Today it is one week since we got our treadmill. I am not a world class athlete yet, but I have been using it for 30 minutes every evening and I am already noticing the difference.
Ever since I can remember, when I stand in one spot (even momentarily) my hips, knees, and ankles lock up. Even if I am moving, it is an effort to keep them from locking up. It is frustrating, but I am used to it.
For the past two days, I have noticed that at least my knees are moving a lot smoother. I’m not sure if my ankles are any better, and I know I am still struggling with my hips – but it’s a start!
Daily Food Diary – Day 232
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(3) crumpets (240)
(2) tsp butter (69)
(1) tbsp jam (50)
Lunch:
(2) Barbecue drumsticks(270)
(1) c raw vegetables: cauliflower – white, radishes & peppers – red, onions & green (90)
(1) tbsp peppercorn ranch dressing (60)
(60) oz water
(8) oz lemon water
Supper:
(2) SVG Arby’s roast beef (200)
(1) Medium Arby’s Crinkle cut fries (530)
(2) Arby’s cheese sticks (220)
(2) Arby’s gravy (35)
(1) horseradish sauce (50)
Total net calories: 1401
Net calorie goal: 1222 – 1401 = 180 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a good day! ☺️💕
It is 231 Days since I started my Daily Food Diary. That is a full 33 weeks! 🤗🎈
Our weather has been warmer than usual the past couple of days so we have been taking Molly for her walk earlier.
Yesterday morning when we got back, I offered to make Denvers for Dan and I. I cracked the first couple of eggs and they were typical. I took the next two out of a new carton. Both of them cracked lengthwise.
This happened a few weeks ago. We bought two or three cartons of eggs and all (or most) of the eggs cracked lengthwise. 😯
I checked with Google and read that I was holding the egg wrong. Seriously – I have been cracking eggs for over six decades. I think I know how to hold an egg. Besides which, even when Dan would crack the eggs in these cartons, they would crack lengthwise.
Why? The eggs are perfectly fine. The shells just break weird.
Daily Food Diary – Day 231
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(2) eggs (160)
(1) oz ham (29)
(2) Green onions (16)
(1) tsp butter (34)
(1) tsp olive oil (40)
Lunch:
(3) crumpets (240)
(2) tsp butter (68)
(1) tbsp jam (50)
Snacks:
(60) oz water
(1/4) c mixed nuts (180)
Supper:
(1) Lean ground beef patty (293)
(12) barbecue chips (130)
(4) oz potato salad (154)
(1) c raw vegetables – red tomatoes & radishes, green onions, white cauliflower (90)
(2) tsp Dilly Dip (100)
Total net calories: 1244
Net calories goal: 1222 – 1244 = 22 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 😊❣️
Today is also August 19th and for the second time this summer we have our air conditioner turned on!
This summer has been less than sunny and warm. Even on the warmest days (both of them) the temperatures at night dip to low single digits Celsius. Zero is freezing. 🙄
There are two relatively nice things about this summer.
(1) There have been fewer smoke days from the northern wildfires. The fire season has been terrible up north, but the smoke hasn’t been too bad here.
(2) There have been fewer bugs this year than usual. Less annoying, but the ones we have seem to be getting meaner.
Our new pet – the Striped Garden Spider. Relatively harmless with a sting comparableto a bumblebee. I have stepped on a bumble bee. I would NOTconsider it’s sting to be harmless. 😧
I remember that day… I was getting ready for our big move from North Battleford, Sk. to the metropolis of Spruce Lake, Sk. (Population 50 once we moved in).
As usual when these transfers came up, my ex was off to training for his new position. I was left to get everything ready for the U-Haul, our house ready for the new tenants, while taking care of the kiddos. Mark was 4 years old, it was Danny’s second birthday, and Jen was 7 months old. I had dismantled the beds, cribs, etc… I had an unhappy two year old hanging off one leg, a shrieking baby, and a four year old doing Lord knows what. The U-Haul depot manager called to cancel our truck because back in those days they didn’t rent trucks to women. Not like I would be driving – which I explained when I made the arrangements.
I decided I needed a nice cup of tea to settle my nerves before getting back to wiping out cupboards and cleaning the kitchen sink/stove/fridge. I made my tea and set it beside the teacup full of Lime Away – and proceeded to take a good swing out of the wrong cup.
Having a two and a four year old, I knew the drill. I poured myself a glass of milk and chugged it down. I don’t drink milk. I haven’t drank milk since EVER. It comes up faster than it goes down. But I knew I had to keep it down, so I battled through the nausea and got back to work.
