Oh...LIFE!

Happy hump day!  This has been a great week. The weather is AMAZING, and I had the most relaxing and enjoyable weekend. I love weekends like that. Where you actually feel rested on Monday and ready to go back to work. That's what weekends are suppose to be--time to relax and rest. We make so many plans and keep ourselves so busy, we forget to take time to slow down. I am guilty of it! I am going to be gone the next two weekends, but after that, I will use my weekends for what they are suppose to be for!! Nate and I spent the whole weekend together, and at the end of it, I feel closer to him than I ever have. We just sat there and looked at each other and I said, "how could life get any better?" Somehow it keeps getting better. We both have amazing jobs and our relationship is one everyone dreams of. It's more than I ever thought it would be. :)

So life is perfect and wonderful, but I still deal with this stupid anxiety issue. It is so hard somedays, but I always seem to push through. I stay positive to inspire others, and that is my whole goal in life-- to be here on this earth to help others. It is what we were created to do. To build each other up. If I have to be the strong one for everyone, by golly, I will do it!  I want you to know it isn't easy, and I can understand people's hurts and pains. I am right there with you, and I hope I can make your day when you read my blogs, look at my facebook posts or when you see me! I'll always share a smile with you :)

Enjoy this INCREDIBLE weather! Get outside and PLAY!!!!! And keep on smiling!!

Love!

Home is what you make it. Family is who you make it.

Madison is beginning to feel more and more like home each day. Establishing roots is the only way to make this happen. You can be happy anywhere if you take the effort to reach out and make wherever you are home. I am taking a class at church called Starting Point which just started this past Sunday. It is a place to meet new people at church, to learn more about what they believe, and to see where you fit in best to volunteer or join a small group. They have groups called Life Groups which are made up of around 10 people. They meet once a week to talk about the message from each Sunday and to grow together as friends/family. I am really looking forward to joining a group and connecting with others in the community.  I also 'adopted' one of my clients as my Grandma, and I am going to spend some time with her this afternoon. You can call anywhere your home, and you can make any one your family! It is also a wonderful time of year with it being fall. I absolutley love this weather and the crisp air! I took a long bike ride on a beautiful trail yesterday out into the country. It was so peaceful riding out there and smelling 'fall', my favorite scent.

Nate and I went to Chicago to a Cubs game this past weekend. I can't believe all the fun adventures we get to go on! We will have our date night tomorrow, and this weekend, we are going to go mountain biking with another couple. I have a dinner date with my friend, Lyndsey, as long as her sister doesn't go into labor before then, on Friday. She watched Oscar for me while we went to Chicago, and she also has two dogs, so it will be fun to have a dinner/doggie date!

Work is going awesome! I love Pinnacle. It is such a great company, and for once, I have one job and see a bright future with it. I am looking forward to what it will bring for my growth in my career and as an individual. It feels more like a family there rather than a gym. I feel pretty darn lucky to leave work every day saying "I love my job!"  If you even want to call it a job--I would call it more of a hobby that I get paid for :)

Hope everyone is having a super day!

Thought for the day: Your power works best in weakness

"My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. So now, I am glad to boast about my weaknessess, so that the power of Christ can work through me. For when I am weak, then I am strong." -2 Corinthians 12:9

I love this verse. We are made strong in our weakness. It is when we are torn down and weak that we gain the most strength. Hardships and troubled times are put into our lives to make us stronger. We learn the most about ourselves when we are going through something hard. Be thankful and boast in your weaknesses because you are only becoming stronger because of them.

I have a split shift at work on Wednesdays which I LOVE. I worked from 5:30-11 this morning, and I have to go back from 5-7:30 tonight. I spend my afternoons working out, showering, eating lunch, napping, and I go to a coffee shop close to my house to plan work outs for my clients for the week. Then, on Wednesday nights, Nate and I have date night because it is one of two nights we get to see each other during the week. Thursday used to be my favorite day, but I think Wednesdays might be now! 

Good news! I ran this morning! My foot is SLOWLY getting better. I was only going to go 10 minutes, and I made it 17! YAHOOOO!!!!! It is a little sore now, but I know it is getting better each day! Plantar fascitis is the worst injury! It takes so long to go away! It has been a good thing for me though because it has forced me not to run. I have been running for a long time, and I would have never taken this much time off willingly. I think my body needed a break from it, and I will be even stronger when I get back at it. I have been swimming, biking, and doing lots of strength training, so I actually feel like I am in better shape than I have ever been! I have really been watching my nutrition, and in the past month, I have lost 6.5 inches total. I use the app: myfitnesspal to log my food and exercise each day. It has been so great for me to do this. I think everyone should. You need to know what you are putting in your body each day, otherwise, you don't think about it and those pounds slowly creep up on you. 

Happy hump day to all!

I'm back!

