View Full Version : Hiking for exercise
Doc Mike
10-15-2010, 19:23
Does anyone beside me hike for exercise? I like to eat so the more calories burned the more i can eat. So on weekend hikes I carry about 40 pounds for 2-3 day trips then do 10-12 miles per day or more. This allows me smores in camp.
So if thru hiking for weight loss why not carry the extra weight and enjoy more creature comforts while in camp.
HYOH
Doc Mike :D
Windcatcher
10-15-2010, 19:40
Sure, hiking, cycling, backpacking, they're all part of an active lifestyle!
Absolutely. Hiking is the best way to get exercise, imo (though I hate s'mores - it's the marshmallows).
My downfall is ice cream.
Does anyone beside me hike for exercise? I like to eat so the more calories burned the more i can eat. So on weekend hikes I carry about 40 pounds for 2-3 day trips then do 10-12 miles per day or more. This allows me smores in camp.
So if thru hiking for weight loss why not carry the extra weight and enjoy more creature comforts while in camp.
HYOH
Doc Mike :D
What you describe is similar to how I think though I don't carry more so I can eat more.
But definitely, one of the reasons I'm so active is because I like to eat.
The problem with it is that since the body is so efficient the more you hike/walk/run/etc. the fewer calories you burn as the body adapts. I run/walk/hike an average of 70 miles per week and have for some years. I bet I don't burn 30 calories a mile these days.
SullyJoe
10-15-2010, 20:48
I find food tastes even better after a long hike.
I bet I don't burn 30 calories a mile these days.
You mustn't weigh much. Do you mean level miles?
I find food tastes even better after a long hike.
I find the adrenaline rush that comes with hiking fends off the hunger. I almost had to force myself to eat the other day on a rest break at the 6.2 mile point of a 7.6 mile hike - thought I needed it for energy, alertness and warmth. Now, once the hike is done, and the adrenaline subsides, I get good and hungry. Always pack some trail mix, but it usually goes untouched - eat more of it at home than on the trail.
LIhikers
10-15-2010, 22:05
I find food tastes even better after a long hike.
I find that beer tastes better after a long hike, or other strenuous activity. :)
Absolutely. Hiking is the best way to get exercise, imo (though I hate s'mores - it's the marshmallows).
My downfall is ice cream.
Sure, I think thats the greatest thing about hiking. It feels great to be in shape.
Yeah, marshmallows are gross. I bet 99% of people don't know whats in marshmallows.
Walking/Hiking is a lifestyle for me. Like 10K I've been doing it for years. If I can't get out to the Ocala NF each day I still do the miles. I do eight to ten miles a day, 2-3 each morning before work and 6-7 every night while most people watch tv. I used to figure that I burned 100 cal. per mile at 3.5 mph but that number has gone down over the years. I'm not sure how many cal. per mile but it seems like 30 cal. per mile is low even on level ground. I'm guessing 50 or 60 per mile. I did a stress test in 05 and the goal on tread mill was to get my heart rate to 120 bpm. They had to increase the speed several time and it took 15 min on the tread mill to reach that goal. The administrator of the test seemed quite surprised. I'm sure I'm preaching to the quire here but continual walking and hiking will improve quality of life beyond measurement.
Jonnycat
10-16-2010, 10:35
So if thru hiking for weight loss why not carry the extra weight and enjoy more creature comforts while in camp.
I'd rather carry less and walk more.
...I did a stress test in 05 and the goal on tread mill was to get my heart rate to 120 bpm. They had to increase the speed several times and it took 15 min on the tread mill to reach that goal. The administrator of the test seemed quite surprised. I'm sure I'm preaching to the quire here but continual walking and hiking will improve quality of life beyond measurement.
Same here. When I asked my doc about a guy my age doing a thru he suggested I get a stress test first. They took me up to 130 bpm after about 15 min. The doc running the test asked if I felt I could do more. I just told him to bring it on and they brought me up to 155 bpm which is near the theoretical limit for me. They were very surpised.
It would be interesting to compare the stress test results before a thru, and then again right after completing a thru. I wonder how much improvement there would be, I guess as measured by how long it takes to get the heart rate up. Also, I wonder if there is any change in the resting heart rate before and after a thru?
Feral Bill
10-16-2010, 12:04
Yeah, marshmallows are gross. I bet 99% of people don't know whats in marshmallows.
