Lineman League Fitness
Elk
Many, many years ago when I was in High School we had a weight training class you could only get into with "teacher's permission" which meant you had to be on the football team. After several months of lifting 5 days a week, we talked coach into letting us have Wednesdays off from the weights to play basketball.
All the QBs, RBs, WRs, "glory boys" played some pretty decent basketball on one court while the rest of us played "Lineman League," which basically was a game where the only rules were "No head shots, no crotch shots and try not to let anyone's head hit the concrete." It was kind of scary but a lot of fun.
Well, the fitness threads here every year kind of feel to me like they need some similar distinction. I.e. the endurance race, super fitness guys and then the rest us. So, as in previous years, I officially start the "Lineman League Fitness Club." Only requirement is that you are trying to do something to get ready for September.
I should draw a decent WY tag this year and if I don't, I'll go back to CO OTC again. So far I've been walking 2.5 miles most mornings with my wife while carrying 25# in my pack, doing pushups and climbing stairs. I also just started a one mile hike without my wife on a steep hill to get my heart and legs pumping harder.
So who's in with me? What are you doing? What are you about to start doing that you need a little kick in the pants to get going with?
I'll join in Darrell, I played ball with the glory boys but I blossomed into a lineman when I hit my 40's! :-) I always start dieting and training in earnest for September around June 1. This year I'm going to start May 1 because frankly there isn't much else to do! I'll be headed over to the ski hill and will walk up and down that bad boy as many times as I can in an hour. I plan to add in a few more things as I go along and will update here along those lines. Only 4 months to go!
I’m with brotsky. My basketball team was a mainstay in the state tourney. I was more of a defensive specialist but I also had pretty good touch. That said I’m no Midwest and my foot is still f’ed up from a half marathon training a year ago. So my workouts will consist of rowing and bike riding with a little pack training sprinkled in. I’m doing better at staying at ideal weight so I just need to shed my winter 5#.
Link, I just need to shed my winter 30# and I'm good to go :-)
No hunt to train for, just trying to keep up with my 13 year old son (I'll be 48 in a week). I don't work out like I used to but enough to get by and feel good.
In high school our wrestling team would play basketball about once a week. It was more like football than basketball, lots of tackling, no dribbling and minimal baskets made. At least one person always ended up bleeding. Good times!
Make yourself bulletproof!
Make yourself bulletproof!
Darrell,
Have always been a lineman. Blocked for the athletes in football and played the enforcer role on the court back in HS. Started playing tennis twice a week in September. In December, began eating better. No diets with titles, just more whole foods and less processed. Quit drinking any alcohol on Jan 2nd and began lifting with a partner. Before this whole virus crap dropped 41 lbs and am moving better than I have in years. Since not being in the gym, I've put a few back on, but not many. Recently bought a new pair of Crispi Wyomings for elk hunting. I'll be starting my weighted pack workouts with them in a local parking garage soon. Other than tennis or on a treadmill, there will be no running. Ever. LOL.
Still sweating from my tread mill work out this morn. I go 2.5 miles on it 4-5 days a week and work on a weight machine 1-2 days a week. Started doing that to get in shape for an elk hunt, in 1984. Have not stopped since then. I’m 69 so the speed and steepness of my work outs have backed off some, but I stay in decent shape year round.
Have to admit to not getting up early enough to do my hill after walking 2.5 with my wife this morning. Busy day today so doubt I will do anything else but some pushups. Better day tomorrow.
However, on the bright side, looking at my app on my phone I am almost 40# lighter than this time last year and the same weight I was last September so I figure any and all work I do from now til my hunt will have an even greater impact. Don't plan on loosing much more weight but hoping having lost the weight and kept it off will mean more energy, stamina, etc.
40 lbs.! WTG, Darrell! Imagine carrying around a bag of softener salt all day.
Dang that's great Darrell! Nice work!
Great job Darrell, keep at it!
