Tag: active aging

Daily Food Diary – Day 71 of 365 

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It has been 71 days since I began my Daily Food Diary.   It has become an important part of my personal healthcare, but it is only one part.

Keeping active is a part that I have been working on for the past three years.  I do aerobics every morning, I dance when the urge hits me, I do strength training with light weights three times a week (when I am not waiting for hernia surgery), and I love to walk – especially when the weather is nice and the path is free of snow and ice.

We are fortunate to have miles and miles of well kept paths in and around our city.  Some of those ‘around’ the city are more challenging, but most are easily walkable. 

When I am out walking, one thing that I generally notice is the lack of others who are likewise out and about.    Regardless of season, weather,  time of day, or path we choose,  these well kept paths are  a lifeless stretch as far as the eye can see (other than squirrels or geese). AND… In Saskatchewan, we can generally see pretty far. 

Walking in nature is such an easy and awesome way to improve and maintain our health and well being.    I can’t imagine why our paths seem so under utilized.  Is this normal?

Food Diary – Day 71

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2) (.3)

(1) Plain Paratha (240) (7)

(1) Tbsp Peanut Butter (105) (4)

(2) Tsp jam (33) (.1)

Snacks:

(24) oz water

(1) c tea

(1/2) c raspberries (32) (.7)

(1 1/2) pc matrimonial cake (208) (1.5)

(25) Lay’s Salt & Vinegar chips (230) (2)

Supper:

(2) servings Chicken Caesar Salad (700) (16)

(2) slices bacon (87) (5.9)

(2) tbsp dried fried onions (33)

(12) oz carbonated water

Total Calories: 1671

Total Protein:  37.5 grams

Protein goal for the day: 46 to 58.5 grams

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 52 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

For 52 days now, I have been recording and posting my Daily Food Diary.   Focussing on my diet does not mean that I am neglecting other aspects of my health. 

I am doing my morning aerobics six mornings a week and with our much milder temperatures, I am excited about getting outside and enjoying our fresh air.  With this in mind, I set out with Dan and Molly yesterday  for a walk around our neighborhood.

I don’t know if you can see or relate to  our ice rutted street or the sidewalk across the street, which is buried under two or three feet of ice and snow.  I know you can’t see our sidewalk but Dan does keep it cleared and passable – unlike most residential sidewalks in this area and ALL sidewalks adjacent to  city owned property.

Walking in conditions like this is extremely difficult and dangerous.  Walking in conditions like this while holding onto a Great Pyrenees like Molly is pretty much impossible.

Walking a Great Pyrenees on dry solid ground can be difficult enough.

Fortunately, there are parks in the city with trails that are maintained and we have a large yard that I can access to get some fresh air.    But, walking around our neighborhood again will have to wait until Mother Nature makes our streets and sidewalks passable. 🌞

Food Diary – Day 52

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) crumpets with butter & jam (211)

(2) thin sliced bacon (200)

(24) ounces water

(1/2) grapefruit with sugar (56)

(1) blueberry/oatmeal muffins with butter (190)

(12) ounces carbonated water

(1) tortilla wrap (170)

(12) pcs pepperoni (65)

(4) slices shaved ham (90)

(2) slices back bacon (35)

(1/3) c shredded cheese (120)

(1 1/2) c mushrooms, red onion, red pepper, green olives (35)

Total Calories: 1224

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 48 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

I am 48 days into my Daily Food Diary and 17 days down for tracking my calorie intake.

More days than not this month,  I have consumed more calories than I should, if I am looking to LOSE weight.  Many of those calories tend to be ones that have little, to no,  nutritional value.   So far this month, my biggest  WIN has been that I can see why I am not losing weight and why my diet is not helping me to feel as good as I should.  🙄

Keeping a Daily Food Diary was never just about losing weight, or even mainly about losing weight.  Likewise, it was never meant to be a quick, magical fix for improving my overall health. 

My Daily Food Diary is simply a tool.  It shows me in black and white what I need to do to improve my diet.  It cuts through the excuses and the mindless eating  and will ultimately get me to a point where I am adequately nourishing my body with the nutrients it needs to function at a higher, healthier level.  

Every new day is a new opportunity to do a little better, so that by the end of the year I will have made noticeable progress and eating well is just another part of living well. That’s the plan!

Food Diary – Day 48 of 365

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) Eggo Waffles (330) with butter (103) and syrup (100)

(3) thin slices of bacon (180)

(24) oz water

(1) c tea (1)

(2) cookies (146)

(25) Lay’s Classic Chips (140)

(3) Small cabbage rolls (300)

(3) Bulk Barn Allsorts (64)

(12) oz carbonated water

(1) c tea (1)

Total Calories: 1367

Yesterday, I started tracking my calories on an app called  ‘Lose It!’ , recommended by Terry from http://radicallyretired.com. So far it seems simple enough even for someone who is technically challenged (such as myself).   I am still learning the ropes and going back and forth between my manual method and automated,  but from what I have seen, I would definitely suggest checking it out.  