I strode across the kitchen, more determined (and nauseated) than ever and stepped on a frigging bumble bee. The searing pain was bad enough, but the baseball sized lump on the bottom of my foot was the last straw.
At this point, my father-in-law stopped by to wish Danny a Happy Birthday. 🎈 My father-in-law was seldom my hero, but he came through that day. He scraped us all together and took us to McDonald’s for lunch.
That gave me the time to pull myself together and for the swelling on the bottom of my foot to go down. When he dropped us back off at our house, my ex’s boss called to see how everything was going. That second act of kindness in one day was one too many for me. I told him exactly how everything was going – including my dealings with the U-Haul manager.
That was too much for him. He told me he would deal with it. Within minutes, he called me back to tell me the truck was ready for my ex to pick up when he got back.
Just one of several moves we made back in the day, but I am pretty sure it was our worst.
Although… There was the bowl of chocolate pudding that got packed in the box of linens when we moved to La Ronge… Who does that? And that was the one move we made with professional packers/movers.
Today is Day 229 since I started keeping and posting my Daily Food Diary. 🤗🥳
When I started my Daily Food Diary, I had a few reasons for committing to this practice. My main reason was to become more mindful of what I was eating, to hopefully zero in on which foods were detrimental or beneficial to my health and wellness – and to adjust my diet accordingly.
I started posting my Daily Food Diet to help me to be accountable for maintaining this practice for an entire YEAR.
So far, I am finding that the benefits that I have enjoyed from this practice have been totally worth any effort that I have put into it.
By becoming mindful of what I consume, I have cut back on the sugar, salt, and between meal snacks that I was accustomed to. I have become aware of how many calories can be packed into processed foods and fast-food takeout. I have even learned the difference that supplements can make in my health and wellness – specifically (for me) collagen supplements.
I have learned that a Daily Food Diary can be a powerful tool. But apparently, like all tools it can be dangerous if it is used incorrectly or for the wrong purpose.
Yesterday, I was browsing social media and I came across a video that mentions the dangers of using a Daily Food Diary. The video itself was a bit much (for me) politically and socially.
But, the poster did make a good point about becoming overly obsessed over every calorie one consumes, in a bid to reach an unhealthy and unrealistic weight/body image.
I think it is something to definitely be mindful of before starting a Daily Food Diary – especially if one’s main goal going in is weight loss.
The point of using any weight loss tool, should be to enhance one’s health and wellness. If any weight loss tool is failing to do just that, it needs to be set aside or at least adjusted to meet one’s needs.
If you do decide to start your own Daily Food Diary, just be aware of the potential benefits and possible dangers. 💞
Daily Food Diary – Day 229
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(2) scrambled eggs (182)
(3) slices bacon (130)
(2) potato patties (240)
Snacks:
(1) Mott’s caesar –red w/pickled asparagus – green (120)
Yesterday marked one full month since our granddaughter Genie married her ‘To Infinity’ Alec. 💞
This week when Alec and Genie delivered our ‘new to us’ treadmill, we finally convinced them to send us some more wedding photos.
Dan & I with the happiest young couple! 😊Prim looking so pretty (as always). Acting as official flower girl, Prim took her duties seriously. With help from the mother of the bride & flower girl (our daughter Jen), Prim helped to choose, arrange, and distributeall of the flowers – including the bride’s bouquet.
Back story of theflowers… the basic blossoms were store bought (and included red carnations and pink rosebuds in memory of Genie’s great grandparents). They were also filled out with wildflowers that Jen and Prim picked for the day – in honor of another day from Genie’s youth.
When all of Jen’s kids were young, we used to take them to visit my Mother in the Foyer in Gravelbourg. We always brought Mom something, most often flowers. On one visit, I forgot to get anything, but as we turned onto the highway to Gravelbourg, the ditch alongside the road was filled with wild flowers. Jen and I decided we would pick a bouquet of wildflowers for Mom. 👍
After telling ALL of the kids to stay in the car, we made our way down into the ditch. We heard the car door open and close. And looked back to see Genie rolling into the ditch behind us.
There was no turning her back, so we just watched over her while she picked an armload of wildflowers for greatgrandma.
My mother loved the bouquet and we never let Genie forget the story. 😂
I am taking things easier this weekend. Yesterday, I went for Molly’s walk. I did a bit of housework (nothing too heroic). I did my aerobics. And… I did 21 minutes on the treadmill – getting up to a Level 4 (of 16). No incline yet, but today could be the day.
