My Fiddleback Challenge

Strigamort said:
I'm with plue! I lost 271lbs (yes) and could stand to gain a couple of dozen back. :o

Michael, congrats on getting busy taking care of yourself. It truly is a difficult, rewarding and important endeavor. Please don't beat yourself up if you slip or if it simply doesn't work out. I know how hard it is, and how tempting it is to be angry with yourself when you struggle. All of that said, 20lbs should be doable for sure, especially if your wife is on board. Try cooking for both of you exclusively. My family would starve to death if I did. :D

Good luck to you. I'll be here to cheer you on!

Anthony
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WOW, Anthony! Now I really feel like a noob! Way to go! The encouragement of those like yourself really means a lot. You've been down a path like mine. You've faced those demons. And you've come out the other side (with the vital parts of yourself) intact. 😄 Fortunately or unfortunately, I'm a pretty good cook, and we share meal preparation duties pretty evenly, so no one is going to starve here.

Thanks for your cheers.

Michael
 
Hey Michael, congrats on making a commitment to your health and a better quality of life. I was in great phisical condition in my late teens, early twenties. Then the next 25 years flew by and my health took a back seat to work and family. Three years ago I decided I wanted more out of life than I was physically capable of doing. So I quit smoking, impoved my diet and joined a gym. I lost 22 lbs. and am in the best shape of my life. The key is having the commitment, a second religion so to speak. It's not a matter of if your going to exercise today only when. You don't need to go hungry just dramatically reduce the carbs and eat plenty of protien, especially before and after you exercise. Obviously you are no stranger to commitment, you will do well. The truth is you will never be satisfied no matter how much you improve. The saying by Emerson is true, “Life is a journey, not a destination", it's just a whole lot more fun when your not winded.
 
Update time again.

I've been doing a bit better about both portions and getting on the treadmill or doing some other kind of exercise at least every other day. I really thought I'd be doing better at both by this point in the game, but I'm not complaining--it's still working.

The big development for me this past week has been in the relationship department. When I began this journey, I talked to the Frau and got her support. And she WAS supportive, but that doesn't mean I didn't see her eyes get huge for a sec when she learned the cost involved 😄.To her credit, it was just a momentary flash, and she hardly missed a beat. Anyway, the other day we successfully got the kids in bed and asleep at a decent hour (miracle of miracles) and I suggested (quite unsure of whether this was a horrible mistake) we look at the offerings from a Friday or two so she could see the kind of work Andy and the crew put out. I'm not really sure what I was hoping for--maybe just an affirmation that she saw these as the valuable and beautiful tools I did. To my surprise, we ended up looking through every batch from 2014, PLUS the entire "user pics" thread. She was AMAZED at what she saw. We talked about what we saw that we liked and disliked. I pointed out other patterns that I secretly hoped to one day obtain. And she rather directly said I am not allowed a second knife until she gets a Hiking Buddy (don't worry Mist--she doesn't like blue 😉) . I knew I loved this gal for some reason. 😄 Though how she can have such good tastes and end up with me is inconceivable. Somehow the expense seems easier to justify when buying for her. I don't know.

Anyway, seeing her get so excited about it all just sent me over the top, which may be why I've had a good week. That and all of your thoughts and words of encouragement, anyway. So thanks again, all.

Michael

137 days and 12 pounds to my first Fiddleback.
 
Sounds great. :thumbup: on getting the wife interested :D

Some of the guys in my army unit lost more than those 12 pounds in one slightly strenuous week so you have plenty of time :D
 
Great stuff, Michael.

My wife doesn't care much for knives, but she did get me a schrimshaw-style folder for our anniversary last year. Looking over my shoulder at some of Andy's posts after our girls were asleep she did comment that the steel is really pretty. And, trust me, the whole thing is even better in real life. Andy's craftsmanship, ergos, fit and finish are just outstanding. My KE Bushie is the most expensive knife I own, and it is totally worth it. I keep it in the garage above my workbench to make sure it gets put to use since I don't get to do a lot of woods bumming these days.

Congrats on getting started. I lost 45 lbs 12 years ago (Weight Watcher's and a community college hiking class,) then gained it all back and more when I graduated college and got a desk job. Lost 40 (10lbs on my own; 30 more on Jenny Craig) over the course of a year 3 years ago, and have kept it off while trying to remove that "final 10" for the entire 3 years.
This January the wife and I started the "17 day diet." We're still on it, so I haven't gotten to the maintenance part yet, but that final 10 that hung on for 3 years was gone in 2 weeks! Powerful stuff - if you can stick with it (I must admit, I was pretty much ALWAYS hungry for that first 2 weeks.) The key for me is exercise 5 days a week, cut out the Thirds, only have seconds of veggies and lean proteins, and stop eating all the kids' leftovers. Dropped 10 lbs in a week on my own, just doing that, 4 years ago.

