4 Mile Hike!

I know that it has been awhile since I have posted, but I do have some exciting things to share with you!!! I have had the opportunity to take some small adventures with my fitness. A dear friend of mine (Laurie) had been asking me to join her on a "hike". My first thought was of course "I don't hike!" I then stated to her if we call it "going on a walk" I would be more apt to join! For some reason unknown to myself, the word HIKE scared the day lights out of me! I had never thought about going on a "hike" due to not being very active due to my weight....

I decided that I would go on a "walk", what could it hurt? Laurie and I set up a time to go and I had a few days to get excited about the "walk". I had to do some planning.... What was I going to wear? Where were we going to go? What do I do to get prepared for a "hike"? So many of different things I needed to think about and prepare for. Poor Laurie! She does this kind of stuff all the time so she had no idea why it was something I truly needed to prepare for!

I arrived at her house at 930 am..... We sat around talking for awhile and I was trying to talk myself and Laurie out of the "walk" that was in my near future. Laurie being as persistent as she is said "NO! WE are going!" "Let's GO!" I hesitated; however, I knew that I was going to make this happen and that is just what we did!!!

We headed out on our adventure, we stopped at the store, bought water and some jerky for energy. Next time I know that I will need more water and I will be packing a lunch! We went up on the outside of town in Boise. I believe the trails are called the "Reserve Trails". We parked at the top of the street and started to "walk" the trails! Before we knew it, we had "hiked" the entire side of the mountain! We went on various trails. Here are some photos along my way...

On of the ultimate challenges of this "hike" was the stairs! From a distance.... The stairs appeared to be a full stair case made of concrete. It was not until I got closer to the stairs that I noticed they are not your typical stair case stairs and I was about to go strait up the side of a mountain on stairs made of rock, dirt, and wood. I was a little hesitant; however, I was not going to let anything stand in my way! I told Laurie "it is time I face the fears of not being able to do things because of my weight! Today is the day that I will attempt to concur the "stairs"! And did I ever concur the stairs!!!!! I cannot express to you the victory I gained from taking on the stairs and making it to the top!

Above is the stairs.... Below you will find the BEAUTIFUL view from the top of the victorious stairs!

By the time we had hiked the full side of the mountain and concurred the stairs, this is where I rested for a few minutes... Not a bad place to sit when you have already gone 2 miles!

While resting I checked my FitBit.... This is where the FitBit offered the information on how far we had ventured as well as how many calories I had burned up to that point! I was sooooooo impressed with the adventure! After resting.... We chose to take other trails to get back to the car. On our way in, I had seen a couple of trails that I stated I would take after I lose more weight. You know like 50 or 60 more pounds before I would take those trails..... YEAH RIGHT!!! Laurie had us venture onto those trails on the way back!

I am sure glad she did! It was such an AMAZING afternoon on that mountain and on those beautiful trails! One of the best moments on the "walk" was when I began to get fatigued and hot! I wanted nothing more than a place to lie down in the shade... However, that was not going to happen, so I kept on trucking. All I could think about was not having anymore water and my hoodie tied around my waste was making me hotter! I was thinking to myself and spilled my thought out loud! I stated "damn you hoodie! If you weren't the greatest jacket on the face of the planet and not wearing my name I would leave you here!!!" Laurie laughed and laughed and laughed about my statement!

She thought it was sooooooo funny that I have heard about it a few times this week during our conversations! I have to admit..... I could not have been happier to see my car just waiting for me at the end of the adventure! I was thirsty, hungry, and fatigued! Laurie and I stopped at whole foods to get lunch! Their salad bar is AMAZING! You truly should try it sometime if you get the opportunity! We got our amazing salads and water and ventured down to Ann Morrison Park to enjoy our meal and some chit chat!

When I arrived home, I checked the FitBit status and this was the results of my "hiking adventure".......

I walked 10,799 steps, 4.5 miles, and I burned 2890 calories just on the "hike" all in two hours time! Such a glorious day with my dear friend!!! Thanks again Laurie for the WONDERFUL adventure and the memories that I will keep with me forever! 

Live happy, Eat healthy, Be active and LIVE!!!

Until then,

Monica