Hiking Training Plan 3.0, Week Two

Week: January 24-30
Miles Hiked (Week): 0
Miles Hiked (January): 0
Miles Hiked, (January Goal): 0
Miles Hiked (Yearly Total): 0
Pounds Lost (Week): 1.4
Pounds Lost (Total):  4.6
Weekly Goal Met: No
Nights Camped (Week): 0
Nights Camped (Total): 0
Nights Camped (Backpacking): 0

It was a second week of declining weight, although not as good as the previous week. This was due in part to a minor bout of coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose, which was enough to put me out of work one day and left me feeling lazy. In addition, the below zero temperatures on Monday and Tuesday kept me holed up in my apartment, so I wasn't able to get out to Woodfield Mall (or anywhere else) to get my walking in. I suppose I could have walked for 10-12 minutes through my small apartment, but my downstairs neighbors would not have appreciated it.

I controlled my portions on most meals, and stayed away from excessive snacking. This played a big part in it still being a successful week. The good thing about being in as bad of shape as I am is that minor changes like this will have significant positive effects. Considering some of the poor food choices I made, that's a good thing, albeit one that won't last.

Beyond that, there isn't much else to report. Once again another week without hiking, but the clock continues to tick down until that will change. Super Bowl Sunday certainly won't help this week, but I'm still confident I can do OK this week. We'll just have to wait and see.

Hiking Training Plan: Week 5 Recap

Week: July 15 - July 21
Miles Hiked (Week): 0
Miles Hiked (Month): 9.5
Miles Hiked, (Month Goal): 10
Miles Hiked (Yearly Total): 17.03
Pounds Lost (Week): 0.6
Pounds Lost (Total): 10.2

Sometimes it is good to just take a weekend and relax. I had intended to make it out to Forest Glen while I was home visiting my family, but rain and lethargy kept me from it. Considering this, and how poorly I ate over the weekend, I'm a bit surprised that I ended up losing weight for the week. I've gotten pretty good at figuring out how to keep at it during the week. Weekends, however, are still a problem.

So, here I sit, with only one weekend left in July and a half mile left to hit my monthly goal. I suppose now would be a good time to share what constitutes a hike. Basically, any amount of walking that is either done with a pack on my back, or is done on a surface that isn't paved, or is a trail in nature. In other words, there is some leeway. For example, road walking at a state park or forest preserve would count as hiking, but walking along a road in my neighborhood does not. Basically, if I'm doing it after work, it is walking, not hiking. As such, I only really have two days to hit that goal. I think I can hike half a mile either Saturday or Sunday.

With the significant loss of weight, I've been noticing my clothes fitting better. I've also noticed an increase in energy, and an improvement in how I handle inclines and strenuous terrain. Instead of being absolutely spent when I go uphill, and I'm now only mostly spent. It's a small but noticeable improvement.