Want to change your life? Go on a trek!

With every passing year, one thinks of all the activities that they could / should have done to improve their overall fitness. I am no different, and with each passing year, as the inches around my waist grow, so does the intent to lose them! I am a National Cadet Corps 'C' certificate holder, so this would not be the first time that I would be pushing my physical limits. Those times though, seem almost like a lifetime back. "Pushing myself physically" was hence one of the reasons I agreed to go on my first-ever high altitude trek with my brother in law.

Snow dunes en route to the pass

Since both of us were new to trekking, we decided to go on an organized trek, and after some research we decided on Rupin Pass with India Hikes. Once again the moderate to difficult level as indicated by the organizers was an important deciding factor. Let me put on record that while I was very excited, I was also very scared of the prior physical training required - being able to run 4.5 Kms in 30 mins. I was clocking the same distance in 45 mins two months before our trek dates. Only the motivation of completing the trek pushed me to train regularly, and achieve the required timing.

On the first day as we arrived to our first campsite, I was reasonably confident about my fitness. Although, I still had a niggling fear of not being able to manage a 10+ Kg backpack in the steep landscape. Very often, it is how one deals with this self-doubt that makes the difference between success and failure. Read on to find out how I overcame this.

The Rupin Pass trek route is considered one of the most beautiful ones with the views changing almost every hour. The gradient of the trail is varied with gradual as well as steep inclines. There were times we descended deep in to the valley and then almost immediately climbed twice that height to move ahead.

The first day was the most physically demanding one for me. The sun was beating down and my backpack seemed like it was twice the weight I packed in it. There was this one particular climb of ~500+Ft and a vertical incline of ~80+ degrees where I felt that I had made the wrong decision of coming on the trek. I was one of the slowest ones in the team at this point. However, as I was about to give up, I got some simple but great advice from the trek leader who was walking behind me. "Keep moving, one small step at a time. Keep breathing, one deep breath at a time", he said. These words not only explained the technique required for the sport of trekking (another thing I learnt was that trekking is a sport), but also the fact that I will be ok, as long as I keep moving. Focusing on the next step is more important than focusing on the destination. With these thoughts I kept going every day.

As my mind adjusted to the physical strains of the trek, so did my body. I was soon no longer the slowest in the team. The views on the trail became more and more breathtaking and I wasn't too tired to enjoy it.

This eight day trek was the perfect workout to get back in shape. At the end of it, I had lost 3.5 Kgs in an enjoyable way. I felt the fittest I had in the last 10 years. More importantly, I was keen on maintaining a healthier lifestyle!

Today, nearly 3 months after the trek, I have kept up the fitness regime that I had started before the trek. I feel uneasy if I haven't exercised 4 days in a week. My first high-altitude trek helped me make an important lifestyle change - regular exercise. Hence, it will come as no surprise when I tell you that I am planning to go on another one in a few months from now. Would you like to join me?