Year 1 Reward = Inca Trail - help needed for training

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this site, but it looks like it will be helpful.

Its been almost 1 year since I had surgery for a herniated disc so I'm trying to loose weight for health reasons and to look better. I've been going to the gym at least 3 days a week since February. I've given myself a huge reward to look forward to, next April I am planning a trip to Peru to hike the Inca Trail.

I just bought my hiking boots, now that weather is getting warmer I'm excited to get out there hiking. I live in Halifax, NS - if anyone knows of hiking trails around or close states or provinces ( I am willing to travel) I would love to hear about them..

Char

That's great, Char!  What is the highest elevation you can hike to before you go to Peru?  If possible, I would spend time in some mountains where you can hike over 10,000 feet elevation for several days a week or two before your trip.

Even regular walking will help you get into shape if you increase your distance every week.  Walking on a treadmill with an incline is good exercise and will start to use the right muscles.  You can also wear a loaded pack while walking.

There are also some strength exercises in the gym that will help tremendously.  Weighted lunges, weighted step-ups and step-downs, reverse step-ups, and squats will all help.  Here is a great article about getting ready for hiking.  Even though you will probably not be hiking nearly 30 miles per day, it has some great advice for preparation:  http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backp ackinglight/train_30_mile_day?m=0039943poYiPJ x8vSoCRomHs6TQ

If the link doesn't work, let me know and I can send you the article.  Good luck!