[at-l] Hiking related health question

[jbullar1 at twcny.rr.com (Jim Bullard)]

At 08:38 PM 3/1/2005 -0500, W F Thorneloe wrote:
>Now, this ought to be a wake up call about your need for abdominal 
>strengthening and weight loss. You ain't getting younger, boy.

I already lost 30 pounds before this (got more to lose) and was up to 80 
crunches, 40 hip extensions, assorted bar/dumbbell exercises and either 20 
minutes on an elliptical machine with resistance or a 4 mile walk. Oh and I 
forgot the leg and back stretches.

>However, this may not be the death knell of your hiking career. Assuming 
>you have a well fitted pack that transfers weight to your pelvis 
>(bypassing most of your spine), then you might find wearing a backpack a 
>good way to exercise and support your back. Typically, I feel my best 
>after a week or two of hiking, and my worst after a long drive - 2 hours 
>or longer.

I've periodically had trouble with driving/riding ever since I had to stop 
running due to knee problems. Stretching/walking around usually fixes it. I 
can walk all day and the only problem is after I stop and sit for a while. 
Again a short walkabout generally helps.