Hike Your Way To A Better Body

[Mrs Baggins]

Hike Your Way to a Better Body

A lot of climbing can burn a ton of calories!

by Jenny Hadfield | FNC iMag

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Treadmill, schmeadmill. Why coop yourself up? Head out into the fresh air and hike yourself slim, toning your legs and butt in the process. No need to spend the entire weekend wandering through the woods, either—just one hour of hiking torches more than 400 calories. Here’s what you need to know before you go.
Pick a Trail

Find one near you at Trails.com. Be sure to factor in more time when tackling steep terrain—hiking uphill takes about twice as long. To stay safe, bring a friend.
Gear Up

Trade in your sneaks for a lightweight yet sturdy trail shoe, like Merrell Siren Sync ($90; Merrell.com)—you need those thick rubber soles that grip the ground to help prevent nasty spills and guard feet against sharp roots and jagged rocks.
Other essentials: water, light snack (like granola), cell phone, ID, trail map, mini first-aid kit, hat, sunscreen, and a light jacket in case of rain or a drop in temp. A bonus pick: trekking poles (try WalkingPoles.com). They boost your burn by up to 40 percent by working your upper body and helping you move more quickly.
Help your Bod

Post hike, do a few minutes of down-dog (start in push-up position and press your body up into an inverted V) to loosen calves, hamstrings, hips, and shoulders, and help stay ache-free.

[10-K]

And stay away from AYCE places when you finish!

[TexasEd]

I gained 2 pounds after 50 miles in three days last year. I don't think Fatty's in Damascus had anything to do with it.

[10-K]

I gained 2 pounds after 50 miles in three days last year. I don't think Fatty's in Damascus had anything to do with it.

Man I hiked 800 miles, through the Whites and all, averaging 20 miles a day and finished 7-8 lbs heavier than when I started!

[Mrs Baggins]

Man I hiked 800 miles, through the Whites and all, averaging 20 miles a day and finished 7-8 lbs heavier than when I started!

Well, doesn't muscle weigh more than fat?

[10-K]

No, a pound of muscle and a pound of fat both weigh 16 ounces.

Muscle is denser than fat but weighs the same.....

[DapperD]

No, a pound of muscle and a pound of fat both weigh 16 ounces.

Muscle is denser than fat but weighs the same.....

But 5 pounds of muscle will sure make you look a lot better than 5 pounds of fat will.

[Mrs Baggins]

No, a pound of muscle and a pound of fat both weigh 16 ounces.

Muscle is denser than fat but weighs the same.....

Gees. We're always being told that "muscle weighs more than fat" if we'd just exercise more. Okay, so "muscle is denser than fat." I agree.

[chris948]

Gees. We're always being told that "muscle weighs more than fat" if we'd just exercise more. Okay, so "muscle is denser than fat." I agree.

The biggest truth is simply burn more than you intake. Then it doesn't matter how you exercise

[DapperD]

But 5 pounds of muscle will sure make you look a lot better than 5 pounds of fat will.

Old bodybuilder saying-"You can't flex fat!"

[Pedaling Fool]

If two things occupy the same amount of space, but one has a higher density than it will weigh more.

One thing to remember is that the weight gained from increased muscle mass is a relatively slow process compared to weight loss from decreased fat. If you start a workout regimen and notice a weight increase after a week that's not muscle.

You ever notice that the heaviest people are fat not muscular.

[10-K]

If two things occupy the same amount of space, but one has a higher density than it will weigh more.

Yes, but that's a matter of volume - not weight.

If you go to the grocery store and buy a pound of ham and a pound of potato salad they measure by weight - not the size of the container.

[Danielsen]

If two things occupy the same amount of space, but one has a higher density than it will weigh more.

One thing to remember is that the weight gained from increased muscle mass is a relatively slow process compared to weight loss from decreased fat. If you start a workout regimen and notice a weight increase after a week that's not muscle.

You ever notice that the heaviest people are fat not muscular.

Over the course of my most recent 5-day bicycle tour I gained 5 pounds (based on dehydrated just-woke-up-in-the-morning weight). That's a pound a day. My skin-pinch was the same but my legs sure felt a lot more solid.

You can tell me it wasn't muscle, but I sure don't think it was fat.

[Mrs Baggins]

Amazing, none of the anti-pole people have jumped into the fray to try to disprove the article's assertion that using poles increases the workout and "boost the burn" by 40%.

Just thought I'd throw a little chum in the water........

[Pedaling Fool]

Yes, but that's a matter of volume - not weight.

If you go to the grocery store and buy a pound of ham and a pound of potato salad they measure by weight - not the size of the container.

My only point was that this is probably why you hear that muscle weighs more than fat - muscle has more mass. I'm surely not saying that 16 ounces of muscle is heavier than 16 ounces of fat.

[Pedaling Fool]

Over the course of my most recent 5-day bicycle tour I gained 5 pounds (based on dehydrated just-woke-up-in-the-morning weight). That's a pound a day. My skin-pinch was the same but my legs sure felt a lot more solid.

You can tell me it wasn't muscle, but I sure don't think it was fat.

I can lose one pound after a good piss.

I wonder how one's leg circumference would increase after adding 5lbs of muscle mass.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-...fat-weight.htm

An excerpt:


Another reason that you should begin lifting weights as soon as possible in the weight loss process is because muscle weight does not develop overnight. The smaller muscles, such as the biceps, can show results from diligent workouts in as little as a month. For the larger muscle groups, such as your hamstrings or quadriceps, it can take three to four months to see visible changes in the muscles. If you wait until you lose all of the weight you want to before beginning a weight loss program, it may be a year or more before you see results.

It makes sense to build muscles for reasons other than wanting to look good in a tank top. Performing weight bearing exercise, such as weight lifting, can decrease your risk of developing osteoporosis. Replacing fat with muscle mass is also healthier for your heart. Strengthening your muscles can also slow many of the difficulties of aging, such as mobility problems. Regardless of your reasons, replacing fat weight with muscle weight is a worthwhile endeavor.

[JAK]

I tried hiking my way to a better body.
She was too fast for me.

[Skidsteer]

I tried hiking my way to a better body.
She was too fast for me.

Try a longer hiking staff next time.

[HotPink]

I've gained weight after working out too. I can't believe it's actual weight though, and I if I stick with it for at least three weeks start to notice it go down. Maybe it's just water retention or something.

[Smile]

Thanks for posting Mrs. B!