HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!
I am getting back from self imposed break from everything…. I am re-energized by my visit with my family (most of them pictures above) for Christmas but to be honest I didn’t care a lick about what I ate and the quantities in which I ate it. I have not stepped on scale since Tuesday December 18th and I will not step on until this Friday which is my usual weigh in day. I am sure I have gained weight back and I am ok with it. I will lose it as I get into shape for my first 14er ( mountain that is over 14000Ft high). Plus I am determined to get to healthy weight before I turn 40 which is just 11 months away. I did get in some exercise over my break but not what I would have liked, mother nature and a nasty cold have been huge road blocks. I got a solid 6 mile walk in the sunday before Christmas and was going to take pictures of all the beautiful lights we saw to share it, but it was insanely cold. I had forgotten how cold 20 degrees was with humidity in the air, I felt like such a wimp and after all the hikes I have done in bad weather…. so no pictures after all.
Now when I go to sea level, coming home to 5600Ft takes me a couple of weeks to find my high altitude lungs. This time was no different but I kept on walking at lunch time at work and had a hike planned for this past weekend. It was a repeater because I needed something I knew I could do, we did Deer Creek Canyon close to home and it was 6.8 miles so I knew it would be a good challenge but hopefully not too hard after traveling earlier in the week. What I hadn’t counted on was the head cold I ended up getting after the hike. I kinda knew I had been working on something in the cold family and I think I naively thought some good hard exertion would get it out of my system before taking root.
There has been snow off and on the past week or so here, but it was pretty fresh Saturday morning so we didn’t need any additional assistance outside of our poles. It was cold, like 12 degrees when we started but without humidity it was still warmer then my walk with my sister in Springfield…LOVE COLORADO!!!! I was seriously huffing and puffing up the first mile, I didn’t want to stop because I had to get over that altitude crush at the beginning of every hike even though this one was doubly bad after my return. This was a great hike as it always is, and it was even more challenging than I expected because the fresh snow was like walking in sand….up hill, that is occasionally slick.
What I had not counted on was the bizarre amount of sweat I produced on that initial 2 mile incline, I don’t know if you can tell in the picture above but my hat was soaked from it. Honestly I never thought I would need a backup hat and so didn’t have one on hand. I had to keep it on because my hair was soaked through and it was still under 20 degrees out although sunny! It was just before this picture that my husband commented that I didn’t look so good and he was worried about my wet hat….. I was still feeling pretty awesome at this point but could tell whatever I had been working on for the past 3 days was about to win. We finished the hike in just 2 hours and 20 minutes, a record for us. Then we hit REI and I picked up 2 new hiking books, one on 14ers and one on alpine lake hikes. I can’t wait to plot out the next 11 months of hiking!
I love this hike for so many reasons, but mostly because it always reminds me of where I started 9 months ago and why I moved to Colorado. It always helps to get me focused back on my goals to see how far I have come.
Sadly the cold I got as a result has completely kicked my butt and I have spent the past 3 days in bed trying to recover, which is pretty bad since I am usually a 24 hour and done kind of girl. I am at least in a sitting position today and trying to stretch all my sick sore muscles. I am hoping tomorrow I can get at least half of my usual workout(s) done and I am going to work hard to get better so that we can get a hike in this weekend. It may be an easy one but a hike none the less.
Thank you so much for following me on this journey! I cannot tell you how much all of your words of encouragement have helped me!
Here’s to a brand new year and the excitement of reaching my goals! I hope your goals are met too!
hiking to healthy 
Wishing you a Healthy and Happy New Year!
Happy and Healthy New year to you too ChgoJohn!!!
Here’s to reaching and achieving goals in 2013. Sending warm wishes for a quick recovery and a wonderful New Year. Happy trails!
Happy New Year to you Ingrid! Hoping you find many safe routes to travel with your RV to more beautiful places!
Happy New Year ! 🙂 Those photos look beautiful.
Happy New Year Andrew!
Happy New Year! I am sure you will be back up hiking those mountains in no time. Take Care, BAM
Happy New Year BAM!!!
Hey, I moved from IL to CO just like you. I moved here 18 years ago and have never looked back. I love it here. Hiking is just the best out here! Good luck on your journey to the 14er’s. I’ve done 4 myself with Quandry and Bierstadt being 2 of the easier ones. You can do it!
I love it here, it is the best move I have ever made! Always good to meet another transplant! I think Bierstadt will be our first… I am getting very excited every time I drive to work and see Mt.Evans starting back, I think soon…soon! Thank you for stopping by!!!
I did mt. evans and I would say that it was harder than beirstadt for whatever that’s worth. You seem like you’ve been doing a lot of hiking so I’m sure you are ready for either. The worst part of evans is seeing all of the people that drove to the top when you get there. HA. Looking forward to reading more of your hiking adventures!
That’s great info to know, I have been wondering where it ranks. I bought a 14 ers book but have been too sick to dive into it yet! I looking forward to reading about your adventures too!
Happy New Year, you dealt with the holidays with just the right attitude! Feel better soon. Looking forward to hearing about your hikes in 2013.
Happy new year Carol! It is still kicking my bu@@ but I am hopeful tomorrow is a better day! Thanks for all your wonderful support! Looking forward to your new adventures too!
Way to go on achieving your goal! Keep it up!
Thank you! It means so much to hear the encouragement
What I have always loved about real life change is in your post. You can fall down, cheat, eat whatever and then you KNOW, really KNOW why you’ll stick with and get back on your changes. A few years ago, Jane and I did “Body for Life” and one day a week is a free day, no work out, any food goes. Before long we ate the same on that day as the rest of the regimen. Good luck-keep on keeping on!
-David
Thanks David! I keep hoping my free day will be like every other but I still lean on it pretty heavily. Blogging is helping me stay on course more then I ever could have imagined! Thanks to great fellow bloggers like you!!!
Thanks for stopping by the Clearly Conveyed Communications blog! I jumped over to your blog and am inspired by your journey. Hiking is awesome, especially in the winter, and a great way to become and stay healthy. It’s definitely a regular part of my workout regimen. Happy New Year, and best of luck as you continue on your way!
Thank you Jaime! So glad you could come by and check out my blog! Means a lot coming from someone with your experience with social media and blogging! Good luck with your endeavors.
Congratulations on your 2012 accomplishments an happy hiking in 2013. I just moved to Utah from back east and I am also loving the low humidity.
Thank you! The low humidity is one of my favorite parts!!!