August 11th Update

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2023, Health and Fitness

I’m still struggling to find the time or inclination to write these days but it’s time to have a go at it!

When I began my health and fitness journey eighteen months ago, I was unhealthy and unfit. I spent my days thinking that if I rested today, I could start doing something about it tomorrow. Of course, tomorrow came and I was no healthier, fitter, or motivated than I had been the day before.

I decided I just had to get up and do SOMETHING. I had no goals in mind – just do what I could, hopefully lose a few pounds and build up some strength, energy, and stamina. I started small and worked a little harder every day until I had built up to a respectable workout program.

My first six months or so went great. Then I hit setbacks – weeks of a serious respiratory illness, a broken arm, more respiratory issues … Finally, I felt I was somewhat ready for a return to full workouts. I was even cocky enough to think that it may be time to start setting some goals. In early May, I decided that in six months, on August 11th, my future self was going to be healthy, strong, and fit!

July 2022
August 11th, 2023

**I wouldn’t call this a win, but it’s not a total miss.

On the downside, my health is not what I would hope for at this point. I have been struggling with my workouts since being sick this spring. After x-rays, lung function testing, and a return visit to my respiratory specialist, I am back on antibiotics and Prednisone. The good news is they seem to be cleaning up the lingering infection I have been dealing with. I am feeling better and I can feel it in my workouts.

My fitness is not where I would like it to be – literally anywhere but hanging around my waistline. But, it is improving – notably on my upper arms and legs.

My strength is gradually improving. I have been getting out and doing some work in the yard and doing some deep cleaning in the house. I am even – FINALLY – starting a full redo of the spare room. I have been clearing out drawers and dressers and am ready to strip wallpaper and repaint.

After Dan spent hours prepping the porch, I gave it a fresh coat of paint and he finished it off by rebuilding the landing and steps. We are getting foundation work done on Tuesday, then we can begin some other projects that are well overdo.

In other family news, Jennifer and Genie are both feeling (and looking) much better. Genie is starting her HR courses and has started working with Jen at her second job – working at a restaurant/lounge for son Danny’s best friend from school. They both seem to be enjoying it – and from what I hear, Dave appreciates having them.

Genie, Maddy, Prim, and Jen at the Regina Ex.

And in more family news, Dan and I headed out of town last week for an impromptu camping visit with my sister Lorraine and her husband Jerry. We were joined at our rental cabin for a day by my sister Elaine and her husband John who live close by the camp – and their son Les and his son Ethan.

Elaine, Lorraine, and I.
King and Molly camping out.

Speaking of Molly, we took her for a weigh-in at the vet’s yesterday and she has lost 5.7 pounds. Another, 10 to 12 pounds and we can put her on a maintenance diet. 👍

All in all, life is good. My progress is not where I would like it to be at this point but my mindset is on course and my determination is holding strong, with the ongoing support of my workout buddies Dwight and Jackie.

Monthly Motivation

That’s about it for now. Take care and have a great weekend! 🌞💞

37 thoughts on “August 11th Update”

  3. It’s nice to see you again, Anne Marie! Prednisone, yuck, but it works well, I’ve taken it too. I’m glad that Molly is losing weight, good job, parents! I like the photos of the pretty girls. ❤️ I hope you have a very warm autumn this year. 😊🇨🇦

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  9. Thank you! The main reason I needed to get more active is because I have asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis. When I get a respiratory infection it takes more than the usual treatment to get it cleared up. Fortunately, it generally only happens once a year. 🙂 And it doesn’t usually linger this long.

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  10. Hi Anne Marie!
    I’ve been thinking about you this last week. I’m not sure why but was thinking I haven’t seen you post in awhile so it’s great to hear from you. 🥰 Keep on keeping on the best you can, and am glad the meds are helping and are tolerable too! I love all your photos, you are looking great!! They all bring such smiles, and am happy your summer is going good. 😄🤠❤️ Take care my friend! 💞

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  15. What a great update, Anne! The porch and the women look excellent, and your changes are visibly obvious. I especially like the hair rockin’ going on by the fab 4. 😎 Keep on keepin’ on! On a final note, this was a reminder that perspective is everything! In the header photo, I was thinking ‘Wow, Anne got a new elephant and it’s HUGE! All that detail looking like armor plate, and that big table it is sitting on!” And then the porch picture and perspective and I had to laugh at myself.

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  16. I have been thinking of you, Diana. Thank you for all the kind words. I hope you are having a good summer and that you are resolving the issues with your son. It took four years for Jen and I, but she is in a better place than she has ever been. She is busy with her work and family but we keep in touch and she is happy. 💞

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  21. Thank you, Sue! That’s funny about the elephant. (I did give the crate a new paint job!). We have had that one for years but the elephant planter on the landing is pretty recent. Dan got her for me for my birthday at the end of July.

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  24. Aww, thanks for your kind words too. My son and I are still having issues and I think it’s going to take a long while for them to get resolved. Knowing there are others that have gone through family problems helps me so much as I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I may be looking at more months to years because his wife is blaming my husband and I for things that happened in the past. My son is stuck in the middle and has to take her side, especially to be there for his kids. My grand daughter is 8yrs and my grandson is 3yrs. Dang, they are so young and so adorable. My son was going to separate from his wife in June, but decided to go back to her but I don’t see this marriage lasting. It’s a great reminder that it took 4 yrs with your daughter and am so happy you both are in a happy place now. I’ll stay positive, and I’m always here for him whenever we reconnect. ❤️ Your support is so wonderful! Thank you so very much!!! 💞

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  25. Anytime Diana. 💞 I am still in such circumstances with my oldest son. His boys are only 8 and 2. I haven’t met the youngest. My heart is always with them, and Mark is there for him where he should be. 💓 But for sure it is promising that Jennifer and I are in such a better place now – as well as Jennifer and her daughters.

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  27. I am encouraged by your perseverance. I am considering doing the same with a one year plan instead of just day by day. I can see the progress you have made despite your health challenges. Is your shoulder/arm fully healed now?

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  28. Thank you, Elizabeth. 💕 Good luck on your plan. If you haven’t read it, you might find the book “Be Your Future Self Now” by Dr. Benjamin Hardy would help you to kick it off. It’s on Amazon/Kindle. I found it inspiring and focusing. My arm and shoulder are generally fine. We have had some rapid weather changes and some cool wet weather that caused it a bit of grief, but nothing I couldn’t deal with. By the time I finish my morning workout, I find I have enough adrenalin pumping that I don’t notice it. Have a great rest of the day. 🌞

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  33. You are welcome, Elizabeth. I thought it was, but I joined a fractured humurus group in Facebook and mine was nothing compared to most on there. (Although I believe the year of Zumba before my fall helped prevent more serious injuries and helped me to heal quicker than most.)

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  35. You may not be pleased right now with the progress you have made, but Anne you have done super great. You look wonderful. Good job on helping get Molly’s weight down. Congratulations to you both. I know you will one day be right where you want to be in getting healthier. Big hugs!

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