Loss of muscle tone

[Tony Bobcat]

Hello everyone
Finished my first Camino 5 months ago, back home and realising that I seem to have lost a lot of muscle tone in my upper body. I am usually very physical and have never had this problem before, does it only take 5 weeks to lose the strength. Has anyone else experienced the same. Cheers Tony

 

[Rob B]

does it only take 5 weeks to lose the strength.

It does`nt just take 5 weeks: I did Malaga to A Coruna in that time, starting as a keen runner and with few body reserves. I had intended to run the camino, but a knee injury made me realise that this ambition was beyond me, but I could walk it. Two days in, I realised how ill prepared I was - only May, but road surface temperatures were sufficient to cause my feet to swell so much that only the purchase of trail shoes two sizes larger ( Merrills, great shoes! Unsolicited testimonial!) brought eventual relief. As a competitive runner, I had supposed walking would be tame. My first fellow pilgrim companion had just completed the Portugues, and he thrashed me - there`s running fitness and there`s walking fitness and they are not the same. There were muscles that I had rarely used that were suddenly being called on deck, and they were found wanting. For several weeks.

On my return I was horrified to find I had lost 5 kgs , which I could ill afford. My gym instructor gave me a programme of muscle regeneration and another 10 weeks saw the status quo ante restored. The muscle memory is apparently there and exercise will restore the loss.

The following year I had my knee injury operated on - meniscus tears trimmed by keyhole surgery. Relatively non-invasive but nevertheless disruptive to normal physical progression. In the three weeks post operation, resting but not crutch-supported, I lost 5 kgs again! The surgeon told me I was his first patient to complain of weight loss - most complained of putting on weight. But I could see an obvious atrophy of the thigh muscles, which, a year later, has still not been completely restored.

Am I drawing any conclusions from this ramble? Well, I think firstly that a Camino is not just a walk in the parque. It`s a tough physical ordeal relieved by myriad experiences of the way, perhaps better appreciated by the mind than by the body. The muscles that are`nt being used are going to be sacrificed for those that are obliged to work. If, as I fervently hope, I can do another camino (Via Serrana, ojala?) I shall make sure this time to do my morning and evening press-ups!

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Hello everyone
Finished my first Camino 5 months ago, back home and realising that I seem to have lost a lot of muscle tone in my upper body. I am usually very physical and have never had this problem before, does it only take 5 weeks to lose the strength. Has anyone else experienced the same. Cheers Tony

If you are referring to the loss of conditioning -- as opposed to a degenerative process -- it takes less than a week to begin losing conditioning when one stops a conditioning or exercise regimen.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Has anyone else experienced the same.

Every "old" person has experienced the same.

 

[backpack45]

Unfortunately, it happens faster the older you get. There are remedies, however, including going back and doing a different route

 

[trecile]

I'm confused about what you think the cause of your muscle tone is. You mention 5 weeks (the time it took you to walk?), and that you have been home 5 months. Did you lose upper body muscle on the Camino or after?

 

[Camino Chrissy]

If you are referring to the loss of conditioning -- as opposed to a degenerative process -- it takes less than a week to begin losing conditioning when one stops a conditioning or exercise regimen.

Such encouraging news to hear! ...NOT!

 

[Tony Bobcat]

It does`nt just take 5 weeks: I did Malaga to A Coruna in that time, starting as a keen runner and with few body reserves. I had intended to run the camino, but a knee injury made me realise that this ambition was beyond me, but I could walk it. Two days in, I realised how ill prepared I was - only May, but road surface temperatures were sufficient to cause my feet to swell so much that only the purchase of trail shoes two sizes larger ( Merrills, great shoes! Unsolicited testimonial!) brought eventual relief. As a competitive runner, I had supposed walking would be tame. My first fellow pilgrim companion had just completed the Portugues, and he thrashed me - there`s running fitness and there`s walking fitness and they are not the same. There were muscles that I had rarely used that were suddenly being called on deck, and they were found wanting. For several weeks.

On my return I was horrified to find I had lost 5 kgs , which I could ill afford. My gym instructor gave me a programme of muscle regeneration and another 10 weeks saw the status quo ante restored. The muscle memory is apparently there and exercise will restore the loss.

The following year I had my knee injury operated on - meniscus tears trimmed by keyhole surgery. Relatively non-invasive but nevertheless disruptive to normal physical progression. In the three weeks post operation, resting but not crutch-supported, I lost 5 kgs again! The surgeon told me I was his first patient to complain of weight loss - most complained of putting on weight. But I could see an obvious atrophy of the thigh muscles, which, a year later, has still not been completely restored.

