Thru-hiker weight loss

imported
#21

I hiked with poles and tended to use them a lot as hiking, so found I actually gained some upper body muscle, not a lot, but I definitely didn’t atrophy. I found after I lost about 30 lbs that I tended to tone up all over. Since I’ve been off the trail I’ve gained about twenty back, but it took me a year and a half to do so. When I first came back I was so used to excercise that I made an extra effort to get out and walk, do anything I could to keep moving and that really helped. It was only when I stopped walking that the weight really came back. I would suggest if you feel you are really overweight that you start walking some now to get yourself used to the action, because when you add another 40lbs on top of that, then start walking 13+miles a day up and down hills you could easily cause a stress injury, and losing 10-20lbs now and adding some muscle could really help make your hike more enjoyable. Whatever you choose to do have a great hike!

Grassy Ridge

grassy ridge

#22

…thats how many calories you burn running. I’m not sure how Conan lost 10 lbs a month by only walking 3 miles per day. Must have miscalculated or be pulling your leg.

It seems most folks lose 15-30 lbs on their thru hike which is about 2-5 lbls a month.

Most folks, including me, gain it back.

jalan

#23

Just had to jump in on this.

I hiked most of the trail in '03 and actually gained 25 pounds, mostly fat. I began the hike the slimmest I’ve ever been in my adult life due to a very self-righteous food plan; it allowed me no wheat, dairy or sugar of ANY kind. Most of my carbs were non-starchy. I bought a dehydrator and spent months creating materials for very (I thought) innovative trail food that conformed to my dietary guidelines.

When I got hiking I wanted none of the healthy meals I’d spent hundreds of hours preparing. I wanted Ramen, Lipton and ice cream. And I ate. A lot. I ate enough to gain 25 pounds of fat (maybe a few pounds of muscle in my legs). I changed so much that Rick the Lone Wolf, who I’d met months previously in VA, didn’t recognize me. Of course, I didn’t recognize him because he’d lost 80 pounds (saw him in Glencliff). I congratulated Rick on his weight loss. He commented on my weight gain.

The fact is that hiking is no magic bullet. If you’re going to lose weight, calories in must be less than calories out. Eat fewer than you need.

My story is probably atypical, but it should serve as a warning to people who think they can eat WHATEVER they want while they hike and not gain weight. Beware.

Kismet

#24

With respect to Mr. Kismet’s wonderful entry:

Calories out must be less than calories in, AND the fat burning process must be maximized by aerobic activity, AND food must be nutrient rich so that proper fat burning and tissue rebuilding can occur.

Sincerely–Conan.

Conan

#25

Calories out must be MORE than calories in, etc, etc.

Sincerely–Conan.

Conan

#26

I saw some people mention weight-loss and that’s great for you guys that are about keepin it off. :cheers :cheers

but what about putting on some pounds before going? If I lose as much as you guys are talking about I’ll definitely be mal/undernourished looking. It makes me nervious because I’m afraid it’ll stop me from finishing.

So what can I eat or suppliment (that doesn’t have iodine in it) to gain some weight before heading off on the AT in March?

chickadee :oh

chickadee