Have a Happy & Healthy New Year! - the Parklander

IInviting my 14 year-old niece to join us on a hike was like asking a snowman
to sit next to a fireplace. No way was she going to say yes, or at least I
thought so. “Sure, I guess. I don’t have anything better to do,” said Carol.
Being my wife’s sister’s child, I didn’t exactly expect Carol to come running
with hiking shoes in hand. But for my two kids to show the “greenhorn” how
fun and entertaining hiking is, was a chance we couldn’t pass up.
Carol is like some teens that have been swept up in the rapid current of
electronic entertainment and similar less-physical activities. Going to the
mall and cruising the halls with friends is Carol’s idea of out in the wild.
Exercise is something most of us could use more of, and for Carol’s mom,
having her daughter strolling along with friends is better than sitting in
the chair at home, hypnotized by the television.True, but a day on a nature
trail with Uncle Robert would surely provide a better time for Carol and
her cousins.
Obesity is a major concern in America, especially regarding our youth.
Since kids are best taught by example, why not take advantage of the New
Year’s resolution process to increase your and your family’s health by
utilizing hiking as the means to accomplish it. Gyms are great for many
reasons, home gyms and commercial alike. But for folks who feel a bit of
boredom overcoming their physical fitness routine performed between
the walls of a gym, hiking can be the catalyst to revive the desire for better
health. I look at hiking as an entertaining and enjoyable hobby that has
great side effects such as better health, both physical and mental.
Losing weight is probably one of the most sworn New Year resolutions.
Cardio exercise can fulfill the weight loss dream, and hiking surely can
provide this. Any time spent on a trail is positive time. A person doesn’t
need to do a 5-mile trek each day to have a successful hike. A short walk
along the water’s edge, an in-town hike up a few city blocks, or a
neighborhood excursion along the backside of the building lots will
provide a decent little hike with big benefits.
100
TRY HIKING AS A NEW
YEAR’S RESOLUTION
By Robert Loewendick
by Robert Loewendick
JANUARY 2007
Reducing stress is a side affect of hiking. Stepping out of your everyday
world and looking at the natural world will remind you of why we are
here. Spending this time on the trail with your offspring is even better.
Teaching by leading can be extremely productive, especially when a teen
with the age-induced attitude creates difficulty for the parent. Time on
the trail will provide the opportunity to break the invisible wall that teens
try to encase themselves in during their approach to young adulthood.
For the first half mile, Carol walked with her arms folded and barely
gave me a glance when I was sharing information about a bird following
us as we hiked. At the first mile mark, Carol had dropped her arms and
began to focus on what her cousins were crouched to investigate. A simple
group of common butterflies dancing in flight offered a colorful display.
When the second mile had been reached, Carol was laughing and
pointing out things along the trail and asked a few questions. As we ended
our 4-mile trek, Carol was doing most of the talking, and Uncle Robert let
her ramble while I smiled brightly within.
I received a call from my sister-in-law a week later. She wanted to know
if we had any hikes planned for the weekend. I had a speaking
commitment to fulfill, but I invited her to join my wife and kids on a trek
they had planned. One month later at a family gathering, I saw Carol
talking with another aunt. Carol was showing her a small photo album
filled with shots of her latest hiking excursion that she did with her
parents in tow. Today, Carol continues to hike from time to time, splitting
her time between the mall to the next hiking trail. She is more energetic
and her family is benefiting from the hidden exercise as well. Hiking – a
healthy habit that is welcomed year round, can fulfill those resolutions
and you may actually enjoy doing.
Robert Loewendick is an award-winning freelance outdoor/sports writer.
E-mail him at loewendick@theparklander.com