I do know, lets not go there.
Sierra Echo
10-16-2010, 12:12
Absolutely. Hiking is the best way to get exercise, imo (though I hate s'mores - it's the marshmallows).
My downfall is ice cream.
Ive never had a s'mores! I don't mind marshmallows though. Just never had one!
Does anyone beside me hike for exercise? I like to eat so the more calories burned the more i can eat. So on weekend hikes I carry about 40 pounds for 2-3 day trips then do 10-12 miles per day or more. This allows me smores in camp.
So if thru hiking for weight loss why not carry the extra weight and enjoy more creature comforts while in camp.
HYOH
Doc Mike :D
I like the way you think. I hike to enjoy myself outdoors. I don't exactly enjoy the hiking part. Right now I don't like it at all. My time spent in the gym is primarily so I can eat more.
Walking/Hiking is a lifestyle for me. Like 10K I've been doing it for years. If I can't get out to the Ocala NF each day I still do the miles. I do eight to ten miles a day, 2-3 each morning before work and 6-7 every night while most people watch tv. I used to figure that I burned 100 cal. per mile at 3.5 mph but that number has gone down over the years. I'm not sure how many cal. per mile but it seems like 30 cal. per mile is low even on level ground. I'm guessing 50 or 60 per mile. I did a stress test in 05 and the goal on tread mill was to get my heart rate to 120 bpm. They had to increase the speed several time and it took 15 min on the tread mill to reach that goal. The administrator of the test seemed quite surprised. I'm sure I'm preaching to the quire here but continual walking and hiking will improve quality of life beyond measurement.
That's almost my schedule... I try to get in 5 miles before work, 5 miles after work and it's very common that I'll do 3-4 at lunch as well. It's a *heck* of a lot better than sitting around watching the tube. In Wilmington (before we moved to Erwin) I was a neighborhood celebrity I walked so much - when I'd go hiking or be out of town for a day or two for something people in their cars would stop and ask me where I'd been - they hadn't seen me walking.
The thing is, you can easily walk 10 miles in 2.5 hours - that' two 1 hour TV shows and a 30 minute sitcom.
Another funny thing is that if I stayed inside all the time people would think I was "normal" - heck, I could be in there watching porn, drinking vodka and beating my wife for all they knew. At least when I'm walking people know what I'm really up to......
Don't know about a stress test, haven't had one but I did get my annual physical this month and my BP was 88/57 and my heart rate was 58 - not bad for an old fart.
That's almost my schedule... I try to get in 5 miles before work, 5 miles after work and it's very common that I'll do 3-4 at lunch as well. It's a *heck* of a lot better than sitting around watching the tube. In Wilmington (before we moved to Erwin) I was a neighborhood celebrity I walked so much - when I'd go hiking or be out of town for a day or two for something people in their cars would stop and ask me where I'd been - they hadn't seen me walking.
The thing is, you can easily walk 10 miles in 2.5 hours - that' two 1 hour TV shows and a 30 minute sitcom.
Another funny thing is that if I stayed inside all the time people would think I was "normal" - heck, I could be in there watching porn, drinking vodka and beating my wife for all they knew. At least when I'm walking people know what I'm really up to......
Don't know about a stress test, haven't had one but I did get my annual physical this month and my BP was 88/57 and my heart rate was 58 - not bad for an old fart.
oh man. and i'm supposed to walk with this guy in a couple of weeks. i, too, walk a lot every day -- but 70 miles a week is quite wonderful. good work 10K.
phantomengineer
10-16-2010, 14:57
70 miles a week is huge! Good preparation for the AT, too.
Hiking for exercise = beats the heck out of walking on the treadmill.
Ice cream is my achilles heel.
oh man. and i'm supposed to walk with this guy in a couple of weeks. i, too, walk a lot every day -- but 70 miles a week is quite wonderful. good work 10K.
I'm looking forward to it! Blissful was through here on her SOBO last week and we got to have lunch and spend a few hours together.
I'm hope the weather is as nice as it is this weekend - 30's at night, 60's during the day and not a cloud in the sky. :)
WinterWarlock
10-16-2010, 15:58
Yeah, marshmallows are gross. I bet 99% of people don't know whats in marshmallows.
