My herd of elephants has been expanding lately. This quiet Sunday afternoon seems like an opportune time to introduce the latest arrivals.
Wishing you a peaceful, happy, sunny Sunday today! 🌞💖
Expanding The Herd
Author: annemariedemyen
Wife, mother, grandmother dogmother - lover of nature, peace and tranquility. RETIRED. Life is good!
July 5th – Health and Fitness Update
Things are pretty much status quo in the ‘Health and Fitness’ department these days.
Health wise, I am doing ok. We have a bit of smoke this week so I am more prone to coughing, but so far no major issues with that.
Fitness wise, I have been doing a half hour Zumba and one hour of dancing (Monday thru Saturday). I spend a few minutes on the speed bag (hit and miss). Monday thru Saturday, I do weight and strength training. I have been adding a few new things the last couple of weeks – push ups, lunges, and lateral lifts.
I have to admit, I have been struggling with my attitude/mindset lately. I’d rather be snacking and napping than getting fit and active. It happens. I just have to push through until my motivation returns. I have come too far to backslide now (and lose all the progress I have made).
I am still enjoying being yeast free. The longer I stay away from the yeast, the more I can eat other foods that were bothering me – like salad dressings, olives, horseradish, and salsa. Sadly, I cannot say the same for wine. I had a small glass on Sunday and lived to regret it. (At least I lived. 🙄)
I have been spending as much time as possible outside, enjoying the fresh air, and tending to the yard.
That’s about it for today. Take care and have a great rest of the day! 💞🌞
June 19th – Health and Fitness Update
It is time for another health and fitness update and it is another good one!
Healthwise, there are two things of note. Last week, I went to see my respiratory specialist for a follow up on the lung infection that I have been dealing with. He was properly impressed by how well I am doing AND super impressed by my blood work. YAY ME! He was particularly impressed with my blood sugar as apparently Prednisone has a tendency to jack that up. His only concern was, that due to how severe my infection was when I went to see him a couple of weeks ago, going forward I need to have an ‘Action Plan‘. So, henceforth I will have a prescription for antibiotics and Prednisone on file at my pharmacy so that when or if I get a bug that heads down into my lungs I will have immediate access to the medication I require. Obviously, Dr. Muftah was right when he proposed such a plan last summer. 🙄
The second thing of note, healthwise, would be my new and improved diet. I don’t know if it is due to the infection I have been fighting, but I have been eating LOTS of fruit. Dan has our fridge filled with fresh raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, pineapple, melon, mangoes, kiwi, and pears. Fruit has never been my friend, but go figure! I am eating it and it is doing wonders for my skin, if nothing else. Also, I am doing a credible job of avoiding yeast in my diet and that is going super well. It seems odd to eat without swelling up like a frigging balloon and feeling like I swallowed a handful of icepicks with every meal. 😁
Fitness wise, I set out a few staggered goals some time ago. My next one is to be ‘healthy, strong, and fit’ by August 11th. With my new and improved diet and my ‘come back stronger’ fitness plan – it is looking good. This week, my fitness plan includes one half hour morning Zumba class, followed by one hour of dancing, speedball, fresh air, and yardwork in the afternoon, and half an hour of light weights, etc. in the evening. I feel so well that I know it is doable and I look forward to meeting my goal. Obviously, August 11th will not be the end of my fitness journey but it will signify the laying of the foundation for my next chapter. 📖
Other than health and fitness, Dan and I continue to work on the yard and we have been doing some painting around here. It has been so long since Dan has had any free time, and I have felt well enough to have the inclination, to get anything done! It feels good to get things done and the improvements are beginning to show.
That’s about it for today. I will leave you with one of the dance tunes that I have been enjoying lately. Take care and have a great day! 💞🌞
June 12th Health and Fitness Update
This is a good one people – I am coming back stronger! I just finished a solid hour of dancing around our living room and I feel great.
Lung infection wise, I am doing ok. No fever or any indication that the antibiotics failed me. I am still coughing up plenty of mucus (how hot is that?) BUT that is just my bronchiectasis doing what bronchiectasis does.
While I completed my antibiotics, I did opt for a second round of Prednisone to help dry out my lungs. Prednisone can be a bit rough, but it has been ok so far. The biggest issue has been avoiding sunshine, which we have seen plenty of in the past few days.
On the great side of this recent health misadventure of mine – two things!
I had chest x-rays done and basically my lungs and heart are looking good. 👍 There has been no change in two years, so my lungs are not getting worse.
I also had a full set of blood work done – checking the levels of everything! There were four things (like white blood cell count) on the higher end of normal. And one count that was at the lower end of normal. All five of these counts were an indication that my body was fighting off an infection. 💪
I feel like I just aced my yearend report card. 🙌🙌🙌
It is just amazing how far I have brought this raggedy old body of mine in sixteen months. Especially, since the first three months or so were just a warm up. Then, I was down for the better part of November and December with a severe respiratory infection and laryngitis that dragged on and on. Then, nine weeks of milder workouts when I broke my left arm. Then, the past month of this infection. So, sixteen months since I started this health and fitness journey, less EIGHT months of restricted workouts.
