how much weight did you lose on your Camino?

[ffp13]

I lost 13Kg on The Way and it was not my backpack, however it was about the same weight, I also lost one small toenail (weight insignificant), Unfortunately I found it again (not the toenail), maybe I should do the camino more often?
After carrying my pack for 1 month I came to appreciate how much 13 KG really is and how much differnce one or two Kg less can make, I hope to loose it again on my next camino? and hopefully some before I start.

In reality though, the camino is not about loosing something, it about what you find

 

[methodist.pilgrim.98]

After my first Camino I lost my trousers.

I was getting ready for work on my first day back after the Camino and put on my suit trousers.

They prompltly fell round my ankles. Fortunately I had a belt in the drawer and for the first time in years I was down to under a 34 inch waist.

Sadly some of it has gone back on, but not all of it.

An excuse to go on the Camino again.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I lost between 15 and 20 pounds last Camino.
Time to go again...

 

[gittiharre]

Unbelievably, I have done 4 pilgrim routes of 800km each more or less, averaged 20 to 22 km per day, walking every day and lost around 1 to 2 kg each time only, I could not believe it really. Of course there is the muscle replacing fat thing.....even though...the guys seem to loose their beer guts more quickly it seems, Gitti

 

[AJ]

15 kg every year. It takes around 6 months and a lot of tinto to put it back on.

 

[Nandy61]

I lost too much weight. By the time I got to Rabanal, every time I undid the hip belt of my backpack my shorts would fall down around my ankles. My pack was too heavy. Even after sending 2.5Kg (from Sto Domingo de la Calzada) on to Santiago it still weighed 13Kg - I do not recommend it!

 

[nellpilgrim]

I confess we had hoped that the Camino might reduce our physical presence while increasing our spiritual one.....and by the time we were crossing the Meseta Frances' trousers were falling off her. But though we ate the same food (type and amount) I didn't loose a pound I know this because I leaped onto a scales as soon as I got a chance in Santiago :evil:.
There was however an obvious and peculiar 'redistribution of my weight. In the first week I Iost a bra size and my trousers got tight then after three weeks my trousers got loose but my feet swelled up. It seemed as if I was literally being 'shaken down' perhaps if I'd turned around at Santiago and just kept walking it would have disappeared :?
Though I was exactly the same weight my husband said I had changed shape and had better tone (he's a loss to the diplomatic corp).

 

[Kitsambler]

I walked 3 weeks last year, and lost about 3 pounds and a dress size in the process. What surprised me though was that I continued to lose weight, another 7 pounds, in the 3 weeks after I returned home.

 

[AJ]

I walked 3 weeks last year, and lost about 3 pounds and a dress size in the process. What surprised me though was that I continued to lose weight, another 7 pounds, in the 3 weeks after I returned home.

Metabolism is probably still elevated. I had the same thing for two or three weeks, then it started to pile on again.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Lose It! is a free computer application that lets you track the ups and downs in weight. It offers an iPhone application, too. Exercise can be entered so that you track your nutritional deficit each day.

If weight loss is a primary consideration on the Camino, I suggest that you watch out for "hitting the wall." If you eat too little, you will find that one day, often about 10 days into the walk, you can barely lift your feet. I have heard many pilgrims admit that they let their protein intake fall off too much, and had more energy if they ate tuna, eggs, sardines, etc. for breakfast and morning snacks. The miraculous tortilla Francesa can always help the protein deficit, breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

 

[oursonpolaire]

I can usually count on about 10kg per Camino. It stays off for about 3 months, and then comes back again, bit by bit, as I am a cubicle dweller in off-Camino seasons.

 

[+@^^]

i lost 5kilos going through customs
....frikken sniffer dogs

 

[Portia1]

I lost three pounds and at least one clothing size (had to buy new hiking pants as it became almost indecent)....but then I ate at least a pound of superb cheese, numerous fruits, several solo grande con crema, and a bottle of wine (sometimes two) per day and enjoyed every bite, sip and slurp! One delight of walking the Camino was that I did not have to be concerned about what I was eating. I could enjoy it all!

