As I train for the Camino, my caloric intake is slowly increasing without me realizing it.
I'm a dietitian and know a thing or two about nutrition, so this shouldn't be a surprise to me. The more calories you burn, the more you will need to sustain bodily functions. I'm in an interesting position, however, since I need to shed a few unwanted pounds. It's been a few months since I've stepped on a scale and don't plan on doing it any time soon. I know the training is making me more fit and toned. My clothes fit better. I feel better. I'm not as winded as I used to be walking up the ginormous hill on my usual walking route. That's more encouraging than a number on a scale. Even though I'm a dietitian, I have not studied sports nutrition in much detail. As I continue with my camino training, I'm becoming more aware of how important it is to eat properly. So, in effect, I am studying sports nutrition on a small scale. It's an interesting thing for me. I'm not an athletic person. I ran cross country in high school, sure. But running now? Not gonna happen. I like to hike and be outdoors. I don't belong to a gym (nor will I ever belong to one). I realized that if I was ever going to exercise, it has to have a purpose. Biking to class when I was in graduate school. Hiking on trails. Walking to the store. Being stuck on a treadmill in a gym doesn't sound fun to me. At all. A few weeks ago, I decided to do a long walk from my home to a small town on the island. It was 9 1/2 miles. I filled my backpack and brought a water bottle. I ate a good breakfast and did not take any snacks for the trek. Everything was find until about mile 8. My stomach was growling and my blood sugar dropped. I became lightheaded. I took a couple minutes to rest and regain my composure and walk the rest of the way. I met my husband at a restaurant where I wolfed down a burger and salad (no fries, surprisingly). I was famished. Entering that restaurant, all I could think about was food. After eating my burger, I felt much better. That incident left me contemplating the long days ahead of me in Spain. On the trail, there are many small (and large) towns to stop in and find food. I recently calculated how many additional calories I will need if I walk 25 km (~15 miles) per day. I came up with 1600 additional calories if I want to maintain my current weight. Considering I only eat about 1800 calories per day, adding 1600 will be a lot for me. That's a lot of food. Of course, if I only added 800 calories, I would probably be fine and lose some of those unwanted pounds I'm carrying. I'm at the point now, where I have to start thinking of a what lightweight snacks I should take or seek out when I'm in Spain. I don't want to be lightheaded or dizzy due to lack of caloric intake. Calories in, calories out is now a balancing act.
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In 2 1/2 weeks I leave my family for a trip to Spain. I'm doing this alone. A middle-aged woman with 2 kids, 2 cats, and a loving husband, embarking on a pilgrimage alone (cue, "All by myself" by Eric Carmen).
I mentioned my travel plans to a few people recently and the response was "You're so brave!" I'm not sure this is bravery. Bravery is something I reserve for someone facing great odds and peril. For instance, soldiers are brave. Refugees fleeing Syria and making their way across the Mediterranean are brave. Me walking the Camino? Adventurous, perhaps, but don't place me in the brave crowd. I'm not risking my life. I'm walking a long way across northern Spain. In the weeks leading up to my trip, I find myself constantly preparing for the road ahead. New backpack. Check. Hiking shoes. Check. Smartwool socks. Check. Journal. Check. I hike with my full backpack up and down the hilly terrain of my neighborhood to help train for the 20-30 km per day I will be walking in Spain. My neighbors have not inquired about why they see me nearly every day with a heavy pack on, but one older couple gave me a thumbs up after the 2nd time they drove past me. Thanks, guys! Living on Whidbey Island has its advantages when training for a hike -- relatively cool days (70's usually; although very warm in the sun), breezy, no humidity (yea!), and hilly terrain. Plus the scenery is beautiful - ocean (Puget sound), many trees (my kids say we live in the "shire"). It's a magical place, so I've been told. But the major source of encouragement and support comes from Joe. He's my coach, so-to-speak. Even though I know he desperately wants to join me in Spain, physically he cannot and it hurts him. However, this has not stopped him from helping and guiding me as I prepare. Having him spend time with me at REI looking for a good backpack and answering my countless questions about hiking means a lot. I know we'll miss each other while I'm away but I'm happy to have him helping me plan and prepare for the trip. He's been a great resource. Over the next 2 weeks, I will continue to gather things for my trip. I'm becoming acutely aware of how heavy things can be - clothes, toiletries, my iPhone. The last thing I need is a pack stuffed to the gills that makes my back sore. The lighter, the better. Now, I'm off to do a little walking. Without my pack, but with my son. He's looking for Pokemon. |
About Marcy I wear many hats. First, I'm a wife to an amazing husband, Joe. Second, I'm a mom to 2 incredible kids, Caitlynn and Miles. Professionally speaking, I am a chef, dietitian, and writer working as an instructor in Hospitality Management at Montana State University in Bozeman. Photos: See InstagramMarcy's other Site |