Fat hill climber?

[BaggyArsedMunroBaggerWannabe]

Hi. Age 40. I weigh just under 15st. Zero fitness. Size 18. Haven't exercised for more than a week or two at a time at any point in life since leaving school
I would like to become a hill walker.
Any advice? Has anyone achieved similar?

Go for it!

Start small though - little and often, set yourself route challenges and make sure it is not so difficult it completely puts you off or stops you doing anything the next day.

Set yourself small walks and really push yourself to walk fast though.

As in hiking? Yeah no problem. My mum went from similar size and fitness level as you are now to climbing up to Matchu Picchu in about 5 months. Get some good boots and some blister plasters and crack on.

Good shoes, great socks. Consider strengthening exercise such as squats, lunges and step ups. Watch your knees - everyone’s take more of a pounding on the DOWNHILL than they imagine. Stretching, Epsom Sts baths, foam roller etc if you overdo it

Wow! All positive thank you!
@VanillaSauce did you mum diet too to lose weight or did she do it at her start weight?
Please tell her she's an inspiration!

Friend of mine took it up after her separation. Lost 3 stone and gained a fab social life too.

You can do it. I used to be 15 stone and a good size 18/20. I did a lot of walking at that weight, including the 3 peaks in Yorkshire (not all at once), and a lot of the dark peak area of Derbyshire.
Plus long walks on the flat, 10, 12 miles.
It is harder when you are heavier, but definately doable.
Walking is also great exercise, even if you aren't bothered about losing weight. Plus you get to see some fantastic scenery.
Build up slow, but go for it!

Age 50 weight 14.5 stone. Tonight I ran 2.x 8 minutes on the week 5 couch to 5k plan. Got to run 20 at the weekend and cant wait to do it..

You have to start and start slow. Improve by little bits. Otherwise youll push to hard and either injure yourself or be at such a heart rate everything will hurt in minutes.

You are your age. You are your size (as I am). But you can get out there and do it... Just slowly slowly catchee monkey.

Good luck!!

If your in Scotland there's a women's walking group which is brilliant. Suitable for all levels.

She didn't really diet to loose the weight it was mostly just increasing fitness and training which made her change body shape and tone up a bit. It gets easier the more you weight you do loose as it's not so much of a strain on your joints. As pp mentioned it's the downhill which really knackers the bones.

Start by just walking around and getting your heart rate up. There are lots of gentle walking clubs around if that appeals.

I struggled on a DoE practice, so built up for the main expedition by swapping the bus for walking 2 miles up hill to school lugging my A-Level books and folders.

I'm a frustrated lapsed hiker as family life is a little restrictive in that department. I'm on the edge of town and these days go running through the local fields and countryside. On my rare chances to get hiking, I'm on good form to enjoy it!

Sorry, it's a Facebook group!!

Do it. My mum is older than you by far and probably not much smaller and has been on multiple walking holidays. Totally do-able. Start with less steep stuff on 1.5-2 hour hikes and build up. You will be absolutely fine as long as you have a decent pair of boots :)

Yep, used to walk a lot in the Lakes at that weight. Also took up all sorts of exercise.

Follow the sensible advice on adding difficulty slowly. Buy good boots & comfortable clothes.

I would recommend the following:
Decent walking boots and socks.
Walking poles
I'm sure you know but it's not a great idea to wear jeans when out walking ( crossing Stiles, getting caught out in the rain etc.)
There are loads of face book pages such as walk 1000 miles, I love the lake district, They are worth looking at.
Have a look on meet up for walking groups near you.
I like buying Trail, country walking or TGO magazine for inspiration.
Most of all get out and enjoy yourself!!!

So many encouraging replies! No excuse now. I did 5 miles flat the other week and imagine that I could have done another couple. Thighs were starting to feel it a bit. I think consistency is key for this.

I have Solomon boots. I have thick socks but cheapies so maybe upgrade them?
I have a good backpack with a waist strap.
Walking trousers is s good point thank you. I've been just wearing joggers but they'd get heavy in a downpour I'd imagine.

Thank you so much. The replies and experiences are such a boost

I lost 5 stone over 2 years, exercise and better diet, hated the thought of a gym as i'm rather a-social I just started small one day but stayed consistent and built it up over time, I love it now x

Oh and decent footwear etc is a must x

i've ended up hillwalking as walking on the flat wasn't getting my heart rate up after a while, and then even walking up hills within the town was the same so now i do the hill. totally doable but build up gradually.

I read ‘fat woman on the mountain’ a few years ago. I am a fat woman with MLTB certification and I take girl guides backpacking. Come play in the mountains!

Good walking socks really make a difference. And a good quality waterproof.

Always wear two pairs of socks - a normal or thinner pair then the thick walking socks. A hill walker told me that once - the friction of the two pairs moving together stops the socks rubbing on your skin and causing blisters.

I recommend the best pair of supportive boots that you can afford.! It may also be worth getting your gait checked and seeing if your arches need extra support. Heavier people's feet (as well as those of us nearing 50!) sometimes seem to roll inwards which puts extra strain on the ankles and knees. Simple arch supports from a chemist will help reduce this although a proper podiatrist will be able to help more.

Walking poles for descent, takes a great deal of strain off the knees. Thorlo make good socks with heel and footbed padding. Get a heart monitor, preferably a chest strap. Your aerobic rate will be 65-75% (225bpm - your age). Good luck.

Where do you live? Get out there as much as you can. I 'hill' walk nearly every weekend, but some of the hills are quite small, but I live in a hilly city with proper countryside under an hour away. I usually go on my own, which I know is a bit of a risk, but I try to stick to places I know well and where there would be people around if I had an accident.

If you have any rural areas near you, council websites often publish routes and websites such as Walking Britain.

Obviously you need maps too. Dash4it are good for discounted OS maps. A lot of my maps are quite old and probably need replacing, I'm currently thinking of the annual OS subscription, which is £20 and then I would take the map I need on my tablet, along with a printed section as backup. A GPS is also a good idea if you are concerned that you aren't where you think you are, you can get apps on your phone or standalone units.

Good walking socks are expensive, but a really good investment. A lot of the enjoyment of walking (as well as great views, good weather and the exercise) is dependant on having comfy feet.

@Mamaryllis I downloaded fat woman on the mountain yesterday, I love it! I keep getting emotional at her achievements.

@BarbaraofSevillle I'm in Edinburgh, no shortage of hills to practice on. Small children though so consistency with be logistically challenging.

And maps! I hadn't even thought about that!

Thank you everyone for the advice.

Oh, you will have such a good time! Nothing like upland walking for exhilaration and views.

But do start slow and consistently as others have said. And proper loopstitch walking socks are definitely worth it.

And

Good breathable waterproofs.