I know! If you are familiar with Tam Mcarthur Rim you are in total shock this was a challenging hike for me. First of all, it was…and I fully admit it. In fact, it was that awful reality moment or realizing I’m in the worst shape of my life. Let’s face it, I work a desk job and get very little activity during the 8 to 5 hours. By the time I get home, I have a list of to-do items that are from two months ago. Getting any kind of physical activity is not happening. At least that was my logic a year ago. Let me tell you, it was wrong on so many levels. I was finding excuses to not take care of my health or fitness level. There was always something else that needed to be done. This way of thinking was why I thought I was going to die half way up the trail. I wanted to give up, I wanted to turn back around and go find a nice relaxing spot by the lake. Honestly, I would have if there wasn’t one small factor in the equation. My stepdaughter was right along beside me.
My stepson decided he wanted to run the trail…oh yeah, he’s a cross country, track, nordic ski kind of guy. He ran the trail all the way up the cliffs, back down half way, back up again, down again, and back up for a third time. We’ve established he’s crazy! My husband hiked with my stepdaughter and I to the point of no longer being able to handle our constant whining, and stopping every 50 feet to catch our breadth. Eventually he went on ahead and left us two girls sitting on the first cliff feeling perfectly content taking the view from half way up. Giving up would have been so easy at that point. We had a breathtaking view. However, what would I have showed my stepdaughter. Settle when you reach good enough! Of course not, that would have been the worst example ever. Please understand, I knew we were exhausted, but we had plenty of energy to keep on going. If I thought my stepdaughter was in any health danger, I wouldn’t have pushed her along. The two of us continued our way on the trail. We stopped plenty, in fact I think we took a break under every tree cover for shade. I should also let you know I was not expecting to do this trail and was wearing jeans and definitely not wearing hiking shoes. It didn’t matter how long it took us to get to the end of the trail, we finished it. We both made it to the top and took in the best views of Tam Mcarthur Rim.
I’m sharing our hike that day because it was the harsh awakening of why I needed to become more active. I think fitness is very important, I respect anyone with the discipline to get up every morning and start the day with a work out. Personally, I prefer my extra sleep. Terrible I know. I realized that my need for exercise didn’t match up with the things that motivate me. I viewed going to the gym as a way to get curves in your arms, a six-pack, or a perfect body. Honestly, not things I care about. Ok, maybe I would love the perfect body. Anyway…I had to realign how I viewed working out. By working out consistently, you can go on those hikes with crazy inclines and gorgeous views…something I love to do. You have more energy to get more of that to-do list done every day…who doesn’t want that? Physical fitness is about keeping your body healthy so you can do the things you love! I’ve failed to realize this in the past, but I’m not going to let it define my future. In 2020 I’m looking forward to a more active life style. That means implementing a workout routine into my daily life so I can enjoy more crazy hikes and other fun outdoor activities. Will I be a full on gym rat? Nope! But I will incorporate healthy habits into my daily life!