Daily Food Diary – Day 228
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1/2) pink grapefruit (39)
(1/2) tsp sugar (8)
(1) granola bar (170)
Snacks:
(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)
(12) Mini Easter Eggs (the LAST) of the mini Easter eggs: (190)
(60) oz water
Supper:
(1) sourdough bun (190)
(2) tsp butter (68)
(1) Beef/pork burger with bacon bits, provalone cheese, onions – white, tomato – red, lettuce – green , & horseradish – white (256)
(12) barbecue chips (130)
(5) slices cucumber – green (4)
(5) slices tomato – red (13)
Total net calories: 965
Net calories goal: 1222 – 965 = 256 under 👍
That’s it for today! Take care and have a great day! 💓🤗
Grandpa escorting his girl to the altar, while she clutched her, special as she is, bouquet.
Time is such a strange concept. Seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years… All are set in stone. But, this year is just flying by. I can’t believe I have been posting every day for 227 DAYS in a row.
While this year has been passing ridiculously fast, this week has been dragging on forever! This is the longest week since I retired. 😳
At least, the days have been productive this week. Yesterday, Dan and I emptied our upright freezer and defrosted it. That was a job and then some, but it was great to have it all done and everything packed back in, in some kind of order.
I love those Dollar Store containers for keeping things organized!
Other than cleaning our deep freezer, We walked Molly, I did my aerobic workout, I did my Friday weights and cardio, AND last night I took another spin on my ‘new to me’ treadmill. Sixteen minutes and I got to Level 3. I haven’t attempted the incline yet. 🙄
Daily Food Diary – Day 227
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1/2) pink grapefruit (39)
(1/2) tsp sugar (8)
Lunch:
(2) eggs (160)
(1) oz ham (29)
(1) tsp butter (34)
(1/5) c chopped red onion (13)
(1/4) c red pepper (12)
(2) brown mushrooms (20)
(1) oz marble cheese (113)
(48) oz water
Supper:
(1) sourdough bun (190)
(3) oz pistrami (120)
(1) slice Swiss Cheese (106)
(1) tsp butter (34)
(1/2) c whitish sauerkraut (23)
(1) PC apple pie (296)
(1) vodka cooler (228)
Total net calories: 1046
Net calorie goal: 1222 – 1046 = 176 under 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a good day! 💖😊
A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that I was thinking of buying a portable folding treadmill to keep me walking through smokey summer days and the worst of our winter days (December thru March).
A few days later, granddaughter Genie called to say they had Alec’s Grandma’s treadmill in their garage. Since it wasn’t being used, she said if I would be welcome to it.
Dan and I, decided it would work so we made a deal. A modest sum for Alec’s Grandma and a batch of Caramel Popcorn and a couple of Apple Pies for delivery. They didn’t ask – I was happy to offer. 🤗
Yesterday, we got our ‘new to us’ treadmill/cross trainer and Alec and Genie were eating caramel corn before they got out the door.
I don’t know if I will be using the exercise bench before my hernia operation but I will put the treadmill to use. In fact, I took a spin on it last night. It will take me a while before I am ready to reach its full potential. It has a pretty good incline that I didn’t try and I’m thinking it has a top speed of about 40 miles an hour. 😳 I used the first two warm up speeds and I was hustling. 😂
This morning, we went for our walk and defrosted our stand up freezer. As soon as, it has cooled off, we will put everything back into it. Then, I can finally tackle my morning aerobics and my Friday weights/cardio workout. 💪
Daily Food Diary – Day 226
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Lightly Frosted Mini Wheats (190)
(1/4) 2 % milk (28)
Snacks:
(12) tortilla chips (140)
(2) tbsp salsa – red (10)
Supper:
(1 1/2) srv nachos – red, green, white (870)
(3) tbsp salsa (15)
Total net calories: 1201
Net calories goal: 1222 – 1201 = 20 under
That’s it for today! Take care and have a great day! 💕🌞
It is Day 225 of my Daily Food Diary. Not a single miss in 225 Days! 💃
Yesterday was another busy and productive day. I got to go for Molly’s morning walk with Dan. (We have been wildfire smoke free for a few days now. 👍) I did my morning aerobics and Wednesday weights. I spent the afternoon outside watering, pulling weeds, trimming plants, and doing general yardwork. And, I came in to bake apple pies and straighten up the kitchen.
