AlexanderAZ
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2017 (Sept/Oct): CF: SJPdP-->Fisterra-->Muxia (solo)
2019 (late Sept): CF: SJPdP-->Leon (honeymoon!)
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I never thought of that and would probably be a definite factor. I probably drank at least 4 liters of water every 24 hour period while walking the Camino. Something I don't do at home.Like most of the others lost 20lbs & 4inches in the waist. Another benefit of the Camino. That was after training for 2 months prior. I think the diet & all the water one drinks really help the weight loss. I figure I drank 2-3 L of water every day. My average distance the first 2 weeks was 16 miles/25.7K a day, then I bumped it up to 18 miles /29k a day after that. Just a side note the best snack was the pears along the way & cervasa after 1400hrs.
An interesting question. My partner and I have always lost weight but we tend to eat small Spanish breakfast, one main meal a day, the menu del dia, then fruit and yogurt. What I do wonder at is how some folk manage to eat so much and then walk. Wow. If you are drinking fizzy drinks you will never be able to walk the sugar they contain off and they just make you thirstier. The Camino can be an opportunity to think about what you eat and how much. Tony Kevin's book. Walking the Camino has some interesting things to say about his experience of eating and drinking too much, as well as being a lovely reflective look at the Camino de la Plata. I just love feeling fitter as the walking goes on. From feeling as if my (small ) pack weighs a ton, to hoisting it over my shoulders as if it was a handbag.For those who are comfortable participating in this thread, I'm wanting to know how your body weight fluctuated from start to finish while doing the Camino (whatever distance you covered). If you don't feel comfortable posting your starting and finishing weight then percentage lost would work as well. (Example: if you started the Camino at 200lbs and finished at 185lbs then you lost 15lbs which is 7.5% of your starting weight.). Including if you were trying to lose weight would be helpful as well. I realize there are many factors (metabolism, age, gender, pace, etc.,). I haven't been able to find this topic being discussed on the forum.
AlexanderAZ
I am also a Type 1 diabetic - starting out in late April of this year from SJPP. I am currently walking at least 7 miles a day around the neighborhood plus at least one full backpack hike a week. Did you have any diabetic issues/advice you could share with me? Thanks.I walked my first and only Camino April 20, '16 to May 20. 61 years young, Type I diabetes, and trained properly. I started at 139 lbs. and finished about 125. My legs were stronger than ever but upper body deteriorated. I had an intestinal and fever flu bug for several days near the last week and then fought with a bad case of acid reflux from taking too much ibuprofen (at night to help swollen, throbbing feet) so didn't eat well the final week prior to Santiago. It took a few months after coming home to get back to my normal weight, and now weigh more than I ever have, by a few pounds.
Base weight is 58 kg. I was not trying to lose weight. Gain muscle sure.
In 2012 I lost 3 kg. I ate plenty. Food readily available all along CF in markets, bars, restaurants, some albergues. Pilgrim menu or menu del día was substantial. Had to carry a bit more food on the Norte. I just tend to lose weight when I walk all day.
In 2015 I lost 4.5 kg. I was hungry! Stores closed at midday, on Sunday's, and often on Monday's. Needed to carry more food. I thought I was a big cheese eater but boy was I wrong. Cheese, every meal, and bread with jam! Hard to admit I got tired of both. Where are the bars in France? And if you find one, they don't have food. Again, I was hungry!
This was just my experience. Others ate great in France, others so-so in Spain. The camino is unique and that's why we love about it!
@alejandro77 are you simply interested or is there a particular reason for posting this question?
92 kilos Starting and 88 when I got home. Walked in cold wet weather and burned a lot of cals which, even with all the eating, I was unable to replace fully.
Hell no! Why do you think there are so many Camino Repeat Offenders here?Is there anything in retrospect you would have done differently to mitigate the loss or "replace fully"?
There is no shortage of calories available at frequent intervals on the Camino Frances. Unless you have a lot of dietary restrictions, you just need to remember to eat a bit more than usual! Carry some nuts and a bocadillo for emergencies and you'll be fine.Based on the replies, I'm thinking I better allow for extra weight & space for my pack weight in the form of calories.
