Monday, April 26, 2010

Big Baldy!

Weekly Stats
Current: 208.4
Weekly Loss: 2.0
To Go: 33.4
Total 116.6

Finally had a decent weight loss this week. I decided to take a different approach on counting my calories. I basically just took my goal calorie intake for the day and divided it by five. The five comes from three meals and two snacks. I took a bit from the snacks and added them onto the meals. I then just focused on the individual meal and made sure I didn't go over for that meal. I didn't have to keep track of what I was consuming through out the day. Instead I just focused on the meal at hand. A little change in mentality, but it seemed to help.

I had a great visit from my Woodbadge buddy, Phil, and his wife on Friday. Phil has had a bit of a struggle with his weight and wanted to know some specifics on what I had done. It was good to see him and to meet his wife. I'm glad he came because it helped keep me motivated as well! Thanks Phil! You can do this too!

Saturday my brother, Gordon, hooked up with Scott and I for a hike up Big Baldy. We knew we would run into snow and mud, but we wanted to see how far we could get. After a bit of slogging and steep climbing in the snow, we made it to the saddle. I have been there a few times and with the summit within reach, Gordon and I were ready to take the challenge. There were two younger guys who caught up with us and had the same goal. To that point, we had followed the trail and footsteps in the snow, but no one had been up the the summit since it had snowed last week. Scott started with us, but he knew it wouldn't be a good idea to keep going for him so he headed back down. Gordon and I blazed the trail part of the way and then the two younger guys passed us and blazed the rest of the way for us. That really helped. Before we knew it, we were up on top. I sure was happy to make it to the top of the first of three peaks that I had for my hiking goals. Timp is next later this year. I can guarantee that Timp will not be a snow hike! I am crazy, but not quite that for gone yet!

Saturday, I plan on doing a self-guided half marathon. Sarah and Mike will be running in the Columbus, Ohio 1/2 marathon. They take off at 8am EDT, so I will leave my house at 6 AM MDT and start out for the canyon. I am sure they will finish way before I do, but it will be fun to do the distance at the same time they do. I plan on walking most of my distance Good luck Sarah and Mike. Rachel, I think you made a good decision not to do it this time. There will be other opportunities for you and you still gained a lot from your training which will help you in the future! Hang in there and I will too!

Here are a couple of pictures from the hike:


Scott and Gordon closing in on the saddle.


Me and my brother at the summit.


Snow along the summit ridge.

5 comments:

  1. Ya for the summit!! What an accomplishment. Mine was a really hard decision, but it was taking such a mental tole on me that I realized I need to just focus on my family right now, and not try and do the 1/2.
    I can't complain. I am going into this pregnancy in the best shape I could have been in.
    Again, I love the pictures. Keep them coming.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What an accomplishment dad. I am so happy for you. Good luck with the marathon.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Rachel - I admire your outlook on life! Hang in there and good things will keep happening! Hillary - It was great to reach one of my goals. It has been hard work, but I didn't realize how much I would get to love reaching those goals. I actually look forward to my working out most days!

    ReplyDelete
  4. So, I have to admit (if it's not already obvious by my statement) I'm not much of a hiker. So, that being said - I didn't know that people go all the way to the top of mountains. I guess I just always pictured them like a big triangle, where if you stood ad the top, you fall off. (Before you laugh, let me remind you that I'm from Chicago. We're not really a mountain people, per say).

    So, I'm glad you made it to the top without falling off. Quite a feat in my book! Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Melissa - Big Baldy looks like a triangle from my front porch, but as you can see it has enough room to stand on. It's a hard climb, but I don't know if climbing the stairs of the Sears Tower would be much easier! They just build mountains in Chicago.

    ReplyDelete