Lose More Weight Than Running Or Cycling!
Want to lose some weight and burn more calories than the average runner or cyclist? Strap on a backpacking backpack and hit the trails. You'll burn more in one day hiking than going out for a 30 minutes run.
It's true! A great day of hiking can easily burn up to an average of 600 calories an hour which beats a 30 minute run or bike ride. This or course depends on a few factors such as body size and composition, backpack size and weight and your own exertion. But the daily energy expenditure of most backpackers has been compared to that of many top elite athletes.
Truly backpacking is the ultimate pound shedding activity, if done regularly. And it can turn so many people on to the outdoors, burning calories while breathing in very pure, clean oxygen and experiencing adventures and places many people will never see in their lifetimes. Backpacking is one of those lifetime memory creators with a great side benefit of burning a lot more calories than any other activity.
I think a lot of us have allowed some extra pounds to creep up on us over the years. We'd like to be more active than we are, perhaps we think we're fitter than we are and maybe we eat a bit more than we should. Whatever the case is, backpacking is the ultimate weight loss activity. And not only will you shed unwanted and unneeded pounds but you'll also build strong muscles and gain great body toning, naturally.
For a lot of us though, weekend hikes and backpacking here and there isn't going to cut it in the long run. It needs consistency to work. If hiking that regularly doesn't work into your schedule then supplement your hiking with about 30-60 minutes a day of some type of cardio activity that you enjoy enough to stick to. If it's the gym try the stair machines or the treadmill on an incline. And 2 or 3 times a week throw in a little strength or resistance training and you'll be maintaining a great hiking fitness schedule.
The last part of backpacking fitness is the eating part. There are a million resources out there on proper diet and what works for one person might not be the best plan for another but some basics will help. Eating smaller and more frequently throughout the day is better. Your blood sugar levels will be better maintained which essentially is your energy level and you'll be less likely to binge on foods that don't do you any good. Snack on high protein snacks to push aside hunger pangs such as a small handful of nuts, dried fruit (fresh fruit also) and cheese. Eat more slowly at meal times, enjoy your food and you'll probably eat less and feel fuller sooner. Listen to your body, it'll tell you what it needs and when.
Backpacking is one of the greatest activities out there not just for the adventures it provides but it increases our love of the outdoors and is an amazing calorie burner. Use it to burn off those extra winter pounds and renew your love of nature!
Happy Hiking!
About The Author:Leanne Arnott invites you to read more articles about taking your family camping or going on a family hiking trip at http://www.family-camping-and-hiking.com. You can add your submissions on many topics and subscribe to our monthly ezine.
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