- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances; Aragones; VdlP; Madrid-Invierno; Levante
Make toast and melt the cheese: scrumptious.
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Make toast and melt the cheese: scrumptious.I'm one of the lucky ones who does usually manage to lose size when I walk a camino, even if I do not always lose weight. One of the advantages of walking is that it keeps me out of the kitchen! Still, it seems a shame not to enjoy the food on offer in different countries - it is part of the experience - but I try to be a bit judicious. As a Dutch friend once said to me - don't have both butter and cheese on your bread. Choose one or the other.
don't have both butter and cheese on your bread. Choose one or the other.
I am not Dutch, so no comment. But for the record in this case I am glad not to be Dutch.As a Dutch friend once said to me - don't have both butter and cheese on your bread. Choose one or the other.
Many years ago my two daughters were asked what they were going to give up for Lent.He was responding to:
Lisa Brownsey said:
"The food is abundant on the Camino but my husband managed to loose 10kg when he cut out all sugars. No dessert for him from the pilgrim menu. He doesn’t drink alcohol though."
Unfortunately, you can only lose weight by cutting alcohol if you drink it in the first place. If you are a non-drinker, cutting alcohol will do nothing for you. Otherwise, I'd be a lot skinnier.
@AnnaWinter We don't want you to give up your dream. Almost all of the posters on this thread have also walked the camino and not let their weight get in the way of the dream.
But on this thread we are discussing the merits of losing weight before walking maybe a 3rd or 4th camino - and we are supporting the OP who wants to lose weight.
You have a great attitude about the camino, and we look forward to hearing about your adventure!
@AnnaWinterThank you for your kind reply. Of course I know it's always easier to do anything when you're lighter, but for some people that's never going to happen, however hard they try. It's just that a few remarks were along the lines of "don't try this when you're overweight" and I used to be one of those people that really let that stop me. And I wanted to write something on this thread for any of those people ;-)
I take some issue with the statements of some people, including OP, here. I'm fat. Like proper fat. I'm at least 90 pounds overweight. And I can hike.
The only real problem I have, is finding proper hiking clothes that fit, but for the rest...I can walk just as well as many people with normal weights and sizes. It might cost me a little more effort, and I might sweat more than the next person, but I can still do it. Even right now, I'm hiking 15 miles easily these days and I know average sized people who can't do that. So fat or not, you can still train and reach goals.
I haven't walked a Camino yet, but I'm working on it. It's a dream of mine and I'm not going to let my big butt stop me. So what? Now fat people can't enjoy the outdoors because we're too fat and that might hurt our knees? Come on...you can train for everything. If it takes a skinny person half a year to train for the Camino, it might take me a year, but I can still train for it. There are many people who hike the Camino without any training at all, and there are also quite a few very old people finishing the Camino, so I guess a properly prepared fatty can do it as well.
Hiking is good for you. Training for a major hike is good for you. Enjoying the outdoors is good for you. It's good for your body, it's good for your wellbeing. Maybe I'll lose weight training for the Camino and maybe not. But training for it, and hiking it won't hurt me anymore then any other person, especially with a sensible approach.
If you're really not buying a ticket to SJPDP before you're a certain weight, you're only going to sell yourself short. I have waited to do many things in my life if I reached X weight, and the bottom line is that those things rarely happen, because most of our weight goals are way too ambitious. So buy that ticket, start training in time, get a good set of trekking poles and don't put too much weight on your back. Hike the Camino and live your life. If you lose weight doing it, good for you! If you don't, you'll at least have a bloody good time.
@AnnaWinter
It sounds like you're doing excellent preparation for your first camino. Hiking 15 miles in a day makes you a lot more ready than many of us were. However, I could not see anything about your location in your information available on the forum. Could I suggest that, if you live in a flat area, you might do some practice in climbing? It is possible to do this climbing up and down in a sports facility, and not just in the mountains. I am, I suspect, a fair bit older than you, and I was not in good condition when I walked my first camino three years ago. I was also overweight. But I had a lot of experience in mountain hiking: body and brain knew what to do and I took the high points with ease, if not with speed. It might make things easier for you, especially if you start in St Jean pied de Port, if you had some practice in this. Buen camino.
Hi, my name's Robo and I'm fat !
According to all the guides I should be about 20 kg lighter!
I've been reading lots of interesting posts and threads recently about topics such as:
I'd just like to address the Elephant in the Room here
- How to train for the Camino.
- How much weight will I lose on the Camino
- I'm trying to lose weight before I go
- etc etc
I planned to lose weight before my first Camino. And didn't lose much.
