Aloha, Hawaii ....

... and we're home. I look at this photo, taken from our hike up the Na Pali Coast, and almost fall into a dream. The trip was everything we hoped it would be. Better, even. We had just the right balance of kick-back pool/beach time and ambitious treks and wanderings.


So the question is.... how was this beach vacation before having reached my goal weight? In a word, wonderful. While I didn't exactly feel like a bathing beauty, I was comfortable and happy. My boyfriend made it even easier for me by not ogling all the hot young things in their bikinis, or at least not very obviously. It was nice to realize that no one looks at me as harshly as I do myself. I simply relaxed and enjoyed myself.

Another notable realization was how much we had both benefitted from all our G-Ball workouts over the past month. Not only did we both look trimmer, we had a much easier time while kayaking and hiking as we would have otherwise. Specifically, we took what I consider a very vigorous hike straight up and straight back down the NaPali coast to a secluded little beach and back. C-Man is part-mountain goat and he was unphased, but I've never been real good at trails that gain a lot of elevation quickly, or have long stretches where you have to look for your next stepping place. And even though I was tired, cranky, sweaty, heat- exhausted, blistered, and hobbling on my bad ankle by the end of it, I had at least done it. I don't honestly know if I would have been able to before improving my fitness this much. (In truth, I was seriously considering ordering a helicopter to relieve me of the trek back!)

The point is that I was able to have this memorable experience and sense of accomplishment that I wouldn't have had before. Too many times, I have let my weight and self-image keep me from experiencing life in it's full flush. Not anymore. I am 48 years old and only have so many good years left. I intend to make the very most of them.