Tag: accountability

January 2nd – Day One of My 2026 Daily Activity Journal

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

Yesterday we rang in the New Year and I turned the page on my Health & Wellness Journey.

To wrap up my 2025 Daily Food Diary – While I  looked forward to the day when I could revert to my old eating habits with none the wiser – yesterday that DID NOT happen.  I had a reasonable breakfast, a measured snack with our afternoon tea, and for supper –  hot (air fried) chicken wings with a large serving of raw vegetables and dip accompanied by a large glass of water.   👍

To kick off my 2026 Daily Activity Journal –

This is ME!

Age 70,  height 5’1″,  weight 119.8 pounds

My commitment for 2026 is to increase my level of activity,  be it structured exercise or an everyday part of a healthier lifestyle.

My goal for 2026 is to sign up for, attend, and complete an in person aerobics course. 😁

My word for 2026 is TRANSCENDING !

Since I started my Health and Wellness Journey (almost) four years ago, I have been through multiple phases..

1) My original motivation was suffering.  Despite being recently retired, my quality of life was a reflection of my poor health and fitness.

2) I leveled  up to struggling.  I knew that change was my only option but it was hard – and setbacks came often.

3) Next came surviving.  I was making the changes that needed to be made, but I was in that dreadful plateau phase of fitness where results are hard to recognize. 

4) Finally, I reached a level of progressing where win was built on win,  and momentum was in my favor.

5)  Now, I have reached that transcending phase in my Health and Fitness Journey – where I part company with  thoughts and ideas from my past that are not defining factors in where I am or where I want to go.

I have, and will continue to have, chronic health issues – asthma, bronchiectasis, possible COPD, allergies, and collagen deficiencies…

But,  I am no longer weak and sickly.  I am no longer at a place where every sniffle or sneeze is a sign of an imminent health crisis.  I am no longer naive enough to belive that treatments that never ever worked for me are my only hope for health and well being.  I am no longer struggling to live my life on a daily basis, limited to where I can go, or what I can do.

Despite multiple chronic health conditions, I am strong. I am healthy. I am proactive. I am committed to living a lifestyle that avoids flare ups and potential health crisis.

It is not about living longer.  It is about living BETTER.   This year, by transcending beliefs that no longer serve me, I know that my life will be better. 🤗

My 2026 Daily Activity Journal:

Yesterday, was a day of reflexion, commitment, and healing (more on that tomorrow).

I cleared my lungs a number of times. 

I drank a LOT of water.

I rested.

I did my aerobics.  

I ventured outside for some fresh air and some quality time with our Molly dog.

Thats it for today! Take care and have a great day! 🤗💞

Daily Food Diary – Day 359 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 359 of my Daily Food Diary. ☺️

Six days left to go!

Yesterday after we got back from brunch and gift giving at Genie and Alec’s, we settled in  for a peaceful afternoon with Molly. 

My afternoon snack consisted of one Gin and Tonic and three delectable chocolates.  Our supper was leftover Chinese Food from Dan & Amanda’s visit followed by a cup of hot tea.  Again, for the second day in a row – no calories were counted. 

Today is Boxing Day in Canada.  Traditionally, people would rush out today to take advantage of  post Christmas sales. (A tradition that I consistently avoided).

I prefer the rest, relax, and recover tradition.

Enjoying memories of Maddy’s very first Annual Boxing Day Sleepover… this year she will be at work hosting little ones on their way home from Boxing Day sleepovers. 💞
And,  indulging in my annual Christmas Jigsaw puzzle event.

I will also be getting into  Recovery Mode by doing my aerobics this morning and heading outdoors for some fresh air this afternoon. 

It is time to start rebuilding so that I am ready to head into the new year  with the strength and stamina to work on reaching my AMAZING, FABULOUS, GINORMOUS 2026 HEALTH AND FITNESS GOAL!

Take care and have a great day! 🤗💞

Daily Food Diary – Day 342 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Daily Food Diary – Day 342

Today is Day 342 of my Daily Food Diary! 😁

Today I started the day off with a few wins…

1) I went for a morning walk with Dan & Molly.  100 % humidity and I made the full route!

2) Dan remembered that I had to go for blood tests today in preparation for my pre-surgery appointment on Friday (which I may or may not remember).  He also drove me to the blood clinic, so double win! The streets are icy, the traffic is heavy,  and no people can’t drive. 🤦‍♀️

3) Dan stopped at the Dollar Store on the way home so I could pick up a  few things for Christmas..

2 plastic containers for baking (because they only had 2 of the size I needed).  Yes they will go to Dan and Amanda’s full of baking and they will never come back.  (Which is why I buy them from the Dollar Store 😂)  Gingerbread girl & boy because we need one new decoration, gift ribbon, and new dish towels.

