The transformation....I was a fat bastard! :)

[JoshTX]

im in almost an identical boat

How do you stay motivated all year? I know it's weak to say "I'll get serious after the holidays!" but that's pretty much where I am right now.

All I can say for certain is that gluttony is for shit.

 

[boom]

i have a trainer friend. super successful. i cant afford her. or the gym she trains out of.

she said the first step to getting into shape was to stop referring to myself as a "fat bastard". haha..true story.

i remember doing incline bench shoulder presses with dumbells. i just looks so fat and bloated on the bench..in the mirror. i mumbled, it "fat bastard"..she stopped me and lectured me about "positive self image" blah blah blah. i think the lesson stuck. hehe. she just showed me all the exercises and gave me that lesson. she is also a "life coach" now. no surprise.

 

[Becca]

How do you stay motivated all year? I know it's weak to say "I'll get serious after the holidays!" but that's pretty much where I am right now.

All I can say for certain is that gluttony is for shit.

I figured out a few years ago that it took waaaaay more works for me to "get back in shape" every year then it did to just try and maintain the shape I was in at the end of the season. I try to workout year round, knowing that summer back pack trips will naturally up the intensity of my exercise program and have me training with increasing weight as the Aug hunting season gets closer. I try to eat healthy year round, but at the same time I don't deprive myself of some things I enjoy over the holidays. I just try not to eat an entire pie/cake/plate of cookies at a party like I used to. Thinking about being in the mountains, and hiking up the hill without hating my life has been a pretty good motivator to not totally overindulge or completely forgo exercise. At the same time, the holiday months are busy, and if I miss a work out here or there I try not to beat myself up about it too much. Time with family and friends is also important to me, and the holidays are when I get to reconnect with a lot of folks I didn't see much of during our busy hiking and hunting season.

For reference, I weighed 30 lbs more in January of 2005 when I started nursing school. I lost about fifteen before I graduated in 2006, and the rest came off gradually after Luke and I got married and started backpack hunting. I have been at my current weight +/- 5lbs for the last 4 years. There is no magic bullet, but staying active and eating healthy the majority of the time seems to be what works for me. I weigh myself a couple times a week, and if I am at the high end of the 5 lb zone, I know I need to eat more veggies and cut back on sweets/wine. Trying to cut out most processed foods helps too.

 

[JoshTX]

Becca, thank you for the comment. I know what to do, but this time of year, doing it is what kicks my butt. That said, I like the idea of weighing myself twice a week to keep my intake in check.

I figured out a few years ago that it took waaaaay more works for me to "get back in shape" every year then it did to just try and maintain the shape I was in at the end of the season. I try to workout year round, knowing that summer back pack trips will naturally up the intensity of my exercise program and have me training with increasing weight as the Aug hunting season gets closer. I try to eat healthy year round, but at the same time I don't deprive myself of some things I enjoy over the holidays. I just try not to eat an entire pie/cake/plate of cookies at a party like I used to. Thinking about being in the mountains, and hiking up the hill without hating my life has been a pretty good motivator to not totally overindulge or completely forgo exercise. At the same time, the holiday months are busy, and if I miss a work out here or there I try not to beat myself up about it too much. Time with family and friends is also important to me, and the holidays are when I get to reconnect with a lot of folks I didn't see much of during our busy hiking and hunting season.

For reference, I weighed 30 lbs more in January of 2005 when I started nursing school. I lost about fifteen before I graduated in 2006, and the rest came off gradually after Luke and I got married and started backpack hunting. I have been at my current weight +/- 5lbs for the last 4 years. There is no magic bullet, but staying active and eating healthy the majority of the time seems to be what works for me. I weigh myself a couple times a week, and if I am at the high end of the 5 lb zone, I know I need to eat more veggies and cut back on sweets/wine. Trying to cut out most processed foods helps too.

 

[afteamroper]

For those trying to maintain a trainer friend of mine told me to fallow an 80/20 rule 80% of the time eat right and workout and 20% of the time live life. I try and stick to more of a 95-90% just because I have a big problem getting back on track. Hope this helps.

 

[JoshTX]

That is sage advice. Thanks.

For those trying to maintain a trainer friend of mine told me to fallow an 80/20 rule 80% of the time eat right and workout and 20% of the time live life. I try and stick to more of a 95-90% just because I have a big problem getting back on track. Hope this helps.