Of course I must have been stronger a year ago as carrying around a bag of water softener salt would wear me out now. :) Actually it does feel great. Even places I wouldn't associate with being overweight (nicer word the "obese") don't hurt like they used to. I hurt my shoulder in HS and it would keep me up at night with a dull ache at least three or four nights a week. About two weeks after getting completely off sugar, it stopped hurting. I went off the wagon for about a month around Christmas and guess what? My shoulder started hurting again. Not saying I will live the rest of my life sugar free but I'm definitely of the opinion I want a "cheat day" every once in a while but will live mostly sugar free because I do believe it is an inflammatory that my body doesn't like in spite of how much my taste buds like ice cream. :)
Working out is only an hour a day.
The diet is 24/7. THAT'S the hard part!
We’re not allowed on the playgrounds here....
I’ve gotta hand it to you guys who have lost a bunch o’ weight. I’ve never really had to do it, except I was sick for a while and that was causing me to put on some extra pound. I got up to almost a buck-fifty, but once I straightened out that health situation I came right back down to 130 or so. I weighed 133 when I graduated from college… In 1987.
Worst thing for me was when my boys got to be too big to want to be carried around anymore. Kinda ended my biceps workout! LOL
Good on you Darrell!!
Consistency everyday and like midwest stated the Diet is the toughest to keep steady.
I lost weight this winter which was my goal going into winter in December after all my hunts had ended and I actually beat my goal of staying under 190 by my b-day in late February as I came in @ 184.4
You can do it if ya keep at year round.
Congrats
Robb
Got in my 2.5 with pack and my wife and my 331' elevation gain in .88 mile on my own this morning. Think we have found a rhythm that will allow me to do my hill most mornings. (Wife drops me off at the hill and drives into town to get her breakfast and picks me up on her way home.) For now, I'm doing about 25# in my pack for the flat walk but no pack for the hill. I'll add the pack to the hill and add multiple trips later on. For now, it seems to give me a pretty good low impact workout.
Yeah, you young Pups are always trying to pack on the beef!
I kept trying up 'til I was about mid-thirties and decided I had already been wherever I was gonna get to without cheating....
But I do OK for a Ol’ Dude...
Checking in for past couple days: Yesterday got my hill in but not my 2.5 walk with my wife. Today, got in our 2.5 and my hill as well as some pushups. Need to get some more in at some point today.
Keep workin’ then... I’ve lost a good chunk in the past 10 years. Really, I should blame my job and my commute. Driving 85 miles/day just crushes the schedule... But it seems like I’ve been getting even less exercise working from home that I did before… At least then, I had a clutch to work out my left leg!
Midwest; "The diet is 24/7. THAT'S the hard part!"
EXACTLY!!!
Not much working out yet. That’s what makes me lineman league material, lol. The family and I put in 9 miles on Wednesday. I wore a 20ish pound pack with picnic food and water for the group but my wife had it worse wearing our 18 month old. 8 miles were mostly flat the other mile was getting up and down this Mesa. Thankfully it was only about 500’-600’.
Checking back in. Doing well with the morning walks with wife and pack and hitting my hill. Got credit this morning for 51 floors and 443' of elevation gain. My "hill" is the closest thing I can find to simulate the mountains. I actually do it twice to get 443' of gain. I've tried other things but nothing seems to make more sense than doing what I will be doing in September. That and my back seems to always give me fits when I ride my bike.
Darrell I think stairs with a pack is about as good as we flat landers can get. Keep it up.
Lifting 5 days a week.
45lb pack training - jog a mile and walk a mile. Intermix 45-60 push-ups and 90 squats with pack on (3 sets each).
Need to dial in my diet. That’s the hardest part for me.
Link, actually at this point, I'm only doing the pack for my 2.5 with my wife each morning. Its a flat walk so without running (Which I agree with Aristotle who said "A nobleman never runs") I can't get my heart rate up enough but its a good connection time with my wife and is better than not walking.
