Another exciting week in the life of a somewhat invalid. It has been two weeks since I hit the reset on my health and fitness program and six weeks since Molly took me down at the dog park and fractured my humurus head and surgical neck.
Molly acting out her guilt (or boredom).
Today, we had a family outing. Dan drove me across the city for an ultrasound on my shoulder. I thought this was to determine whether my bones were mending. Unfortunately, the tech said she was just checking out tendons and ligaments – not bones. I was sitting on a chair, holding my arm in awkward poses for a solid hour! And… I still have no idea if I am on the mend. 🤦
Meanwhile Dan and Molly walked around the mall parking lot. They put on a few miles. Tonight I am rather sore and Molly is rather tired.
I have been struggling to sleep soundly for the past couple of weeks and the pain in my arm seems to be getting worse. I’m not sure if that is from the lack of sleep, a natural part of the healing process, because I was overdoing the dancing and/or therapy exercises, or if this situation is just starting to wear on me. I am still working out every day, but trying not to overdo it for now. On Saturday, I did a Zumba class – but I was very careful not to engage my left arm.
That is about it for this week’s update health and fitness update.
Meanwhile, Molly is definitely bored.
Weather wise we are welcoming back some warmer temps at least for a few days. Our snow and ice won’t be going anywhere any time soon, but at least the sun is shining. 🌞
I am barely into the second year of my new life of health and fitness, but I am feeling it and it is feeling pretty good! 😁
It is five weeks since I broke my arm (humurus surgical neck and head). That has put my Zumba, dog walking, and weight lifting on hold – but I have improvised.
My fitness plan these days is mostly dancing around our kitchen and doing my therapy exercises. That doesn’t sound too impressive, but I do both three or four times a day, so it keeps me active and I can feel the benefits….
My range of motion for my arm is improving daily. I did my hair up yesterday. It wasn’t perfect, but I did it myself with my own two arms. 😉
I seldom use anything for pain – day or night. I used regular Bayer aspirin for the first week or two but only used it one night last week.
I feel good – physically, mentally, and emotionally. 😁😁😁
I went shopping on Saturday, bought myself a new outfit, AND I was pretty happy with the fit. (I don’t have a photo but will post one on Thursday after my follow up appointment.)
I am sleeping okay most nights. Last night, I slept so well that my arm was stiff and sore when I got up. My workout this morning shook it loose. 🤗
That’s it for today but I have to wrap things up with the latest addition to my You Tube dance mix. 💃💃💃
From my friend Jackie – going out to anyone looking for that motivation to get you through whatever you are going through.
Molly was born into this world on February 16th, 2022. After spending her first few weeks with her Mom and siblings, we welcomed her into our home on April 22nd.
April 22, 2022Eating one of the many cedars we had pre-Molly.Molly’s first ‘official’ walk – 4 weeks post final round of vaccinations.Genie’s lap dog.Summer splash pool – I was trying to clean it and give her fresh water. She just couldn’t wait!Fresh out of responsible pet control. Christmas 2022 with Cason, Lucas, Bacardi, & CorneliusYes, Molly! You did this to me. 🙄
Our big girl is an entire year old. It hasn’t all been easy, it hasn’t all been fun, but every day is so worth it! 😁 Happy Birthday, Molly!
It is Valentine’s Day! Last night my husband and I celebrated with an awesome supper of steak, lobster, crab, baked potato, asparagus, and mushrooms – all barbecued by my husband Dan (after doing the shopping, cleaning up the yard, and shoveling the snow and ice off of our walks). Today, he went out to run errands and returned with this bouquet of roses. I am too fortunate to have such a good man in my life. 💞
Today also marks another special occasion for me.
One year ago today, I was sitting on my rocking chair, wrapped in a shawl, and feeling miserable. I was cold, tired, and struggling to breathe through my asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis. I was seriously overweight. For days, I had been thinking that I would take it easy for one more day and hope that ‘tomorrow’ I would magically feel well enough to get up and do something to improve my situation. Finally, one year ago today, I realized that the magic was not going to happen unless I made it happen. I got off my chair, put in my earbuds, turned on some Buddy Holly, and started to dance. It wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t long until I was wiped out, really struggling to breathe, and my heart was pounding harder than my music. I had no plan and I had no goals. But… It was a start, the start of my journey to health and fitness.
The next day, I got off my chair and danced again. It still wasn’t pretty, but I did a bit better and I knew that I was on the right path to regain my health – and my life.
I wasn’t wrong. This past year has been amazing. My health has improved, my strength has improved, and my life has improved. I have discovered and experienced benefits of my fitness journey that I never, ever imagined.
Finding my Volley friends Dwight and Jackie, who share this fitness journey with me – every day! Two strangers who have become family to me during these past months.
Finding a way to LIVE, and live well, with Asthma, COPD, and Bronchiectasis.
Finding peace, and happiness, and hope – despite what happens around me.
Finding that I have so much more potential than I ever realized. Finding that I have so much power to create my life, as I wish to live it.
Finding how effectively I can use ‘setbacks’ to motivate myself to push forward.
Finding that a fitness program is not only for the athletic, or the already strong and healthy, or the young, or those who spend limitless funds on equipment, gym memberships, or designer workout clothes. With free Zumba classes (or Yoga, Pilates, etc.) On You Tube and minimal equipment (dumbbells, resistance bands, yoga balls) one can put together an entertaining and effective workout program – even if one is working with limited workout space.
Finding that all one needs to live better is the will and the determination to make it my priority and focus.
I cannot begin to detail how much, and in how many ways, I have come to appreciate this journey that I am on. I have loved this past year and I am excited and ready to move forward into Year Two. Broken arm and all, I am excited to see where this next year takes me.
One week until I will be celebrating a solid year since I began my health and fitness journey. 🥳
I am not celebrating the strong finish that I had hoped for. With a broken arm, it is difficult to get as physical as I had planned. But, I am still doing my darndest to dance my way into Year Two and to finish Year One on as positive a note as possible.
I made a motivational sign for my fridge. What I lack in creative talent, I make up for in determination. 🤣
I have also been….
Getting lots of rest – as in eight to ten hours of sleep per day/night. (Yes, I have been having an afternoon nap. 🥱)
I have been meditating.
I have been reading and following my favourite motivational speakers on social media. Specifically, those who ‘walkthe walk’ and live the life they preach.
I have been eating healthy and have added calcium to my supplement routine of B12, Vitamin D, Lutein, and zinc. The zinc is another temporary supplement that I have been taking to help heal any lingering effects from my pre-Christmas flu.
I have been relaxing with loved ones.
I still love my dog. 💞
And I have been checking in with my Volley (online fitness group) every day. I couldn’t start my days nearly as well as I do without their enthusiastic morning messages. 😁
And of course, I have been doing my best to do all that I can in our kitchen and around our house. It is the least I can do to show my gratitude for everything my husband has done for me in these past few weeks – and the past twenty-four years. 💞
That’s it for this week. One more week until I begin Year two of this fitness journey I am on. I am excited to see where this upcoming year will take me. I can’t believe how far I have come and how beneficial this year has been for me – despite a couple of rather major setbacks.
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 