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@grandpamac Great effort & congrats on the weight loss ,l find cutting wood is great exercise & really rewarding .Nothing to worry about taking a break ,it is a smart move ,l called a early day here at lunch as we have a icy, lazy wind,coming in off the snow, that wants to blow through you not go around,so catching up on paperwork & cut kindling for the missus as l have just got back from a few hunting trips & they always seem to use kindling at 4X the the rate l need it :P .
Look forward to hearing about you getting back in the bush.:thumbsup:
Keep at it gpm.
This winter we've found a lot of the firewood isn't hot enough only manuka makes the grade.
Must be old age.
@grandpamac Good stuff!!! I've been trying to lose weight; have 15kg (20kg in an ideal world) to lose. Jumped on the scales at the GPs on Monday and have lost 5kg since April. A combination of chainsawing trees and fencing, cutting sugar, most carbs and snacks (sorta Keto). I deliberately haven't been getting on the scales because I know that if I go up 500gr I'll say "eff it" and have a binge week. Even though it was probably just more fluid on board
Went hunting a couple of weeks back and the steep Parapara hills seemed less steep and not as high. Clothes were baggier but I daren't hope in case it was me wishing for it. It wasn't until I saw a pic of me with a deer on my back in Feb and the same from the last hunt that I got a shock at the weight loss. The GP visit was validation.....
Still 116kg (I'm 58) but my ext aim is to go below 110. 95 is the ultimate goal, but time will tell. I was once (about 15years ago) 135.6kg.... I'm a comfort eater; was in a shit relationship. When I finally left I lost 20-kg over about 2 years! Last year I put weight on after breaking my ankle. But onwards and upwards now! Or should I say "downwards)? :)
I seem to be sharing a lot of your experiences. Originally 1.86 metres (shrunk about 30 mm) with weight that has bobbed around. Maxed at 138 kg about twenty years ago and back down to 111 kg currently. Goal is between 95 and 100 kg. The former would give me an old mans allowable BMI of 27. I think you get those extra two points of f BMI for being old. We had scotch fillet and veg for tea tonight. I was on cooking and after gaining permission cut one fillet in half rather than having a whole one each. It was quite big. First time that has ever happened. Having a small block certainly keeps you active. We have had ours for almost 30 years and I think I would be a lot worse of health wise without it. Retiring 5 years ago has helped as well.
Regards Grandpamac.
Greetings @bumblefoot,
I see from some old gym records that Jan 2008, aged 58, I was 122.8kg so you are ahead of me. Well done.
Regards Grandpamac.
@grandpamac I've found that it's a lot easier eating pie compared to working them off!
Greetings All,
Was just eyeing up Tuesday for a first bush walk for the season and Covid Shut Down 4. It still looks possible that Hawkes Bay could be in Level 3 by then so some un armed walking in the bush may be OK. Here's hoping.
Grandpamac.
A very cool thread. I'm 55 and certainly agree that the hills are steeper, the ground harder and the nights colder than they used to be. have similar challenges to what everyone is talking about, keeping the weight down and fitness up. My goal is to be able to have a decent walk/hunt until I'm at least 65, nd get in at least 2 trips per year in that time. Avoiding injuries is a biggie, had a shoulder reconstruction last year, plus a few other old niggles, I'm coming to the realisation that I need to choose between a bit of oldies rugby, cricket, squash, hockey etc - OR being able to hunt and fish. It's actually an easy choice.
The internet gets a bad rap at times for the antics of keyboard arseholes, but on the other hand, on threads like this - everyone is as good-natured as you no doubt all are in real life. On ya.
Greetings @Northkiwi,
Thanks for your kind words. May I humbly suggest that you set your sights a bit higher than 65. A cobber and I had flown in to Venison Top Hut when I was about your age. We were going to walk out via Ballard and Makino Huts. We were sitting around drinking cups of tea and feeling pretty pleased with ourselves when an old chap arrived. He had been dropped into Back Ridge Bivvy or Hut the previous day and had walked down to Rocks Ahead Hut and up to VT. This is a bloody long way. After a cup of tea and a chat he was off heading for Mangaturutu Hut and was due out at Clements Road in a couple of days. He was 75. We were gob smacked. I often think of him when the body is having an off day as I now approach his age.