 

[Ray]

when you guys talk about your dieting plans, are you eating less. Or just watching the carbs or calories that you are eating.I'am six foot about 195lbs and would like to get rid of the belly. I know I don't excerise like I should. Just wondering on some suggestions on how to work it off. Also good for you aron keep up the hard work .

A "diet" is based on restricting carbs and fat using various ratio systems with a net maximum calorie per day goal based on lean body mass. A diet can also go as far as determining what you eat and when you eat it based on exercise type and intensity of training. Body building has become a science of grams of food and set/reps to get their results.

I do not diet at all under paleo. My only issue is the amount of nuts I consume. Even with paleo there can be a point of too many calories if you are not active enough to use what you are eating. For fat loss, paleo does offer up recommendations for balancing protien/carb/fat ratios based on lean body mass with the caviat to consume as close to 50 grams of carbs per day to maximize ketogentic mechanisms in the body. I would have to open a book to provide that info, but its on Marks Daily Apple someplace in the archives.

To answer your question about eating volume, I eat much more than I used to when I consumed grain based carbs. Lots of vegetables, healthy fats, work to create a well moderated blood sugar level which reduces - if not eliminates - cravings and hunger pangs. I can still get to a state of being hungry, but no longer do I reach a state of being that makes me feel like I am starving.

 

[Flatbow]

I am going to chime in here not because I was especially fat but more so because I am getting older. I was thin until I was 45 and my metabolism changed. All of a sudden it was easy to put on 5 lbs. but very hard to take it off. I have a small frame and am only 5' 7" and my ideal weight is 145. Earlier this year I scaled 170 and decided that the paunch and spare tire had to go. I have been walking 6 miles a day (my knees hate to run) for a couple of months and am now going to start that walk with a weight vest. Getting really excited about getting back into 'sheep shape' as I just got one of 7 spots with 40 Mile Air into one of there harvest areas. I have sheep from the Brooks Range and from the Alaska Range but this will be my first trip into the Wrangell's. My only advice for you young guys: if you want to stay in shape, get a sheep addiction (elk would probably suffice). I'll be 61 soon an feel fortunate to still be able to do this....

 

[jdmdavey]

You Have to maintain..trying to start a new diet and exercise program with a set end date is a waste of time. We have all done it with the same results. It takes a lifestyle change of what you eat and how active you are. I want to be able hunt and be active well into my later years. I know if I can maintain from now until then it will be possible. Another reason why I have had such success with a Paleo eating lifestyle/Crossfit combo. Eating is simple and working out is at a scheduled time everyday. Also, the workout is constantly changing in movement and intensity. It doesn't get old and keeps you coming back for more it develops goals that you can quantify and work towards..which is huge in maintaing fitness for me. I always have next years hunt on my mind..keeping me driven

 

[Kevin Root]

I think 90% of the battle in part for me is getting and keeping motivated to go all the way. I welcome seeing honest real story threads like these. It helps get me fired up, to keep hitting the gym, working out and eating right to help keep in the game instead of sitting on the bench. Thanks everybody. I’m hoping I can make the needed habit changes, and find ways to help motivate myself to keep going all the way.

I hit my wall forcing me to get motivated this past October after hunting elk in Northern Idaho above Salmon close to the Montana border by the Bitterroots. I heard bulls bugling, knew where they were at, but to be honest I was intimidated and out of shape to get the job done. Getting up and down the heavy timber where they were just did not happen like I needed to. I backpack here in CA several time a year in the Sierras and go out seeing elk here to take pictures of them but where I find elk here in my neck of the woods is mostly rolling hills.

Since late October after my Idaho hunt, I’ve been able to keep hitting the gym here before work each day at 5:30 AM, changed my diet. I'm losing fat, weight, gaining muscle and increasing my endurance. At my age I feel at times like it’s like pumping up a tire with a leak in it but I’m hoping I can keep some air in this body of mine in the way of less fat, more muscle and more endurance.

The song below, Takin’ Up Space by Van Zant seems to be my motivational song to work out to this year. I have it repeated between some other songs on my workout playlist.

Go all the way everybody. Make every day the best. Best wishes to you in hitting your goals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXOcM7aHmbM

[video=youtube;fXOcM7aHmbM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXOcM7aHmbM[/video]

 

[carpssublime]

every time i get into a rut where i really don't feel like doing a damn thing, i remember that the animals don't take any time off all year. they plan to kick my ass come summer/fall so i better get to it. usually helps hahaha.

 

[rodney482]

85 lbs in 4 months. Got down to 165 my Jr. Year of highschool.