For my December Round Up of my Daily Food Diary, I have one win today but it was/is a biggie…

I have pretty much eliminated evening snacking.  It was never about being hungry – just mindless munching.  Not only has this helped me to drop 13 pounds this year, but it has also helped me to sleep better.  I am generally out cold from 10:30 until Molly starts booping me with her big cold nose (6:30 ish at this time of year). 

Every morning is a Molly morning!

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) Paratha (24)

(1) tbsp jam (50)

(1) tbsp peanut butter (105)

Lunch:

(2) eggrolls (360)

(2) gyoza (67)

(36) Oz water

Supper:

(12) Oz carbonated water

(2) cabbage rolls (300)

(2) Belgium chocolate cookies (107)

Total net calories: 1231

Total used calories: 379

(30) min aerobics (171)

(30) min walking (137)

(30) min treadmill (71)

Total net calories: 852

Net calories goal: 1208 – 852 = 357 under 👍

Son Dan & Family

Daily Food Diary – Day 337 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 337 of my Daily Food Diary!🤗

Today I started my day with a BIG win! 🙌 I got up at 6:30 this morning  to go pick up our Maddy and drive her to school for band practice.  It was already fairly light out, thanks to the full moon shining bright above a thin cloud cover.  And it is always a  win to  see our Maddy – even before dawn! It was an even bigger win to back into our garage on the first try when I got home!

The picture of positivity! 😉

Today is another day to count the wins I have accumulated over the past eleven months.

The win I chose to appreciate today was  my ability  to use James Clear’s book “Atomic Habits” to make effective changes to stay on track with my Daily Food Diary and to make gradual improvements to my general diet.

By stacking my new habit of  posting my Daily Food Diet between my existing morning habits, I have managed to post 337 days in a row without missing a beat! 

And, by keeping a cruet of olive oil in a handy location beside our stove, I have successfully eliminated the habit of reaching for the butter dish every time I pan fry.

Other helpful habits, big and small,  have been made along the way, but you get the idea!

A book I would absolutely recommend for anyone working to make positive changes in their life.

Daily Food Diary – Day 337

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1/2) grapefruit (39)

(1/2) tsp sugar (8)

(1) granola bar (160)

Lunch:

(1) Taco salad (899)

(8) Oz water

Snacks:

(2) Belgium chocolate cookies (107)

(15) Lays lightl salted ripple chips (218)

(2) mini chocolate treats (80)

Total consumed calories: 1513

Total used calories:  377

(30) min walking (137)

(42) min aerobics (240)

Total net calories: 1136

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1136 = 72 under 👍

That’s it for today.  Take care and have  great day! ☺️💞

Daily Food Diary – Day 322 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 322 of my Daily Food Diary.  With 46 weeks down, I have a mere 6 weeks left to my 2025 Daily Food Diary Challenge! 💥

This week, I have been trying to up my activity level.  Our weather isn’t really co-operating.  Yesterday it rained all day, so none of us went for our daily walk.  Today it is foggy, so Dan and Molly went without me.

Yesterday, I did do my aerobics and light weights.  I got on the treadmill last night, but had to pull the plug after ten minutes due to a severe coughing fit.  Dan and I did give Molly a good brushing yesterday, so that was a workout of sorts.

Molly, showing her appreciation for our efforts. 😆

Last night, I watched our evening news.  I generally avoid watching our news – preferring to read it online, where I can skip over the articles of little personal interest or those that will just serve to annoy me.

But, last night I watched the evening news.  Elections Saskatchewan announced that they were planning to do a test run of phone in voting for our next election,   plus they are looking at replacing Election Day with Election Week.   We currently have Advance Polling, Mail In Voting, Curbside Voting, Homebound Voting, and Personal Care Home and Hospital Voting. 

In last year’s provincial election, a paltry 54% of eligible voters exercised their right to vote.  So, Elections Saskatchewan has decided to take steps to make the election process easier.

Personally, I don’t care how votes are colleced,  as long as the votes are legitimate.  

But I don’t believe ‘easier’ is the way to go.  I think it cheapens the entire election process.   Easier seldom means better in my mind and rarely, if ever, brings out the best in people.  

Personally, I think we should look deeper if we want to really engage more people in the election process.   The problem isn’t access, it is apathy.  (In my mind)

Any thoughts?

Daily Food Diary – Day 322

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) Eggo Waffles (180)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(2) tbsp syrup (104)

(3) slices bacon (130)

Lunch:

(1) c broth (5)

(8) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (200)

(1/2) c raspberries (32)

(1) snickerdoodle (90)

Snack:

(60) Oz water

(1) tbsp honey (40)

Supper:

(2) servings chicken caesar salad (630)

(2) Belgium chocolate cookies (107)

Total consumed calories: 1588

Less used calories: 271

(30) min aerobics. (174)

(30) min light weights (73)

(10) min treadmill (24)

Total net calories: 1317

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1317 = 109 over 👎

Daily Food Diary – Day 316 0f 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 316 of my Daily Food Diary!