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 41 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Good morning to yet another frigid day in Saskatchewan!  I feel for those who have to be out and about in this weather, life and business as usual. 🥶

I have three days remaining to Year Three of my health and fitness journey.  I am satisfied with how this past year has progressed.  While I will always have chronic lung issues – asthma, COPD, & bronchiectasis – I managed to dodge any infections this year requiring antibiotics and oral steroids. 👍 My mental and emotional health has become ever stronger along with my physical strength 👍 I have missed minimal morning aerobics (very minimal due to health issues). 👍 I lost another ten pounds this past year and toned up noticeably. 👍 My life continues  to get easier as I grow progressively stronger! 🤗

I am ending this year on one frustrating note.  My strength and cardio training has been on hold for the past few weeks due to issues with my epigastric hernia.  I have an appointment with a surgeon in a couple of weeks to discuss repairing the repair that I had done three years ago.  In the meantime, I am being cautious.  I have enjoyed  getting out and walking with Dan and Molly in lieu of more strenuous workouts, but on the minus forty days that is not an option.

Molly keeping otherwise occupied on another minus 40C  day.

Food Diary – Day 41

(1) c coffee (1)

(1) Denver (no toast) (2) eggs/ ham/onions (260)

(2) Potato patties (240)

(24) oz water

(1) Mango (202)

(2) cookies (146)

(1) c tea (1)

(1) 6 oz pork chop (283)

(1) c white rice (206)

(1) c broccoli & cauliflower with butter (89)

(6) Large olives (30)

(12) oz carbonated water

Total calories: 1458

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 40 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Yesterday, I posted a few photos of summer in Saskatchewan.  Today is Monday and it is time to get back to the reality of winter in Saskatchewan.

Quick pic of my front yard flower bed. 
Molly Dog –  Her spot was on the sofa beside Dan.  Since we got our new living room furniture, she is torn between Dan and her blanket which I appropriated to protect my chair in case she happened to jump up on it.
Molly and I out walking Waterfall Park yesterday.

It’s a minus 41C (feels like) this morning.  We are in preservation mode at this point.  Dan and I just started a big pot of stewing hen broth.  Tomorrow, we will be warming up with hearty homemade chicken noodle soup.

A couple of chicken soup suppers will be a good thing this week.  First because it will be great for warming us up, second because it will be lean meat and lots of fresh vegetables (plus egg noodles). 

Today marks FOUR DAYS until I complete three years of my health and fitness journey.  When I started out, I was tipping the scales over 160 pounds.   Now I am just a few ounces over 130 pounds.  I would love to weigh in under 130 pounds this Friday.  Our chicken soup might do it for me, especially if I up my aerobics to make up for the lack of weight workouts and minus 40 walks. 

Food Diary – Day 40

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) Breakfast Sandwich – Back bacon, egg, cheese & tea biscuit. (465)

(24) oz water

(8) Licorice allsorts (167)

(25) BBQ chips (270)

(1) c tea (1)

(2) chilli dogs – no bun, with cheese, onions, and (14) multi grain crackers (710)

(12) oz Carbonated water

Total calories: 1515

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

No outdoor flowers to enjoy for a while, but the orchid Dan got me last Valentine’s Day is still blooming! (Blooming again for the forth time)

Daily Food Diary – Day 27 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Twenty seven days and I am still here – keeping track and posting my food diary.   I  am making a little progress and building habits to carry me through the year.

I have been getting outside for some fresh air and a bit of exercise.  I kicked that up a bit yesterday.

Dan and I walked Molly to the dogpark in the morning and we spent an hour watching her and her friends cavort, while we got some fresh air and socialized with the other humans.

In the afternoon, I drove our granddaughter Maddy to Walmart to grab a new pair of sneakers.  She was in high spirits as she had just finished her finals from her  first school  semester and was confident that  she would make the honor roll.  She not only found her new sneakers, but had the funds left to pick up a couple of small things for herself  and her younger sister Prim.  We came back to the house and I made her favourite Toasted Bacon and Tomato Sandwich and grabbed a box of costume jewellery that I wanted to send over to Prim.

Maddy & Prim with big sister Genie on the left.

I always enjoy time spent with any of the grands and yesterday was no exception.  They never fail to amuse me, enlighten me, and inspire me to be better.   Whether it is your children, your grandchildren, or any young people that you have regular contact with…

YOUR CHILDREN WILL BECOME WHAT YOU ARE;  SO BE WHAT YOU WANT THEM  TO BE…

For better or worse that is the truth!

