Okay I realize we all have our own reasons for camping, but I'm curious how many of you prepare your bodies for camping or more so for the activities that go along with camping such as hiking, biking and kayaking.
If the active camping lifestyle isn't your gig, that's okay to each his or her own, but here's what I found in my personal experiences.
Over the years I have packed on a few unwanted pounds and it has effected every aspect of my life. I noticed on camping trips I tended to stay behind when others were out hiking or enjoying the outdoors. I found that I wasn't getting as much out of my camping experience because it was difficult for me. Well I will be 47 on October 14th and I have decided to take my life back. I have started watching what I eat and walking, riding a bike and doing weight training. I don't expect to have the body of a 21 year old, but I am determined that I will be fit enough to take advantage of all the outdoors has to offer. I don't want to miss that once in a lifetime view because I don't think I can make the hike. I want to own that vista. Does anyone else feel this way or am I the only one.
Happy Healthy Camping
CajunCamper
Yes, I do try to keep myself in shape for the fishing, kayaking and hiking, in that order! :D
I keep myself in shape for eating...and the shape is round.
Bring on the Dutch ovens, and make sure they are full!
Austin
We at least start bicycling before we camp. We love to ride while camping. DH likes to fish; I read & enjoy nature's beautiful scenery. The really strenous activities are beyond us.
DH is 61
DW is 57
Boy,
I can't wait to hear how the FISH SQUAD reply to this thread :sombraro:
Quote from: CajunCamperI don't expect to have the body of a 21 year old, but I am determined that I will be fit enough to take advantage of all the outdoors has to offer. I don't want to miss that once in a lifetime view because I don't think I can make the hike. I want to own that vista. Does anyone else feel this way or am I the only one.
Happy Healthy Camping
CajunCamper
Sounds like you are making some wise choices and you will be doing a lot of camping and hiking, etc in the future.
It gets very frustrating as you get older and the body won't do what the mind wants to do.
Up until a few months ago, I use to walk 2 to 4 miles a day with a couple of neighbor ladies. I recently developed some leg and back problems which makes these walks impossible for now. Hopefully, I will be able to improve on this in the near future.
It is funny but I really miss the walks. They were so much a part of my daily routine that I felt guilty if I didn't go for some reason. It was like an addiction.
I also have given up fishing the streams but will do some in a kayak. Yup, upper body is good enough for the puddle jumping kayak trips that we take.
So, Cajun, do the work, make it a habit, and you will enjoy more vistas.
Usually my fishing trips within the state and that proximity are for 5 days. I figure a day getting there and setting up camp, three solid days of fishing and camp activities, and then a day for breaking camp and driving back to the "ranch" (yeah, right!). Should say here that it's taking longer and longer to clean-up, pack-up, close-up, hook-up and by the time it's time to drive home I'm worn out! So that five days is beginning to look more like one day travel and set-up camp, three days fishing, one day cleaning and packing up, arising real early the next morning and hitting the road fresh. But you get the idea.
There have been long distance trips that have been out to the White River in Arkansas and others to northern Michigan and these are two and three week trips where I'll spend at least one night (usually two) on the road at close off the highway C/G's.
The point is ... I lose weight ... the outings always whip me into shape and I'll lose ten/fifteen pounds (from around the middle). And the great thing is I'll eat like a horse on these trips. To be sure, popup camping is work ... but it's the kind of work that goes well with me! And it's the camping trip that gets me into shape. I have in my closet fat clothes and skinny clothes. The fat waist size is 38 and some times 40! the skinny waist size is 36 and I love it when these are "loose"!
Even the Alaska trip I just made via flying the airlines to and from trimmed me down. Of course, that packing back into some of those streams and remote lakes had a lot to do with it.
Fly
p.s. Think it's time to pull the little Starcraft up to the western North Carolina mountains and get in the last of trout season on some select streams. Would y'all not agree?
I do enough physical labor at work so the only exercise that I get while camping is 12 ounce curls.
