Tag: healing

February 4th – Day 34  of My 2026 Daily Activity Journal

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

It is TEN DAYS until I celebrate the Four Year anniversary of my Health & Fitness Journey. 

Over the past few days, I have been taking an online Tony Robbins seminar.  One of the main ideas that he was trying to impress on us was to become aware of the stories we tell ourselves.

One of the main stories that I have told myself throughout my life was that I was weak and sickly.   Everything and everyone validated that vision I had of myself.

I lived with that vision until I actually was so weak and sickly that I could not go on like that anymore.   I knew that I could be somewhat  healthier and stronger so I determined to find a way to make it happen.

First off, I determined my core issues – allergies and a collagen deficiency (which for the most part affect my respiratory system).

Through years of trial and error,  much support and encouragement from family and friends (especially WordPress friends) I persevered until I got to where I am today.

But I clung to my story that ‘I am  weak and sickly, doing everything in my power to deal with my health issues’.   And,  I was stuck there…

In the past few days, I have come to realize  (partly through attending this seminar and partly due to the latest tweak in my personal healthcare routine) that I am NOT destined to be weak and sickly.  In fact,  I am healing and my strength is increasing.

I know that I have work to do.  I will always have to maintain my healthcare routine from my prescription inhalers to my supplements, to my fitness workouts.

But, I also know that as long as I can and do take care of my body, I will be strong and healthy.

This is my new (health) story. 

Yesterday,  I did my regular workout and my thirty minutes on the treadmill. In the afternoon, I went outside with Molly and cleared the snow off of our front landing and steps and our front walks.

Starting today, our temperature is supposed to be plus 5C (41F) and higher in the days to come.  

On top of my regular workouts and treadmill time, I will be out clearing the ice from all of our walks and paths.  Since we had days of freezing rain before our recent deepfreeze there is an abundance of ICE to deal with.

With my past four years of healing and increasing strength, and some help from Mother Nature… I’ve got this!

That is it for day.  Take care and have a great day! 💞🤗

February 1st – Day 27, 28, 29, 30, 31   of My 2026 Daily Activity Journal

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

It is FEBRUARY! January is behind us and I am ready to move on and UP!

For the past three days I have been attending the 2026 Rise Up (online) seminar with Tony Robbins.  

I have been familiar with Tony Robbins forever! I have never been drawn to his program.  From the advertisements for his  seminars,  there seemed to be   a lot of noise, a lot of hype, a lot of jumping  around and hootin’ and hollerin’.  NOT  my comfort zone!  He struck me as being a snake oil salesman and his program rather cultish and goofy. 

(I am more comfortable with spiritual or metaphysical teachings.  I have never hooted or hollered in my life and jumping around has been  confined to aerobic workouts and that one time I stepped on a bumble bee.)

But, I was in a January funk and Tony Robbins has been successful for a LONG time, so I signed up.. TEN HOURS of Tony Robbins.

The seminar was free.  There was an upgrade available for a small price, but I did not feel it was necessary.  Committing to  TEN HOURS of anything is enough to ensure that I will give it my all.

My overall impression was that I like Tony Robbins.  He appears genuine and sincere. His wife Sage, who appeared for a few minutes on Day 2 seems to be very intelligent with an abudance of common sense. 

I appreciated that Tony Robbins provides a solid plan for participants to follow to overcome specific challenges and to create more control over their lives in general.  But, what I appreciated most was that he explains WHY each step of any such plan is important.

On day one, Tony touched on what it takes to succeed in any endeavor before we even begin to work towards a goal..

There are only three steps and each must be taken in turn..

1) State.. Before anything else one must get into a proper state – excitement, enthusiasm, joy!   This is where the jumping around, hootin’ and hollerin’ comes in.  The energy kicks things off strong, but the emotion locks it in.

This rang true for me.  I know it works!  I have tried all of my life to build up strength and stamina, and I have failed over and over! But, four years ago when I began my Health and Fitness Journey, that is exactly what I did.  I didn’t think about it, I knew I had to do something so I got off my butt and I danced to Buddy Holly. 

TWO MINUTES and I was dying.. but I was pumped up, ready to go, and LOCKED IN!

