- Time of past OR future Camino
- VdlP(2012) Madrid(2014)Frances(2015) VdlP(2016)
VdlP(2017)Madrid/Sanabres/Frances reverse(2018)
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I don't.But do you think about your weight?
Don't understand why people don't understand its Winter! We northerners were not designed to lose weight in the winter! Ya need a bit of insulation!I do worry about it somewhat. COV has seen me gain several pounds and I worry about how that will affect my feet if I can't dump them prior to the next camino. It's as much weight -- 7lb -- as I would normally be carrying as the contents of my pack!
I usually try to leave home with a pack roughly 12% of my body weight, and I know that by the end of a camino that pack will be up to about 15%-16% of my body-weight. But I'm not going to take a heavier pack on my next trip to match my current weight if it remains my baseline to 2022. Gotta dump those 7 from my body before I get on the next plane...
So we've bought a high quality treadmill and I've subscribed to "Bitgym" for training on it....
Maybe now that I'm exhaling about world stage things a little, I will stop eating so much brioche dipped in thick sipping chocolate...
Who cares? Your knees, your feet and your joints. Even on a bike.I have to admit that I take this seriously.
Before I go on Camino I try to shed a few kilos. OK, I'm on a bike, which is different to most of you, but I am very conscious of the fact that going up a gradient every extra kilo hurts. 3 kilos less in body weight translates to 3 more kilos more I could carry, (or not), on the bike. Isaac Newton doesn’t discriminate. Then again, it’s not that different for walkers; all your mass, body + backpack finishes up your feet.
I became even more obsessed with this when I invested in a very expensive all-carbon bike. In reality it saved me about 4 kilos. That's about $1000 per kilo.
I know that most walkers take training seriously. But do you think about your weight?
Don't understand why people don't understand its Winter! We northerners were not designed to lose weight in the winter! Ya need a bit of insulation!The older I get , the more stops I make and me and my innards are grateful! It is also an evolutionary fact that in the time scale we are still recovering from learning to stand upright and that out tootsies are still learning to cope with the extra demand. Hence the need for poles. Walk soft and stay safe and don't forget the jelly babies!
The perfect pick me up when faced with yet another wretched ascent that was waiting round the corner from the last one
Samarkand.
I think that you missed theI'm going to assume that you did not mean to suggest that I am stupid. Nonetheless, I simply cannot let the suggestion that I have failed to understand a universal "truth" of biology that is, in fact, a myth.
I'm quite aware of the *myth* about winter weight. For some "local biologies" extra weight is an evolutionary adaptation that has strong protective benefits -- and it usually goes to generations in place in locations with *extreme* temperatures, not a few months of less than perfect temperatures in regions where we all have central heat.
I'm not even from such a genetic predisposition.
Reasons people in northern climates with full industrialization (heat, food, transportation, etc) include that we have too much food, spend too much time indoors, and rely too heavily on sedentary modes of transportation. Add boredom, anxiety, and hold-over harvest-traditions from when we were more agrarian and you have demonstrable causative variables.
Bipedalism is not great in many respects -- it makes things like pregnancy for more difficult and requires far more amnion, which in turn places greater demand on the cardio-vascular system as well as on the spine.
For any sex, bipedalism is harder on the lower back, hips and knees. Extra weight above does no favours to the base.
I am a small boned, small-framed person, and my weight gain in winter in any given year since achieving physiological maturity is 2 pounds, not 7 -- and I put these 7 on between July 1 and October 1 because there were so many new challenges with COV, on the global political front, and in restricted movement policies to prevent COv spread.
Wow, some interesting replies here.I'm going to assume that you did not mean to suggest that I am stupid. Nonetheless, I simply cannot let the suggestion that I have failed to understand a universal "truth" of biology that is, in fact, a myth.
I'm quite aware of the *myth* about winter weight. For some "local biologies" extra weight is an evolutionary adaptation that has strong protective benefits -- and it usually goes to generations in place in locations with *extreme* temperatures, not a few months of less than perfect temperatures in regions where we all have central heat.
I'm not even from such a genetic predisposition.