Regards Grandpamac.
The old fella who hunted with the Duleys in the Ruahines on tv was really inspirational for me (at 58). I also look at it from a different angle.... I realise that there will come a time when I can't climb the steep hills to knock off a deer. Even though I cop a little bit from some "hunters" that my concentrating on goats somehow makes me less manly, "kid's stuff etc" etc comments.
But.... I get tremendous satisfaction in shooting a goat and putting bloody nice kai on the table. Sure I love deer hunting, but when the day comes that I can't hack the big hills I know that I still enjoy hunting goats for food. So instead of spending all the time after I can't get up the hills being morose and thinking of the "good old days of youth", I still may be able to get out and knock off a goat.
I'll also still be growing my own food, so have something to concentrate on instead of being the miserable old man.... A bit like when some farmers leave the farm and really go into a decline. I think you have to find related things that you can throw yourself into before the time comes to leave farm, or inability to hack the hills, comes about. Be prepared....
Yep, pays to keep the targets at a realistic distance. My old man worked 364 days a year then died at 60. Maybe I'm guilty of going the other way a little.... Had about 20 years until 2010 where with travel, work, kids etc, I never really did any hunting in NZ. Then we got back into it via Te Urewera, 3 mates who had all been in similar boats. Rekindled the fire.... We had to re-learn what stinging nettle felt like. Followed very quickly by re-learning what it looked like....
Just do what you can do, Grandpa. and enjoy it. you set the goals. any time in the hills good. older you get, the more you appreciate it, I reckon. Couldnt sit still when I was younger. Now sitting on the tops somewhere, as the sun goes down is th best bits of my trips. That and sitting in front of the fire at the hut drinking coffee after a good day out. deer or no deer.
being much slower now, and not able to do some trip doesnt worry me now. Used to. long as i get there, in the end. sometimes takes 2 days instead of one, now
body weight is the biggest issue (for me). I like to eat too much. except injuries and health stuff of course. which we all get eventually.
I've found Mt Biking up the road, is good for general fitness. climbing hills is better, but can do that everyday, legs wont handle it. it reduces wear and tear on the knees.
now, I actually prefer going up hill, than down. knees dont like it. was once, was the oppocite, once
keep it up. good to see old fellas doing it.:thumbsup:
Great effort Bumblefoot - the zero sugar + low carbs + stop snacking + exercise has worked for me too. Heaviest I ever got to 106 KG around 20 years ago. now at 59 I am hover around 82/84 kg now way fitter and climbing up hills is no longer the trial it once was. Quite happy capable to go up hills these days when out for a run - living in a city and with a desk job my exercise is walking and running mainly but I also have a Bosu ball at home on which I do balance exercises i.e. standing on one foot while doing light weights, squats, touching toes while on one foot etc. I am with Grandpamac as I see no reason why I can't be getting out in the hills when I am well into my 70's. The Bosu is amazing with regard to maintaining balance, knee strength, flexibility - when I frst got on it on two feet I could barely stay there for a few seconds, now one foot for minutes at a time while doing a few curls with weights, muscle memory is a real thing it seems.
I reckon as we age the time spent looking after our bodies by getting weight down combined with exercise is a bit like superannuation savings. No good getting to the point of retiring and not being able to get out into the bush or go diving etc.
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@AMac Thanks for the kind words :)
I've just had a realisation that a patio on a building on my place is a perfect height for step-ups..... No excuses now....... ;)
Greetings All,
Finally got back into the Kaweka's yesterday for a walk up Kuri Hill. Actually took a rifle as well. It has been 4 months since my last walk up there but with the firewood collection and a bit of weight loss I went pretty well. Part way up during one of my grandpa breaks I heard the unmistakable sound of a hoof on a fallen branch right where I have been squealed at in the past. I will try to mix in a bit of hunting with my walks over the next few months. My next goal is an overnight trip to McIntosh Hut in November.
Regards Grandpamac.
PS. Hope to get back to the pool soon as well.
Good stuff!!! :)
Good to hear you are keeping at it.
Animals add to the enjoyment.
