Hi friends. I'm back in the USA.

[Damien Reynolds]

Mar 15 - June 15, 2023. Vdlp, Norte, Coastal Portuguese. Primitivo.

I lost 35 pounds, but found friends.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Wow, @Damien Reynolds, you bit off quite a chunk of Spain and Portugal.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Wow, @Damien Reynolds, you bit off quite a chunk of Spain and Portugal.

And now I just want to go back. But there is that whole VISA thing.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

And now I just want to go back. But there is that whole VISA thing.

Why...did you spend the limit on your VISA card being away for so long?

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Why...did you spend the limit on your VISA card being away for so long?

Oh, i'm not sure you understand. Visa as in

Schengen Visa.​

Its like how long a non EU person can stay there. Its 90 days in any 180 day period. So basically I have to chill back here for bit. I can wait 3 months and then go back.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Oh, i'm not sure you understand. Visa as in

Schengen Visa.​

Its like how long a non EU person can stay there. Its 90 days in any 180 day period. So basically I have to chill back here for bit. I can wait 3 months and then go back.

Damien, I was only joking! I've been on this forum long enough to know all about it.
I'm sorry I confused you...my apologies.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Damien, I was only joking! I've been on this forum long enough to know all about it.
I'm sorry I confused you...my apologies.

No worries. I've been on this forum like a long time too and I never knew about time limits until it was actually relevant to me.

 

[Paul McAmino]

Well done @Damien Reynolds! They made you leave just as you were getting your Camino legs.
That’s a lot of walking. I’m sure the wine was good everywhere you went.

All the best,
Paul

 

[Pathfinder075]

The downside of Schengen (not that i actually see any real upside to it either). I haven't even started my little zig zag for this year and I'm planning next years trip, although I haven't 100% decided between the Alicante route that a few seem to have done and the Francigena.

You managed to rack up some miles on yours. I thought my aim for this year of 1000 miles was pushing it out a bit, but you, I guess, did quite a bit more than that.

I'm hoping to sample a bit more of the VdlP if I have time after I finish. Was looking to head down to A Gudina or maybe Zamora and do a short 7-10 day mini camino back to Santiago. I want to save the Portuguese and Norte for another time.

Anyway, I think you just set the bar for my next Camino, next year.

 

[Robo]

Mar 15 - June 15, 2023. Vdlp, Norte, Coastal Portuguese. Primitivo.

I lost 35 pounds, but found friends.View attachment 151537

Amazing journey.
What's the secret to losing weight on the Camino?
I never do

 

[Damien Reynolds]

The downside of Schengen (not that i actually see any real upside to it either). I haven't even started my little zig zag for this year and I'm planning next years trip, although I haven't 100% decided between the Alicante route that a few seem to have done and the Francigena.

You managed to rack up some miles on yours. I thought my aim for this year of 1000 miles was pushing it out a bit, but you, I guess, did quite a bit more than that.

I'm hoping to sample a bit more of the VdlP if I have time after I finish. Was looking to head down to A Gudina or maybe Zamora and do a short 7-10 day mini camino back to Santiago. I want to save the Portuguese and Norte for another time.

Anyway, I think you just set the bar for my next Camino, next year.

By the book... 2390 km/ 1457 miles. I was able to walk the way 85 of the 90 days in Europe. Vdlp: 34 days, Norte: 30 days, Coastal Portuguese 10 days, Prim 11 days. The pace/trip really wasnt that insane, really just only sorta aggressive but pretty normal itineraries.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Amazing journey.
What's the secret to losing weight on the Camino?
I never do

So like 10 days in I realized if I exercised dietary discipline I could transform my body. I completely monitored calories burned (apple heath) and calories consumed (MyFitnessPal). I was sort of agro about it... but probably ate healthier than ever before in my life. I ended up having a total caloric deficit of like 121k.

 

[Robo]

So like 10 days in I realized if I exercised dietary discipline I could transform my body. I completely monitored calories burned (apple heath) and calories consumed (MyFitnessPal). I was sort of agro about it... but probably ate healthier than ever before in my life. I ended up having a total caloric deficit of like 121k.

Ah, sounds so easy.
If I just cut out Vino Tinto and Tortilla, I'd probably lose more
But then there's the bread, empanada, fries, ......
Maybe not that easy for me anyway........

But well done. What a great Camino!

..

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Ah, sounds so easy.
If I just cut out Vino Tinto and Tortilla, I'd probably lose more
But then there's the bread, empanada, fries, ......
Maybe not that easy for me anyway........

