From a Great (Virtual) Skirt Hike(r): Inspiration Leads to Perspiration

Editors’ Note: we’re thrilled to have our first guest post from our good friend and former Atlantan, Vanessa. We think she has a pretty good perspective on muscling through the winter weather and staying motivated. Thanks Vanessa and good luck on your journey!

In a former life, I had plenty of free time (sort of), tried to run several times a week (at one point, with one of the Great Skirt Hike gals), and weighed little more than a wet kitten. After years of sitting behind a desk, travelling the four corners of the globe as a part of my job, and generally overindulging, let’s just say that I grew up and out.

Want to go for a run?

A little over 2 years go, my partner and I moved from one snowy city to another—from Moscow, Russia to Helsinki, Finland, not exactly great places for running or hiking. Our quality of life in Helsinki improved dramatically in many respects, and I even managed to (mostly) give up on those toxin-laden sticks of joy (e.g., cigarettes). This was a huge milestone for me, a solid pack-a-day habitual smoker for more years than I care to admit. During our first winter in Helsinki, something odd happened. I became so incredibly affected by the lack of sunlight that I seriously slipped into a deep, dark depression (and gained a bit more weight). It was then that I took up some form of exercise for the first time in more than a decade.

I should preface this by saying that I work from home when not travelling. It’s great, but it also means there is little reason to actually get out of the house for days at a time. This didn’t help…

By picking up some form of exercise again, this was intended as a way to a) get me out of the house for a bit during the lightest part of the day (which is not ‘light’ really, but does help) and b) to get back into shape after living a sloth-like existence for far too long.

I began simply—a short 20- to 30-minute brisk walk in our neighbourhood. Gradually and after watching the locals walk furiously with ski poles, I took up Nordic walking. Imagine skiing without the snow or the skis.

Over the next several months, I got into a routine whereby I would walk four to six times a week (depending mostly on workload and weather) for up to an hour and a half at a go at a pace that was close to a jog / slow run. The route that eventually became my favourite totalled nearly 7 km through the woodlands and gentle hills in our neighbourhood. Not bad. And, it worked. My spirits were up and my waistline ceased to expand.

I might need a ride to the gym.

About a year ago, I decided to join a gym for the first time in my life. I had worked out in gyms previously, primarily because they were free through the various universities I attended as a graduate student. But, the weather in Helsinki can be unforgiving and provides too much of an ‘excuse’ not to work out. My only goal was to tone up and look better in a bikini the next time my better half took me to his homeland.

I was diligent about going at least 4 times a week up until the summer. Again, this routine helped me in many ways: my stress levels were tolerable, I felt and slept better, and I managed to drop a few sizes without really trying or counting calories.

Then, like most people, I got busy and dropped my routine. As a consequence, I kept getting sick, I felt more stressed out, my sleep patterns were awful and left me constantly exhausted, and I felt guilty.

I’d like to thank The Great Skirt Hike for reminding me and all of us that carving out a little time each day for ourselves and for giving back to our sometimes battered bodies is a vital component to not simply physical well-being but mental serenity as well. Towards the end of last year, just as the pressure and stress and burnout from months of frenetic work were ending, I promised myself that I would make that time each day to recharge my mental and physical batteries. I’d resume my workout at the gym and then take those long walks in the woods that my Cuban loves so much. And, this year, it wouldn’t be so much about looking good in my bikini, but about allowing myself a bit of time each day to reflect on whatever it is that eats away at my subconscious.

Yesterday, which happens to be the first Monday I have been home since early December, marked my return to the gym. As I finish this post, I’m headed back for Day 2, and I’m looking forward to the burn. It might take me a few weeks to work back up to my pre-summer routine. But, that’s part of the process that I enjoy and can delight in once I reach and surpass it.

Thank you, Great Skirt Hike, for the inspiration that leads to perspiration!