So after watching this I'll throw a few observations. I've aways heard that women on long hikes dont tend to experience the same amount of weight loss as guys, who come off the trail looking noticeably gaunt. As far as legally replicating that 1940s study, I'll reflect on my time in the military. I entered the military relatively late compared to many recruits, in my later 20s. I spent my early 20s as a gym rat and several years as a trail maintainer for our local hiking trails, so basically walking miles every day carrying gear and tools up and down the trail to whatever project we were working on. So I was far from " fat" walking into Ft Benning. But because I was barrel chested they figured I was a fatbody and they put me on the half meal plan; every meal I had to walk over to the drill instructors table and show them that half my food was still on the plate before I threw it in the trash. This went on for weeks, and it wasn't long with all of the exercise recruits do that I was looking pretty lean. I didn't get to the muscle eating phase but there wasn't much of any fat left on me. I dont know if they're still doing that sort of thing with modern recruits, but they just extended the duration of basic training by a month and I'm hearing that a much higher per centage of young recruits are showing up severely overweight compared to my era, so I'm guessing that they are doing something about the food issue for guys in basic training. The Army has also revamped the physical fitness program a time or two over the last decade and I would think that looking at nutrition would have been part of that process. Reason for bringing that up is that there has to be some studies being conducted on the modern day recruits. Your sports nutritionist should dig around the Defense Department world and see what studies they've been conducting there on this issue. I'm doing the AT next year and I'll be the first one to admit that now at 60 yeah I'm heavier than I should be. I've slowed down a LOT. But I'm not worried about starting out with the extra pounds because of videos exactly like this one.
The trail will get you in shape. You’ll be in good company at 60+ and not in top shape. I am always inspired by how many thru-hikers I see on the trail who are in their 60s, and beyond. And I’m not just talking GA. Lots of them are still on the trail 500, 1000, and 2200 miles in.
Excellent advice and study. There was one study done in 97, on thru hikers. It was a survey. Thanks, I had a difficult time readjusting, and this information is helpful.
I am not a female nor a thru-hiker but I find this fascinating. Over the past two hiking seasons, I have seen more info on how seemingly fit healthy thru hikers ended up with totally out of wack cholesterol and blood sugar levels compared to before the hike. I also know of one woman who actually gained 20 Lbs during her AT thru-hike and it was all muscle so I have to assume she got a lot of protein during her hike. But the questions you are asking are very important, keep up the good work.
Great video. With information like this, info from Gear Skeptic and info from Katie and Heather (Adventure Ready) I am hoping to come up with a good plan for when I get started this Fall. Thank you so much!!
It's not about *"hike to home"* but incorporating what has been done into a regular lifestyle be the point. The best way is to go out and buy a bike and start using that for everyday transportation as the issue is one of "metabolism" or making your "through hike days" part of an everyday lifestyle.
Body builders have similar problems. They consume massive calories while working out and their metabolism increases. When they quit body building their appetite remains and they gain a lot of weight.
I have to eat gluten free and I can't imagine wanting to try doing a thru hike that way if you didn't have to. Having celiac sucks already and trying to find high calorie/ lower weight foods that are good for backpacking just makes it tougher, let alone cutting your choices way over half doing a resupply on trail.
So after watching this I'll throw a few observations. I've aways heard that women on long hikes dont tend to experience the same amount of weight loss as guys, who come off the trail looking noticeably gaunt.
As far as legally replicating that 1940s study, I'll reflect on my time in the military. I entered the military relatively late compared to many recruits, in my later 20s. I spent my early 20s as a gym rat and several years as a trail maintainer for our local hiking trails, so basically walking miles every day carrying gear and tools up and down the trail to whatever project we were working on. So I was far from " fat" walking into Ft Benning. But because I was barrel chested they figured I was a fatbody and they put me on the half meal plan; every meal I had to walk over to the drill instructors table and show them that half my food was still on the plate before I threw it in the trash. This went on for weeks, and it wasn't long with all of the exercise recruits do that I was looking pretty lean. I didn't get to the muscle eating phase but there wasn't much of any fat left on me.
I dont know if they're still doing that sort of thing with modern recruits, but they just extended the duration of basic training by a month and I'm hearing that a much higher per centage of young recruits are showing up severely overweight compared to my era, so I'm guessing that they are doing something about the food issue for guys in basic training. The Army has also revamped the physical fitness program a time or two over the last decade and I would think that looking at nutrition would have been part of that process.
Reason for bringing that up is that there has to be some studies being conducted on the modern day recruits. Your sports nutritionist should dig around the Defense Department world and see what studies they've been conducting there on this issue.
I'm doing the AT next year and I'll be the first one to admit that now at 60 yeah I'm heavier than I should be. I've slowed down a LOT. But I'm not worried about starting out with the extra pounds because of videos exactly like this one.
The trail will get you in shape. You’ll be in good company at 60+ and not in top shape. I am always inspired by how many thru-hikers I see on the trail who are in their 60s, and beyond. And I’m not just talking GA. Lots of them are still on the trail 500, 1000, and 2200 miles in.
I just watched a video on how the army is doing a fat camp to get people to a weight that they can enter regular boot camp
Excellent advice and study. There was one study done in 97, on thru hikers. It was a survey. Thanks, I had a difficult time readjusting, and this information is helpful.
Ooh I'll have to look into that! I'm glad this video was helpful!
I am not a female nor a thru-hiker but I find this fascinating. Over the past two hiking seasons, I have seen more info on how seemingly fit healthy thru hikers ended up with totally out of wack cholesterol and blood sugar levels compared to before the hike. I also know of one woman who actually gained 20 Lbs during her AT thru-hike and it was all muscle so I have to assume she got a lot of protein during her hike. But the questions you are asking are very important, keep up the good work.
Amazing video, Lucky Sparrow!
Great video. With information like this, info from Gear Skeptic and info from Katie and Heather (Adventure Ready) I am hoping to come up with a good plan for when I get started this Fall. Thank you so much!!
Very interested in part 2. ;)
Great Video!
It's not about *"hike to home"* but incorporating what has been done into a regular lifestyle be the point. The best way is to go out and buy a bike and start using that for everyday transportation as the issue is one of "metabolism" or making your "through hike days" part of an everyday lifestyle.
Body builders have similar problems. They consume massive calories while working out and their metabolism increases. When they quit body building their appetite remains and they gain a lot of weight.
Yep!
In pa, I see many that are so ill due to malnutrition. ( trail angel).
Thank you for what you do.
I have to eat gluten free and I can't imagine wanting to try doing a thru hike that way if you didn't have to. Having celiac sucks already and trying to find high calorie/ lower weight foods that are good for backpacking just makes it tougher, let alone cutting your choices way over half doing a resupply on trail.
It was brutal
My calorie counter tell me to maintain healthy weight I have to eat what she calls a semi starvation diet. Hunger frequently over rides the plan.