I planned to do lots of training, and didn't do much.
Because I was overweight, the training caused injury.......
I have walked the CF from St Jean twice and Sarria (plus a bit) once.
And here are some observations from a 'fatty'
Thinking I could train on the Camino, by starting slowly. I was kidding myself. It hurt, all the way........ all 3 times.
It started hurting a bit less after a week as my legs got stronger.
And in the last week it hurt a lot......as my legs and joints found it hard to cope.
Training overweight, caused damage before I even started.
Walking three times overweight has caused permanent damage.
If you are significantly overweight, as I am. (BMI 32) You probably eat and/or drink too much and have a poor diet.
If you think you are somehow going to eat less on the Camino, think again.
The walking will make you hungry, and the plentiful supply of yummy, cheap, and hi carb/fat food ain't going to help you much.
On 3 Caminos, whilst I got fitter and stronger, I hardly lost any weight. Maybe 2-3 kg. (starting at 94)
So fool yourself as much as you like
But for my next Camino, I'll be:
Losing weight before I go. By eating less! (Yes, it's about energy balance. Not rocket science)
I will loose at least 10 kg before I start any serious training.
I will aim for a BMI of about 25-26 if I can, before starting my next Camino.
Still bordering on overweight but a lot lighter than I am now.
I know that if I walk again with a BMI of 32 that.
I might not make it through injury.
And if I do make it, it going to be really painful..........again.
I've come across a few Pilgrims my size or bigger, and..........
90% of them had terrible foot and blister problems.
No wonder really is it ?
So if you are a fatty like me.
Do yourself a big favour.
And use your upcoming Camino as a really good reason to lose some serious weight, before you go.
Your Camino will be easier.
Less painful.
And far less damaging in the long term.
P.S. I find it really hard to stick to diets.
But the one that seems to work is the 5-2, or a variation of it.
Basically 2 days a week I don't eat much at all.
When I do this, I can lose 1-2 kgs a week easily.
Then Pat cooks a great meal, I get a bottle of wine to go with it.
And I start all over again
But you get the point.
I know what I need to do prior to my next Camino.......
And I've found a diet that will work when I need it.
I take some issue with the statements of some people, including OP, here.
@AnnaWinter
Could I suggest that, if you live in a flat area, you might do some practice in climbing? It is possible to do this climbing up and down in a sports facility, and not just in the mountains.
If you're really not buying a ticket to SJPDP before you're a certain weight, you're only going to sell yourself short. I have waited to do many things in my life if I reached X weight, and the bottom line is that those things rarely happen, because most of our weight goals are way too ambitious. So buy that ticket, start training in time, get a good set of trekking poles and don't put too much weight on your back. Hike the Camino and live your life. If you lose weight doing it, good for you! If you don't, you'll at least have a bloody good time.
Ah. We have a different philosophy at work.
Work More, Make More, Give More.
Long story
For me, it really is about calories-in < calories-out. So simple. I use the myfitnesspal app to log everything I eat and all the exercise I do. I like the fact that I decide how much I want to lose in a week, and it gives me a guideline # of calories to make that happen. Seeing the charts in the app showing the days that I'm compliant (and those days I'm not) really helps the motivation by providing instant feedback. I also get to choose how I spend those last 200 calories every day... a cookie? a dram of whisky? a hot apple cider? My choice!
Unfortunately, this is not simple for me. I live in Calgary, western Canada. We have just had a week of cold temperatures and snow. This makes snowfall in Calgary during eight months in a row now. My big fear, as I age (71 now) is falling and breaking bones, which will put me out of commission for so many of the things that I love to do, including walking caminos. It is warming up here: the snow has turned to rain and I am back on the streets. I find that I feel better, sleep better, and oddly, my arthritis hurts less, if I walk. I am remembering my first camino walk, when I had to buy a belt in Santiago to keep my skirt up. I won't need that belt when I leave this year, but I might have to buy another when I arrive. Buen camino to all.For me, it really is about calories-in < calories-out.
That's why I cut out vegetables --- to maintain caloric neutrality.Great advice. Just throwing this out there to those of you who intend to lose weight. One alcoholic beverage a day for a year will increase your weight about 10 pounds if you do not do any extra exercise to burn off those dead calories. Just sayin'. Do whatever you like with that information.
That's why I cut out vegetables --- to maintain caloric neutrality.
I love your brilliant, positive, can-do attitude!!Hi, my name's Robo and I'm fat !
According to all the guides I should be about 20 kg lighter!
