Exercise has proven to be extremely difficult. Whether it is with the will to merely continue a workout while drowning in the stark gym lighting or the motivation to get up early to take a walk in your neighborhood. It's not necessarily the idea of "being active", but rather the environment that should encourage motivation. To motivate myself, I've found a love in hiking -- a simple workout that can be found a short drive away from nearly anywhere. There are so many gorgeous trails to explore consumed by magnificent beauty: towering trees, mossy logs, and shimmering sunlight cascading through the tree canopy. It is all so breathtaking, and it makes me giddy with anticipation to see what the top of the mountain has to offer.
These are just some of the little pieces of thought I hold onto during my hikes. It's like having a conversation with yourself in your head -- I promise I'm not (completely) crazy. The mountains aren't merely an escape from the congested city, but also an escape from my mind and the stresses of reality. In that hike and that moment, my mind is clear and I some of the most random, irrelevant thoughts pop into my head.
I feel as those most hikers have similar experiences. Maybe some of these 31 thoughts have popped into your mind once or twice while embracing your inner treehugger.
1. "The wind is breezin' and my smile is cheezin', LET'S GO!"
2. "Remember to look down at your feet so you don't trip."
3. "Well, I put in my headphones, hopefully no one tries to be social..."
4. "Wow, 10 minutes in and the ice in my water is already melted, lovely."
5. "I am making progress, only 75 percent left to go." (Optimism: your best friend)
6. *when people ask if my dog will attack them* "Number One: Yes, I brought a vicious attack dog that would endanger others to a public place."
7. "Number Two: You don't have to pet my dog..."
8. Back to my music... "I could totally be a singer. My voice sounds great with my headphones in and in the shower!"
9. "Singing wouldn't be an ideal career though if there is a Zombie apocalypse."
10. "Speaking of that, Walking Dead is on later and now my night is planned."
11. "Wow, am I almost at the top yet?"
12. "I'm starting to get worn down. Holy crap, did those little kids really just pass me?"
13. "Okay, let's do this. MC Hammer Time, READY, SET, & GO."
14. "Right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot."
15. "Hey, the sun is almost about to set, I don't want to be on the mountain when it's dark."
16. "Now, my irrational fear of snakes is driving me up this mountain."
17. "Well if a rattlesnake bites me, I just have to hike down an ENTIRE mountain while keeping my heart at a very low rate. Simultaneously handling a nervous breakdown, easy enough right?"
18. "Wait, I can see the top. I am so close, victory will be mine!"
19. "It's okay, I'll just climb up like a monkey because walking is just too simple"
20. *Heavily gasping for air* "This is it!!! Nah, the mountain is just messing with me, I'm gonna turn around and come back."
21. "It's break time, find myself a cozy rock and my water."
22. "Wow, I spoke too soon because this is beautiful."
23. "Warm hues of magenta, orange, and indigo spill into the twinkling lights of the city."
24. "Did I get a picture of this? Ugh can't forget that."
25. "Time to go back down, always the easier part."
26. "Well I am proud of myself, I deserve a reward when I'm all done."
26. "Maybe In & Out, or Canes, or tacos -- oh my goodness breakfast food."
27. "No, stop! You just went on a hike, be healthy. Maybe a nice salad or smoothie."
28. "The struggle, I'll flip a coin when I get to my car."
29. "Yes, my car! A/C is waiting for me."
30. "I'm sweating and still smiling. I'll be back tomorrow."
31. "Thank God I didn't get bite by a snake though."
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