Am I drawing any conclusions from this ramble? Well, I think firstly that a Camino is not just a walk in the parque. It`s a tough physical ordeal relieved by myriad experiences of the way, perhaps better appreciated by the mind than by the body. The muscles that are`nt being used are going to be sacrificed for those that are obliged to work. If, as I fervently hope, I can do another camino (Via Serrana, ojala?) I shall make sure this time to do my morning and evening press-ups!

It does`nt just take 5 weeks: I did Malaga to A Coruna in that time, starting as a keen runner and with few body reserves. I had intended to run the camino, but a knee injury made me realise that this ambition was beyond me, but I could walk it. Two days in, I realised how ill prepared I was - only May, but road surface temperatures were sufficient to cause my feet to swell so much that only the purchase of trail shoes two sizes larger ( Merrills, great shoes! Unsolicited testimonial!) brought eventual relief. As a competitive runner, I had supposed walking would be tame. My first fellow pilgrim companion had just completed the Portugues, and he thrashed me - there`s running fitness and there`s walking fitness and they are not the same. There were muscles that I had rarely used that were suddenly being called on deck, and they were found wanting. For several weeks.

On my return I was horrified to find I had lost 5 kgs , which I could ill afford. My gym instructor gave me a programme of muscle regeneration and another 10 weeks saw the status quo ante restored. The muscle memory is apparently there and exercise will restore the loss.

The following year I had my knee injury operated on - meniscus tears trimmed by keyhole surgery. Relatively non-invasive but nevertheless disruptive to normal physical progression. In the three weeks post operation, resting but not crutch-supported, I lost 5 kgs again! The surgeon told me I was his first patient to complain of weight loss - most complained of putting on weight. But I could see an obvious atrophy of the thigh muscles, which, a year later, has still not been completely restored.

Am I drawing any conclusions from this ramble? Well, I think firstly that a Camino is not just a walk in the parque. It`s a tough physical ordeal relieved by myriad experiences of the way, perhaps better appreciated by the mind than by the body. The muscles that are`nt being used are going to be sacrificed for those that are obliged to work. If, as I fervently hope, I can do another camino (Via Serrana, ojala?) I shall make sure this time to do my morning and evening press-ups!

Fully agree Rob, I might have to start doing some weights. Cheers Tony

 

[Tony Bobcat]

If you are referring to the loss of conditioning -- as opposed to a degenerative process -- it takes less than a week to begin losing conditioning when one stops a conditioning or exercise regimen.

Hi Davebugg I’m an ex panel beater that since the age of fifteen have always used my upper body.
I am 60 yrs of age, I exercise regularly and spend most of my weekend gardening. Since returning from the Camino and having 3 months off I find it difficult to hold the garden hedger for long periods of time. Hopefully in time it will return but still not at this stage.

 

[Tony Bobcat]

Every "old" person has experienced the same.

Thanks falcon269 for letting me know that at least I’m not the only old bugger out there. Cheers Tony

 

[Tony Bobcat]

I'm confused about what you think the cause of your muscle tone is. You mention 5 weeks (the time it took you to walk?), and that you have been home 5 months. Did you lose upper body muscle on the Camino or after?

Hi trecil
All up I had 3 months holidays, once the Camino was over I realised that I lost a lot of weight.
My wife met me straight after the Camino and was amazed on how much I shrunk around my shoulders, all the weight loss has been gained but the muscle tone has not returned. Cheers Tony

 

[Tony Bobcat]

Unfortunately, it happens faster the older you get. There are remedies, however, including going back and doing a different route

Hi backpack45
I am going back same time next year,this time my wife will join me.
There hasn’t been a day that I haven’t thought about the Camino. Cheers Tony

 

[Donna Sch]

Hello everyone
Finished my first Camino 5 months ago, back home and realising that I seem to have lost a lot of muscle tone in my upper body. I am usually very physical and have never had this problem before, does it only take 5 weeks to lose the strength. Has anyone else experienced the same. Cheers Tony

Tony, did you use walking poles? I thought I would lose a lot of my judo conditioning but my pushup ability was definitely on the higher side despite not doing them for 6 weeks. I think swinging those sticks made the difference. I did not loss weight but I certainly leaned out apart from my calf muscles that completely bulked up.

 

[Tony Bobcat]

Tony, did you use walking poles? I thought I would lose a lot of my judo conditioning but my pushup ability was definitely on the higher side despite not doing them for 6 weeks. I think swinging those sticks made the difference. I did not loss weight but I certainly leaned out apart from my calf muscles that completely bulked up.