But well done. What a great Camino!

..

I actually ate most of meals from the grocery store, which turned out to be economic too! I stopped eating cows and pigs. I think i am basically poultry now from the inside. My new favorite food is Garbanzos Cocidos. A ton of fruits and veggies, so I was never actually hungry. And, well, no beer. Also Cafe Americano instead of con leche. My treat at night was dark chocolate.

 

[Anamiri]

Wow, that was epic

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Wow, that was epic

For sure.

 

[David Tallan]

The downside of Schengen (not that i actually see any real upside to it either).

I think the upside is supposed to be that you don't have to apply for visas to visit the countries.

 

[jungleboy]

The downside of Schengen (not that i actually see any real upside to it either).

The upside is border-free travel within the zone.

 

[Dennis Pack]

Ah, sounds so easy.
If I just cut out Vino Tinto and Tortilla, I'd probably lose more
But then there's the bread, empanada, fries, ......
Maybe not that easy for me anyway........

But well done. What a great Camino!

..

If you cut out all the fine things of the Spanish culture ... you could have walked anywhere

 

[Sugaree]

Ah, sounds so easy.
If I just cut out Vino Tinto and Tortilla, I'd probably lose more
But then there's the bread, empanada, fries, ......
Maybe not that easy for me anyway........

But well done. What a great Camino!

..

We lost weight in just 5 days, eating croissants and baguettes every day. We were short on protein and fat, so added more of those items in greater quantities. Lost muscle in arms because not doing our usual farm chores etc, but our calves looked great!

 

[Pathfinder075]

Amazing journey.
What's the secret to losing weight on the Camino?
I never do

Consume no more than 2000 calories a day, carry a 15-20kg pack and walk 32km per day. The weight falls off you.

In 2016 I came home weighing roughly 24kg less than when I arrived. I ate well, lots of veg, pasta and chorizo. I was always full. but I worked out I was eating around 1500-2000 calories per day and burning 6000+. It was so good I had to make two new holes in my belt to tighten it up more, as it had gotten so loose.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Consume no more than 2000 calories a day, carry a 15-20kg pack and walk 32km per day. The weight falls off you.

In 2016 I came home weighing roughly 24kg less than when I arrived. I ate well, lots of veg, pasta and chorizo. I was always full. but I worked out I was eating around 1500-2000 calories per day and burning 6000

Now that is aggressive!

10 kg pack for me. 27.71 km/day... averaged burning about 4350 calories / day (active + resting) and consumed about 2771 per day... which felt like a ton of food considering I was getting 70+ grams of fiber a day. (I farted a lot). Maintained a macro nutrient ratio of like 50% carbs, 30% protein, 20% fat. That MyFitnessPal app really taught me a ton about nutrition!

 

[barnettstakeagiantstep]

Mar 15 - June 15, 2023. Vdlp, Norte, Coastal Portuguese. Primitivo.

I lost 35 pounds, but found friends.View attachment 151537

Wow!

 

[Damien Reynolds]

If you cut out all the fine things of the Spanish culture ... you could have walked anywhere

That depends on your definition of "the fine things".

 

[Robo]

Consume no more than 2000 calories a day, c

OK, so that's breakfast...........what then

Just teasing. Well done. I couldn't do it.
I love my food too much, and wine, and beer......

 

[Pathfinder075]

OK, so that's breakfast...........what then

Just teasing. Well done. I couldn't do it.
I love my food too much, and wine, and beer......

I have issues with food and allergies so I find it easy, because I don't have a choice. I tend to eat a boring diet when on Camino, basically the same 3 meals every day (some sort of green veg, but I prefer rocket, cress or spinach, some pasta and a few piece of chorizo). This year I will be trying tubes of tomato paste and maybe some beef stock cubes to try and mix it up a bit.

My true enjoyment comes with those tasty cans of Voll Damm at the end of the day or the odd bottle of Port.

Now that is aggressive!

10 kg pack for me. 27.71 km/day... averaged burning about 4350 calories / day (active + resting) and consumed about 2771 per day... which felt like a ton of food considering I was getting 70+ grams of fiber a day. (I farted a lot). Maintained a macro nutrient ratio of like 50% carbs, 30% protein, 20% fat. That MyFitnessPal app really taught me a ton about nutrition!

Hah. I wish i could do a 10kg pack. But I have a lot of stuff to carry that isn't optional.