Greetings All,
It has been several months since my last post on this thread so I thought I should do an update. Progress on fitness continued through the balance of 2021 but crashed and burned somewhat early this year. I have been able to keep the pool work up a couple of times a week but the trips up Kuri Hill have been less frequent. Still the spirit is still willing even if the body can't keep up. I am not writing this for offers of tea and sympathy but to encourage others whose mobility has taken a hit to push through it as I have been trying to do. My problem is pain and stiffness in the back and legs especially in the morning due to my long standing arthritis. After a couple of months of procrastination a virtual visit to my Doctor has me back on anti inflammatory medication plus some stronger pain killers than the Paracetamol I was taking. These are starting to take effect so hopefully these together with some more walking around our small block, the pool, stretching and strength exercises will see me back up Kuri Hill before my 73rd birthday now less than three weeks away. That is if the bloody rain stops.
Will keep in touch Grandpamac.
Good going Grandpa Mac. It difficult to loose weight when older, and easier to put it on. I find I loose fitness quicker if no activity than used to 20 years ago. so feels like have to lots more just to keep going. celebrated 74th year in the Tararuas, and just got back from a fairly easy trip in the Lake Sumner-west coast area (fly in/out).Used to walk in/out on those trips, but the wear on my knees isnt worth it now. Knees hate downhill, or boulder hopping now. Used to enjoy it once. Use 2 walking poles, one if carry gun. But downhill speed is pitiful. Doctor tells me wont have my own knees when 80. will be happy to live that long! Prefer going up now! its takes a bit to get used knowing body cant do anything like could not that many years ago,, once used to feel bullet proof. . But being retired, I just take 2 days to go where I am going, instead of the usual one day previously. so many mates started hunting with cant go far into the hills now, if at all , and have worse knee, back issues, so feel privileged to be able to get away into the middle of the ranges still. Cheers GPM
Thanks for your post @Tararuas hunter,
It's always good to hear from someone fighting the same fight. My knee and hip joints are still in reasonable nick due to working as a draughtsman, project manager and planner before retirement. My main problem is referred pain from joint in my lower spine. When it is good it is very good but when it is bad it is horrid.
Regards Grandpamac.
You old fellas are an inspiration to us younger types, who still have trouble dragging our hairy arses up and down the hills even though we are decades younger than you guys. I can only hope to get my fitness up to a decent level by the end of the year.
If and when I end up in the poos somewhere in the scrub I hear those same words I did sixty plus yrs ago....what the f*** am I doin here..it's called don't ever give up until your flat on yi back lol. Ol age is a prick full stop and yi can't do bugger all about it. Live on the couch yi soon sprout,after yi sprout it's hard ti get about, get too fat,bugger yi back bla,bla,bla no walkies,yi use the car...yeah when that sets in yi pretty well fu***d. Some of us older types are still capable,lucky enough ti grab the banger and off for a looksy. Many others in our age group aren't so fortunate find it very difficult and struggle...everyone is heading down that same track,some quicker than others.
With health..........no one knows whats round the corner...that's life,young or old.
Greetings All,
A like from @davetapson to my OP reminded me that I have not done an update on progress for a while. In my last post I reported some reversals in the fitness quest but over few last months things have improved and in mid May did get up for a poke around in the scrub, found some sign and a fresh scrape (I actually took a rifle) so came back satisfied. We have had a few nice days recently and thoughts have turned to some day trips over comming months working into spring. I didn't achieve some of my targets for last season but am about 4kg down on this time last year and am still hopeful to make the 60th aniversary trip to Makino in late March. Still at the pool once or twice a week plus stretching and the work around our block but its the bush walks that are the key. Will report back soon.
Regards Grandpamac.
For some reason today is the first time I've seen this thread. This is full of great wisdom and advice from the more experienced members here.
At 45 I'm at the stage where I need to take more opportunities to get out in the hills. At 6 foot and 80kg I've never had a problem with weight or fitness but reading though all these pages is a good reminder to maintain what we have before we loose it.
Thanks @grandpamac and others for your input.
P.S. If you ever go on a hunt with @Dusty Fog make sure you can walk at about 8km/h. Almost had to jog to keep up with the old fella a few years ago.