Ugh - I don't even care what's in them...I can't stand the thought of marshmallows. What's even worse is that junk in the jar...Fluff. :eek:
I just like to be outside. The exercise is just a pleasant benefit... :)
Skidsteer
10-16-2010, 20:52
Ive never had a s'mores! I don't mind marshmallows though. Just never had one!
Get outta town!
You've never had a s'mores? Seriously?
Sierra Echo
10-16-2010, 23:45
Get outta town!
You've never had a s'mores? Seriously?
I'm totally serious!!
[QUOTE=Luddite;
Yeah, marshmallows are gross. I bet 99% of people don't know whats in marshmallows.[/QUOTE]
I feel I must speak up for marshmallows here. Sugar, gelatan and corn syrup whats so bad about that. I can eat a whole bag of them. I put them in my hot chocolate. I walk a lot and I can eat about anything. :D
Rocket Jones
10-17-2010, 11:07
If you're worried about what's in commercial marshmallows, make your own (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/homemade-marshmallows-recipe/index.html). They're good, but a batch makes a lot. Love 'em in hot chocolate, other than that, not so much.
Doc Mike
10-17-2010, 16:39
Sierra Echo
Seriously never a smore, you are cordially invited anytime, my 12 yo son insists that we have them at least once per hiking trip.
My point was and maybe it doesn't apply to anyone on this site but if you are over weight at all going light weight or ultralight doesn't make as much sense. Sure you could walk more but it is diminishing returns on that and most people it appears have a preset distance they are planning to hike. Increasing weight and elevation change appear to be the best ways to increase calorie burn. The studies increasingly confirm that Americans in general are a bunch of fatties and burning more calories for most should be a good thing.
That being said I was at Cabelas last night and some boy scouts were getting outfitted for upcoming camping trip. Several parents were looking a 3 lb plus sleeping bags for 110 pound scouts. Probably not a good choice either.
Hyoh
Doc Mike
Doc Mike
10-17-2010, 16:41
btw that 3 pound bag was a 30 degree bag not some sub zero monstrosity.
Sierra Echo
10-17-2010, 17:24
Sierra Echo
Seriously never a smore, you are cordially invited anytime, my 12 yo son insists that we have them at least once per hiking trip.
I will take you up on that next time I'm up that way!
I have never had a smore either. I found this for vegan types. I would feel bad if they never had a fluffernutter.
http://www.veganstore.com/ricemellow-marshmallow-fluff/Page_1/628.html
Everyone knows fluff is health food-it is fat free.
Skidsteer
10-17-2010, 18:51
I'm totally serious!!
I can rock your world.
Sierra Echo
10-17-2010, 18:52
I can rock your world.
rock it, baby! LOL
I have never had a smore either. I found this for vegan types. I would feel bad if they never had a fluffernutter.
http://www.veganstore.com/ricemellow-marshmallow-fluff/Page_1/628.html
Everyone knows fluff is health food-it is fat free.
I'm still recovering from the 12 oz whoppie pies at White House Landing....
Yeah, marshmallows are gross. I bet 99% of people don't know whats in marshmallows.
The ingredients aren't especially unusual as candy goes.
The original confection was made from the marshmallow plant and required a tedious extraction process of the marshmallow root.
For those interested, here's a bit of history:
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/marshmallow-000265.htm
Weary
That's almost my schedule... I try to get in 5 miles before work, 5 miles after work and it's very common that I'll do 3-4 at lunch as well. It's a *heck* of a lot better than sitting around watching the tube.
You are an inspiration. About all I do is walk 1.75 to work, 1.75 home and at least one day hike on the weekend. :( Not enough.
fredmugs
10-18-2010, 13:28
I have it bass ackwards. I tend to gain lots and lots of weight if I do not maintain some form of diet and exercise. I have decided to section hike the AT not because I love hiking as much as it forces me to stay in shape. You can't do 15 - 20 mile days on the AT if you're not in shape before you hit the trail. I do absolutely no hiking to prepare for hiking.
Now that my last hike is done for the year it will be a struggle to not pack on 15 - 20 pounds of fat before next spring.
My exercise regime consists mainly of either one hour of a very intense exercise bike ride OR a 20 - 50 mile ride on a real bike. I also like to walk in general maybe 6 - 10 miles on a weekend day.