I can’t tell you how great it feels to wake up every morning feeling well and going to bed every night feeling that my day was productive.
I have been on this Health and Fitness Journey for three and a half years. It hasn’t always been easy. Not that it has been that hard, but there have been setbacks. Regardless, weeks like this make it all worthwhile.
It isn’t about living forever, it is about living well. This week, I am living exceptionally well! 😊
Daily Food Diary – Day 225
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Rice Krispies (120)
(1/4) c 2% milk (28)
(1) tsp sugar (16)
Lunch:
(2) chicken drumsticks (401)
(9) Lay’s Low Salt wavy chips (131)
Supper:
(1) sourdough bun (190)
(2) tsp butter (68)
(1) tomato (22)
(3) slices bacon (130)
(1) PC apple pie (178)
Total net calories: 944
Net calories goal: 1222 – 944 = 278 under 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! ❤️😊
It is 224 days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary. That is a full 32 WEEKS! 🌹
You would think for such a notable day, that I would have done better for my diet yesterday.
Net calorie wise, I actually did. When I subtract the calories used I only use exercise – walking, aerobics, weights and cardio. Yesterday, I walked with Molly and Dan and I did my aerobics. It wasn’t a weight/cardio day, but I used a LOT of calories cleaning house. Our house wasn’t that dirty, but I was clearing out our spare room and one thing led to another. (Including but not limited to: laundry – several trips up and down the basement stairs, dusting living room shelves and rearranging elephants, repacking Dan’s Mother’s china, hanging a couple of paintings, and cleaning out, sorting, and rearranging one kitchen drawer).
Totally off topic here: Pet peeve time – This morning I caught a news blurb about how extreme heat is detrimental to one’s mental health. After noting a couple of ways that one can help themselves, family, or neighbours during a heal spell, the experts have decided that our provincial and federal governments should be held accountable for providing extensive mental healthcare for people during such times.
I agree that mental healthcare should be available and accessible to people when they need it. Absolutely!
But I am really tired of hearing how we as Canadians are too pathetic to deal with any and every challenge in our lives without government intervention.
On another topic (sort of), it reminds me of my son Dan’s Two Year checkup with the health nurse. She was asking him a few random questions, for whatever reason. A couple of questions in, she asked him what his mother would tell him to do if he was cold. Without hesitation, he said “She would tell me to put on my damn sweater”. The nurse laughed and then she asked “What would your Mother tell you to do if you were hungry?”
In retrospect maybe I have never been into coddling people, but I can’t imagine what good can come of constantly being told that our physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being should be the responsibility of our various levels of government. 🤦
Mark, Genie, and Dan – red pj’s (Does it look like I ever starved him?)
* And for the record, all three of my kids have turned out relatively responsible and self sufficient.
Daily Food Diary– Day 224
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) sausage patty (150)
(1) cheese biscuit (151)
(1) egg (72)
(1) oz marble cheese (113)
(2) tsp butter (68)
Lunch:
(1) c homemade soup – white, red, green orange (125)
Supper:
(1) Taco Time Mexi-fries (265)
(2) hard shell tacos – green, red, white (520)
(1) crisp meat burrito (428)
Total net calories: 1624
Net calorie goal: 1222 – 1624 = 403 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💖😊
Genie taking a break at Waterfall Park (old pic/young Genie)
Yesterday was one of those days when I realized how far I have come in the past three and a half years – since I first set out on my health and wellness journey to build up my strength and stamina.
Yesterday, I walked Molly first thing in the morning. I came home to do half an hour of yard work, clear my lungs and then do my Daily Food Diary blog. I was just about to post it, when my daughter arrived with her dog Sasha.
We had previously arranged to take Sasha for a bath at Pet Value. But first, we tag teamed a serious brushing session. Once done, we headed off to bathe her. An hour later, Sasha was fully groomed. Jen and I should have both been exhausted.
Sasha, in the zone – enjoying her first Pet Value bath.
However, once I got home, I changed and did my morning aerobics followed by my Monday weights and cardio.
Following that, I made a batch of caramel corn and tidied up the house. I made homemade macaroni and cheese and fixed vegetables while Dan barbecued the chicken for our supper. After, supper I set up the coffee pot for this morning, straightened up the kitchen and Dan came in to help with dishes.
This may not seem like that much, but three and a half years ago, I would never have been able to take Molly for a walk… much less everything, or anything else.
I honestly don’t know what most people expect life at seventy should look like. To me these days, mine looks like a miracle. 🌹
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 