The discipline of stopping 🚦
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Hello Reader, Heya Fit Travel Tribe, ⏰ HAPPY TUESDAY BTW ⏰ And I say that for a few reasons...
What I've learned from all the minor aches and pains through fitness is...you must The honesty is key. And here's the honest message I've had to learn in life: Pushing through a weird twinge you can't shake...? Doing a longer workout cause you missed yesterday and wanna catch up...? If something feels off, you don’t “win” by finishing anyway. You win by adjusting early. 💯 Or stopping completely. There will always be another workout. So last night, I did a shorter workout and prioritized movements that wouldn't poke the cranky part of my back stabilizers. My favorite quote I often say in my class: "Modifying isn't quitting." And neither is taking a pause. Taking an intentional pause and skipping a workout can also be smart training. Some days I know I need to stop completely. Other days, I shorten the duration and modify movements and intensity. Speaking of modifying based on energies and priorities...I have a bigger announcement coming below... 👋 Hello from Sofia As I’m writing this (laying on the bed enjoying my heating pad), I intentionally cracked the door open. My (new) husband is in the other room painting, occasionally whistling, and sometimes muttering Bulgarian under his breath. Given all the stress of moving, I found listening to it quite calming and amusing 😄💖 Speaking of being forced to slow down in certain moments, I've been looking at the rest of the year. And it’s a lot...
🎉🎉🎉OH! And I also just got asked to be an official team member for Sofia Expats as a "Contributor" since I'll be sending them lots of blog posts soon (visa process learnings; DEI topics like language, privilege, identity; etc.) I'm super psyched!!! Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE over-sharing details and experiences to hopefully be helpful to others! And through all of this, I’ve been rethinking my energy. So I’m making a small but important shift: 👉This newsletter is going monthly instead of every two weeks‼️ Not disappearing. Just currently pacing differently. I realized I need to spend more time considering my "business energy" given that I have a lot of interests. Some ideas present certain challenges. Some light my fire every day. Some require more space for a structured vision. I'm hoping later in the year, I have that much-desired stability allowing for some bigger decision making, re-branding, and re-prioritizing. Still always around active travel ✈️ Lastly... We got ENGAGED!!! Hopefully the next to I write to you all...I will have my visa!!! 🏋️♀️ Pristina Gym Review This blog post was supposed to go out a couple weeks ago… but here we are 😅 If you're ever in the Balkans and venture to this incredible Kosovar capital, I highly recommend you check out this budget gym! Though Fitness Gym Prishtina is tucked away in an old-school structure, it's incredibly well-equipped! SERIOUSLY! I took way too many photos of gym equipment. I also took lots of photos on how to get there since it's fairly well hidden.
Speaking of modifications again, if you are ever in a foreign gym that does not have your desired equipment, you're going to need to adjust. 👉 I’ve written about strength training while traveling and how to stay consistent when your environment keeps changing. Because that’s really the thread through all of this:
📍 Hiking in Slovenia (future honeymoon thoughts… allegedly 😏) (Really "allegedly" is I think it's a good idea and I've mentioned it twice out loud as of now haha) Even though we’re staying pretty grounded in Sofia right now… I’ve definitely been doing that thing where I'm bored and decide to look at Google Maps and Google Flights...for fun...and because it's "in my blood" at this point. And one place keeps coming up: 👉 Slovenia Neither of us has been. No firm plans yet. Just… mental bookmarking.
💳 Credit card points are still undefeated Even when I’m not actively planning travel… I still end up in the same rabbit hole: 👉 Points, miles, and “accidental” flight searches Why? Well, because it's fun to look at all the ways to save money. LOTS of money. Have you seen these jet fuel prices?? Also, because when we do decide to travel again properly… I’m very ready to:
And if you’re new to this world: 👉 I’ve got a credit card hacking for beginners post that breaks down how people save thousands just by understanding the system (especially in the U.S.) It’s one of those “why didn’t anyone explain this sooner” topics.
Always on my mind: More money for more travel! It's often worth a little homework for those savings 💸 A friendly favor (tiny ask): If this helped, share with one friend and use my links when you buy gear/cards. It costs you nothing - it just keeps my content free. Thank you ❤️ Feel free to always respond back to this email with any thoughts and questions you might have or content you'd love to see in the future. Happy travels & healthy living, Heidi Note: Some images and GIFs sourced from Unsplash and Giphy. |