Still working out Year-round, 200 pushups, 200 crunches, 200 tricep lifts daily...yoga stretch before my 30 minute treadmill with the 30 lb pack on.
3 to 4 hours of tennis on Fridays...helps keep the reflexes sharp.
Weekends, my Wife and I have been going up the mountain up the road from us...4 mile loop with about 800 feet elevation gain. I just take my loaded elk pack every time we go...every little bit helps!
Agree with Nick and others...workouts are "routine"...the diet is the real challenge!!
Well, I hit a milestone this morning. Weighed in at 200.2. I was 252 in January of 2019. Got down to 199 in early September last year then put 15# back on between September and January. My goal last year was to get down to 220 before my elk hunt but when I blew through that in July, I just kept going. I hadn't been below 200 since my Jr year of HS so I didn't think that was possible for me. Now, my new goal is to get to 190 and then stay below 200 the rest of my life. I am a big believer in Keto and will need to learn how to transition from losing to maintaining but I'm done with sugar. (Except for an occasional cheat day for birthdays, holidays, etc.)
My workouts this week have just consisted of walking with my pack and doing my hill. Today was 2 miles with 460' of elevation gain by doing my hill twice plus another smaller one once. Hopefully I will get good news from WY in a couple weeks which will spur me on to add more intensity to my working out.
September is coming. Just hope they let us travel the mountains to chase the bugling bulls!
Well, you guys inspired me at least a little; I was able to get 8 pull-ups the other day. Coulda down a few more, but I had good intentions of 3 sets and then I got distracted again by my damn job...
Darrell I’ve done cardio before elk hunts and hunted with a buddy that just does weights. It doesn’t matter how much cardio you do you still suck air when going uphill. My buddy has had the muscle to power through when I’m gassed and my muscles are weak. I think bleachers with a weighted pack is a form of weight training that closely simulates going uphill. Congrats on the 200> pound club. 190 is next keep it up.
I figure that there is no substitute for doing what you actually plan on doing during bow-hunting season, so I try to do as much hiking in the mountains as possible during the summer. I've been hiking on steep trails around town since before the snow went away here. The big issue is trying to not gain much weight in Dec, Jan, Feb each year, so I go to the gym then. I wouldn't go crazy about adding upper body muscle, as that's just excess weight that your legs are going to have to pack up mountains.
Upper body muscle is much more useful than upper body fat. A strong core and back is essential to preventing injury while making you much stronger at hiking. Especially while carrying weight.
Maybe that’s it Midwest. My buddy is an ex marine with legit biceps while mine are very average, lol.
Those crossfit guys seem to do real well in the mountains. Aron Snyder was saying how his buddy, Frank, kicked his ass last year when it came to climbing the mountain. Frank was full bore into crossfit while Aron just did his usual gym work and pack training.
You almost feel sorry for the guys with the great big chest and arms and skinny little legs, dontcha ?
Yeah, me neither!
Ok, I've been working hard since early March now to lose some weight. I've been carrying an extra 10-15 pounds (depending on time of year) for the last decade plus. Not that I've really let myself go, I've always worked out. I just now have upped my workouts a bit and focused on diet now. I think the diet thing is huge. I'm down 7 pounds to 212. Hoping to get to 205ish. That would be amazing for me. It's already unreal how much easier my 3 mile run is not carrying an extra 7 pounds. The nice thing is, the more progress you see, the more motivated you get. Carry on fellas!
Today I upped the weight of my pack to 38#. Its hard to believe that I was carrying more than that in excess fat on my body. Didn't have time to do my hill this morning and may not be able to tomorrow as they are calling for bad weather. I know, I could do it in the rain but its only May. :) Since I checked in last, I've done my 2.5 with my wife all but one morning and my hill all but two so I'm doing pretty well for three + months out. Hopefully in the next week, I'll get my good news from WY and have more motivation. On the weight side, I actually gained a couple pounds this week. Haven't been out of keto but I did eat a lot of pulled pork over the weekend. It was good stuff!
