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By far the best shape I've ever been in was after hiking the 270-mile Long Trail in high school. It's the only time on my life—before or after—that I've ever be

By far the best shape I've ever been in was after hiking the 270-mile Long Trail in high school. It's the only time on my life—before or after—that I've ever been not overweight. The amazing thing about thru-hiking is that you can start in any shape and come out healthier. For a while last year I toyed with the idea of hiking the Appalachian Trail. I even did a few practice hikes of a week or two, but ultimately realized that even if I completed the trail I'd gain all the weight I loss right back, the same way I did after the LT (by continuing a high-carb diet). Now I'm on keto and cutting carbs was by far the best health choice I've made in my life. It's still a dream of mine to hike the AT though (probably not for a long time though, as my startup wouldn't survive absence).

reneherse 10y ago
Best of luck in making a permanent change in your lifestyle. I've been maintaining a low carb diet/lifestyle (paleo inspired) for over ten years, so it is indeed possible, with enough habit building.
- morgante 10y ago
  It's definitely the best diet I've ever tried. After the first week I stopped craving carbs at all. Plus I feel full all the time.
danieldk 10y ago
Why not do something that is easy to maintain on a daily/weekly basis? I cycle to work every day (approx. 11 km, so 22 km per day). In the summer I usually take a route where I have to climb quite a bit twice a week. Going by train/car takes approximately the same time. I am fit and have a good weight. When I was still studying, I climbed indoor twice a week, which made me extremely fit. But after a couple of years I got bored. I am on a regular Dutch/Germany diet.
- morgante 10y ago
  Keto has so far been quite easy to maintain. It's just a simple habit change. I already walk to work every day.
- peteretep 10y ago
  The simple answer is that you can't outweigh a fork, and until he/she sorts inputs, outputs will have little effect on weight loss.
mercutio2 10y ago
I did about 500 miles on the AT. I found that my miles per day were dramatically better when I upped my calories per day from 3000 to 4000. But then I wasn't losing any weight (although I was certainly gaining leg muscle mass). I went back to my pre-hike weight and then some within a few years afterward. I do think if you've got the time and inclination, a thru-hike is a lovely way to lose weight temporarily!

reneherse 10y ago

Best of luck in making a permanent change in your lifestyle. I've been maintaining a low carb diet/lifestyle (paleo inspired) for over ten years, so it is indeed possible, with enough habit building.

morgante 10y ago
It's definitely the best diet I've ever tried. After the first week I stopped craving carbs at all. Plus I feel full all the time.

danieldk 10y ago

Why not do something that is easy to maintain on a daily/weekly basis? I cycle to work every day (approx. 11 km, so 22 km per day). In the summer I usually take a route where I have to climb quite a bit twice a week. Going by train/car takes approximately the same time. I am fit and have a good weight. When I was still studying, I climbed indoor twice a week, which made me extremely fit. But after a couple of years I got bored. I am on a regular Dutch/Germany diet.

morgante 10y ago
Keto has so far been quite easy to maintain. It's just a simple habit change. I already walk to work every day.
peteretep 10y ago
The simple answer is that you can't outweigh a fork, and until he/she sorts inputs, outputs will have little effect on weight loss.

mercutio2 10y ago

I did about 500 miles on the AT. I found that my miles per day were dramatically better when I upped my calories per day from 3000 to 4000. But then I wasn't losing any weight (although I was certainly gaining leg muscle mass). I went back to my pre-hike weight and then some within a few years afterward. I do think if you've got the time and inclination, a thru-hike is a lovely way to lose weight temporarily!