I haven't written in a while. It isn't because I haven't had time or haven't wanted to. I wasn't feeling inspired, so I have held off. I have had a hard past couple weeks with anxiety/depression/being home sick. Anxiety and Depression is something I have had to deal with my whole life. I unfortunately inherited it from my family, but I know that and have learned to deal with it.  I was so busy before I moved: working 60-70 hours a week and only have 4 days off a month. I have so much more free time now and every weekend off, so I actually have time to myself to think and feel.  This is a good thing because I am learning so much about myself. Another reason why moving to Madison was a perfect decision at the perfect time in my life. I can't stress enough how important it is to slow down your life. Take time to reflect and think each day. If you don't, you will be setting yourself up for a melt down later because you are bottling all your feelings up inside. I have been dealing with these the past few weeks, but as hard as it has been, it has been wonderful! This is why I have not written. I wasn't feeling like myself (thankfull, I do now!), and I like to keep my blogs as positive as possible. Out of every situation--both good and bad--you can always find the positive. ALWAYS.

Updates: I went to my first Badger game where they played UNI. I traded sides for the day and sat in the Badger student section and wore my Badger shirt! How dare me!! It was so much fun. My friends Katie and Heath came to stay for that weekend and Nate went too. Our friends Skyler and Karch came that night and stayed until Labor Day. We had a crazy and weird weekend, so we like to say! We went out at night, went to Taste of Madison, toured the capitol, went to the union terrace, saw a boat parade and fireworks and went to the game! Great weekend!

This past weekend, I went to Cedar Falls. I took my friend, Lyndsey, who comes to my bootcamp class at Pinnacle. She ran her first race, and she has had mono for the past few months! I was so proud of her. My client and friend, Megan, also ran her first half marathon--wow!! I couldn't be more proud of these two girls. I was able to stay with Megan for 6 miles in the beginning and the last mile at the end to cheer her on. She was on top of the world when she finished! I hope she never forgets that day and that she can do anything!

I came back that night and spent the evening cooking with Nate. We went to bed early so we could get up early the next day to see the start of Ironman. It was so surreal watching it because I feel like I did it just last month, and it has already been a year! It brought back so many great memories. It is who I am today. I am an Ironman. I will always be an Ironman. No one will ever be able to take that away from me. Ironman saved my life and brought me to the most amazing place, amazing job, and amazing man. That decision changed my entire life. So, as you can see, it was very surreal watching that and reflecting on this past year!  After we saw the start of the swim and bike, we took off for Green Bay to go to the Packers and 49ers game (Packers=Nate's favorite team. 49ers=my favorite team). Nate got the tickets for me--what a great guy! It was my first NFL game, and I got to see my favorite team win! They played so well!  We tailgated and walked around before the game and as always, had such a great time together. Nate was also sweet enough to drive home so I could sleep, as he knew I had to be up at 5am the next morning for work. What a guy! 

That is a quick recap of what has been going on in my life. I will try a lot harder to write more frequently because it is hard for me to keep in contact with everyone back in Iowa, so this works well to update everyone! Please email me or call me anytime. I love hearing from everyone. I hope some how my life inspires you in some way. That is my goal of writing! 

Love,
Heidi :)

Just let it happen...naturally.

For so much of my life, I was trying so hard. Trying so hard to force all the things I thought were "suppose to be". I was suppose to go to college, meet someone, get married and buy a house. Isn't that what everyone does?  Well, I did just that. I was forcing everything because I wanted it so bad, and I wasn't patient. I ended up pretending to be happy for many years. To make a VERY long story short, I went through two of the worst years of my life, went through a divorce, then dated someone right after and had the relationship from hell. Finally, I took a vow to myself to stay single for a year and train for Ironman. I did just that, and it was exactly what I needed. I became independent in everything I did and found out what I wanted for my life. I wasn't worried about finding someone else. I planned my life for me, as if I was going to be by myself forever. I worked five jobs and did everything I could to support myself financially, emotionally and spiritually.  Without looking, a new and amazing career came to me and an amazing man. I didn't have to try to move to Madison. Everything worked out naturally down to the last detail. I didn't have to try to find a guy. Things with Nate and I worked out naturally. We haven't had to try. It has just worked out. This is how it should be! If you let go, have faith, and focus on you and what you want, it will come to you. Make yourself some goals, but also don't look too far ahead that it makes you worry. I know how this feels, and it is a horribe cycle to be trapped in. Do something each day to work towards your big goals, but truly take it one day at a time. It will come to you. It will happen without you even trying.

I had a wonderful weekend with Nate's family. It was his brother's wedding, and it was the perfect day. It was really fun to get dressed up together, and I got to spend a lot of time with his awesome mom! I instantly felt comfortable with his entire family. It was like I had known them all forever. It was so natural. Another thing about Nate and I that don't have to try for! I don't know how it could get any better, but it keeps happening!