Hi Donna
I did use walking pole ans swear by them,in my opinion it’s a combination of age (60) and not using my upper part of my body muscles. Cheers Tony

 

[FLEUR]

Take up Nordic walking. Learn how to use the specially designed poles correctly and exercise your upper body as well as the lower half.

 

[Tony Bobcat]

Take up Nordic walking. Learn how to use the specially designed poles correctly and exercise your upper body as well as the lower half.

Hi Fleur
Thanks for your advise I agree that Nordicwalking will help, just need a free weekend to go hiking. Cheers Tony

 

[DragonShadow]

Since returning from my Camino a year ago, I've tried to walk 3-6 miles daily. This has kept my lower body toned. I have tried to keep my upper body toned by doing planking exercises and over the shoulder weight lifting. It has helped some but definitely lost a bit of muscle tone. I lost 10 lbs on the Camino and unfortunately have gained most of it back.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Such encouraging news to hear! ...NOT!

The good news is that one does not need to maintain the same fitness level they had toward the end of their Camino. You can maintain a lower fitness threshold by routinely exercising at a lower level. That will keep a base level of fitness for you without requiring a lot of time spent exercising. Then, when it is time to ramp up the fitness level in preparation for a Camino or a backpacking trip, for instance, it is quicker and easier to build toward a more optimum fitness level.

 

[DragonShadow]

The good news is that one does not need to maintain the same fitness level they had toward the end of their Camino. You can maintain a lower fitness threshold by routinely exercising at a lower level. That will keep a base level of fitness for you without requiring a lot of time spent exercising. Then, when it is time to ramp up the fitness level in preparation for a Camino or a backpacking trip, for instance, it is quicker and easier to build toward a more optimum fitness level.

Yes, that is good news.

 

[Kieran Kenneally]

Hello everyone
Finished my first Camino 5 months ago, back home and realising that I seem to have lost a lot of muscle tone in my upper body. I am usually very physical and have never had this problem before, does it only take 5 weeks to lose the strength. Has anyone else experienced the same. Cheers Tony

They say a week in bed if you are ill you will lose 1kg of muscle. If you are older you may never regain that muscle mass. Perhaps you have only lost tone If I dont ride my bike at least twice a week I feel that my legs and butt dont feel half as tones as they should be. Just an observation.

 

[Tony Bobcat]

Since returning from my Camino a year ago, I've tried to walk 3-6 miles daily. This has kept my lower body toned. I have tried to keep my upper body toned by doing planking exercises and over the shoulder weight lifting. It has helped some but definitely lost a bit of muscle tone. I lost 10 lbs on the Camino and unfortunately have gained most of it back.

Hi DragonShadow
I do a lot of walking daily, I need to start doing some weights hopefully that will help. Cheers Tony

 

[Donna Sch]

How much of this is nutrition? I made a real effort to ensure I was getting adequate protein and calories as I did not want to drop my weight although I was happy to lean out. Fitness is as much created in the kitchen as out on the road.

 

[Tony Bobcat]

They say a week in bed if you are ill you will lose 1kg of muscle. If you are older you may never regain that muscle mass. Perhaps you have only lost tone If I dont ride my bike at least twice a week I feel that my legs and butt dont feel half as tones as they should be. Just an observation.

Hi Kieran
The problem is my age and 3 months of no physical work to upper body.
Cheers Tony

 

[Kanga]

It's age, it's age, it's age! AaaaaaH.

I want:

1. Muscle powder that will help me build muscle as easily as when I was younger
2. Silicone or some other gel that I can inject into my knees and other joints so they slide easily and don't groan
3. Tissue compatible rubber compound that can give me back my bounce
4. Ultra strong and extra smooth silk tissue to replace those worn out grey ligaments and tendons
5. And last, but definitely not least, under-the-skin plumping substance to remove the wrinkles!

 

[Tony Bobcat]

How much of this is nutrition? I made a real effort to ensure I was getting adequate protein and calories as I did not want to drop my weight although I was happy to lean out. Fitness is as much created in the kitchen as out on the road.

Hi Donna
You might have something there as my food intake was basic, I will make sure to make some changes next May

It's age, it's age, it's age! AaaaaaH.

I want:

1. Muscle powder that will help me build muscle as easily as when I was younger
2. Silicone or some other gel that I can inject into my knees and other joints so they slide easily and don't groan
3. Tissue compatible rubber compound that can give me back my bounce
4. Ultra strong and extra smooth silk tissue to replace those worn out grey ligaments and tendons
5. And last, but definitely not least, under-the-skin plumbing substance to remove the wrinkles!

Hi Kanga
That’s exactly what I need, when you find it please send some my way.
Cheers Tony