One of my favorite outdoor activities during the summer is hiking. I love to get outside, stretch my legs, and enjoy all the rugged beauty that Alaska has to offer. And we have TONS of hiking trails, so you’d be pretty hard-pressed to get bored hiking the same ones all the time. Anchorage is a relatively large city (about 280,000 people), and there are over 400 miles of trails within the city limits, with countless more within a short driving distance outside of town. The Coastal Trail (one of my favorites) alone provides 11 miles of amazing views that follows the inlet around Anchorage.
As much as I enjoy hiking, my weight has really held me back in recent years. I find I have a much tougher time going up steep hills, get winded more easily, and have to take breaks more often – all things that make it just that much more difficult for me to enjoy myself.
One of the things I look forward to the most in terms of my weight loss and new healthy lifestyle is being able to hike more, and being able to enjoy myself more when I’m out there hiking about.
About 10 years ago, my father and I hiked the Chilkoot Trail (33 miles through Alaskan & Canadian mountains over 4 days), a historic trail that follows the path taken by prospectors hoping to strike it rich during the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890′s. I really enjoyed the hike, but it really kicked my ass at the time. And I wasn’t nearly as overweight then as I was when I started this journey January 1. But I was still probably 50-60 pounds overweight at the time, and when you’re also carrying a 40+ pound pack on your back, that’s a LOT of extra weight to lug through the mountains for 4 days.
Well, my dad recently informed me that for his 50th birthday (which will be in July 2012), he wants to hike Chilkoot again. This gives me plenty of time to continue to get myself in shape. I should have long-reached my goal weight at that point – the challenge, of course, will be maintaining my new healthy lifestyle and keeping the weight off. Considering the weight I will have lost, and the fact that I’ve learned to pack a little wiser since the last time we hiked Chilkoot, I figure that I’ll be carrying about 80-100 pounds less next time around. Combine that with the better shape I’ll be in from regular exercise, and this thing should be a cake walk! Ok, maybe not that easy, but definitely a lot easier than the last time around. I mean, did I show you the mountain that we have to hike up?
The longest, steepest climb on the Chilkoot Trail, called The Golden Stairs
What about you? What activities do you look forward to being able to enjoy more, where your excess weight has been holding you back?
{ 20 comments }
My family love hiking and I always used to make excuses about why I couldn’t do it but the truth was I was just too heavy.
Now that I’m a lot lighter it’s a real joy to be able to go along with them.
.-= AndrewENZ´s last blog… Weigh-in #11 2010: Sick and a fun run =-.
I always thought about getting up to Alaska. Backpacking is a really great way to enjoy yourself and burn them calories. Also, usually backpacking food suck so that helps.
.-= Frank Dobner´s last blog… The Truth About Loose Skin =-.
You should definitely make a point of coming up to Alaska at some point, it’s amazing here, I absolutely love it!
That’s great motivation, Brandon. I used to hike with a college buddy about once a week, and we had a great time, but I never truly “liked” it because it was hard for me at the higher weight. Maybe it’s something I should give another try.
.-= Chad´s last blog… Weighing In After My Night on the Town =-.
My asthma has improved greatly since I started my weight loss and fitness journey, but I still need to use my pump before every time I exercise. So what I am hoping is that eventually I’ll be able to work out without having to take my puffer. That’s what I’m looking forward to!
When we were little, my parents used to take my sisters and I hiking here around Montreal. Your post has inspired me to take my boys when it gets a bit warmer out!
.-= Carla´s last blog… 5 things I did right this week =-.
If memory serves correctly, my family and I hiked Coastal Trail during one of our vacations…I’ll have to ask my Dad if that’s the one we hiked. The name is familiar…
Oh, and I must mention that every time you post something about your great state, I get this weird craving for some Gwennie’s french toast and a side of reindeer sausage…
.-= Erin´s last blog… Hesitation… =-.