Reasons people in northern climates with full industrialization (heat, food, transportation, etc) include that we have too much food, spend too much time indoors, and rely too heavily on sedentary modes of transportation. Add boredom, anxiety, and hold-over harvest-traditions from when we were more agrarian and you have demonstrable causative variables.
Bipedalism is not great in many respects -- it makes things like pregnancy for more difficult and requires far more amnion, which in turn places greater demand on the cardio-vascular system as well as on the spine.
For any sex, bipedalism is harder on the lower back, hips and knees. Extra weight above does no favours to the base.
I am a small boned, small-framed person, and my weight gain in winter in any given year since achieving physiological maturity is 2 pounds, not 7 -- and I put these 7 on between July 1 and October 1 because there were so many new challenges with COV, on the global political front, and in restricted movement policies to prevent COv spread.
No, I didn't miss it; I just found it a "just kidding" passive-aggressive way to judge someone as foolish and then act like that wasn't what was going on.
Yes, I do now! Always made sure not to carry more than 5 kgs in my rucksack to make the walking more pleasant.I know that most walkers take training seriously. But do you think about your weight?
Well I'll crawl on my hands and knees on my next camino thenBipedalism is not great in many respects -- it makes things like pregnancy for more difficult and requires far more amnion, which in turn places greater demand on the cardio-vascular system as well as on the spine.
For any sex, bipedalism is harder on the lower back, hips and knees. Extra weight above does no favours to the base.
Two for one: that will make you a 'real pilgrim,' too.Well I'll crawl on my hands and knees on my next camino th
@Faye Walker, you are not the only one who, sans pack, now weighs what body & pack used to! My weight gain (all my own doing of course...I do worry about it somewhat. COV has seen me gain several pounds and I worry about how that will affect my feet if I can't dump them prior to the next camino. It's as much weight -- 7lb -- as I would normally be carrying as the contents of my pack!
I usually try to leave home with a pack roughly 12% of my body weight, and I know that by the end of a camino that pack will be up to about 15%-16% of my body-weight. But I'm not going to take a heavier pack on my next trip to match my current weight if it remains my baseline to 2022. Gotta dump those 7 from my body before I get on the next plane...
Maybe now that I'm exhaling about world stage things a little, I will stop eating so much brioche dipped in thick sipping chocolate...
The ratio change is because of what I lose every time. I seem to be among those who lose appetite on long treks. This past winter when I was doing one of my long-haul (65 K, 1 day, deep cold) treks, my race partner was an established adventure racer and she told me that this loss of appetite thing is not unusual in long-distance anything. The body goes into a kind of protective mode as far as oxygenating the distal points and stops sending as much circulatory effort to the digestive system. As a result, one loses hunger.@Faye Walker, you are not the only one who, sans pack, now weighs what body & pack used to! My weight gain (all my own doing of course...), was pre-Covid & our winter is opposite time of year to yours but those factors (& a few others) have seen my extra kilos still liking their new home. Usually the prospect of an upcoming long walk is enough to lose the additional pud but without that carrot (or eating any for that matter! ), I confess, motivation levels are low.
I'm curious about the body-pack % rates you mentioned; is the ratio higher at the end of your Camino due to body weight loss or the collection of additional pack items (eg, momentos) along the way?
65kms in a day...yikes!The ratio change is because of what I lose every time. I seem to be among those who lose appetite on long treks. This past winter when I was doing one of my long-haul (65 K, 1 day, deep cold) treks, my race partner was an established adventure racer and she told me that this loss of appetite thing is not unusual in long-distance anything. The body goes into a kind of protective mode as far as oxygenating the distal points and stops sending as much circulatory effort to the digestive system. As a result, one loses hunger.
Heh! In whatever the winter conditions bring us in February at the point typically known as “the coldest day of the year”.65kms in a day...yikes!
Goodness! Who are the "many" people with such standards?!my backpack usually runs at 5.5kg when loaded but I might push it down to the 4kg mark, which is still heavy by many of your standards
I'm going to assume that you did not mean to suggest that I am stupid. Nonetheless, I simply cannot let the suggestion that I have failed to understand a universal "truth" of biology that is, in fact, a myth.
