Amber and I accepted Susie Lindau’s Wild Rider Fitness Challenge to get fit through outdoor adventure! Readers of my book, I Promise Not to Suffer: A Fool for Love Hikes the Pacific Crest Trail, know that I lost 22 pounds on 7,000 calories a day while hiking the PCT. But as trail angels supporting my husband Porter’s hike of the Continental Divide Trail, 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada, we gotta have our own adventures while driving hours from trail-town to town and partying on the road.
We hiked in the Wind River Range of Wyoming!
Because hotel breakfasts.
We swam in hotel pools in Colorado.
Because margaritas in New Mexico!
We practiced yoga overlooking a river in Idaho.
Because hot fudge sundaes everywhere!
We climbed high passes for this view of the Tetons.
Because chocolate!
Amber and I recovered from our adventures in hot springs from New Mexico to Montana. Thanks, Susie! Fitness is a tough job but someone’s got to do it!
Wow, Gail! I am so impressed! This is quite an adventurous summer for you! Thanks for joining the WRFChallenge and for the shout.
Thanks for the WRFChallenge! Your site at susielindau.com is fantastic in so many ways–your photos and great writing on vital topics from boobs to adventure, all with depth, entertainment, and your stellar sense of humor! No wonder your blog has such an epic following!
What fun, Kooks like Amber get a bit of a sunburned nose but she
soldiers on in her adventure with her family. Looks like the motel diet has prevented her from losing any weight,
Gail. Preventative medicine?
LOL Julianne! Amber always forgets to put sunscreen on her nose. She says to tell you she loves to eat too much to lose any weight but she can still bench-press 100 pounds.
Oh yes, I well know the temptations of road food, as you’ve read on my blog at wordsandpaint.com. But it looks to me like you are staying very fit as you go and I know you are as dedicated to your personal fitness whether at home or on the road as Porter is. You continually provide inspiration in so many ways! xo
Right back atcha, Rosemary! You and your gorgeous blog are ever-inspiring to me too!
You and Porter rock.?????????
Thank you, Marcia, and so do you!!
WOW!!! This challenge must be working!! You look younger and younger in each succeeding photo!! I am duly impressed!! (Unless it’s the hot fudge sundaes!)
Love,
Brenda
Definitely the hot fudge sundaes, Brenda!
I want to join YOUR fitness program, Gail. All the good stuff and you/Amber look wonderful!
Thanks, Sue, although Amber and I will be glad to get back to healthier eating in Boulder in September!
Look forward to have your gracious and fun energy back in Boulder!
Looking forward to being back in September, Sue, and seeing you and our other delightful friends!
Count me in on this one!! I would like to add nachos into this fitness plan because I never met a Magarita without some!!! You go, Gail!!! And Amber. You have me enthralled in your process and hanging on every word. HUGS!!!! Jane
Jane, yes, nachos for sure!! Hugs from Amber and moi!
Gail, I’m so glad you and Amber are taking care of yourselves while meeting your responsibilities as trail angels. Hope I can see you in person sometime when you get back!
Thanks, Dawn! We think of you often and look forward to seeing you too!
I like your “because” list!
And we have you and Dana to thank, Andrea, for all that fabulous chocolate! Thanks again, it’s kept all three of us going!
My kind of exercise and my kind of reasoning. Bring on the cinnamon rolls and hot springs. That’s the whole program right? Or did I miss something?
Jerrie, absolutely, Amber and I are with you on that!
Wow! This is an inspirational story. It’s great to keep up with your adventures in these weekly posts. Thank you for maintaining this site.
Thank you, Frank! Hope all is well with you!
Amber owes you a great thank you for keeping her in such good condition given all the challenges you present to her. Of course, you’re an ideal role model, although I doubt she’ll be as happy with the Gail “normal” way of eating when you bring her back to Boulder. She (and you) look mighty happy and fit.
Marian, LOL, I know, Amber would rather have pastry than quinoa for breakfast! Hope you’re enjoying the rest of the summer!
What a great way to counter the effects of doughnuts, ice cream, cake, and chocolate! You certainly don’t look like you need to work out though! And Amber seems to like the attention as well 🙂 Good news back home, Tessa has finally left the hospital and returned home. Alan is helping her with her recovery, but it will be slow and difficult at first. We miss you in our Aqua class, and our brunches as well. Hope you and Porter are both doing well. Keep on smiling! Warmest Regards, Andrea & Del
Thanks, Andrea and Del, you are so good at following these posts and commenting! Glad to hear Tessa has begun her recovery at home. I miss you all and look forward to seeing you all in our Aqua class when I get back. Warmly, Gail
Go Gail! Fitness challenge woman! How long is this fitness challenge? I’m curious…glad you guys are still doing well!!! Look forward to seeing you in Boulder in the coming months!
Molly, thanks! Susie Lindau’s fitness challenge is for 90 days. But Porter and I are on our Continental Divide Trail adventure for 5 months, so won’t be back in Boulder until September.