It's been said "you can't outwork a bad diet". I have to agree with that. I've been working out (almost an hour + each day) each night before dinner since mid December. I've been able to lose 12 pounds. That's all! But I have had some success/physically but let me explain how I've got there:
By working out, I know that it doesn't really fit into the lineman's league but I feel like I fit in with this group more. So, for working out - I mean that I've done P90x two times through (well, I'm in my last week of the second time through it). I've even been watching what I eat. I use an app on my phone and track what I eat and follow the "macros" percentage (Macro-nutrients; Protein, Carbs and Fat) using the proper calories for me (2,000 per day). Mainly I've been trying to keep Protein at 40% of my intake and Carbs somewhere around 35% and Fat at 25%. There are "purists" of that routine that would tell you each 30 day phase has a macro profile to follow but like I said, that's not me - I feel more like this group (although size-wise I'm more of a "punter" than a lineman).
Because of the "lockdown" here in my state, I've been able to keep my job through working at home. I feel like I'm literally sitting on my @ss almost all of my waking hours. So to offset this, I've also started a morning workout using a different workout program (22 Minute Hard Corps). This is a cool little workout that mixes in cardio and mostly body weight stuff (you need a light dumbbell, but otherwise it's pull-ups, push-ups, bear crawls, etc. ). I was hoping that this workout would help me get over the hump of "only 12 lbs". I really only spend 30 minutes doing this each morning. As for me being a lineman, I'm not. I'm 5'6" and 160lbs (down from the heaviest I've ever been at 172) .
The only diet change that really helped me drop my weight below 160 was intermittent fasting for a couple days each week. If you're familiar with that, it's where you only eat for a few hours each day (no calories at other times - like no cream in your coffee, etc.). I have always stopped eating after 8PM (must be my age but I would wake up with heartburn if I ate too close to bedtime anyway). So what I was doing on this intermittent fasting was only eating for about 5 hours a day. I would still try to maintain the "macros" but my first food intake would be close to 3PM - skipping traditional breakfast and lunch. With this, I was able to get to 158lbs. However, I wasn't equipped with enough fuel in my body to get through my workouts as well. So I only did this for a couple days each week and now I will periodically do it when it lines up with "rest days".
Anyway, I said I saw some success here...not about weight loss but truly "in the field" success!!
Aside from my gains in workouts (chin-ups/push-ups counts and weights for P90X), I was able to get in a weekend of Spring turkey hunting a couple of weeks back. I was happy to walk up some steep hills without having to stop to catch my breath and I didn't break out in a sweat. These are the same hills that I will be hunting this fall, so if I keep up some workout regimen I will hopefully be in the right shape to do what I have to do.
Now, there are trade-offs right? Working out so much means that I'm sore more than I used to be just sitting around like a lump on a log. However, I have that extra strength when I need it (I had to move some heavy furniture) and I feel good when doing work in the yard. I also have at times sacrificed some things in order to get in a workout - but I think that I've found a better life-balance there and am willing to skip one here or there. Initially I was more afraid that if I started skipping a workout, I would continue along that path returning to the bump on the log that I was.
After 6 months of doing this almost daily, I think I've made a decent lifestyle change. My only fear now is when deer season starts. That will be my priority for a couple of months and I would like to stay in shape and feel good year round.
“ I've been able to keep my job through working at home. I feel like I'm literally sitting on my @ss almost all of my waking hours.”
I hear you on that… I’ve been working 12 hour days just about every day since the lockdown started, and most days my wife brings me breakfast at my desk and maybe lunch around 3:30 or 4:00. The most exercise I get is sitting on a ball; if you keep your feet off the ground and just stay balanced on it, it keeps a lot of things working.
I was really happy yesterday when my 17-year-old got his wake up call; he’s been parked at his desk doing school and video games nonstop for two months, and on Wednesday night he did a 45 minute hockey work out online I was really happy yesterday when my 17-year-old got his wake up call; he’s been part of his desk doing school and video games nonstop for two months, and on Wednesday night he did a 45 minute hockey workout online (Eric Nates Euro-hockey is an excellent program if you have a kid who needs it, and since it’s online it doesn’t matter where you are) and then he spent all day yesterday complaining about how sore and stiff he is. Serves him right!
