- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances Sept-Oct 2022
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I have no medical knowledge.Hola! I completed the Camino Frances last fall (Sept-Oct, from SJPP, carrying my backpack for 800km) and would love thoughts/advice from other older women (e.g. 60+) and men… Some background—I lost ~10-15 pounds in my training leading up to the walk and then another ~10-15 pounds on the walk. I was thrilled and had to take in lots of pants when I returned home..
But my metabolism took a while to slow, I struggled with returning to “normal” eating, and ended up gaining all the weight back. More concerning is that I developed chronic pain in my hamstring/glute area (at the top of my hamstrings) and am challenged with SI join pain and hip unevenness (my right hip was replaced in 2020). I’ve continued my weekly 5mi hikes, Zumba, yoga, pilates, etc., but my feet ache and I can’t seem to get the weight back off. Grateful that my knees are fine and I’m in good health otherwise.
Just wondering if others experienced this and have novel ways of addressing. Or is this just typical of long-distance walking? You get more out of shape and achy in between walks? I’d love to walk the Portugese Camino this fall, from Lisbon, but not until I have confirmation that the other hip is up to it. Thank you!
Very helpful, thanks. Yes I know that losing a few kilos would do my joints and feet wonders! Even if I don’t have a camino in my immediate future. I did use poles (*loved* them) and appreciated my mid-height boots for the stability they gave. Pack transport may be the way I go next time, tho I was so proud to have that thing on my back, with comfort. Balance work—great idea. And yes I’m fairly active… Thanks again!I do have medical knowledge and am in a similar situation re the aches and pains and orthopaedic surgeries that accumulate between caminos, however I attribute them to ageing and simply arrange my plans to accommodate. In my case I have had more foot surgery. Next Camino will start with shorter distances and pack transport.I will take paracetamol, which is safe for most people, and rub on anti inflammatory gels. The weight issue is paramount in my opinion and every effort should be made to shed a few kilos before those feet start on Camino.I need to lose 2-3 kg in the next few weeks and will eat low cal high protein. One kg body fat exerts many more than 4 kg of force through knee joints when walking for example. So whatever you did before you started last time, aim for similar re weight management. Orthotics are your best friend. I am always testing boot/inner sole/sock combinations. Consider boots for ankle stability and your feet may thank you. Consider pack transport when you start out. It sounds like you are active. Strength training is essential in my opinion to protect joints and tendons, ie lunges, squats, and all variations of calf work. Use poles to distribute some of that force through your upper limbs. And one more thing rarely mentioned here, do lots of balance work and you will enjoy the downhill runs on slippery surfaces much more and reduce the risk of a camino ending fall.
I would love to get back to where I was when I left. How long after your return did it take to moderate and get back to that? I’m exercising, and active, but struggle with “dieting” and restraint and/or finding balance. I grew up during a time when all mothers were dieting and that’s what I learned. ;-(Just commenting to add that my experience was similar to yours, compounded by the fact that I added carbs back in during the Camino after following a low sugar / low refined carbs diet for years, and decided I needed to make peace with carbs rather than completely cut them out.
I came home to the smallest size I'd been in years -- for a hot minute. Didn't last long. I also think my body just plain needed rest and replenishment after such an experience. I couldn't make myself exercise for love or money.
But that didn't mean daily ice creams and inhaling loaves of bread, and eventually my appetite did moderate. Now I'm finally back to where I was when I left, and starting to exercise gently again.
We have a goal of doing the Camino Portuguese next year - hopefully, I've learned some things that will make that experience easier.
I can only tell you my experience. I worked with an excellent musculoskeletal physiotherapist for 1 year prior to my Camino. This helped me manage my chronic pain well and I continue to use the stretches and strength exercises daily. On the Camino I used hiking poles, started out slowly and built up my distance. As I have some osteoarthritis in my hip I needed to send my bag through on many, but not all, occasions. I lost weight and became strong. I continued daily exercise after the Camino but struggled to keep all of the weight off post-Camino as I have been travelling ever since. As the weight crept on I realised I needed to get the help of a dietitian and I have managed to lose most of the gain. Weight is important to manage chronic pain and so is exercise and stretching. Good professional help is out there. Good luck!Hola! I completed the Camino Frances last fall (Sept-Oct, from SJPP, carrying my backpack for 800km) and would love thoughts/advice from other older women (e.g. 60+) and men… Some background—I lost ~10-15 pounds in my training leading up to the walk and then another ~10-15 pounds on the walk. I was thrilled and had to take in lots of pants when I returned home..
But my metabolism took a while to slow, I struggled with returning to “normal” eating, and ended up gaining all the weight back. More concerning is that I developed chronic pain in my hamstring/glute area (at the top of my hamstrings) and am challenged with SI join pain and hip unevenness (my right hip was replaced in 2020). I’ve continued my weekly 5mi hikes, Zumba, yoga, pilates, etc., but my feet ache and I can’t seem to get the weight back off. Grateful that my knees are fine and I’m in good health otherwise.
Just wondering if others experienced this and have novel ways of addressing. Or is this just typical of long-distance walking? You get more out of shape and achy in between walks? I’d love to walk the Portugese Camino this fall, from Lisbon, but not until I have confirmation that the other hip is up to it. Thank you!
Hi, very iinterestin.We are hoping to open an online shop for pilgrim,s regarding nutrition and health.Also on line help with dieticians. 900km is a long way and your body needs to be treated well.Hola! I completed the Camino Frances last fall (Sept-Oct, from SJPP, carrying my backpack for 800km) and would love thoughts/advice from other older women (e.g. 60+) and men… Some background—I lost ~10-15 pounds in my training leading up to the walk and then another ~10-15 pounds on the walk. I was thrilled and had to take in lots of pants when I returned home..
But my metabolism took a while to slow, I struggled with returning to “normal” eating, and ended up gaining all the weight back. More concerning is that I developed chronic pain in my hamstring/glute area (at the top of my hamstrings) and am challenged with SI join pain and hip unevenness (my right hip was replaced in 2020). I’ve continued my weekly 5mi hikes, Zumba, yoga, pilates, etc., but my feet ache and I can’t seem to get the weight back off. Grateful that my knees are fine and I’m in good health otherwise.
Just wondering if others experienced this and have novel ways of addressing. Or is this just typical of long-distance walking? You get more out of shape and achy in between walks? I’d love to walk the Portugese Camino this fall, from Lisbon, but not until I have confirmation that the other hip is up to it. Thank you!
Been there! when I came back from the Camino a month ago, I put back and more of the pounds that I had lost while walking. I have not stopped exercising, but only until now I have managed going back to my normal diet (1200 calories/day) that keeps me in my target weight. Not easy at all, but I need to keep it to be able to go back to the camino next year. Motivation is a great weight management tool!
I can’t seem to get the weight back off.
I’ve continued my weekly 5mi hikes, Zumba, yoga, pilates, etc., but my feet ache
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