Saturday, September 8, 2012

Just a little hike

This morning, Sara and I went on a hike sponsored by Kaiser here in San Diego County.  I saw it advertised in one of the newsletters from my Optifast clinic while I was waiting to start class one day and I posted about it on my blog just in case anyone was thinking of going.  It had been years since I've been to Torrey Pines and have never done the hike they have.  Let me just say that this could not have been at a more perfect location.  The cliffs were surrounded by lots of vegetation and the ocean down below.  Here are a few pics I snapped.

 
 
 
 
 
As we went down, we encountered a bunch of stairs among the sand we were walking in.  Some of the stairs were small, but others were very steep.  It was a gorgeous view heading down, but I couldn't help but think what it was going to be like heading back up.  Since I have been on Optifast, it is a little bit more difficult for me to climb stairs.  It's not that I'm winded or anything, but there's a weakness in my legs that is hard to describe.  It's like they are weighing me down or something and they just don't have the power they usually do.  That, coupled with the knee pain I have there, leaves me feeling not fantastic as I climb up stairs.  I can even handle the hills since I have them on my regular walks, but stairs are different.  But, I did it and felt good about making the decision to take good care of myself. 
 
As we were nearing the end of the hike and heading back to the car, I thought about how significantly my life has changed.  Going on a hike is something I didn't do a lot before.  It's something I didn't want to do a lot before.  Doing things like this makes me feel so grateful that I am present enough now to experience not only the awesome beauty of nature, but also a reminder that I actually like to feel healthy and taking care of my body in a way that now has become very important to me.  This group is going to do another hike in November at Mission Trails.  The leader told us there won't be a gazillion stairs and I know I will go to that.  If you live in San Diego County, consider going as well.  Here's the info:
 
Hike Mission Trails Regional Park, Saturday, November 3, 8:30 a.m."Join Health 101 for a free session hiking Mission Trails. Wear comfortable walking/jogging shoes and bring water. All fitness levels welcome. This activity will meet at Mission Trails in the parking lot across from the Kumeyaay campground on the corner of Father Junipero Serra Trail and Bushy Hill Drive, San Diego, CA 92119"

I believe you have to sign up through the clinic, but it's open to anyone that wants to go (not just people participating in the program).  I'll post more info as it gets closer.

7 comments:

IAmHealthyEtc said...

Hey there! I was just gonna write a post on mine! I think I'll be up for the next one. Next time David sees us we're gonna be even thinner!

Kathy said...

I think you still should write a post on yours as well! Good, I'm glad you're going on the next one. And, I promise, I will take an extra shake so I don't feel weak. Don't want me passing out ;-) I didn't get the feeling that any of the other people on the walk were currently on product, did you?

IAmHealthyEtc said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
IAmHealthyEtc said...

I didn't think much about whether any were on product until you and I were talking about how long it had been since we took our shakes and then yes, I noticed that we were probably the only ones. Oh well! :)

by the way... www.younghouselove.com
maybe you should wait til after you're done studying though.

Melissa said...

Beautiful pictures Kathy! Wish I could be there with you!

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear you had a good hike! But yes, definitely bring a shake next time -- I couldn't make it this weekend, but did this hike a few weeks ago and needed that shake halfway through. Sorry I forgot to suggest it! I definitely feel the weakness you mention going up stairs -- I guess it's an optifast thing, not just a "me" thing. I'm looking forward to walking with you and Sara on the November hike. If (either of) you want to do the Torrey Pines hike again (or even Lake Miramar), let me know! I've got a little backpack with plenty of room for water and shake materials :) -Tessa

Kathy said...

Tessa, THANK YOU so much for telling me you have had the same issue going on with stair climbing while on Optifast. I was feeling that maybe it was just me because other people weren't mentioning it as an issue. I'll send you a message on FB about getting together.

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