Overweight on the AT

imported
#1

Hi all. I am leaving in 2 weeks for a northbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. The problem is, I am overweight. I am 5’10" 260 pounds of mostly fat. I am looking for this hike to get me into shape and plan to keep it off. However, is this an unrealistic goal to hike the whole AT, and starting very overweight. I plan on taking it very slow in the beginning. My plan is to average 10 miles a day for the first month, which would put me somewhere around Erwin after 30 days on the trail. Do you guys think this is going too fast at the beginning? I am looking for all kinds of opinions, personal experiences, etc about this because it kinda has me worried. I can’t wait to get out there though.

Tank Engine
GA-ME 08

Tank Engine

#2

Tank, I guess you have already decided to hike. My suggestion is don’t use the AT to get you in shape or lose weight. I would suggest getting in better shape before going. But if you have already decided to hike, you need to have as much information and support as needed.

Check out the journal of ‘Big Red’. He hiked 3 or 4 years ago. He was a big hiker himself, I think you could learn some helpful information from his journal. Maybe even email him.

Is it unrealistic to hike the whole AT, not at all. Will it be difficult? Absolutely. I would suggest skipping the approach trail, get a shuttle up to FS 42 and the trail. Springer is about a mile south of the road crossing. I have no idea of what you will be carrying or what type of hiking shape you are in. If you plan to get into hiking shape on the trail take it easy, very easy. I would suggest going from shelter to shelter if that is possible. Don’t be surprised if 10 miles is to much at the start. You didn’t reach 260 pounds overnight, you will need to go slow and then go slower.

Your feet, ankles and knees will take a beating. Go slow, avoid injuries. Don’t let other people’s hiking determine your pace. It may take a month or two before your body makes any adjustments to the trail. Do not judge the hike by how many miles you cover. If you are having a bad day, take a zero day. Good Luck.

Bilko

#3

tank –

my advice is to get the entire map set for the length of the AT and use the elevation profiles on each one to let terrain dictate mileage. 10 miles across 4 or 5 major peaks is a lot different than 10 miles of fairly flat terrain. i think it’s much better to fit your hike into the land beneath your feet rather than setting an arbitrary ‘x amount of miles a day’.

i’m hiking with my girlfriend and our plan has a number of days in the beginning less than 10 miles. if you want to check out our itenerary, it’s and the 4th and 5th journal entry at trailjournals.com/trashkillsbears – best of luck to you!!

trashkillsbears

#4

I believe I can speak to this topic, as I am 6 ft. 1 in., and weigh about 3 bills. Keep in mind that, in spite of my weight, I am physically pretty fit. Not all people of my size truck around like I do.

I love hiking, although I don’t get out as often as I like (hmmm…maybe that’s why I’m huge?) Anyway, I have no problem handling 10-14 mile hikes the first time I slap on a pack each year.

The keys are pacing yourself and packing judiciously. Don’t try to carry too much stuff. Also, if it’s warm, you’ll need plenty of water. That 2-3 quarts a day nonsense is for little people.

Carry extra water, at least in the beginning, until you understand your needs better, especially if you’re not positive of your sources.

I don’t know how much experience you have hiking (hopefully some), but I would offer the following tips I’d offer anybody:

  1. Make sure your footgear is broken in well before you start your hike (especially boots), as your dogs will be most painful if you don’t.

  2. Don’t overpack (as alluded to above.)

  3. Don’t push yourself too hard. The pounds will come off…trust me. I lose my appetite, especially the first few days of hiking. Strange, eh?

  4. Enjoy yourself! You’re on the trail for you and nobody else. Don’t rush…enjoy the air/water/flora/fauna and just roll with it. You will run into annoying situations (bugs, rain, annoying individuals, etc.), but don’t let it get to you.

I wish you the best of luck. Keep us updated on your progress. Maybe you can serve as an inspiration to cubicle-hikers such as myself!

BigB

#5

Tank I hiked from springer in 05. Bilko’s advise on starting on FS 42 is very wise. My advise would plan to take 4 days 3 nights out for the first 30 miles. This will put you at Neels Gap a good place to take your first zero. Also the guys at the outfitters are really helpful. Don’t overload your pack with food to start. Resupply at the gap. Most of all hike your own hike. PS. Don’t worry about your weight. It will take care of itself. Good luck!

Train

#6

you can do it, tank!..there’s some good advice here (and i assume some more forthcoming)…paw-ee and i just met the cutest SOBO out on the trail in november who said she had lost 50 lbs!..and in '03, i believe shrek had shed close to 100 (?) by hiking the AT (per his doctor’s ‘prescription’)…but the trail isn’t a ‘race’ (even with yourself!)…so do enjoy yourself!..you can take the whole rest of the year to hike the trail slowly if you want… (don’t forget, you can ‘flip flop’!)…the hardest part will be keeping the weight off after you get back…it would be good to formulate a plan NOW how you will do that beginning THE SECOND YOU COME OFF OF KATAHDIN!..i personally think a ‘candida-type’ diet works well (along with incorporating about 3 tablespoons of organic coconut oil per day)…this type of diet is DIFFERENT, but it really gets sugar out of your system while allowing you to eat PLENTY of food (which is what you’ll be used to after hiking the trail)…it might help you ease back into normal eating, without feeling like you’re starving to death!..please note that i am not a professional nutritionist or anything, and a good idea would be to have a thorough checkup before you head out (by a trusted physician)…have FUN!

maw-ee

#7

Do it man.

I thought I was going to die going up that stupid appraoch trail, really…I thought, “Man, if its like this every day, Ill never get anywhere.” and I have done the APproach 3X since.

But I reached Springer and that was just enough to keep me going.

It will be tough and you will be hungry.

