Hiking >:c (Patreon)

The actual act of walking through the woods is a wonderful experience and one I always enjoy, but when other humans are involved I get all anxious because I don't wanna exercise in front of people, especially fit people who hike regularly. I worry it'll just confirm whatever suspicion they may have that I'm unhealthy and gross and have been lying about going to the gym (because of course, if I actually did anything strenuous at the gym, I'd be skinny by now, according to the internet). It's the same anxiety as eating in front of people, it feels like I have to perform as the healthiest one.

So that's why I have thus far avoided any and all hiking trips, even though I love the wilderness and "getting away from it all". But lo and behold!! Turns out I actually AM able to walk at a decent pace up a mountain, because of course I haven't been lying and I do go to the gym a lot. It was an extremely validating experience and I sort of took it too far because I wound up walking so far ahead of everyone they couldn't keep track of me and they were getting really tired trying to catch up. I was just so happy I wasn't the slowest, I wanted to keep maintaining that pace forever.

Now I feel I've really stuck it to those folks who say you can't be healthy and fat. Eehheheh, I am the picture of health! I can walk quickly for several miles in the woods!!

Thanks for listening to yet another body image rant~~~