Friday with Heidi: Mountain Climbing and Weight Loss

This time last week I was not at all ready to be leaving for a weekend away in Ireland to climb a mountain with my mate Gilly.

She is a PA, so super organised. I tend to be a bit more ‘let’s see how far I can stretch this‘ 🙂

Anyway, we did indeed climb the highest point in Ireland. It’s called Carrauntoohil, 1038 metres high and we went up it via ‘The Devil’s Staircase’.

Whilst climbing this boulder lined, very steep, waterfall like way up to the top I had cause to think that my experience is much like dieting, weight loss and fitness.

1. As we walked towards The Devil’s Staircase from the distance it looked quite easy, not too steep or too uneven underfoot.

How often have you said to yourself in February “I’ll be in shape for my holiday in July, that’s quite easy, I’ve got plenty of time. It will be plain sailing”

2. Once at the base of The Devil’s Staircase we could see the enormity of what we’ve decided to do. This was not a walk up a steep hill. This was considered climbing, scrambling and concentration. Trainers and jeans were not appropriate here to get the job done enjoyably and well.

When you start your next health-kick make sure you know what you need to get the result done before you start. Do you know the reality of where you’re starting from? Do you have a realistic goal and time-frame? Do you know what you need to do to achieve this?

3. As we started to move up the staircase all we could do was think about the next step. How was I going to move one step higher. It took thought, planning and belief that I’d get to the next level.

How often do you talk yourself out of improving your health or weight because you’re thinking too far ahead, thinking you can’t make it? Take each day as it comes, do each day as well as you can so as to take you one step closer towards your goal. Don’t try and run up the mountain — that’s only for the trained.

4. When we got to the summit, the cloud was down, it was hammering with rain and the wind was incredibly strong and cold. It was -3 at the top and, as pleased as we were to get there, I was more than pleased to get moving again to get down.

So I was really pleased that whilst we climbed up, we stopped and looked back and saw some beautiful views over Ireland.

Next time you’re on your weight loss journey, stop and congratulate yourself with how far you’ve come. The journey has to be enjoyable too.

5. Gilly and I walked with a guide and another lady who’d employed him to show her the way. He lead us safely up, showed us the best bits, told us what to avoid and made it fun. We helped each other on and got each other through it.

Weight loss and fitness training is much easier when you have someone show you how to do it easily and effectively. If you can then do it with a group of like-minded people all with the same goal and outcome you get amazing results.

Just like our Fit, Lean and Happy ladies who two weeks into their 12 programme are already seeing the beautiful views of success and progress.

So, next time you venture out on any goal remember:

1. It may not be a easy as you think.

2. Do you really know where you are now and where you’re starting from? Are you prepared?

3. Take one step at a time. If you do this you will get there.

4. Enjoy the process or the journey. It may be more enjoyable than achieving the goal itself.

5. Take guidance, get help from someone who knows how to help you get to where you want to go. And do it with others!