Florida Life // Months 7 & 8

October 1, 2018 by Hillary 4 Comments

I’ve lived in Florida for a little over eight months – time flies! Before we know it, a year will have flown by. But I’m kinda sorta okay with that. I never want to rush through life, but after eight months, Nick and I have established that Florida Life isn’t for us. We still have a bit more time here in the Southeast, but, fingers crossed, we will be packing up our belongings by the two year mark. We’ll see! #militarylife

So, let’s catch up on the last two months in Florida (a.k.a. August and September)…

Labor Day 2018 at Honeymoon Island State Park before we got rained out!

Florida Life // Months 7 & 8

Doing

I’d say the biggest adjustment the past couple of months has been getting back into the groove of working again. I started a part-time job in Human Resources at the end of July, so now my week days start with early alarms and a dreaded commute.

Outside of working 30 hours a week, much of August and September was spent acclimating to the hellishly humid and wet dog days of summer. I feel like weather in Florida is backwards. Anyone else feel me? Summer was VERY rainy! We could expect an afternoon thunderstorm almost daily. Both Nick and I have never experienced thunder and lightning like that in Tampa Bay.

Most every weekend, between dodging said storms, we explore new gator-free places for Koba to swim. She’s a water dog at heart and unfortunately has spent far too much time indoors due to the heat and humidity.

Speaking of Koba, I think I think the highlight of my summer (and hopefully her’s too!) was that a brand new dog park opened just a few blocks from our during house Labor Day Weekend. I don’t know who enjoys trips to the park more, me or Koba, but I am so appreciative that we now have a place for our puppy to play and socialize, and it’s just a sweaty, 15-minute walk away.

August was also an exciting month for my Beautycounter business, accomplishing goals while getting more in tune with my why behind this business and how it supports my dreams. Heads up: Beautycounter’s holiday line launches this Thursday! Hello, new products and incredible gift sets for everyone on your list (hey, it’s never too early to start your holiday shopping).

My simple Beautycounter makeup routine for early weekday mornings.

Feeling

With a regular work schedule and regularly scheduled workouts, a sense of routine is helping me to feel more settled. I still long for the ease and comfort of Chico more often than not – sometimes it’s for my favorite coffee shop and running trails, other times it’s for happy hours with girlfriends, my healthcare practitioners, and the proximity to the family. I definitely miss the sense of community. On the other hand, I feel proud of my ability to adapt. And honestly, sometimes I surprise myself with how well I’m doing despite not having my support circle anywhere near. A small town girl for 28 years adapting to city living involves a lot of change, and I’m doing my best to embrace it.

Activities & Adventures

We didn’t venture far from the Tampa Bay area this summer due to said new job and, well, our spring was full of travel. We did enjoy a free Brett Young concert with friends on a random Wednesday night at Armature Works, our favorite hangout spot.

Koba and I post Orangetheory sweat sesh, September 2018.

Exercise

Orangetheory, 100%. I jumped on board the OTF train at the end of July (read: My Thoughts on Orangetheory Fitness), and I’m really enjoying it! I think it was just the thing I needed to get through the peak of summer, as exercising outside is nearly impossible due to the weather. I go to four classes per week, on average, and haven’t been doing much else aside from that and walking the dog. I am looking forward to start running outside again as the temperature continues to drop.

Hurricanes

Zero! Not holding my breath, as hurricane season isn’t over. Well, Hurricane Michael is sweeping through at this very moment, but – knock on wood – we’ll remain out of his path.

Alligators

Zero!

Thank you to those of you who have stuck around through my lulls of blogging. This November will mark nine years since the birth of Nutrition Nut on the Run, and it’s captured varying seasons of my life for almost a decade. I look forward to continue sharing on this platform from time to time, though posting consistently hasn’t been my strong point of late. I hope you will stick around – it’s a joy to have you here!

xx Hill

Florida Life

Florida Life // 6 Months In

July 29, 2018 by Hillary 5 Comments

It’s a stormy, summer Sunday afternoon and we’re doing the epitome of chillaxin’ after a fun weekend with friends. It seems like just the right setting to write about my sixth month living in Florida. On one hand, it’s hard to believe that I’ve lived here half of a year. On the other hand, sometimes it feels like we moved ages ago… but that may be the homesickness of having friends and family miles and miles away.

Since it’s been a lazy day fueled by strong coffee, I figured I’d switch up the format of my monthly recap and do a virtual coffee date of sorts.

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that I got a non-wellness related job in Human Resources. In the last recap I said that I was itching to work; well, something finally fell into place (many job applications later). I’m glad that it is only part-time for now in order to adjust to a structured work schedule again. I am hoping to spend the hours that aren’t in my new office working on the blog, getting my health coaching services up and running again, and sharing safer skincare via Beautycounter.

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that I joined a gym — yahoo! This was a fairly hefty piece that’s been missing since moving cross-country. I’ve kept my body in motion the past sixth months with a mixture of running/walking, home workouts, and the occasional gym session, but I’m totally pumped to have a “gym” just a couple of miles from home that will push me out of my workout comfort zone. I say “gym” because Orangetheory Fitness is a boutique fitness studio. Essentially you show up and get coached through a 60-minute interval workout in a group setting. While I’m no rookie to HIIT or interval training, I’ve never paid for this type of membership. I’m going to give it a shot for a month or two, and see how I like it. My mind is so much clearer when I have consistent exercise in my routine, and I think the endorphin highs will be a beneficial mood booster.

