Anyone? We could do % of body weight, honor system, and BWCA-themed incentives/prizes. Ideas? Interest? I can envision humorous before-and-after pictures, for example.

EDIT: Sign up here:
sign up

I’m for it... I’ll need a little time to heal. But a negative thirty pounds after would be sweet and make life easier.

That's an awesome idea!
Upload a pic on the scale to start?

I like the idea but... I tend to gain weight when I diet!

Your timing isn't good for me. I've been doing a WW system since Thanksgiving and have lost 18 lbs and only 3 lbs from my goal. Darn. Woulda have liked to compete. Good luck!

I’d be willing to try. My lower back pain is getting to the point that I need to take it seriously and losing some some lbs would be a great start.

If the snow keeps coming for another couple of months, I'd blow you all away. Lost 6 lbs this past week or two and my main exercise program has been holding the handles of the Ariens.

I’m in. My doctor just called and said I have
6 months to lose 5% body weight or he will putting me on a regimen of drugs.
Prediabetic, high cholesterol, poor liver numbers. Get the details settled and let’s
Go!

No problem here.. 6 months of chemo has gotten me down to 136 # . But this is the last of 12 rounds today so hopefully when the chemo meds wear off I can get my appetite back for sweet stuff like Danish sweet roles etc... I usually am the high 140's.

dr bob

I started this last week day 1 was 200 pounds. Shooting for 185.

I need to get back to my fighting weight and can use all the motivation I can get.

Subscribed and awaiting details.

While only 45 this coming August I have a family history of heart disease and I am definitely overweight and do not have the best eating habits. Ok, I have no good eating habits.
I switched to third shift last October and have felt my overall health slip several notches. Poor eating, horrible sleep patterns, way to much coffee and M&Ms and a three week battle with energy drinks.

I am 6' 235 lbs and would love to be under 200 again.

About the only exercise I get nowadays is on the weekends when I cut firewood.
It's exercise yes, cardio? No.

The Dr just put me on cholesterol meds too.

Time to take back control.

I started on January 6 at 226.4. Happy to say that this morning I weighed in at 209.8. This year marks our 35th anniversary, and my goal is 180, my weight when we were married, or possibly less. Doing keto, and limiting myself to 25 carbs a day.

Appreciate the importance of this thread, but had to smile when I logged on and saw it sitting right above a thread titled, "what time is dinner"....

I'm in, waiting for details.

I started December 29th at 246, down to 221 so far with a goal of 210. Started out wanting to try the Keto route but just couldn't find away to digest that much fat and eating a stick of butter every meal just didn't float my boat. No fast food (or pretty much any eating out), no potatoes, beans, rice, sugar, wheat, white wine. Mostly protein, Chicken, fish, steaks, eggs, grilled veggies and salads. and cheeses, red wine, Mich Ultra in place of beer (no Mich Ultra is not real beer). Two week backpacking trip planned through Colombia in March, first BW trip for 2019 mid May times a wastin.....

Should we do a tangible prize? We could each put up a piece of camping gear of similar value. Or a new Rapala? Or, ten bucks, winner take all? Or a combination of the above? Or bragging rights? Your thoughts?
I'm down 19, by the way, and have 56 to go! Yikes! My goal is to portage thin!

Remember, the more you lose the more you can put in your packs. Haha!

HA! I can't afford to loose weight BEFORE I go to the BW!

Most years I loose 1lb/day during the trip. Probably more as I weigh myself after getting home, and there are always SEVERAL cheeseburgers and beers between exiting the trip and getting on the scale.

I would be in, I need to lose some weight, and find it hard to motivate myself.

Chicagored: "I started on January 6 at 226.4. Happy to say that this morning I weighed in at 209.8. This year marks our 35th anniversary, and my goal is 180, my weight when we were married, or possibly less. Doing keto, and limiting myself to 25 carbs a day."

This really works! I read Dr. Atkins book in 2008 and quickly lost 15 lbs. I learned a lot about nutrition too. Now I rarely have a sugared drink and I keep bread, pasta, etc. to a minimum. I've learned to make a good salad for lunch along with trail mix, yogurt and a fruit. In other words I only have a sandwich 2-3 days a week now.

My achilles heel is dessert after dinner. That's a tough one to kick for me.

nctry: "Remember, the more you lose the more you can put in your packs. Haha!"