I was feeling pretty good when I got up this morning!

Yesterday, we finally did it!  After eight years, we went down to Prairie Mobile to upgrade our phones.  We survived the process and left with two Samsung 25’s.  Dan’s is an FE, but that just means it is too wide to fit in my hand.

Next, we went over to Chappys  for lunch.  I had a mushroom burger (no bun) and Dan had a small pizza (With a real pizza crust!)  Before we left, I went off to the washroom to wash up.  When I got back to the table, Dan handed me the ‘receipt’ and headed out.  I put on my coat, stuck the receipt in my purse with the papers from Prairie Mobile and left.

The rest of the day went fairly smoothly.  We had taken Molly for her walk yesterday morning, so I didn’t feel  bad forgoing any other workouts.   I worked on figuring out my new phone, signing into apps, the usual.  We had gotten all of our data transferred over at the store, so things went fairly smooth. 

I finished the day with a bit of a 911 marathon, a few Hint of Lime tortilla chips, a couple of cookies, and a sense of accomplishment. 

This morning I was still feeling pretty good until I went to check our bank accounts.  I couldn’t find the payment for Chappys.  I asked Dan how he had paid and… he didn’t.  

He had handed me the BILL! He had told me, but I had misunderstood what he said. (I generally do pay while he goes to start the Jeep, but I was still in a kerfluffle from being at Prairie Mobile for an hour).  🫣

So, this morning Dan headed back to Chappys to apologize and pay up! They were more than gracious and appreciated that he had returned to pay,  but Yikes!

For decades, I did the books for local restaurants (contract evening work after working for construction companies during the day).  I know what it costs to provide meals.  Also, I have a daughter and three granddaughters who work in food service now.  It’s not easy!

Never, ever, would I Dine & Dash, and yet I did. 😟

But we have new phones and I have no reason to head out shopping or dining any time soon.  So, there is that!

Time to get back on track with my workouts and diet today. 

Daily Food Diary – Day 316

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) granola bar (160)

Lunch:

(1) mushroom burger (no bun) (333)

(1) serving crinkle cut fries (240)

(1) beef gravy (25)

Snacks:

(10) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (150)

(2) Belgium chocolate cookies (107)

(2) Black licorice twizzlers (45)

Supper:

(1) chicken thigh (208)

(14) lightly salted potato chips (130)

(3) mini chocolate treats (120)

Total consumed calories: 1520

Total used calories: 137

(30) minutes walking (137)

Total net calories: 1383

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1383 = 175 over 👎

That’s it for today.  Take care and have a good day! 💞🎇

Daily Food Diary – Day 304 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 304 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary. ☺️

Today is November 1st. TEN months down and Two to go.

I generally begin each month with a fresh focus for my diary.  This month, I am just going to wing it.  Each day, I will focus on a different aspect of nutrition – good, bad, or otherwise. 🤷

Since yesterday was Halloween, prepackaged treats seem to be a good place to begin.

This year as always, we stocked up on Halloween  treats to hand out, and as always we overstocked! Now that we are retired, we do not have the option of donating such leftovers to company lunch rooms. 

Fortunately, daughter Jen’s girls have aged out of Trick or Treating… and her youngest (Prim) chose the option of having a sleepover with Grandma and Grandpa.

While she arrived costumed up from her school dance, she soon opted to get comfortable.

After a supper of enchiladas, an evening of watching the Blue Jays,  a surprise visit from  her best friend, a good night sleep, and a breakfast bacon & tomato sandwich,  she headed home WITH our leftover Halloween treats to share with her sisters!

Another sugar and salt crisis averted – at least for us. 😁

Daily Food Diary – Day 304

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) potato patties (240)

(2) eggs (160)

(3) slices back bacon (52)

(1) tsp olive oil (40)

Snacks:

(3) black licorice Twizzlers (68)

(1) mini bag ripple chips (86)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1 1/2) homemade enchiladas: ground chicken with onions, peppers & taco sauce, rice with green salsa, refried bees, shredded marble cheese,  cheese tortilla shell (600)

Total consumed calories: 1249

Total used calories: 104

(40) min walking (104)

Total net calories: 1145

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1145 = 64 under 👎

That’s it for today.  Take care and have a great day! 💗☺️

Flashback to 2023

Daily Food Diary – Day 287 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 287 of my Daily Food Diary! 🙂

Today it is three and a half months since I started taking collagen supplements.

Throughout July and August, I noticed multiple benefits – from easing stiff achy hands, stronger longer nails, thicker stronger hair (and a virtual end to hair loss),  improved muscle strength – especially in my hands and upper body, increased stability in my joints,  and best of all increased stability in my sinuses and airways.

