Barefoot Guides, Wild Rides, and Turning 40

So this weekend I was invited down to the South Island to photograph Jenny and Roland Mapp's High Country Station.  http://www.spraypoint.co.nz/

It was the closest thing to my Nepal trek I could think of.....now if you have read my blog you will know that at the beginning of my weight loss adventure I had decided that I wanted to do it because I didn't want to flatten a Sherpa by having to have them carry me up a mountain side.   Now that didn't quite happen this weekend however.....Here is the result:

A shoeless Roland...being the High Country gentleman that he is when he saw me stranded struggling to scramble up a ravine that needed scrambling the man literally gave me his shoes (helps that I have quite big feet and they fit near perfectly).  He just casually walked up it barefooted.  Now I did bring shoes....stupid city shoes.  No not heels.... just tevas that I use all the time to run and shoot in but apparently they are incredibly stupid shoes for hiking in the mountains.  Now I know. 

What I didn't know is that there is nothing in a gym routine that can prepare you for clinging on to the back of a motor bike that doesn't have foot rests.  Twenty minutes pretty much straight up with my thighs gripping on for dear life and my muscles all contracted trying to keep my feet from dragging or wacking in to the large boulders we kept dodging.   Then twenty minutes down hill now incorporating my back muscles.....I could barely stand straight after I got off the bike except for the adrenalin that had me bouncing around. 

What I learned is that I still get puffed doing uphill stuff.  I don't want to get puffed doing up hill stuff.  So more hikes it is. 

I have decided since the work with the Trainers has stopped I will start doing core work as suggested by my dear friend Melissa twice a week and that I will challenge myself to hike up some of the bigger hills around here in the mornings.  So my plan is to work out M-F and then blob a bit on the weekends. 

Last week was my last week doing the Look Better Naked and the end result was

Weight = 123.2kg’s – 2.8kg’s lost

Body Fat = 42.2% - 9% lost  (my goal was 47% as I started at 51.1%)

Skin Sum = 347.5cm – 14cm lost (this was my goal...randomly set but achieved non the less)

Push Ups = 15 (I couldn't even do one when we started)

Sit Ups = 52 (31 6 weeks prior)

Step Test = 106 pulse  (was 132 before LBN)

On Turning 40

Last night I retouched my sparkly diamond roots a lovely shade of magenta as I was tired of wearing hats to cover the grey.   I turn 40 years old in two days.  I still feel mentally about 26...some days 17 depending on how responsible I am feeling.  I am not really sure what turning 40 means....the only thing I didn't want  to do was hit it in a slow ooze.  

What I am grateful for in my 40 years on this planet:

1. My son - that this body that I chastise for being bigger than the current fashion was able to create and deliver life, just makes all of its wobbly bits just that much more special. 
2. My partner - I have a man in my life who I truly do not deserve.  I give him a serious run for his money, and keep him forever on his toes....but he loves me despite of it and for it.  He is my rock, my home port, the place that I can find shelter from the storms of life and comfort in his love.  Not sure how I got this lucky.
3. My work - Everyday I get to do what I love.  Yes it is scary running my own business and there are days when I think I am slightly nuts to do it but then....then I realize how happy I am creating. 
4. My family - I have nut jobs for parents in the best way....a sister who keeps me on my toes, beautiful step children...a niece that makes me grin from ear to ear every time I see her picture or get to cuddle her sweetness. There is spice and dramas but mostly there is a lot of love. 
5. My Health - I never smoked, rarely drink, but I have eaten the hell out of life and moved quite slowly unless being chased.   my body has put up with the oral abuse I have given it and kept me in reasonably good condition.   Thank god for that. 
6. My sense of humour - I typically can entertain myself. I crack myself up at the often stupid things I do and I am glad for my own company most of the time.