Right! Or look at it like if you lose 15 lbs. it's like taking that weight out of your pack. Plus add strength training and it's like taking MORE weight out of the pack!

SinglePortage: "I'm in, waiting for details."

Same here

Already lost about 2/5ths of my weight in the last year, but I'm trying for a few more. I'll look forward to see how this goes.

ChicagoRed -- I'm in agreement that keto is the way to go.

sueb2b: "Already lost about 2/5ths of my weight in the last year, but I'm trying for a few more. I'll look forward to see how this goes.


ChicagoRed -- I'm in agreement that keto is the way to go."

??

You posted you're doing keto. I've been doing that since last April. Pretty amazing change in terms of weight loss.

sueb2b: "You posted you're doing keto. I've been doing that since last April. Pretty amazing change in terms of weight loss."

Thought I was sending an emoji of a smiley face, not a question mark. Anyway, good for both of us. I guess we'll both be eating the toppings off the pizza at the canoecopia dinner.

I'm in, either as a full on participant or at least for support. I need to drop about 15 to "make weight" for Northern Tier next xmas break....

I'm aboard!

Chicagored: "

sueb2b: "You posted you're doing keto. I've been doing that since last April. Pretty amazing change in terms of weight loss."

Thought I was sending an emoji of a smiley face, not a question mark. Anyway, good for both of us. I guess we'll both be eating the toppings off the pizza at the canoecopia dinner.
"

Hmm, any idea of a dish they make that is way more protein than carbs?

I've lost 50# since a year ago. Eating better and walking. No special diet, just less junk. And I walk ALOT. I try to get at least 105,000 steps in every week. Some weeks I'm over 140,000. It's not for everyone but it works for me. Hoping to get under 200# for the first time in 20+ years.

VoyageurNorth: "Hmm, any idea of a dish they make that is way more protein than carbs? "

Big ol' salads are a fave.

I would be game to participate. Two years ago I was down to 180, stepped on the scale last week to find 205. At the end of open water with just me in the back of my 14-foot tiller, it was becoming obvious that something had to give.


Lundojam -- I think you're gonna have to just take the lead and set the parameters if you actually want this to happen. I like the Rapala idea but could expand that to tackle in general? I would gladly package up and mail off a tail dancer or two to whoever it is that wins this thing. (It won't be me!)

I've been doing Dolly Parton's grand mother's diet - "Keep yer head out of the lard bucket."
Down almost 10 pounds since Christmas.

I like the Rapala idea. Maybe a second and third place if enough agree to participate?

1st gets 70%
2nd. 30%
3rd a single rapala.
Photo of toes on scale required. At start.
Must post "after" photo of same within 48 hours of opener?
Come let's go! I got a lot to lose!

OK. Thanks for the interest and input. Here we go:
The BWCA.com weight loss challenge starts on Saturday, February 16, 2019. The "rules" are as follows:

1. This is supposed to be healthy and fun. Stay positive and supportive. Disputes will be settled by the commissioner's wife, Mrs. Lundojam.

2. To enter, submit a photo of your weigh-in scale. I'll start a new thread. Registration is open as of now. Late comers welcome. Toes need not be included as many weigh in at the gym on a standy-uppy scale.

3. Don't cheat. If you are not sure whether or not something is cheating, that means it's likely cheating.

4. Entry fee: Fifteen ($15) bucks, honor system, to be paid at the conclusion of the contest on Saturday, June 1, 2019, at 11:59 PM. Final weigh-ins will be accepted on May 31 and June 1.

5. Winners determined by total % of initial body weight lost.
1st place: all the money minus $30 (see 4th and 5th place below)
2nd place: three Rapalas in the box
3rd place: two Rapalas in the box
4th place: keep your money
5th place: keep your money
Tiebreaker: earliest registration

6. check in once in a while with progress and support
7. Stay safe

I couldn't do the weight loss challenge because I was bedside in a hospital, but I've now lost 25 pounds over the last eight months and it's so great to be living in the thin frame of my youth. I did it with portion control and I stopped buying five pastries at the bakery. BIG BONUS: My left knee no longer hurts!

missmolly: "I couldn't do the weight loss challenge because I was bedside in a hospital, but I've now lost 25 pounds over the last eight months and it's so great to be living in the thin frame of my youth. I did it with portion control and I stopped buying five pastries at the bakery. BIG BONUS: My left knee no longer hurts!"

