What do I need to do .Iam at about 140 now.Can't afford to lose much weight at all. HELP........ 2013Nobo.
_Bubblegum_No weight to lose
system
#1
system
#2
You simply need to adjust 3 things (that will fluctuate during your hike as needed) and they are: 1) Mileage - higher miles = more calories needed to carry, 2) Terrain - harder terrain = more calories needed to carry, 3) Town Stops - need to give adequate time to consume enough calories to offset your loss since the last town stop. By simply adjusting each supply (3-5 days of food) and then supplementing during your town stops with LOTS of calories if needed, you should be fine. Just remember also that lighter people need lighter loads, and success will usually be found under 35 lbs carried for most (and if you are well-tuned into your needs or desiring a easier go of it, even less than 25 lbs for everything (mine averaged around 10 lbs of gear, plus food, water, and fuel). For your pre-hike training the goal will be to PUT ON MUSCLE for all that leg work and to strengthen your shoulders and your core. Enjoy the walk !! DocBoom NoBo 2011
_2011 Thru_
system
#3
Bubblegum,
Being trim is not, generally speaking, a hinderance with respect to long distance hiking.
Conan
_Conan_
system
#4
My fiancee started out last year at this time around 140. We made him gain weight (about 20 lbs). We started the trail SOBO in June and in the first month he had lost almost all the weight. After that lost weight, but only down to 145. Eat lots of peanut butter, pop tarts, cheese, and Ramen Noodles. You'll be fine as long as you eat enough high calorie foods. Nutella is good too.
_Applejack_
system
#5
Don't confuse "more calories needed" with "more calories needed to carry" because they are two very different things.
On the AT, There isn’t much that you “need to do” (HYOH-“hike your own hike” is a common expression), but there are tons of things that you “can do”. For instance…
You can train physically for your walk. You can add weight to your body before your hike starts. Plus one to the person who said to build muscle, it will serve you better and longer than adding fat will. You can get your base gear weight low (but only bring clothes that insulate, waterproof and protect from calorie-stealing weather paterns like rain, snow, wind and cold). You can get your daily mileage up or down, either may help. You can plan town stops (with restaurants) every 72 hours (or less) and that may reduce the weight of your consumables. You can plan a hiking diet that is high in dense, fatty calories. You can add calories to your water. You can eat dessert after every meal. Or two desserts. You can take additional unplanned town stops. Along the way, you can take all of the food from all of the hiker boxes in all of the hostels, post offices, hotels, outfitters, etc. (it’s not super-ethical, but you CAN do it, especially if the assertion that you “cannot afford to lose weight at all” is a true statement). You can schedule zero days with the focus on not moving and eating every 90 minutes (at night, you can set alarms). You can Yogi calories like a pro, and go beyond Yogiing when appropriate. You can bring a hiking partner to shoulder some of your group gear weight for you. You can hide Pop Tarts in the side pockets of their backpack and eat them when you stop for breaks.
How will you know which of these "can do"s you will prefer and which you will avoid? In other words, if HYOH is accurate, then how will you know which hike is yours? I would do three things. #1-practice, #2-guess, and #3-you may not know, so stay very flexible. If you “need” to finish then you “need” to keep hiking, but even that may change. Good luck!
_space monkey_
system
#6
Big Thanks ,To each of you for the help .I've been building leg muscles for the last two years. My upper body is full. The only way I can add weight is put rocks in my pockets. The most weight ever was 149.That was in the gut and I didn't like it. My
BMI is 22.Gonna eat all I can and try to start out with low MPD.Thanks Again.One day at a time.God Bless… Bubblegum
_Bubblegum_