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Hi Susan, there is no reason what so ever to be ashamed. When someone have to give up, what ever the reason is come back an other time and go further where you left off. What's the problem. ?I see a lot of anxiety about walking the Camino on some of these posts. I had tons of it and I worried excessively before I left and even while walking. And, all of my worries were due to my weight. If there are any new walkers who are larger and wondering how they will manage, I would be happy to share my experience and hopefully help easy any anxieties. I just thought I’d put out that idea. And, my actual name is Susan (unable to have Ivor change it!). I was too ashamed to use my real name incase someone I knew saw my name and picture. I was ashamed that I would fail, that I wouldn’t make it. Having said that, I fully believe that not everyone will “make it to the end” and I think that’s okay too!
Thanks Peter. I really just wanted to reach out to anyone who might need some info on walking with a larger body. To maybe help ease any anxieties, worry and fear. I'm not ashamed anymore... I learned so much about myself walking - it was so amazing!
Good for you.Thanks Peter. I really just wanted to reach out to anyone who might need some info on walking with a larger body. To maybe help ease any anxieties, worry and fear. I'm not ashamed anymore... I learned so much about myself walking - it was so amazing!
Grayland, all that is happening is others who have been in this situation are posting their tricks so that people who read this thread can have information readily available without having to write first.The OP, (Susan), actually has offered advice to to those who have concerns about their size or weight. She went through the worries before her Camino and now wants to offer a place for the discussion to take place. A very thoughtful topic.
Do not forget that the Private Message function of the forum will provide a place to communicate privately if you have questions you prefer to discuss privately.
I will ask @ivar to change your screen name.
Thanks for starting this important topic.
Do you wear a skirt? If wearning a Macabi I would hate not having the shorts.I wore regular underwear and never once had a chaffing and my legs touch all the way down to my calves. Good advice for some but it wasn't an issue for me.
Thanks you, here is my actual name: Susan (H.) It would mean a lot to see it (even if it is kinda silly!) And, I'm going to use the Private Message function to reply to some people! So, thanks for the reminder!The OP, (Susan), actually has offered advice to to those who have concerns about their size or weight. She went through the worries before her Camino and now wants to offer a place for the discussion to take place. A very thoughtful topic.
Do not forget that the Private Message function of the forum will provide a place to communicate privately if you have questions you prefer to discuss privately.
I will ask @ivar to change your screen name.
Thanks for starting this important topic.
No skirts as I would have worn right through my leggings within a few days and would have been sewing them up along the way. Tights don't last long for me because of the rubbing. I wear skirts at home all the time but not to walk 6 hours in. This just wouldn't have worked for me...Do you wear a skirt? If wearning a Macabi I would hate not having the shorts.
I see that a lot of people have anxiety about walking the Camino for various reasons. People worry about the right boots, the proper rain gear, getting a bed, getting sick, what are the best pants to wear, crocs versus flip flops, bed bugs - the list goes on and on! My anxiety was about my weight. I worried and worried and I couldn't find any posts about other large people walking. This thread is about me reaching out to someone who has anxieties about their weight and walking the Camino. Maybe I can help someone to quiet their fears. If anyone needs someone to chat to about this topic, I'd be happy to tell you about my experiences!
I see that a lot of people have anxiety about walking the Camino for various reasons. People worry about the right boots, the proper rain gear, getting a bed, getting sick, what are the best pants to wear, crocs versus flip flops, bed bugs - the list goes on and on! My anxiety was about my weight. I worried and worried and I couldn't find any posts about other large people walking. This thread is about me reaching out to someone who has anxieties about their weight and walking the Camino. Maybe I can help someone to quiet their fears. If anyone needs someone to chat to about this topic, I'd be happy to tell you about my experiences!
Thanks for this post. I am planning to do some traveling around the world in the next year or so and plan to make hiking and biking a huge part of it, partly to lose weight and partly to save money since I want to travel for several months.
I am plus sized and also wondered if there is anything special to be aware of. I live in Portland Oregon, Columbia Sportswear's home territory so almost my entire wardrobe is Columbia, including all of my pants and most of my shirts (everything else is Eddie Bauer or Keen). My biggest worry is 1) I'll lose weight and none of my pants will fit anymore or 2) I'll do all this walking and won't lose any weight at all. Not sure which would be worse!
How much weight did other overweight people lose? And did you have a harder time keeping your pack weight down since bigger clothes weigh more? (And plus I'll be traveling for several months so I'll just have more stuff in general, but will plan to ship a box to have stored with Ivar so even if I have to carry extra on other hikes, I won't have to in Spain.)
I'm not too worried that I won't finish because I figure if I get tired, I'll just take a day or two off or walk fewer miles on days I'm not keen to go farther. I won't be on a strict timeline, though I do plan to do the northern route so there will be some scheduling I'll have to keep up with in order to have a place to sleep.
Anyway, I'm so glad I stumbled on this topic...completely by accident. I did a google search on how to attach patches to backpacks and found a post on it here, then saw this topic and clicked on it.
Hi Susan! I just wanted to say what a WONDERFUL post that was. A 'like' wasn't enough.
Buen camino.