Ah yes, Gwennie’s, an Alaskan classic! We actually don’t go there often, usually just when we’ve got out of state visitors
How long has it been since you’ve been to Alaska?
Well, I only visit Gwennie’s when I’m in Alaska, sooooo….
The last time I was in AK was June of 2003! It’s been way too long! My Dad is there 2, 3 or 4 times a year, and I get jealous every time. He always brings me some yummy salmon and a t-shirt for my son, but it’s just not the same!
.-= Erin´s last blog… Hesitation… =-.
Well, the next time you come to Alaska, I’ll take you to Gwennie’s!
I can’t wait until you go hiking! That sounds like a lot of fun. For me….it’s canoeing. Or hell, I’ll take kayaking. I was on the Crew team in college, so being able to get back into a shell and row on the open water is something I’m very much looking forward to doing.
.-= Josie (35 and Shrinking)´s last blog… Workout Pledge =-.
I need to get to Alaska just so I can hike that trail. That looks amazing! I live near Mammoth Cave, and we have lots of hiking trails there, but I’m sure Alaska has us beat.
.-= Jeremy Logsdon´s last blog… An awesome idea… I hope… =-.
You should definitely come up for the hiking, there’s plenty to be had, and the scenery can’t be beat!
Aw man, that hike looks awesome! I’ve hiked a few times in the Adirondacks and I went trekking in Laos and Thailand. I think it’s great that you have something huge to work towards and it’ll give you even more motivation to maintain (which is the hardest part, IMO).
And man, tell me about having an extra backpack on. When I left for traveling, I packed about 20kg (44 pounds). I came back with like 12. Just started throwing useless crap away. Too heavy.
.-= Jess´s last blog… It’s TOURNAMENT Time! =-.
I was excited to read your post when I saw the title, because I absolutely love to hike. It’s something I started doing after I lost some weight. I’m in Florida, so I usually stick to hiking during the cooler months. Also, the scenery in Alaska looks much more interesting!
I think it’s great your father wants to do the Chilkoot Trail for his 50th birthday. That’s an awesome challenge and adventure!
.-= Derek´s last blog… Weekly Weigh Day 03/08/2010 =-.
My hubby loves to hike too, which makes losing weight, for both of us, even more important because we want to go hiking this summer. Have a ways to go to reach my goal, but taking it one day at a time, I will be there soon enough and be able to enjoy a nice hike around Northern Michigan…not as beautiful as Alaska…but still very beautiful.
.-= Mary Lutz´s last blog… Weekly Weigh In #8 =-.
Hey there. WOW, hiking sounds FABULOUS. I can honestly say that I’ve never really done much hiking. I would love to some day though. We have some beautiful places to hike here in Florida too and I hope to take advantage of some of those trails in the near future. As for your question of what I look forward to doing when my excess weight is no longer holding me back??? WOW, I could go on forever. To name a few: cycling long distance (across the state of Florida), 1/2 marathons or full marathons, chasing my daughter around a playground and keeping up with her and never getting tired.
.-= Lynne Garcia´s last blog… Help one of my BFFs Work her Butt Off!!!!!!! =-.
Brandon: Isn’t it a great feeling to get things done that you couldn’t do a few days/weeks/months ago? It makes everything worth it. I’m happy you’re doing so well. I can’t wait for my trip to Alaska this May. It’s going to be so much fun!
.-= Mac´s last blog… My Motivation To Run =-.
Yes, it is a very good feeling Mac – either doing things that I just couldn’t do before, or doing them with much greater ease.
That’s exciting that you’re making a trip to Alaska, where are you going?
JD and I are flying into Petersburg early in May, hopping on a boat with one of his buddies and making our way up to Gustavus for our return home. Fishing and crabbing and such the whole way. It’s going to be a blast.
.-= Mac´s last blog… My Motivation To Run =-.
Wow, that sounds like an awesome trip, I’m sure you’ll have a great time!