2) Story.. See where you are coming from, take an honest look at where you are, and decide where you want to go.

It took me months to set any kind of goal and I keep moving the goal post further out as I go.  As I become more, I want more (health and fitness). 

3) STRATEGY.. It doesn’t matter what you want or how badly you want it, you need to have a plan. 

That has also been something that is constantly changing for me.  I am changing, I am learning, the plan has to change with my changing needs.  But I always have a plan to proceed.

If I had gotten nothing more than this out of the entire seminar, it would have  been worth it.   But there is more that I will touch on in blogs to come.

That is enough for today.  Take care and have a great day! 💞🤗

Update on my crochet project…

January 7th – Day 6 of My 2026 Daily Activity Journal

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

Today is a new day and a new opportunity to step up to transcend my previous limitations!

Yesterday went well.  I did my morning aerobics.  I put more focus and effort into each movement.  I felt it for sure,  but I also felt a greater  sense of accomplishment when I was done. 

I met my weekly goal by getting out and about with a visit to Northgate Mall.  Dan drove me and joined me for lunch at the food court.  I had an amazing Vietnamese Sweet and Sour Pork Salad from  Hung’s Happy Kitchen. 

After lunch, Dan left to get gas while I checked out the mall and a few of the shops.  I stopped at the Dollar Store to visit  their Christmas/Valentine/Easter displays.  I did a tour of Fabricland (which was the busiest outlet in the mall).  I checked out the Safeway Store, where there seemed to be more clerks than customers.  And for old time sake, I checked out the kiddie rides.  Twenty years ago, Rory would have loved that dozer!

It is unfortunate how many shops in this mall have closed down.  The place is half deserted.  I’m not sure why.  There are three other major malls in the city that seem to thrive despite the arrival of bigbox stores.

Northgate has a special place in my heart.  I was living across the street from it when I met Dan.  We worked together for eight months before our first date.  We went to a movie.  I chose the movie.  “The English Patient”. 🤦‍♀️ 

Surprisingly, we had a second date.  He came shopping with me to Northgate Safeway.  As a single mother of  three teenagers, working eighty hours a week, grocery shopping was a major event.  When my bill rang up at $250.00 (1997),   Dan asked me how long it had been since I had gone shopping.  

Two weeks later (right on schedule) we were back.  That time the bill rang in at $300.00.  Dan told me I couldn’t be in charge of grocery shopping anymore. 🤣

Dan has been doing our shopping ever since.  He buys in bulk, he checks fliers, and instore sales. He compares brands and price per unit.  He examines eggs and meat, fresh vegetables and fruit.  He reads labels.  He is, no doubt, the better shopper. 

Back to yesterday… Dan returned to pick me up forty five minutes after he left to get gas.  We came home, had tea, and I did a light weight workout. 

Neither of us were hungry for supper, so we skipped that and went straight to our evening wind down. 

Dan watched verious televisoon programs and I took out the new crochet book that I got last week.

As far as flower patterns go, it leaves something to be desired, but it has a LOT of extremely helpful information for beginners or for someone (like me) who hasn’t crocheted for decades.

Winter evenings are problematic for me.  I am not much into television.  Playing mindless, repetitive games on my phone or the computer gets old fast.  And doom scrolling does nothing for my mental or/and emotional well being. 

I am looking forward to challenging my creative skills and talents! And crocheted flowers beats no flowers during our long Saskatchewan winter.

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 341 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is Day 341 of my Daily Food Diary. 🤗

Today is December 8th – another day closer  to meeting  my goal of maintaining and posting 365 consecutive days of my Daily Food Diary. 

It is also another day to count my Daily Food Diary wins from the past eleven months.   Today’s win is….

All of the love and support that I have received from my WordPress/Jetpack friends, acquaintances, and random visitors this year.  I appreciate all of your  kind words, encouragement, advice, and feedback more than I can express in words alone.  

