Health and Fitness – Page 40 – Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie

July 16th Update

July 16, 2024February 9, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2024, Health and Fitness

Summer has finally settled in Saskatchewan! None too soon for me and all of the rest of my news for this week is positive as well.

Our garden is showing signs of growth. I took a few photos last Sunday and tried to repeat them this past Sunday as well.

Molly is thriving despite the heat that she is unaccustomed to. Dan has been taking her to the park before it gets too warm out. Her friends have been going earlier than usual as well, so it’s all good. Yesterday, we took her for her annual vet checkup. She passed every test with flying colors. Her weight is a perfect ninety three pounds and her teeth are clean and white. (Yay Greenies!)

As for me, all is going well! I have not missed a single Monday thru Saturday morning aerobics since the beginning of July. Even more impressive, I have not missed a single Monday, Wednesday, or Friday afternoon strength training session. I have also been clearing my lungs with my Aerobika (morning and night) and have been using my neti pot at least a couple of times a week. And… I have been getting a decent amount of sunshine and fresh air each day.

All of this consistent effort has kept me healthy despite the fact that I spent an evening at our new urgent care centre last week (supporting Maddy who had a severe bout of the flu and a brutal ear infection). The next night I was doing likewise at the Pasqua hospital with Jennifer. Fortunately, they are both pretty much recovered with only minor lingering effects. And YAY for me, I did not catch anything from them or from anyone else at either health center.

There’s not much else to report on. I have a Spirometry test with my respiratory therapist on the twenty-fifth of this month and I am celebrating my sixty-ninth birthday on the twenty-sixth. My goal is to keep nailing my workouts, keep healthy, and crush both my spirometry and my birthday. 😁

Take care and have a great day! 💞🌞

July 2nd Update

July 2, 2024February 9, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2024, Health and Fitness

Here we are – July 2024 ! It seems impossible that this year is half over already, but as personal progress goes, I have already accomplished more this year than I did in all of 2023.

In 2023…

I broke my arm.

I struggled through months of forest fire smoke drifting down from northern Alberta.

I went through multiple doses of oral steroids and strong antibiotics to combat lung infections caused by ongoing sinus issues.

Due to health issues, I missed more than half of my morning workouts, and doing weight and strength training was hit and miss at best.

I quit eating or drinking anything containing bakers or brewers yeast and virtually eliminated severe digestive issues. (That has been a huge win.)

I lost ten pounds.

I started hiking (in and out of the city) with Dan and Molly.

So far in 2024…

I have had virtually no morning workouts missed due to health issues. (Obviously, I still have asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis but all are relatively under control.)

I have been doing strength training workouts three days a week and have graduated to eight pound weights plus I have doubled the reps to my routines.

I have been driving further and more often in the past couple of months, than I have since retiring in 2020.

I made a trip down to Nebraska with my daughter. That was six days of traveling, hiking, shopping, hotels, restaurant meals, and visiting with family. And… I made it back not too much the worse for wear.

Dan did work up most of the garden planters but I was able to plant most of the garden. I have been maintaining it and I have been painting the garden planters (weather permitting). And… I edged and mowed our front lawn at least once!

***Personal growth is about progress, not perfection. – Hal Elrod***

Take care and have a great day! 💞🌞

Fresh Air & Sunshine

June 24, 2024February 9, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2024, Health and Fitness

This weekend, we finally had consecutive days of summer-ish weather. It was warm and sunny, with relatively little wind. We did our best to take advantage of it.

Most of Friday was spent tidying up around here, inside and out. Later in the evening, Prim came over and we hiked across the street to the ball diamonds to watch the Indigenous Day fireworks. Dan stayed home with Molly, who is not such a fan of loud noises and bright lights.

On Saturday, we hosted a slightly belated birthday party for our daughter Jennifer’s nineteen year old son, Rory.

Our new gazebo and barbecue were both up to the task and served us well. Jennifer and her brother Mark set up our previous barbecue to celebrate Father’s Day and Rory’s first birthday. I’m not sure how long these things tend to last but I’d say eighteen years was a decent run.

Genie brought over Nerf paddles and balls, so the younger generation spent a good part of the evening across the street engaging in some friendly competition. In true Martel fashion, Maddy and Prim came back with more than their share of scraped knees and mud stains.

***Standing on the back landing, staring into the sun.*** 🙄

***The girls and Ronan decorated the gazebo before Rory arrived.***

Yesterday, Prim returned and we headed over to the Regent Park Pool. She spent four hours splashing around with her friends. I spent four hours in the shade of nearby trees, enjoying the fresh air and park ambiance.

Today we are looking to enjoy another warm and sunny day. It would be nice to sit back and soak it in but yard chores are calling so it is time to get to work.

