Be-YOU-tiful Adaptive Warrior Angie Heuser

How to Challenge Yourself Through Life's Storms





 



What do you when you've lost your motivation?



What has you derailed?



This is often a problem for anyone going through a medical issue, including amputees.



As a 5 year amputee myself, I have a different story, one I want to share.



I spent most of my life participating in sports of one kind or another, only taking a break when we started our family.



As the boys grew so did my desire to get active again, for myself, my physical and mental well-being.



I joined karate with my kids when they were just littles, and I really enjoyed the challenge of it and feeling a part of something.



Unfortunately, onely about 2 years into it I tore my MCL which led to multiple surgeries over 5 years. I gained weight, a lot, and lost my drive.



When it got to a point that I wasn't going to get better, and I had tried everything, a blood clot came along to drive me to the lumeing decision to amputate, and that I did, 5 years after the initial injury.



At this point, I was prepping my body and mind for what was to come and with that I began to set goals and challenges, after all I was ready to attack life once again...too many years of sitting around on my butt.



The very first challenge was learning how to walk again.





The beginning of the journey-My first prosthetic and me at my heaviest since my injury

 



 



This was no easy task and with the pain of amputation/surgery, ill-fitting sockets due to atrophy and weight change, and the actual weight of the prosthesis, I was in for a really challenging few months. But I was determined.



 





For the first 3 years the volume of my residual limb changed a LOT!

 



I had to learn to put my mindset into the positive and in hyper-overdrive. I needed to find something to push me, so I decided on virtual races.





My virtual race medal wall. My motivation to keep going!

 



I could do them on my time, in my area, and with no one else around. I was going to use these races to push myself to wear and master my prosthesis. My very first race was 150 mile spring virtual race! I calculated my daily miles to figure out how to finish on time and then set out to walk the miles.



Can I tell you, in all honesty, that the first day I set out to do my 2 miles (easy, right?) I could only muster up the energy and tolerance to walk to our mailbox!!! 1/4 mile total walk! I was doomed!



But, the next day I got started and walked another block further than the day before. I continued on this path, having good days and bad and taking advantage of the good days, and pressed forward. I was determined to win this mental and physical challenge, each and everyday!



Was it easy? Not a chance! But it was plausible and that was all I needed to rise to the challenge and succeed.



Some days I could get my 2 miles in, and then the very next day I could only go as far as around the block.



I tell you this because the path isn't always straight forward. You can be doing really good one day and then nerve pains, or the fit, can take you out. You should know this going in so as to give yourself some grace and not get down on yourself.



I talk about Practice makes Permanence, not Practice makes Perfect. 5 years in and I still have days where I see my gait looking lazy or off, I still watch and correct, but I have learned muscle memory and I know right from wrong as I walk.





Practice makes permanence

 



Setting goals early on in your amputee journey, or any journey for that matter, is important to building healthy habits.

The Real Mental Side of Phantom Pain





 



Ok, let's talk about Pain. Not just any pain, but the "real" phantom pain.



It comes on without warning.



It can destroy our mood, our productivity, and our confidence.



When it does happen, and for amputees we will all have the pleasure of experiencing it at some point on our journey, it's enough to cause us to doubt we will ever be able to function again because we can't see an end to it in sight. It's the most disabling thing about being an amputee because we cannot control it.



Just two weekends ago I experienced one of my many episodes of phantom pain. I was fine when I woke on Sunday morning, enjoyed a few hours of "normalcy" then out of the blue, like lightning strikes, I was seized with a multitude of sharp, knife driving pains, in the bottom of my non-existent foot!



At first it was just startling and I was wracking my brain as to why it might be acting up. You see, for me, I know what things might cause me to have a flair up of pains from the activities of the day or night before, but not this day. Nothing I could have done would prepare me for this nor could I comprehend what had made these phantom pains come on.



As the day wore on these flashes of pain came more sudden and more often. They are so real feeling that my "foot" was getting sore from all the stabbing.





The prickles on the cactus and thorns on the tree remind me of the sharpness of my phantom pains

 



If that isn't a mental attack on the brain I don't know what is!



If you are an amputee you need to make sure you have a toolbox of info and memories to use as you navigate throu9gh each episode of phantom pains.



Join me today as I discuss what a toolbox is and how you create one.



Remember to be kind to yourself when these pains hit. They will try to crush you and break your spirit but you can and will get stronger with each experience. Just know that it's ok to shut down for a while as your head tries to understand what's happening to your body.



You are strong enough and you will make it through.



These episodes don't last forever, and you will soar once again.



 



Be the warrior you were meant to be and rise up!



