Creating vibrant health can be like climbing a mountain

I’m a keen hiker and love nothing more than to get out into the hills for a good long hike. I’m not a technical ‘climber’ but I’m keen and competent enough to get up any of the hills and mountains in the UK. The photo above is from a hiking holiday in the Scottish Highlands a couple of years ago.

Looking back at the photos got me thinking that creating vibrant health can be like climbing a mountain.

When you start to think about climbing a mountain, unless you’re a very experienced climber you’re probably going to want to do some groundwork and preparation before you set off on your adventure and there are a few key areas to consider.

Supplies

Water, snacks and a packed lunch, sunscreen, a hat etc. All of these sound so simple but they will all be vital for a happy day on the mountain.

Equipment

I’ve been on some hillsides and seen some pretty inappropriate clothing. But, I’d hope you wouldn’t set off in a sun dress and flip-flops to climb Ben Macdui. At the very least you’ll need a good pair of boots and appropriate clothing. A rucksack to carry your supplies and a map and a compass, or more likely these days GPS are also essential.

Knowledge

Perhaps you’ll research the various routes available and choose the one that suits your ability. You’ll work out how long it will take and make sure you set off early enough to avoid being out at nightfall. You’ll scout out parking places and look at the weather conditions.

After doing all of this, off you go on your adventure.

You might start off sure of where you are headed and make some great progress. But what if you get halfway up and the clouds close in and the top of the mountain has disappeared into cloud. The path ahead may not seem so clear. You might make a few wrong turns and get frustrated or overwhelmed by the task ahead.

At times like these having an experienced guide can make all the difference. They’ve trodden this route many times and know exactly where to go. They’re used to the changeable conditions and can advise on finding shelter or taking an alternative route. They can lead you safely to the summit where you’ll be high above the clouds and the views will be breathtaking.

Creating vibrant health is like this in many ways.

You’ll probably need some equipment such as blender, food processor or other kitchen gadgets. All of these things can save you time in the kitchen and make preparing fresh meals much less labour intensive.

Knowledge is key. The internet is abundant with recipes, diets and nutritional information anything you want to know you can find in minutes.

Having the latest kitchen gadgets and the world wide web at your fingertips are of course going to be a great starting point. But, the journey ahead might be a long one and the volume of information can be overwhelming.

A guide can make all the difference

Don’t underestimate the power in having an expert guide. They will help you believe that you can do it and encourage you when it feels overwhelming. They’ll show you exactly what to do next when you can’t see the way, remind you how far you have come and be right there with you to celebrate the milestones along the way.

This can be the difference between making it all the way to the summit or turning back down the mountain when the cloud settles in and missing out on all of the magic!

If you’re ready for a vibrantly healthy adventure and looking for your personal guide please drop me an email to find out how I can help.

clare@vibrantlyhealthy.co.uk