And here I am – just finished a great workout and heading out the door to paint our porch. Life is good!
Take care and have a great day! 🌞💞
Garden Update
Our yard is coming together, so I thought I would share a few random photos. From day one this year, we have had smoke drifting in and out from Alberta wildfires and I have been fighting off a lung infection that just doesn’t want to let go. Most of the outside work has fallen on husband Dan. If you compare our yard this year with how it has been in the past, there is a clear winner when it comes to landscaping around here. (It isn’t me 😂).
That is about it for today. I will have more photos to share as the season progresses.
Take care and have a beautiful SUNDAY! 🌞💞
June 5th – Weekly Health and Fitness Update
I’m kicking off the week with some positive vibes here! I have three chronic lung conditions – asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis – all of which have kicked into high gear since I developed a lung infection a couple of weeks ago. Forest fire smoke will do that for me, as will excessive heat, and super high humidity. We have been dealing with the trifecta and my lungs are not dealing all that well.
So, it is fight or die AND we all know which direction I am going. 😁
That’s about it for my Health and Fitness Update this week, other than continuing to research yeast intolerances and finding substitutions for some of my favourite foods on the ‘yeasty’ list, like soya sauce, vinegar, anything containing soya sauce or vinegar, sauerkraut, wine, black pepper, breads, breadcrumbs, and the like. The good news is… digestion wise, I am feeling better than I have for YEARS.
The rest of my life is under control. Our garden is in. It isn’t photo ready yet as we have some cleanup to do. It is slow going as I am not a lot of help these days and Dan had to make it Molly proof as we go.
Our front lawn is coming along. Between our monsoon season and Dan’s diligence, it actually has a chance this year to beat out the weeds and bald spots.
I hope to have the garden area and large patio photo ready within the week. Dan lost his Bleeding Heart over the winter but I replaced it with a super pretty plant that I am anxious to share.
I also got my June fridge inspiration sign up a couple of days ago. So far the inspiration is more mental than physical but that’s okay. It all starts with our mindset – and my mind is set to come back STRONGER!
That is it for today. Take care and have a great day! 🌞💞
June 1st Health & Fitness Update
Anyone who knows me here would think that I haven’t been here because I am busy working out, basking in the sunshine and fresh air, walking my dog Molly, and just living the good life….
No, you would be wrong. I am sick again. Sucking in Alberta wildfire smoke for a week with chronic lung issues was just a bad idea. Now I deal with a full-blown lung infection. (Sorry Alberta – not your fault. Although, if they can add additives to cigarettes and fabrics to make them fireproof, you could probably spray down your trees with something similar. Just saying. 🧐)
So, I am sick and it’s another setback to add to my journey – which is starting to look like a Saskatchewan construction zone.
Not all is lost! First of all, I’m pretty sure I had a lingering infection from my pre-Christmas respiratory flu extravaganza, so getting worse to the point of getting it actually cleared up is probably a good thing. And, I have time to focus on my recent diet change. It has only taken me three years to figure out my bloating, heartburn, and other digestive issues. After tons of blood tests and scans for everything from celiac disease to fatty liver – eureka – I have figured out that (like my daughter) I am allergic to baker’s yeast. I don’t usually eat that much bread and such, but three years ago when I retired I started having a couple of toasts for breakfast every morning – in addition to any other foods containing baker’s yeast that I was eating. I cut that out of my diet and the results have been amazing. But, I am discovering there are a lot of foods that have baker’s yeast in them – like KFC chicken 😯, panko crumbs, English muffins, the list goes on and on! Now, we are working on finding yeast free alternatives. Fortunately, husband Dan is being super accommodating and helpful. It’s kind of rough – but all around really good. 🤗
Also, I got right in to see my respiratory specialist and got the antibiotics and oral steroids to get my lungs cleared up. Yea for the quick appointment and for the meds of course.
Been through the good, the bad, the great, the sad here. (sounding kind of Dr Zeusy) Now we get to the downright weird.
My specialist also gave me requisitions for blood tests and x-rays that I needed done. OK, that’s fair. I went to my regular medi-clinic to get the x-rays done today. It is a physician’s office with an x-ray department. I made an appointment and they got me right in. 👍
I get to the clinic and from the front door to the reception desk there are FIVE signs (each one bigger than the last) that read “DO NOT ENTER MEDICAL CLINIC IF YOU ARE SICK OR FEELING ILL”. Wtf is this latest improvement to healthcare? Do not go to a health clinic if you are sick? Where would you like me to go? (Never mind… ) 🤦
I had a mask on, I strutted (snuck maybe) in, like the rebel I am and made it through reception and x-ray without being taken down or tossed out. Phew! (I might be found out when someone looks at my x-rays.)
That’s my update for this week – no workouts or work for that matter. Just ailing and healing. Again! 😢
Have a great happy, healthy, sunny, day! 🌞💞🤗.
