Tag: accountability

Daily Food Diary – Day 257 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 257 of my daily Food Diary! 🤩

After a couple of weeks off to deal with a lung infection, I am back to my regular workout routine today. 👍

Despite already encountering one small glitch, I am excited.  This morning we have FOG.   With my asthma, that means Dan and Molly are off on their morning walk without me while I stay housebound with the dehumidifier running on high. 😯

When it comes to being pro-active with our own health, sometimes we have to make adjustments.  

Speaking of being proactive, it is 2 1/2 months since I started taking Collagen Supplements. The information that came with these gelcaps stated that it would take a full five months of use before one would see a notable difference.

Collagen supplements from Amazon.

The transformation that I have already experienced, two and a half months in, is definitely notable!

Top to bottom:

My hair is the consistency of hair – unlike the cat fur that I have been sporting for my entire life.

My sight is notably clearer due to..

Increased stability of my sinuses.

My hearing has improved and my vertigo has virtually disappeared due to stability of inner ear, etc.

For the first time in three years my cough is showing significant improvement due to stability of sinuses and airways in my throat and upper lungs.

My hands are not numb, achy, or stiff.  My dexterity shows signs of definite improvement.

My nails are stronger and healthier.

My skin tone has improved significantly.

Increased stability in joints – I can walk (indoors or out)  without tripping, stumbling….

Increased upper body muscle strength (despite not working out).

Reduced muscle pain – especially sitting or lying in place.

My hips, knees, and ankles do not automatically lock when I stand in place. I can move freely or stand in one place   without feeling tense.  🥰

It has been two decades since I realized that most of my wellness issues came from a collagen disorder/deficiency.   It never occurred to me that using a collagen supplement could help me.   I have been told by medical professionals that collagen issues ‘are nothing’.   (Maybe they are  if you do not experience them). 

I honestly do not understand the disconnect between what doctors (here) say and what I know.  I just know that EVERY BODY is different and that mine requires more collagen than I get through my diet or that my body can produce.

It’s about being proactive and accountable,  about knowing our bodies and how to maintain them.  For me that means Collagen Supplements. 😉

Daily Food Diary – Day 257

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) thin slices bacon (150)

(1) 2 egg cheese omelet (260)

(2) potato patties (240)

(1) tomato (22)

Snacks:

(1) c caramel corn (170)

(1/2) c beef broth

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1) Dinner salad with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, green onions, radishes, cauliflower, black olives, sunflower seeds, dried fried onions, lemon garlic vinaigrette (328)

(5) oz barbecued pork loin (120)

(1) SVG Apple Crisp (227)

Total calories consumed: 1524

Total calories used: 111

(1) hour food prep/cooking/cleanup: 111

Total net calories: 1413

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1413 = 183 over 👎

Daily Food Diary – Day 256 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 256 of my Daily Food Diary! 🥳

Our Monsoon Season has finally passed!  I have no idea how much rain we received but it was A LOT and we missed the worst of it in our neighborhood.

Not only did we get an abundance of rain, but we also had thunder and lightning for the duration.  Now that the sun has come out and the heat has been turned up, we can watch our grass grow and see our garden reverting to jungle status. 

While we were confined to the Ark  yesterday, I baked Apple Crisp – enough to share with Jen and her girls and Genie and Alec.   I sent the biggest pan to Jen and the girls.  Apparently, the girls are fans. There may not be much left for Jen  by the time she is done with her current run of double shifts.  🙆

This is my very last day before getting back to my regular work out routine.  I couldn’t be more excited to see how it goes tomorrow.  I am feeling great and anxious to get back to it. 💪

Daily Food Diary:

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) PC Crumpets (240)

(3) tsp butter (103)

(1) tbsp jam (50)

(2) Slices bacon (87)

Snacks:

(1/2) c beef broth (5)

(36) oz water

(12) oz carbonated water

(1) c Lemon Ginger Tea

(12) Low sodium Lay’s chips (160)

Supper:

(1) Manwhich Sloppy Joe – w/sourdough bread, lean ground beef, cheese,  Manwhich sauce, green pepper, onions (817)

(12) Lay’s low sodium chips (160)

(1) serving Apple Crisp (227)

Total calories consumed: 1851

Total calories used: 167

(1 1/2) hours cooking/food prep:  167

Total net calories: 1684

Net Calories Goal: 1851 – 1684 = 455 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 255 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 255 of my Daily Food Diary! 💝

Yesterday and today our weather has been WARM and WET.  I think we have gotten more rain in these two days than we have had all summer.  And the humidity is through the roof!

Things are looking green and clean around here, but I can’t imagine that this is what the farmers need right now.

I am taking one final (regular) workout day off  today but I am excited about getting back into my routine on Monday.  It will be fun to see what I can do on our ‘new to us’ treadmill, now that my lung infection is cleared up.