On Sunday, I did a half ironman relay with my friends Beth and Clare. I was the swimmer and swam 1.2 miles in 42:30. This is the fastest I have ever swam that distance, so I was real happy.  Beth biked her little heart out and Clare anchored us and was 4 minutes from her best time! It was a great day to spend with my two friends I hadn't seen in a while. Nate, his mom, and his mom's boyfriend, Tom, all came to watch me. I thought that was so thoughful because we were up pretty late for the wedding the night before, and I was just swimming, so they couldn't really even see me. It made me swim harder knowing they were there though. It made my day.

My week at work is busy, but not too busy.  One of my clients is moving to New York, so we are trying to work out every day before she leaves to use up her sessions. It has been really fun kicking her butt each day!  I am going to miss her when she is gone!

I swam 8.5 hours last week. My goal was 10, but I didn't have access to a pool on Friday or Saturday, so I did it in 5 days!  On Saturday, I did ride 25 miles, so I suppose I can count that as the other hour and a half.  Yesterday, I made the goal to do 500 push ups, and I did it! Boy, am I sore today! I broke it down throughout the day. I did 10-25 each time until it added up to 500. It was fun to do with my clients. I know what you're thinking... I am crazy!! And you are right!!!

Maybe Someday...

Maybe someday... maybe someday I will start a savings account. Maybe someday I will volunteer. Maybe someday I will start working out. Maybe someday I will start eating healthy. Maybe someday I will buy a house. Maybe someday I will visit that friend I haven't seen in a long time.  Are you a maybe someday person? Have you heard yourself say these words?  I was at church on Sunday, and this was part of the message. I know I am guilty of it. We have to stop saying maybe someday and go out there and do something. Set a goal and take one step each day/week/month/year to reach that goal. Write it down. Put it somewhere you can see it because a goal is just a dream until you write it down and give it a deadline. Nate and I took the time to do this together, and my motivation increased dramatically. I cannot function without a goal, no matter how large or small it is. This week, my goal is to spend 10 hours in the pool. My best friend, Melissa is going to run 75 miles this week. These are big goals, but by speaking them outloud and setting a deadline, they are going to get accomplished. They don't always have to be exercise goals, but that is just an example. What small goal can you set today to take a step towards your larger goals? Have you written your goals down and set a deadline for them? DO IT!

I had a great weekend this past weekend in Cedar Falls. I came back to go to my good friend, Megan's wedding shower and bachlorette party. It was so great to be a part of her day because I am unable to make it to her wedding. I also got to visit a lot of other people while I was in town too. Nate came with me, so he met a lot of very important people in my life, and they of course loved him!  He is pretty loveable! We didn't get home until 8:00 on Sunday night, so it felt like the weekend went by so fast. We talked the entire 3 hours home. We have the best conversations about life, and I am so glad I found a best friend to call my boyfriend. I love our lives together :)

Well, I have to get going so I can spend 2 hours in the pool again today then head to work! I hope you all set a goal today, write it down, tell someone, and go out there and get it done!



 

Weekend recap

I had a wonderful weekend here in Madison.  I started my Friday off at the terrace where I read my book, went for a swim, and had a few beers at happy hour as I waited for Nate to get off work.  I met him at his house, and we had a picnic together and went to the swimming pool and hot tub at his apartment.  It was nice to have some quality time to catch up because we don't really get that during the week as much. Being a girl, I need to talk about my feelings all the time, so he was wonderful about listening of course!  On Saturday morning, we got up at 6 and volunteered at a kid's triathlon, ages 3-14. It was really fun watching them!  They had training wheels, big wheels, and some of the older kids even had nicer bikes than me. No fair! I got to help at a corner of the run course and between the bike/run transition, and Nate helped with parking. We rode our bikes there, so on our way home, we stopped at Abuelo's, which is a Mexican resturant and smashed some good grub! When we got home, I was sitting downstairs and Nate brought down his mattress pad to put on the living room floor so we could watch the Olympics together. It was raining out, and we took a nap instead. We ended up sleeping for about 2 and a half hours!  It must have been needed because we both woke up feeling really good!  We made a trip to the grocery store and I made chicken cordon bleu, green beans with bacon and red skinned mashed potatoes for dinner. It was rather delicious.  We watched some more Olympics and went to bed.  On Sunday, I got up and went for a swim, then we went to church and then to the zoo.  Madison has a free zoo, and it was the perfect day outside. It was very enjoyable, and we of course, had a wonderful time there. Then, we drove around looking for houses we want to buy and got ideas. We finished our weekend by talking about our goals for the next year together and wrote them down. We are going to review them regularly to reach all the goals we have set for ourselves and for our relationship.  Here is another reason why he is so perfect for me!  I need someone who is driven and goal oriented, and here we are, writing down our goals together!  I can't imagine that our lives will be anything less than amazing. Well, that was the weekend!  Today has been a busy day at work and I got in a great swim work out. I plan on reading when I get home and waking up in the morning to do an open water swim at the lake.  Have a great start to your week, everyone!