 

[jdmdavey]

85 lbs in 4 months. Got down to 165 my Jr. Year of highschool.

Now that's some work! Nice Rodney!

 

[Jason Snyder]

im in almost an identical boat

A few things you can do. I do a 28 mile race every March, so that right there is a good motivator for me to stay in shape through the holidays. Find a hobby that keeps you active.

I hunt pheasants and chukars, so if I tag out early (didn't happen this year) I hunt birds a couple days a week all fall and winter. You won't find a better workout than chukar hunter. I know you don't have them on your side of the mountains.

Ride your bike for as long as the weather allows. X Country ski, snowshoe, anything to keep you outside.

I struggle with the short days. I find that I'll tend to eat more in the winter than I do in the summer when I am on the go ALL the time. So, I try to make a really conscious effort to weigh more often and keep track of what I'm eating.

 

[jdmdavey]

+1 on Chukars..they are brutal to hunt!

 

[rodney482]

Now that's some work! Nice Rodney!

The best part was I married my prom date.. 20 yrs ago

 

[fillthefreezer]

A few things you can do. I do a 28 mile race every March, so that right there is a good motivator for me to stay in shape through the holidays. Find a hobby that keeps you active

I'm going to HI in feb, does that count?
gotta be ready to go shirtless

 

[husky390]

4 years ago I topped out at 6'1" 288, waist size of a tight 42. I had quit doing Atkins and I had a serious love affair with a Mexican food restaurant down the street from my office. I was unhappy with my desk job so off I'd go and fire down a 3,000,000,000 calorie plate of mexican food everyday with no exercise.
For me, it's about 80% diet, 20% exercise for me to lose weight. When I quit that job, I stopped eating mexican food (almost as hard as quitting tobacco) and changed my diet. When I did that, I instantly dropped 20-25lbs. When I moved to CO, I was into riding/racing dirtbikes and dropped another 10lbs but I still wasn't working out or eating too healthy. After my poor performance rifle hunting in the 2012 CO season, I had enough. Couple that with another life change and now I watch what I eat and work out. I am now down to 240 and a waist size of 36-38. I don't get hung up on weight so much as how my clothes fit. I refuse to do any fad diets or workouts and I don't count calories. I pretty much do simple exercises such as bench, deadlift, and squats coupled with a "skills course" cardio session. I also hike, race atv's and do some Tabata cardio training.

I really like the CRAP acronym and I will take that under advisement. I also believe that if it comes in a can, box, bag, or wrapper it is not good for you and don't eat it. I've re-trained myself on how much food I really need since I was raised to be a member of "The clean plate club" and it's amazing how little I really need to eat as opposed to how much I thought I needed.

My goal is to drop the remaining 40lbs by August and sit around 200 or at least a waist size of 32-34. Good luck to all of you that are pursuing your goals.

 

[husky390]

I take raw brocolli and toss it with a little olive oil, pepper and red pepper (or whatever spicy thing you want, avoid salt), and bake on a cookie sheet at 425 for 12 minutes. While it's baking, dice a ton of garlic very small.

Take it out, put brocolli back into bowl. Add just a smidge more olive oil, smidge more pepper and red pepper, and then dump all that garlic in there. Toss again, then put back on cookie sheet. Bake for another ten minutes at 425. Remove. Eat. Enjoy an extremely healthy side dish with dinner. Easy to make, and I eat a ton of it with my meal. I generally don't worry about calories when I'm "dieting" I just eat correct food until I'm full.

Travis, thanks for sharing this. We normally have broccoli and brussel sprouts this way and never considered adding red pepper. Tonight we tried it with some "Rudy's Rub" from Rudy's barbecue and it was awesome.

 

[7mag.]

Well, he we go. I started the second phase of my plan. I started my strict diet on Monday. I can't believe how much better I feel already. Eating good for a couple of days, makes a difference in how I feel both physically, and mentally. It's going to be tough, but I have a realistic goal, and I have no intention of failing (I hate failing). For me, having the right mindset before I start something difficult like this (or like when I quit chewing, cold turkey 11 years ago), and keeping that attitude and drive throughout, is key.

For those of you that need motivation, here is mine.

I WANT TO REACH MY GOAL MORE THAN ___________( fill in what ever is tempting you). I love to hunt, especially backpack hunt. If I am not in good physical condition, I am selling myself short.

Good luck every body, I want to hear some success stories next summer.