Hiking and Loosing Weight

June 5, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Blue diamond-shaped sign used to designate hik... 

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The healthy trend is back in business and going strong. Between activists and documentaries the book seems to have shut on the desire to become a healthier nation. People are lining up for the latest weight loss supplements and signing up for different gym memberships to get in shape and loose weight. A great way to get in shape and loose weight while avoiding weight loss supplements and the cost of the gym is to go hiking. Hiking is typically free and can be done with very little equipment, which makes it very cost effective. Here are a few tips on loosing weight while enjoying mother nature.

  • Increase the weight: Carrying something that increases the weight you carry overall will help you in burning calories. You can slowly increase the amount of weight you carry so that your burn is more effective or lighten the load to decrease what you are burning.
  • Check out different hiking spots: Hiking like any workout can hit a plateau. If you change where you are hiking you won’t loose the variation of muscle groups and your body will still receive a good workout. Also increasing and decreasing your hiking times can help your work out stay a work out.
  • Climb steeper areas: Once you have gotten use to hiking and climbing around having a challenge might get difficult. If you want to challenge your body try climbing something steeper than the hikes you normally do.
  • Speed Demon: If you can’t handle hiking up steep hills or if that doesn’t work you can always increase your speed or jog. Going faster will increase your heart rate.
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5 Reasons to Hike This Summer

May 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Blue diamond-shaped sign used to designate hik... 

Image via Wikipedia

Are you ready to plan your summer vacation? Instead of heading to those big amusement parks or to your in-laws, consider the benefits of hiking, camping and outdoor adventure. You may find this is one of the best ways to be active today. If you need a few reasons to convince the family to take this type of vacation, consider a few tips.

Hike Your Summer Away

There are plenty of reasons and advantages to hiking. No matter who you are or what your goals are, it is critical to get active. Here are five reasons to do so through hiking.

  1. Hiking is physical activity. Family fitness programs can help you all to get in shape together, therefore allowing everyone in the family to be a healthy weight.
  2. Hiking is a team building exercise. You are never faster than your slowest member, which means you all have to work together to be successful. If your family needs a better team attitude, this can help.
  3. Exploring nature is not only good for your health, but it is good for your mind and emotions. It can help to clear your thoughts and give you a new perspective.
  4. This is an inexpensive vacation. Unlike other vacations where you must pay for hotels and amusement park tickets, this is far less expensive.
  5. It can become a family tradition. This is a great way to build a new activity for your family to do on a regular basis.

These are just a few reasons to hike this summer. You may find this is one of the best family vacation ideas ever. Give it a try to find out its benefits.

 

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What You Should Know Before Hitting The Hiking Trails

March 24, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Hiking can be an exciting adventure. Once you have decided to tackle the hiking trails there are some important things you should know.

You will want to choose a trail that is short and also a relatively easy terrain for your first hike. After you do a few shorter trails you can begin to work your way up to some more difficult and longer paths. But for the first couple of times you will want to take it easy and get some hiking experience without risking injury. Hiking is a serious sport and you will want to exercise much caution.

Each trail has a trailhead. This is where the trail begins. There is usually a large display containing maps of local trails. This can give you an idea of how long each trail is and its difficulty level. It will also display topographical features of the area such as hills or forested areas. On the side of the map should be a container which holds foldable maps. Grab one of these they are a handy tool after you master reading them!

There is also a box located at the trailhead. A form should be there too. You will want to fill in the information it asks of you. It will have a place for your name, the date and time you started on the trail. This is purely for security reasons as there have been many people who have had accidents on their trips or have simply disappeared when they set out on a hiking trail.

After you fill out the form and put it in the box it’s time to hit the trail and enjoy the nature and become one with it!

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Training Properly For Hiking Expeditions

March 20, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Whether you are an avid hiker or are just starting out there are some things you can do to begin training properly. The last thing you want to do is get out in the middle of nowhere and run low on energy; or while on a hiking trail realizing you haven’t prepared and do not have the endurance to finish the route. There are some things to increase your stamina and endurance levels and you should make sure that you do these things before you start out on the expedition.

One of the best things to do for preparation is walking. Walk everywhere; walk for miles. Start slowly at a mile or two a time. Gradually build up the distance until you are walking at least the same distance you are planning on hiking. This will help to condition your lower body for hiking trails. It will also help build endurance for long distances.