 

[Arn]

Lost 22 lbs, but increased my biceps and forearms in both muscle and strength.

Most on the Forum know the story...finished last 400 km on crutches.

Have managed to keep the weight off...except on Holidays I hit the vinotinto and fine single malt hard. Lent perfect time to lose it again by giving up all alcohol.

Buen "gotta use it ...to lose it" Camino

Arn

 

[inmari]

Oh, I can't wait to get started on mine! But it's another couple of years ahead, though! :roll:

 

[vinotinto]

I lost around 20 lbs, but have gained it back since then (2007). I'm in solidarity with those who'd like to go back on the Way to re-shed their chunk... Man, one of my favorite things about the Camino was being able to eat/drink whatever I wanted and not pad my gut as a result...sigh. :arrow:

VT

 

[eano]

I walked Leon to Santiago last June and gained 1 kilo in 2 weeks. Often the food was not even very good....although when I really think back, the vino tinto, cafe con leche, chocolate, and orange juice were always superb. All I can say is thank heavens I walked :!:

 

[Abbeydore]

I hope to loose some before I go & a bit more on the way, so I can get back to my 'fighting' weight,
so a Stone to go

 

[jennysa]

I hope to loose some before I go & a bit more on the way, so I can get back to my 'fighting' weight,
so a Stone to go

Unfortunately, it takes about 3 months before you put it all on again!

 

[Abbeydore]

I hope to loose some before I go & a bit more on the way, so I can get back to my 'fighting' weight,
so a Stone to go

Unfortunately, it takes about 3 months before you put it all on again!

Please Please, NO No!
I've done well so far, in 6months haven't put the 2 stone back on but have not been able to loose anymore. Guess I'm eating too much still :roll:

 

[Arn]

The Caminho Portuguese started in Porto and ended in Santiago. Oh, I left out a few words in the foregoing sentence: with a big dinner and vinotinto...with an even bigger lunch and green firewater...

On the CP, although relatively short at 240km, I lost about 6 lbs total. Most weight loss due to reduced intake of alcohol...at least during active walking.

I'm now finishing up a week in Malaga. The room has a full kitchen so I've been very good to myself.

Buen "lose some, gain some" Camino,
Arn

 

[Priscillian]

i lost 5kilos going through customs
....frikken sniffer dogs

Mucho LOL...I missed this one. I love it!
Thanks whoever resurrected it.
Tam, will you marry me?

(Even if I didn't lose a single pound?)
Nevermind: check out my Halloween message... :twisted:

 

[max44]

This thread is a bit old, however, I lost 10kg by Burgos. I decided I would carry at least 10kg minimum in my pack. My friends had what I called a pussy pack and sent gear on each day. They didn't lose much. They wished they carried more now lol, too late.
I also gained a lot of muscle which slowed the scales down.
All up, 12kg loss, noticed mainly of my face, gut and butt.
My legs are trim and muscular.
Now I look and feel so much better, I will be keeping this going.
Camino now done, on to the next adventure.
Is this a lesson of the camino, cut corners and only YOU lose. Or in this case, you don't lose.

 

[ashan]

I was hoping to loose weight on the Camino but did not loose weight by the scales. I did loose some though of my hips and did put on muscle. Unfortunately the vino was too cheep and it was lovely to have after a hard day. If you want to loose, stay off the vino. I only walked 426.6 km though as I tore a ligament on Day three - Zubiri (I did not know about the tear at the time).We had to bus some of the mountain sections.

 

[freescot]

So many variations in these posts. I don't lose much, but then I eat with a bit less caution while walking, often carrying a bar of chocolate. I walk very slowly so that may be why. I have, however, put on 4 kilos in the past two weeks which I intend to lose before setting off this year.

 

[domigee]

This thread is a bit old, however, I lost 10kg by Burgos. I decided I would carry at least 10kg minimum in my pack.
All up, 12kg loss, noticed mainly of my face, gut and butt.