I'm quite aware of the *myth* about winter weight. For some "local biologies" extra weight is an evolutionary adaptation that has strong protective benefits -- and it usually goes to generations in place in locations with *extreme* temperatures, not a few months of less than perfect temperatures in regions where we all have central heat.
I'm not even from such a genetic predisposition.
Reasons people in northern climates with full industrialization (heat, food, transportation, etc) gain winter weight include that we have too much food, spend too much time indoors, and rely too heavily on sedentary modes of transportation. Add boredom, anxiety, and hold-over harvest-traditions from when we were more agrarian and you have demonstrable causative variables.
Bipedalism is not great in many respects -- it makes things like pregnancy far more difficult and requires far more amnion, which in turn places greater demand on the cardio-vascular system as well as on the spine.
For any sex, bipedalism is harder on the lower back, hips and knees. Extra weight above does no favours to the base.
I am a small boned, small-framed person, and my weight gain in winter in any given year since achieving physiological maturity is 2 pounds, not 7 -- and I put these 7 on between July 1 and October 1 because there were so many new challenges with COV, on the global political front, and in restricted movement policies to prevent COv spread.
Who cares? Your knees, your feet and your joints. Even on a bike.
But getting to SdC has nothing to do with your weight, it is 70% will, 15% fitness and 15% gear.
Maybe less fitness and gear.
Hope you make it.
BC
Roland
Bad wording on my part + so apologies to all who read it.Goodness! Who are the "many" people with such standards?!
But do you think about your weight?
That is impressive! I'm a skinny guy to start with, BMI 18.5, but I still cut down on the chocolate and sugar before I leave to shed 2 or 3 kilosSo, @Peregrinopaul, yes, I do, And I act on what I find.
I do not use those tools either and do just fine on my own without them. I do know they motivate some people to stay focused by competing with themselves or against family/friends that can be fun to do.I’ve never used “steps” or fitbit.
For losing weight on the camino ... the best thing ... is avoid the sugary Spanish breakfasts.
I don't really like sugary breakfasts much, and I like to walk for an hour or two before I eat my first meal, which is usually a slice of tortilla and some fresh orange juice. Occasionally I will be tempted by a chocolate napolitana. I have lost between 5-8 pounds on each of my Caminos.For losing weight on the camino, I think the best thing anyone can do is avoid the sugary Spanish breakfasts.
White bread, jam, croissants, orange juice and sweet coffee will spike your insulin levels first thing in the day, meaning that you won't have access to those fat reserves on your body. The insulin puts your body into "glucose storage mode". Once you burn through the initial sugary calories you've consumed, your energy levels plummet, and then you have to keep eating just to have enough energy to keep hiking, so it becomes a vicious circle.
I've avoided sugary breakfasts and done whole stages on just a handful of nuts, without any fatigue. It's incredible what a difference it makes. It takes a few days to train your body to get used to it, but I lost more in 10 days of doing this than a whole camino of eating normal breakfasts.
You are absolutely correct but it is not just the sugars it is also the huge amounts of carbohydrate in the foods you quote. These carbohydrates are very quickly converted to glucose and many are then stored as fats assisted by insulin so you don't lose weight. A diet low in carbohydrates means that your body will start to use the stored fats to produce ketones which are utilised instead of glucose as body fuel. The result you loose weight. You will need to eat low carbohydrate for a period time, about a week, to get the ketones working and then not eat any high carbohydrate foods till you have lost enough weight.For losing weight on the camino, I think the best thing anyone can do is avoid the sugary Spanish breakfasts.
White bread, jam, croissants, orange juice and sweet coffee will spike your insulin levels first thing in the day, meaning that you won't have access to those fat reserves on your body. The insulin puts your body into "glucose storage mode". Once you burn through the initial sugary calories you've consumed, your energy levels plummet, and then you have to keep eating just to have enough energy to keep hiking, so it becomes a vicious circle.
