Preventing strength loss

[Tblock1]

So I went on a 5 day backpacking trip a few weeks back. I carried 15 pound of food with me plus another 5 pounds freeze dried food, which is a lot for backpacking, and tried to eat as much as possible. Still when I got back I lost around 30 pounds on my bench and 40 on my deadlift. Overall I lost 6 pounds bodyweight too. So my question is how can I maintain strength backpacking? I'm leaving in less than a week for another trip, which will be 3 days backpacking and 2 days hanging out, plus hiking Half Dome in yosemite (a 16 mile hike with 4800 feet elevation gain over 8 mile for those who dont know about it). So I mean is there any way to maintain that strength? How much should I eat? I'm getting sick of it because I was up to 405x5 on deadlift, then could barely do 405x1 when I got back Deadlift is my favorite lift and I cant stand losing strength on it.

BTW, if you click on my profile you can see a larger version of my avatar. That is me on my 5 day trip

 

[Cory151]

Backpacking is all cardio, your not gonna maintain max strength while doing a 16 mile hike your asking your body to do 2 different things.

 

[Tblock1]

yeah I just wonder if I eat a shit ton of food will I be able to maintain bodyweight at least?

 

[NJL52]

Muscle rebuilds easily. Just realize that you are taking the hit and understand that you will have to work extra to get your strength back.

And eat. A lot. As much as possible. Take breaks as often as possible as any sort of fatigue you experience will be your bodys way of saying that you need to sacrifice strength for endurance.

 

[miked8c]

I'm in the same boat, I've heard maintaing a caloric surplus is essential so that your body continues to burn food for energy not muscle.

 

[ghettostudmuffin]

Ya you're making your body do the exact opposite of what it's used to doing.

Probably won't matter how much you eat since you aren't tearing the muscle down from hiking. You are going to lose weight and strength.

With as much muscle you are carrying and your low bodyfat plus the fact even juiced up were having a hard time gaining weight you could probably could eat 6000+ calories a day and still lose weight cuz you will be burning a SHIT TON of calories.

I would eat as much as you can. Pop a couple sets of pushups off throughout the day and just deal with it.

Hiking is pretty much the anti-bodybuilding activity.


P.S. for some stupid reason I was thinking you were thatbloke. So my comments regarding the ass and weight gain are out the window.

 

[Tblock1]

Ya you're making your body do the exact opposite of what it's used to doing.

Probably won't matter how much you eat since you aren't tearing the muscle down from hiking. You are going to lose weight and strength.

With as much muscle you are carrying and your low bodyfat plus the fact even juiced up were having a hard time gaining weight you could probably could eat 6000+ calories a day and still lose weight cuz you will be burning a SHIT TON of calories.

I would eat as much as you can. Pop a couple sets of pushups off throughout the day and just deal with it.

Hiking is pretty much the anti-bodybuilding activity.


P.S. for some stupid reason I was thinking you were thatbloke. So my comments regarding the ass and weight gain are out the window.

Lol thatbloke and tblock arent that far apart I guess though haha! However in size and strength we are far apart..I'm pretty lean at 6 foot 195 ususal weight, 17 years old. I already do a decent amount of cardio. I just HATE losing that strength argrgg. I mean when I get 405x5 on deads then suddenly 405x1....that pisses me off. BTW, if there was anything I could "steal" from thatbloke it would be his deadlift. 670 just pisses me off

 

[fortunatesun]

It's somewhat psychological also.

True, you're doing a different type of physical activity but in the long run it's all good.

Prioritize as needed. When you're backpacking, concentrate on that and don't stress about what's going to happen next week. A vacation needs to be a vacation.

Then re-shift your focus when you're back in the gym. Just be sure to lift smart and don't rush it. With your improved GPP (general physical preparedness) and muscle memory you'll be making your numbers back in less time than you thought.