Hiking!

My friend Sophia got me hiking recently. We went two Fridays this month. Good thing about only being a temp worker!

I don't really like hiking while I am doing it. I hate feeling out of shape, I always have, even when I was at a healthy weight. Hiking feels hard.

There are things I enjoy about it, I am so lucky I live in a really beautiful part of the world. I do love being out in the woods and the foothills of the Cascades. I also love the feeling have after a hike. Feeling fit and warmed up. It puts me in a good mood.

Twin Falls, the view at the end of the hike

The least flattering picture of me ever! But really, I don't want to hold myself back, even if I am out of shape. So hiking makes me red, sweaty and frizzy. It's totally worth it. 

Looking down river

Smaller falls upriver

Part of what this blog means to me, is one day showing other people who feel out of shape or stuck in their lives, that they can make progress too. This hike was about three miles round trip, and an elevation gain of 500 feet. It was still hard for me. I took a lot of breaks. I am not an experienced hiker and have a hard time setting a pace I can stick to. 

I don't know about you. But when I see someone hiking who is not the type of person on the cover of the REI catalog I feel like cheering them on. People who are young, old, over weight or impaired in some say, I think they are brave and fantastic. Never let being heavy hold you back. If you are able to, go for a hike, play a sport or something else that feels good. Go as slow as you need to, while still getting your heart rate up. You will feel better for it. 

Some other tips, (I am not a medical professional, these are just common sense pieces of advice.) 

1. Find someone who will hike with you that you are comfortable with. On my second hike I really did have to stop every five minutes, but my friend didn't mind, and waited up for me. I felt safe, to show how out of shape I was, and supported. It makes a huge difference. 

2. Go slow. It's important to get your heart rate up, and breath heavy. But don't let yourself get dizzy or dehydrated. Don't chose a hike that is so long you won't be able to hike back out again. Start with something that seems so short it's ridiculous, and try that first. 

3. Bring tons of water, for safety. Also bring a snack, it feels so much better to get to have a snack and a break when you reach the halfway point of your hike. 

4. Bring a camera. You can take breaks, catch your breath, and then show off photos to your friends and family later. They want to see you being healthy and happy, even if you are frizzy and red faced!

Frizzy and getting fit!