UKC

Very often, when I'm on a trek or a biggish walk I find that I seem to have little appetite. On my recent trip to the Alps(staying in refuges) I found I was unable to eat very much at breakfast or in the evening. I also found I was eating little more than a bit of dried fruit(dates), a bit of chocolate and about three or four boiled sweets. I did drink water however.

I sometimes get the feeling that the loss of appetite is caused by apprehension, thinking about where I am having to go during the day, will I encounter any problems, will the weather hold?

Does anyone else have similar experiences?

In reply to mypyrex:

When I go on my big walks, I generally pack a few sandwiches and 4 litres of water and orange juice.
Then when I'm in the pub afterwards, there's usually considerably more food than fluid left, then's the beer.
I usually try and eat a shed load the evening before.

In reply to mypyrex:

I've has similar experience and I draw this parallel:
If I get engrossed in some serious DIY, I feel no desire to stop and eat at I time I would normally. Nothing significant happens as a result of this, other than I may get a bit grumpy later on.
On a walk of several months, the same sort of thing happened- off on my adventure, and it took time to get into the routine. I 'forgot' to eat. On a practical level, as the trip progressed, I became increasingly aware that if I didn't refuel adequately, the trip would come to a premature end. So the routine developed. I made time to eat, and worked to get enough in.
As regards liquids, the reminder to drink enough comes much earlier

On a walk of a few days, or a week, most people can undereat and get by on the body's reserves.

In reply to mypyrex:

Apprehension can certainly affect appetite, I get this when white water canoeing and attempting a decent brekkie. Otherwise known as being a bit scared...fry ups seem to be no problem though! (but may not be the best prep...)

I also eat little during a hill day sometimes due to lack of appetite, but this is not apprehension, it feels like something to do with not wanting to eat much during physical exercise. However, I can normally eat masses that evening, hence fuelling myself for the next day.

Would altitude be a factor?

Fortunately, I appear to be able to eat enormous quantities of flapjack, which gets me through most physical exercise!

In reply to llechwedd:

>


Probably what was happening in my case.

In reply to Mal Grey:
I think that was the case when I was in the Himalaya. Normally I wouldn't touch(cooked) porridge with a barge pole but I found in Nepal it was one of the few things I could eat.

I can happily eat flapjack but don't always think to take it on big walks.

In reply to mypyrex:

Funnily enough, I've taken to not eating breakfast before a long day out. I seem to go better for it.

Never been one for eating on the walk, but binge eating afterwards.

In reply to Big Ger:



Against both common sense and received wisdom, but I'm the same.

In reply to mypyrex:

I snack little and often when out. I've even put a little weight on doing long distance things, especially when staying in b&b's where it seems rude not to have toast, cereal and a full fry up for breakfast, day after day ????

I think it's the altitude though, when I've been above 2000m I've noticed significantly less food makes me feel just as full

In reply to mypyrex:
I think you are right about apprehension and appetite.

However I have learnt for big days to ignore my lack of appetite, take a food as fuel approach and force myself to eat a good breakfast whether I want it or not.

I'm one of those people that needs to eat well if exercising and don't seem able to concentrate or exert myself if I run out of energy. It's not sensible for me to ignore this and unfair on other people so I see it as much a part of preparation for the day as packing my kit.

This helps with the apprehensive feelings as it makes me feel like I'm prepared.

I also think that there are ways of partitioning feelings and thinking time that you might find useful. Making breakfast a task more than a meal, and not thinking about the day ahead while doing that task may help. I sort of schedule my mornings so I eat first and don't look at the weather or the plan for the day until after breakfast. After breakfast I plan and pack for the day and dress for the conditions, I need the information to decide what to take and wear. I don't need the information while I'm eating so I don't worry about it until after breakfast.

In reply to all:
Thanks for some very interesting and informative replies. At least I'm not alone in noticing or experiencing this.

My neighbour's lad is studying Sports Nutrition at university so next time I see him I might see what he's got to say about it.

In reply to mypyrex:

Could it have something to do with your shrink-wrapped sack ?

In reply to Deviant:


No, I think it was more likely to be the anticipation of eventually bumping into Mrs. Num Num on the Montenvers railway.

In reply to mypyrex:

Altitude over about 2000m for me seems to be a factor.

In reply to mypyrex:


Sounds like you are getting low on electrolytes. Are you getting in enough salts during the day and in the evening before you sleep?