Hunting fit

[Gatehouse]

Well, after a very busy Christams /NYE work season, and January back injury that put me out for a few weeks, it's time to get the NY resolutions done.

Riding a desk for the last few years has begun to take it's toll on my svelte figure..

Started out last week with some short hikes, and tonight after work I did a small 1 hour hike with a rifle (in the dark) Abotu one or 2 hours an evening after work is all I can manage at this time of year.

Soon I'll add a pack to the rifle, and then start filling up the pack.

As the days get better, I can either do some working out in the mornign or more at night.

I'll probably even cut back on the beer intake (groan) (Actually, for a guy that can drink beer for free, I am remarkable restrained)

Hopefully by the time I climb into a plane to take me sheep huntign I'll be a little lighter and a little stronger.


So what do you guys do, to get in shape for hunting season? Unless you are one of those lucky/smart guys that is in shape all year?

 

[Silverado]

Last summer I was working mostly as a framing carpenter, 10hrs a day, 6 days a week, and it was fairly hot most of the time.

I was in the best shape of the last 10 years, and totally fired up about hunting.

My "workout" all day consisted of hauling, lifting and standing walls and roof trusses, as well as loose lumber, and hoofing up and down 4 flights of stairs I don't know how many times a day. All while wearing a tool belt which probably weighed 25lbs full of nails.

I lost 22lbs in 6 weeks, and was drinking 5+ litres of water a day.

Then I got so swamped working in the fall I barely hunted at all

Anyway, whatever the regimen, dropping 20lbs off your body makes a way bigger difference than having the lightest weight gear, that's for sure. I also think that real work will make you fitter than any gym workout you could possibly do. Ever noticed how strong and tough farm kids are?

If you work a non physical job, try finding physical work to do in your off time. Hiking with a pack is good. Chop and stack wood, work on your house, find someone who needs some land cleared, etc.

Hunting is work. How does the saying go? Train like you'll fight, so you'll fight like you trained?

You get the point.

 

[Gatehouse]

In many respects I agree with that...

When I was building my house, stocking up 4 cordsof wood a year, working a garden, clearing land, logging etc I was in top shape.

House has been built so all I really need to do is maintainence and firewood.

I hve atough time working out in a gym. I find it really constricting, too many people, and when goign up and down on a stairmaster etc ....it's pretty boring.

Plus, around here in Whistler, the gym is always full of hot young chicks in top shape so it gets distracting...

My young girlfriend helps out wiht the excercise, too.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

Free beer? ****### Belch ###*** Free?

I spent a few days fighting with my snowblower and the snow scoop, that will do until I get the Xcountry skis out this comming week. Hard to keep the blubber down this time of year

 

[bill c68]

I used to rely on hunting season to get me into shape... It just hasn't been working. I started yesterday trying to cut my intake down to just enough to make me no longer hungry. I have a busy work week next week and i will see after that what my next plan of action is.

 

[cdngunner]

Just remember loosing weight is just a matter of burning more calories then you consume. Thanks to my wife who is a personal trainer I am a mere 20 pounds heavier then when I was in high school. If you need any help let me know. My wife is always willing to help those horizontaly challenged.


BTW I think you problem is related to your occupation, maybe workmans comp can pay for your own personal trainer!

 

[DarrylDB]

Clarke, Its good to see your looking at getting fit.

I've lost over 50 lbs since you were out here last year. I got to the point where it was "be fit, or be fat". And I'd been fat all my life, so it was time for a change. (Im still not skinny, but time will change that)
Let me tell you, what a world of difference it makes...

How I really got thinking about it, was I ran into another Gunnut (actually, went to his place to pick up a few things I had bought off of him) and didnt recognize the guy.
He was a bigger guy than I was the last time I'd seen him, and was under 200 lbs when I saw him again.
His Doctor had told him he had to do it, and It got me thinking I can do it too.
So I procrastinated for a few months, but really got working at it eventually. (back in August)
Muskyhunter, I dont mean to sound ###, but you inspired me to get off my ass man Thanks.

Before hunting season, I walk a minimum of 5k per day. I have a large marsh around my house that is 2.5k's to get around, so its been that atleast twice a day since August. Now, I just do it out of habit...
I cant tell you the difference even 50lbs makes.
I was 295 lbs when I left my job

October 1st 275lbs

Now. 242lbs

 

[Pat Brennan]

Clarke, the thought of you hiking in the dark packing a rifle is probably enough to keep the local thugs off the streets! Kind of like an armed Sasquatch! Probably useful for the Neighbourhood Watch, but unusual, even for Whistler/Pemberton!
I hear you about the hotties at Whistler. It's an amazing place to be during the summer mountain biking season, a single man's heaven.
Back to the topic at hand, I'm going to try spending lots of time on a bike, get some regular "walks" in, and do some outside (yard) projects going this spring to get me off my butt and in better shape for fall.