I see that a lot of people have anxiety about walking the Camino for various reasons. People worry about the right boots, the proper rain gear, getting a bed, getting sick, what are the best pants to wear, crocs versus flip flops, bed bugs - the list goes on and on! My anxiety was about my weight. I worried and worried and I couldn't find any posts about other large people walking. This thread is about me reaching out to someone who has anxieties about their weight and walking the Camino. Maybe I can help someone to quiet their fears. If anyone needs someone to chat to about this topic, I'd be happy to tell you about my experiences!
Yes, they do - if you can get them. I explained how I had to get them and it was a real challenge.Columbia sportwear has plus sizes. They make great hiking wear.
Yes, they do - if you can get them. I explained how I had to get them and it was a real challenge.
I've already explained this question!I saw plus sizes on their online site. You can't just order them?
I saw plus sizes on their online site. You can't just order them?
for a full CF or Norte I would have needed a seemstress.
I am worried how my large body will handle the camino - and I am doing all in my power/capacities to prepare (training, light pack, good shoes etc). But I am terrified of getting into the upper bunk, waking people when I use the toilet during night because I find it hard to get down, the shame. These things it is so much harder to prepare for. So thank you for your tread!
@JillGat - many US manufacturers (not just Columbia) will not ship to customers outside the US (even if you order through a third party like REI). This is usually to do with deals they have with local suppliers in other countries, forcing customers to buy through those suppliers. The fact that the local suppliers do not stock (or are not provided with) the manufacturer's full range is a constant source of frustration, and the reason why many resort to the kind of convoluted solution described above - if they have conveniently located friends and family that is!I saw plus sizes on their online site. You can't just order them?
@JillGat - many US manufacturers (not just Columbia) will not ship to customers outside the US (even if you order through a third party like REI). This is usually to do with deals they have with local suppliers in other countries, forcing customers to buy through those suppliers. The fact that the local suppliers do not stock (or are not provided with) the manufacturer's full range is a constant source of frustration, and the reason why many resort to the kind of convoluted solution described above - if they have conveniently located friends and family that is!
But I am terrified of getting into the upper bunk, waking people when I use the toilet during night because I find it hard to get down, the shame. !
Just ask for a lower bunk, they may offer it anyway since you are a woman, and hospitaleros have seen many differently shapped pilgrims before and can anticipate the challenge. They will keep the uppers for young university boys. You'll be fine. I remember last spring walking in the Lugo Xunta albergue and asking for a lower bunk. They would only have one when the first floor room got filled but was offered to just wait for them to open the second floor and I got first dibs.I am worried how my large body will handle the camino - and I am doing all in my power/capacities to prepare (training, light pack, good shoes etc). But I am terrified of getting into the upper bunk, waking people when I use the toilet during night because I find it hard to get down, the shame. These things it is so much harder to prepare for. So thank you for your tread!
I will send you a private message and tell you what I did!I am worried how my large body will handle the camino - and I am doing all in my power/capacities to prepare (training, light pack, good shoes etc). But I am terrified of getting into the upper bunk, waking people when I use the toilet during night because I find it hard to get down, the shame. These things it is so much harder to prepare for. So thank you for your tread!
Even with a ladder, if climbing from the side, if the bed is not fastened to the wall it will wiggle at best, if not want to topple over.It's pretty challenging trying to get on a top bunk without a ladder or a chair for help. And the fact that several of the TOP bunks are held together by duct tape was also very worrying. Asd in a small bladder and you have a sleepless night...
May I ask why a private message? Are we over sized, fat, round, chubby people not to occupiy this space and hide into private messaging?I will send you a private message and tell you what I did!
Hi Susan, there is no reason what so ever to be ashamed. When someone have to give up, what ever the reason is come back an other time and go further where you left off. What's the problem. ?
There is no problem.
I wish you well and a Buen Camino, Peter.
I would caution you that with the podiatrist visit you do not hve all your calluses removed . . . you'll need those calluses and removing them will set you up for more blisters . . .Anti-chaffing cream and boys light compression shorts for the non existing thigh gap, and a quilt rather than a sleeping bag. Also, visit a podiatrist before leaving as extra stress will be put on those feet. Voila! For the rest it's buisiness as usual.
You don't look overweight to me at allI see that a lot of people have anxiety about walking the Camino for various reasons. People worry about the right boots, the proper rain gear, getting a bed, getting sick, what are the best pants to wear, crocs versus flip flops, bed bugs - the list goes on and on! My anxiety was about my weight. I worried and worried and I couldn't find any posts about other large people walking. This thread is about me reaching out to someone who has anxieties about their weight and walking the Camino. Maybe I can help someone to quiet their fears. If anyone needs someone to chat to about this topic, I'd be happy to tell you about my experiences!
Hey David, you are correct!Peter (both Peters!) I don't think she meant that she didn't complete - I thought that she wrote that as she now has the experience of being a 'large' on Camino she could share with others to allay their fears .. which is a rather nice thing to do
I began walking at 235 pounds. I was the largest woman that I saw over a six week period. I'm very proud that I did itYou don't look overweight to me at all
Just reviving this post a little bit.
I'm looking at wearing 'activewear' or running tights as I walk, run and excersize in them all the time.
Is there an issue with wearing these by themselves, or should I be looking at things to wear over them.
Thanks for the reply! Now I'm hanging out to see exactly that haha!Running tights are very popular on the Camino, in all sizes. Nobody will mind. If the grizzly bear size German man who passed me on the trail leaving Astorga wearing tight hotpants and a midriff tee shirt isn't worried, you shouldn't be, either.
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