Back to Class

Since I've returned from Mount Kilimanjaro my workouts have been, well, lackluster. There is a bit of a let down after accomplishing a goal so grand, something that you've been training for and dreaming of for more than a year.

I love having a grand adventure to visualize while I exercise. Otherwise, I find myself bored and unmotivated. I just spin my wheels on the bike or go through the motions on the elliptical trainer for a quick 28-minute workout.

I'm still deciding what my next Big Fat Adventure will be. Other items on my life list include a rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike, a trek up Machu Picchu or another one of the world's Seven Summits (Aconcagua, perhaps). Since I've just barely unpacked after this last trip (and then again after Irene), I decided to give myself a little while to decide what my 2012 challenge will be.

In the meantime, I decided to shake things up by heading back to class -- exercise class that is. I love the positive peer pressure of an exercise class. You have to keep up, and people expect you to return.

I grabbed the group exercise schedule at the Summit YMCA to find some fun, challenging activities here at home. I started circling Zumba, Spinning Out Loud (where singing is encouraged) and others that can keep me motivated and working hard.

Since it is nice to have a familiar face in class, I started with my personal trainer Heather Worthy's class -- Cardio, Cuts & Core. She kept us sweating for an hour with a mix of kickboxing, strength training and more. What an incredible workout (I'm still sore).

So with the back-to-school season upon us, think about shaking up your exercise routine. Is there something you've always wanted to try? Get out there and try something new!

Made it to the top!

Just a quick note that I have made it to the top of Kilimanjaro and back down.

A lot of the porters and guides doubted that I could make it to the top. This challenge was as much a mental one as it was a physical one. I had to calm feelings of doubt along the way. I used mantras such as "Strong, Steady, smooth" and "I believe in me" with each step to squash negative feelings and continue on this journey.

I am so grateful for your support along this long, hard journey. Hope your summer has been full of awesome adventures.

Wish I Was Fat Like You....

Today a woman in the Kibera Slum, in Nairobi, Kenya asked me, how can I be fat like you....



Kibera is one of the largest slums in the world, home to as many as 1 million people. It is some of the most vast poverty I have ever seen. A visit like that has made me appreciate everything I have including my fat.

Altitude and Attitude Training in Telluride

I am spending the week in Telluride, Colorado to get a taste of thin air before heading off to conquer Africa's highest peak -- Mount Kilimanjaro.

I am here with Stacey Pratt, who is also hiking Kilimanjaro for Global Alliance for Africa, and Sydney Clover, who is helping me document my journey. My 3-year-old daughter also joined us and is attending day camp while I'm hiking way up high but it is a wonderful way for us to spend quality time before I take off for two weeks to Africa.

Our home away from home is an amazing condo at Mountain Lodge in Mountain Village. We sleep at about 10,000 feet. Just being here is altitude and attitude training. There is 73 percent as much oxygen here compared to home. (At the top of Kilimanjaro there will be half as much as home!)We often wake up with a smidge of a headache and a dry mouth. The key is to stay hydrated. I've been downing at least four liters of water each day to stay ahead of altitude sickness.

Each day we hike -- often trying to reach 12,000 feet. That will give us a head start before taking on Kilimanjaro's 19,343 feet. Our ulitmate goal while in town is to conquer Ajax Peak.

I am also using this week as a wellness retreat. BistoMD was kind enough to provide our healthy meals (ranging from 1,100 to 1,400 calories a day)so we could stay on track and could focus on our training. They are so easy to prepare, just a few minutes in the microwave and diner is served. So far, my favorites have been the Shrimp Burrito Bowl and the Chicken Breast Stuffed with Broccoli & Cheddar.

There is a little relaxation built in here... Yesterday we headed to Moab to visit Arches National Park (only 1.5 miles of hiking because of the 108 degree heat). I am heading to a Monsoon Yoga Class on Wednesday at Telluride Yoga Center and will hit Mountain Lodge's tub as often as possible to keep my legs feeling happy for the big challenge ahead. (We will summit Kilimanjaro two weeks from today!)

Packing to travel from the Equator to glaciers

I wanted to share two videos with you as I prepare for my trek up Kilimanjaro. The packing list for this adventure is about two pages long, as we make our way from the equator to glaciers.

Here is a trip to Bill's Army Navy Outdoors in Millburn:


and a packing confession about my second ill-fated trek up Kilimanjaro:


Hope you are having a wonderful summer filled with great adventures!
www.fatwomanonthemountain.com

Breaking a Sweat!

I have been working out with my trainer, Heather Worthy, to prepare for Mount Kilimanjaro. I can't believe there are less than six weeks before the summit!

Here is a video of our training session this week. If you want to learn more about Heather, please check out her website, www.worthyfitness.com or her book, Worthy Workouts!

20 Pounds of Sugar on My Back

The more I have sugar around, the more I want it.
I have been doing really well in my training. I keep hiking higher and higher mountains as well as longer and longer trails but I am not dropping pounds. The only time that I have been truly successful in losing weight was when I drop refined sugar.
On Sunday I decided to walk to my friends' house, which happens to be eight miles away, as a training exercise and get together. It was my responsibility to bring the bagels -- a baker's dozen -- to the gathering so I loaded them in my backpack and away I went. The weight of the pack was significant and it got me thinking about all the food I've been carrying around with me all this time.
The following day, when I suited up to hike Mount Tammany, one of New Jersey's best training mountains, I decided to bring along sugar -- 20 pounds of it to carry along, as I would like to drop that many pounds (or more) before I take on the mountain itself. Here's how it went:


The experience made me really think about what I really want to carry with me on the journey ahead.
Read more about my story at: www.fatwomanonthemountain.com