I've been reading lots of interesting posts and threads recently about topics such as:
I'd just like to address the Elephant in the Room here
- How to train for the Camino.
- How much weight will I lose on the Camino
- I'm trying to lose weight before I go
- etc etc
I planned to lose weight before my first Camino. And didn't lose much.
I planned to do lots of training, and didn't do much.
Because I was overweight, the training caused injury.......
I have walked the CF from St Jean twice and Sarria (plus a bit) once.
And here are some observations from a 'fatty'
Thinking I could train on the Camino, by starting slowly. I was kidding myself. It hurt, all the way........ all 3 times.
It started hurting a bit less after a week as my legs got stronger.
And in the last week it hurt a lot......as my legs and joints found it hard to cope.
Training overweight, caused damage before I even started.
Walking three times overweight has caused permanent damage.
If you are significantly overweight, as I am. (BMI 32) You probably eat and/or drink too much and have a poor diet.
If you think you are somehow going to eat less on the Camino, think again.
The walking will make you hungry, and the plentiful supply of yummy, cheap, and hi carb/fat food ain't going to help you much.
On 3 Caminos, whilst I got fitter and stronger, I hardly lost any weight. Maybe 2-3 kg. (starting at 94)
So fool yourself as much as you like
But for my next Camino, I'll be:
Losing weight before I go. By eating less! (Yes, it's about energy balance. Not rocket science)
I will loose at least 10 kg before I start any serious training.
I will aim for a BMI of about 25-26 if I can, before starting my next Camino.
Still bordering on overweight but a lot lighter than I am now.
I know that if I walk again with a BMI of 32 that.
I might not make it through injury.
And if I do make it, it going to be really painful..........again.
I've come across a few Pilgrims my size or bigger, and..........
90% of them had terrible foot and blister problems.
No wonder really is it ?
So if you are a fatty like me.
Do yourself a big favour.
And use your upcoming Camino as a really good reason to lose some serious weight, before you go.
Your Camino will be easier.
Less painful.
And far less damaging in the long term.
P.S. I find it really hard to stick to diets.
But the one that seems to work is the 5-2, or a variation of it.
Basically 2 days a week I don't eat much at all.
When I do this, I can lose 1-2 kgs a week easily.
Then Pat cooks a great meal, I get a bottle of wine to go with it.
And I start all over again
But you get the point.
I know what I need to do prior to my next Camino.......
And I've found a diet that will work when I need it.
I agree! @Robo is a positive addition to this forum and I enjoy reading both the threads he starts and his posts on other's. His video chats with various forum members are a highlight as well and I appreciate the time he spends doing that.I love your brilliant, positive, can-do attitude!!
Thank you very very mucho for his flagrant honesty. I’ve done two caminos and only lost between 5-8 % body weight largely fat. Spanish and French wines and bread and sausage were daily staples! On Camino number 3, I plan to reduce quantities lol!Hi, my name's Robo and I'm fat !
According to all the guides I should be about 20 kg lighter!
I've been reading lots of interesting posts and threads recently about topics such as:
I'd just like to address the Elephant in the Room here
- How to train for the Camino.
- How much weight will I lose on the Camino
- I'm trying to lose weight before I go
- etc etc
I planned to lose weight before my first Camino. And didn't lose much.
I planned to do lots of training, and didn't do much.
Because I was overweight, the training caused injury.......
I have walked the CF from St Jean twice and Sarria (plus a bit) once.
And here are some observations from a 'fatty'
Thinking I could train on the Camino, by starting slowly. I was kidding myself. It hurt, all the way........ all 3 times.
It started hurting a bit less after a week as my legs got stronger.
And in the last week it hurt a lot......as my legs and joints found it hard to cope.
Training overweight, caused damage before I even started.
Walking three times overweight has caused permanent damage.
If you are significantly overweight, as I am. (BMI 32) You probably eat and/or drink too much and have a poor diet.
If you think you are somehow going to eat less on the Camino, think again.
The walking will make you hungry, and the plentiful supply of yummy, cheap, and hi carb/fat food ain't going to help you much.
On 3 Caminos, whilst I got fitter and stronger, I hardly lost any weight. Maybe 2-3 kg. (starting at 94)
So fool yourself as much as you like
But for my next Camino, I'll be:
Losing weight before I go. By eating less! (Yes, it's about energy balance. Not rocket science)
I will loose at least 10 kg before I start any serious training.
I will aim for a BMI of about 25-26 if I can, before starting my next Camino.
Still bordering on overweight but a lot lighter than I am now.
I know that if I walk again with a BMI of 32 that.