Quote from: 6QuigsBoy,
I can't wait to hear how the FISH SQUAD reply to this thread :sombraro:
Me TOO!!! They probably start lifting 12 packs a week before they go on a trip, and practice falling down :J :J :J :J :J :J
Quote from: 6QuigsBoy,
I can't wait to hear how the FISH SQUAD reply to this thread :sombraro:
I didn't even figure we had to reply. Some things are just known.
Cajun, I like your comment about taking back your life. No truer words have been spoken my friend! Good for you, just take the exercise part slow, or at least stay with low impact for a while so you don't get an injury that winds up putting a halt to the entire affair. Once you've got the weight down, then you get more aggressive....if that makes sense.
We've been on a 4 day a week schedule for a few months. Started because my wife had this dream of hiking into the Grand Canyon, camping at the bottom, and hiking out. We started slow, just regular walking, maybe 3-4 miles. This was a real drag for me because I used to be a long distance runner in high school and college. But I really screwed up my knees about 7 years ago training for a relay and have not been able to run more than a couple miles since.
So, with the unknown of how the knees would be, we walked....and then once each weekend, we'd hike up one of the local peaks which are about a 1,000' elevation change in under 2mi one way. Once we could do that, we started doing it faster. Then we stepped up to carrying the packs we were going to backpack with, and then started adding weight until we were carrying about 80%-90% of our real load.
Surprisingly, my knees kept getting better and better. We loved the trip into the Grand Canyon and what huge reward for my wife (and me) for all the hard work! That was back in the first of August. To give you an idea of how we progressed, I carried a 50lb pack....4-1/2hrs to get to the 7.3mi to the bottom, 9-1/2hrs to go the 9.5mi out.
Now I'm able to run 4 miles fairly fast (by myself), and Kim and I go out together running the same distance, but with some walking breaks for her.
We also downhill ski in the winter and starting in January will go up for a one-dayer, every other weekend until there's no snow left.
So get yourself some goals and some rewards, make it fun, and look for permanent change over the long haul rather than some immediate and substantial weight loss that never lasts.
Now drop and give me 20.
I
Rick I can highly recommend getting one of the "Baby Jogger" brand running strollers. You can find them used for a great price, and get the one with the 20" wheels. They don't weigh anything, fold completely flat (wheels quick release) and you guys will be "free" to start doing stuff again.
We used to give Kate a cassette player with a kid story in it, and headphones and off we'd go. Something you can do as a family and pass down those "outdoor" exercise values early on.
By the way, I'm 44 and like you, still playing 20-something.
Now go do 'em!
You young'uns just wait till ya pass 70; and then your afternoon energy level will be like you've into a brick wall. Then maybe there'll be a little sense in ya and you'll take-up fly fishing!
Fly (who has quit preaching for the day)
Quote from: flyfishermanYou young'uns just wait till ya pass 70; and then your afternoon energy level will be like you've into a brick wall. Then maybe there'll be a little sense in ya and you'll take-up fly fishing!
Fly (who has quit preaching for the day)
Fly Fishing! That takes way more energy than I want to use. One Cast, watch the bobber, drink beer. If I have to sit there and keep casting out a fly, that takes away my beer lifting energy. Plus I can sit down. Energy Management is a skill.
Quote from: TheVikingIf I have to sit there and keep casting out a fly, that takes away my beer lifting energy.
Sit there? Whenever I see people fly fishing, they are standing...sometimes standing in
COLD water!
No thanks!
Austin
Quote from: CajunCamperOkay I realize we all have our own reasons for camping, but I'm curious how many of you prepare your bodies for camping or more so for the activities that go along with camping such as hiking, biking and kayaking.
If the active camping lifestyle isn't your gig, that's okay to each his or her own, but here's what I found in my personal experiences.
