Hey Y’all,
How long did it take your eating habits to slow down after the trail? I’m still eating a lot and have actually lost a coulple pounds (I gained a couple pounds while hiking so I’m not to concerned). Should I just eat till full until my weight goes up? I’ve also noticed that I’m not wanting to move much. Does this feeling go away?
thanks,
TurkeyBacon
TurkeyBacon
Hey T.B. I lost 23 pounds on the trail. Once I was home, I quickly gained it all back. Unfortunately, I also gained another 20 pounds on top of it!! Hey… what can I say… I was having a good time piggin out! So I’d say keep an eye on what and how much you’re eating. The weight will come back because your body is no longer doing the same amount of work. So… stuck in the now what do I do mode? I think it takes a while to readjust to not being on the trail. How long? IMO, depends on the person. Try to stay busy and it will help. Once I went back to work, I felt better. OK… I also felt worse cause I still wanted to be on the trail!!
Moose
Turkey Bacon, hello, I remember bumping into you in the Smokies in March. Congrats on finishing. I suggest that you keep eating cause your body is obviously still playing catch up- but keep exercising too, I too did not feel like doing anything for a while. I think this is a bit of a thru-hiker withdrawl depression, so if you can take the initiative to look to other “adventures” you’ll be all the better for it. Taking up running, or other sport can physiologically, mentally and spiritually ease the transition IMHO. Another phenomenon I observed after finishing my hike was a soreness in my leg muscles for days especially after eating, maybe even a couple weeks after stopping. I was pretty much doing nothing physical and I think the body was in overdrive rebuilding muscle, but I think I’d have been more comfortable if I took up some light jogging or physical activity during this period. I think this a good milestone, most people are in great physical shape when they finish hiking, so why scrap all that? Use this opportunity as a stepping stone to maintain good fitness.
Sweeper
Yeah same as Sweeps. We spent weeks just sleeping and vegging after trying to catch him all year. I gain all eight pounds back. But I have lost it again. Magor bicycle trips, some 80+ miles in one day. Almost like 20’s but without the pack. Now I lost it all again. And I eat a lot less. Less red meat, more veggie meals. And keep exercising, after all that work why lose a life times worth of healthy living. Getting motivated is another problem. Its been hard especially with the brutal hot weather we’ve had.
Bushwhack
The posts about staying motivated, and continuing to exercise are right on.
However, back to your initial question: How long before you appetite wanes? It’s my experience that it depends on how malnourished and under feed your were at the end of your hike. Last year, I was famished, and ate like a teenager for several weeks. This year, I tried to eat better and more as I went along. And I was able to reduce my apppetite almost immediately.
It’s very easy to slip back into your old self again. Just go to the Gathering next month, and look around. It’s hard to imagine most of the people there have actually hiked the AT.
Peaks
THanks for the words of encouragement. I agree with Sweep. I definately have some post trail depression. How do you top what you just did?
laters,
TurkeyBacon
TurkeyBacon
How do you top what you just did?
If you read the resumes of ALDHA, some go on to complete the triple crown.
Peaks