At the beginning of September, I saw my respirologist and,  because I was still coughing up an abundance of mucus, he put me on a round of antibiotics and Prednisone.  Neither of which have ever agreed with me – but which at times were deemed a medical necessity.

Throughout September I suffered the loss of a lot of the benefits from the collagen supplements.  It started gradually with broken nails and shedding hairs and went downhill from there. 

Sometime in this demoralizing period I ran across articles that claimed Prednisone can/does inhibit collagen synthesis.   (That makes so much sense considering my history – despite the fact that I had continued to take my collagen supplements.)

I finished this last round of Prednisone on September 13th.   Last week things finally began to turn around.  Again, I noticed the improvements first in my hands, then nails, then hair ….

This morning, I went for a walk with Dan and Molly.  Despite 100 percent humidity, I went the full distance, barely feeling the humidity until the last few blocks. 🥳💓

6 degrees Celsius – 42.8 degrees Fahrenheit

I am so so excited that this setback appears to be behind me!  Hopefully I can avoid any more setbacks (and Prednisone) going forward!  Most of all, I am excited that once again, I feel that I am capable of moving forward, stronger, and healthier! 🎈

Daily Food Diary – Day 287

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) plain paratha (240)

(1) tbsp jam (50)

(1) tbsp peanut butter (105)

Lunch:

(2) pork eggrolls (360)

(4) Gyoza (133)

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(1) c turkey broth (100)

Supper:

(2 1/2) c spaghetti with tomato meat sauce/peppers/onions/mushrooms/garlic (718)

Total consumed calories: 1708

Total used calories: 310

(30) min walking (83)

(30) min aerobics (176)

(15) min treadmill steep incline (52)

Total net calories: 1398

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1398  = 168 over 👎

That’s it for today.  Take care and have a great day! 💞😊

Daily Food Diary – Day 280 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 280 of my Daily Food Diary! 🤩

I am running later than ever this morning, but feeling much better than yesterday. 

I started my day by taking  Molly for her walk solo.  While some of our garden plants took a hit from the frost earlier this week, it is amazing how green the grass and trees are around here. 

Molly and I walked around  the baseball diamonds across the street, before heading onto our regular route.  The entire park was as fresh and green as it was in June.  That is not at all typical for October in Saskatchewan!  But I will take it as long as it lasts.

The rest of my day will revolve around cooking our ham and baking pies for our Thanksgiving supper tomorrow. 

Some of the leaves are changing color on our street – but they are still on the trees.  Our lawn is looking better than it has all summer. 🙂

Daily Food Diary – Day 280

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) cinnamon eggos (330)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(2) tbsp Maple Syrup (104)

(2) slices bacon (87)

Lunch:

(1) c beef broth (31)

Snacks:

(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

Supper:

(3) c Beef Stew (552)

(3/4) c Maple walnut ice cream (225)

(2) tbsp caramel sauce (105)

(1/8) c chopped walnuts (96)

Total consumed calories: 1782

Total used calories: 287

(30) min walking (53)

(30) min aerobics (176)

(30) min treadmill (59)

Total net calories: 1495

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1495 = 265 over 👎

That’s it for today.  Take care and have a great day! 🤗💝

Daily Food Diary – Day 273 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is my  273rd consecutive day of posting my Daily Food Diary! 🎀

For some reason it is getting harder to post in the morning these days, but I am getting it done. 🙂

I get up early enough to see the sun rise…and to see weird alien clouds across the street.

Today is shaping up to be another relatively quiet day.  I have my aerobics and light weights to do, a bit of touching up around the house, and I will hopefully get the Jeep cleaned today. 

My big excitement will be venturing over to granddaughter Maddy’s school tonight to pick her up after her band retreat.  It’s only a few blocks from here so the only real challenge will be dealing with the other parents and grandparents who will be doing likewise.   I cannot imagine how this school has such huge band events.   It is nuts just dropping her off at a regular early morning band practice.

Maddy and I went to see a friend of hers who was involved in a band/choir event at his school a few months ago.  There were about fifty people there including the performers.  And there are way more students attending his school. 😧

Anyway, I have things to do so I should get on with it.

Daily Food Diary – Day 273

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) crumpets (240)

(2) tsp butter 68)

(1) tbsp jam (50)

Lunch:

(1/2) c beef broth (15)

(10) low salt ripple chips (75)

(1/2) PC Chocolate Coconut Brownies (60)

Snacks:

(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1) lg dinner salad – lettuce, spinach, radishes, cauliflower, green onions, dried fried onions, sesame seeds, salad dressing (256)

(2) chicken drumsticks (401)

(1) PC Chocolate Amaretto cheesecake (257)

Total consumed calories: 1641

Total used calories: 489

(30) min walking (53)

(30) min aerobics (176)

(30) min treadmill (59)

(1) hour housework (202

Total net calories: 1152

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1152 = 78 under 👍

That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 😊❤️