Take care and have a great day! 🌞💞

June 21st Update

June 21, 2024February 9, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2024, Health and Fitness

Yesterday was officially the first day of summer and I was finally able to get outside to enjoy a bit of heat and sunshine! Our spring was one long stretch of cold temperatures, rain and more rain, and strong winds. My asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis have not been happy.

I have maintained my Monday through Saturday morning aerobics and my weight and strength training on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Since I could hardly blame the weather for poor eating habits, I have also stayed on track there as well.

I saw both my respiratory specialist and therapist over the past couple of weeks. Despite the weather, my lungs have stayed clear of any infection and healthwise I am doing okay. I have been coughing A LOT, especially these past couple of weeks but that is to be expected. Hopefully, that will clear up as our weather does likewise.

I have been doing a fair amount of driving, which is a good thing. We have been helping daughter Jen out while she works, getting her daughters around the city for various appointments and events.

Our main ‘event’ this week was granddaughter Madison’s grade eight graduation.

***Maddy accepting her ‘Top Reader’ and ‘Honor Roll’ awards and medals.***

***Maddy with her sisters Genie & Prim***

We could not be more proud of our little ray of sunshine. Not only did she excel in her academics this year, she earned her place on the Saskatchewan Youth Honor Band, and she started working part-time as a hostess at one of our local restaurants. Everything Maddy does, she does to the best of her ability and she makes it look easy by doing it with her charming attitude and beautiful smile. 🥰

Finally, we have been working on, and enjoying, our yard as weather permits.

***We skipped the pool this year and went with a gazebo to protect us from the heat and bugs – neither of which have been an issue so far.***

***The garden is struggling but coming along. I am trying to get the planters painted but that has been a process as well.***

Take care and have a good day. 💞🌞

Update May 30th

May 30, 2024February 9, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2024, family, Health and Fitness

My health and wellness update takes a bit of a left turn this week. I am fine and I have been fine, but I took a break from my regular workouts last week to take a trip with my daughter Jennifer.

Our first day (Wednesday) was spent driving to Rapid City, South Dakota. We were in my daughter’s Jeep and she did all of the driving – driving, driving, and more driving! Between taking the long route to cross the border, slowing down for every small town along the way, slowing down for road construction between small towns, and taking a hundred mile detour to go for lunch in Williston, North Dakota, we managed to make the eight hour drive in thirteen hours. We finally arrived in Rapid City, checked into our hotel, and ran into my brother Pete and his wife Janice when we stepped out of the elevator on the forth floor. We went our separate ways for supper but met up (this time, as we had planned) for breakfast the next morning.

After a few hours of shopping in Rapid City, we all drove to Chadron, Nebraska to celebrate my sister Jeanne’s birthday. We spent a couple of days with family, friends, and an adorable little dog named Buddy. Despite the fact that this was somewhat of a surprise party for my sister (as she was unaware that the Canadian half of us would be there) she and her husband Don were as warm and welcoming as ever. Our time in Nebraska was great.

Late Friday afternoon, we turned back north and drove to Sturgis, South Dakota. That was a relatively short and uneventful drive. We turned in early after a good supper in one of the local bars.

On Saturday, we headed into the Black Hills. We stopped in Deadwood for a stroll around their scenic main street and did some shopping. We left with a few good memories and a lot of South Dakota Beef Jerky.

**Doing the touristy thing in Deadwood. I managed to get up on my own but Jen may have had to lend a hand on the way down.**

**There were a lot of amazing chainsaw sculptures but this one was my personal favourite.**

**We loved the cobblestone street and horse drawn carriage.**

After Deadwood, we took the scenic route South to a bar in Lead for lunch and on to Mount Rushmore.

The drive through the hills was beautiful and relaxing. Of course, I wasn’t the one maneuvering around hairpin curves, through rock tunnels, and on gravel detours.

**It wasn’t raining mud. By this point, a LOT of bugs had tried (and failed) to fly through Jen’s windshield.**

**Driving by a ‘fluffy cow’. Fortunately, it did not try to dash in front of Jen’s Jeep – like the THREE deer that she barely missed.**

From here we headed to Mount Rushmore. I didn’t take any photos. I did go up to the main area and in to the gift shop for a few minutes but I sat on a bench while Jen walked to the look out point. When she got back, we left and made one more quick stop at a small tourist town, drove to Rapid City and back to Sturgis.

Sunday morning we headed back to Canada.

**Driving back through North Dakota – and MORE construction.**

A few notes on our trip:

– The Americans we met along the way we’re as friendly and good natured as ever. 🤗

– The food was great but the restaurant meals just did not sit well with me. 🙃

– My lungs struggled. I don’t know why for sure but I felt much better as soon as we got home.