First you should ask if the weight loss was welcome, in which case no mitigation would be desired!Is there anything in retrospect you would have done differently to mitigate the loss or "replace fully"?
First you should ask if the weight loss was welcome, in which case no mitigation would be desired!
Honestly, I don't know...walk less, eat more!Is there anything in retrospect you would have done differently to mitigate the loss or "replace fully"?
I doubt I could have, We ate breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, late lunch and dinner. All this interspersed with coffee stops and pastries. We were burning about 6000 cals per day, I don't know what our intake was but it was high. Maybe 88 kilos is my ideal body weight, that weight you drop to when exercising a lot, but will drop no further.Is there anything in retrospect you would have done differently to mitigate the loss or "replace fully"?
As I posted above this has not been a problem for me on the Camino Frances but has happened elsewhere. When I have been concerned about running a big calorie deficit I like to carry low bulk, low weight, but very calorific food like salami and cheese. Big fat content means lots of calories. As a Brit I find cheese relatively expensive in Spain but the range of dried sausages and meats is remarkable and cheap.Is there anything in retrospect you would have done differently to mitigate the loss or "replace fully"?
Don't worry - you will meet people of almost all shapes, sizes, ages, colours, religions, nationalities, politics, personality types, and degrees of sanityOohhh everyone was on the normal to light side, hoping I am not the only bigger person hiking along
Excellent! You'll have a great trip. I used a small Frio cooling pack to carry insulin. 'Brought way more than I needed but better too much than not enough. I found I was best only taking the Lantus/long acting in the morning and not taking the short acting when walking, but needed it in the afternoon, evening after food and more sedentary. I was very careful about my feet and worried about getting infected in an open blister in community showers, but used kiniesiology tape on potential blisters, (hardly had any) and found if I started early and quit early I was the often the first one in a clean shower. I also brought ten Cliff bars and rationed them through the walk, and carried bananas and chocolate, which are available everywhere. I was surprised that "first" breakfast is only coffee and toast or a pastry. 'Not enough when starting out with a day of walking ahead, so bought yogurt at the markets to eat until second breakfast of tortilla y potata. I started ramping up the miles about this time last year. Try and find some hills, and try and do longer hikes a few days in a row. My time was limited, so never took a day off, averaging 16.5 miles/day. I regret rushing too much. Keeping your pack weight down is all about the feet. Buen Camino!I am also a Type 1 diabetic - starting out in late April of this year from SJPP. I am currently walking at least 7 miles a day around the neighborhood plus at least one full backpack hike a week. Did you have any diabetic issues/advice you could share with me? Thanks.
For those who are comfortable participating in this thread, I'm wanting to know how your body weight fluctuated from start to finish while doing the Camino (whatever distance you covered). If you don't feel comfortable posting your starting and finishing weight then percentage lost would work as well. (Example: if you started the Camino at 200lbs and finished at 185lbs then you lost 15lbs which is 7.5% of your starting weight.). Including if you were trying to lose weight would be helpful as well. I realize there are many factors (metabolism, age, gender, pace, etc.,). I haven't been able to find this topic being discussed on the forum.
AlexanderAZ
It is quite interesting to watch those around you begin to tone up & eat with no concern. Those with food allergies seem to be the most aware. It is good the majority of time folks have access to well stocked pots-n-pans in the kitchens. If you plan on cooking you will run into areas without, so plan on taking a cup you can cook with. Most do not cook. The pilgrim meals are very large & wine never seems to run out.
Yes, we must also put out a warning if you purchase any salad expect olives with pits! I wonder how many foreign visitors must visit a dentistYes! I always took advantage of having access to a kitchen and boiling myself some eggs up or just sitting in peace with my salad and meat/fish bought from the grocery store. My second camino my Spanish was much better and I could explain my situation a little better - I found the Spanish people to be so kind and obliging - in a couple of places I was cooked a special meal of bacon and tortilla francesa - perfect food for replacing calories lost by walking and totally fine for me to eatThe Spanish salads are pretty amazing too - an often are served for just the starter but big enough for a main meal in theirselves - I just ignore the bread and pick out the sweetcorn then add lashing of salt and olive oil. Most places were happy to do my fish or meat "a la plancha" (just plain grilled) and I can now ask if the can swap out the chipped potatoes for salad.
