Tag: recovery

Adaptive Fitness Without Burnout

Adaptive Fitness Without Burnout

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:44 — 28.2MB)

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Learning When to Push and When to Recover

 

 

Have you ever started making progress with your fitness, only to be stopped by skin irritation, socket discomfort, phantom pain, fatigue, or an injury? As an above-knee amputee who loves working out, hiking, skiing, and staying active, I understand how frustrating it can feel when your body suddenly forces you to pull back.

 

 

In this episode of the BAWarrior Podcast, I’m talking about how we can pursue adaptive fitness without burning ourselves out physically or mentally.

As amputees, our journey is rarely a straight line. It often feels like two steps forward and one step back. We may receive a new prosthesis, begin walking confidently, and think everything is finally falling into place, only to experience discomfort, skin breakdown, pain, swelling, or a change in socket fit. These setbacks do not mean we have failed. They are part of learning how to live, move, and grow in a body that continues to change.

Burnout is not always caused by a lack of motivation. Sometimes it comes from the physical demands of walking with a prosthesis, protecting our sound limb, managing phantom sensations, and constantly thinking through every movement. The mental load of being an amputee is real. Curbs, ramps, stairs, uneven ground, exercise machines, and even getting onto a bicycle can require additional thought and energy.

 

 

That is why recovery must be considered part of training.

In this conversation, I share the importance of sleep, hydration, nutrition, stretching, rest days, and regularly checking the skin on our residual limb. I also discuss the danger of comparing ourselves to people on social media. Our progress should not be measured against someone else’s body, abilities, or journey. The better questions are: Am I stronger than I was yesterday? Is my balance improving? Am I walking with more confidence? Is everyday life becoming easier?

Adaptive fitness should support our independence. It can begin with practical movements such as standing longer, carrying groceries, getting up from the floor, playing with children or pets, or walking around the house with greater intention. These small accomplishments build confidence, momentum, and a positive mental attitude.

 

I also talk honestly about respecting our prosthesis. Some days the fit will feel great, and other days it will not. Heat, sweat, swelling, weight fluctuations, and activity levels can all affect how our socket feels. Listening to those warning signs is not weakness. Pulling back when necessary may prevent an injury or wound that could keep us out of our prosthesis for weeks.

 

 

My challenge to you this week is simple: choose one positive, adaptive goal. Take a few more steps, practice your balance, stand a little longer, or give yourself the recovery day your body needs.

The goal is not to prove how hard you can push today. The goal is to build the strength, wisdom, and confidence to keep moving forward for years to come.

Move forward, Warriors, even if that means that today you rest! Tomorrow is a new day, rest and rise up with even more conviction!

Have a beautiful week, and as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

 

Much love,

 

 

Grab the Reins and Go!

Grab the Reins and Go!

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:36 — 33.2MB)

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Moving from Recovery Mode into Momentum Mode

Year of the Fire Horse Part 5

 

 

There are seasons in life where we heal… and then there are seasons where we’re called to move again.

For a while, I was healing.

After my revision surgery and AMI procedure, my world slowed down whether I wanted it to or not. New sockets, new pain, scar tissue, relearning movement — it felt like starting over all over again. And just when I began to feel ready to push forward, life filled in the space. Holidays, responsibilities, travel, hosting, caring for others. Suddenly months had passed and I realized something important:

I wasn’t stuck because I couldn’t move forward.

I was stuck because I had gotten comfortable waiting.

This episode is about that moment of realization — the moment you understand that healing can quietly turn into hesitation if you’re not careful.

We’ve just stepped into the Year of the Fire Horse, and whether you follow that calendar or not, the symbolism matters. Fire brings energy, intensity, and transformation. The horse represents movement, courage, and momentum. Together, they create a once-in-a-lifetime invitation to stop sitting on the sidelines of your own life.

But before we can run forward, we have to shed what we’ve been carrying.

 

 

I talked about the Year of the Snake — the year we’re leaving — and how snakes shed their skin. They don’t gently outgrow it. They press themselves against rough surfaces to pull it off. Friction is required for renewal.

And honestly… that’s us.

Hard seasons, setbacks, medical struggles, emotional weight — those moments aren’t proof life is against us. They’re often the very process that removes the old version of us so a new one can exist. The mistake we make is trying to keep the old skin. We analyze it, revisit it, and sometimes build our identity around it instead of leaving it behind.

This year asks something different of us.

It asks us to stop waiting for perfect conditions.

As amputees especially, waiting becomes normal. We wait for appointments, healing, prosthetics, pain to calm down, energy to return. Waiting becomes a lifestyle. But at some point, waiting stops protecting us and starts limiting us.

