If you had two weeks of to get into shape, how would you do it?

Question:

I used to be a fit cyclist, riding 300-400 miles a week. I always weighed between 165-175 lbs. Then, 3 years ago I turned 30. Immediately, my metabolism slowed. Also, in that year, I started an Executive MBA Program, had a daughter, while working full time. Now, I weigh 229lbs, and am a far cry of my former self. I have a long trek in front of me to get back.

I'm afraid, a simple jogging routine, won't provide the inspiration to get back into shape. Thus, I'm thinking the best way is to go on sebatical, and hike the Appalachian trail for two weeks.

Does anyone else have any ideas? How would you spend two weeks to get back into shape?

Answers:
Well first, you should make sure that your changed lifestyle hasn't done more than put 50+ lbs. on your frame. Hiking would provide a great change of scenery, but your body in its less fit state may not be able to handle as much activity as it once did, especially not if you have taken no steps to condition yourself before the trip. You could find yourself sidelined by injury early on into the trip and all your good intentions for naught.

You might consider some sort of preconditioning, like putting yourself on a reduced diet and swimming laps or climbing stairs in your spare time. If you go straight from the office to the mountains, you might find your physical decline really thrown into the foreground as you won't be able to handle as much hiking and climbing as you once could. It could be very discouraging in fact, unless you condition yourself beforehand.

Is there a way you could re-integrate biking back into your daily routine, or add periods of exercise to your daily regimen for, say, 6-8 weeks before you take your hiking trip? If so, it would probably enhance your enjoyment of the trip. Just remember while you are doing these conditioning exercises that your reward is this 2 week getaway, and that you'll enjoy it a whole lot more if your body is ready for it. Maybe you could start bringing trail mix to the office to get yourself into the proper frame of mind, too! My advice is based on seeing the 2 week "get into shape" getaway as a reward that will enhance and reinforce your desire to shape up, rather than a "bootcamp" type immersion that could do more damage than not.

Hope some of this helps!
Cheers!

Other Answers:
exercise.

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If you had two weeks of to get into shape, how would you do it?

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