Life in Big Canoe, Real Estate in the Mountains

Big Canoe is chock full of folks that like to be outside doing numerous activities that keep them fit from the outside in. This amazing community has 16 miles of hiking/biking/walking trails, not to mention the pools, tennis, golf, fitness center and of course….Canoes! As you know school has started back and I went to the bus stop to meet with the girls there was a whole lot of talk about how we have started to slip out of our regular sizes and into the next sizes.  One friend was out there telling everyone that she was just starting to train and get ready for a triathlon!  I was inspired and got to thinking about where I was and where I needed to be as far as fitness goes! Then I thought about making my own challenge-How can I get back in shape for fall by just using the Big Canoe amenities and stay motivated at the same time?

The problem is that I live in Big Canoe but reclusively work from home and rarely get out to shake a leg. To add insult to injury 2 years ago I moved to a one level house and rarely make it to the terrace to watch movies or play pool. My 2 kiddies keep me on my toes so it’s hard to do a YOGA DVD when the whole focus is on deep concentration, and I hear mass chaos in the background! I’ll save that for a rainy day!

The very next day after I dropped the kids off at school, the house was empty, and the phones were quiet, I started by stepping on the scale for a reality check and after I woke up from the shock I put on some sneakers, and ran out the door. Sometimes it’s just easier to think when you are moving. I headed up Trout Lily Trail and sadly got winded. Looking down I saw a heads up penny and a breeze came out of nowhere! Was it some kind of sign????? I kept on chugging down the road and saw a few deer frolicking around. Heading down Yellowroot I took the Cabin Trail at a gentle run. The breeze kept up and although I was not used to it I was happy to be off the road and in the woods with no distractions. I ran along the creeks and walked fast when I was tired. Somewhere I learned that you need to breathe through your nose and out your mouth and it was then that I truly learned to appreciate the smell of the forest. (I know this sounds hokey, but bare with me) Perhaps it was all the hunks of cholesterol breaking up in my arteries and going straight to my brain but the whole experience started to feel right! I rewarded myself by stopping at the falls and catching my breath. Then I took off and headed back up the Jeep Trail. I heard a bunch of rustling in the woods and thought I was being chased by some wild animal but a lost fawn ran right in front of me and we actually made eye contact for about 3 seconds. Then she took off and I continued on my first day of reclaiming my shape. I headed uphill past the Lower and Upper Falls and finally the Jeep Trail Exit which I affectionately call Whiners Hill where I am usually towing 2 children-one on each hip. It was tiring but very rewarding when I made it to the top of Mountain Mint and headed downhill the rest of the way. When I made it back home I had exercised hard for 50 minutes, never missed a call and was ready to start the day.

That was about a week ago and I have already lost 4 pounds just by cutting down my portions and taking the dogs on longer faster walks. The best part about it is that if I get stressed I can just think about that trail and even better get out there and do it again! I’m determined to use Big Canoe as my personal spa and reep all that it has to offer. I can swim, hike, run, or just fly a kite at the dam and know that I’m outside and can leave any stress behind.

This is my Big Canoe fitness challenge and I have nowhere to go but up! Stay tuned for updates because come Thanksgiving I will not feel guilty if I go back for seconds!