But I’m hoping this is one of those lessons that will teach itself; it’s pretty easy to feel like you’re not letting yourself go when the insurance companies interpret your BMI number as borderline obese and your body fat is still in the single digits.... but sore muscles are a great reality check!
Dude… You must have some mighty expensive pee!! Probably giving your kidneys quite the work out, too....
35-Acre, Congrats on your progress! You may not be losing the weight you want because you're gaining muscle. Measure your waist instead and track that. When your abs are showing, you're getting there. The love handles will be the last thing to go and if you're truly trying to get rid of them, you're diet will have to stay in a calorie deficit for several weeks. It's a self discipline and mental game most will fail.
I just finished my first 24 hour fast yesterday. I was amazed at how easy it was. Seemed easier than my usual 'eat every 3 hours' where I'm never truly full and hungry within an hour of eating every meal. I'm going to start experimenting more like you have been doing with the intermittent fasting. I did a 5 mile run towards the end of my fast and felt amazing!
I think everyone is different and it takes years of trying different things to find what works best for each individual. Figuring it all out is a fun part of the journey. Good for you on making fitness and diet an important part of your lifestyle!
35-Acre, I totally agree with what you said, that you can't outwork a bad diet. I'm the same height as you, but I'm 185, and have been up to 192. I have found that it doesn't matter how much I exercise, if I don't change my diet. Also, I can weigh 180 and be in pretty good condition, and I can weigh 180 and be in rotten condition. The only time of the year that I lose weight is during the summer and fall, hiking season and hunting season. Partially due to the amount of exercise I'm getting, but probably more due to the reduction of the amount of time that I'm sitting around home within easy access of food. The problem is eating when I don't really need to, versus when I've actually been hungry for a while. My goal is to get to 170 by the end of September, which is funny given that you are the same height and 160, and I think I would be in great condition at 170.
I ran some trails this weekend. 45 miles 8 hours 31 min 5730 ft. elevation.
This is what my road looks like except there’s usually not a snake in it.
This is what my road looks like except there’s usually not a snake in it.
OTC you're an over achiever. I’ve been walking 3 miles a day with a 25# pack. I also biked 4 miles yesterday. It wasn’t far but my road is mostly loose sand so it’s more of a workout than you’d think. If my daughters walk with me they usually take their shoes off because it’s like the beach.
I hope I didn't change the "vibe" for this thread...
I've been fiddling more with my eating and timing when I eat (throwing some "confusion" to my body). Up until recently I have been very consistent with meals aside from my periodic intermittent fasting (Midwest - Congrats! I have not tried the 24 hour fast). NOTE: The 24 hour fast gets tricky as you're supposed to ease your body back on foods by implementing things like "bone broth". I'm not ready to get that intense so I've taken a slightly different path and have been my fiddling around with food intake by changing up WHAT I eat and WHEN has given me the ability to drop a couple of pounds (maybe - my weight fluctuates by a couple of pounds each week). To explain what I mean a little better:
For the past 6 months, my typical day would be almost the exact same foods and times each day. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I've added a morning workout. I would do that before food my breakfast. As for food: Egg Beaters, Sausage on an English Muffin in the morning just before I start my work day. I would have a lunch 4 hours later as some type of salad with some protein (chicken, pork, venison - but I'm out of that). A builder's bar (Cliff) for a mid-afternoon quick hit which would give me some carbs to get me through a 60 minute workout before dinner. Dinner would be chicken or pork with a salad, a slice of bread and some type of vegetable. Around 6:30-7 I would have a protein shake.
