HawkeyeJoe

Fenrir has it right. Last time I really successfully lost weight, I went hard no-carbs (beyond dietary fiber of course, like you find in veggies) for two weeks. This forces your body to revert from burning its preferred fuel source (Carbohydrates) to burning its secondary (fat). Getting into the fat-burning phase (Ketosis) is the whole point of Paleo. So stop and look at your diet, your sister may be right after all. If you're limiting carbs but haven't actually gone into Ketosis, your body may still be trying to burn carbohydrates and therefore has gone into mild starvation mode, holding onto everything it can. Fenrir broke down your daily meals pretty well. What you're currently doing looks more like a Paleo Maintenance Diet than a Paleo Cut. Drop the extras from the granola and just have some mixed nuts, or better, just up the quantities at brunch. I love sweet potatoes, just had some with dinner tonight. But I'm counting calories right now, not going Paleo. Sweet Potatoes are better than white potatoes, but still have a lot of carbs. Easy rule of thumb: If it's sweet, it has carbs. Cauliflower Hummus... is that made of cauliflower, or hummus that includes some cauliflower? While I don't entirely agree with Fenrir about disregarding changes to your daily routine (just taking the stairs can be a huge step forward for a lot of people), I do absolutely agree with his exercise recommendations. You need to feel the burn, as cheesy as it sounds, to really affect your metabolism. For example, I climb ladders, install heavy electrical and HVAC equipment and carry barrels of chemicals on a regular basis at work, but when I'm trying to cut I still have to hit the gym. You need to push past just your daily routine to up your metabolism. I've got a long ways to go yet myself, but my advice is based in previous results. I'll be around, if you ever want to talk just message me.

Where is your big hike going to be? Also, I'd be open to heading down to Tuscon at some point, I've heard about the mountains down that way and I'd love to explore them.

I've done a little 'rucking' but never for its own sake, usually to prep for a backpacking trip. I'll have to keep an eye out for that and the walking challenges. Guess I'll have to break out the traction devices for my boots. Does carrying a DSLR Camera count as rucking?

As snow has descended upon us in fair quantity up here on the Plateau, this wouldn't be for a while but... Anyone interested in summiting Mt. Humphrey outside of Flagstaff? It's also one of my goals to backpack Rim-to-Rim in the Spring, I work at the Grand Canyon.

Hello, I'm Joe. I do double duty as a nerd and an outdoorsman. I enjoy video games, admin a small minecraft server for my friends, and even play a Cleric in a DnD campaign. I am an Eagle Scout, an avid hiker and camper, and I've begun to delve into backpacking. I also weigh 300 pounds. I came here because "going it alone" for the past year hasn't worked for me. You see, last January I moved 1700 miles from my home in Chicagoland, to start a new job working Maintenance for the Lodges at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Yes, that Grand Canyon. I figured that with all of these opportunities around me I'd be out hiking and adventuring all the time, maybe even every day. I was wrong. Given, there were several stretches where work just left me too exhausted every day to do much, but to reach that exhaustion I worked hard all day, often well into overtime. Those times aren't the problem, it's the other times, where I'm content to wander the rim or drive through the National Forests, still exploring or taking in new sights, but not really exerting myself. I've been down into the canyon plenty of times, but there's no rhyme or reason to the trips, no coordinated plan or itinerary, just a casual hike into one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. Plus I've abused my employee discount at the restaurants. While I feel like I'm in better shape endurance-wise, rather I know I am because my hikes out of the canyon have become easier, I haven't lost any weight. So I'm here to develop a plan and find some source of accountability. I'm going to begin modifying my diet and coordinating my hikes with an exercise program so that they become regular events. But to make that all happen, I'll need support, and since my friends and family are 1700 miles away, I'm going to ask you all to help me make this happen. Thanks in advance, Hawkeye