how my heart is functioning during cardio and weights… and it works like a charm!) and really nice doctor folks come by to check my blood pressure (which is always low) during the workout.
Yep… the doc and I wanted to put my workout plan to the test, I guess you could say. I wanted to do it just to make sure I was 100% healthy during my training. You never really “know” I suppose, so I was up for it. And my doctor wanted me to do it just in case what he found during the cath was serious. There’s a lot to this process, and there’s some details I don’t wish to cover for privacy sake… but anyway, back to my story.
It’s long, but it may save your life too. : )
—————————————–
The Good News… The Bad News…
And The Stupid Jon News!
—————————————–
Turns to find out I made a few mistakes… some pretty costly mistakes… but (get this) none of them had to do with my dietary or exercise plan.
During the cath, here’s what the doc said:
“Jon, your heart’s two primary arteries look good… hardly any obstruction at all. And they are nice and thick from exercise.” For a guy who has had a cholesterol level of over 400 before, and a history of heart disease in the family, this was really good news.
“However, your genetics are catching up to you in one of your arteries…. and you need to be more aggressive with your drug treatment to make sure we don’t have to go back in here one day!”
Er… what??
Yep… turns out that the only thing that saved me from a BYPASS (that’s right) was what the doctor called “an enormous amount of peripheral arteries formed from years and years of weight training and exercise.”
Wow.
“Look right here Jon…” (He showed me my beating heart on camera… freaky…) “See all these arteries? Well the average person doesn’t have them. You do. Congratulations… you earned them.”
Wow again. And remember, I only workout with weights 3-4 times per week and my workouts are rarely over 21 minutes (time under the weight.)
—————————————–
What I Did Right… And What
I Did Wrong… And Why This
Could Save Your Life
—————————————–
So, listen up folks as I’m about to tell you everything I did wrong for the past several years… how it ALMOST cost me dearly (a bypass?… no thanks!)… how I managed to prevent it… and how I ended up on the gym floor today with doctors all around me.
It’s all related. And again, sorry for the novel-like email, but (again) this may save your life.
First, here’s what my excellent cardiologist said I did RIGHT:
1. Exercise: “Jon, your exercise plan, to put it bluntly, saved you from a great deal of pain… in fact it probably saved your life as these blockages would have been far worse without it.” With it, I had only one artery with enough blockage to warrant the drug therapy that I should have been on for years… more on that in a second…
2. Dietary plan: “Jon, your diet is perfect for this condition… low in carbs, high in protein and healthy fats is all anyone can do in order to help fight this genetic killer.” Yep… again… prevention in the form of dietplan saved my butt. Or rather my heart. : ) But it wasn’t enough… at least for one artery. However, it WAS enough to prevent them from having to do surgery on me.
“Jon, the take-away here is simple: Exercise and dietary plans, even the very best, may not be enough for super high-risk people… but in your case your lifestyle saved your life. And it certainly prevented you from having to have any serious surgery to correct a truly broken heart.”
Talk about EXCITING news… yep… you CAN beat this killer, even when you have MY horrible family genetics. However, like me, you may need some help… more on that in a second.
3. Blood pressure: “Jon, your blood pressure is excellent. Your lifestyle and very low-dose diuretic has kept your formerly sky-high blood pressure (it was 200/110 when I was 32!) to an excellent 118/78.” But you know doctors… even “excellent” isn’t enough and they recommended a stronger BP med for “my intense weight training.”
So, I listened… and ended up on the floor today. You see, many doctors do not realize the POWER of weight training compared to cardio. My blood pressure never budges during cardio, but less than 3 minutes into a resistance (weight-training) session it goes down like the stock market after a bad news day.
I mean SHOOTS down. I tried to explain this by letting the doctor see the veins in my legs… “Doc, my veins are MUCH larger than the average person’s… trust me, my pressure is fine.” “Jon, just try it for a few weeks.”
Bad mistake…. like I said, I ended up on the gym floor today with a blood pressure of 72/45. If I hit 40, I’m literally in a coma. 5 points away… very scary. Needless to say the doc took me OFF these meds and let me do it my way: With my Every Other Day Dietplan (low-carb most of the days) and good-old exercise.
If you have high blood pressure, I URGE you to take up weight training or resistance (body-weight or band) training. Of course, ask your doc about it first… but I’ve seen first hand for three weeks now how powerful my weight training sessions are compared to intense cardio sessions.
They are night and day folks… weights RULE. Cardio is good, but weights are best. Both of course would be the best course for ultimate health, but most people do far too much cardio and far too little resistance training.
