I just found your channel. I am so happy I did! I am planning a thru hike for 2019. I'm currently 358 and believe planning for a thru hike and the completion of a thru hike will help me get in shape and be healthy. Keep it up!!!
shared, keep up all the hard work, your positive attitude, happiness radiates. thanks for sharing your adventures and life stories. look forward to your AT trip.
I'm so proud of you. You're an inspiration to me, I struggle with weight issues. I live in Maine and will be providing trail magic to thru hikers, I hope to see you.
Thank you so much. My mother and I adopted Hurley, and he adapted to his new surroundings very quickly. I think he will again. But, the small bit of whining he does tuggs at the heart strings of the rest of the family :)
U Determined brother. Just found this video and I now full understand watching ur other recent videos. Just a suggestion You can make lots of money after your thru hike by putting up a book about your weight loss. I'm glad u have the funds to do this trip. Remember even if you can't do it do not give up and try again. That course you took is hard even for the fittest man. Take it slow. I don't know u but I can connect with you as I'm obese as well and have a dream to do the at. First on them rocks walk on the balls of the feet. This prevents ankle turn twist. You put your heel down all the way. I honestly think I have ms and have all the symptoms and my legs are going and my health. I only weigh 230lbs and five four. Past two months I had a strength do go hiking and traveling and then it hits me a few weeks later the fatigue. I'm training now as much as possible. The thing is I'm single and support myself. I also have a animal a cat named Iggy. The hard part is able to find someone to take care of her next year. I was going to do prawling and go southbound to Maine as I live in New York. But thinking it over in will start in Georgia like everyone else. If u need to chat as it will be lonely on the trail email me at pangeria12@gmail.com my name is Evelisa but u can call me Lisa for short. Good luck on your journey and keep safe. Now for me to work and save money to do this trip next year.
Think about your start time and your flip-flop. Your size is not something that will allow you to fly down the trail. So your plan of going south after you get to Maine's finish line, and then going south from NY will put you in some of the highest elevations in North Carolina in December and January. Those mountains do get snow in the winter. A better thought might be to fly from Maine to Atlanta and go north bound back to NY, and get the mountains done before the snow hits, and save the lower elevations for the cold of winter.
I have considered that, but I didn't know which was best: To be heading south instead of north as the winter hit, or be more concerned about the elevation. I thought maybe the cold and bad weather would come earlier in the north. I first considered it when I was going to start from Harpers Ferry. I thought that would be a better place to end my thru-hike than the secluded approach trail in Georgia. I'll give it more thought, and maybe put it out as a question on my channel.
You might, as a substitute teacher, consider section hiking and bust the hike up into a couple of summers, as your time permits. The beauty of the hike is in the seasons, and fall is the most colorful (the sugar maples up north are unbelievably gorgeous), but the spring flowers are something that's well worth your time. And the summer and fall wild foods are also a great experience. But hiking in the summer down south in high humidity is a real killer. And winter down south in high humidity is worse than the dry cold up north. And ... on those mountain tops, ... there's no place to really get out of the cold, wet wind. Think about it ... seriously.
Awesome! Sure you know, but a word of caution; with your increased physical activity and as you loose more weight you are likely to step on the scale and find you have GAINED weight ... only because you have added significant muscle! Which of course is great! :-)
I've noticed that even though I'm not losing quickly (until the last two weeks), I was losing a lot of fat. I could tell by my clothes...especially my belt.
I hope you have told your neighbors what your doing. If not, we are going to see a video on UA-cam about a crazy guy who wears a backpack while doing chores around the house!!! Great job on another 5 lb. drop!! How was that night on the floor with the pad? Keep up the good work!!
Thanks. I slept for three good hours. Then I got up to use the restroom and noticed the foam pad that came off the bed when we moved it. I folded it in half on top of my Zlite pad. So, I am definitely going to invest in an air mattress.
BlessingOfAdventure. I tried the pad you slept on and it didn't agree with me either. Then those big ul2 airmatts are a real pain to blow up. So I finally settled in between with a "thermarest pro plus" that takes 10 breaths to fill. What ever you settle on, at least you have some time to decide. REI, despite all the commercialism, does has its advantages.. Keep it up...
Paul, quick question. Recently I went into REI to go with a lighter pack I tried the osprey 58 exos like you have to go lighter than my atoms 65 ag. I loved the pack but with their 20 pound load they put in it for me I found the shoulder straps to cut into me right where osprey decided to stop the padding. I know you pack isn't fitting as you would like right NOW but do you have this issue? I mention it because I tell ya I couldn't do the AT with that pack cutting into me like that. Maybe if you have the same issue you can modify it etc but I went in to buy that pack and walked out without a pack. Keep it up man 130lbs is awesome!
