Is it possible to lose weight Kayak Fishing?
Written by the The Lost Anchovy
Introduction
Hi, my name is Keith Nguyen and welcome to another episode of TLA audiocast. This week topic is: Is it possible to lose weight Kayak Fishing?
The short answer is “YES”
And that comes with a caveat, and that caveat is you will need “Discipline and focus”. Now let me say that again.
If you want to LOSE WEIGHT Kayak Fishing! You will need to be “DISCIPLINE AND FOCUSED”. And that means there is an intention there to actually follow through with losing weight and all the steps necessary to do it.
I mean let’s be honest losing weight is simply being in a calorie deficit for the day right guys? It means we extend more calories in a given day, by being active and exercising, then through the food we take in.
Any personal trainer is going to tell you this — It’s just pure logic.
I wrote an article and posted a video awhile back called the “The Five Reasons to get into Kayak Fishing Today”, and in that video, I listed the number #1 reason to get into Kayak Fishing today is the Kayak Fishing Community, and with the Kayak Fishing Community that is a double edge sword.
If you have friends like me tailgate parties in the parking with lot with beers, pizza, hot dogs, TLA Sandwiches (AKA Banh Mi’s), are the norm. You guys get the point. It is going to be near impossible to lose weight.
So the more realistic answer is … It is a 50/50 – It’s a toss up. If you are discipline and focus you can lose weight. And if you totally fall off the wagon – You may gain weight.
Kayaking and the Muscle Groups
What muscles are actually targeted when you Kayak Fish:
- The Back Muscles
- The Shoulder Muscles
- The Upper Arm
- The Forearm and Grip Muscles
- The Abs
- The Chest Muscles
- The Leg and Hip Muscles
This a partial list of the some of the muscle groups that you target when kayaking. Now, personally, I own a Hobie and so most of my work out is going to be in my lower body, but here is the thing, I alternate between peddling and paddling so I can get a full bodywork out.
So what does this feel like after a full day of Kayak Fishing?
For those who have done this for a while you can relate when I say
“IT’S LIKE GETTING HIT BY A BUS WHEN YOU WAKE UP AFTER YOUR NAP”
Everything is sore!!
And that is a good thing!!
Because you have extended all those muscle groups, In addition to dragging your kayak across the sand – if you are beach launching.
Loading and unloading your kayak also burns a TON of calories.
Remember all this is being done unconsciously because you are doing what you love. The burned calories are a product of staying active.
The trick is to maintain a calorie deficient. You exerted the calories so you need them to stay off. This leads me to my next point and pit falls that many of us face when trying to lose weight while kayak fishing.
THE KAYAK FISHING MUNCHIES!!
On a normal day Kayak Fishing I will spend 7+ hours out on the water – Trolling for salmon, drifting for halibut, or jigging for rockfish, and Filthy Lingcods. Many of those who fish me wil notice that I hardly eat or drink anything through out the day.
What’s up with that TLA?
When I’m focused it’s hard to pull my attention from what I’m concentrated on. This is good because I’ll find the fish, get on them and bring home the bacon.
It is bad because by the end of the day, It will hit me like a ton of bricks
that I’m starving. I’ll eat fast food for convenience and to regain any lost
calories.
This leads me to my point.
This is a zero sum game in regards to calories because I lacked foresight and discipline.
So let me give you guys some helpful tips I’ve learned that can impact your ability to lose weight, get healthy and stay fit when kayak fishing.
5 TIPS TO LOSE WEIGHT KAYAK FISHING
#1 Pack your kayak and run away after you land
Get away from you buddies as fast as you can before they can throw you beers, and BBQ!! Just terrible right? “No bro I’m good. I’m so good right now. Keto diet”
#2 Prepack your lunch
Prepacking your lunch will make sure that you have a healthy alternative after a long day of kayak fishing vs. going straight for fast food or a 7-11.
#3 Bring Healthy Snacks (Fruits, Veggies, Nuts and Berries)
#4 Hydrate your body
A study of nearly 10,000 adults ages 18 to 64 shows that staying hydrated by drinking water and eating more water-loaded fruits and vegetables could help with weight management, especially if you’re overweight or obese.
#5 Alternate between Peddle and Paddle for a full body work out
One Final Point
Most, people will only kayak a few times a month, and most of that will be over the summer months. Kayak fishing should be in tandem with a regular exercise program and diet.
Kayak Fishing alone, unless you are doing it 4-5 times a week, as your sole means of exercise is not going to be enough to significantly shed those pounds.
However, if you follow the tips and understand the logic behind this audiocast, Kayak Fishing can help you reduce your caloric in take for the day. That lost one or two day of a caloric deficit in tandem with your regular weekly exercise can in fact lead to weigh loss. Now once again, it is not your entire work out regiment. Let me be clear with that.
Conclusion
Kayak fishing is my guilty pleasure. It’s my open addiction, because I see so many positive upsides to this sport. I’ve hardly seen anyone in grief; have anxiety, in deep depression while kayak fishing. If anything Kayak fishing is a relief from many of those mental conditions.
You never really know what people are dealing with under the surface.
A short time out on the water with some friends can really help some one through a difficult patch in their life. That’s why I think this sport is so beneficial on so many levels.
Ok, that is all I have this week. Remember if you enjoy this material, make sure to like, share and subscribe. Be kind, take care of each other out there, and I’ll catch you guys next time. Good luck and tight lines –TLA