365fitt Trip to the Rocky Mountains: Oh, What a Trip it Was!

Last week, I led a group of women on a Healthy Active Living Trip to the Rocky Mountains.  This trip has been one of 365fitt's most popular trips, not only because of the scenery, but because of the physical challenges that it presents.  Hikes on this trip range from short 1-4 mile hikes up to 9 miles, and build steadily in effort and altitude, taking into consideration the fitness level of the group and gradually acclimatizing to the thin air.

Could this be you?

I had a pretty good idea within the first few hours of meeting my participants, what I would be dealing with for the week.  One woman reluctantly offered up that she didn't have time to train for the trip, because she was dealing with a stressful job and moving her parents into an assisted living facility.  Another woman stated that she also didn't get in as much training as she would have liked, but that she had been riding her bike and walking.  And yet another woman, who signed up for the trip late, was a runner (10K), but didn't train specifically for a hiking trip.  (SIDE NOTE:  All participants receive a complimentary 12-week training plan to get them ready to hike.)

As an experienced coach, I knew that my original itinerary would have to be adapted, and that our first hike, a 4 mile roundtrip hike at a lower altitude to Gem Lake, would be a good indicator of the overall fitness of the group.  It is during this first hike that I am able to fully understand my participants; their motivation to attend, their physical fitness ability, their limitations, and their mental outlook.  

I knew immediately that we would shorten our hikes to accommodate for physical fitness, and also to maximize a positive experience.  After all, it's not good for anyone's self confidence to struggle on a 12 mile hike, when I can easily substitute an 8 mile hike and achieve a positive effect on both a physical level as well as a mental (emotional) level.  In fact, while enjoying spectacular hikes and enduring physical challenges is definitely a part of our hiking trips, it is almost equally important to coach women through the mental barriers that have blocked them.  Some of those barriers are, "I can't do that.", or "That's too hard." or, "I've never done anything like that before." or, "I'm not in good enough shape to do that." (I hear that one a lot!)  On our hikes, with positive reinforcement, women learn to break down those barriers and reach for new goals.  

Here's what one woman had to say:

"Thank you for a fantastic week!  Your motivation, compassion and patience is 'astounding' and greatly appreciated.  I will be rejuvenated in many ways as I continue on my journey."

And another woman:

"What a wonderful trip you planned for us!  Every hike just got better and more beautiful and the whitewater rafting was my favorite (!), but, the night hike was the best ever.  How awesome it was to do something for the first time, and that most people have never done."

On our last night, we read a passage together that captures the spirit of our trip:

Advice From a Mountain, by Ilan Shamir

Dear Friend,

Reach new heights

Savor life's peak experiences

There is beauty as far as the eye can see

Stand in the strength of Your True Nature

Be uplifting

Follow the trails of the Wise Ones

Protect and preserve timeless beauty,

silence, solitude, serenity,

flowing rivers, 

ancient trees

Rise above it all

Make solid decisions

Climb beyond your limitations

Leave no stone unturned

Never take life for granite

Get to the point

Patience, patience, patience

Life has its ups and downs

Let your troubles vanish into thin air

To summit all up

It's the journey step by step

Rock on!

Would you consider a 365fitt  Healthy Active Living Trip for yourself?

Find out more...

The "High Adventure" Women of 365fitt

Who are the women on 365fitt's Rocky Mountain High Adventure trip?

What makes these women so remarkable?

They are just like you.  

They have busy lives, jobs and families.  

In this group are three doctors, two real estate agents, a teacher, a banker, and me, the owner of a fitness company that runs Healthy Active Living trips for women.  One doctor is also a mother of two young children!  One takes care of her mother, her grandfather, another her brother and so forth.

This group loves to be active.  

These women all ride bikes with their local cycling club in Lewisburg, West Virginia.  Two of them have cycled across America.   All of these ladies have ridden a century (100 miles) ride.  Two of them just completed a 50 mile run in Paris, France.  One just completed a marathon.  One doctor just completed an Iron Distance triathlon.  They seem pretty remarkable.

Now - really, who are they?  They are just like you.

Two of them have thyroid problems.  Two of them have bad arthritic knees.  One of them has a bad neck from a car injury.  Most have struggled, want or continue to lose a few pounds.  One of them has plantar fasciitis (that's me!!!)  And the list goes on.

Some of them like their soda and their ice cream.  A few of them love their chocolate.  And, more than one loves her caffeine.

But, 

Busy lives aside.

Health issues aside.

Nutritional imperfections aside.

They take the time to be fit, and they are a strong bunch of women.  They call it a healthy, active lifestyle.  They support and motivate each other and keep each other going.  And, they celebrate life events, anniversaries and birthdays together (yes, with cake and ice cream).

But - they exercise and that makes all the difference in the world.  It's a healthy active lifestyle that they have chosen and it makes them feel good.  They carve out time for themselves and their health.

If you can see yourself on a Rocky Mountain Healthy Active Living trip next year, check out our events.  I'll be posting 2014 dates very soon!

365fitt is about training for the event called LIFE, focusing on physical, nutritional and emotional wellness through lifestyle adaptations.  Kathy is available for personal training and wellness consultations and corporate wellness.  365fitt invites you to participate in a Healthy Active Living trip to incredible destinations.  Please visit 365fitt for more information.  Live 365fitt!

How To Avoid Altitude Sickness

How To Avoid Altitude Sickness

10 Things To Do (and Not Do) To Avoid Getting Altitude Sickness

365fitt is getting ready to take a group of women to the Rocky Mountains at over 7,000 feet.  During our trip, we will hike to 13,250 feet, and we may potentially summit Longs Peak at over 14,256 feet.

The most common questions I get are, "Will I get altitude sickness?" and "How can I not get altitude sickness?"  Here's my top 10:

1. Acclimate for a day or two, if possible at lower altitude.
2. Drink lots of water prior to arriving at your destination.
3. Drink lots of water once you arrive at altitude.
4. Eat small meals.
5. Avoid alcohol.
6. Limit your activity for the first 24-48 hours.
7. Gradually increase your duration of activity and altitude.
8. Go to bed early.
9. Pack advil
10. Immediately seek lower altitude if you experience symptoms and seek medical attention if symptoms are severe.

Please download the printable handout and share with your friends.  It could greatly improve your next adventure at altitude.

If you'd like to attend one of 365fitt's trips to the Rocky Mountains, we'd love to have you.  Our trips are a wonderful way to jump start your fitness program or add excitement and a new goal to your list of activities.  Check out our videos and our photo gallery on our events page and join us next year! 

365fitt is about training for the event called LIFE, focusing on physical, nutritional and emotional wellness through lifestyle adaptations.  Kathy is available for personal training and wellness consultations and corporate wellness.  365fitt invites you to participate in a Healthy Active Living trip to incredible destinations.  Please visit 365fitt for more information.  Live 365fitt!