No, the shoulder straps and hip belt feels very comfortable on me right now. I've been afraid that as I lose more weight they will become a problem. I don't know why I think that way...just do :) So far I love it, but I haven't taken it on any extended hikes yet. Thank you.
Thank you Paul as you are sticking with this and hope you continue no matter what happens. So much of what we do is self inflicted yet there are so many with no choice, which should give us even more inspiration to continue on. There are folks out there with so many limitations, yet they are so much stronger then most of us. Check this guy out for example, ua-cam.com/video/q2tqKCoS2-w/v-deo.html , just incredible. Have you looked into any media coverage that may be available as you hiked? This could become a big deal and really help get the word out, sorry, it IS a big deal. Best Wishes to you out there and stay safe... Just Bruce
Yes, I have seen him and he is incredible as you say. The PKD Foundation has chapters throughout the states I will be traveling. I have been in contact with them to help spread the word through media sources. It is a bit early yet since I don't start until late May or June. But that is something I am working on.
Your a good man!
Rich P Thank you.
I just found your channel. I am so happy I did!
I am planning a thru hike for 2019. I'm currently 358 and believe planning for a thru hike and the completion of a thru hike will help me get in shape and be healthy.
Keep it up!!!
That's great! You can do it! And thanks for the encouragement.
Good for the both of you. Great what you're doing
Good stuff Paul, really like your attitude and love for your family. I'll keep you guys in my prayers.
I really appreciate that...thanks.
shared, keep up all the hard work, your positive attitude, happiness radiates. thanks for sharing your adventures and life stories. look forward to your AT trip.
Ruth Drummond I really appreciate it. Thanks.
No stopping you now,,,,good luck,great job,,,
Thank you.
Very motivating. I've been following you from the beginning and look forward to the start of your hike. Keep up the positive attitude.
Thank you very much. Appreciated.
I'm so proud of you. You're an inspiration to me, I struggle with weight issues. I live in Maine and will be providing trail magic to thru hikers, I hope to see you.
That's great. Would LOVE to run into you.
Poor Hurley! I hope that he can adapt. You and your story are very inspiring and my wife and I are really rooting for you to reach all of your goals.
Thank you so much. My mother and I adopted Hurley, and he adapted to his new surroundings very quickly. I think he will again. But, the small bit of whining he does tuggs at the heart strings of the rest of the family :)
Great perspective. In just the short time I've been watching your videos, I can definitely see the weight coming off. Great work! Keep it up!
Thanks.
You are what I call DETERMINED! I was wondering why you were laying on a tile floor. Training! LOL Greatness.
I've been following your videos. Great work, keep it up!
Thanks.
Paul you are looking good!
Thank you, cuz :)
U Determined brother. Just found this video and I now full understand watching ur other recent videos. Just a suggestion You can make lots of money after your thru hike by putting up a book about your weight loss. I'm glad u have the funds to do this trip. Remember even if you can't do it do not give up and try again. That course you took is hard even for the fittest man. Take it slow. I don't know u but I can connect with you as I'm obese as well and have a dream to do the at. First on them rocks walk on the balls of the feet. This prevents ankle turn twist. You put your heel down all the way. I honestly think I have ms and have all the symptoms and my legs are going and my health. I only weigh 230lbs and five four. Past two months I had a strength do go hiking and traveling and then it hits me a few weeks later the fatigue. I'm training now as much as possible. The thing is I'm single and support myself. I also have a animal a cat named Iggy. The hard part is able to find someone to take care of her next year. I was going to do prawling and go southbound to Maine as I live in New York. But thinking it over in will start in Georgia like everyone else. If u need to chat as it will be lonely on the trail email me at pangeria12@gmail.com my name is Evelisa but u can call me Lisa for short. Good luck on your journey and keep safe. Now for me to work and save money to do this trip next year.
Fantastic! Hi Hurley
Hurley says Howdy.
Think about your start time and your flip-flop. Your size is not something that will allow you to fly down the trail. So your plan of going south after you get to Maine's finish line, and then going south from NY will put you in some of the highest elevations in North Carolina in December and January. Those mountains do get snow in the winter. A better thought might be to fly from Maine to Atlanta and go north bound back to NY, and get the mountains done before the snow hits, and save the lower elevations for the cold of winter.
