Backcountry Fitness Challenge 2008 Check-in

Okay gang, so here it is: The Official Backcountry Fitness Challenge 2008 Post!

So you want to get in better shape for your fall hiking season, huh? Want to shave off an extra pound or 50? Just need some competition to help motivate you to get in better all around condition? Then you're in the right place! Here's how it works:

The challenge will begin on Monday, July 14th and will end on November 14th, 2008.

The winner(s) will win an original Arkansas Backcountry t-shirt, and all the admiration of their Backcountry peers!

There will be two categories in which all participants shall be entered: % of Total Body Weight (%TBW) category, and the Weekly Willpower category.

For the %TBW category, all we have to do is post our starting weight. Then, every 4 weeks we will post our updated weight. (I will do the math for the percentages.) Then, at the end of the challenge, the person with highest percentage lost will be pronounced the winner!

For the Weekly Willpower category, all we have to do is post here at the end of each week to say "Yes, I held to my plan" or "No, I fell short this week." For each week you stick to your plan, you'll be awarded 1 point. The member with most points at the end will be the winner. Honesty is paramount. I don't have to tell you that if you lie, you're only hurting yourself.

Keep in mind, the most committed person, if they have some weight to lose, could win both categories. They would be the Mega-Champion!


Okay, ready to sign up?

Just post a reply that contains your:

• Current weight
  
• 4-month fitness goal
  
• Summary of Your Weekly Plan to Achieve it.
  

For example:

"Starting Weight:
250 lbs.

4-Month Goal:
Lose as much weight as possible and improve my cardiovascular fitness.

Weekly Plan:
Work out at least three times per week.
Eat four small meals per day instead of two huge ones."


NOTE: Weekly check-ins need to be posted by Sunday night at the latest so I can have the scoreboard updated each Monday. At the beginning I'll allow late check-ins, but after the first couple of weeks, if you fail to check in by Sunday night, you won't be scored for the week. (I want to give you as many breaks as possible, but it could get really hard for me to keep up with if I don't set some kind of cutoff. Sorry.)

Also, if you would like workout tips, routine advice, dietary help, discussions about the challenge, etc...please post these types of things in a new topic. I'd like to keep this topic as clear as possible for sign-ups and weekly check-ins.

If there are any questions, please post them likewise, or send me a PM.

Now, get yourself signed up and GOOD LUCK!

OK. I'll sign on for the Fitness Challenge.
Current weight - 235.4 lbs.
4-month goal - 215.0 lbs.
Weekly Plan - 2-5 sessions in the gym per week. Stay off the junk food.

Good Luck to All,
UL
BTW: Jay, can I get my T-Shirt in a Nylon Short Sleeve so that I can wear it on the trail. LOL!

Ok.. ok.. without the BBQ
Current weight - 234 lbs.
4 month goal 185
Weekly plan - trail runing/walking one hour a day, alternating with situps and other home workout, every other day. Junk food has been thrown out of the house. Meals include only chicken and veggies. No pork or beef and no sodas. Water and flavored water only.. what about Ice Tea? lol

Oh and I second the motion about the Nylon Shirts. lol and good luck everyone

Current Weight: 251 lbs.
4-Month Goal: -30 lbs.
Weekly Plan: Workout at least 3 days, swim every other day. Eat smaller portions every day.

(I like your confidence UL! And I love the nylon shirt idea. We'll see about that.)

Current Weight: 235 lbs.
4 Month Goal: -35lbs
Weekly Plan: Mountain Biking / Trail Running a minimum of 4 nights per week 1 hr per session and at home workout. Calorie intake limited to <2500 per day during the week and <3000 on the weekends. I have a spreedsheet that I track protein, calories, carbs, sodium on. Calorieking.com has all of the data for most chain resturaunts and fruit and veggies. It is handy whne limiting intake.

HBH

Here goes...

Current weight - 270.0 lbs.
4-month goal - 235.0 lbs. (2 pounds per week loss)
Weekly Plan - 6 Gym session a week (3 days cardio and 3 days weight training). 6 meals a day (1 portion of protien and 1 portion of carb per meal with two portions of veggies a day). 80 oz. of water a day. No sugar, no caffeine. 1 free day a week to eat what I want (within reason) and no gym.

I like the nylon shirt idea also, even if the losers (which will be everyone except me ) need to pitch in and get a nice one.

Alright, I'm in.

Starting weight: 200lbs
Ending weight: 185lbs

My goal is to lose this 15 lbs

I am going to workout in the gym 6 times a week (Mon thru Sat) with both secessions having weights and running.
I will also be living off of grilled chicken, steamed veggies, and fresh fruit.
I will also be taking Protein powder (low cal and fat of course).

Good Luck to all!

{I moved your post to its own topic Wilky.}

Current Weight 246 lbs
4 Month Goal 215 lbs

Weekly plan is to work out 5 times between Mon-Sat. With cardio and weights.
I plan to eat from the Body For Life Cookbook (basically eat better).

Good Luck Everyone!

Lew!

P.S. I thought I weighed around 238 or 240 not 246! Wow! Time to get to work!

Ok,

Just got on and found this! Well I am need of some insperation so here it goes:
Current weight: 255
4 month goal: 220

My plan is to eat less, smaller portions, less red meat and more veggies..
I have a perfect place to walk and I plan on using my area to the fullest.
No gym for me but lots of walking. I plan on working on my flexiblity, esp.
in my right knee, the one that I had the knee replacement.

Good luck to yall!!

Uh this where we suppose to check in coach? hahahaha ok.. I am down 6lbs but I actually started a week early... but still puts me at 3lbs per week. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS Boston Marathon here I come hahahaha.

Yep, but remember: we don't need weight changes reported every week, just when I ask for them. All we need to know here is whether or not you stuck to your plan for the week.

I stuck to my plan this week.

Yes I stuck with my plan. lol

It was rough with out potato chips, but I stuck to the plan !

I have stuck with my plan with a slight modification. I pulled a tendon in my foot and had to drop running for the time being. More bike time instead.

HBH

Well with the grandkids here I haven't been able to diet. But I have walked pretty consitantly. I am doing fine. Not sure
about the weight loss but know I have lost some. Will get better over the coming weeks.

I made a C effort with sticking with the plan. I ate ok!!! Only worked out twice though...

Lew

Well the only part of my plan that I have been able to stick to this week was my
walking. I have increased my miles some what. It will get better. Going out right
now. Going to be a hot day!

Walking 2 - 6 miles everyday with one day off, sat and or sun is a 10-12 miler. Staying on target with my eating and watching the fat, chlest. and red meat intake. Just got back from a 13miler yea one blister so large on the side of my heal that I am scared to pop the sucker lol. But the weight keeps on falling off.

Jay did good this week. Yay for Jay!

I have stayed on the diet for the most part but the exercise has tapered off with the heat and reoccuring heal spurs. C effort at best.
HBH

week 2 I stayed on the plan, but plain chicken is getting really old. Also started doing more running.

Lew is not on course!!!! C effort again!!!

Watching the diet, but not getting into the gym as much as I'd like.
UL

Well it looks like I may be leveling out on weight loss lol. But despite a slight injury, I still managed to run about 20 miles this week and keep up with my diet. Not as big of a weight loss as I had been having but still a loss from 233 at my start to 224 for 3 weeks I feel is still great. I can really feel the difference so I guess thats the main thing. lol.