Hey all,
I’m planning on doing some long distance hiking next year. I am very fat,(realistically in the mid 40% fat level) and also an otr trucker. I’m out for weeks or months at a time.
I wont start hiking until april.
I’m doing this training log for some motivation or accountability, or some such notion, and also because maybe I could be doing something really wrong, and then maybe someone could make helpful suggestions.
I’ve already been training for about 6 weeks. I started with 2 exercises. Bed sits, and bed squats. A bed sit is where I sit down on my bed, then stand up. The bed in my truck, btw. A bed squat is where I squat down until I can feel my bed, then push back up, just using the bed as a height indicator.
When I sit on my bed, my knee angle is almost to be considered a parallel squat, but not quite.
In the beginning, I would do 1 set of bed sits, then 1 set of bed squats. After a month, though, I could do over 100 bedsits in my set, and 40 bed squats. So I ditched the easier bed sits, and now just do the bed squats.
Right now, my 1 set record is 60 for bed squats, and the record for most reps in workout is 200, which was 5 x 40 for bed squats, which I did 2 days ago.
My goal, usually, is to improve either 1 set max or workout reps max. Sometimes,though, I’ll back off some, and just workout to keep myself moving forward eventually. Like I might have a day where I do 1 set of 30 for bed squats, and call it a day.
I usually work out eod, with one day off, or sometimes with 2 days off. I have to err on the side of caution fatigue wise, given my job, and my diet, honestly.
I think the smart way to move forward is to either try to beat my 1 set max, then do a back off set just to keep volume up somewhat, or to do a bunch of non-max sets, and go for a volume record.
Next, I’m going to add in calf raises, and some planks.
Eventually, I think a weight vest.
And I also need to work on squatting down unassisted, and holding for longer times. Not to be gross, but I need that bottom of squat endurance for using the restroom in the woods.lol. I guess the first step to that goal is stretching.
So, if you read this far, you might be wondering a few things:
- He hasn’t mentioned diet yet, and…
- Why doesn’t he just walk for training?
- Why isn’t he doing full range BW squats?
I didnt cover diet because I dont want input on that. Of course I eat a bad diet. And I also understand what a good diet is. Over time, my diet will have to adapt to my training somewhat, and beyond that, I dont desire your input. Eventually I’ll probably get a work out drink to help with recovery, because eventually my workouts will be 500 reps, or something. I already know that meat, veggies, water, fish oil, and steroids should be the basis of my diet. Kidding about the steroids.lol.
I don’t walk for my training, because I won’t do it consistently. I spend every night at a truckstop, and winter is coming. I think the use of a weight vest would be useful for shorter distances, when I can walk, maybe 2-3 times a week. I also plan to try to ramp up my walking the last few weeks at work, and if that doesn’t quite work out, which seems the case, I’ll take the first 2-3 weeks off work ramping up to say 7 miles a day, or some such distance.
I dont do full range squats yet, mostly from a fear of messing up my ankles. I’ve had ankle issues in the past. Eventually I’ll start bw full squats, but easing into it.
And I’m thinking of hiking the appalachian trail.
I guess that’s it.
Next work out is tomorrow.
Steve
