About the Fat Girl

I'm Brenda and I'm a 245lb hiker. Last year, sick of armchair-adventuring, I strapped on a pair of boots set out to hike all of William Sullivan's 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington and attempted to blog about it at www.girlvstrail.com. While, I didn't finish the book, I did go on 54 hikes, lost 30lbs, and walked 325 miles (175 on trail, the rest, just regular walking). Not shabby.

This year, I am looking put 250 miles on the trail, including at least three overnight backpacking trips. I want to be a fatpacker!

I am motivated by the delicious beauty of my Pacific Northwest home, the growing strength of my body, improved mental stamina, and large mountains. Last year, I wanted to summit Mt. Defiance. This year I will do it. Fat women can hike tall mountains; strong bodies and strong minds don't just look one way. Also, if we get lost in the woods, we can survive longer without food.

What I hope you will find in this blog is humor, honesty, and motivation to go on your own fat adventures. What you won't find is a weight loss focused blog. Though I did lose 30lbs last year, that wasn't even the first, second, or third motivating factor. I just wanted to quit reading guidebook and get out there, and I am so glad I did! While I may (or may not!) lose more weight this year, my chief goal is to hike more trails and get stronger. Admittedly, it is easier to hike 245lbs up a mountain than 275, but now when I lose weight, it's so I can hike better. I hike so I can lose weight.

I might do some gear reviews, and, of course, I will review the hikes I go on!

Since everybody asks, yes, I did read Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, it was not a motivating factor. I remember, in my early 20's, when I would get off work and go for a six mile hike. I missed that. That motivated. I had also recently finished graduate school and lost a pregnancy. I was unemployed and sad. I need to get out of the house and remember that I was strong and  capable of difficult and challenging things.

More than anything, I thank hiking for the strength of mind it has given me. I still remember that first 1-mile walk on the Springwater Corridor in December of 2013. It sucked. My ankles started aching, my foot cramped,  and I was so bored. It was the longest mile ever. EVER. I tried not to think about what was going to do on longer hikes and walks. I started a new job in late August. For four months, I didn't hike hardly at all. But this last weekend I was able to pick up and hike almost 8-miles no problem. I love how far I've come.

I can't wait to see what this next year of hiking holds!

Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refudge, February 12, 2014. All Rights Reserved.