I am OK with this no change. It was a tough week in terms of staying on track so in and of itself, not gaining is a win.
Colorado has again been racked by wildfires and the devastation is staggering. There is so much beauty here and seeing it lost in a matter of days is hard, it was hard for me to focus on our next hike or my diet thin king about all those who lost everything and all that was lost to us as a result. I decided that my only goal this week was a no change.
Our hike today was AMAZING!!!! It was also way harder than we thought it would be, well then I thought it would be since I do all the hike research and choosing. I can’t wait to tell you all about it, but it was so taxing that we have decided that it will not be a 2 hike weekend after all. Well the hike today and the fact that I barely slept all week due to the fall injuries from last weekend.
hiking to healthy 
Good perspective: positive with context. It is possible that some muscle gain counteracted the technical numbers on the scale while fat loss did happen. Steep hikes can build extra leg muscle. Carrying weight adds to the effect. I share your sadness at the wildfire losses. It is the law of unintended consequences: we have fought fires so effectively over the past 5 decades, undergrowth becomes thick in the backcountry, providing much more fuel for much hotter fires. Being in Colorado now for some time, you may have joined a few of the forest or brush thinning volunteer projects. They are themselves a fitness benefit!
Cheers to a fellow Coloradan.
That is certainly possible, muscle gain would be a happy consequence! I didn’t know about those volunteer groups but I will certainly start looking for one to join. The more of Colorado I see the more I want to see! Thanks for the advice!!!
an honor…I love your blog, and the focus you all have on the purity of hiking all different manner of topography — it is so varied, and always something new.
Wow! Thank you!
Good for you: no gain is good!
Sorry to hear about all the devastating fires!
Hey, I am about to return to Colorado. Any updates on those fires? It looks like some rain did fall and some cooler weather came in so that should have helped.
They are mostly under control now. The Big one in Black forest is 65% contained, they got an hour of rain on Friday which helped greatly. Royal Gorge is at 85% contained and Big Meadow was less contained but because they were back burning to get rid of potential fuel for it to grow.
Can’t wait to hear about your latest hike! We have also been trying to get in two per weekend and it’s really tough. We’re exhausted. I’m trying to find some shorter hikes that can be done after work during the week to break things up a bit. We are in the Denver area right near 70. Any recommendations?
It is really hard to get 2 in a week, I am starting to wish I lived closer to the foothills for weekday hikes. The only place I can think of is Barr Lake State Park. I have never been there my self and i know it goes around the lake only but it is unpaved and supposed to be pretty nice. Otherwise you should check out the closest reservoirs to you, they often have trails and sometimes even unpaved!
Can’t wait to hear about the hike! That is awesome! 🙂