I've changed things up now, which focuses more on protein early. So I'm trying things like starting my day with a breakfast that is either a regular Cliff bar or a Cliff Builder's Bar (which I prefer). This 40/30/30 (carb/fat/protein) compared to my usual 60/10/30 in my Egg Beater sandwich. Similarly at lunch, I'm trying to have a "meal" closer to what I would have at dinner (Chicken/Vegetables/Some Carb) or just a protein powder shake. We use cast iron skillets a ton at my house - they are easy to clean and with scissors you can cut some meet really quickly. Generally we cut up veggies once a week and store them in the fridge. We make a lot of "skillets" or fajitas at my house (See photo) This is what I'm trying to do for lunch. I still get in my nightly workout. I'll be switching to something different starting next week that will likely be closer to 30-40 minutes. Following that up with a dinner as I described above and some protein later (before 8 pm).
So as you can see - it's still healthy eating and working out but by simply mixing up when I eat similar foods it's getting my body to process things differently. I hope that has me burning calories to shred those extra lbs.
Irishman - (being one myself - I love that handle!). Sounds like you're a little more stout than me. I've never had legit biceps or anything like that. It's not because of lack of effort, I'm just small. Sounds like you're built a little stronger. I'm not afraid to tell people that it's ridiculous that I wear a "large t-shirt size" but I'm probably the smallest person that they know (they agree on the latter - LOL). I was 172 on 12/16/19. I was 161 on 2/28/2020. I've got 14.5" biceps now after 6 months of working out (my only other tracking of that was back in 10/2018 where I had 13.25" biceps). So - I'm not a big guy.
Midwest. Thanks for the advice. I am keeping minimal measurements but not at any specific interval (I know that waist has been shrinking as all of my new pants are now too loose/although they help me fit my CCF now). At 48 I don't think I'm packing on too much muscle but definitely some and shaping the rest. I don't think genetically I have or will ever have a 6 pack but I'm still focused on those last few lbs to get rid of the last of the middle to flatten things out.
My advice to everyone - just keep at it! There is always some idea out there that can help us all in just about anything we do. I love this thread for that! All positive. Creative ideas. And I agree that as long as we're having fun with whatever we do to improve ourselves we'll be successful. It might get us a couple more years of hunting in our golden years.
Midwest, "When your abs are showing, you're getting there." This is "Lineman League" and the only six pack most of us will ever see is like the redneck six pack where two lineman types lift up their shirt and press their stomachs into sheep fencing! As for my check in. Still walking and hitting my hill. Gained 2 lbs in the past week but I think that's just the way my weight bounces up and down for no apparent reason but over time keeps dropping.
17 weeks until go time. Time to pick it up so I switched from IPA's to Busch Light for the summer. Getting in about 5 miles per day now walking or hiking. I steadily increase the weight and the elevation gain as summer progresses. Feeling good about where things are headed.
Make sure you stay hydrated, Justin!
That's what the ice in my whiskey is for Nick! :-)
Extra motivation now. I didn't get hit by point creep so I drew my Wyoming tag. I was 95% sure I would but the way things are these days, you never know.
Hit 200# on May 8 but then gained a couple pounds and stayed there until today. Back at 200# again this morning. Definitely time to ramp up my walking/hiking. 35# in my pack seems about the right weight for me. Any more and the straps hurt my neck/shoulders but I can tell its getting my legs and back stronger. I just wish it would stay cool. Unfortunately between now and my hunt is the humid nasties in my neck of the woods.
September is coming. Most likely leaving KS on 9/14 which is 16 weeks from Monday. Barring injury, illness or other unforeseen issue, I hope to be in the best shape I have been in since the end of my Sr. year of HS football.
That sound like an awesome hunt. I just looked up some elk hunting opportunities for the first time. I just don't know if I could convince my wife.
As for some of you and your ways of staying hydrated - this weekend is going to be a tough one. I think if I have one drink (preferably wiskey), I will be on my @ss! I haven't really touched the stuff for close to 6 months (maybe one or two).
