Sometimes I wish that I was a man. Aside from the obvious reasons (faster, stronger, EARNS MORE MONEY) today I am mainly envious of the fact that they can go for a wee standing up.
Today I did 16-mile hike. It’s a tough one – lots of climbs beyond 11,000ft and the high-altitude-sun viciously saps all of the energy that you have. Now usually I don’t put up too much of a fuss about having a piddle / pee / wee wee in the great outdoors – when you gotta go, you gotta go. But my God, today the experience was hellish. Firstly, it was like some kind of fountain or excitable garden hose. I literally have no idea how I had drunk so much liquid? I must have been squatting for a good three minutes. SQUATTING. On already aching quads, this was not a fun time. I’ll put my hand up to this one, on this occasion, Liv the avid hiker, had a sense of humour failure.
SQUATTING.
And that, my friend, is why one does not have a gym membership.
What with all the hikes – today alone must equate to at least 600 lunges, goodness knows how many calf raises and I can only liken the aerobic workout to about 9 back-to-back Zumba classes.
Not only is hiking free, you can get some stunning photographs (beats getting a ‘flexing’ selfie in the gym) you’ll get a nice glow to your skin (once you scrub off the dirt), and you will probably see some cool wildlife (I saw a bear today). You can also make a day of it – stop off at pretty places for lunch, snacks etc.
If you’re in a hot place, remember to be prepared with plenty of drinking water, sunscreen and bug spray! If you’re over-heating, it’s a good idea to dip your hat / bandana in some cold water, then putting it back on your head will help to cool your body temperature down. Or take a moment to dip your wrists in some cold water – this will also quickly bring your core temperature down.
My favourite hiking snacks to take are: Granola bars (lots of them), bagel with peanut butter and jam, an apple, some sliced watermelon (even better than the apple because of the extra water content), dried fruit and nuts, and last but not least – electrolyte jelly beans for when you’re flagging (or something similar). If you can jog the last downhill section, that’s always a good idea as it helps to prevent the lactic acid build up, so you won’t be so sore the next day. Even better – if you have the chance, jump in an ice-cold lake!
Happy hiking kids.
I like the connection you made between being a female, peeing in the outdoors, and having a gym membership. I love it!
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Thank you very much. It was definitely a ‘I’ll be laughing at this later’ kind of moment.
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Love it. Health and fitness can come in easy steps. Not just going crazy and paying tons of money to join gyms and get fancy gear. I love your emphasis on how easy it can be to take simple steps.
I think you’d find my new blog has very similar posts. I encourage you to check it out! Like. Subscribe. Whatever. We are all in the fitness blogging game for the same thing. To spread healthy lifestyle as far and wide as we can. I am trying to build my network one comment at a time!
https://millennialsurvivalblog.wordpress.com/blog/
Britt
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Hi Britt, thank you very much for your kind comment. I’ll be sure to check out your blog. All the best, Liv
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Thank you Olivia!
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I think a lot of people go to the gym just to feel good about themselves. I have gym membership yet I have weights, a perfectly good racing bike, a nearby park to run in.. literally everything I would need at my fingertips! I even feel like I have done less if I do a workout at home with my weights and not in the gym…. the mind is a really strange thing! Amazing hike too by the way.. well done! 🙂
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I totally agree. I don’t mean to say that the gym is bad, but there are some great free alternatives! (especially when you’re travelling). It sounds like you have a great set up: the perfect mix of running, biking and strength training. Good work!
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If you think you had a problem with outdoor loos talk to Aunty Sheila about her experience when we were on holiday a few years ago couldn’t possibly write it on social media but really funny xx
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