We all have things we know we should do, but we avoid them because we hate them.
Maybe it’s eating healthy… my pizza has spinach on it, that counts, right?
Maybe it’s exercising… but binge-watching "The Good Place" is much more comfortable!
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always hated hiking.
It’s hard, and my lungs always felt like they would be ripped out of my chest. All in all, it feels like my body is being tortured.
Not to mention, there are bugs and dirt everywhere.
Back in 2006, my fiancé took me on a short hike, which, because of all my complaining, was a three-hour hike instead of only taking an hour. Little did I know he had planned to propose to me at the top.
It wasn’t until 2014 that I began focusing on my health, both physically and mentally, and decided to share it all on my YouTube channel. I thought it would be fun to do a challenge video. The “Ice Bucket Challenge," the “Cinnamon Challenge," the “10,000 Calorie Challenge”, and even the “Try Not To Laugh Challenge” were a few that were trending.
For my challenge video, I wanted it to be unique, but it also had to be something healthy and, of course, something that I hated… because it’s not a challenge if you love it, right?
I’m sure no one would have a hard time eating cake every day for a week.
First,
I started thinking of things I hate…
-The sound of people chewing, when someone drives too close to my car, and... hiking!
Next,
I came up with a plan and created three rules that I would have to follow throughout the week.
#1: Every day for seven days, I would have to hike in a new location.
#2: The hike had to be at least 30 minutes long.
#3: I not only had to hike while carrying my 1-year-old and my 4-year-old at my side, but I was going to bring my camera and Vlog.
How'd it go? So glad you asked!
On day 1, we started easy and went downtown to hike around a "hill" called Tubbs. I was feeling strong and actually had some fun.
By day 3 we were hiking a trail called Big Tree Trail, which I had never heard of before, and it turns out it was very, very steep. A few minutes into the hike, I regretted doing the challenge and wanted to turn back. But my girls were having so much fun that we pressed on.
Each day got harder and I hated it so much! Until...
On the last day, my husband was able to join us, and as a family, we all hiked the same trail that he proposed to me. This time, we had fun, and it only took an hour… that’s with a 1 and a 4-year-old!! I really complained a lot that first time haha
Throughout the whole week and all of its ups and downs, I learned things about myself and how I was treating my body. In the past, I was so embarrassed about breathing hard that I would hold my breath and pretend that I was fine and definitely not dying. I was so focused on comparing myself to others around me that I stopped taking care of my body.
I was literally depriving my body of something that keeps it alive.
After hiking every day for 7 days, I realized that I actually really liked hiking. It was fun exploring with my family and friends. It was nice having time to think and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us every day. And I learned that breathing is good, even if it’s heavy! That means I’m exercising, and not only does my body need that, but I’m valuable enough to give it that.
Now, I have hiked more and more every summer. We have even taken backpacking. It has brought joy to me, to my husband, and to both our girls.
What is something that you hate and avoid doing?
I challenge you to take on this 7-day challenge!
Find something healthy that you can incorporate into your life every day for a week and see what you will learn from it.
Do something you hate.