I have considered that, but I didn't know which was best: To be heading south instead of north as the winter hit, or be more concerned about the elevation. I thought maybe the cold and bad weather would come earlier in the north. I first considered it when I was going to start from Harpers Ferry. I thought that would be a better place to end my thru-hike than the secluded approach trail in Georgia. I'll give it more thought, and maybe put it out as a question on my channel.
You might, as a substitute teacher, consider section hiking and bust the hike up into a couple of summers, as your time permits. The beauty of the hike is in the seasons, and fall is the most colorful (the sugar maples up north are unbelievably gorgeous), but the spring flowers are something that's well worth your time. And the summer and fall wild foods are also a great experience. But hiking in the summer down south in high humidity is a real killer. And winter down south in high humidity is worse than the dry cold up north. And ... on those mountain tops, ... there's no place to really get out of the cold, wet wind. Think about it ... seriously.
Awesome! Sure you know, but a word of caution; with your increased physical activity and as you loose more weight you are likely to step on the scale and find you have GAINED weight ... only because you have added significant muscle! Which of course is great! :-)
Planner True! Muscle weighs more than fat does!
I've noticed that even though I'm not losing quickly (until the last two weeks), I was losing a lot of fat. I could tell by my clothes...especially my belt.
Dude you are so inspiring. Keep it up.
Thanks so much.
ah! i'm jealous! mowing lawn in winter! hi, from wi. :)
Ha. I thought people might not believe I have to mow in February :)
I hope you have told your neighbors what your doing. If not, we are going to see a video on UA-cam about a crazy guy who wears a backpack while doing chores around the house!!! Great job on another 5 lb. drop!! How was that night on the floor with the pad? Keep up the good work!!
Thanks. I slept for three good hours. Then I got up to use the restroom and noticed the foam pad that came off the bed when we moved it. I folded it in half on top of my Zlite pad. So, I am definitely going to invest in an air mattress.
BlessingOfAdventure. I tried the pad you slept on and it didn't agree with me either. Then those big ul2 airmatts are a real pain to blow up. So I finally settled in between with a "thermarest pro plus" that takes 10 breaths to fill. What ever you settle on, at least you have some time to decide. REI, despite all the commercialism, does has its advantages.. Keep it up...
Dude !! I love your videos !!
Thank you.
Could you walk us through how you have your backpack loaded?
That is something I've wanted to do to get everyone's advice. I don't have all my gear yet...mostly my clothes, but I could still do a review.
Paul, quick question. Recently I went into REI to go with a lighter pack I tried the osprey 58 exos like you have to go lighter than my atoms 65 ag. I loved the pack but with their 20 pound load they put in it for me I found the shoulder straps to cut into me right where osprey decided to stop the padding. I know you pack isn't fitting as you would like right NOW but do you have this issue? I mention it because I tell ya I couldn't do the AT with that pack cutting into me like that. Maybe if you have the same issue you can modify it etc but I went in to buy that pack and walked out without a pack. Keep it up man 130lbs is awesome!
No, the shoulder straps and hip belt feels very comfortable on me right now. I've been afraid that as I lose more weight they will become a problem. I don't know why I think that way...just do :) So far I love it, but I haven't taken it on any extended hikes yet. Thank you.
Thank you Paul as you are sticking with this and hope you continue no matter what happens. So much of what we do is self inflicted yet there are so many with no choice, which should give us even more inspiration to continue on. There are folks out there with so many limitations, yet they are so much stronger then most of us. Check this guy out for example, ua-cam.com/video/q2tqKCoS2-w/v-deo.html , just incredible. Have you looked into any media coverage that may be available as you hiked? This could become a big deal and really help get the word out, sorry, it IS a big deal. Best Wishes to you out there and stay safe...
Just Bruce
Yes, I have seen him and he is incredible as you say. The PKD Foundation has chapters throughout the states I will be traveling. I have been in contact with them to help spread the word through media sources. It is a bit early yet since I don't start until late May or June. But that is something I am working on.
Go get 'em tiger!
Digital Kudzu Thank you. I will.
You got this!!! :D
Brenda Almond Thank you.
Damn man you're losing a lot of weight. Good job! Keep it up. Oh and pitch the tent with your dog.
Thanks. I've considered getting my dog in the tent, but the material seems so thin I'm afraid his claws might tear it.
where did you get that AT poster?
I either got it from the A.T. Conservancy or searched through amazon.com. Can't remember. I'll try to find out.
BlessingOfAdventure i found it, it was on amazon. thanks!