[pct-l] TSA recovery

[Rod Belshee]

Just an observation from travelling abroad for a couple of years... not so 
much the physical aspects as the emotional...

The experience of ex-pats is that they expect and are ready for the culture 
shock of going to someplace new, but they are unprepared for the shock when 
they come home and find that it now looks a little less familiar. Either 
they changed, or home changed, or both.  Often the harder transition back 
home is the harder one, because it is unexpected.

The same may apply for thru-hiking. We prepare ourselves for the changes as 
we embark on the trail, but are completely unprepared for the surprise when 
we finish and try to return to our prior world.

Advice?  Not much, other than just expect than to expect that the transition 
off the trail is just as challenging as the going on (maybe more so), and be 
observant.

Steady

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From: "Dave and Cindy" <hikeon at surewest.net>
Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2009 3:19 PM
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Subject: [pct-l] TSA recovery

>
> It seems there is always a lot of discussion about "training" for a thru 
> hike but what about when it's time to come home?  Now that most of the 
> 2009 thru hikers are off the trail what about "Trail Separation Anxiety", 
> (TSA) and Nutrition?  I know this was a big issue with us and as I talk to 
> other hiker friends I find they are struggling with this dilemma also.
>
> After months of walking we all know that our metabolism is sky high.  When 
> we come home and are not exercising 12 hours a day we are still hungry due 
> to our high metabolic rate but of course not able to burn as many 
> calories.  Some of us do not want nor need to gain back a bunch of weight 
> that took so long to take off.
>
> What would a personal trainer advise in the way of healthy nutritious food 
> that would be fulfilling and curb ones "hiker hunger"?  At this point, 
> what is the right percentage of calories that our run down bodies need? 
> Of course we can all still exercise and strength train but what is the 
> balance the first month or so.  I understand that strength training builds 
> muscles which in turn burns calories more efficiently.  Also I tend to 
> believe that it would be better to find some other form of strenuous 
> aerobics to burn calories rather than running or walking for a while to 
> let the legs and feet recover.  Maybe bike riding and swimming?
>
> Is there any professional advise out there?
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