Dwight, from http://fadedjeansliving.com thank you for taking the time and effort to run ChatGBT through my 2025 blogs and sending me the list of  100 notable wins that were compiled.  That was above and beyond!   Thank you for being my friend and thank you for sharing your technical savy!  💓🤗

For my general real life win of the day today…

Our temperature was a bit milder this morning, so I joined  Dan and Molly for our morning walk.  For whatever reason, Dan and I both struggled to breathe.   The last couple of blocks took some self-talk  on my part.  I just kept repeating “one step closer to stronger, healthier lungs”.   EVERY STEP!  Dan and I both made the distance, so persistence for the win ! 👍

Daily Food Diary – Day 341

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) eggs (160)

(2) slices bacon (87)

(2) potato patties (240)

(1) sm tomato (11)

Snacks:

(1) Oz Amaretto (110)

(36) Oz water

Supper:

(12) Oz carbonated water

(2) eggrolls (360)

(2) tsp plum sauce (12)

(2) chicken stripe (240)

(1 1/2) Oz rifles (74)

(1) tbsp Dilly Dip (50)

(4) gyoza (133)

(2) tsp gyoza dipping sauce (133)

Total consumed calories: 1489

Total used calories: 242

(30) min aerobics (171)

(30) min treadmill (71)

Total net calories: 1247

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1247 = 38 over 👎

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

I miss my December PEACE sign but that was back a couple of years ago – when I was still chunky and Molly was still in her wood eating phase.

Daily Food Diary – Day 327 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 327 of my Daily Food Diary! 😎

I have been trying to be mindful of what I eat (and cook) for almost eleven months now.  I have even been  putting a respectable effort into choosing our menu – especially supper.   Despite all this effort, often – like once a week,  I find out that my  daughter, her daughter, or both of them – made exactly the same thing as us on the same day.   Last week it was Genie.  For supper on Saturday, Dan made Baked French Onion Soup.   After, seeing my blog on Sunday – Genie messaged me to say that she had done likewise for herself and her sister Prim.  So strange – I know Genie makes a lot of homemade soup, but I don’t think either of us make French Onion Soup regularly.  But apparently, when we do..🤔

It is another relatively pleasant day in Southern Saskatchewan – so far!  There is talk of snow but we have dodged it so far. (or at least the snow that comes and stays until spring)

We went for our morning walk.  The  humidity was relatively high (93%) but I still did quite well coughing wise –  a few random coughs, but no coughing fits, so that was good!

Another hand shot today. 

This one is to share my win for yesterday.  I got my wedding rings on.  I haven’t been able to wear them for months –  since I caught my finger on Molly’s chain (leash) when I was walking her.    The swelling in my knuckle refused to go down.   Now it is finally gone. 😁

Daily Food Diary – Day 327

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) 2 egg Denver omelet (235)

(2) potato patties (240)

Snacks:

(36) oz water

(2) Belgium chocolate cookies (107)

Supper:

(3) spring rolls (375)

(3) c chicken stir fry (614)

(12) Oz carbonated water

Total consumed calories: 1573

Total used calories: 137

(30) min walking  (137)

Total net calories: 1436

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1436 = 222 over 👎

That is it for today.  take care and have a great day! 🤗🧡

Daily Food Diary – Day 319 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 319 of my Daily Food Diary. 😁

I missed my  walk with Dan and Molly this morning.  That was partly because I was making bacon for our Sunday Brunch.  Mostly, it was our 100% humidity.  Molly was anxious to get on with it and I knew waiting was not going to make it any better.  The fog is here to stay today.

I did do a more thorough than usual kitchen clean up after we ate.  I have an ivy plant from Jen hanging in our kitchen window.  I finally gave it a trim the other day. 

This was an old picture.  It got WAY more out of control after that.  The window was obliterated.
After the trim. 🤭

Now that we actually have light coming in through the window, it is worth a bit more elbow grease to keep the kitchen shining. 🙄

There isn’t a lot more planned for today.  I want to do some reading and clock some time on the treadmill. 

Later, Dan will probably watch the Grey Cup game since the Saskatchewan  Roughriders are playing.   🏈

Daily Food Diary – Day 319

Breakfast:

(1) coffee (2)

(2) Eggo waffles (180)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(2) tsp maple syrup (104)

Snacks:

(10) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (250)

(3) tsp salsa (12)

(2) Black licorice twizzlers (45)

(60) Oz water

(1) gin & tonic (130)

Supper:

(1) Homemade nachos (865)

Total consumed calories: 1656

Total used calories: 311

(30) minutes (174)

(30) minutes walking (137)

Total net calories: 1345

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1345 = 137 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 317 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 317 of my Daily Food Diary! 🌞

This morning we were up and about for an earlier that usual walk with Molly. We left the house at 8:30, just as a LOT of people were passing through the neighbourhood on their way to work and quite a few kids were making their way to school. Molly handled the extra foot and vehicle traffic quite well all things considered.