Year Two – Week Thirteen & Fourteen
I’m back! It has been a few days since I have been on here, but fortunately it is not because I fell off of my Health & Fitness journey. I have just been rather busy. 🙄
First off, it has been mostly beautiful weather here so I have been outside cleaning up the yard and getting ready for summer. Secondly, we took a short trip up north to visit son Dan and family – and to help them prepare for granddaughter Gabby’s graduation party I did a lot of baking (while Dan was out shopping for a lot of fresh fruit to serve with said baking.) Third, I have been working really diligently to stay on course with my health and fitness program.
Speaking of health and fitness… Physically things have been going well. I did faceplant on our cement patio (chasing Molly) a few days ago. My skin has mostly grown back but my glasses were a write off – hence the new look.
Mentally and emotionally, I am crushing it. I am reading “Be Your Future Self Now” by Dr. Benjamin Hardy. It is one of those works that is just brilliant. There is so much wisdom to be found in every chapter. One such example “We all have a future ahead of us. In 10 years, 20 years, we will become our future selves. The question is: Who will your future self be?
If I had stayed the course fifteen months ago, my future self would have been pretty pathetic. Right now, I would be pretty pathetic – and miserable to boot. I am so grateful that I began making better choices last February. I am reaping the rewards now and loving it! 💖
I have started a timeline for becoming my future self. I have already reached my first goal – to be calm and confident. There’s always room for improvement (and I intend to keep working on it) but I have to say, I crushed it this weekend. My next goal is to be healthy, strong, and fit by August 11th. I am working hard to get there! Every goal met is encouragement to set more and to improve further on the ones I reach. Exciting stuff!
That’s about where I am at these days. We were not at Dan and Amanda’s for long this weekend, but husband Dan did manage to get a few cute photos of grandson Lucas hanging out with Molly. Molly was amazing this weekend. She even spent a fair amount of time strolling around leashless which was pretty cool to see. She was SO happy loping around free and easy.
That’s it for today. I hope everyone is keeping well. Take care and have a great rest of the day! 🌞💞
Year Two – Week Twelve
My new normal seems to be running a few days late with my health and fitness update. 🙄
This week our most entertaining workout was giving Miss Molly a bath down at PetValu. They have a sweet setup and Molly loved it. She didn’t even bark at the little dog in the next tub! * It is only $12 per wash and more than worth it. Molly was secure the entire time, we could easily reach her at all times, they provide nice, big, absorbent towels to use, a variety of shampoos, handheld shower, drier, and treats. 💞 And the entire setup is designed to be easily cleaned – unlike our bathroom and house if we had tried this at home. 😊
Last week, and so far this week, my workouts have been regular and going well. I have been getting my rhythm back with the Zumba workouts. My evening weights and strength training has been going well with the five pound weights.
I attempted Pushups and Burpees last Saturday. I have never in my life been capable of doing either and I am not there yet. But I did find an excellent video on YouTube for Pushups so I am working on them and when I nail that, I will revisit the Burpees.
It never fails to amaze me what you can learn on You Tube.
Anyway – it is supposed to start raining any time so I should hustle outside to see if there is anything I can get done before it starts. We have been spending a lot of time outside this week working on the yard and garden, but we have a long way to go.
Take care and have a great day! 💞🌞⛈️
Year Two – Week Eleven
It is May and it’s all good! Our t-shirt and shorts weather has returned, as well as our furry and feathered friends. Our back door is wide open, and Molly is loving the freedom of coming and going.
Moving on to my health and fitness report for the week – it is all good. Better than good! I have been doing my Zumba six days a week. Yesterday, I did one that had an exercise routine where both of my arms were behind my neck. I crushed it without even thinking about it. I was so excited. A week ago I did not have the ROM to do that with my left arm (the one I broke mid-January). Yet here I am – doing it!
I have also been doing my weights six nights a week. This week I am alternating nights for upper and lower body, so each has a day to recover between workouts. I am using five pound weights to do seven sets of seven reps of seven exercises. I thought I would struggle advancing to the five pound weights, but here I am – doing it. 💪
In the afternoons, Dan and I have been out working in the yard. Yesterday, we cleaned the patios, the sidewalk, the patio furniture, and Molly’s pool. Dan did all the heavy lifting and scraped all the edges of the patios of winter debris. I power washed EVERYTHING! I had spaghetti arms when I got done but I still did my evening weights – AND it was an upper body workout. 😁
The only other health/fitness thing we have been doing this week is having a full breakfast every morning and a very light supper every evening. That has actually been going really well. We have also been having fresh fruit every day – raspberries, pineapple, and kiwi and Dan bought some blueberries this morning to add to the mix. I’m not a fruit eater but so far so good.
That is about all for my health and fitness update for this week. I am beyond excited by how far I have come in the past fifteen months (despite the setbacks). I can’t wait to see how far I can go. It just amazes me what our bodies can do if we get on the right track and put a little effort into caring for them.
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 