I might not make it through injury.
And if I do make it, it going to be really painful..........again.
I've come across a few Pilgrims my size or bigger, and..........
90% of them had terrible foot and blister problems.
No wonder really is it ?
So if you are a fatty like me.
Do yourself a big favour.
And use your upcoming Camino as a really good reason to lose some serious weight, before you go.
Your Camino will be easier.
Less painful.
And far less damaging in the long term.
P.S. I find it really hard to stick to diets.
But the one that seems to work is the 5-2, or a variation of it.
Basically 2 days a week I don't eat much at all.
When I do this, I can lose 1-2 kgs a week easily.
Then Pat cooks a great meal, I get a bottle of wine to go with it.
And I start all over again
But you get the point.
I know what I need to do prior to my next Camino.......
And I've found a diet that will work when I need it.
Dear Robo -- I feel like your post is a version of my own story -- I can so completely relate to your situation.
Before walking my first Camino in 2013, I lost 66 kg. At the time I was in the best shape of my life and walked the entire Frances without a single blister. Fast forward 2 years, I had regained about 9 kg of my loss. We walked the Primitivo and I struggled with horrible blisters. I blamed everything -- new shoes, warmer weather, you name it. But I knew that the main thing that had changed was my weight. Fast forward 2 more years and 8 more kgs. of gain and I could not finish the Danish Haervejen. I had to stop 10km short of our planned finish because tendonitis prevented me from continuing even that short additional distance. I had the blister situation largely under control but again, what was the big change -- weight gain.
We were planning to walk the Aragonese and Frances this past September. My gain had continued with 6 more kgs. -- almost 20 kgs. from my original Camino weight. I had originally thought about walking from Le Puy, but in the end I was worried that I wasn't in good enough shape to risk the longer stages that would be needed.
Through all this gain, I kept telling myself I would get a handle on things, I would train and lose the weight, I would lose the weight while on my Camino, I was still way less than when I started so it was OK, my weight was not the source of any of my issues..... My mental litany was the same as yours. In January 2020 just before the pandemic started, my husband and I travelled to London. We walked over 20,000 steps every day and by the time I boarded the plane to come home, I was struggling with such severe hip pain that I could hardly walk. This finally scared me into taking more substantial actions.
I consulted my doctor about my weight situation. She got me into a medical weight loss program. I have lost 18 kg so far and have six more to lose to get to my goal. We are planning a new camino -- Vasco/Frances/Invierno for September 2021 or the Via de la Plata for October2021 or March 2022 -- all depending on being vaccinated.
There is so much more I could tell you. Along the way of these losses and gains, I have had a total ankle replacement and breast cancer, speaking of injuries/health issues resulting from excess weight......
All this is to say that I understand the struggle, the ups and the downs. I will be sending energy your way and keeping you in my prayers. Message if you want to exchange more details or just have a Camino weight loss buddy! I'm not big on handing out advice because I think each of our situations is unique at many levels. Motivation has to come from within! I will simply say Ultreia -- you can do this, LizB
I'm laughing a bit -- I didn't notice the date on your original post! I just listened to your recent vblog -- And you had me laughing and relating to all you said -- Wine, Carbs, and my personal joy, Cheese -- the elixirs of life! I also relate to that mystery of how/why one loses weight? Why can a person get motivated sometimes and struggle so much at other times. But I am so excited for you that this surgery has turned into such motivator for you! Best of continued luck with the upcoming surgery and weight loss!Well done, very inspirational
I had forgotten about this post! And recently added a video version, with more up to date thoughts here:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...arrying-a-few-extra-pounds.68929/#post-885845
While the Dutch, imo, indulge in the very finest breakfasts in the whole world, an admirable trait, your friend errs here.As a Dutch friend once said to me - don't have both butter and cheese on your bread. Choose one or the other.
My wife started a nescessary diet due to high blodpressure and related ilness.Hi, my name's Robo and I'm fat !
According to all the guides I should be about 20 kg lighter!
My wife started a nescessary diet due to high blodpressure and related ilness.
It is a ketogenic diet which cuts down on carbohydrates, not just calories.
@RoboRespecting that your wife needs this type of diet...
Hope she is coping well on it.
A friend of mine is on a Keto diet. Frankly it all just seems too hard.
I think any diet that takes you to a radically different way of eating is going to be very hard for some people to stick to.
I'm just eating my regular food........just a lot less of it.
If I splurge one day.......I cut back a bit the next day.
Working well so far.
5.5 kgs (12 lbs) down in 25 days so far.
That's almost my pack weight!
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