– My daughter is an amazing driver. I knew that but I had forgotten how good she is!

– The border crossings were quick and easy. No problem whatsoever!

– I was surprised by the lack of traffic – anywhere, everywhere, even during the Memorial Day weekend.

– It was good to go, a great time there, and a joy to be back home!

**Molly was thrilled to have me home.** 🙄

Take care and have a good day! 🌞💗

May 14th – Progress Update

May 14, 2024February 9, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2024, Health and Fitness

I have written a number of health and fitness update blogs. This time, I had to go for a “Progress Update” because it has pretty much been all progress so far this year.

My strength is improving daily. I have been working out with five and eight pound dumbbells three times a week and that is paying off in spades. Two years ago, I was facing spring wondering where I would get the strength to clear up our yard and plant our garden. This year, I am working up planters, hauling seedlings up and down stairs to the kid’s playhouse (that I am using as a greenhouse), and lifting heavy bags and pails of dirt and sand. I don’t know if I have ever been stronger. I am sure that doing yardwork has never been easier.

**Here’s hoping our garden will be as good as usual.**

My stamina and energy are amazing. . I have been doing aerobic workouts consistently six mornings a week. I can go a solid sixteen hours a day. One day last week, I went so hard and steady that I forgot to have lunch or do any snacking. I have NEVER forgotten to eat – EVER. Plus, that was a day when I was scheduled to do weights before supper! I nailed them. 😊

**And I crushed a tray of nachos for supper. I did share with Dan, but I put away more than my share.**

Other than that, I have been able to get out and about in the fresh air. I have even been back to the dogpark with Dan and Molly. I have EVEN been walking Molly with a regular collar – no harness or training collar. I can’t wait to get out and do some hiking with her this year.

Both Dan and I have been doing pretty well at fixing and eating healthy wholesome meals. Since I had to quit eating anything containing yeast, takeout meals are few and far between. I make desserts when the kids are over for a meal, but the leftovers leave with them. 👍

**Packing up the cookies to leave with the kids! 👋**

My health has been holding up great so far. I still do a fair amount of coughing, but certainly nothing like the relentless coughing fits I had all of last year. It will take a while with my bronchiectasis. I started taking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar every morning with my beet juice and that seems to be thinning the mucus and helping a lot to clear it away. If the wind can keep blowing the smoke from northern forest fires away from us this year, I could experience some true healing! I doubt that I will ever be off of my inhalers for asthma and COPD, but hopefully I will NEVER AGAIN need the antibiotics and oral steroids that I was on too many times last year.

**“Do something today that your future self will thank you for.” – Sean Patrick Flanery**

That has been my motto for the past couple of years. Speaking from experience, it is worth it.

Take care and have a great rest of your day! 🌞💕

April 22nd Update

April 22, 2024February 9, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2024, Health and Fitness

It is incredible that we are 1/3rd of the way through this year already but HERE WE ARE!

It has been four months since I ran across an article on sinuses and upper respiratory infections and gotten back on track to a fit and healthy life. I have been hitting my aerobic workout six mornings a week and acing the most intense ones. I am doing weights three nights a week and that is going well. I am consistently gaining strength and beginning to show some toning in my arms and my back. I have begun working on muscles that I did not even know I had.

I have also been continuing my sinus care, including the Neti Pot rinses every evening. The results have been phenomenal. I am breathing easier, my coughing is minimal compared to what it was, I have not had any asthma/COPD/or bronchiectasis flare ups and my vision continues to improve. Even when we are out at night, the glare from headlights and streetlights do not bother me in the least!

On the family front, I had a good visit from my daughter this past week. A stop in for a few minutes turned into a tea party for a few hours. We also had a visit from granddaughter Genie who came to get Grandpa to trim some boards for her. She brought me a beautiful bouquet to honor my mother’s passing eleven years ago Saturday.

Saturday, we had the pleasure of attending a band concert that granddaughter Maddy was performing in. It was an amazing opportunity for her to be accepted into the Saskatchewan Youth Honor Band. There were three bands involved – elementary school, high school, and adult. They had ONE DAY to practice together before the concert. Each band played for thirty minutes and to wrap up the night all three bands joined together to perform “Let’s Go Band”. The joy and enthusiasm and passion of the performers (especially in that last piece) was just over the top. The performers and their directors did a fantastic job of coming together!

Finally! Molly has been really good for the past week or so. She stayed home alone while we attended Maddy’s concert and there wasn’t a thing out of place when we returned home. She is doing great!

That is all I have for now. Take care and have a great rest of the day!🌞

Confidence…

April 8, 2024February 9, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2024, Health and Fitness

Being as this is Monday, it is time to choose my focus for the week and this week I have chosen to focus on confidence. This won’t be an easy one for me, as I have a serious tendency to lean towards insecurity. Regardless of what I have endured, survived, and succeeded at in life, confidence has always been and remains a challenge for me.

