Couch to Peak: How Hiking Changed My Life + 19 Benefits for Beginners

Couch to Peak — My Personal Hiking Journey

Benched on the couch at 370lbs, to climbing West Virginia’s highest peaks. I’ve lost over 200 pounds the Natural Way. Simply by eating for my frame and hiking regularly.

I’ve been an adventurer my entire life.

I’ve always had the urge and thought of “let’s go somewhere“.

Even as a small child, I liked going places and getting out of the house.

One of my biggest “faults” is that I’ve never liked staying home.

I’d rather do something.

Something or nothing:Choose Action over Passive Living

Couch to Peak

In the very beginning; I knew I had to do something.

At my heaviest, I was 370lbs.

In June 2021; I was 355lbs.

My weight problem was getting to be too much. All I wanted to do was sit down!

I made the decision.

I was ready to change.

All I have to do is “stick with it”.

This is my first “gym selfie”.

100% honest; physical activity sucks when you’re 300+ pounds. I remember being so out of breath.

In fact, I was more diet focused than exercise focused for the first several months.

Getting under 300lbs; my mobility became much better.

Everything became much easier.

Black Water Falls, Davis, WV
March 2022
(262lbs)

Black Water Falls/Lindy Point/Downtown Davis/ Sirianni’s Cafe was the very first full “day hike” for our family; we’ve regularly enjoyed many since.

January 2022 I realized that happiness doesn’t come from “things”. My resolution was

Buy less, Create more.

In the tune of creating more;

Let’s explore, hike, and create memories!

By Summer of 2022; our family began hiking nearby places at least once or twice a week. Sometimes three times!

Chimney Top was one of my longest and most difficult hikes. At 7.2 miles. Crazy elevation gains, too.

I was alone.

Harper’s Ferry was a climb! At over 5 miles; it was the longest hike we’ve done (to date) with “kids and dogs”.

How do I become a hiker?

I did not actually set out to hike. Or plan to become a “hiker”. It kinda found it’s way to me.

Exercise was something I never really participated in. My excuses were either:

“I don’t have time”

“I don’t feel like it”

“I do a lot of walking at work”.

In June 2021; my first month of making changes. I was boosted by morale. I went to the gym (once or twice) and walked the rail trail (once or twice).

It was uncomfortable. The breathing, back pain, the exertion. I did not enjoy it. At all.

A new excuse emerged;

“It will be easier to exercise when I’m under 300lbs”

Exercising Over 300 lbs: How I Started Hiking Safely

Exercising over 300lbs is a lot of weight to carry as you propel forward.

It’s like, exertion in its purest form.

I recall from experience, it’s not easy. The numbers are crazy, though! It shows how much energy it takes.

*Flat* Rail Trail:
45 minutes-ish,
392 calories burned.

*Steep* Jumonville Trail:
45 minutes-ish
1300 calories burned

Hiking Burns More Calories Than Walking — Here’s Why It Works

If this was a calorie burning contest: Hiking is the obvious winner.

I like winning.

Completing even greater work, in the same amount of time; it’s extremely rewarding.

My mindset WAS (and sometimes still is); “If I have to do something I don’t like doing; It better be worth my time“.

Exercising under 300lbs

I got under 300lbs, five months into my journey. It was the day after Thanksgiving.

I was only diet and food focused. Exercise was still not a priority or concern. Now, it’s Winter time and it‘s “too cold to exercise“.

March 18, 2022; it was a warm Spring day. The weather was getting nice! Our family took the very first, of what’s now known as a “day hike”.

We packed a cooler and left town about 9am. With an iternary and a plan in mind!

Go to Black Waterfalls, Lindy Point, find a cool place to eat after, then come home by dark.

That day changed me.

It was so simple. Yet one of the most beautiful and memorable days of my life.

This is living.

This is a way to spend a day!

I want more days like this.

19 Key Benefits of Hiking for Beginners

Benefits and Reasons

My #1 reason is:

It’s a way to spend the day.

I love going somewhere.

Here’s a few other benefits and reasons I why I love day hikes:

Waterfalls!
Cliff views!
Natural wonders!
Being surrounded by trees
Dirt>Sidewalks
Finding little lizards
Seeing birds and wildlife
Discovering the strange and unusual
The best stories come from the woods
100% free entertainment (just pay gasoline!)
Builds appreciation for all Creation
Builds strong legs and muscles
Builds strong heart and lungs
Helps de-stress and refocus mentally
Gives insight to gratitude
Brings a closer connection between you and those who trek the journey with you.
Burns lots of calories! (I almost forgot that one)

Beginner Hiking Plan — Couch to Peak

How do I go from Couch to Peak?

Everyone has a journey.

In fact; doing something is a journey. Doing nothing is a journey.

It’s either SOMETHING or NOTHING.
Each has a different end-point scenario.

Bring awareness to your life. You are so loved. You have potential. You have purpose. What’s stopping you? What’s getting in the way?

Faith moves mountains.

Nothing is impossible.

Find your reason.

Make the commitment.

“Stick with it”.

Only Reasons, No excuses.

Fully aware. No fault. No blame.

Every consequence has a choice. Each choice has a consequence.

Make the right choices and the most loving decisions.

Always Committed Everyday.

Encouraging others ACE to their goals!

THIS is the journey of LIFE!

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Always Committed Everyday