I’m not fit. I admit it. I used to at least walk five nights a week but I gave it up when I discovered my bad cholesterol never budged.
But I have excuses.
First, my legs are thislong. But there are other shorties out there walking and even part of the swisher crowd (what’s the swisher crowd? Check out a female jogger with her hair pulled back into a ponytail).
Second, my asthma makes me feel like… well, when I’m walking an elephant can’t exactly sit on my chest, now can it? It’s like an elephant blocks my way. No, that’s not right. That would just stop me cold. It’s more like I’m dragging and elephant behind me. There’s a lot of heavy breathing involved and I get lapped. A lot.
Third, ever since I spent my year on Paxil, I get vertigo. One might not have anything to do with another but I can’t even ride a bike anymore. And anytime I’m on uneven surfaces I have to slow down even more. So, basically snails lap me by this point.
Why am I bringing all this up?
Because I am going on a hike. With other people. Fit people.
I tried to get out of it but there was sound logic behind the invite.
To make a long story short, I need to know this area for next year. Yep, I’m the only hope. Yeah, that makes me nervous too. That never works out so well.
So, I am practicing. I went to the college yesterday and walked around the naturalistic track twice. Yes, I was lapped by the college track team, an acquaintance, and several older couples.
Today, my allergies have made me miserable. I just took some Benadryl. So this post might end abruptly.
Here are some pictures from my walk yesterday.
One of my favorite views of the older part of town. See my house? It’s there on the right 😉
ck's days 
Fear not – some of the rest of us are couch potatoes as well, and one even has vertigo. So you’re in good company.
I sympathise with you a lot, especially with the asthma, that can make walking really horrible. I’ve had it as a child, so I know the feeling, and recently I’ve suffered from various colds giving me throat, nose and lung irritations, and walking with all that going on is no fun at all – you have to experience it to know!
Did you know that your cholesterol problem may be hereditary? I’ve read quite a bit about that in recent years, and it seems not all high cholesterol problems are to do with diet or lack of exercise. People in Spain and Italy generally have less problems with hight cholesterol. Some studies found that it was far less to do with the eating of less saturated fats and the consuming of a lot of oils like Olive oil for example, than it was to do with inherited genes. Those same people who had low cholesterol when put on a diet high in all the wrong fats, still maintained a fairly low cholesterol level. If those studies to some extent are true, I’m not sure if that is a relief or not? You can feel good for a few minutes ‘it’s not my fault after all, it my inheritance’ but then feel depressed by the fact that no matter what you do, it probably won’t change much! 😐 I think eating a healthy diet is all that matters, keeping all fats fairly low, but don’t worry about what your cholesterol measures. At least you are aware of what you are eating, you know you aren’t throwing a whole load of unwanted fat into your body. That’s the way I look at it anyway.
As to the hike – good luck! I would have said “I don’t do hikes.” Take it slowly, and don’t stress yourself, if they all walk too fast, walk even slower, slow them all up a bit, tell them to enjoy the scenery at a slower pace! 😉
We are excited you are coming on the hike, and don’t worry – you’ll be fine 🙂 you make me wonder if I shouldn’t practice too though.
My cholesterol is definitely hereditary (I think 🙂 My brother has the exact same problem. I’m not sure about my sisters though. That’s one reason I gave up the walking. Although a good walk is good for my mental health so I should get back into it.
I just don’t like to walk with other people. I’m too much of a loner. And judging from this post – a whiner! Who would want to walk with this jolly soul anyway?!
It will be okay and probably a fun day up in the Uinta Mountains. And I won’t have a bunch of teenage girls to keep track of.
I will try and remember to take pictures for you (of the mountains. I remember a comment you made about not being in the mountains some time ago. Although, once we are there it will look like a woodsy area. Not the dramatic peaks that are usually in pictures 🙂
Thank you 🙂 I didn’t mean to sound so whiny. It really does sound fun!
Yeah, sorry that came out so whiny and complainy. That’s the last complaint you’ll hear (read) from me. I promise! This will be fun 🙂
Thank you, yes I love mountains, the only ones I’m aware of in the city where I live are the ones that pop up in my mind sometimes – not so attractive!! 😉
There are often a lot of trees on parts of mountains, the tendency to believe mountains are just smooth hard rock is very common, but often not true. There were some mountains I saw in Spain and there were so many nut trees growing on them they just looked like hills. They were right outside my window where I was staying, and it was a week before someone pointed out out to me they were actually mountains! 🙂