[aerotigergirl]

Can I just take a minute here to wiggle my shrinking booty with joy?

This weekend while camping, I was able to hike (with my very fit friends) to the top of the second highest sand dune in Great Sand Dunes National Park. It wasn't easy, and there were times I thought I'd have to give up. But instead of giving up, I made each step into an analogy for the struggle that we're all going through here. Each step forward (and up) was a decision that I'd made. Each step was a victory. And sometimes the sand would give way and it'd be just like walking on a treadmill, but it didn't matter... I knew that before long, I'd gain traction and I'd be moving forward again. And eventually, I made it all the way to the top.

Maybe it was easy for my fit friends (it certainly seemed easy for them, but maybe not). But it wasn't easy for me and I did it anyway. Climbing that big old pile of sand, I realized that (as cheesy as it may sound) I will lose this weight. I just will. I will because I know I am stubborn enough to keep going when my body hurts and my strength is gone and I'm tired and I feel like giving up. I know I will because it feels too good to succeed.

This all came at the perfect time for me, as I've been struggling with a bit of a plateau for a while. Sometimes all you need is a walk in the woods (or sand, in this case) to clear things up.

[Lovely]

That's fantastic, Aero. I love finding analogies for weight loss in real life while doing things.

Congratulations on continuing up that hill of sand!

[Spoz]

Wow, sounds fantastic and so liberating aero! And I bet you really enjoyed it too

I can totally empathize with that feeling of triumph, not because I've lost my weight but because I know I'll get there, I'm too stubborn to give up too.

[freedomreins]

Well done aero! Sand is difficult to climb!

[suitejudyblueeyes]

Way to go Aero!

Sounds like it was a very meaningful experience for you. Thanks for sharing!

[Shannon1983]

AREO,
way to go!! I tried to climb sand dunes before at my aunts and it was SOOO hard. after the second climb i did give up... Congrats to you for climbing and giving yourself the metal modivation that you needed to keep going..
WAY TO GO!!!

[ifindhope]

way to go!!! i can only imagine how that must feel to push that much and reach the top! and to have such an awesome loss too keep up the fantastic work! you are very inspirational amd motivating hehe

[kelijpa]

Aero, that's an awesome accomplishment and all the more meaningful relating it to the long term struggle we're all working through.

We're going to Yellowstone in June, so I'm hoping to have some great stories like yours to share afterwards!

[shrinkinglizzy]

Yay aero! That is very inspirational! Thank you for sharing!!

[aerotigergirl]

Thanks, all! It was a great time, and I feel like I learned a lot, too. You guys kept me going, too. While I was hiking, I kept thinking "there's no way _____ from 3FC would quit. I can't go back there and admit defeat!"

Thanks!