It is beyond time for me to make a conscious effort to rectify this situation. To help get me on the right path, I turned to Google to source out what advice the experts have to offer.

***Know your value. Confidence breeds success. Act like the person you want to become and people will start seeing you as that person. – Mark M. Ford***

***When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun. And when you have fun, you can do amazing things. – Joe Nameth***

**Don’t let others define you. Don’t let the past confine you. Take charge of your life with confidence and there are no limits to what you can do or be. – Michael Josephson**

**Experience tells you what you can do; confidence allows you to do it. – Stan Smith**

**Self-confidence is very important. Not in the sense of self pride, but as a realistic awareness of what we can do. – Dalai Lama**

**In order to succeed, we must first believe that we can. – Nikos Kazantzakis**

**I am always looking outside of myself for strength and confidence but it comes from within. It is there all the time. – Anna Freud**

**I am not a has been**. **I am a will be. – Lauren Bacall**

That should give me plenty to work with this week!

Have a great day and take care! 🌞💞

April 3rd Update

April 3, 2024February 9, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2024, Health and Fitness

It is APRIL and yes I have graduated to my new eight pound dumbbells! I definitely feel the difference between them and the five pound ones that I was using but I can work with them so I am pretty excited about that!

As great as it is to be able to up my workouts, the real payoff is feeling better, looking better, and being strong enough to LIVE my life. When we woke up to a heavy dump of spring snow last week, I got out there, grabbed our shovel, and cleared all of our walks. About a hundred feet of deep wet snow and I crushed it. 💪

Dan took Molly to the dogpark yesterday morning, as usual. Somewhat overnight, all of the snow had melted leaving Molly and her friends to run and wrestle in the mud.

Fortunately, with a bit of a brushing and her ‘self cleaning’ fur, we were able to put off bathing Molly for a few days. If our weather holds, the yard and park should dry enough to warrant a bath on the weekend.

We celebrated Easter this past weekend with a supper on Saturday for daughter Jen and family. I wasn’t up for our typical turkey and ham extravaganza, so we opted for a celebration of spring. We had a picnic type supper of chicken and ribs, assorted salads, pickles, and potato chips. The honey garlic ribs were the biggest hit but all was enjoyed and appreciated. With a cake, fresh fruit, lemon butter, ice cream and whipped cream for desert no one left the table hungry.

Jen had to work early Sunday morning (6:30 early 😯) so she and her boyfriend Tanner left once the dishes were done and the kitchen set right.

The girls stayed behind to visit, have tea, and work on their chess skills.

Alec (Genie’s fiance) had to work Saturday evening, but he dropped by to visit earlier in the afternoon and to deliver a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers. Fortunately, Genie got off of work early so she was able to come and spend some time with him. And… Of course she packed up leftovers so he could have his Easter supper when he got home. 🍽️ 💞

That is about it for today. Dan is up in the kid’s playhouse straightening up and scrubbing the floor so I can start using it as a little greenhouse for the seedlings I started last week. I have a few more to start so I should get to work on that.

Take care and have a great day! 🌞💞

Family, Fitness & Health, and Molly’s New Pal

March 25, 2024February 9, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2024, family, Health and Fitness, Uncategorized

I don’t have much to say on any front but I do have a few updates to share.

First off, today is our granddaughter Prim’s birthday – which, as always, comes the day after our granddaughter (Prim’s sister) Maddy’s birthday.

We had a joint birthday party on Saturday with Make Your Own Pizza Subs and birthday cake provided by their Mom. (my daughter Jennifer)

***Sibling love – Rory, Maddy, Genie, & Prim 💞***

Second… Molly has a new friend, as Jennifer now has her dog Sasha. Molly and Sasha get along just fine. Molly and I went for a short walk with Maddy and Sasha yesterday. Sasha was a little stressed at being in a new area but when it would get too much, she would get as close to Molly as she could and Molly would lean protectively towards her. It was cute and more than a little touching.

***This was the first time Molly met Sasha – early last spring. 💞***

Finally, I am on top of my daily workouts. I am ready to move up to my new eight pound weights in a few days. I am feeling well. I continue to work on my sinuses by using my neti pot in the evening, meditating before bed, and sitting up and sleeping braced up with pillows. It is amazing what a difference it has all made. My entire upper respiratory system has improved significantly! Finally! 😊

That is it for now. All in all, things are good. I cannot wait to get out and work in the yard, see the grass and trees turn green, the flowers bloom, the squirrels scamper and the hear the birdies sing.

***The parks and paths will soon be calling me!***

Take care and have a great day. 💞🌞