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that I’m working with my naturopath again. I am hoping to get some answers on what’s going on with my gut (do I still have SIBO?) and possible hormonal imbalances. The brain-gut connection is so real, and so I’ve asked for help to continue healing my gut which, in turn, should help ease other various symptoms (i.e. skin and mood).

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that last weekend Nick and I ran the Tampa Bay 8K hosted by Lululemon. It was just a “fun run”, but the first organized run I’ve done a while. Running in the humidity is not for sissies. I started out way too fast and lost all steam by the end. We both finished at the top of the pack surprisingly, and enjoyed participating in a free community event with other local runners. All around it was a win-win.

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that I wasn’t aware of how wet Florida summers are until living in it. Being a California-native where the weather is often ideal, I’m not used to stormy weather in the middle of summer when I imagine spending my days outdoors in nature. Needless to say, I am eager for fall/winter when we don’t have to worry about lightning, flooding, intense humidity, and the grass won’t grow inches overnight.

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that I miss the ease of familiarity. As expected I suppose, almost everything in the past six months has been NEW: new house, new city, new roads, new friends, new job, new gym, new dentist, new grocery store, new coworkers, new climate, new culture. It requires a lot of mental energy that can be exhausting at times. But the best things don’t come from staying in your comfort zone. Isn’t that how the saying goes?

I am hoping that I’ll start to feel a little more like myself again (oh how I thrive off consistency and routine!) with a set work schedule, scheduled workouts, and the consistent support from my naturopath.

I survived the first six months of #floridalife… now I’m ready to thrive!

Thanks for reading,

xx Hill

Florida Life

Month 1: settling in.

Month 2: exploring our surroundings.

Month 3: fun with friends & family.

Months 4 & 5: figuring out my purpose here + California travels.

Have you done an Orangetheory Fitness workout?

What do you have planned for the remainder of your summer?

Florida Life // Months 4 & 5

July 3, 2018 by Hillary Leave a Comment

Hi & Happy JULY! I still can’t believe we’re over halfway through 2018, and I also can’t believe that I am entering my sixth month living in Florida. Time travels too darn fast.

I missed getting my Month 4 recap up on the blog in due time, so I’m clumping together months 4 and 5. Essentially, I am going to try to summarize May and June, but that could turn into 4,000 words if didn’t refrain myself… so I’ll give ya the gist of it. Luckily, being to the point is one of my specialties ?

Month 1: settling in.

Month 2: exploring our surroundings.

Month 3: fun with friends & family.

Months 4 & 5: figuring out my purpose here + California travels.

Florida Life // Months 4 & 5

When I think to May & June, I think California. Nick and I traveled back to California twice in the span of a few weeks for two weddings. Those trips filled me up more than I knew they would. Spending time with friends and family, visiting our old stomping grounds and sacred spots in Chico, and cruising around NorCal as if it were still home… we both needed those long weekends in California. I wish we could do them all over again.

Adjusting to life in Florida remains a challenge, emotionally speaking. Find my purpose here, in this new chapter, remains challenging. Being thousands of miles away from friends and family is challenging. But what’s not challenging: living with Nick and Koba in our rental house (with oh so many functional flaws) surround by lush vegetation, and exploring an entirely new city in a vastly different part of the United States. One day, I know I’ll look back on this temporary time here with appreciation that I grabbed life by the horns and accepted this adventure. I want to embrace this place and period of life for all that is has to offer, while holding on to my dreams of living in a community that suits my lifestyle, beliefs, and wellbeing.

Feeling //

I am feeling like I am desperately ready to work work work. Ideally I’d like to work part-time (not from home) to allow me to focus on Beautycounter.

I am feeling like I am trying to find my purpose in this new phase of life. It is crazy how we so often define ourselves by the work we do. I am trying to free myself of that mindset while simultaneously finding work that fills me up.

Missing //

– dry summer heat vs. humid summer heat

– the Chico farmer’s markets, shopping locally, eating local produce

– spending time at the lake/river, not having to worry about gators and critters

– small town vibes

Doing //

I almost deleted this category, as it suggests to me that I need to fill it in with all of the things. But that isn’t what feels good in this moment. Nick and I have had significant dialogue lately about letting what is be enough. Perhaps I’ll pick up with the “doings” next month; but for now, I am going to keep the focus on all that I did do and accomplish in these past two months, rather than what I did not.

“Everyone you meet always asks if you have a career, are married or own a house as if life was some kind of grocery list. But no one ever asks you if you are happy.” — Heath Ledger

Activities & Adventures //

The highlights are unquestionably our trips to California. They were filled with pure goodness from start to finish. We also visited new friends in Orlando for a fun weekend in the middle of June, and I rang in my 29th year with a massage, takeout sushi, and by blowing out candles in tub of coffee chocolate chip Talenti.

California Dreamin’ — CA Trip #1 | May 2018
This is 29!

Exercise //

I certainly do not feel like I am at my fittest. This probably has something to do with the fact that I don’t have a gym membership. I get to the gym on base on average once per week, and the rest of my movement consists of home workouts and cardio (whether it be run, jog, or walk) around the neighborhood with Koba. It’s near impossible to exercise outside during the summer here, or it has to be timed precisely. Nick and I tried a class at Orangetheory Fitness, and while we both had a blast and were quite sore the following 48 hours, we are still tossing around the idea of a membership.

Eats & Restaurants //

There’s no chance I can recap two months of eats and restaurant outings, but a highlight was definitely my belated birthday dinner at Steelbach. I mean, just look at that beet salad with citrus, fresh mint, hazelnuts — sold instantly. I’ve been enjoying homemade colds salads – per the seasonal change in weather – but otherwise, still munching on much of the same.