Over the years I have packed on a few unwanted pounds and it has effected every aspect of my life. I noticed on camping trips I tended to stay behind when others were out hiking or enjoying the outdoors. I found that I wasn't getting as much out of my camping experience because it was difficult for me. Well I will be 47 on October 14th and I have decided to take my life back. I have started watching what I eat and walking, riding a bike and doing weight training. I don't expect to have the body of a 21 year old, but I am determined that I will be fit enough to take advantage of all the outdoors has to offer. I don't want to miss that once in a lifetime view because I don't think I can make the hike. I want to own that vista. Does anyone else feel this way or am I the only one.
Happy Healthy Camping
CajunCamper
Happy Healthy Camping
Cajun,
My wife and I joined a local gym in our small town after returning from North Carolina. We hiked up MT Pisgah and felt really spent after hiking the 6.8 miles along an approach trail and the 1,000 feet up to the summit. We decided also to reclaim out physical independence. i will be 62 in Dec and my wife, as she says, will not. We go the gym 3-4 times per week, doing both a cardio routine on the stationary bike and one hour of weight training. In preparation for the mountain hiking I do leg presses with an increasing amount of weight 3 times a week. My wife also use the stairs at work. I stay active at home doing renovations on the house and yard and tree trimming. On our return to MT. Pisgah we made it to the summit in half the time and felt great when nwe returned to the start of the trail, with very little recovery time.
So to answer your question, keep moving. As we age we can lose both bone density, exercise tolerance, stamina and overall cardiac health. Weight bearing exercise can increase bone density and strength. Aerobic/cardio exercise can imp[rove cardiovascular health, cardio-respiratory health making the transfer of oxygen into the cells more efficient. It also improves metabolism and converts excess fat to lean muscle.
BUT, the choice to exercise is a personal choice. It is a known fact that exercise can not only prolong your life, but improve the quality of it. As you can see from some of the responses some do not find any pleasure in exercise, but prefer to spend their time doing other things. That is fine for them. We all must do what pleases us, not what pleases someone else. Do what brings you peace of mind, joy, happiness or whatever else turns you on.
Marc (retired from 40 years in emergency and intensive care medicine)
Quote from: AustinBostonSit there? Whenever I see people fly fishing, they are standing...sometimes standing in COLD water!
No thanks!
Austin
You have to realize that flyfishing is about 10% catching fish and 90% enjoying nature.
If you have never had to move upstream to get out of the way of a moose who wants to swim directly at you or had to stand in the Yellowstone River and let your fly just float down the river because a bison is right behind you drinking, then you haven't really experienced nature. :)
Also, one of the finest things to watch is an experienced fly fisherman make some casts. To me, it is a thing of beauty.
I use to flyfish with my neighbor. Many a time I would sit on the bank and just watch him. He was a master at it. He made his last cast when he was 80.
Quote from: GeneFYou have to realize that flyfishing is about 10% catching fish and 90% enjoying nature.
If you have never had to move upstream to get out of the way of a moose who wants to swim directly at you or had to stand in the Yellowstone River and let your fly just float down the river because a bison is right behind you drinking, then you haven't really experienced nature. :)
Also, one of the finest things to watch is an experienced fly fisherman make some casts. To me, it is a thing of beauty.
I use to flyfish with my neighbor. Many a time I would sit on the bank and just watch him. He was a master at it. He made his last cast when he was 80.
I agree with you Gene. My wife and I started fly fishing in south Florida in the everglades. The practice of trying to get that perfect cast or a beautiful unwinding loop of a roll cast is pleasure beyond words. In the everglades we didn't have Moose, but there were some d*** big alligators, snakes and mosquitos the sixe of B-17's. If we were really lucky we would see a Bald Eagle or a really big 'gator. The largest that I ever saw was about 12 feet. We now plan to fly fish in N.C. and have been tying our own flies, which is another great way to spend a rainy day.
marc
For me camping is a way to stay closer to the outdoors!! I stay in shape to enjoy life..camping just makes it better!