Switching up the "what I eat and when I eat it" gave me a 2 lbs loss. And that included cutting out a few workouts (my afternoon workouts - I had too much left on the honey-do). So I'm down 14.5 lbs in 6 months.
Did everyone fall off the wagon?
Just finished a 48 hr. fast last night, did a 36 hr. last week, and a 24 hr. the week before. I don't plan on doing a 48 hr. again anytime soon but the 24 and 36 are certainly doable and I plan to do these at least once per month.
My running mileage will begin to ramp up now as I prepare for my 100 miler in Oct. I won't give up lifting completely but it will certainly be reduced. I want to keep my core strong, especially. I'm also adding resistance band shoulder work to keep my shoulders bulletproof.
Lost 2 more pounds. Now 210, down from 219. The scale actually said a shade below 210. I am basically running 3 miles on Mondays and Thursdays, walk 2-3 miles almost everyday with maybe an elliptical trainer instead if it's raining. I also lift weights 2-3 times a week. At 57 I find my joints don't like every other day weight training anymore. So I usually put at least two days between my strength training.
I'm still doing my same routine. 2.5 miles of a brisk walk on flat ground with 35# in my pack with my wife and then a mile "hike" up, down, and the up the largest hill in our area which gives me 400' of elevation gain according to my Garmin watch. However, I think I'm being robbed as their is a 3 story watch tower with a total of 48 steps that I do a total of 3 times but only get 15' elevation credit each time I climb it. :) Still hovering right at 200# but I know I've added some muscle mass and my clothes continue to get looser. I leave for WY September 14th so I have 108 days but who's counting?
Put in a 30 mile run on Saturday, 3158 ft elevation in 5:05. Backed it up with a 9 mile recovery run on Sunday. Hoping to draw some CO tags so I can get really motivated....
OTC That kind of post definitely proves you don't belong in "Lineman League." 9 miles is not a recovery activity. :) Sounds like you are already ready for September.
I finally have had a whole week staying at 200 or under in my morning weigh in. As low as 198. Staying with my morning walking/climbing my hill routine.
Down to 208. I don't think I've been this light since 2000 when I had a bad intestinal infection. But that was pooping the weight off.
I've lost about 4 pounds in the past 2 weeks and am putting in about 5 miles per day either walking or packing. My pace is actually better than I ended at last year already. I think I'll allow myself a few more beers this week as a reward. Feeling good about September! 16 pounds to go.
My gym opened back up today. Wow, talk about depressing. I lost probably 60 pounds on my bench, and I don’t want to think about leg day. Oh well, it’ll come back quick.
Brotsky that beer sounds amazing right now. 91 here in MN. I think I might join you for one or two tonight.
Get after it boys! I'm having a dirty martini contemplating the extra 15lbs I've gained working from home since March.........
Been a while since checking in. I was 198# this morning. Cheated for Father's day with cherry cobbler and ice cream but it didn't hurt me too bad. :)
Still walking and climbing my hill most mornings. May be making a quick scouting trip combined with a trek through South Dakota sometime in July. That should give me a much better idea why what I have done so far still isn't enough. :) Wish elk season didn't come on the heels of summer heat. I hate working out in the heat and humidity.
Strong work Darrell! I’m down another 6 pounds. I have 10 maybe 15 to go if I get after it. Should be there by September. Really feeling good right now, putting in a lot of pack miles the last two weeks.
I'm now down to 203. I don't think I've been this light in 25+ years. Had to quit running a week and a half ago due to a right calf strain. Sucks. I've been plagued with this issue in some years for some reason. Wondering if I have some scar tissue in there that has a tendency to cause reinjury and pain. Been on the elliptical or walking a lot and keeping with the strength training. Should be easier climbing those IA hills this fall with 16 fewer pounds along.
Made a trip last week to SD and WY. Got two days of scouting/learning my hunt area in and I can gladly say, I got around great. Granted, I had my wife with me so I didn't do any killer hikes, but we did multiple 4+ mile explorations. My pack was almost what it would be on a typical hunting day so the only thing missing was the fact I wasn't carrying my bow. Makes me feel good to know the weight I've lost and the miles I've put in are going to pay off in September. I was 197# even after cheating on our trip. I leave in 60 days! Wahoo!