I couldn't even roll downhill at 8km/h..... :D
well had a twilight hunt turn into an after dark search for wounded deer,which I found and finished off in torchlight,I found it where the guy with modcon thermal couldnt....then out with new knife for quick poohs n wees removal,whacked into three manageable lumps,back wheels in one and front wheel and side meat in the other two.heart into back pack,I had first carry of back wheels,the uphil bit,then swap around,down hill to track,next swap around,one more saw me finish carry with the big load again...couple of points...at 50 I was youngest....a deer is hell of a lot easier to carry with three people than just on my pat malone....
BBQ lunch today with a quiet bevy while I got back on knife and cut up meat to divy it up amoung all the members of the party.my body is tired but the soul has been refreshed.
life is good
growing old sucks,but the alternative isnt that attractive.
6kg is a good effort,
Way to go Gramps.
Greetings Again All,
The rain has finally relented and the last of the spring snow on the Kawekas has almost gone so time for some belated spring trips. Yesterday, with fine weather promised and delivered, I headed up Kuri Hill to see where I was at on the fitness front. Did about as well as expected but better than feared so more trips are planned in the Kuri Hill, Kaweka Hut site and Mackintosh Hut area including some overnight trips. On the body front at 106 kg I am now down 10 kg from when I started this thread and over 30 kg from my heaviest about 20 or so years ago. The goal is 95 kg or the upper end of the healthy weight range for someone of my height.
On my way back to the car I passed @Hunter_Nick who was on his way to Kiwi Saddle. It looks great up there today from here. Perhaps later on I may get there again.
Regards Grandpamac.
Do push to hard, loose weight is easy. Get rid of sugar, less carbo foods, more fishes, meats and vegetables and I believe there are plenty of those you can catch, sleep early also important. Good luck
Greeting Again All,
Many thanks for your likes and replies. As you astutely observed @Tahr I am a big lad and always have been. I may owe my long term interest in the outdoors to that. I have written previously about an early trip to Makino Hut in 1963 and a repeat trip I am planning for next year. From my notes, at the time, I was not quite 14 years old and weighed 92 kg. Lately I have realised that the trip with my father and uncle, (who was a hunter), may have been prompted, in part at least, by my increasing girth. Both have now passed away so I can't ask them. If so they have succeeded beyond expectations.
Regards Grandpamac.
Hi Grandpamac
I met you on that track about this time last year, when I was walking out from Kiwi Saddle and we had a good chat. Great to see you still attacking that hill with determination and a good goal in mind! It is just the best gym on the planet, I actually joined a gym last year for a few months and confirmed the very best place to exercise is the outdoors. In a couple of weeks I will be returning to the area for some exercise of the body and relaxation of the mind, so might see you out and about, keep up the walking and your informative posts on the forum.
Cheers Ruger7mm
When I was based in New Plymouth my best exercise regime was climbing Paritutu Rock (156 meters tall) three times a week. Better than a gym because you used your entire body doing real things. You had to pull yourself up the rocks and the rocks were always at different heights etc Also going down used different muscles again.
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I think the biggest problems for people when trying to keep weight off are 1) Not adjusting the diet to match age - eating the same stuff at 60 that you did at 30 wont work. 2) Eating fatty food. Eating fat makes you fat and reduces fitness because it reduces the ability of the cardiovascular system to circulate oxygenated blood around the body. People that eat a fat end up 'blowing' and running out of breath. Populations that have high dietary fat intakes die young despite the nonsense fad diets promoting animal fat and protein as energy sources
3) Insufficient mineral intake - from mineral depleted foods. This causes cravings and overeating
The longest lived and fittest populations in the world eat a diet based on complex carbs, fruit, veg, fermented foods and low in animal protein ( except yogurt and cheese from raw milk) and low fat. Their foods also have high mineral status.
Kumera is the best source of complex carbs we have in NZ and is also extremely low in Lectins. A meal of Kumera eaten with a combined raw veg and fruit salad is a very good base to start from
Your post Moa reminded me of a great book: Spoon Fed. About how many of our assumptions about food are wrong. The key is fermented foods, no processed crap, but also that everyone's gut biome is different and what works for one won't for another. Worth a read. Was an eye opener and an encouragement to keep making kimchi and sourdough and to remember one size does not fit all when it comes to diet.
Always identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss and I will be missed