I have learned so many big lessons these past 2 weeks, most I don’t ever want to talk about. The big word I want to focus on is I LEARNED a lot last week…. outside of those things I never want to talk about here, I did learn that while Aaron and I can sit through 3-5 hours of tattooing that doesn’t mean we should. Healing has been difficult to say the least, and I think this is the first time we have experienced the challenge of healing for a type 1 diabetic.
I had hoped I could start exercising sooner, but so slowly my leg felt better and I could finally start doing walks again last Wednesday almost 2 full weeks after getting my tattoo. It was strange feeling stuck and not liking it. I couldn’t sleep well, I stopped tracking calories and then I had a lot of “OTHER” issues to contemplate. It was a super tough-struggle-to-deal-with-it week….in the end I decided I needed a week break from my new lifestyle. I get that I shouldn’t ever do this nor should I ever find reasons to make a break OK but last week I needed it and I am washing away my guilt right or wrong.
As I started walking and stretching for the first time in almost 2 weeks it felt sooooo GOOD. Aaron was not at the same healing place I was but I needed to move forward to get out of my head and house. We talked about what I could do and decided that Deer Creek Canyon(Hike Details Here) was my best option for a quick centering hike to get me back on track but not too tough for my almost healed tattoo.
I was resigned to hiking alone which is not ideal, but I needed centering so I was ready to find my purpose stick in my head phones and sweat it out.
Strangely coincidental, I have a good solid group of people I walk with at work every week day and each week I talk about what our hiking plans are then how the hike went. My walking buddy and friend Lisa asked about my plans and when I said what I was doing she asked if she could join me. It was perfect! There is nothing like converting someone to love hiking to help me get back on track.
Lisa was a super trooper, she is incredibly active but not hiking a couple of mountains active. Nothing like jumping in and taking on 6+miles with 1300 feet of elevation for her first hike with me. I was so impressed, she kept a great attitude kept moving and celebrated a little when we started heading down.
The hike and Lisa were exactly what I needed to get me focused on where I want to go. She loved the hike and helped me remember all that I had accomplished over the past 17 months. It was great and motivating and lifted me back up to where I needed to be.
This Monday I was back on the plan, exercising counting calories and picking our next hikes. We will be doing an easier hike this weekend because of our unplanned break and Aaron’s still healing tattoo but its a new one that I have wanted to do for a while. I will also be doing my monthly girls hike, which is another new one and I got Lisa to sign up for another hike with me…pretty excited about that!
hiking to healthy 
I personally don’t find any shame in breaking from a food/workout regime for either physical or mental reasons provided you get back on track quickly, which you did so wash away that guilt! I’m sorry you had a rough week but hopefully a few centering hikes will sort it all out.
Thanks, I know getting out and hiking is the best medicine!
Just recently moved to colorado and have to admit I am out of shape. But the wife and are are trying to do a little hiking at least each weekend. Your blog is kind of an inspiration for me to push myself. Thanks for sharing. NoteI just clicked on “Follow”
You are so good that you are getting out there! It took us 6 years to finally get our butts in gear!!! Thank you for the kinds words about inspiration, I bet you will soon get addicted to the views on so many hikes here! Thank you for the follow! I simply love you blog and your pictures are so lovely!