The discipline of stopping ๐Ÿšฆ


Hello Reader,โ€‹
โœ‰๏ธ Monday Momentum #37
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Heya Fit Travel Tribe,โ€‹
Today...well....today isn't exactly Monday. If anything, that note feeds the theme. Because today weโ€™re talking about slowing down.

โฐ HAPPY TUESDAY BTW โฐ

And I say that for a few reasons...

  1. First off, it's Tuesday and not Monday. This edition is "late!"โ€‹
    โ€‹
  2. I wrote most of this last night while laying on a heating pad because my QL muscle decided to make itself very known. Nothing catastrophic. Just...loud enough to pay attention to.

What I've learned from all the minor aches and pains through fitness is...you must
๐Ÿ‘‰Pay attention
๐Ÿ‘‰Assess (honestly)
๐Ÿ‘‰Decide (intelligently)

The honesty is key.

And here's the honest message I've had to learn in life:
โ€‹It's not worth it. ๐Ÿค“

Pushing through a weird twinge you can't shake...?
โ€‹Not worth it.

Doing a longer workout cause you missed yesterday and wanna catch up...?
โ€‹Not worth it.

If something feels off, you donโ€™t โ€œwinโ€ by finishing anyway.

You win by adjusting early. ๐Ÿ’ฏ

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...

Today I'm giving you:

โ€‹
โ€‹
๐Ÿ“ Painting in Sofia - Newsletter is turning monthly, friends!
โœ…
Pristina gym review - And how to modify your workout in foreign gyms
โ€‹
๐Ÿ”๏ธHiking in Slovenia- Europe's most gorgeous hidden gem
โœ…
What is "credit card hacking?" - Would you strategize a little to score a free flight or hotel?
โ€‹
โ€‹Let's get into it ๐Ÿ‘‡


๐ŸŒŸNotes from the Fit Travel Trail

๐Ÿ‘‹ Hello from Sofia

As Iโ€™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 ๐Ÿ˜„๐Ÿ’–

Before moving in furniture and setting up our new home, we're taking the opportunity to paint. It's already in decent condition and fairly colorful (which I love), but could use a fresh coat.

We spent a long time picking out this PURPLE! My husband admits it's not his favorite (I love bright colors more than him haha), but he likes the idea of the kitchen remaining my favorite color since I love to cook so much and can enjoy it. (I also like the name "Up Tempo" for a color)

Speaking of being forced to slow down in certain moments, I've been looking at the rest of the year.

And itโ€™s a lot...

  • ๐Ÿ‘‰Visa process still unfolding
  • ๐Ÿ‘‰Painting and setting up our new apartment
  • ๐Ÿ‘‰New life logistics in Sofia (getting my own fitness classes)
  • ๐Ÿ‘‰Building out VoiceMap audio tours

๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŽ‰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, Iโ€™ve been rethinking my energy.

So Iโ€™m making a small but important shift:

๐Ÿ‘‰This newsletter is going monthly instead of every two weeksโ€ผ๏ธ

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 โœˆ๏ธ

Lastly...
โ€‹In other exciting yet "confusing" news.....

We got ENGAGED!!!

Though we got married on Saturday, March 28th, the engagement ring he wanted to buy for me wasn't ready.

About 2 weeks after the wedding....he proposed with this beautiful ring. (Would you believe he was still a little nervous? haha)

I said "YES" of course!โ€‹
And we had a lovely time celebrating in a favorite city, Melnik (which is THE wine city in the country)

Hopefully the next to I write to you all...I will have my visa!!!


๐ŸŽ‰Featured Expedition

๐Ÿ‹๏ธโ€โ™€๏ธ Pristina Gym Review

This blog post was supposed to go out a couple weeks agoโ€ฆ but here we are ๐Ÿ˜…

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.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Iโ€™ve written about strength training while traveling and how to stay consistent when your environment keeps changing.

Because thatโ€™s really the thread through all of this:
โ€‹adaptability > perfection


โœˆ๏ธ๐Ÿ’ชWhere Travel & Fitness Converge

๐Ÿ“ Hiking in Slovenia (future honeymoon thoughtsโ€ฆ allegedly ๐Ÿ˜)

(Really "allegedly" is I think it's a good idea and I've mentioned it twice out loud as of now haha)

Even though weโ€™re staying pretty grounded in Sofia right nowโ€ฆ

Iโ€™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:

๐Ÿ‘‰ Slovenia

Neither of us has been.
โ€‹It looks absurdly beautiful!!!โ€‹
And itโ€™s basically built for hiking (quiet mountain towns, alpine trails, the famous Lake Bled, etc.)

No firm plans yet.

Justโ€ฆ mental bookmarking.


๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’ฐThrifty Travel Quest

๐Ÿ’ณ Credit card points are still undefeated

Even when Iโ€™m not actively planning travelโ€ฆ

I still end up in the same rabbit hole:

๐Ÿ‘‰ Points, miles, and โ€œaccidentalโ€ 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 properlyโ€ฆ

Iโ€™m very ready to:

  • Use points strategically
  • Book smarter instead of pricier
  • And make travel feel like a perk, not a financial hit

And if youโ€™re new to this world:

๐Ÿ‘‰ Iโ€™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.)

Itโ€™s one of those โ€œwhy didnโ€™t anyone explain this soonerโ€ topics.

Always on my mind: More money for more travel! It's often worth a little homework for those savings ๐Ÿ’ธ


โšกBiweekly Boost: Quote of the Week

โ€œ
Slow down now, or your body will do it for you later.
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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 โค๏ธ

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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,

Heidiโ€‹
โ€‹Heidirunsabroad.com โœˆ๏ธ๐Ÿ’ช


Note: Some images and GIFs sourced from Unsplash and Giphy.


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