Today, I will proceed with my fall cleaning and do a bit of baking.

Dan picked up a nice bag of apples yesterday, so I am going to make a double batch of Apple Crisp to split with Jen and Genie.   They are both excited and it will save everyone here from reading about Dan and I eating one piece of Apple Crisp a day for the next month. 😊

The flower pots are some of the ones that Dan bought this week to use on the new plant rack he is making next summer,  using  a  repurposed pool ladder. 

Daily Food Diary – Day 255

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cheerios (147)

(1/4) c 2% milk (28)

Lunch:

(12) Doritos (153)

(2) oz shaved turkey (60)

(1) small tomato (22)

Snacks:

(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

(1/2) c beef broth (5)

Supper:

(1 1/2) servings nachos (975)

Total calories consumed: 1608

Total calories used: 360

(30) min. cooking (56)

(1 1/2) hour house cleaning (202)

(30) min. pet care (103)

Total net calories: 1248

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1248 = 18 over 👎

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

A younger Genie at Wascana Park

Daily Food Diary – Day 254 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness, Uncategorized

Today is Day 254 of my 2025 Daily Food Diary! 💓 I have (so far) been successful in putting out my daily post. 👍 I have been enjoying recapping my days in this manner and I have been successful in making some beneficial changes to my diet.

For the reasons above, I have decided to maintain this project through 2026 – with one slight change….

Rather than tracking my calories consumed each day, I am going to track my calories used.

I feel that I am ready for this move and I am excited to explore new ways and means to keep active.   AND I am excited to share my conquests with all of the regular and occasional visitors to my blog.

Getting down to the core health issues that have plagued my entire life and discovering ways to deal with them and improve my fitness level and quality of life has been an amazing adventure for me. 

I know it has been less than exciting, and more than a bit painful, for those who have been following me for the past +3 years. 

I get that, and I appreciate it.  But the wins I make are not made in the grand gestures or the  five star days.  They are an accumulation of all of the moments, the choices, the bits and pieces of knowledge that I pick up along the way.

It’s not fireworks and shooting stars – but from where I was three years ago to where I am now, I think it’s pretty impressive. 😁

Two family weddings – only 4 years but a lifetime apart. 💞

Daily Food Diary – Day 254

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) Denver breakfast wrap (560)

Lunch:

(1) BBQ chicken drumstick (135)

(6) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (150)

Snacks:

(1/4) c mixed nuts (180)

(3/4) c Maple Walnut Ice Cream (225)

(2) tbsp chocolate sauce (105)

(48) ox water

Supper:

(1 1/2) serving Baked French Onion Soup (552)

Total consumed calories:  1909

Total used calories: 419

(30) minutes walking (53)

(30) minutes cooking (56)

(1) hour gardening (176)

(1) hour house cleaning (135)

Total net calories: 1490

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1490  = 261 over

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

“Where you look for magic, you will find it!”

Daily Food Diary – Day 237 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is Day 237 of my Daily Food Diary. 😋

Our skies are clear, our air is smoke free, and we are finally starting an entire week of actual summer temperatures.

Dan and I took Molly for an uncharacteristically uneventful walk this morning.  We did stop at the dog park where Molly got in a few short solo runs across the park.  

I have to cut this one short.  Our garden is starting to wilt and it’s not going to water itself!

Daily Food Diary – Day 237

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cheerios (147)

(1/4) c 2 % milk (28)

Lunch:

(1) cheese tortilla wrap (170)

(2) oz ham (57)

(1) oz marble cheese (113)

(1/4) c white cooking onion (3)

Snacks:

(14) hickory smoked almonds (70)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(2 1/2) c chicken stir fry – orange carrots, green onions, cabbage & celery,  brown mushrooms, red pepper, chicken filets, ramen noodles (622)

(1) vegetable spring roll (100)

(4) Gyoza (133)

Total net calories: 1022

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1022 = 207 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 229 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

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)

Supper:

(1) Tortilla wrap (170)

(5) slices pastrami (206)

(4) slices Swiss Cheese (426)

(1) c sauerkraut – off white (45)

(1/4) c onions – white (12)

(1) tbsp Frank’s Red Hot Sauce – red (0)

Total net calories:  1440

Net calories goal: 1222 – 1440 = 219 over

Daily Food Diary – Day 228 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is Day 228 of my Daily Food Diary.  ☺️

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 distribute all of the flowers – including the bride’s bouquet.

Back story of the flowers…  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.

Daily Food Diary – Day 227 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is Day 227 of my Daily Food Diary!  💞🌞

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! 💖😊

Daily Food Diary – Day 226 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 226 of my Daily Food Diary. 🥳

Yesterday was another busy day around here!

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! 💕🌞

Daily Food Diary – Day 225 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

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! ❤️😊