Give a kid a rock to climb

Joey took his first stab at indoor rock climbing the other day. He's seven. I tried the same feat when I was, oh, twenty-something, and I came barreling down from great heights (there was a rope involved, don't worry) as tears spilled from my eyes. It wasn't fear that started my water works. It was physical exhaustion and frustration. I kept trying to use my arms to pull me up, you see, unaware at the time that my legs harnessed the power to propel me upward. Joey figured this out in no time. I'm the slow one.

I told Joey as he tackled the wall that he's stronger than me. "You're just saying that so I won't quit," he said. He's also smarter than me. He can detect psychological maneuvering in a second.

Really, Joey is stronger than me. I'm not so weak now, at the advanced age of 38, but it took me quite some time to believe I possess the physical know-how to master major challenges -- like ropes courses, whitewater rafting, snow-skiing, parasailing, a 5K, and yes, rock climbing. So it's such a pleasure to watch my growing boy excel in areas that will enrich both his mental and physical world.

We're off on a bike ride tonight, me and my guy. Something tells me I'll be trailing Joey the whole time.

Comments

Healthy Living Hacks: Your Key to Success

In today's fast-paced world, achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be a challenge. We often find ourselves juggling work, family, and personal commitments, leaving little time for self-care. However, the key to success in life begins with taking care of your health. In this article, we will explore a variety of healthy living hacks that can help you on your journey to a healthier, more fulfilling life. Table of Contents Introduction Prioritize Nutrition The Power of Balanced Meals Snack Smart Stay Hydrated Importance of Water Creative Hydration Ideas Exercise Regularly Finding the Right Workout Routine Incorporating Physical Activity into Your Daily Life Mental Health Matters Stress Management Techniques The Benefits of Meditation Quality Sleep Creating a Sleep-Friendly Environment Sleep Hygiene Tips Social Connections Building Supportive Relationships The Role of Social Wellness Mindful Eating Eating with Awareness Portion Control Embrace Nature The Healing Power of Na...

Healthy Eating at a Restaurant: Is it Possible?

If you and your family love to eat at restaurants, you may think that this lifestyle is not good for a healthy diet. In many cases, you would be correct. However, you can still enjoy restaurants occasionally and maintain your healthy diet. Its all about making good food choices, which starts with learning about the nutrition you need to stay happy, physically healthy, mentally stable, and active. When you pick up the menu, start by skipping over the drink section. Although you may be tempted to enjoy a beer or mixed beverage with your dinner, these usually have many empty calories, which is not good for your body. The exception to this rule when it comes to alcohol is wine, especially red wine, which can be fine if you have a single glass and can actually help prevent heart disease for some patients. Also skip over the appetizer menu, unless it’s to over a side salad. The appetizers at restaurants are usually high-fat foods that are not meant to fill you up and can in fact make you cra...

Fitness vacations

Vacation is a time for sitting on the beach with a blended drink in hand, right? But if you're sick of being out of shape and overweight, that choice is likely one more reason you're averting your eyes from the scale. Why not take those two weeks or more of vacation time to shake up those bad habits and develop good ones instead? I just returned from a week in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park . Yes, I'm a backpacker and rock climber at heart, but two young kids have dampened my energy and time for outdoor pursuits. After hanging with the kids all summer, I nearly begged my husband to make our first no-kid vacation in eight years complete with a beach ... and cabana boy. Nope, he wanted backcountry camping and mountain ascents. Deep down, I knew I wanted them, too. But you don't need to be a backcountry guru to reap the benefits of hiking hours a day amongst beautiful mountain lakes, winding trails and stunning overlooks. Rocky Mountain National Park offers an...

HealthyWeek

Search This Blog