This past weekend hubby Tom and I decided to hike a new trail up in the foothills of the Sierra mountains. The weather forecast looked favorable with a slight chance of a drizzle so we packed our gear and headed out. On our way we stopped and purchased sandwiches to put in our backpacks. As we pulled into the parking lot for the trail we saw a young man starting out on the trail with his son on his back in one of those child carriers. It reminded us of the days when our kids were young and we did the same thing.
When we arrived at the trail head we realized that we had left our map at home. No problem we just took a photo of the posted map with our cell phone. Technology is amazing! We studied the posted map and chose a 6 mile hike.
Starting out the trail was practically as wide as a road.
Just minutes into our hike it began to rain lightly, so we got under the cover of this large moss covered tree so we could put our jackets on.
Here is a close up of the moss – it was amazing.
This group of wild turkeys weren’t bothered by our presence in the least. We encountered a couple more hikers on the trail and even some runners.
The light drizzle soon turned into a downpour and we were faced with hiking through running water and mud. Our hiking poles were put to the test! To make matters worse the trails were not well marked. We couldn’t find our location on the map we had taken a photo of. We thought we should have arrived back at the trail head by this time and yet it was no where in sight. Clearly we had taken a wrong turn. Bummer! We also wondered about the young guy we saw with his son on his back and we hoped he had turned back before the heavy rain came.
Off course, cold and wet. Thank goodness for active cell phone service and Google Earth on the iPhone – it found our location and using the iPhone compass app (no sun to help us determine direction) we figured out which way to go. As luck would have it we found an old paved road to walk on which was such a relief after hiking through mud and water.
It was as if we were walking in slow motion. Our legs were moving but we couldn’t feel them, I told hubby Tom I felt short, small and slow. Ha ha-that must be what a turtle feels like. I don’t know if it was because our clothes were wet, or because we were tired and hungry or if it was the frustration that comes with being lost, but the last thirty minutes of walking felt like an eternity. Two hours after setting out for a simple 6 mile hike and completely soaking wet we found our car! Talk about a welcome sight. Ours was the only car left in the parking lot so that meant the man and the little boy had made it back – it was good to know.
We shed the outer layers of wet clothing and got the car heater going. Oh how I wished I had packed extra jeans! We feasted on our sandwiches wishing we had a hot beverage instead of just water. Where was Starbucks when we needed one? After a little food and the warmth of the car heater we were feeling better and ready for the drive home. As soon as we got home we shed the rest of the wet clothes and put our muddy pants in the washing machine. The afternoon was spent comfortably snuggled under down blankets on the sofa, watching TV while sipping on mugs of hot tea. Finally we were warm again!
Lessons learned; Don’t set out on an unfamiliar trail with out a proper map. Don’t hike in the rain unless you have waterproof clothing from top to bottom as well as water proof backpacks! Pack rain ponchos as an emergency back up and don’t trust the weather forecast when it calls for a slight drizzle!
Nutmeg Notes
This hiking experience also got me to thinking about how losing weight, eating healthy and exercising is so much easier when you have a plan. You know the old saying, “Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail.” With out the structure of a healthy food plan, a weekly menu or an exercise schedule it’s easy to get off track. Sometimes we take a wrong turn which makes it more difficult to arrive at our destination.
The timing of this ah-ha moment is perfect for me as I am still sporting some extra weight. Perhaps the last thirty minutes of that hike would not have been as difficult if I hadn’t been carrying an extra 12 pounds! Back in October I posted about being 10 pounds over my happy weight. Before the holidays I had lost a few pounds but with the extra holiday food choices I made and the lack of exercise they came right back and brought a couple friends with them! The extra exercise and all of our hiking has resulted in my clothes fitting so much better but the scale does not care to budge. I have not been as diligent about my lifestyle choices as I know I need to be.
Yesterday I read Dr J’s post about Psychological Defense Mechanisms that really spoke to me. It gave me a lot to think about regarding my choices and behaviors where weight loss is concerned.
I am also going back and reading some of my old posts where I shared the things that help motivate me to make good choices. I don’t know why I sometimes get off track and lose my motivation. I guess that is the million dollar question and if we had the answer to that there wouldn’t be so many of us blogging about the subject or so many who are interested in reading about it.
Motivational posts that you might also enjoy reading.
Having Goals and Staying Motivated
Making a plan!
Tami
Add Your Thoughts
The whole weight issue, what to eat, what not to eat, how much to exercise and so forth is a mental game. I sometimes tell myself that I have to be in the right frame of mind in order to make the right choices. But perhaps that is what I tell myself to justify not doing the right thing. The better approach might be to make the right choices in order to be in the right frame of mind.
What do you think?
12 comments
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Jody - Fit at 54 says:
January 25, 2012 at 1:00 pm (UTC -7)
You are so lucky you made it back!!! Scary with all the stories on the news! Amazing pics though!!!!
Hey, at least your clothes fit better & that says something right there! A step forward!
Your last thoughts – you know, I never thought about being in the right state of mind to lose the weight or just maintain which for me is basically a work in progress for life.
