Back to the Gym...

Today was my first time back to the gym since my son was born (just over a month) and man am I ever sore! I gotta get back into the rhythm again! Wish me luck.

I only gained 6 pounds in the last 4 weeks, which made me feel a little better. I was afraid I would be starting back from scratch.

Hey, colt:
That's great that you're getting back to the gym. You'll reap the rewards once you get back on the trail this fall.
Good Luck,
UL

Yes I am starting today also! I say it every time I go on the trail that I am going to get into good trail shape. The thought of sucking air behind UL on the trail this fall has motivated me to get into shape. Lew

Lew:
There you go. I need someone to keep up so I can put them in front to catch some of the spiderwebs this fall. LOL!
UL

I too am starting a new fitness routine this week. As well as improving my diet. I gotta get rid of some serious gut and improve my cardiovascular health.

Would you guys be interested in some sort of challenge? Something where we post our specific goals, or maybe our current state of fitness and then update progress regularly? What do you think?

If we share what our individual goals are we could probably come up with a way to make it semi-competitive, and I could even put a scoreboard on the Homepage or something.

Let me know.

I'm all for it Jay. I've been working out for a while, and the motivation is starting to die out (to put it lightly). I'm always up for a little extra push in the right direction.

I am in. Any little bit of motivation is welcome. Let me know the format.

I'm in too! I am competitive by nature, so that is just what I need to get it going.

And, Kyle, you are in pretty damn good shape anyway. You can't be in this because you already won!

Haha, we can do something like % of total weight lost. I don't know. I have some buddies that just did a contest with a ministry that I work with. I'll see what they did because they had a ton of people with all different fitness levels in their contest.

Sounds great to me Kyle. Let us know.

I like to think that me and my BBQ had something to do with this feeling everyone is feeling :-D

It did. It most surely did!

Lew is just as guilty as me..... with his, his COBBLER and ICE CREAM..

Now now fellas, lets not lay blame on others for our bulbous midsections...We've all put away our fair share of mashed potatoes and gravy and, by golly, we've earned a spot in this competition.

Okay, here's what I'm thinking:

I'll start a sticky thread called "Backcountry Fitness Challenge 2008" where we will each post our final goal, a summary of our weekly plan, and our starting weight.

Example:

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

Goal:
Lose as much weight as possible during the challenge.

Starting Weight:
250 lbs."


Then, I'll post a scoreboard on the homepage. Each of us will post a weekly update just to say whether or not we stuck to our plan for the week, for which we will be awarded one point. If you don't post, or if you fall short of your plan, you are awarded no points. I think we can trust each other to be honest on this. I will update the scoreboard every Sunday for 3 months. That will put us at the beginning of the "hiking season" when we declare winners.

So, this means there will be a "points" challenge and a "weight %" challenge. This way, those who aren't trying to lose weight (or don't have much to lose) can win at least part of the challenge.

Also, we can update our weight changes regularly, or we can wait until the end of the last week and report our total loss and declare a winner then.

It is possible that the same person will win both challenges, which is totally fine too.

Also, by the time we've declared winners we should have a logo and I'll make sure we have some shirts made up. I'll spring for the winner's t-shirts, but the rest of ya have to pay for 'em!

Whattaya think?

Wow, Jay. Well thought out. It also appears, at first glace, to be very fair as well. Count me in!

Excellent plan Jay. I am participating.
HBH

so are we going to do % of total body weight lost, % body fat, or just total weight lost?

I think % of total body weight lost would be the fairest wouldn't it?

Yeah. A percentage will be good because it won't matter what your starting weight is.

Let me know when we are going to actually start this, because I am going to take a break from the gym until then (after 4 years I'm burnt out...haha). Also, I used to be a personal trainer (when I was in college) so if anyone needs help with any type of workout plan, let me know. I might be able to help out, or at least point you in the right direction. Diet is another thing. I may be some help, but no promises. I just eat chicken...!

I'm late getting on this, but I'm game. 'Course anyone who was there at the BBQ could tell that Kyle had the most to lose and should be given a 20 lb. handicap, just to keep things fair,LOL!! Sorry, Kyle, hope I didn't hurt your feelings by being so blunt. I pick on Kyle because he may have one pound to lose, if that.
UL

Okay, okay. Just to clear up any confusion, I've got a few lbs that i want to lose.

I am wanting to go from 200lbs where I'm at right now, down to 185lbs. I'll be working out 6 days a week and dieting. So, this is my goal...if ya'll will let me participate . Or at least let me post on the "scoreboard" so I can benifit from the motivation...!

And no UL not offended, my jacket just hid my gut well. If anyone wants help with a workout or diet, let me know. Hope I can help out some how.

I've got 20 lbs. that I'd like to trim off by fall. So let me know when to start this thing so I can put away the Oreos and start getting serious about the waist line.
BTW Kyle, where do you work out. I work out at Conway Regional.
UL

Me too. I work out there usually around 830pm because I don't get off of work in little rock til 7

Kyle:
Let me know if you want to work out together sometime. BTW, I use that same line about the jacket hiding my gut a lot too.
UL