Thankfully coffee and wine is not an issue with me
I started at 255 pounds and ended at 230 pounds. Having a tough time keeping it off! Walked the CF last Oct.- Nov.For those who are comfortable participating in this thread, I'm wanting to know how your body weight fluctuated from start to finish while doing the Camino (whatever distance you covered). If you don't feel comfortable posting your starting and finishing weight then percentage lost would work as well. (Example: if you started the Camino at 200lbs and finished at 185lbs then you lost 15lbs which is 7.5% of your starting weight.). Including if you were trying to lose weight would be helpful as well. I realize there are many factors (metabolism, age, gender, pace, etc.,). I haven't been able to find this topic being discussed on the forum.
AlexanderAZ
I'm guessing you also started monitoring your processed sugar intake much more closely with your condition? These are all not only empty calories, but also contribute so heavily to our modern diseases. Unfortunately, so many of us have actual ADDICTIONS to them. I'm hoping to leave mine on the Camino.I am 26 pounds total lighter from the day I started training for my first Camino de Santiago walk, from SJPP to SdC.
I am down 18 pounds since last year around this time, since right before my second walk.
Part of this is because I have pre diabetes and began using a medication, though (there are variables, including meds, gender, other factors--always and for everyone).
For those who are comfortable participating in this thread, I'm wanting to know how your body weight fluctuated from start to finish while doing the Camino (whatever distance you covered). If you don't feel comfortable posting your starting and finishing weight then percentage lost would work as well. (Example: if you started the Camino at 200lbs and finished at 185lbs then you lost 15lbs which is 7.5% of your starting weight.). Including if you were trying to lose weight would be helpful as well. I realize there are many factors (metabolism, age, gender, pace, etc.,). I haven't been able to find this topic being discussed on the forum.
AlexanderAZ
Lol!hmmm all I remember is that sitting down wasn't as comfortable with a new boney (less fat) on my bottom !!!
No, I'm a 'bigger' person too. I'm doing the CF for the first time in April this yearOohhh everyone was on the normal to light side, hoping I am not the only bigger person hiking along
Good point. Core and upper body strengthening exercises are just as important as cardio and legs. Upper body strengthening can be achieved without muscle mass.On my three Camino's so far, average weight loss is about 10 lbs. My starting weight is usually around 194 lbs, so 184 lbs when I get home. I am just over 6' 1". I train year round, but my daily training walks of 6 to 8 kilometers don't seem to help me reduce my weight, but then again I don't gain as I would being a couch 'potato.' Also do other core strengthening exercises regularly which I believe help as much as the walking does to prepare for my annual Camino walk.
Do any of you feel bad about leaving all this fat and weight behind in a country as beautiful as Spain? This thread needs a little humor as we discuss a 'first world' problem like body weight.
Oops, yes I meant to address the OP, thanks @AlexanderAZ .
Like you, I too have a hummingbird metabolism and am already very lean. One of the first things I heard when I returned home was "you're too skinny".
I took a cheap, thin, light grocery type bag and kept my snack/lunch food in it (with stinky cheese in a ziplock bag). I liked the bag because I took it shopping with me when done hiking for the day. The food items I carried were nuts, fruit, bread, cheese, yogurt, chocolate, cookies/breakfast bars, a carton of fruit juice, and sometimes a hard boiled egg.
Here's a food peek...
Yes, I carried a carton of juice:
View attachment 31217
Communal meals:
View attachment 31218 View attachment 31219
Foods to entice you:
View attachment 31223 View attachment 31220 View attachment 31221
Splurge:
View attachment 31224 View attachment 31222
Honestly, I don't know...walk less, eat more!
I even drank beer (and I don't do carbonation) because I think it has more calories or carbs or something, it's definitely filling.
I was 136 kg on the flight over and I weighed in at 120kg 3 weeks after the walk. I'm mail mad approx 178cm tall 60 years old... 16 kg loss go mFor those who are comfortable participating in this thread, I'm wanting to know how your body weight fluctuated from start to finish while doing the Camino (whatever distance you covered). If you don't feel comfortable posting your starting and finishing weight then percentage lost would work as well. (Example: if you started the Camino at 200lbs and finished at 185lbs then you lost 15lbs which is 7.5% of your starting weight.). Including if you were trying to lose weight would be helpful as well. I realize there are many factors (metabolism, age, gender, pace, etc.,). I haven't been able to find this topic being discussed on the forum.