I lost it back when but as the years went on & now – for me – it is my life & I don’t think about it in any other way. This is the way I live life & I plan on doing that long term & doing what it takes to stay fit & healthy…. that is just it…
Tami says:
January 26, 2012 at 5:54 am (UTC -7)
“I lost it back when but as the years went on & now – for me – it is my life & I don’t think about it in any other way. This is the way I live life & I plan on doing that long term & doing what it takes to stay fit & healthy…. that is just it…” – I love that about you Jody!
I am an emotional eater and even though I eat a healthy diet, when I am stressed or have anxiety I reach for food for comfort. Even if it’s healthy food I have no room for extra calories!
Helen says:
January 25, 2012 at 1:16 pm (UTC -7)
That must have been scary too! I agree with Jody, the pictures are really good.
I totally agree that it’s a state of mind thing. I have a friend who lost 50 pounds then got hit with an injury. She would like to lose 20 more but has not been able to get herself where she needs to be mentally. I know she will and will ultimately be successful. Actually I call that “the click” and I have no idea how to make it appear.
At the dojo we have a saying, ‘Plan your work. Work your plan.’ I like that one better
Tami says:
January 26, 2012 at 5:55 am (UTC -7)
Helen thanks for the saying from the dojo – I like that one better too!
Lori Lynn says:
January 25, 2012 at 2:04 pm (UTC -7)
I don’t know what I’d do without my Google Maps on my phone!! I’m always fearful that someday when I really need it, it’s not going to work. LOL
I have told myself that as well, with having to be in the right frame of mind with making good choices. I probably wouldn’t stress/emotional eat (as much anyway), if I didn’t try and justify it!
Tami says:
January 26, 2012 at 5:56 am (UTC -7)
Google maps is amazing! We were just fortunate that we had cell service where we were.
Linda P says:
January 25, 2012 at 2:18 pm (UTC -7)
Thank you for sharing your adventure – you made me feel as if I were right there with you! And it’s nice to feel connected to you again.
Since I have gone gluten free, I have not had the appetite and cravings I used to have. I think my body has been able to absorb nutrients much more effectively. I don’t crave cakes, cookies, pie, etc, as much as before, and I’m actually eating more vegetables! I’ve lost a few pounds without even trying. (However, the new weakness is marshmallow creme!)
Tami says:
January 26, 2012 at 5:59 am (UTC -7)
Hi LInda, so good to see your comment. It’s wonderful that the gluten free diet is workins so well for you. There has been so much press about it lately and so many gluten free products showing up on store shelves.
I had to laugh at your new weakness – marshmallow creme – I had that as a kid and had no idea it was still around!
Sharon says:
January 26, 2012 at 4:27 am (UTC -7)
Good lessons learned on the hike! Over prepared is a much better alternative to what can happen when the unexpected occurs. And rest assured, the unexpected WILL happen as you saw!!
Thank you for the honesty in this post. Frankly, we’ve been blog friends for almost two years now and I’ve often wondered how in the world you manage to do all that delicious cooking without overindulging. I’ve noticed that you have lots of boundaries in place (send leftovers with son and Tom, freeze immediately, etc.) but I still think for anyone who has ever had weight issues, that’s asking for more discipline than can possibly be sustained consistently. Even with proper portion control at mealtimes, spending as much time reading about and then cooking such wonderful recipes practically screams testing, tasting and sampling in ways that could add up to a full days calorie count without even realizing it had happened.
And rest assured, there is no criticism here nor am I presumptuous enough to offer suggestions or advice. I know how much you love cooking and to give it up or alter your lifestyle in any way would be like asking me to give up hiking.
I’m not sure you’ve lost your motivation – I just wonder if you are asking too much of yourself!! But I know your priorities and I suspect you’ll find the right combination of motivation and self-discipline. And however that happens, I’m right here behind you supporting and encouraging all the way!!
Tami says:
January 26, 2012 at 6:17 am (UTC -7)
Sharon I really enjoyed reading your viewpoint on this. Cooking isn’t usually a problem for me as far as nibbling or tasting – baking now that can be a different story! If I don’t taste anything I do fine but sometimes that one little piece of something sweet can turn into a big carb craving mess!
Of course you are right that reading about recipes, looking through cookbooks, photographing food and so much time spent thinking about food could also be a trigger to eat more, even if I am not aware that it is happening that way. You have given me much to think about it. I am not sure what I can do differently since I am the only one here who has the time to cook.
Since our college age children still live at home I am still cooking for a family on a daily basis and they have their favorite snack foods in the pantry. I am surrounded by food!
Usually it isn’t problem for me because I enjoy the way I eat.
As I have said before I am an emotional eater and when I am stressed I tend to reach for food for comfort. It’s my drug of choice! We have been dealing with lots of family issues since the end of last summer when my mother in law passed away. I have had down time where I couldn’t exercise do to injury, illness or sciatic nerve problems. It’s been one thing after another that has derailed my efforts or that I have used as an excuse to not be as diligent as I know I need to be.
Thank you for your support Sharon, I appreciate your thoughtful comments.
Karen@WaistingTime says:
January 27, 2012 at 10:55 am (UTC -7)
Ooh – I love things like that little paradigm shift! Makes me think. And wonder. I have a few pounds extra myself thanks to my holiday over-eating and my inability to do cardio. Not much, but I feel every one of them.
Tami says:
January 28, 2012 at 5:27 am (UTC -7)
I am glad you liked that Karen. I think the smaller you are the more impact each extra pound carries!