Fitness question

Royal Legend

Just a general question.
I lost about 16kg over the last couple of months between diet (Newcastle) and plenty of exercise (walking)
I have found over the last couple of weeks that I am shedding less weight and I am having to walk longer and faster to get any benefit. (Not complaining)
My question is, for the last couple of days, I have brought a weighted rucksack on my walks, equivalent to the weight I have lost. is this a good idea, is there any benefit to doing it, are there any downsides?

Inspector Coptoor

First off, well done on the weight loss, great going.


The reason the weight loss has slowed is that your body has adapated to your new regime, both diet and exercise.
This is normal and to be expected.

The lighter you are, the harder losing weight becomes so you do have to get even tighter on the diet and look at adding resistance to your walking.

It's beneficial in that you are adding resistance to your walking.
That's a good thing.

The only thing I'd say is that going from carrying no additional weight to having 16kg of dead weight in a rucksack is tough going.

I;d say to start off with 5kg, do that for a week or two, then go up to 7/8kg, then 10kg etc.

Keep it gradual

Royal Legend

Inspector Coptoor wrote: »

First off, well done on the weight loss, great going.


The reason the weight loss has slowed is that your body has adapated to your new regime, both diet and exercise.
This is normal and to be expected.

The lighter you are, the harder losing weight becomes so you do have to get even tighter on the diet and look at adding resistance to your walking.

It's beneficial in that you are adding resistance to your walking.
That's a good thing.

The only thing I'd say is that going from carrying no additional weight to having 16kg of dead weight in a rucksack is tough going.

I;d say to start off with 5kg, do that for a week or two, then go up to 7/8kg, then 10kg etc.

Keep it gradual

You are telling me

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated, will drop the amount of weight back down to 5kg to begin with and I will let you know how I get on over the next few weeks.

It was also amazing to think that I was carrying that dead weight a few weeks ago 24/7

discus

I'm gonna counter IC's post, I would reckon 16kg is not that much to have on your back for a walk. If there were downsides, you would know about them now. The typical thing that people will get from loaded walks would be hot shins (really tight pain afterwards) or painful hip flexors after the first time doing it, and sometimes continuing onwards and getting progressively worse. Most men can handle a bit of weight on their back, but you haven't said if you're male or female. Lots of women here in t'army get back pain, hip pain from loaded walks, and they tend to start off in basic with ~10/12kg depending on how old school their Troop Sgt is so you should drop down a bit if you're female. Blokes start with 14kg, and a few lads still get niggles but if you're ok now then I'd continue as you are.

I can't think of any downsides, but if you decide to start running with weight I'd hold off until you're running 4 miles comfortably before introducing weight. Loaded walks are a pretty easy way to get the heart pumping at an-ok intensity, without involving too much impact, especially if it involves a gentle hill or two.

Inspector Coptoor

Royal Legend wrote: »

You are telling me

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated, will drop the amount of weight back down to 5kg to begin with and I will let you know how I get on over the next few weeks.

It was also amazing to think that I was carrying that dead weight a few weeks ago 24/7

When you had the extra 16kg boy weight, it wasnt dead weight as such, as it was part of you.

The weight in the rucksack is dead weight.

Discus - as for your point about loaded carries etc, I agree completely, I just got the feeling the OP was female, maybe I'm wrong.

Royal Legend

Thanks for the advice, 100% hetrosexual male as well

discus

Royal Legend wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, 100% hetrosexual male as well

Thank god for that, gay blokes can't carry weight, they're too flamboyant :pac:

Inspector Coptoor

Royal Legend wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, 100% hetrosexual male as well

Fair enough - happy weighted walking!

You should look into buying a weighted vest - more comfortable for walking with tbh, spreads the weight out evenly