Do I have time to make a difference before a hike?

MichelleRenee_76

At this point, I am very out of shape. I keep trying to come on here and I do good for a bit but fall off the wagon. It is frustrating, as I am at my weight limit, and I don't want to be this big any more. However, I have lost all motivation. I NEED to find it.

Even still, my boyfriend is taking me on a hike on Friday. It is 3 miles round trip and I am certain to have a hard time keeping up with him. I really dread being winded in front of him. I know any exercise is good, so I need to do it anyway...But I am wondering....is it possible to make myself in any better shape at all by Friday (It is Monday) without being sore from working out? Like, if I walk fast for 3 miles each day until then, do you really think it will make any difference in how well I can handle a 3 mile hike on Friday? Or is it simply too late to do any good?

Again, I know I need to find motivation and be walking/exercising daily, but I cannot fix my past only move forward and try to change the future. I am not expecting a miracle in 4 days, but I just wonder, truthfully, if it would at all help me somewhat by Friday.

Thanks

MinnieInMaine

You're not going to make that much progress in four days but it wouldn't hurt to at least try to be a bit more active so it won't be as much of a shock to your body. if you're going from zero exercise, I wouldn't do 3 miles right off. Maybe 1-1.5 today, then try to do 1.5-2 tomorrow, etc. Make sure you stretch well after (not before) and drink plenty of water.

As far as motivation going forward, only you can do that but keep this type of situation in mind. Don't wait until last minute next time!

Soggynode

If you are not used to walking a lot, starting now is just going leave you with sore feet, knees and hips just in time for your hike in four days. I would concentrate on making sure your shoes/boots fit well, you've got good socks, do some lower body stretching and get plenty of rest. Who knows, after your hike you may find out you really like it and want to continue walking or hiking in the future

crpeterson84

I agree- we don't lose or gain weight in a day- and we can't get in shape in a week. However- easing yourself into anything as much as possible will help. I don't know what you drink water wise- but make sure you drink a lot of water over the next few days (and well all the other days after that, because water rocks) I would try to do 1 mile today, 1.5 miles tomorrow, 2 miles on Wednesday. Just do what you can each day. And remember there is no shame in getting winded. You are pushing yourself and your body to make a healthy change- use that as motivation- not as a reason be embarassed. I hope you guys have a great hike!

Ang108

With all due respect, if you are so out of shape that you consider walking 3 miles round trip a " hike ", I believe there isn't much you can do in 3-4 days. Of course moving is always good. I fear that if you walk any distance, you will just get all achy and you will not be in the kind of shape to survive that " hike ". I would work out a strategy ( like walking 15 minutes and resting 3) to survive .
I was completely out-of-shape in April 2013 and started walking 5-7 minutes ( because I just could not handle more) I now can ( I maybe need to add that I am almost 67) walk 6kms at 12 minutes a km and 2.5 kms at a much faster clip and have gotten to that point by increasing my time by one minute every two days. If you are really out-of-shape 3 miles is a lot and you might want to walk a mile to figure out how you feel ( and don't forget to turn around after half a mile, because the way back to your starting point also needs strength and energy ) and then really consider if you can make three miles. When I started out 500 yards was my limit.....
Don't be too ambitious, but maybe start to exercise every day and you will see improvement within a month and real advances in two.....but four days.....sorry, but I don't think so.
Good Luck !

SueInAz

It certainly couldn't hurt to get out there and walk a mile or so every day between now and then. Actually, if you have access to stairs you can climb give those a go instead. The hardest part of hiking is the ups and downs so climbing stairs for 10 to 15 minutes each day would really give you the part of the workout you need without giving you blisters from walking too far. You should make a little progress between now and then, although not enough to make a huge difference, but you don't want to overdo it, either.

mysmileighs

^^ agree. I would not try to do 3 miles your first day, you risk getting hurt.

As far as going forward, it helped me starting out to take it one thing at a time. I set my weight loss on here to be 1 lb/week (even though I have enough to lose to set it at 1.5 at least) and I just logged. Once I got a handle on that amount of calories (2-3 weeks), I knocked it up to 1.5/week. Just last week I started exercising again.

Some people benefit from jumping in all at once, I wasn't one of those.

:flowerforyou:

farmgirlrrt

To answer your question: No, it won't make much difference really. Your boyfriend wants to spend time with you so getting the trail done as quickly as possible won't be his goal

goanothermile

findingmeagain2014 wrote: »

Even still, my boyfriend is taking me on a hike on Friday. It is 3 miles round trip and I am certain to have a hard time keeping up with him. I really dread being winded in front of him.
...But I am wondering....is it possible to make myself in any better shape at all by Friday (It is Monday) without being sore from working out?

