I am sure many survivalists have watched the show, Naked and Afraid. They burn a lot of calories (energy out) but consume minimal calories (energy in) during their assigned time to enter and finish the challenge in harsh and unpredictable conditions. Caloric balance is critical for survival, but they tend to do some tasks that are not beneficial for their success.
There are a few tasks that must be done when you are adventuring out in the wild. First, they need to find a water source to setup a basecamp during their adventure. The initial and immediate tasks are building a weatherproof shelter, gathering wood, starting a fire, and fetching water to boil for potability. After those tasks are done, you need to gather firewood, improve your shelter, fetch more water, and gathering, foraging, or hunting for food. At the end, they must have enough strength and endurance, will power, and energy to finish the journey.
When survivalists first begin, they have all the necessary wherewithal to do the initial tasks. It is caloric management that can get them through the first couple of days. Depending on the conditions, they can burn calories sitting or lying down (like a cold night shivering burns a lot of calories). Here are some tasks and approximate calorie burn for each.
- Felling a tree (300+ calories per hour)
- Fetching water (Up to 100 calories per trip)
- Gathering firewood (Up to 300 calories per hour)
- Walking a mile (Up to 100 calories or more)
- Shivering (a few hundred calories per hour)
Keep in mind, the variability of the caloric burn is dependent on many additional factors (like heat, humidity, cold, etc.) I tend to see so many survivalists on the show burn too many calories in the first 5 days, and they are nowhere near the required caloric intake to survive through the entire time. Somehow, they manage to survive to the day of extraction. That is sheer will power and adrenaline.
To manage the calories, you must analyze and focus on task management. You must also eat fiber, carbohydrates, fat, and protein. The other crucial factor is mental and spiritual management. The thought of failure and all the reasons for failure is going to cause you to tap out. Take it slow but finish the initial tasks. The most important thing after that is managing your caloric intake and the daily tasks. If you have a capable partner, split the tasks based on caloric burn, so you both survive until the end.
This principle will apply to surviving in the wild or your extended adventures with just your basic tools and supplies.
I hope this helps.