CajunCamper,
Once the snow & ice is mostly gone in the late winter/early spring I start walking to and from work every day for awhile (I realize this is not possible for everyone). By the time the ice is off the rivers, my legs are in good enough shape for fly fishing. A little later in the spring when we start camping/hiking/kayaking etc. all that walking and working against the current while fishing has strengthened my legs and back so I can keep up with our 5 year old.
Sidebar about fly fishing - I'm no fly fishing snob. I still enjoy catching gills under a float with a worm. However, there is just something about fly fishing that I don't get with other kinds of fishing. More and more I am grabbing my fly rod as opposed to my spinning rod. The rythym of the cast is very relaxing, the surroundings are usually beautiful and it's very satisfying to catch a fish on a fly I tied myself.
Mike
Quote from: mjsmith1223CajunCamper,
Once the snow & ice is mostly gone in the late winter/early spring I start walking to and from work every day for awhile (I realize this is not possible for everyone). By the time the ice is off the rivers, my legs are in good enough shape for fly fishing. A little later in the spring when we start camping/hiking/kayaking etc. all that walking and working against the current while fishing has strengthened my legs and back so I can keep up with our 5 year old.
Sidebar about fly fishing - I'm no fly fishing snob. I still enjoy catching gills under a float with a worm. However, there is just something about fly fishing that I don't get with other kinds of fishing. More and more I am grabbing my fly rod as opposed to my spinning rod. The rythym of the cast is very relaxing, the surroundings are usually beautiful and it's very satisfying to catch a fish on a fly I tied myself.
Mike
The people living in the Mediterranean countries have the longest life spans and best overall health. Their secret is to stay active walking to work, the store, etc., and eating good healthy food. Also important is a healthy mental/emotional state, being happy with what we have and realizing what is really important. Getting out of the house to go camping, fly fishing or hiking puts us in touch with real beauty, real peace.
marc
Quote from: mjsmith1223CajunCamper,
Sidebar about fly fishing - I'm no fly fishing snob. I still enjoy catching gills under a float with a worm. However, there is just something about fly fishing that I don't get with other kinds of fishing. More and more I am grabbing my fly rod as opposed to my spinning rod. The rythym of the cast is very relaxing, the surroundings are usually beautiful and it's very satisfying to catch a fish on a fly I tied myself.
Mike
Mike
I think you kind of hit the nail on the head. My spinning rod was just rusting away before I gave it away.
Neighbor talked me into trying fly fishing. I bought a $29 rod and reel at K-Mart. First fish I caught was a nice brown trout. I can still see that fish come up from the rocks and take the muddler.
There is something about fly fishing that really hooks you. :)
Like Flyfisherman, I find that my outdoor time is when I get in better shape. Being more active, paddling the canoe, hiking more, collecting wood, even just getting up after dinner, washing dishes, moving around and putting stuff away, cutting some firewood, etc etc. I usually return from camping trips a few pounds lighter.
I went on an weight loss kick about 4 years ago and worked out 1-2 hours a day. I did the treadmill, stationary bike, and lifted weights. I lost a lot of weight, but most importantly, I found that the most valuable exercise was walking. I have maintained my healthier eating styles, and I have also found that drinking lots of water helps too. It curbs my appetite before meals.
Today my job and other commitments don't allow me to work out for 1-2 hours a day, but, I can walk to work (takes an extra 10 minutes each way). That morning exercise early in the day seems to kick my metabloism up, and I am slowly getting trim again, and hopefully doing so in a more sustainable way.
Now, if they could just come up with ice cream and chocolate that BURNS calories, I would be all set!
I don't get in shape for the outdoors, but I should. I need to drop about 20 lbs. and then hiking would be even more fun.
Gym 3 times per week year round... Although i think i am lucky because i get 75 minutes during work time (not including lunch) to hit the gym or run.
I live about 10' from the gym in our apartment building :-() so I'm in great shape :p .
It's time to get in shape for camping.