I've avoided sugary breakfasts and done whole stages on just a handful of nuts, without any fatigue. It's incredible what a difference it makes. It takes a few days to train your body to get used to it, but I lost more in 10 days of doing this than a whole camino of eating normal breakfasts.
cut the tags out of my clothes to “save weight”
I also work out with weights and take walks regularly. In home walking with weights and lower body exercise combined with walking in the mountains with my mochilla, which I do not weigh, keeps me ready for when I can return on Camino. I cannot imagine removing tags to save weight. Even though I eat all I wish while walking, including Spanish breakfasts, I still arrive home weighing less than when I started. Hopefully we all can return soon.I have been approached by fellow pilgrims who outweigh me by 50kg, who have asked me if I cut the tags out of my clothes to “save weight”? Noooo... But I have gone to the gym 3x/week and done upper body work 3x in excess of the weight of my pack. And I am used to walking 15+ km/day for 5-6 days a week before I go. The tags of my clothes amount to a sip of water in the grand scheme of things. So, really?
Bad wording on my part + so apologies to all who read it.
It should have read to the "many people on here who go ultralight that would still be heavy..."
Ha ha Robo, hopefully fat fingers got in the way when you typed that last paragraph.For me it would represent the fittest I have ever been having just completed 12 months very tough military training at age 24!
Bad grammar maybe..........Ha ha Robo, hopefully fat fingers got in the way when you typed that last paragraph.
I hope you meant "since having completed etc......"
Otherwise, if your avatar photo is accurate, I would sue the military.
Cut the handle off?A, now retired, infantry man who is a neighbour asks if I cut the handle off my toothbrush for the same purpose.
BMI? Yes.Does that imply you are 33?
Please tell me that you are being facetious.Cut the handle off?
That's just ridiculous.
I drill a series of holes in mine.
Regards
Gerard
Die hard ultra-lite backpackers often do extreme things to save miniscule amounts of weight by cutting off toothbrush handles or drilling holes in them, cut off tags in clothing or excess length in backpack straps, remove a writing pen from its casing, etc.Please tell me that you are being facetious.
A marine? Soft, that's what they are. Just go for a short jog every now and then. Not distances like the Camino Frances. Us pilgrims would sort them out in a competition. No worries.I related that to my US Marine nephew who is 5'7" and weighs about 150 lbs. He told me he carries between 75-150 lbs. depending upon the mission. He just laughed when I told him about the cutting and drilling.
I must admit that I used to. These days I score the little toothbrushes from the airlines.Please tell me that you are being facetious.
Exactly!drilling holes in my toothbrush handle sounds pretty fun.
Well, I'm probably the only pilgrim who gained weight on the Camino. Ha ha And I worry about my weight all the time. I did, however, lose inches.I have to admit that I take this seriously.
Before I go on Camino I try to shed a few kilos. OK, I'm on a bike, which is different to most of you, but I am very conscious of the fact that going up a gradient every extra kilo hurts. 3 kilos less in body weight translates to 3 more kilos more I could carry, (or not), on the bike. Isaac Newton doesn’t discriminate. Then again, it’s not that different for walkers; all your mass, body + backpack finishes up your feet.
I became even more obsessed with this when I invested in a very expensive all-carbon bike. In reality it saved me about 4 kilos. That's about $1000 per kilo.
I know that most walkers take training seriously. But do you think about your weight?
I cut the handle off my toothbrush but now the batteries just keep dropping out !!Cut the handle off?
That's just ridiculous.
I drill a series of holes in mine.
Regards
Gerard
The best athelics in the NFL are 280 - 320 -I find it comical to listen to light people make a big deal about gaining or losing 2 or 3 pounds. Heck, I do that in my sleep. By my name, you can see that I am a heavy person. But I have done the Camino 4 times. I think that the biggest, most important thing that one can do, is to train. Not only does training get your body used to walking for long distances, it allows you to try out different equipment such as footwear, backpacks, water systems, etc. - to find out what works best for you, as everyone is different.
You are obviously the coolest dude! You can walk with me any day cobber.I cut the handle off my toothbrush but now the batteries just keep dropping out !!
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