Food Diary – Day 27

(1) c coffee

(1) 2 egg omelet with ham and green onions

(24) oz water

(1) c tea

(1) sm bowl chips and dip

(12) oz carbonated water

(1) Roasted chicken drumstick and thigh (with skin)

(2) c air fried French Fries with Gravy

(1 1/2) c green beans

(3) sm scoops of Butter Pecan Ice Cream – with 12 pecan halves, 2 tbsp butterscotch sauce and 1 tbsp chocolate sauce (which is why I avoid eating ice cream 🤦)

(16) oz water

That’s it for the day.  Take care and have a great day! 💞🌞

Maddy helped me pick out a few packets of seeds to start flower plants in February. 🤗

Daily Food Diary – Day 25 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

I’m still here and I am not looking to abandon my food diary until my 365 days are done.   🥶🐣🌹🍂. (For my son who appreciates my use of emojis. 😂)

Speaking of appreciation, in a few days  (February 14th) I will be celebrating three years since I began this health and fitness journey that I am on.

During these years I have appreciated having  the support and encouragement of a number of people – my husband Dan (who always supports and believes in me), my family (siblings, nieces, children, and grandchildren), my fitness friends and so much more, Jackie and Dwight (who are a part of my life every day and my motivation to keep going especially when life throws me a curveball), everyone on WordPress who has been SO supportive (those who have been with me from the beginning, those who have joined me since, and those that have passed through and left a kindly word), my friends (who check in on me through Facebook), my medical experts (especially Lara my Nurse Practitioner and Katie my respiratory therapist) and last, but not least, ME.

I am almost in awe of the me that I was three years ago.  That me was exhausted and cold and miserable, that me struggled to breathe and experienced heart palpitations every time she got up from her rocking chair, that me was anxious and unhappy, that  me was fat and flabby and bloated – but THAT ME decided I deserved better and made it her mission to take responsibility for MY health, fitness, and future.   That me could not possibly imagine how her decision would change me or the quality of life.   But she did it – she got up and danced (shuffled) through one little Buddy Holly song and she changed my life.

The last three years have not always been smooth or easy.  I broke my arm, experienced health issues, and had other setbacks,  but the me that was has persevered and now my future self is calling me forward.   That is pretty cool and something that I never fail to appreciate. ☺️

Food Diary – Day 25

(1) c coffee

(1/2) grapefruit with sugar

(1) granola bar

(24) oz water

(1) c tea

(1/2) sm bowl Frito Hoops

(24) oz water

(2/3) 10″ tortilla crust pizza with ham, back bacon, pepperoni, mushroom, red onion, red pepper, and black olive pizza

(2) chocolates

(1) c tea

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 23 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

I’m back – and I will be back for another 342 days.  That’s a bit daunting, but it is getting to be a fairly locked in part of my morning routine – even when my day is anything but routine.

Yesterday morning I was on a mission to get blood tests done, which resulted in my going to the dogpark for the better part of an hour, eating soup for breakfast, and doing my morning workout at 2:30 in the afternoon.  My day, was definitely not routine, but I did get my Daily Food Diary blog posted so yay me! I can get it done.

Speaking of blood tests… I did get some of the results yesterday after.  So far, pretty good! Everything was within healthy limits except for my HbA1c/Total Hemoglobin which was 5.5.  Anything 5.5 to 5.9 is considered ‘risk to become pre-diabetic’.  I consider my 5.5 a fail but my last tests (three months ago) earned me a 5.6 so I have improved.  😊

Speaking of all things medical…  My Nurse Practitioner called yesterday.  She had reviewed the results from my hernia ultrasound and called to strongly advised me to see a surgeon.  After my incident a couple of weeks ago when I landed myself at Emerg, I was quick to agree, so she sent off a referral to a local surgical group.   To be honest, I would agree to anything Lara advised. She is that good!

Speaking of health in general… For the third day in a row, our temps were relatively moderate yesterday so I was able to get outside and enjoy some fresh air.  Also, for the third night in a row, I was able to get through the night without coughing fits.  Post nasal drip is brutal at night, and drinking copious amounts of water during the daytime has done wonders for my sinuses.

This one was taken at our neighborhood dogpark.  The snow is much deeper this year and becoming an issue as the dogs can step over the fence.  (Molly may have done that the other day – and taken a friend with her. 🙄)

Food Diary – Day 23 of 365

(10) oz water

(1) sm bowl of leftover wonton soup

(1) pear

(1/2) c raspberries

(24) oz water

(1) c tea

(1/2) sm bowl of nuts

(24) oz water

(1/2) small tray of nachos

(12) oz carbonated water

(8) oz water

*** 78 ounces of water !!! 😳

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