AlexanderAZ
Thank you - the carb heavy breakfasts had me concerned also, I'll pack a spoon and follow your yogurt advice. I have my little frio cooler and am skilled at hiker blister prevention but hadn't really considered the shower dangers - I'll have to think on that issue. My physician is real excited for me and asked me to send him photos from the Camino = a real vote of confidence. Thanks again.Excellent! You'll have a great trip. I used a small Frio cooling pack to carry insulin. 'Brought way more than I needed but better too much than not enough. I found I was best only taking the Lantus/long acting in the morning and not taking the short acting when walking, but needed it in the afternoon, evening after food and more sedentary. I was very careful about my feet and worried about getting infected in an open blister in community showers, but used kiniesiology tape on potential blisters, (hardly had any) and found if I started early and quit early I was the often the first one in a clean shower. I also brought ten Cliff bars and rationed them through the walk, and carried bananas and chocolate, which are available everywhere. I was surprised that "first" breakfast is only coffee and toast or a pastry. 'Not enough when starting out with a day of walking ahead, so bought yogurt at the markets to eat until second breakfast of tortilla y potata. I started ramping up the miles about this time last year. Try and find some hills, and try and do longer hikes a few days in a row. My time was limited, so never took a day off, averaging 16.5 miles/day. I regret rushing too much. Keeping your pack weight down is all about the feet. Buen Camino!
I was 58 yrs in 2010 and female. Height 5' 4". I started training e.g. Walking with full pack in the Dec. I weighed 97kilos. I started my walk camino SJPD to Santiago on 25th May and finished About 3rd July. I then weighed in at 87kilos. On camino I drank full on coke, coffee con leche and enjoyed all the pilgrim meals with red wine. Hope this helps.For those who are comfortable participating in this thread, I'm wanting to know how your body weight fluctuated from start to finish while doing the Camino (whatever distance you covered). If you don't feel comfortable posting your starting and finishing weight then percentage lost would work as well. (Example: if you started the Camino at 200lbs and finished at 185lbs then you lost 15lbs which is 7.5% of your starting weight.). Including if you were trying to lose weight would be helpful as well. I realize there are many factors (metabolism, age, gender, pace, etc.,). I haven't been able to find this topic being discussed on the forum.
AlexanderAZ
Oops, yes I meant to address the OP, thanks @AlexanderAZ .
Like you, I too have a hummingbird metabolism and am already very lean. One of the first things I heard when I returned home was "you're too skinny".
I took a cheap, thin, light grocery type bag and kept my snack/lunch food in it (with stinky cheese in a ziplock bag). I liked the bag because I took it shopping with me when done hiking for the day. The food items I carried were nuts, fruit, bread, cheese, yogurt, chocolate, cookies/breakfast bars, a carton of fruit juice, and sometimes a hard boiled egg.
Here's a food peek...
Honestly, I don't know...walk less, eat more!
I even drank beer (and I don't do carbonation) because I think it has more calories or carbs or something, it's definitely filling.
I doubt I could have, We ate breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, late lunch and dinner. All this interspersed with coffee stops and pastries. We were burning about 6000 cals per day, I don't know what our intake was but it was high. Maybe 88 kilos is my ideal body weight, that weight you drop to when exercising a lot, but will drop no further.
At 193 centimeters (6'4") I consider 88k (13.85 stone) a bit too light, 92k (14.5 st.) is my comfortable weight.
Well if Fitbits are anything to go by, I would say about 3.5 - 4k-cals which is what I burn on an average day with a 7km brisk walk thrown in.Wayfarer, if you suspect your were burning 6k cals/day any idea what you were burning prior to the Camino? I'm trying to gauge how much of an increase I can anticipate. Thanks.
