![\"california](\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/03\/california-mt-whitney1.jpg\" "\\"california")
California Mt Whitney<\/p><\/div>\n
Mt. Whitney resides in east central California. Interestingly, the highest peak neighbors the country’s lowest point – Death Valley – which is 282 feet below sea level. The most trail we will be taking is about 22 miles up and down. And by up, I mean about 14,500 feet above sea level! My motivation is twofold: I have been interested in being more “outdoorsy.” I spend way too much time cooped up in an apartment at a computer (like now). Second, I’ve wanted to get back into shape, and in fact better shape than I’ve ever been in my life.<\/p>\n
So, I started training last December and promptly strained my lower back on, of all things, the elliptical machine. Stretching does wonders (especially when you are pushing 40). So one wonders why I didn’t do it before getting on the elliptical machine. I worked through that thigh burn, and I was rewarded with what my massage therapist says are knots in my quads and hamstrings, which radiated up to my lower back. If I want to look at the glass as half full, the back injury has been a positive in that it finally hit home how important core strength is. In physical therapy I’ve done low impact core exercises, mostly involving a fitness ball. It can be real challenging, but at the same time not as unpleasant as simple crunches.<\/p>\n
A little background on me: I am not a schooled professional in nutrition or fitness. I have no official certifications. Only my 8 years working in the diet<\/a> and fitness world as a writer and editor. I have been in and out of shape in my adult life. I’ve never been too terribly out of shape, weighing 15-20 pounds more than my ideal weight. I guess you could say I “wear it well.” Most people were shocked a few years back when I told them that I was 205 pounds. At 5′ 9″, that’s too heavy, even if it just appears that I’m “big boned.” That weight gradually dipped below 200 pounds when I moved to California last Fall. Then December came, an elliptical machine, and the physical therapy I currently find myself in. Considering that my family and I moved to Sacramento, California, knowing virtually nobody, I’ve been pretty happy with my dedication to getting in shape for this trip.<\/p>\n So far, I’ve lost about 10 pounds, weighing in at about 185. My goal is to lose at least another 10 pounds, and see if there is time and room for a few extra. Because every pound lost is one pound less to drag up 14,500 feet!<\/p>\n In the coming weeks and months I would like to share my progress, including trials and tribulations as the all-important date approaches. There is a lottery system in place that assigns you a climbing date, due to the popularity of Mt. Whitney. We should find out in the next week or so.<\/p>\n Next week, I’ll share a little more detail on my diet and fitness strategy, and more about safety and skills that need to be learned for long distance hiking.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I’ll turn 38 years old this Summer. I’ve never hiked a lick in my life. So, why not take on the highest mountain in the lower 48 states? As crazy as that sounds, it’s a challenge that I’ve taken up … Continue reading