Is this a lesson of the camino, cut corners and only YOU lose. Or in this case, you don't lose.

Well done Max44! Good work. My husband also lost 10kgs on the camino and I know how much it meant to him. Which is why I am congratulating you.

 

[Stefania13/14]

Don't forget that if you are eating lots of high salt foods some of that weight loss after the trip is over is probably water weight. That may explain some "odd" fluctuations people experience.
Stefania

 

[Thomas1962]

My experience as a man is that while walking I loose about 1 kg a week ( I always visualize that as loosing the weight of half a packet if butter per day, straight from my belly ). For my wife it is different, she doesn't seem to loose weight.
After having asked other people's experience, I realise their might be a more general difference between man and woman. Men seem to loose more weight then woman, quit a few woman don't loose any weight.
I'm curious if more people experience this.

 

[CaminoKris2013]

I would think that even if there is no loss of weight, there is a redistribution where fat is lost but muscle is gained. I cannot see absolutely change if one is actually walking the Camino. Also something to keep in mind, not eating enough (healthy) food can cause your body to hold tighter to fat (especially for women).

 

[weekjchammings]

There seems to be an awful lot of discussion on the amount of weight lost or not. Surely it depends on so many factors that most have failed to mention. Such ones age, start weight, walking speed or effort put in. My own Camino in 2013 was 2,400 km or 1.400 miles and at the age of 70 I lost over 14% of my original weight of 189 pounds carrying 15 kg pack. I ate and drank very very well over the course of the 82 days but I also believe it would have been easy not to lose any weight at all. Just simply by taking my time, take your foot off the throttle and the fuel lasts longer you travel further. Whatever it is, it is not rocket science.

 

[simply B]

Whatever it is, it is not rocket science.

Are you sure about that?

The reason I ask is that we have been to the Moon, put all sorts of different utility satellites up and more than a couple of planetary and deep space probes... and the Hubble.
Meanwhile, back on the planet, there seems to be no end to discussion of weight normalization and no satisfactory, universal solution yet writ large. Seems to me that "rocket science" is easy by comparison...

But, as to the OP question... lost 13 lbs of the 168 that I started with despite eating at every opportunity. It took me 6 months to get it back.

B

 

[NicoZ]

On average women are lighter and usually in better shape then men of the same age. It's not strange they lose less weight.

Weight isn't that important really. Salt in take has been mentioned. But carbs also vary your water retention. So changes in diet can make your weight bounce all over the palace without dropping any fat.

That's why body fat is more important then simply weight. Also how you store your weight matters. Belly fat bad. Other locations less so.

 

[CaminoDebrita]

Six kilos off! Clothes loose, happy and ready to try on all that stuff that was way too tight before the walk. I've decided that I am going to stay off of bread / pasta/ rice carbs, along with sugar (as in chocolate and candy) so I can continue to enjoy losing more. Wish me luck; I love to eat.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Lost about 3,5kg.
Wish everybody well with there weight, Peter.

 

[donalomahony]

-6kg Twice +6kg Twice

 

[Andpartner]

Six kilos off! Clothes loose, happy and ready to try on all that stuff that was way too tight before the walk. I've decided that I am going to stay off of bread / pasta/ rice carbs, along with sugar (as in chocolate and candy) so I can continue to enjoy losing more. Wish me luck; I love to eat.

6kg too. Have managed to keep it off for a year, not easy, but I'm delighted.

 

[SYates]

28kg - a bit more than 8 gram per kilometer ;-) SY

 

[SkyeMac]

28kg - a bit more than 8 gram per kilometer ;-) SY

Whoa!!!! Go girl!

 

[nathanael]

I lost between 15 and 20 pounds last Camino.
Time to go again...

Myself also, but guess what it came back and a bit more . when I return at end of May I know it will come off even with the good food and wine.

 

[Giselleontour]

Lost my backpack weight. 8,5 kg in 4 weeks. After 6 month same weight. Happy!