Don't think so Tony... (however it's better to have an 'inch of pinch' to have some fat reserves to fall back on) I'd be surprised to hear of 30+ BMI backpackers going for 30m+ daily mileages. Makes sense to shed any extra 'surplus' body weight before trimming gear - all part of the 'lightweight code'!
From the other side it's not a good idea to drop weight and be 'building up' - 1 lb per week max - 500 kcal per day - 3500kcal per week less will lose 1 lb per week, though when building up it may not show on the scale for the 1st 6wks as developing muscle will counteract the fat loss as muscle weighs more than fat. Waist measurement is a better indication. After around 6weeks muscle development levels off and scale weight becomes more accurate. 8 lbs gone for me now - and feeling much more nimble for it!

My 'veteran' active weight (preffered weight) was around 11st 3lbs.
Since being inactive from running over the last 5 years, my weight had gone up despite good walking to just over 12st, and boy do I notice the difference, in every aspect.
Ive been trying to get that down lately so that like Mick, I feel lighter on my feet. I am this morning down to 11st 8lb, so going in the right direction. Another 2lb and that's when I really feel a difference and those hills will so much easier and faster to climb.
I do find that my weight can yo yo very easily though, and a weekend binge of a few pints and hearty food, and bang I'm almost back where I started.
Dave.

How tall are you Dave? (if you don't mind me asking...)

5ft 9.5ins
Dave.

Mick,the backpackers I was referring to are the sort who start the Pennine Way and collapse in a heap on Crowden campsite and say they didn't realise it would be so hard.Most tend to be obese and use the rucksack waist strap as a corset.

With a BMI of 23.92 you're certainly not carrying much surplus there Dave - for long multi days out I reckon you're about bob on mate...

get it... yeah all that fat has not only to be carried but nourished with vital blood supply for no return...
I think some look at it as a way of getting fit and jump (too far) into the deep end!

Better than not doing it and getting larger dreaming that you could do it..... ???

I am 6' 4" tall with a BMI of 26.85 as I am 15 stone 10 pounds but an ex-rugby, ex-football, ex-rowing, ex-offshore sailing, ex-marathon runner etc. I have kept fit all my life although following a back operation I accept that I am now a stone overweight. However what always amazes me that if I lost 5 stone and got down to 10 stone 12 pounds I would be in the BMI "Normal" category. Whilst I am sure that carrying less weight would help I don't want to lose 5 stone! When I came back from walking the south West Coast Path my wife thought I was ill and I was "only" 14 stone 6 pounds then.

Not a rant really just my hate of the BMI method of deciding whether someone is overweight.

This past post makes more sense now:


"I would be better if I carried about 10,000 gms less but that, unfortunately, is not in the rucksack!" (That 5 Day attempt - post #59774)

As I remember around 20-25 is 'normal' and as you say at first more like a stone loss would put you in this category..?