I am a "big" person and I have walked two Caminos. The first I was well trained, and had very little physical issues even with carrying an extra 60 pounds. The second, I had foot issues while training that prevented getting in the shape I was the first time and I was 4 years older (65). So I scaled back the amount of k's per day, and hobbled with achilles tendentious until a sweet man who was a physical trainer massaged a magic liniment on my leg. I wish I had stopped and gotten a massage sooner!Oohhh everyone was on the normal to light side, hoping I am not the only bigger person hiking along
For those who are comfortable participating in this thread, I'm wanting to know how your body weight fluctuated from start to finish while doing the Camino (whatever distance you covered). If you don't feel comfortable posting your starting and finishing weight then percentage lost would work as well. (Example: if you started the Camino at 200lbs and finished at 185lbs then you lost 15lbs which is 7.5% of your starting weight.). Including if you were trying to lose weight would be helpful as well. I realize there are many factors (metabolism, age, gender, pace, etc.,). I haven't been able to find this topic being discussed on the forum.
AlexanderAZ
Confession: I just don't eat French fries at home...no way, nada nope... but I ate them pretty much every time I ordered the Pilgrim's Menu. Need I say more? Just read between the lines!
For me, walking the Camino had nothing to do with losing/gaining weight. It was a mentally fulfilling experience; the food was actually incidental.
I hope your Camino is fulfilling in more ways than losing weight. I am certain you have many reasons for taking on this challenge and wish you well. You will be forever touched by the people you meet and the spirit of the Camino itself.
That "magic linament" wouldn't have been Arnica, would it? My daughter and I will be walking our first Camino in a few months, and I was considering bringing Arnica in both gel and pellet forms for the inevitable muscle strains. Wasn't sure of it would be worth the extra weight and space in my pack, though.I am a "big" person and I have walked two Caminos. The first I was well trained, and had very little physical issues even with carrying an extra 60 pounds. The second, I had foot issues while training that prevented getting in the shape I was the first time and I was 4 years older (65). So I scaled back the amount of k's per day, and hobbled with achilles tendentious until a sweet man who was a physical trainer massaged a magic liniment on my leg. I wish I had stopped and gotten a massage sooner!
You will run into every size and shape and if you train and listen to your body you will be fine. If you can walk 15 k comfortably while training don't expect to walk 25k on the Camino! The everyday walking catches up but you get stronger everyday.
Take a jet lag day, walk in a relaxed manner (this means don't rush your schedule and leave plenty of time for rest days and short days), and enjoy the path because it is up and down on every level, but goes so fast.
And to the original poster, I lost 1.5 pounds, but gained a lot of muscle.
Nbryne611, I was told about Woodlock on another forum as I suffer a lot from aches and pains every night. It seriously is the most wonderful thing I have ever had - so much so that I have not had to take pain meds at night - it is for Rheumatoid Arthritis (which I don't have) but I can honestly (hand on heart) tell you when my back, knees or ankles start aching and it forces me to get up after midnight - I rub it on and 10mins later I can fall asleep - it seems to soothe the nerve endings and stop the ache/pain without burning or irritating skin areas. I cannot remember who told me they used it for shin splints,on their feet and shoulders everytime they hiked - I could kiss themThat "magic linament" wouldn't have been Arnica, would it? My daughter and I will be walking our first Camino in a few months, and I was considering bringing Arnica in both gel and pellet forms for the inevitable muscle strains. Wasn't sure of it would be worth the extra weight and space in my pack, though.
I walked the Camino Frances in Sept 2015 & started in good shape (I'm 5'8" and was 151lbs), and ended up losing something like 3-4 pounds, which was surprising because I ate like a queen the entire time. If there was a café with good bocadillo or homemade egg something or other, we ate it--I always needed a good breakfast & café con leche to start the walk. And don't miss the Jesus Bakery at the first town past Santo Domingo (name escapes me)--delicious little almond cookies to snack on along the way. This was fun for me because I generally live a Weight Watchers lifestyle, so it was great to let go and just enjoy the surrounding culture and all the regional foods: pinchos, pulpo etc. If you're on an aggressive schedule with a lot of daily mileage like I was (had to be back to work in 30 days), you need to eat, so enjoy!For those who are comfortable participating in this thread, I'm wanting to know how your body weight fluctuated from start to finish while doing the Camino (whatever distance you covered). If you don't feel comfortable posting your starting and finishing weight then percentage lost would work as well. (Example: if you started the Camino at 200lbs and finished at 185lbs then you lost 15lbs which is 7.5% of your starting weight.). Including if you were trying to lose weight would be helpful as well. I realize there are many factors (metabolism, age, gender, pace, etc.,). I haven't been able to find this topic being discussed on the forum.