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Oops…
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Now, here’s what I did WRONG:
1. Cigars: “Jon, you cannot afford to smoke cigars… ever. They have lowered your protective HDL to a dangerous level. Stop NOW!” That’s all it took folks. Yes, I smoked cigars for many years, but fortunately I was never an addict. I quit that very day.
Guess what? 10 days later my HDL DOUBLED (no kidding)… and without drugs. Of course that’s not all I did…
2. Fat too LOW: “Jon, you’ve lowered your dietary fat too low… this affects your HDL.” Yep, I normally eat about 35% dietary fat… and I cut it down to 20% to help me get ready for a photoshoot. Now that I put it back to where it belongs, I still have my abs (yep!) and my HDL is raising as I type.
3. Stress: “Jon, you are simply working too hard not to do some form of meditation or de-stressing.” So I dove back into my meditation CDs. (I’ll tell you more about Holosync and my hypnosis CDs in my next email… very cool stuff.)
4. Advil: “Jon, you take 4 Advil before you train? You’re nuts! That stuff can cause sticky plaque formations!!” You know, I may never even had an issue if I had known this (and not smoked cigars) a few years ago. Live and learn!
5. And finally… oh, this hurt to hear… no drugs! “Jon, if you want to make sure you beat this thing, you simply must take some meds to help.” Okay, I resisted any form of statin drug for the past 15 years (drugs to lower cholesterol.) I opted to try natural stuff… but unfortunately for me I was never too consistent. And I paid the price.
So the doc and I came to a compromise: I would take the LOWEST dose of statin along with 400 mg of CoQ10 (scary, but this was my idea, not his, and statins deplete this heart-friendly enzyme!) But I wanted a natural solution to the real issue: small particle LDL. You see, I’ve known for years that I carry the gene that makes LDL “small”. LDL is not dangerous unless it is small… that’s why “total cholesterol” means nothing to me. I’ve seen folks have heart attacks with a cholesterol level of 130. No joke. But their LDL was super-small… like mine.
And guess what? Dietplans cannot really help this. Well, they can HURT it (too many carbs, too many toxic fats, etc.) but they cannot shift the LDL from small to large.
For that, you need plain old niacin. Just a simple B vitamin… but in not-so-simple doses. In fact it’s considered a drug at the dose you have to take, and you should NEVER take niacin over 50 mg without a doctor’s supervision as it can be very toxic to the liver.
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The Conclusion: The Power
Is In Your Hands
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In conclusion, I’m A-Okay… my heart pumps and functions “like that of a strong 20-year-old” (my doctor’s quote) thanks to the extra arteries I developed from my exercise program (how cool!) … but in order to keep that one artery in check, I’m taking his advice and taking much better care of myself than I have been.
Today I learned that this does NOT mean taking blood pressure meds…thankfully… : ) But I had to make some changes. Some of them were “stupid” changes… sure, I know cigars are not good for you. I know you need good fats in your dietplan. I could have used common sense and figured out that 4-8 Advil on workout days was… well, stupid.
But the good news, which is what I choose to focus on, is this: In the areas that 95% of people NEVER change, I didn’t have to change much at all.
Dietary plan and exercise.
Turns to find out that what I was doing works great… and it did, in fact, save my heart and quite possibly my life.
For more on my dietplan and exercise routine, go here:
Thanks for reading, and I wish all of you good health!
P.S. I got lucky in many ways, but especially so when it came to my doctors. Both of my doctors are young and savvy enough to be up on the latest research on nutrition. They know NOT to buy into this “low-fat” nonsense for heart health. (I’d use a harsher word, but kiddos may be reading… : ) That only works for about 10-15% of the population. The rest of us need to lower our CARBS, not our fats… but the way I do it I get to keep my favorite carbs in my dietplan every week.
The little that I do eat keeps me happy as a clam, and keeps my heart nice and healthy too. A little bit of bad food will not hurt most people… but eating it every day can flat-out kill you.
Please… take this seriously. I promise, my dietplan and exercise routine is a PLEASURE to follow… but if you don’t follow it then find one that IS enjoyable for you to follow… and do it.
Identity theft is an on-going crime that is costing American consumers billions of dollars and unlimited heartache every year. Although you can not entirely control whether you will become a victim, you can take steps to minimize your risk. Learn how to protect your identity online.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), our nation’s consumer protection agency, recommends consumers Deter, Detect and Defend to help decrease identity theft.
