Heavy Backpack making shoulders ache?

Duke Of Edinburgh's Award-Bronze Expedition! PleaseHelpMe!?

• Okay,so I had my practice expedition a few days ago. We camped and walked all of the next day. I found walking uphill difficult and draining. Walking on flat and downhill was fine. I am very slender and very thin(I eat loads though) and so my hips are not very prominent. My teacher had to adjust everyones backpacks for them as the weight is meant to be on hips not backs and shoulders. However because my hips are barely there,my backpack was hardly able to be adjusted and it was the tightest it would go-but the weight was still on my back. My group finished about 3 minutes before me. I had to stop since I had cramps and the teacher then walked the rest with me. 3 minutes from the rest of my group isn't bad is it? On the way,with my teacher,she told me that I wasn't the right build for walking and I'm too unfit. Any tips for walking uphill and making sure my legs don't bail on me? :) Any Help would be appreciated! Thanks xx

• Answer:

  Practice walking particularly up hill every day before the expedition to improve your fitness. Are you eating a healthy diet? 5 portions of fruit and veg a day. Lean meat, fish, good wholewheat cerals and bread with no additives or sugar. Cut out drinks like Fanta, Coke and all fizzy drinks. They impede the body's ability to absorb vitamins and minerals. On the day of the expedition have a good healthy breakfast - cereal, eggs (not fried), fruit and toast. Take plenty of water with you on the expedition and drink lots of it at regular intervals; take good snacks like bananas and cereal bars. Chocolate though obviously not a health food is good for giving you a quick extra spurt of energy when you feel really tired. Think about what is in your backpack. Without leaving essentials benind, think about making it lighter. Is your footwear really comfortable as well as being strong and waterproof enough for the expedition?