Still it's not as crazy as a guy I met outside Sahagun on my second year. Was a military guy, a ranger. Was carrying a 35kg pack, including six house bricks in the bottom because he couldn't get it heavy enough with all his military kit and camino stuff. He was doing 30-40 mile days back to back, with the intention of completing in some crazy time, like 14 days or something. Some real next level walking. Said he was due back at his barracks 7 days later, somewhere in the US, I think Alabama or somewhere else starting with an A. Never saw him again, but assumed he made it. Nice guy, but somewhat nuts.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

I have issues with food and allergies so I find it easy, because I don't have a choice. I tend to eat a boring diet when on Camino, basically the same 3 meals every day (some sort of green veg, but I prefer rocket, cress or spinach, some pasta and a few piece of chorizo). This year I will be trying tubes of tomato paste and maybe some beef stock cubes to try and mix it up a bit.

My true enjoyment comes with those tasty cans of Voll Damm at the end of the day or the odd bottle of Port.


Hah. I wish i could do a 10kg pack. But I have a lot of stuff to carry that isn't optional.

Still it's not as crazy as a guy I met outside Sahagun on my second year. Was a military guy, a ranger. Was carrying a 35kg pack, including six house bricks in the bottom because he couldn't get it heavy enough with all his military kit and camino stuff. He was doing 30-40 mile days back to back, with the intention of completing in some crazy time, like 14 days or something. Some real next level walking. Said he was due back at his barracks 7 days later, somewhere in the US, I think Alabama or somewhere else starting with an A. Never saw him again, but assumed he made it. Nice guy, but somewhat nuts.

There is always someone faster. Someone who goes further. Someone who's walked more caminos.

 

[Pathfinder075]

Very true.

 

[trecile]

This year I will be trying tubes of tomato paste and maybe some beef stock cubes to try and mix it up a bit.

On the suggestion of a forum post I bought bottles of gazpacho several times this year. Quite delicious!

 

[Damien Reynolds]

There is always someone faster. Someone who goes further. Someone who's walked more camino

On the suggestion of a forum post I bought bottles of gazpacho several times this year. Quite delicious!

Um, like what is gazpacho?

 

[trecile]

Um, like what is gazpacho?

I'm sorry, but how much time have you spent in Spain and you don't know what gazpacho is?!

 

[Damien Reynolds]

I'm sorry, but how much time have you spent in Spain and you don't know what gazpacho is?!

Hey. I'm not good with words or locations. I just walk. You suggested it, I'm intrigued.

 

[trecile]

What is gazpacho?

 

[Damien Reynolds]

What is gazpacho?

Ok yah I'd prolly skip it.

 

[trecile]

Ok yah I'd prolly skip it.

I figured that it was a good way to add veggies to my Camino diet.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

I figured that it was a good way to add veggies to my Camino diet.

Omg. Just go to the grocery store and buy a tomato. Chop it down with your handy knife. Add some goat cheese or mozzarella. Sprinkle salt. So good, if it's a good night get an avocado. Slice it up and eat half (also salted). Next are the garbanzos, omg. 200 gr at dinner and then again at bfast the next day. I'd add raw Broc, cauliflower and carrots. Top it all off with like 115 grams of sliced turkey. And then the chocolate.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Someone out there thinks that sounds so good.

 

[lalaone]

Well done, Damien Reynolds! I remember your ridiculously appetizing pizza thread from a few months back… (My husband and I craved great local pizzas for weeks afterwards.) What an incredible changeup you’ve made in diet these past several months. I bet you must feel great. Thanks for sharing the fitness apps you used on your pilgrimage. Very interesting, very helpful.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Well done, Damien Reynolds! I remember your ridiculously appetizing pizza thread from a few months back… (My husband and I craved great local pizzas for weeks afterwards.) What an incredible changeup you’ve made in diet these past several months. I bet you must feel great. Thanks for sharing the fitness apps you used on your pilgrimage. Very interesting, very helpful.

Here's the coolest thing. Every once in a while, well, I got to eat pizza. That's in Arzua. Il Fornacio i think its called. Friends loved it.

 

[WGroleau]

The downside of Schengen (not that i actually see any real upside to it either). …

If Spain isn't your only goal and ninety days isn't too short, Schengen allows you to visit up to 26 countries without having to obtain 26 visas. That's an "upside" for enough people that the Schengen countries have little incentive to change it. (Not an upside for me—ninety days is not enough for any place bigger than Lebanon!)