A brief intro & a couple of questions....

[robtattoo]

Hi all! I was directed here be a couple of friends who are big backcountry fanatics.
I'm Rob. Originally from England & currently in middle Tennessee & hungry to be out west again!
I've spent a couple of weeks in Montana & Wyoming, although not in the mountains, & each time the altitude handed me my arse.

In spite, or because of, that I'm headed to Colorado this September for my first elk hunt.
I'll be 40 by then & I've spent 90% of my life in terrible shape. Smoked for years (been quit for 8), eat too much, drink to much & don't move anywhere near enough!

3 years ago I was pushing 300lb (although I'm not a 'flabby pear' body type, I just get bigger everywhere!) but a good, healthy diet & a little exercise got me to 230. I've crept back up a bit to 250, but I'm determined to get to 220 by my hunt.
I'm not a gym guy, but I joined & have been going for an hour to an hour and a half, every other day. The problem is that I really don't know what I'm doing in there!
Is there anything specific y'all would suggest I work on to get in better shape for the mountains? Obviously I'm working on my cardio, bit I'm that unfit that 20 minutes on a treadmill is still killing me right now. I know it'll get better & I need to work into it but is there anything you could suggest to improve that?

I appreciate any help & advice given & you can be sure you'll get sick of my newbie questions

 

[Jimbob]

DIET is huge. For me getting into shape and seeing results has just as much to do with what I'm eating as what I'm doing physically. So really start analyzing what you're eating and move towards a lifestyle change not a fad diet. Sugar is your enemy above all else, LOTS of fruits and veggies and lean meats will go a long way. See if you can find a nutritionist to talk to or start researching about eating healthy not dieting.

As for working out i would look at mixing up your cardio. Treadmill, bike, stair climber, SWIMMING, jumping rope, WALKING OUTSIDE, any sports games that your friends might play. Just get active on a consistent basis and don't let yourself get bored at a gym. Next i would look at doing some classes or something like that. A spin class or see what else your gym has. Then doing some stuff with weights will help as well.

My biggest piece of advice is to talk with people locally so they can suggest and show you stuff face to face. Having workout partners or people to hold you accountable can go a long way.

Good luck

 

[charvey9]

Welcome. You're on the right track, and if you just keep it up until your hunt an you should be ready. Hunting in the mountains, your lungs will give out first so cardio is the key. As much as I hate to run, it is the best thing you can do to train for mountain hunting. Running at altitude is even better. Hiking with weight in your pack is also good for both cardio and leg training. Especially if you aren't a gym guy, getting out in the mountains for a good hike with your pack can feel much more rewarding.

 

[realunlucky]

Welcome Robb. I would second recommenation of hiking with your pack on. Lungs and legs make it happen at altitude

 

[robtattoo]

I forgot to mention (& thanks for the advice so far!) I can't do any kind of high-impact exercise like running. I have Osteoarthritis in my left ankle that stops me doing a lot of the things that I know would help me along. As my weight drops I know it will improve, but right now that's a total no-no.
I'm not making this easy, am I?!

 

[SHTF]

Rob,

By no means am I pro but we share a lot of the same challenges. I'm at 240# now and am constantly watching my diet and getting out (although not nearly as much I want too with my busy schedule) with my Pack on with at least 40# in it. I smoked for 30+ years since quit but still have a heavy diet of nicotine in my diet through other means.... Cant just give it all up after doing it that long. My mental state would go straight to the looney bin. But the smoking was killing me and keeping me from realizing my full potential. (still not there yet) So quitting the Smoking is definitely a plus. I do have an advantage as I live in Colorado where your coming to hunt and Im 10 minutes from some good steep workouts.
Any Hills with a 20% or greater incline is definitely going to help you out and get you into shape. If they aren't that big then plan on doing a few laps up and down till they are a breeze for you. If you can get out to Colorado for some prehunt scouting that will help you also and let you know what more training you need to do to get ready. No easy way around it my friend its freaking hard work. Hardest thing Ive ever done besides giving up the smoking. Ive also found that doing deep breathing exercises work really well also to train your lungs to take in more O2. I found this to be a big boost in my ability to recover faster and not be so out of breath the first 100 yards up a hill.
One thing Ive also learned is after you start exercising it gets easier to do and your body craves it. Almost like a drug. I have a lot of work myself to do also. To bad we arnt closer. We would make great workout partners.

Bad feet I can tell you a thing or 2 about. I have flat feet and 2 years ago had my toe realigned as I had a massive bunion which caused a ton of pain. Got that fixed but I have difficulty running also for this reason. My feet just cant take the pounding. So in exchange of this I have a Mountain Bike that I get out on and try to do at minimum 10 miles on it at a time and not just easy gliding down the street. It has to be a workout. This will help with your cardio workouts big time. (I cant stand stationary Bikes. No Fun at all)

I brisk walk daily at work during lunch with my pack on with at least 40# in it. This has been a huge help and is a great workout. Half of the mile I do is up a steep incline close to my office. Trust me I get some strange looks when I come to work everyday with my Kifaru pack strapped to my back but when people ask me if Im going on a mission I just tell them yeah a workout mission.

What everyone has said about hiking with your pack is completely true. Your going to live with that thing on your back for the 5 - 10 days your out in Colorado so get used to it being on your back. Huge benefits for doing this and it wont he such a shock when you throw the pack on and start hiking up the hills.

Your doing the right thing coming on here and laying it out with your limitations. That is hard to do sometimes cause its giving your weak sides away but Im with you 100% on this cause it will only help you learn. I try and learn as much as I can from these folks and some of them are in completely insane Navy Seal type shape.

Like I said when I started this by no means am I any sort of pro but these are the things that have helped me considerably. Last year I hunted the Elk at 9k to 11.5k and it was a butt kicking lesson. Nothing worse then being totally exhausted after going up a steep incline and not being able to keep up with who your hunting with. Its demoralizing and it has pushed me to work even harder this year to get in shape. By the way I'm 44 this year. if that gives you any more of an indication about how similar our situations are. =-)

And Pain I deal with it daily after workouts. Me and the Advil Bottle are close friends. I look at it like the old saying says. No Pain No gain. You just have to deal with it and keep on doing it. After a while you either get used to it or it becomes a non issue.


James

 

[Goober]

Rob, with a lower leg injury and needing to drop weight, one of the best things you can do to start with is get in a pool. Pool work is great cardio, and will strengthen that ankle while losing weight. If you can find a pool at a local gym or YMCA, just get in the shallow part and run. Sounds silly, works great! Good luck! Where are you going hunting?