 



And as always,



Be Healthy,



Be Happy,



Be YOU!!!



 



much love,







 

 







 



Like a little kid excited and waiting for Christmas morning with great anticipation only to be sad when the presents are all opened, stockings are emptied and bedtime arrives once again.



We too, can find ourselves wrapped up in waiting for life.



We wait for the next appointment, the next fitting, the next promotion, the next relationship, the next thing to be excited about. But what about now? What about the moments that are hard and challenging? Are you letting life waste away and pass you by while you wait or are you living with intention and purpose?





One place I find my purpose

It’s hard, I understand that. As an amputee we spend the first 2-3 years just waiting on healing, the next socket, the insurance company, the follow-up appointment, refitting, adjustments, etc, etc, etc.



Just when we think we have everything going well with our leg something changes, and we start all over again.



I spent the first 3 1/2 years changing and fluctuating before I got my latest socket which I have been in for over a year. And yet, I still have my moments that are hard and challenging. Isn’t that life?



How about you? What’s got you stuck? Do you know what you’re living for?



 







 



This week, if you are in a funk and can't focus on the present find someone that you can reach out to and help.



Maybe a neighbor could use a visit, or a friend needs an errand run. Whatever it is, whomever you choose to help, realize that you can do so much good and real live your life even in a season of waiting.



Sometimes the first step in helping ourselves is to think about others and find our purpose in being a help to them. Finding purpose in your waiting is key to happiness and feeling content. Remember that when you wake, and have breathe in your lungs then you are meant to be here and to make a difference in the world.



Go out and seize each day, live your life don’t wait to live it.



Tomorrow isn’t promised.



Let your warrior out and rise up! You deserve to live and be happy, even in the waiting.



 



Have a blessed week.



As always,



Be Healthy,



Be Happy,



Be YOU!!



 



Much love,







 

An Equine Analogy For Your Motivation

 







 



You must look the part.



You need to rise up, clean up, and organize yourself if you want to achieve and succeed.



Trust me I know!



Today I found myself entranced on how much time I spend with my horses grooming them.



Why do we do that? Why do we spend so much time brushing them, wiping their faces down, conditioning their mane and tidying them up? It’s not like my horses are heading out on the town nor are they saddled and transported where others will see them… then why?



 





Getting in the Christmas Spirit last year

 



I’ll tell you why, because that keeps them looking kept and neat. It keeps them healthy and clean. I brush them, I wash them, I wipe out their nostrils and eye ducts, I clean out their hooves, all in the name of health. We need to do the same, especially when we aren’t feeling great. When we are down and out, our health depends on it, our outlook on life depends on it, and ultimately our success depends on it. It's so easy to take the road less traveled when we are hurting and not at our best. When life throws us curveballs and tries to take us down that's when we need to fight harder, rise quicker, and move forward. When we get wrapped up in negativity and cave to the easy path, or path of least resistance, we tend to let oursleves go, let our homes go and stop really living. That's when we allow life to pass us by, while we wait for something better to happen to us or for us, for our situation to resolve itself. However, that's not living life, that's giving up and hoping things work out.



We need to rise up each day and prepare for life. We need to clean ourselves up, we need to make our bad, we need to get out and MAKE life happen! We all have issues. We will all have problems that arise, but the ones who succeed adjust and fight for what they want. The ones who succeed are the ones who dress for success, each and every day, despite what's happening, despite the pain and frustrations they are going through. How about you? Are you "dressing" for success each day? Are you preparing for good to happen? That is the key.



I clean my horses up every single day so they are clean, healthy, and happy. When they get the grooming they need they can then attack the day with confidence and pride. Shouldn't you be the same, if not more motivated to do so?



You are a warrior. Warriors plan for success and it starts with your physical appearance, at the very least. Start there and see where it takes you in life. You might be surprised.



So warriors, rise up and take on the day! You deserve that!



 







 



This week, take care of yourself, starting with your appearance-your physical self. Get up, get ready for the day, make your bed, and go do something.



Be active in your life.



Make life happen FOR you, not TO you.



Stop waiting for right time, the next day, or when you'll feel better.  Sometimes we need to just start something positive and good with the simple act of looking "put together", ready to tackle the day. That is your challenge this week.



Go get after life! You'll be so glad you did!



 



Be an active



As always,



Be Healthy,



Be Happy,



Be YOU!!



 



Much love,



 







 

Find Your Purpose, Set Goals, and Get to Work



This is me BEFORE my knee injury that led to amputation

Competition gives you focus and direction in life. It helps to define your day, provides a sense of purpose, and helps build character and resilience.