 

 

So this episode is a challenge:

Stop saying “when things get better.”

Start asking “what can I do today?”

Because growth does not happen inside comfort.

Comfort leads to stagnation.

Stagnation leads to false alignment — a place where we convince ourselves we’re okay staying where we are, even when our heart knows we’re meant for more.

I see it in myself. I’ve been certified in equine therapy for months, yet I hesitated to begin. Not because I couldn’t… but because of the “what ifs.” What if I fail? What if I’m not ready? What if timing isn’t right?

But authenticity matters more than preparedness.

You grow by doing — not by waiting until fear disappears.

The Fire Horse energy is bold. It rewards decisive action, courage, and honesty with yourself. It exposes the places we hide in comfort and invites us to lead our lives instead of postponing them.

That doesn’t mean ignoring hard days. It means refusing to let them define every day.

If you’re not ready for a big challenge, start smaller.

Stop micromanaging everything wrong and start noticing what’s right. Write down blessings. Shift focus. Open your awareness to the parts of life still moving forward around you.

Because we are more than our bodies.

More than our pain.

More than our setbacks.

The warrior mindset isn’t pretending life isn’t hard — it’s deciding hardship won’t be the end of your story.

This episode is your reminder:

You don’t need a new year, a Monday, or perfect timing.

You need a decision.

Grab the reins.

Move forward.

Start now.

And as always,

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

 

Much love,

 

My blessings and the people who keep me going! ♥

 

 

 

The Journey Called Life

The Journey Called Life

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:28 — 47.1MB)

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Have Grace With Yourself Through Life’s Ups and Downs

The valleys in life allow us to see the beauty of the mountain tops

 

Moving has been the focus of my every moment this past 3-4 weeks and it has been exhausting. I have pushed myself to the max to get things unpacked and to make our new house look like a home. I have rubbed my residual limb raw, created some serious pains that have taken my breathe away, and made my “good leg” ache with all the work it has done to compensate for the lack of not having another limb. With all the craziness of life I have ignored the fit of my socket, until now. I am finally getting fit for a new socket and am excited with the idea of a closer fit, but anxious with having to cope with a new fit that will inevitably cause pains as I adapt to it.

With the good comes the bad. With the highs come the lows, and life is a journey. We must always remember that life isn’t a sprint but a marathon. I need to remember that. I can get impatient at times, and frustrated by the problems and set backs I encounter on a day to day/week to week basis.

I need to remember to stop and smell the roses( or in my case, today, sunflowers), and enjoy the journey. Today was one of those days when everything just came to a head for me, emotionally, and I got so angry and frustrated. You know, the kind of emotion that makes you want to give up and take a nap…. or stress eat!

I’m proud of myself, I did neither! Instead I went through with recording my podcast. Take a listen to hear what happened today that put me in a tail spin. As I spoke to you all about it, I realized that I am truly blessed with my life and that “this too, shall pass”.  I must learn to have grace with the world, the people around me, and myself.  I believe we have these moments to remind ourselves of all the good that is in our life. Without the valleys how can we appreciate the mountain tops? I sometimes forget how good my life is and how blessed I am. I need to remind myself to be grateful, even through the problems.

I hope you can see how blessed you are with who and what you have in your life, even when things aren’t so perfect. If we can just see the positives we can eliminate stressors that can harm our health.  Our attitude and outlook on our life can create a healthy life or make us sick.  Being unhappy, grouchy, and angry can really harm our health and  destroy our recovery from sickness or surgery. Try positivity. You might be surprised on how great you’ll start feeling AND you’ll also see the world change, for the better, all around you, all because of how you carry yourself. I don’t see myself as disabled or handicapped. I like to smile at people who look at me, staring at my leg. When I smile and they smile back then I know they see me for ME, then a chain  reaction occurs, of happy vibes…. at least in my life and at my house.  Try it!! The world needs more positive vibes- why not be the person who starts it? Be the change!

 

 

Today’s Call to Action:
Write down 5 things that you are grateful for. Maybe it’s people in your life, or your pet. Maybe its the health you DO enjoy, or a memory. Maybe it’s simply that cup of coffee with a friend or that moment you had to watch the sunset. Just be thankful! Then post your list somewhere that you can see it everyday. Maybe on your mirror in your bathroom, or next to your bed at night.

Better yet, can you write 5 things for which you are grateful for 7 days in a row?

Send me a message and tell me what you are grateful for. Our gratefulness is contagious!

I am grateful for each of you!! Thank you for reading, listening, and following my journey!

 

And as always:

Be Healthy,

Be Happy,

Be YOU!!!

 

A little bit of sunshine to make me smile

 

Much love and admiration,

Angie

 

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