Our weather was fairly decent, but hard to believe it was as decent as our Weather Channel would have us believe. It was supposedly plus 13C with low humidity. It seemed pretty cool and damp to us but we were dressed accordingly so we were comfortable enough.

Yesterday, we had a quiet day around here. We had our walk and I did my aerobics. The rest of the day was spent getting our new phones in order and tidying up the house. I don’t know that I did anything out of the ordinary, but my lungs felt amazing when I headed off to bed last night. Absolutely clear, and I didn’t even cough when I took a few deep breaths just to check them out. I don’t know what happened, but I’ll take it when I can get it and I just hope there will be more days and nights like that in my future. 🤗

This morning, Dan is off for coffee with some of the guys that he worked with. Molly is down for a nap. I should get on with a workout or two while all is quiet on the home front.

Daily Food Diary – Day 317

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) plain paratha (240)

(1) tbsp raspberry jam (50)

(1) tbsp peanut butter (105)

Lunch:

(1) cheese biscuit (129)

(3) oz roast chicken breast (75)

(1/3) c gravy (24)

Snacks:

(1) 315 ml Root Beer (170)

(1/2) c raspberries (32)

Supper:

(2) bowls vegetable beef barley soup (360)

(2) snickerdoodles (140)

Total Consumed Calories: 1327

Total Used Calories: 193

(30) minutes walking (137)

(30) minutes aerobics (174)

Total Net Calories: 1016

Net Calories Goal: 1208 – 1016 = 193 under 👍🏻

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

Regina Floral Conservatory – a few years ago.

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 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 16 of 365

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

Day sixteen of 365.  I am still here, although I am running late for the 2nd day in a row. 

Yesterday, I was late to the party because I had had a rough night sleep and just finally fell asleep when I should have been getting up. 

Last night, I slept like a rock for a solid ten hours. 🤦

I’m up already!  Ok, maybe finally? I love the housecoat Dan got me for Christmas.  ❤️

Another day this week to focus on drinking water.  Proper hydration is so important to everyone, but I am noticing more and more how important it is for those of us with chronic health issues.

For myself, with multiple respiratory issues, proper hydration is key to dealing with mucus.  The good news is – water works! I have been gradually upping my water intake this week and my sinuses are so much better! I usually sleep well,  with  occasional wakeups due to coughing fits, most often triggered by post nasal drip.   Last night, no coughing – nothing!

My sister Lorraine commented on my post yesterday (as anonymous).  She noted that one of the rules for organ transplants (hers was kidney) is proper hydration – two litres a day of water, and double that if you have an alcoholic drink.

Speaking of kidneys, I have had previous issues with kidney stones – for which plenty of water is advised.

This morning, my daughter Jen sent me an interesting post on  Instagram, from an account dedicated to those who have EDS (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome – a genetic collagen disorder).   https://www.instagram.com/share/p/BAMZdhiVBc

This post notes that not only is proper hydration important but so is sodium, potassium, and magnesium to support cellular hydration, fluid balance, and nerve transmission.

One thing that I have learned the hard way, is that while medical intervention is available during a chronic health crisis, one has to be proactive in maintaining one’s health and controlling one’s flare ups between the crises.   Adequate hydration is one such proactive measure that is necessary.

Daily Food Diary – Day 16

(1) c coffee

(3) crumpets with butter and jam

(12) oz water

(12) oz water

(1) c tea

(1 1/2) sm bowls chips and sm crackers

(12) oz water

(1) lg taco salad – lettuce, spinach, baked chicken, onions, radishes, cucumber, red pepper, olives, shredded cheddar cheese, dried fried onions, Salsa salad dressing and a few Hint of Lime tortilla chips

(12) oz carbonated water

(1) chocolate

(12) ounces of water

Total water : 60 OUNCES 🎉

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