Rarely will you find a trail that is as level as your neighborhood. You will need some strength training for your legs to be able to handle at least some climbing and uneven terrain. The weight machines for the lower extremities will work great for this purpose. Just remember to start with smaller weights and work your way up. Two sets of 10 repetitions each time you visit the gym.

Building your body core will help increase stamina. The easiest way to build your abs is to do crunches and leg lifts. This will increase your overall strength and stamina for hiking.

It is also a good idea to invest in some good solid workout program or DVDs to get in shape for hiking. These are excellent training tools.

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Items To Take Along When Backpacking

March 7, 2011 by Leave a Comment

It doesn’t matter how long of a hiking trip is planned; there are four essential items that should always be included when backpacking. This holds true whether you are going it alone or with a group. We are talking safety here. The one thing you want to be sure of is a safe return home.

Many people who choose backpacking do so to get away from the hectic lifestyle of the city. One of the elements they are trying to escape is all the noise. But a hiker still needs to carry along a cell phone. You can leave it turned off unless it is needed for an emergency. Also remember to keep it in something waterproof.

A knife can be an invaluable tool on a backpacking excursion. It is versatile and useful for many things. Underbrush or briars can be moved out of the way or it can offer an amount of protection should one run into trouble. It can be used to clean mud off boots or to open a can of tuna.

Hikers may take pretty long excursions and one goal is to pack light. However, a small first aid kit is a must for every trip. You don’t have to bring a huge supply to be prepared. What you will want to include is a few band aids, antibiotic ointment and a small container of antiseptic for cleaning a wound.

And last but not least- always carry at least a small amount of toilet paper. You never know when nature may call for you. You don’t want to use the wrong sort of leaves!

Though you can take more things, these four items are the most important to ensure a safe and fun hiking trip. So planning in advance and procuring these things before the actual expedition is important to have a safe and happy time.

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The Many Rewards Of Backpacking

February 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Once you discover the world of backpacking you will wonder what took you so long! In general, it is active, but not strenuous. It can be full of hidden rewards and benefits just waiting to be discovered.

The most beneficial aspect of backpacking is the physical conditioning. The more you engage in this outdoor activity the longer your hikes and excursions will become. This helps the body burn calories and stay in shape. Endurance will increase as you take on longer distances and carry more equipment and supplies. Since the whole body is engaged, the entire body reaps the fitness benefits of the workout.

Some people believe that there is such a thing as noise pollution. Just a brief trip into the busy city can confirm this notion. But backpacking can offer hours of peace and tranquility. Surrounded by nature the quiet can be almost tangible and enjoyed. It offers a haven of rest away from the multitude of daily activities and chores. This is of great benefit for the heavy heart or the busy mind.

Sitting quietly in a peaceful, tranquil spot can even help lower blood pressure. Taking a day off from a hectic schedule can help to relieve tension and avoid headaches and other bodily pains associated with stress. Hiking is a wonderful stress relief.

Learning is another benefit that avid and casual backpackers reap. It is not often that most people are exposed to raw and open nature. There is a lot to learn from watching animals in the wild. Nature, including plants, can be a great teacher.

Just taking a short hike near your home can help ease your mind and body of much stress. The body, soul and spirit can all benefit from a nice, peaceful visit to nature. So, even if a person does not like to backpack, the health benefits should motivate the person.

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How Important Is Training For Hiking?

February 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Hiking is just walking, right? Do you seriously think there is any training involved for that? Absolutely!  And actually without proper education and training one puts themselves at a high risk for injury. And trust me; you do not want to be injured out on a lonely hiking trail.

It is imperative that hikers keep themselves in the best of shape. It can be a very involved process to retain a high level of fitness. While walking is an important aspect of training, it is not it in totality. But by all means, start there. Walk on a treadmill, short distances around town or a leisurely stroll through the neighborhood. This will strengthen the leg muscles and build endurance. As you begin to feel stronger go for longer distances.

Strength training is a very good idea as well. Exploring the world through hiking and camping engages the entire body. While the legs are a primary focus, virtually every muscle group is involved. Even if you are only going on shorter hikes it is very likely that you will be carrying along some snacks and of course water. For this reason even some light weight lifting will help enable arm and back muscles to make the journey.

Heavier weight and endurance training is necessary for those who wish to attempt longer and more challenging excursions. It may be necessary to engage in quite a bit of climbing in rough terrain. You’ll want to be in good shape for canoeing and setting up camp. On longer trips the outdoorsman will need to carry along more equipment. For this task your muscles need to be in top shape and up for the challenge.

