"Climb Every Mountain"

It was the last day of 2011, a beautiful Saturday that felt more like the first day of spring. I had overslept and was driving like a mad woman (obeying traffic rules, of course) rushing to meet up with our Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon Biggest Loser Weigh loss challenge group. As I pulled onto Rutledge Pike it hit me: I've been down this road before and it was not my finest hour.

 In early October I had met up with a group of people to climb to the top of House Mountain which is on the Knox/Grainger County lines (I think it's Grainger).  It's a beautiful hike that's just over 3 miles. You have two choices on the climbs: The white trail or the blue trail. We chose white because it's the easier (more on that later).

I had just came from seeing my doctor for a physical and had learned that I had gained a ridiculous amount of weight from over the summer. I had been super stressed about recent storms we had been seeing and to cope, I ate. And I ate..and ate...and well, you get the point.

 To be perfectly honest, I had never been so down about my weight until this moment and thought the House Mountain Climb would be a great way to lift my spirits and get some much-needed exercise. It did the complete opposite.

 As we started up the mountain, I could feel myself literally slow down. I couldn't go any faster than a turtle. I just thought, 'Oh, it'll get easier'. But it didn't get easier...it got harder. I started to get winded and had to stop every few minutes and catch my breath. It was then that it hit me that I am significantly overweight and I am going to die if I don't do something, ANYTHING!!

 So, I did what I do best in these types of situations, I started to cry. It was a wave of emotions: Anger-for doing this to myself, Fear-for what could happen, Self-loathing: for just about anything else I could think of. If I watched  Oprah, that hike would have been my "ah-ha moment".

 I had two great friends who were super sweet and they stayed with me the whole time, encouraging me and refusing to leave me (even though I said COUNTLESS TIMES "Save yourself, go on without me").

 I joke now that I asked Jesus to just "Take me", but the truth is, I said a scripture to myself over and over I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. That helped more than anything. When we hit a rough patch of rocks, I would recite it to myself. When I thought my knees would buckle, I'd say it then also. Somehow I made it to the top of House Mountain and I made it back down using the white trail both times. I left there with a sense of accomplishment but also a sense of shame (Oh and the water bladder thingy in my backpack had a leak so I had a soggy bottom..so it was embarrassing, cold and I was thirsty).

Flash forward to December 31 and I'm driving again to House Mountain. I can honestly say that I NEVER, EVER, EVER thought I would try and attempt this mountain again, much less in the same year.

 When Coach Missy sent us an email saying she and her hiking buddies were going to be going to House, I sent a "Reply All" that basically said: "Missy, I'm not sure I can make it".  I knew we would  have some serious hikers who would get to the top and then back down at break-neck speed. I would hold EVERYONE up.

 Once again, we took the white trail, I remember growling at the sign as we passed it.. This time, however, the climb didn't feel the same as before. I went faster (which I'm sure will be startling to those who were probably half-way up the mountain as I was just starting) and  this time, I felt different. Just as before, I had to stop to catch my breath,  but not as frequently (which again, I'm sure is startling to those who were with me). It was a COMPLETELY different climb. And it was worth it. We saw some of the most beautiful sights in East Tennessee from House Mountain, I'm so glad I went twice because I appreciated it more each time I see it.

 Amanda & Mel were my hiking buddies, along with Coach Missy & her sister and daughter.  Mel kept saying that she thought the White trail was the easier hike and I thought she was crazy until we took the blue trail down. She's right..the white trail is easier.

All in all, my end-of-the-year hike was like a new experience, and it was a good one. I was sore, tired and extremely proud of how far I had come in such a short amount of time.

Once again, when I faced a challenge, I quote my scripture and my legs went faster and felt stronger.

 I plan on making it out to House Mountain again in 2012 and see if I can do EVEN better this time.

I encourage you to Climb Your mountain this year.

On to other business:

I had the extreme privilege to do a story on my team mate, Melody. We shot over at Fort Sanders Health & Fitness Center the day after Christmas. Our trainer/life coach Chris put her through some strengthening routines (You can learn more about his Strong Within life coaching here). I also have  We had fun getting to know each other.

 As for my eating this week, well..um, let's just say I need to work on some things. I had a healthy dinner New Year's Eve but I also drank some champagne and ate Chocolate covered raisins. I really need to get that area of my life in check. I wish I enjoyed cooking more...but I really don't. If anyone has some great tasting yet healthy recipes they would like to share, feel free to email them.

I hope you have a wonderful week. Climb that mountain!!

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