The diary of an unfit girl trying to be healthy and thin. Swearwords removed

Okay. This weekend: WOW. Summer is here, everything is green and lush and fresh. Everyone is happy and smiling and outdoors. People are walking, cycling, beaching, running and guys; they're even hiking. Graeme and I did the Elephant's Eye hike on Sunday - it's at the Silvermine Dam entrance. We did the Waterfall hike a few weeks ago and it was pretty easy. I thought it was hard back THEN, but guys. Omg. 

I still maintain that Graeme tricked me in to going on this hike - I think he knew how much longer it was than I thought it was. I was shouting and heaving at him about this while atop a mountain in 27 degree midday heat - rapidly running out of drinking water. There were words. I was doing a little asset register in my mind for our divorce proceedings (also finally decided that he should keep the two seater couch if I can have the three seater and the yellow coffee table. He could keep the food steamer)

I am not going to mess with you. It was hard - its was about a 3 hour hike there and back and I had to stop several times (MUCH TO HIS AMUSEMENT) It was really hot, and I had no idea how far it was. We traveled over two little mountains, past a stream, a forest, partook in some amateur rock climbing, another mountain and then finally: Elephant's Eye. I thought this was just a fancy bush name for the hiking trail, but it turns out that Elephant's Eye is an actual thing and destination - a huge, beautiful cave carved in to a mountaintop. It was beautiful. There was SHADE. I was exhausted. I always get slight vertigo along cliffs and things. Must remember to avoid cliffs. Keep forgetting. Understand that Graeme goes to boxing three times a week, has a personal trainer person, does sparring and runs and burpees and things. Me? I walk from my lounge to the fridge - SEVERAL times a day. This is about 4 steps, depending how hungry I am. 

Most of these photos are from the beginning. LOOK HOW FRESH I LOOK. Later: lots of sweat, flat hair, red face, sunburn and soggy wet clothes. Honestly though - although I was buggered on the top climbing parts, my body sort of adjusted as we went along. As with most things in life: once you push through the hard part, it gets infinitely better, more enjoyable and rewarding. My breathing got easier, my muscles were tensing and stepping up to the game - basically I think my body went in to survival mode. When we got to the top, my thighs were HARD and had that sexy cut just above the knee. I was in a state "Oh my god Graeme look! LOOK! A muscle, on my thigh... I THOUGHT THIS WOULD NEVER HAPPEN TO ME AGAIN." I last had muscles there in like, primary school netball.

So now I am on SUCH a mission you guys. The muscle is gone again, but now I know that it exists and I am not stopping. We're going on MORE hikes, more walks, MORE skip rope, LESS food - more water, salads, wraps, fruit... I'm in like super healthy summer mode now. I am not the gym type - at all. I would rather eat rabbit stew. I love being outside, in nature, with other people, conversation, challenges... even the bugs clinging on to me as my legs brushed along shrubs was cool. Some sun, clean air and I dabbed my chest with some ice cold mountain stream water. You know? How goegeous (and irritating) is my annoyingly fit and healthy husband? I got to perv at those flexing, tanning muscles all day.

Also - the cool thing about hikes is the reward, the destination, the pictures and memories that you get. Nothing like gym at all and I promise that I worked ALL the muscles - naturally. I stopped taking photos eventually because I was basically fighting for my life. Here's to more sun, shine, walks and outdoors. Get OUTSIDE. There is so much beauty hiding all around you. Go find it.

Ooooh, so FRESH. YOU stupid, naive little girl.

Quick! We HAVE TO take a hiking selfie. This is so much FUN Grays, omg we should do this more.

Quickly, want to take a photo of you by these flowers, its so pretty out here Grays. Look, BEES! Wooow

Wow this is so nice. Look how flat everything is. This is like, the best day EVER.

We seem to be getting higher. Lots of rocks now, where is the path? OMG what just touched me.

Yay - is this Elephant's Eye? Because there's a view, and I'm like the elephant and this is my eye - no?

OMG you guys I can't do this anymore. I was heaving and sweating here. Graeme: "A foot shot - really Tash?" SHUT UP

Eventually I started taking photos just so I had a reason to stop. My memory card is very full.

Fine, it was pretty. Whatever. I hated everyone right here when G suggested that we keep going. This wasn't even half way.

No pictures of me climbing this mountain to this view. I may as well be in a plane right now. G hardly panting at this point.

G: "Look TASH! It's Elephant's Eye, that cave up there!!!" Me: OMG, can I just like wait here? Take photos?

This is half way up the third mountain peak thing and PAST the look-out point. G: "We should..." Me: "QUIET!"

I am basically about to burst in to tears here. Please don't ever take me hiking. Can we go drink wine instead? I'll pay.

Graeme was all about the view inside the cave. I was like SHADE. SALVATION. It is pretty beautiful though. Whatever.

My face at the exact moment that G said "Cool, are you ready to go back now?" That is the last face you see before you die.

Then we went to the beach, to Bakoven. I swam. Tanned. Drank LOTS of juice and water. SO MUCH HAPPINESS.

Happy Tash at beach face. This really was a perfect, sunny, healthy and outdoorsy sort of day. GRATEFUL.