South Rim Wanderer

[HawkeyeJoe]

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

[Basement Cat]

Welcome to the rebellion, Joe!

 

You seem to have a good idea about what you want to do, so we'll be here to cheer for you!

 

Go! Go! Joe! Go! Go! Joe!

[Elastigirl]

Welcome! Have you heard of rucking? It is walking with a weighted back pack. A bunch of people here do it, and there will probably be a PVP for it next challenge. Seems like that might be something you'd enjoy. We also usually do a walking PVP, just to see how many miles we can walk. Since you live and work in such a gorgeous area, having goals to walk a certain amount would seem to work. With pictures too of course!

[HawkeyeJoe]

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?