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If you have hills where you live walk them as much as possible.I have just finished walking the Camino Frances for the second time. Like last year when I had finished, I am now super fit. At least, my legs are so strong. I love being able to walk up steep hills effortlessly. However, last year, over time, I gradually lost that fitness and by the time I started walking the Camino again this year it was like starting from scratch. I did try to keep up a walking routine throughout the year but I suppose like most people, I find it hard to find enough time to go for long walks - except perhaps on the occasional weekend. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to keep up this level of fitness - or what a minimum level of walking might be to stay in shape? I was thinking about a daily run perhaps.
I have just finished walking the Camino Frances for the second time. Like last year when I had finished, I am now super fit. At least, my legs are so strong. I love being able to walk up steep hills effortlessly. However, last year, over time, I gradually lost that fitness and by the time I started walking the Camino again this year it was like starting from scratch. I did try to keep up a walking routine throughout the year but I suppose like most people, I find it hard to find enough time to go for long walks - except perhaps on the occasional weekend. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to keep up this level of fitness - or what a minimum level of walking might be to stay in shape? I was thinking about a daily run perhaps.
I think that you mean you don't eat a lot of refined carbs, as the diet that you describe is high in complex carbohydrates, i.e., fruits and vegetables.I don't eat a lot of carbs. I eat mostly fruits, veggies, and a little meat.
okI think that you mean you don't eat a lot of refined carbs, as the diet that you describe is high in complex carbohydrates, i.e., fruits and vegetables.
I do that as well and it really helps. For me the special thing after a camino is that my stomach is more toned. I have more core stability which is lovely. Never manage to hold onto this despite being a regular exerciser ??I found that signing up for Nordik |Walking course was excellent and only went once a week - I intend to do that again this time when I return.
I do that as well and it really helps. For me the special thing after a camino is that my stomach is more toned. I have more core stability which is lovely. Never manage to hold onto this despite being a regular exerciser ??
You're not looking in the right place!Right. Like right now when I'm in the shower I can't tell if I'm a girl or a boy.
I have had the same considerations. My training for next year's Camino basically started when I came home from this year's Camino.
I live in an area without mountains or big hills so it's hard to train that part without finding alternative ways. I also don't have time for long weekly walks. So instead I run and do strength training of the legs, my core, shoulders etc.
You can basically assume that if you run 5 kilometers it is equivalent to walking 15 kilometers etc when it comes to stress and thus training the legs and joints. That's my experience from the last two years.
When it comes to muscle training the legs are trained one at a time, as it best reflects that one leg is in the ground at a time when walking. The last months up to the year's Camino I intensify the walking.
And it works really well. I have now walked two Caminos on the basis of this form of training and preparation. And I've been in very good shape from day one. So it is one method I can recommend. Even in a busy work life.
Enjoy your training
Finding the time is the key to maintaining your fitness and keeping a routine is recommended with some very good suggestions in the responses already. You need to maintain strength in the major leg and core muscle groups, include some cardio, keep up your endurance and also incorporate balance exercises. Walking on uneven bush tracks is great training for both body and spirit and helps to prevent repetitive injuries from pounding hard surfaces. Cross training is highly recommended ie cycling / swimming / weights / gym.
Whatever you settle on needs to be something that you enjoy and don't consider a chore. I also keep tabs on my FitBit stats so that I know if I'm having a slack week and need to up my exercise!
You can also look to incorporate more activity in your daily routine - fitness by stealth is part of my regime:
You'll be surprised at how much this incidental exercise adds up. Get creative and enjoy!
- push ups against the kitchen bench several times a day
- step ups on a box or fit to purpose step
- taking the stairs at every opportunity and running up them if you can
- using your tv time to workout if you have access to a stationary bike, rower or treadmill
- using the tv ad breaks to sprint up and down the hallway or do resistance band or FitBall training
- getting off public transport a stop or more earlier or parking your car further away from your destination
- wearing your backpack - with increasing weight - as often as you can
Right. Like right now when I'm in the shower I can't tell if I'm a girl or a boy.Sit-ups don't help. The everyday walking 6 hours does though.
After my first and second Caminos I no longer "trained" for a Camino although some might think that my version of training for these initial Caminos was minimal (no backpack and a couple of weekends walking). But...I am normally active on a daily basis: I often use a bike as transportation (I live in The Netherlands), I spin twice a week and practice Ashtanga yoga (quite intensive) 5x times a week. I worked as a physiotherapist which is also not a typical office job. With all this, my experience is that I no longer have to walk much prior to a Camino, at least no more than I would normally do which is a Sunday 2 hour walk in the dunes.
The only way to maintain a good fitness level is to incorporate a routine into your daily life - something that you love to do. That is the only way that you will stick to it! Wake up earlier in the morning if you can't find the time later on during the day. This is what I do. Granted not everyone is willing to get up at 5 a.m. but it works for me.
Keeping the weight off that you may have lost is a whole other story and depends on your constitution and metabolism (I don't believe that there is one diet, or rather lifestyle, for everyone). Of course activity level plays a role but according to literature, your diet accounts for about 80%! After being a vegetarian for about 20 years, I changed over to a plant-based diet in February and found that this way of eating works for me. I lost excess kilos by leaving out dairy products (especially cheese) even though I eat lots of nuts, seeds and nut butters or tahini. My diet is more varied now that ever before and I take more time preparing my foods. Being a vegan is definately not boring!
This combination of activity and diet keeps me pretty fit year round, at 63 years of age I am not complaining
As an example, you can earn 6 points by walking 3 miles within 36 and 43.5 minutes or 7 points for walking 4 miles between 48 and 80 minutes.
Yeah. The best I've done it in is 45 minutes. I've been able to keep that pace going for longer but I just can't make my legs move faster without running.Doing 3 miles in 36 mins is a run more than a walk. At least at my age of 57.
I finished my Camino mid May, 2019 and was fortunate to lose 20 pounds on my walk and another 5 pounds shortly thereafter (The loss was welcomed, I assure you.). I have kept the weight off and the legs strong by walking 25 to 40 miles per week, cutting the lawn and golfing. Walking is time consuming, and my course is less rigorous and adventurous than the Camino, yet, it does refresh the mind and keeps the legs strong. Four months removed from the Camino and I feel younger than I did when I began the trek.I have just finished walking the Camino Frances for the second time. Like last year when I had finished, I am now super fit. At least, my legs are so strong. I love being able to walk up steep hills effortlessly. However, last year, over time, I gradually lost that fitness and by the time I started walking the Camino again this year it was like starting from scratch. I did try to keep up a walking routine throughout the year but I suppose like most people, I find it hard to find enough time to go for long walks - except perhaps on the occasional weekend. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to keep up this level of fitness - or what a minimum level of walking might be to stay in shape? I was thinking about a daily run perhaps.
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