Scout and I took our first winter snowshoe up to the Solomon Gulch reservoir. It never fails to amaze me that you only gain about 600 feet on that hike - so much of it seems straight up! I think I've only been up there once before in the winter, and that time the trail had been packed by snowmobiles. Today I got to break trail through about 8 inches of wet snow. Not bad, but definitely hard work. It took me nearly twice as long to get to the top as it does in the summer. (If you're dying to know, you can search my posts for Solomon Gulch and see several from summer hikes as well as my last winter one. I always like to see photos of the same area in different seasons.)
I'm not sure the view from the top was worth it...nah, it was. I was desperately in need of getting outside and doing something, anything. My mental health, not to mention my physical, really suffers when I spend too much time inside. I become aware of myself getting down, losing interest in doing much of anything, and wanting to eat lots of sweets, but I can't seem to do much about it unless I can get outdoors. One hike, run, bike, ski, snowshoe, whatever is all it takes to turn my mood completely around. I read somewhere recently that exercise is the most underused antidepressant, and I totally believe it.
Today, however, I had to figuratively kick myself in the butt for another reason. I was making my way up yet another steep hill, feeling pretty bad-ass for being out there, alone, and working so hard when my stupid brain reminded me that no matter how svelte and strong I was feeling at the moment, when I got home and looked in the mirror I'd still be the same fat, dumpy me. Ugh! How stupid is that? I reminded myself that all that mattered was how I felt right then and there: strong, capable, and yes, even a little svelte. It helped, a bit.
You'd think after all this time I wouldn't have to keep reminding myself that I'm out there being active because I love it and I love how it makes me feel, not just because I'm trying to look better. As long as I can keep moving and keep getting stronger, that's all that matters. The rest is just gravy. I tell myself this over and over and over....
Damn it, I am a bad ass! Maybe someday I'll look like one, too, but maybe not. You'll still find me out there, proving my bad ass-ness on a regular basis. I hope I see you out there, too.
By the way, the view on the way down was much better. BOB made an attempt to prove he really does exist, although from the way fog was hanging over the port, you may not have known it if you didn't get out of town.
