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

Birthday Hike Video

Thought you would love to see this video from my birthday hike. My biggest question to resolve in this 37th year of life is why am I again hanging on to this baggage, this weight. Once I let it go, it will be a lot easier to do the things I want to do.



Be sure to check out my website, www.fatwomanonthemountain.com
Happy trails!
Kara

Celebrating My Birthday on the Trail of Life

I have hiked on my birthday every year since I turned 31, and conquered Camel's Hump, Vermont's second highest peak, after years of feeling stuck in obesity. Today, on my 37th birthday, will be no different.

My weight chart looks like a mountain range with ups and downs. But the most important thing that I can do is to keep moving forward. And though I have struggled to get the scale to move down these past couple of years, I know I have the power to move upward and onward.

Hiking is my favorite way to celebrate life and all my body can do. This year will be a test of strength, stamina and spirit as I take on Kilimanjaro a third time. My goal is to raise $1 per foot of the mountain -- $19,343 -- for Global Alliance for Africa's AIDS orphans programs.

It is my greatest hope that my journey inspires others to better health and a better world.

Click here to make a donation to Global Alliance for Africa on behalf of my next trek.

Visit my website, http://www.fatwomanonthemountain.com

Asante Sana for a great event!

Thank you so much to all those who supported me Saturday at the Kilimanjaro Spinning Challenge. I was able to raise more than $1,000 for Global Alliance for Africa and garner lots of great energy to bring on the journey ahead. You will all be my rock on the mountain.

Here is a video from the event, which was created by Sydney Clover:



A big thanks to the Summit YMCA, and for Spinning instructors Monica and Joe who picked the most amazing music for the very uphill ride. I'm now absolutely in love with Afro Celt Sound System. Here's one of Afro Celt Sound System's songs, featuring Peter Gabriel, that they played on the ride.



Asante sana (Swahili for Thank You) for your support!
This is my fundraising website. My goal is to raise $19,343 -- $1 per foot of Kilimanjaro -- for Global Alliance for Africa!

http://www.globalallianceafrica.org/personal/savetheworlddiet

Spinning My Wheels on June 4

I would like to invite you to a very special event:

Kilimanjaro Spinning (Indoor Cycling) Challenge and Online Silent Auction
10 a.m. June 4 at the Summit YMCA, 67 Maple St., Summit, NJ

Here's a link with more info.

The online auction -- with some absolutely fabulous items -- will be right here on the blog. Bidding starts May 26.

I decided to host a special Spinning class (with the fabulous instructors Monica & Joe) fundraiser for Global Alliance for Africa because indoor cycling is a major part of my training for my upcoming Kilimanjaro trek.

I love Spinning because it creates less pressure on my knees. I get great anaerobic training in each class. Proper Spinning posture helps you tighten your core. Great music helps propel you forward. Most of all, the ride, is in the mind.

During the Special Event we'll be emulating my next journey up Mount Kilimanjaro, to the very top and then down again... Be prepared for a fabulous ride -- Kilimanjaro is like climbing the side of the globe -- from the equator to glacier.

Hope to have you there! You can sign up by sending me a note at Kara@fatwomanonthemountain.com. A pledge of at least a $50 donation to Global Alliance for Africa will reserve a bike for you with a souvenir license plate!