All my life I have been competitive. I had big brothers around always "toughening me up", and sports were an every moment event, whether competing on our home basketball court or joining teams that played every weekend.



I think these moments served me well, and prepared me for a life after limb loss.



For some of you, the journey has been a long and hard one. It hasn't been easy and you may feel like giving up.



Maybe you even think that "this is as good as it gets", but I'm here to tell you, DON'T GIVE UP!!!



You can do this! Last week I talked about mindset, well, this is the time to put your mindset to the test and work on positive self-talk.



 







 



On the hard days, when things hurt or you feel out of sorts, or maybe you are not at a point of wearing your prosthetic yet, you may get discouraged...heck! Maybe you ARE discouraged. Now is the time to buckle in and dig deep. This is the time to set those goals and reach for them.



When I find myself in the struggle where pain is winning and I feel like doing nothing and getting depressed about this moment in life that things aren't going as planned, that's when I find something to take my mind off of it. I usually find something that brings out the competitor in me. This gives me a goal, a purpose, and consumes my time which takes the attention off of what I'm struggling with.



 



How about you? What do you do to fill your time? Give yourself purpose? Or distract your thoughts changing them into a positive flow?



 







 



Now it's your turn.



Let's turn your situation into something positive and meaningful, even if you feel like everything is going wrong and you aren't where you want to be.







 



Set goals.



Be realistic but challenging.



If you aren't able to wear your prosthetic just yet then don't get down on yourself, remember life is a journey, the good and bad of it, so make some lemonade while you wait.



Once you've reached those goals, then go ahead and set more. Keep creating challenges for yourself. Setting yourself up for success in the waiting will eventually make you see that you are not waiting for life to happen to you anymore, but that you are living it.



 



Enjoy the process.



You deserve it and you are strong enough.



You are a warrior!



Hope your goal setting is epic just like you!



And until next time, and as always,



Be Healthy,



Be Happy,



Be YOU!!



 



Much love,

Your Mindset is Your Greatest Asset





 



When it comes to getting it done, or being challenged to push through something tough in life, how do you fair?



Do you struggle to feel accomplished?



Do you feel like you are drowning and there is no way out?



Or how about giving up because the going got tough?



 







 



If this sounds like something you have been through before, or are going through currently, then it may be time to check your mindset and your self-talk.



There is no denying that life will through you curveballs.



Back in 2013 as I was literally kicking butt in karate for my 2nd degree black belt, I would never have thought I would have hurt myself, gone through 10 surgeries, gained almost 60 extra pounds and then elect to amputate my leg above the knee.



Just writing that sounds absolutely crazy and a horrible fiction story. But that was my reality.



Those were tough days, months and years- five years to be exact, and making the decision to amputate wasn't the end of that journey but a beginning to a whole new shift in my life. I still had to struggle with pain, swelling, adjusting to my new body image and learning to love it. I had problems with fitting prosthetics, I had a huge neuroma that a year after my amputation I went under the knife again and had it removed. Through all of these trials, however, I was being conditioned and building my resilience to my new lifestyle.



Each of these steps I had to figure my way through physically and mentally.



Each of these moments was leading me to a better understanding of myself, my tolerance, showing my strengths and my weaknesses, so I could become better at handling the curveballs of life.



What did I find that helped me?



 







 



 



MINDSET MATTERS!



What I tell myself, how I speak to myself with my inner voice (and sometimes my outer voice). I realized that my words and thinking  could lift me up and allow me to soar,  or it was going to be my demise with negativity. Through trial and error I learned and grew.



I take challenges head on now. I am competitive with myself, and I know that my mind, my energy, and my will to succeed has brought me through tough times. I believe how I think is what has made becoming an amputee a life giving second chance for me versus my undoing.



 







 



I am no one special, but my ability to see the positive in my situation has helped me become more successful as an amputee.



It hasn't been easy, even though it may appear that way. What you perceive as me "easily" going through something really hard has had it's challenges, it's pains and problems, I have cried and I have been angry, but at the end of the day I choose positive!



 



How about you?



 







 



I didn't add a Call to Action in my podcast, forgive me. Got out of practice with April being all interviews but here's one for those reading my site.



 



Check your attitude today.



What's your mood?



How do you feel about yourself and your situation?



Now ask yourself if you can control what's happening?



If you cannot control what is happening to you then this is a great time to practice patience, positive self-talk, getting active to change your thinking, and setting some goals to keep yourself motivated during the hard days.



You will get through this.



You were designed to be stronger than your circumstances, you only need too believe in yourself.



You are special!