AlexanderAZ
When I started in Jean Pied de Port I weighed 68 Kg When I returned home 7 weeks later I weighed 61 KgFor those who are comfortable participating in this thread, I'm wanting to know how your body weight fluctuated from start to finish while doing the Camino (whatever distance you covered). If you don't feel comfortable posting your starting and finishing weight then percentage lost would work as well. (Example: if you started the Camino at 200lbs and finished at 185lbs then you lost 15lbs which is 7.5% of your starting weight.). Including if you were trying to lose weight would be helpful as well. I realize there are many factors (metabolism, age, gender, pace, etc.,). I haven't been able to find this topic being discussed on the forum.
AlexanderAZ
Thank you for this! I'll look for it at my natural store.Nbryne611, I was told about Woodlock on another forum as I suffer a lot from aches and pains every night. It seriously is the most wonderful thing I have ever had - so much so that I have not had to take pain meds at night - it is for Rheumatoid Arthritis (which I don't have) but I can honestly (hand on heart) tell you when my back, knees or ankles start aching and it forces me to get up after midnight - I rub it on and 10mins later I can fall asleep - it seems to soothe the nerve endings and stop the ache/pain without burning or irritating skin areas. I cannot remember who told me they used it for shin splints,on their feet and shoulders everytime they hiked - I could kiss them
Go straight to ebay and buy it from China the original source I was told - comes in a glass bottle with small opening spout to prevent overuse and they discount for buying 2 or more and with free postage and handling.Thank you for this! I'll look for it at my natural store.
Hmmm...lots of walking, you toned up. Lost 2 kg an added bonus, but then I weigh only 54 kg. And not a heavy eater or drink alcohol. And losing weight was not intentional. Buen CaminoFor those who are comfortable participating in this thread, I'm wanting to know how your body weight fluctuated from start to finish while doing the Camino (whatever distance you covered). If you don't feel comfortable posting your starting and finishing weight then percentage lost would work as well. (Example: if you started the Camino at 200lbs and finished at 185lbs then you lost 15lbs which is 7.5% of your starting weight.). Including if you were trying to lose weight would be helpful as well. I realize there are many factors (metabolism, age, gender, pace, etc.,). I haven't been able to find this topic being discussed on the forum.
AlexanderAZ
"Let's not, and say we did." Lol. Actually I'd say I am a small to medium size woman and I lost 10 lbs on my first Camino, but only 5 lbs on my second one, although it was one week shorter. That must be the reason... or possibly the fact that I was far less disciplined in my eating habits 2nd time around.For those who are comfortable participating in this thread, I'm wanting to know how your body weight fluctuated from start to finish while doing the Camino (whatever distance you covered). If you don't feel comfortable posting your starting and finishing weight then percentage lost would work as well. (Example: if you started the Camino at 200lbs and finished at 185lbs then you lost 15lbs which is 7.5% of your starting weight.). Including if you were trying to lose weight would be helpful as well. I realize there are many factors (metabolism, age, gender, pace, etc.,). I haven't been able to find this topic being discussed on the forum.
AlexanderAZ
For those who are comfortable participating in this thread, I'm wanting to know how your body weight fluctuated from start to finish while doing the Camino (whatever distance you covered). If you don't feel comfortable posting your starting and finishing weight then percentage lost would work as well. (Example: if you started the Camino at 200lbs and finished at 185lbs then you lost 15lbs which is 7.5% of your starting weight.). Including if you were trying to lose weight would be helpful as well. I realize there are many factors (metabolism, age, gender, pace, etc.,). I haven't been able to find this topic being discussed on the forum.
I lost 6kg walking the Camino over six weeks. Went from 62kg to 56kg. The problem is carrying 10% of my body weight on my next Camino in September. Won't be taking much.
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