Not much you can do to improve your fitness level in just a few days.

Walking a little bit wouldn't hurt. Don't think I'd suggest trying 3 miles several times, but a shorter walk a couple of times might help loosen you up a little.

If you have concerns about the hike, please be honest with him about it. Might be a little embarrassing for you to admit. If I were in his shoes, I'd rather know and slow down the pace or stop to rest instead of making you miserable. Maybe walking is something you two could do more frequently.

nicoleromine

I'd be very careful about doing a bunch of walking this week (especially if you're not used to it). You'll just end up getting blisters or sore spots on your feet, which will make the hike impossible rather than just difficult. I would focus on fueling your body properly - lots of water and healthy meals with complex carbs.

bwogilvie

Ang108 wrote: »

With all due respect, if you are so out of shape that you consider walking 3 miles round trip a " hike ", I believe there isn't much you can do in 3-4 days.

I respectfully disagree. 3 miles can be a hike, even for the experienced hiker, depending on the terrain, just like a 3-mile run is still a run, even if you're a marathoner.

OP: a lot depends on how much walking you're used to doing, and how rugged the terrain will be on Friday. If you can walk 3 miles on flat terrain (as you imply you can), you might want to try the following today:

1. Walk for a mile, with a few short, brisk intervals of a couple minutes. Plan to end somewhere with stairs, like a stadium or a parking garage with a staircase.

2. Walk up the stairs until you're feeling fairly winded. Walk slowly down and then repeat once or twice more.

3. Walk back to the starting point, taking it easy.

What this workout will do is stress your leg muscles (and maybe some of your core muscles). If you're not used to climbing, you may have delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) tomorrow or Wednesday. On Tuesday, take a moderate walk. On Wednesday, you can do a brisker walk if you don't have DOMS. If you do, take a moderate walk. On Thursday, take a short walk at a moderate speed.

By stressing your leg muscles within reason today, and allowing yourself to recover from DOMS if you get it, you won't strengthen yourself too much for Friday. However, based on my experience, you'll be much less likely to get DOMS after the hike, and thus more likely to want to go hiking again.

MichelleRenee_76

Thanks all. I did discuss my concerns with him and he is def understanding and says he didn't expect to sprint to the waterfall. Nonetheless, I walked a little over 2 miles yesterday (on my treadmill with various incline settings and varied speeds). I do not feel any pain or discomfort from it this morning. I will try to do a little something every day. I've been on again/off again with diet and exercise since January so I am not entirely new to walking. I joined a gym over a month ago and was lifting some weights and getting in cardio. But I really haven't pushed myself hard and have not went to the gym in the last week and a half or so. I'd like to see that change. My goal is to get some walking in every day (Treadmill/Stairstepper at home this week) and then when we get back, get over to the gym after work on Monday.

brightsideofpink

farmgirlrrt wrote: »

To answer your question: No, it won't make much difference really. Your boyfriend wants to spend time with you so getting the trail done as quickly as possible won't be his goal

This exactly

Some things you can do to help prepare: Research this hike. Is it a level 3 miles? A lot of uphill? Uneven terrain? Is it 1.5 out to the waterfall and 1.5 back? Make sure you have appropriate shoes and clothing. If you're on uneven terrain, you'll want good side to side support. Will it be wet? Goretex shoes and good socks will make a difference.

As you go, push yourself beyond casual comfort but stop short of pain or inability to breathe. If you can talk without sounding like Darth Vader, keep going. If you find yourself struggling to do that, suggest a water break, stop to fix your laces, or later a pause to look at the view, or even a cute couple selfie. You can get some calories burned and get exercise, while still making it an enjoyable experience that more closely resembles a date than a bootcamp.

Honestly though, if you do some research into this hike and its known to be a grueling 3 miles up serious terrain, don't force yourself into it. You won't enjoy it and you may resent him for it. Maybe do some research and find another trail or location that is challenging but more appropriately suited to your current abilities, with an IOU to check out this particular trail in the spring.

dbmata

findingmeagain2014 wrote: »

Even still, my boyfriend is taking me on a hike on Friday. It is 3 miles round trip and I am certain to have a hard time keeping up with him. I really dread being winded in front of him. I know any exercise is good, so I need to do it anyway...But I am wondering....is it possible to make myself in any better shape at all by Friday (It is Monday) without being sore from working out? Like, if I walk fast for 3 miles each day until then, do you really think it will make any difference in how well I can handle a 3 mile hike on Friday? Or is it simply too late to do any good?

Time to take your lumps. There is zero you can do to increase your ability to hike well on Friday.