Nice work, Miss Molly! It's hard having to settle for just 1 goodie in that bakery bag ;)

thegildedgopher: "

missmolly: "I couldn't do the weight loss challenge because I was bedside in a hospital, but I've now lost 25 pounds over the last eight months and it's so great to be living in the thin frame of my youth. I did it with portion control and I stopped buying five pastries at the bakery. BIG BONUS: My left knee no longer hurts!"

Nice work, Miss Molly! It's hard having to settle for just 1 goodie in that bakery bag ;)"

Heh. Ain't that the truth!

Simple formula to lose weight. Don’t eat much, exercise and stay off the booze. I lost 20 lbs in the last 2 weeks. Back to my playing weight. Going for 5 more to get to 215.
Good luck everybody. Stay committed and you can do it.

Cheers, scat

I wasn't able to pull this up and review it again. The only thing I can remember about this program was that the only participants that lost significant weight were the ones that dieted in addition to the training.

missmolly: "I couldn't do the weight loss challenge because I was bedside in a hospital, but I've now lost 25 pounds over the last eight months and it's so great to be living in the thin frame of my youth. I did it with portion control and I stopped buying five pastries at the bakery. BIG BONUS: My left knee no longer hurts!"

I had that once... I built chimneys for years. I got a little hefty and couldn’t walk up a roof my knees got so bad. Lost about thirty pounds and never a bother since. I’d lose more but then I have to gain it back to fit into my swim suit.

Congrats!

If you lose more, your suit gets loose.

I think that’s how it’s supposed to go.

Lose enough and you could be sportin a Mark Spitz style Speedo marblebag soon enough.
Ok, maybe that’s not the way it’s supposed to go...

scat: "If you lose more, your suit gets loose.


I think that’s how it’s supposed to go.


Lose enough and you could be sportin a Mark Spitz style Speedo marblebag soon enough.
Ok, maybe that’s not the way it’s supposed to go..."

If you look like Mark Spitz, that is exactly the way it should go!

Note to self - resist the visual... some things just aren’t meant to be.

I’m more partial to Farrah Fawcett in an orange suit lounging by a pool with a cool drink and sunglasses on than a hard charging Mark Spitz churning the water into a froth winning 7 gold medals while setting 7 world records with Old Glory wrapped around his stones. It’s a free country, last I heard, to each their own.

cheers, scat

I had a heart attack June 30th. I was standing in the shower, a little after midnight, and my chest started hurting. I'm only 55, don't drink, don't smoke, and still play hockey, broomball, and softball, and while at 6'1 235, I'm a little over weight, I don't feel like I'm in terrible shape. Regardless, because of that, I thought it might have just been heartburn, or dehydration. However, as my shower continued, both of my triceps got a burning sensation and started to ache. That was a red flag.

When I got out of the shower, I asked the wife, if she had any aspirin. She said no. That was probably a good thing. I sat down for a minute, and just tried to listed to my body, and the pain seemed to be accelerating. So I asked my wife to drive me to the hospital. We've had a couple false calls with ambulance rides in the past, and I didn't want to pay another $1800 just to find out I had heartburn, so I had her drive me. That was a mistake. We drove from Oakdale to St. Johns by Maplewood mall. On the way there the pain had gone from about a 4 to about a 7, out of 10. The aching in my arms was getting much worse. I was certain at that point, I was definitely having a heart attack.

When we got to St.Johns, I told them what was happening, and they hooked me up to an EKG, gave me some blood thinners, pumped me full of dye, and took a quick chest xray. They confirmed that I was indeed having a heart attack. I had 4 blockages. Later it was determined that 3 were in the Left Descending whatever, and the 4th in my RCA. I think they call blockages in the LDA the widow maker, often you have minutes to live, other times, people survive a few hours. Either way, driving to the hospital was a mistake, because this was the WRONG ONE. St. Johns doesn't have a cath lab. They put me in an ambulance anyway, and sent me to St. Joes, which has a level 1 trauma center, and a cath lab team on call. All I did was delay my surgery by 45 minutes. That could have cost me my life.

The LDA had 3 blockages, 80%, 99%, and 99%, and the RCA was 30%. The artery that was 80% was too small to put a stint in, and they left it alone, the two 99% ers got new stints.