There are two key parts to the hiker’s training program; walking and weights. These are important as you will want to enjoy hikes, not simply endure them, so train hard and then enjoy the trail!

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Hiking in Canada

February 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Canada is a very beautiful country with many opportunities for hiking. Some of these hikes can be as easy as a stroll down a wooded path while others can test you to the limits of your endurance.

Only you know which type of hike you are able to make, but because there are so many places in Canada to hike, you should have no trouble finding a trail that suits your physical ability. You can find information on hiking trails, including how hard they are, their distance, and whether or not any significant altitude changes are involved, by utilizing Canada 411 resources.

While you are hiking, you can take advantage of fishing the many rivers and streams that either follow the trails or are only a short distance away. These bodies of water are loaded with trout just waiting for you to toss them a tasty worm or attract them with a shiny lure.

It’s possible that on your hiking excursion, you will encounter many indigenous plants, some of which have berries or other fruit, and others that resemble those you eat. Even though the berries or fruit may look tempting, you want to be sure you know what you’re eating so you won’t get sick. Canada 411 resources can help you identify edible berries and plants.

Even on short hikes, you may see supply shacks. Take note of where these are, as you can get food, water, and other necessary supplies if you need them. This can be particularly important on longer hikes.

Canada 411 resources can give you all the information you need on hiking in Canada. You can study maps of the trails, learn the starting points and supply shack locations, as well as other important things you need to know so that your hiking trip will be enjoyable.

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Insurance As Part of Your Adventure Plans

February 4, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Outdoor adventures of all kinds are favorites for many of us. We love to explore the great outdoors. Many of us engage in hiking, biking, hunting or other activities on a regular basis.

We enjoy taking a hike through the mountains for a day trip. Some of us even take on the great peaks and mountaineer, hiking to the top over the course of days or even weeks. We take river-rafting trips down the Grand Canyon or other white water venues. Don’t forget about those people who love to enjoy biking across the broad expanses of our country. And then there are those who love the snow sports — skiing, snowboarding and more.

Most of us, when we set out on our adventures, take precautions against any potential dangers. We make sure we have all the proper gear, food and water when we venture to the backcountry for backpacking or camping adventures. If we are hunters, we make sure we are aware of gun safety, as well as other dangers of the outdoors including wildlife or getting lost in the wilderness.

But how many of us think about our insurance coverage when we are preparing for our outdoor adventures? Do we have adequate medical or health insurance in case of an accident or injuries? Do we have travel insurance coverage in case we fall sick in a foreign country or our trip plans somehow meet difficulties, such as cancellations or political unrest? And overall, do we have life insurance to protect our family’s futures in case of our untimely death?

Insurance should be part of our adventure planning. Insurance is not as expensive as many of us believe and by spending a bit of time getting online insurance quotes, we’ll be able to see just how inexpensive that important layer of protection is.

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What the Devil? The Curious Names of Hiking Trails

January 29, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Hiking carries numerous benefits with it. Your body gets exercise. Your lungs can breathe the cool, clean, crisp air. You can revel in your unbounded creative juices away from the chaos of your everyday life. Your soul can recharge. Hiking is great in so many ways, but perhaps the most delightful benefit of hiking is the exposure to the excellent trail names. Here for your delight are a few of the different categories you might run into while out enjoying your hike.

Local Landmarks
While these names are useful in terms of finding your bearings, they are not exactly the most eclectic or imaginative of hiking names. You may run into such trails as Big Dry Creek Trail, Narrow Gorge Trail, or Cedar River Trail on your adventures.

Animal names
These names are a little more colorful, if more difficult to decode. A trail with a name like the Serpent’s Tail could mean lots of switchbacks, or maybe numerous snakes that like inhabit the path and its nearby shady places. With a name like the Galloping Goose Trail, who knows what could be in store for you.

The Devil
This is one of the most popular and wicked sounding components of the names of various hiking trail, and a good warning of what may be coming. Whether you are trying to tackle the Little Devil’s Step or whipping up something vicious in the Devil’s Kitchen, beware. The inclusion of this name usually means something rather challenging is up ahead.

Regardless of where you hike, you are bound to run into some interesting trail names, and the stories that are behind them. As you begin to hike more areas and in more states, start collecting these quirky names. Keep a list of the interesting names, and what those names mean in terms of difficulty and enjoyment. Maybe someday in the future you can be the world’s great expert of the curious names of hiking trails.

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