The son grew up with his grandparents and was overly pampered. He disliked exercise and became increasingly overweight. How to cultivate a child's perseverance and help them lose weight through exercise? A 38-year-old father from Luquan chose to hike to Beijing with his 10-year-old son. Along the way, the father collapsed from exhaustion, but the chubby son gritted his teeth and persevered, even learning to take care of his father. Overjoyed, the father documented their daily hiking progress and pledged to do more meaningful activities with his child in the future.
Event
Father takes 10-day leave to encourage son’s weight-loss hike
On July 19, 10-year-old Xiangxiang sat beside his father, head down and silent. The doting father asked if his legs still hurt. After a moment of thought, the boy shyly replied, "Yes!"
Father Qi Zhiqian said they had just returned from Beijing. The boy had walked over 200 kilometers, and his legs had once been so sore he couldn’t squat. Now, they were much better.
Xiangxiang is on the heavier side, sweats easily when active, and thus dislikes exercise. Normally, aside from homework, he either plays on the computer or watches TV, with no other hobbies. Qi Zhiqian, who works at the Luquan Finance Bureau, felt that the only way for the child to lose weight was through more exercise—but the boy simply didn’t enjoy it. Hearing from colleagues that many summer camps involve hiking trips during the break, Qi thought: why not go on a hiking journey with his son? It would build up their health, teach the child perseverance, and let them enjoy the scenery along the way. With only 10 working days of annual leave, Qi set their destination as Beijing. When discussing it with his son, the boy initially resisted due to fear of fatigue, but after family persuasion, they agreed: hike from Luquan to Beijing, then return by train.
Before departure, the father and son drafted a detailed plan: walk an average of over 30 kilometers per day, staying overnight in towns along the route.
At 7:30 a.m. on July 6, father and son shouldered their backpacks and set off for Beijing. On the first day, lacking hiking experience, they couldn’t find a restaurant at noon. Exhausted and hungry, they pushed on under the scorching sun until finally spotting a small eatery at 1:30 p.m. Over dinner, the boy remarked, "Next time, if we’re close to mealtime and see a restaurant, let’s eat first. Don’t end up like today, walking extra just because we missed it." The father replied, "You’re learning to sum up lessons—that’s great!"
After the meal, they rested briefly under a bridge before continuing. The weather was hot, with no shade, and the boy’s legs began aching from the first day, making him want to rest often. The father showed him the map, explaining there was still a long way to go, so they had to push through. The boy wanted to cry but held back, and finally reached their first stop—Zhengding—by evening.
Day after day, father and son walked hand-in-hand by day and stayed in inns by night. Eight days later, they arrived in Zhuozhou. The father, exhausted from the journey, fell ill and had to persuade his son to take a bus from Zhuozhou to Beijing the next day. On the evening of July 14, they took the train back to Luquan.
Throughout the journey, both father and son gained a lot—especially the boy, who had once feared fatigue but grew more spirited with each step, even out-enduring his father.
Gains
While accompanying his son’s growth, the father grew too
Qi Zhiqian said that during the nine-day trek, whenever the boy saw something unfamiliar, he would ask questions, and the father patiently explained, teaching his son many things not covered in classrooms.
In Beijing, despite being unwell, the father insisted on accompanying his son to watch the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square. The boy watched intently as the flag rose. As a reward, the father took him to Quanjude for Peking duck.
Looking back, though their bodies were truly worn out, their 10-year-old son endured it all without any physical or mental issues. This proved to him how strong human potential can be. "Only by placing your child in hardship can you discover just how strong and brave they are. I witnessed my son’s strength and courage, and I’m proud!" The original intention of the hike was simple, but the rewards far exceeded expectations. And “persevering day after day in ordinary life” became their greatest takeaway.
He said that previously, due to living far from work, he had little time to care for his child and rarely communicated with his son. This hand-in-hand hiking journey made him realize that parenting requires not just words, but leading by example—sharing both hardships and joys to strengthen the father-son bond. He believes this nine-day trip will become a lifelong treasure, one they’ll cherish forever. In the future, he plans to spend more time with his son, communicate more, and engage in more such meaningful activities.
Diary
Hiking diary filled with father-son love and the boy’s growth
Mr. Qi Zhiqian, skilled in writing, poured his paternal love into documenting the father-son hiking journey each day. He captured every detail of his son’s progress and shared the diary with his wife upon returning home, creating many heartwarming moments.
I really hope I can keep holding his little hand like this forever
July 8, Monday
We officially set off at a little past 6 a.m.
Today, the boy was already very tired, with blisters on his feet that hurt badly. He was in a bad mood and kept wanting to lose his temper. So I held his hand and we walked together. Thankfully, it wasn’t too hot, and we chatted as we went. The boy asked me to tell him about my childhood, saying he wanted to know how I used to spend my days. So I shared some embarrassing childhood stories, which made him very happy. Time flew by like this, and by evening, we reached Dingzhou.
These past few days, we’ve been walking hand-in-hand. I really wish time could slow down, so I could keep holding his little hand like this, forever.
His legs still can’t bend well, but he no longer complains about the pain
July 9, Tuesday
We officially set off at a little past 7 a.m.
Due to a recent heavy rainstorm that caused widespread power outages, we had to walk a long way before we could have breakfast. The road from Dingzhou to Wangdu was relatively clean, with excellent greenery on both sides. The child was in high spirits, chatting and laughing all the way. Although he still couldn’t bend his legs, he no longer complained about the pain. After talking with him, we both agreed that this hiking trip was no longer just about losing weight—it had become a form of personal growth. For the child, if he could persevere through such hardship, what else couldn’t he do? He acknowledged this and expressed his determination to finish the journey. I’m so happy—he’s really growing up!
Children who are pampered aren’t incapable of enduring hardship.
Wednesday, July 10
We officially set off at around 7 a.m.
In the morning, it was drizzling lightly, but we pressed on. After several days of tough trekking, the child no longer complained about being tired or in pain. He simply gritted his teeth and kept going, because he had come to understand that once a goal is set, one should strive to achieve it rather than complain or avoid difficulties. It seems that children who are used to comfort aren’t inherently unable to endure hardship—it’s just that they haven’t yet reached the point where they must. When that moment comes, everyone, including children, can rise to the challenge. I learned this lesson firsthand many years ago. Now, my child is going through a level of hardship he has never experienced before—not just physical exhaustion, but also a test of willpower. Yet, he hasn’t shown even the slightest thought of giving up.
The child noticed I wasn’t feeling well and offered to carry my backpack himself.
Friday, July 12
We officially set off at 7 a.m.
Last night, the child noticed I wasn’t feeling well and seemed to be in low spirits. He must have been quite worried. Today, he voluntarily took on his own backpack and even told me, “Dad, I’m not tired at all. I can carry my own backpack—no problem.” Along the way, he took the initiative to buy water, order meals, and handle the bill, so I didn’t have to worry about anything.
When we stopped to rest in Gaobeidian, the child touched my beard and said, “Look at you, you’re so messy—you haven’t even shaved.” Then he touched my arm and added, “Wow, you’re so tanned. Look at me—I’m fine.” Watching him try so hard to cheer me up made my heart ache. Though my son didn’t ask directly about my health, I knew what he was thinking. I had to keep going. That evening, we arrived in Zhuozhou, where I went to see a doctor. The doctor said my condition was no longer suitable for walking. After discussing it with my child, we decided to take a vehicle to Beijing.