To deter these criminals you can safeguard your information. You can do this by shredding financial documents and paperwork with your information before you throw them away. Do not be so ready to give out your Social Security number. Inquire if there is another identifier method you can use. Do not give out personal information over the phone, unless you know who you are talking to. As them to send you the necessary paperwork and tell them you will complete it and return it to them.
If you are like me, I get a lot of phone calls asking for donations. I always tell the person who is calling that if they want to send me information on their organization I will look it over and decide if it is something I want to contribute to. Nine times out of ten I never receive anything in the mail.
Be on your guard and take the necessary steps to detect unusual activity on your accounts. Set up a schedule to routinely monitor your billing statements. If you do not receive a statement when you feel you should have, contact your credit card company.
If after being diligent to protect your identity you feel your identity has been compromised take the following steps:
Notify the fraud department of any one of the three consumer reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). Ask them to put a fraud alert on your credit report. This will alert creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts in your name or making any changes to your existing accounts. It is only necessary to contact one of these agencies to request an alert.
If you suspect any newly fraudulently opened accounts or tampered accounts take action to close these.
Report these fraudulent actions to the police department where the identity fraud took place. Submit a copy of the report, or at least the case number on the report , to your creditors and others who require proof of this crime.
The FTC keeps a database of identity theft cases received from law enforcement agencies for investigation. File your claim with the FTC.
Surfing the Internet is a daily occurrence for an increasing number of people these days, as technology expands and online services continue to grow. Many people go online to carry out banking transactions, shop, check e-mail, and catch up on news. That’s why it’s more important than ever to protect your identity while surfing the web. As identity theft becomes more prevalent, it’s necessary for everyone to be extra vigilant in protecting personal information before it gets into the wrong hands.
Every time you go online and conduct some type of transaction, whether it is monetary or an exchange of information, you put your identity at risk. Unfortunately, criminals use the Internet too, making use of the technology to perpetrate identity theft. This type of cyber-criminal gathers personal information online and either sells it to others for profit, or uses it to their own purpose.
It is fortunate that there are many things you can do to stay one step ahead of these “thieves” and keep your identity as safe as possible. The Internet platform is always changing, so you need to keep on top of things to remain as safe as possible.
To begin with you should learn about how to avoid phishing scams. Phishers pretend to be trustworthy, actual companies, such as banks and insurance companies, by using false e-mail addresses and websites. To access their websites people are tricked into giving them personal identifying information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.
The important thing to remember is that real institutions will never ask you to verify your personal information online. When you receive these types of e-mails, contact the sender immediately over the phone to validate the request. This way you can provide any necessary information directly to your bank or other company.
Phishers use spam e-mail as a way to obtain your personal passwords and information. For this reason be sure to have a good spam filter installed on your computer to keep out as much spam as possible. As the old saying goes, “better safe than sorry.”
While on the issue of software, Windows already contains a basic firewall program, but setting up another program will ensure your safety from hackers, allow you to control internet traffic and stop intruders from reaching your personal information.
Purchase a high-quality virus protection package. This can help prevent and eliminate viruses, Trojan horses, and other dangerous items designed to steal your personal information. It will also scan e-mail and IM attachments for viruses. It is not enough to stop with just antivirus software. Go one step further and equip your computer with the most up-to-date anti-spyware protection. One word of advice, before installing your necessary protection check to be sure that all of your systems are compatible. This can cause you a great deal of frustration and expense if they are not. If you are not sure, it is worth a call to your local computer repair shop.
Scam artists are known to intercept e-mails and IMs. For this reason do not sent any personal information through these methods of communication.
In opening your email, avoid opening suspicious emails or emails from unknown people. Especially be wary of opening attachments. I recently watched a “Medium” show on TV where a hacker had hacked into the City Hall’s computer system and sent out emails asking for update voter’s information. This was the means that was used to accumulate personal identity information. Might not have actually happened but does make one think.
To prevent ID theft it is advisable to password protect your computers, laptops and PDAs. Use a different unique user name and password for each item. Another word of warning, do not use the same user name or password for your accounts or activities online. If a criminal discovers your user name and password on one account you want it to stop right there. Use letters, numbers and special characters when creating your passwords. Be sure your passwords are not “obvious”.
It is a good idea to keep the personal information that you store on your computer to a minimum. What would happen if your computer was stolen? I invested in an external hard drive and my personal information is stored there.
A final tip – when you buy a new computer, before disposing of your old computer invest in software know as wipe programs or shredders to overwrite the data with zeroes or random patterns which will make the information on your hard drive virtually unreadable.
I hope that this information will be helpful in helping you to protect your identity online. Use your common sense and purchase a few good tech tools to assure your safety again these cyber criminals.
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