I never have problems working out but at times my diet goes to crap. I plan to eat much cleaner than I was, cutting out as much junk food as possible and transforming my body.
My goal is a net loss of about 20 lbs and an increase in strength by 15-20%. My ultimate goal is to stay there too. I also plan to increase my cardio fitness level by about 1/3 and increase my frequency, distance and amount of weight carried on my pack training.
Sounds lofty but I am putting it out on the web as motivation.
As far as food, I generally eat pretty good but I can also afford to indulge once in a while. I might have 2 or 3 beers a week max. No pop (or soda, depending upon what part of the country you are from) at all.
At 49 years old, I like/need to stay in shape year around. I dial in to elk hunting fitness ~ 3 months before my hunt (May,,, ish)
I had a run of about 2 years I didn't hunt, got lazy, stressed with work and life. I was 227lbs the start of 2015 heaviest ive ever been.
I weighed 194 yesterday, going elk hunting was that final push to get me down from my normal 215 to sub 200.
I plan to hang out around this weight for a little bit, but this year I plan to:
Run half marathon, 10k is previous best.
Get stronger especially in the legs
Carry a weighted pack more
I plan to time it so I'm in peak shape right before the season and not 3 months beforehand. Not sure if I'll do a marathon again, leaning towards a triathlon of some sort. I would like to do a half ironman at some point.
NvaGvUp's Link
I did a very physical hunt in Idaho last month, very physical, and here's what the outfitter e-mailed me a few days later:
"Adam Beaupre Horse Creek Outfitters
Sept. 23. 2015
Great work out there. Those first two days were big days and you did awesome. Very rarely we have a guy who can hike like that. Awesome to have."
FYI, I'm 67 years old.
See this Bowsite link to watch a special Bowsite Feature presentation my seminar partner and I gave to Pat in early 2014.
http://www.bowsite.com/bowsite/features/articles/sheepshapeseminar/
Start earlier with pack workouts.
Would like to get to high 170's, low 180's (upper 180's right now)
Not regress like I did the last two years after elk season. I went from 190 to 220 by new years last year and it took all spring and summer to get it back off.
Saturday - Lift session....push/pull supersets of chest, shoulders, back.
Sunday - 4+ mile run
Monday - Kickboxing class
I like to do lots of variety. Sometimes with friends, sometimes with a group, sometimes solo. Most always push myself out of my comfort zone or feel like I wasted my time. Consistency and intensity yields the best results.
Clean diet and meal planning are the hardest part.
Proud of you, Mark!
I was very pleased with the way my body held up.
Substitute some of those meals with a protein shake or protein bars for portability when required.
A portion is the size of your fist.
Never skip breakfast. I like egg whites and oatmeal.
If you're trying to lose fat, cut back on your carbs in the afternoon and evening. Like for dinner, have an elk steak and a large salad....no carbs.
I don't know if I have any specific goals. Keep variety is one. Have fun with it is another.
I'll probably spend the later fall and winter following my wirehair around the hills chasing birds. Then, I'll hit the weights and (hopefully) the XC skis.
Come spring I'll hit the mountain bike and the trail runs, and mix in some backpacking.
It's amazing how much a high level of base fitness can do for you. Even sitting out the whole month of July, then easing back in slowly in August, I certainly didn't feel like my conditioning was lacking during elk season.
Mike Vines, I like your book. Where is the chapter on Dairy Queen blizzards?
I've listened to people my entire life say, "wait until you're 30..." I'm 37 and weigh 4 lbs more than I did when I was 18. Now they say "wait until you're 40..."
I've watched enough people get fat and all that comes with it that I'll have no part of it. Staying slim, eating right, and hiking/hunting are part of my life and that'll never change till the day I die.
No goals for 2016.
That said, I'm weak and I know it. Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner...so we'll see what happens!
I am 6'1 and am 184.4 this AM as I weight every morning.
Hell, I am still elk hunting and will be into December as my last elk hunt will be in Jackson Hole, Wyoming mid-December.
I am more into cross training with hiking/biking/lifting/swimming and in the winter snowshoeing.
I am very strict on my daily food intake. Lot's of veggies/fruit/water/chicken/turkey/elk meat.
Listen to your body as overdoing it and getting an injury will only set you back--jack! haha
Good luck, Robb
But during my hunt this year (my first) I came to the conclusion that no matter what I do here in flat NW Ohio, I don't know if I'd ever be able to hunt with someone who lives at a high elevation and hikes the mountains regularly. They may literally kill me.
Over the length of the hunt I could tell my fitness routine helped a lot because I never really wore down from the daily grind of several miles per day. And my back and legs felt strong the whole time. However, I felt like a fat slob while ascending those mountains. Taking breaks every 75 yards or so and a couple times thinking my heart was gonna explode. Never been so humbled before.
Not real sure what I'll do different the next time other than maybe hike more stairs with the pack on.
But during my hunt this year (my first) I came to the conclusion that no matter what I do here in flat NW Ohio, I don't know if I'd ever be able to hunt with someone who lives at a high elevation and hikes the mountains regularly. They may literally kill me.
Over the length of the hunt I could tell my fitness routine helped a lot because I never really wore down from the daily grind of several miles per day. And my back and legs felt strong the whole time. However, I felt like a fat slob while ascending those mountains. Taking breaks every 75 yards or so and a couple times thinking my heart was gonna explode. Never been so humbled before.
Not real sure what I'll do different the next time other than maybe hike more stairs with the pack on.