 

[Mumptia]

I find staying in shape is as hard as hell.

I coach hocket to 5 year olds twice a week and play old bones hockey once a week. At best, it keeps the fat at bay but doesn't burn it.

Working on my acerage year round is the only way for me to get excercise.

I'm with GH I'm not big on gyms either.

I'm laying off the beer but I can't seem to keep the spiced rum in the house.

Wife said drink lots if water and it will help. So i'm drinking about 2 liters a day and the weight is slowly peeling away, but at any given time during the day I can piss over a bus.

 

[Gatehouse]

Wow Daryl

You lost 50 lbs in 6 months or so? Impressive.

Your diet must consist of an apple for breakfast and a glass of water for lunch and dinner!!

 

[DarrylDB]

Wow Daryl

You lost 50 lbs in 6 months or so? Impressive.

Your diet must consist of an apple for breakfast and a glass of water for lunch and dinner!!

Nah man, I just got off my fat ass, and became more active.
I've been trying to go every day like we did on that boar hunt .
The busier i am, the less I think about food.
I cut out about 1000 calories a day, and havent really dieted so to speak.
I still eat the same, but a bit less. But the most Important thing was...
CUTTING OUT THE FAST FOOD
I cut out my McDonalds a Day, and it worked.

 

[harbinger]

reeling in the glutteny

I find one of the worst things for my paunch is hunting season. Sitting around the fire boozing, sneaking around the bush lookin' for critters. Pigging out like crazy on everything in sight etc etc.
Cutting back on the beer is huge and try eating several small meals throughout the day instead of three big ones, also drink a big glass of water before you chow down and that will not only fill you up so you eat less but also helps with drinking lots of water.
I live in Pemby as well and if you can get a hold of a mtn bike try riding up to the glider launch in mackenzie basin once or twice a week. I find that if I do to much of one thing I get bored so instead of just hiking mix it up with the odd bike ride or even a 30 minute walk/run combo.

 

[rollingrock]

Workout doesn't work very much, but your diet does. Eat only three meals a day, don't drink like a fish, don't eat too much meat, eat fish more, cut back on your cheese, eat more rice, no coffee, only green tea... in 6 months you'll be lighter than your game.

Don't forget to RUN two miles every two days and try to make yourself sweat like a pig. I still can outrun a lot of teenagers today.

 

[pilot24]

I was raised on a farm, so food intake was never a problem, you just burn so many calories working...

since i'm out of university, its been deskwork, or meals with clients. Let me tell you I had to find something to compensate for all that inactivity.

I'm 27 now and its easy to get into bad habits... beer, tv, ect. Now I cut it down to healthy food and exercice. Here's my weekly plan:

monday: hockey with the boys (I guess it doesn't count since I have 4-5 beers after)
tuesday: weights
wed: weights
thursday: cardio

friday: nothing... maybe ### if i'm lucky

week-ends: logging wood.

This has been since new years and i've lost 7 pounds, gained a lot of strengh and feel much better (still have to stop that f/$$/"% cigarette thing...)

The most important: do it for yourself!! You'll be happy about it

 

[adog]

I feel for you out of shape guys. I work in the oilpatch and use a 48" steel pipe wrench lots. Hunting is my vacation.

 

[DarrylDB]

Don't forget to RUN two miles every two days and try to make yourself sweat like a pig. I still can outrun a lot of teenagers today.

thats what Im trying to work to to do my ATS testing, but my running coach told me to try for 5 miles a day.
Yeahhhh Right, one step at a time, havent seen him in a while...

 

[Tuffcity]

One word... vertical. Sheep hunting isn't about walking in flat places, it's about stamina and being able to climb that hill, and then probably climb back down... then climb back up, then still have enough breath left to make the shot. Hike, run, whatever but do it in the up and down. Biking gets the cardio but it uses different muscles than walking uphill.

My $.02

RC

 

[rollingrock]

thats what Im trying to work to to do my ATS testing, but my running coach told me to try for 5 miles a day.
Yeahhhh Right, one step at a time, havent seen him in a while...

Work up slowly. I tried to run every day last summer but ended up almost twisting my ankle. If you can run 2 to 3 times a week and do other stuffs every other day, then you'll be fit enough to go to Afghanistan.

 

[DarrylDB]

Work up slowly. I tried to run every day last summer but ended up almost twisting my ankle. If you can run 2 to 3 times a week and do other stuffs every other day, then you'll be fit enough to go to Afghanistan.

thanks for the advice, thats what I was doing at the end of the summer, but hurt my heels.

I dont want to go to afganistan, Just to Jane and Finch as a metro cop.

 

[rollingrock]

thanks for the advice, thats what I was doing at the end of the summer, but hurt my heels.

I dont want to go to afganistan, Just to Jane and Finch as a metro cop.

Good luck. Dont forget to do pushups right after the run, that will improve your heart and muscle adapability.