Today's technology, is amazing. If this had been 20 years ago, they would have cut open my chest, rip an artery or vein out of my leg, do some sort of bipass,open heart surgery thing, with alot more risk of infection, and certainly alot more recovery time. Instead, now they give me a little local, leave me awake, go in through my wrist, up around my shoulder, and visit the blockage. They put a little metal mesh sleeve inside the artery where the blockage is, and then put a microballoon inside the stint, and blow it up. The stint expands the capacity of the artery, and problem solved. Half an hour later, I feel fine, and the next day I was running on a treadmill. It's amazing.

Apparently, I have high cholesterol on my dad's side of the family, so this is some sort of heredity / diet thing. My 4 cholesterol measurements were all out of whack. As a typical man, I haven't been to the doctor in ages, and had no idea. 3 of mine were way high, and the one they want low, the LDL, was way low.

So I went to my doctor (didn't even know her name, it's been so long, I think I saw her for lyme about 20 years ago), and she said I'm borderline diabetic! What? I said, wait a minute, I'm not that fat. She said, well, technically you're obese. Well that was like a punch in the gut. It's a very humbling experience. You think you're an athlete, and immune to that stuff, because you're in relatively good shape. I mean how many 55 year olds are still playing ball? some, but I figure that means I'm in better shape than most. Well, guess not.

She says, you need to cut the sugars (I drank about 2-3 pepsi's a day, when not in the boundary waters). You need to cut out the pasta, and potatoes. You need to limit the red meat. You need a colonoscopy. You need a prostate exam. You need a tetnus shot. You need a pneumonia shot. You need a shingles shot. And I get about half a dozen meds to reduce blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and blood thinners to reduce blood clots.

Damn, I went from feeling like I'm in good shape, to being completely humbled, and feeling like I'm 80. Wasn't fun. Changing diet sucks. I feel like a rabbit.

But the good news is, with dropping pepsi, in a little over a month, I've dropped from 235 to 220, and falling. I hoping to get back under 200. They'd probably still tell me that's obese. Either way, I'm excited for having lost 15 lbs, and I think the majority of that is simply eliminating pepsi. And maybe lowering my intake of carbs, like potatoes. There is more I can do. I think it would help greatly to just do what Molly did, and limit my portions. Stop filling the plate. It would probably help my dog lose weight too.

Get your cholesterol and BP checked, BEFORE you go to the boundary waters. I was up there for a week in June, two weeks before my heart attack. I would have been 6 hours from the hospital in Grand Marais, and maybe 8 from the nearest hospital that might have a cath lab. Two weeks earlier, and that might have been a whole different outcome. (albeit, from a selfish standpoint, I can't think of a better place to go... I'm not sure my canoe partners would feel the same way).

Love you guys. Thanks for your friendship.

Yikes, Analyzer! How scary. Your mortality smacked you upside the head. I'm so glad you've stabilized and are losing weight. You've lost it so much faster than me. I lost 27 pounds in eight months. You lost more than half my total loss in a little more than a month. I hope those pounds keep evaporating.

Not only do I use small plates and bowls, but I eat more slowly and savor each bite. I truly don't feel hungry much. It also helps to eat real food, like whole grains and veggies and beans and rice, so your medicine is food rather than pharmaceuticals.

Wow, Analyzer, what a night to go through and then to hear about all the changes you need to make. Sounds like you are doing a great job of it and will reap the benefits of your efforts.

I remember when I saw my doctor so infrequently that his first question was usually, “are you my patient?” Then I got cancer at 44 and one benefit is that I am very well monitored. They can do great stuff for us if we go in and let them.

Here’s to continued weight loss and fitness. I also still play very energetic sports but it is amazing how we can let some weight creep on and keep playing. I’m using this time to correct that. I’m looking forward to how light my pack and canoe will feel next summer.

Thank you Andy and Molly. I'm sure my knees and ankles will thank me for losing 40. It's kinda fun to have shorts/pants that were tight, start to fall without a belt.

Glad to hear you are doing well now, analyzer. Your story sounds much like mine 4 years ago. Hope you continue to do well.

I was one of the winners of the challenge last year, coming in 4th or 5th as I recall. However, once the contest was over, I went off my diet, and by February of this year, I gained all the weight back and was up near 230. I can blame some traveling and cruises that the wife and I took, but in the end, it was all on me. I realize now that the mistake I made was that I treated the challenge as being "on a diet" and when it was over, I could go back to my "regular self." I now realize how much of a mistake this was, and that I needed to change my lifestyle and diet in a more macro sense. I am now back down to 202 and hoping to continue. It helps that (1) all our travel plans for this year have been cancelled except for spending 9 days this month in the BW; (2) I haven't been to a restaurant since mid March; and (3) that I have isolated myself in my cabin in north central Wisconsin since that time. Much easier to stay active up here than in my condo in Skokie.