I went out in 1998 a smoker who weighed 270 at the approach and by Waynseboro VA I was at 190.

Of course, that has changed on other long distance hikes…ie. your body KNOWS what is going on and messes with your metebolizism.

It takes me longer to lose wieght on long distance hikes now, and if you are not VERY careful you will gain back all your weight and then some when you get home.

Trust me (ANd every guy LD hiker out there who knows of what I speak) as of now on the ADT I have lost only about 40 LBS But I eat REAL good :cheers !

Lion King

#8

Tank Engine,

I’m going to assume you’ve talked with your doctor and gotten his or her approval to walk the AT. I’m also going to assume you have no hiking experience. Finally, as you say most of your weight is fat, I am going to assume that you are in terrible cardiovascular and muscular shape and that this has always been the case.

Based on those assumptions, my advice to you would be to cut your proposed distance by half at least, leaving you with a maximum of five miles daily early on. But, let’s go even further.

My suggestion would be to start with 1-2 miles daily; with the provision that you stop and rest whenever you feel the need or inclination. And as the runners say, if you can’t talk, slow down or stop.

Prior to going on the trail, start walking where you live, again, for 1-2 miles at most, and slowly. Just put on your coat and go out the door. No driving, no pack, no complications except wearing your hiking boots to break them in.

Some people start, literally, by walking around their home or backyard, once. There is nothing to be ashamed of, nor warranting frustration, by starting as slowly as you need to. The point is to continue daily and increase your range and fitness over time. As with so many things, “One Day at a time.”

It doesn’t matter whether you finish the trail. What matters is that you get on the trail and give it a go; in a manner consistent with your current state of health and physical condition; in a manner that does not threaten your life.

As the runners said so many years ago during the first running boom: “LSD: Long Slow Distance.” For you, now, even a short distance is long. Accept the truth of that, move slowly at first, with a light pack, and stretch your distance out over time. Let your body get into second gear on it’s own; which, believe me, it will; and when it does, you’ll feel good about it.

Best wishes.

Conan

Conan

#9

Tank

I have to commend you for taking on this hike. Most overweight people are not that brave. I recommend doing the Approach, but take two days to do it. Its tough if you have not hiked much, but it’s do-able and I’m glad I did it. Go slow through Ga. even if you feel like going further hold back. You will lose the weight, work through the pain, and get stronger everday. There’s no rush and you will meet others that will hike with you. You will make friends that will last a life time. I wish you the best. I live near the trail in Ga. if you need a ride E-mail me.

Subman Ga-Me 03

subman

#10

I’ve been fighting the overweight thing ever since I quit smoking…I gained about 20 pounds (weigh 220 now) and just have a tough time losing. On the trail the AT got me in shape…I didn’t do a thru hike but I went about 100 miles in a couple of weeks in the southern sections. The stange thing was that I only lost about 5-10 pounds…musta been those hikes into towns about every 3-4 days. You can do it…have a good one.

Doc Holiday

#11

I went to the trail in '99 out of shape, 260 pound coach potato / smoker. From my personal experience, I’ll be honest with you - the trail kicks your ass. I wanted to lose weight, and I did. But after about 2 months, I realized that the AT-diet is the hardest diet in the world. You’ll probably be tempted to just go home and run more / eat less, but, if you can avoid the tempting call of that siren, you can make it.

I did eventually complete a thru-hike in '06, when I was in much better shape. Mind you, I wasn’t much ligher, and I still smoked, but in the 7 intervening years since my previous attempt, I had been MUCH MORE ACTIVE. Really, its not a question of weight, as one poster noted, but of your overall activity level.

For what its worth, here’s my advice to you:

  1. Don’t do the Approach Trail. You’re in worst shape, you’re carrying too much crap, and its a very tough climb. It can be a very disheartening experience, which is not how you want to start. If you do the approach trail, I commend you, but I’d skip it.

  2. Slow but STEADY. Hike your 10 miles, or hike less. Whichever you do, don’t take too many zeroes in town. Better to do 8 miles each day than do 24 and take two days off. Listen to your body, but make your body listen to you as well. What I mean is that you must accustom your body to consistent effort. If you get “stuck” in town too long, you’re not training your body.

  3. Don’t let others dictate ur pace. You’re going to make friends, and you’ll be tempted to hike their pace. Thereare other cool people behind you who you’re going to enjoy meeting, and you may catch up to your friends anyway later, when you get your legs. So why hurry? One terrible day, where you go too long too far, can screw you up psychologically.

Hope some of this helps. I’ll be rooting for you!

P.S. In all probability, all the weight you lose on the Trail you will gain back after the Trail. However, in the meantime, so long as your remain moderately active, you will have changed your physical being permanently. You may be fat again, but you will also be a HIKING GOD.

Burner

#12

I agree with train hike you own hike, I hiked in 2005 also possibly with train if this the same person. Most important have fun

mr clean jr

#13

Like many others have said, start slow. Go slow, be methodical, and listen to your body to avoid injury. Of equal importance, be patient, keep your spirits up, laugh at yourself, and remember that no matter what happens, it will be a great experience.

Nature

#14

Tank, Just get out there and start, stay focused and you’ll be fine. Keep your pack weight down and just walk slow. But if I were you I would plan on 4 to 6 miles a day in the start.

Virginian

#15

Tank…with anything in life, if you want it you can do it. All it takes is putting one foot in front of the other. I wouldn’t set mile markers yet though. 10 miles a day does seem a little much. As for doing the approach trail…it wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t unbearable. I did it this past weekend (and I am an overweight female). I wanted to do it before I started my thru hike. Good luck! I have a lot of people in my life who think I can’t do it based solely on my weight…it’s fuel for those days I want to throw in the towel.

Poot