Great news, Darrell....congrats!
I've been suffering from a minor calf strain that just won't go away. I have bailed on 2 trail races I have coming up since I've cut way back on my running to let this annoyance heal. There are other ways to get my cardio in and I get to enjoy more lifting since I'm not training for races.
Down to 193# this morning. In the middle of a major window repair job with my Father-in-law so only time to hit the treadmill but I bought a new pair of boots last month so its a great opportunity to break them in. Actually its more about breaking in my heel. I have a 4E wide foot, a high arch and a narrow heel so I have never had a boot not slip and rub a blister on the back of my heel. So I've been trying to go ahead and get that over with now and build up some good callous on it. Yes, I will still use tape on it as I know how miserable blisters are. Down to 52 days til I head out. Time to start getting real serious.
Doing awesome Darrell! I'm down another 5, 5 more to go!
169 this AM, about 4 pounds left to lose before my mid-September elk hunt.
Cracked some ribs while fishing almost 4 weeks ago (did a spectacular layout, and landed hard on the left ribs on a big flat rock). I've still been managing to do my regular workout, minus the crunches (substituted with planks).
3 tears in the right shoulder, but I can still shoot my 65# Elite all Day. I regularly ice it during my Noon Treadmill with the pack, and I've added another ice pack for the ribs.
I'll be good to go for September, barring any more stupid injuries!
Still around 202-203. Tried to run again yesterday for the first time since 4th of July weekend. Made it a mile and the pain came back in my calf. Frustrating. So it's biking, walking and elliptical for me to keep the pounds off. Feel great besides the calf.
Been a while since I checked in. Have only lost another pound or so as we have had a couple birthdays and other times I've jumped off the wagon but not enough to go the wrong direction too badly. Anyway, I am still hitting my hill around 5 times a week and I'm feeling really good. A little knee pain every now and then that worries me some but it doesn't seem to slow me down.
I leave for WY in 32 days so my fitness work is about done. Now its time to focus on fine tuning broadheads, packing, and making final plans. Tic Toc its getting close but will seem like it takes forever.
OK, here's my last entry prior to my hunt. I leave on the 13th and as of this morning I finally made my goal of 190#. I think I'm in the best shape I have been in for an elk hunt for 25+ years. Guessing 25 years ago I was able to do more even not being in as good of shape but hopefully I'm much smarter now in how I hunt. Can't wait to leave but then it will be over. Good luck to everyone!
Congrats, Darrell. Elk hunting is a great motivator!
Good luck Darrell. I to am leaving on the 13th. One more week of hard workouts then 2 day taper before I leave. 26 hour drive will give my body time to recover.
I don't have a hunt planned until January... So after reading this, I just weighed myself and I am 221.4 with shorts and a T-shirt on... I like to be around 190-195ish, so I have a LOOOOONG Way To Go!!
I am plagued by bad knees and twisted my left one pretty good a few months ago, but I really need to strap on the knee braces and hit the trails again! I know the extra weight on my knees isn't helping anything.... You guy have motivated me and now I am going to go for walk!
Thanks!!!
Good Luck to all you guys out hunting or heading out!!!!
Good luck Darrell let us know how it turns out.
i'm probably not big enough to be a lineman. but i went from 227 to 198. going to 195 for elk hunt sept. 18. new mexico. good luck to everyone losing weight and hunting
Been fluctuating around 202 now for awhile. My low water mark was an even 200. I need a new wardrobe. none of my pants fit and I ran out of holes in my belt. Drilled a couple new ones, lol. Hoping to stay here for a long time.
I got down to 201# at go time. Just got back and we hiked average of 12 miles per day. I killed it, never slowed down, no muscle fatigue. Felt awesome. Just under 200 now. Going to stay at 195# for the return trip!