Should I be saying "thank you Covid?"

BTW: Is there a safer place to be for a vacation than in the BWCA?

BTW2: It was sad to see how much C-19 is affecting Ely. Happily I was able to have my traditional Buckey Burger after the trip, but on a take out basis. I know, discussing losing weight and a Buckey Burger in the same post seems like an oxymoron, but sometimes I need to give myself a treat to make it all work.

analyzer: So sorry to learn of your problem, but so thankful to learn that you had your heart attack in a place when you could get medical care quickly. Heart issues are no joke. But I can also say that since my open heart surgery (my problems were very different from yours; I had no blockages) life is better for me. Take good care of yourself and keep up with that exercise! Best wishes from Spartan2.

thanks. SP2 and boonie.

Analyzer, so glad that you're doing better now. Having been through my share of cardiac "stuff" since 2013, I can relate to your situation. Your story of diet change and weight loss is an inspiration... and I'm heading to the BW on Saturday. :)

Wow Analyzer, close call & glad you recognized what was happening. I wish you well on your journey to recovery.

Among the many positive things I associate with my continued membership with the BSA is compulsary annual routine physicals which includes blood work. It's not much, but certainly better than not ever going to the doctor. Hopefully it'll help me not even get close to the bullet my dad dodged 19 odd years ago. For him, stents ultimately didn't do the trick & he had to have a quint. Dad's nearing 80 now.

Chicagored: "I was one of the winners of the challenge last year, coming in 4th or 5th as I recall. However, once the contest was over, I went off my diet, and by February of this year, I gained all the weight back and was up near 230. I can blame some traveling and cruises that the wife and I took, but in the end, it was all on me. I realize now that the mistake I made was that I treated the challenge as being "on a diet" and when it was over, I could go back to my "regular self." I now realize how much of a mistake this was, and that I needed to change my lifestyle and diet in a more macro sense. I am now back down to 202 and hoping to continue. It helps that (1) all our travel plans for this year have been cancelled except for spending 9 days this month in the BW; (2) I haven't been to a restaurant since mid March; and (3) that I have isolated myself in my cabin in north central Wisconsin since that time. Much easier to stay active up here than in my condo in Skokie.


Should I be saying "thank you Covid?"


BTW: Is there a safer place to be for a vacation than in the BWCA?

Mitchell, I have also fell off the keto wagon. I gained back 15 of the 30 I lost. Got back on the wagon this past Monday. Good luck and stay safe.
BTW2: It was sad to see how much C-19 is affecting Ely. Happily I was able to have my traditional Buckey Burger after the trip, but on a take out basis. I know, discussing losing weight and a Buckey Burger in the same post seems like an oxymoron, but sometimes I need to give myself a treat to make it all work.


"

analyzer: " 3 of mine were way high, and the one they want low, the LDL, was way low.
"

I didn't write that correctly. The 3 measurements they want to be lower, were all too high, I think that includes the LDL, Triglycerides, and something else, and the one they want to be HIGH, the HDL, was too low.

Jackfish: "Analyzer, so glad that you're doing better now. Having been through my share of cardiac "stuff" since 2013, I can relate to your situation. Your story of diet change and weight loss is an inspiration... and I'm heading to the BW on Saturday. :)"

Thanks Jackfish. I hope you have great weather, and a nice trip.

mirth: "Wow Analyzer, close call & glad you recognized what was happening. I wish you well on your journey to recovery.


Among the many positive things I associate with my continued membership with the BSA is compulsary annual routine physicals which includes blood work. It's not much, but certainly better than not ever going to the doctor. Hopefully it'll help me not even get close to the bullet my dad dodged 19 odd years ago. For him, stents ultimately didn't do the trick & he had to have a quint. Dad's nearing 80 now."

Wow, glad your Dad is doing ok. I guess it's good to know the stents might not do the trick. I plan on having blood work done every 6 months for a while.

I seemed to have plateaud at about 220 now. It's hovering there. So dropping the pepsi, and limiting breads and potatoes, appears to have been good for 15 lbs. I'll probably have to mix in more exercise if I want to lose more. I biked to stillwater and back the other day. That was alot of hills in between. I think I like going down much better : )~