I believe they consider walking an activity done on flat ground. Maybe 2 to five miles a day. Hiking is mostly done on more "rustic" venues like mountain or valley trails. Normally of longer distances and more difficult terrain.

It took a while before I got the picture of the difference between fitness of the upper body and building of the upper body. When my chosen activity was wrestling I did a lot heavy weights and upper body building. The same heavy weights today would be counter productive to the cycling goals I have set for my lifestyle. But cycling is more than an activity for me now. It is part of my lifestyle change. Building the upper body now is a detriment but that doesn't mean I should ignore simple load bearing movements for my bone density. So yes I want to stay fit but more from repetitive light weight than pumping iron, if I hear my coach correctly.

Unlike you it seems I have fought weight most of my life and have tried several diet plans. That may because football and wrestling required more upper body muscle and that muscle always need maintaining once developed. The Army simply ran it off me. As you suggest they rarely work in the long run and many are really designed for somewhat sedentary people. Toss in a lot of high intensity exercise and their nutritional value comes into question. So I am on the weight loss portion of my change now and once I reach goal we will work of proper nutrition and exercise for the life I want to live in the future. But thank you for your concern.