So, from experience, my suggestions are: have some type of meal plan (and don't cut anything completely out - it'll just make you crave it. There are low fat, low carb alternatives for just about everything now); find and rely on a solid support group; don't get down on yourself if you cheat just a little; and find an exercise routine that you enjoy, can partcipate in daily, and gives you some leeway to bump it up a notch when you have time and energy or to take it a little easy, but still do something, when you don't. And if you weigh yourself everyday, know that it'll fluctuate and even go up when you've been "really good" - so don't worry about that. Track it weekly or so. It is doable!

Good luck to you.
Hmm, maybe the wife'll let me get his 'n' hers Hiking Buddies when we both hit our goals! It shoud be right around my birthday...
 
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Sounds good man. I totally understand what you mean when you say that it feels easier to justify when buying for your wife. I feel exactly the same way.

A great way to get her into knives even more is to get her a nice (doesn't have to be super expensive) kitchen knife. Worked with my wife anyway.

Oh yeah and tell her you want one of the upcoming high end materials knives. Getting a more modest knife will become far more feasible after that. :D

Congrats and keep it up.
 
VANCE said:
good luck & congrats
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Thanks man!

NoFair said:
Sounds great. :thumbup: on getting the wife interested :D
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I'm not sure quite what my plan was there, but I'll take it. Somehow it is a little easier to see more than one Fiddleback in my future. One of those, and one of those, and one of those..... I'm doomed!😄

tjswarbrick said:
Great stuff, Michael.

Congrats on getting started. I lost 45 lbs 12 years ago (Weight Watcher's and a community college hiking class,) then gained it all back and more when I graduated college and got a desk job. Lost 40 (10lbs on my own; 30 more on Jenny Craig) over the course of a year 3 years ago, and have kept it off while trying to remove that "final 10" for the entire 3 years.
This January the wife and I started the "17 day diet." We're still on it, so I haven't gotten to the maintenance part yet, but that final 10 that hung on for 3 years was gone in 2 weeks! Powerful stuff - if you can stick with it (I must admit, I was pretty much ALWAYS hungry for that first 2 weeks.) The key for me is exercise 5 days a week, cut out the Thirds, only have seconds of veggies and lean proteins, and stop eating all the kids' leftovers. Dropped 10 lbs in a week on my own, just doing that, 4 years ago.

So, from experience, my suggestions are: have some type of meal plan (and don't cut anything completely out - it'll just make you crave it. There are low fat, low carb alternatives for just about everything now); find and rely on a solid support group; don't get down on yourself if you cheat just a little; and find an exercise routine that you enjoy, can partcipate in daily, and gives you some leeway to bump it up a notch when you have time and energy or to take it a little easy, but still do something, when you don't. And if you weigh yourself everyday, know that it'll fluctuate and even go up when you've been "really good" - so don't worry about that. Track it weekly or so. It is doable!

Good luck to you.
Hmm, maybe the wife'll let me get his 'n' hers Hiking Buddies when we both hit our goals! It shoud be right around my birthday...
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Thanks for the guidance and encouragement. So far the portion control (like you said, cutting out extras and not finishing the kids' leftovers) has made a huge difference. I really have begun to notice how I just feel better when I don't stuff myself or eat tons of sweets. All of which kind of sucks, because I do love good food. I'm still learning to appreciate it in smaller quantities, though. The really hard thing for me has been finding some form of exercise that I enjoy. This winter has not been especially kind to those of us who don't like being cooped up inside, and it has just been too cold to be out very much. That said, we've got a little break right now, and I just got a new coat, so maybe my excuses are dwindling...


Strigamort said:
Sounds good man. I totally understand what you mean when you say that it feels easier to justify when buying for your wife. I feel exactly the same way.

A great way to get her into knives even more is to get her a nice (doesn't have to be super expensive) kitchen knife. Worked with my wife anyway.

Oh yeah and tell her you want one of the upcoming high end materials knives. Getting a more modest knife will become far more feasible after that. :D

Congrats and keep it up.
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It's funny how it works that way, isn't it? I mean, I've been laboring over this Fiddleback thing for MONTHS, but she says she's interested and I'm ready to slap down the plastic that very Friday. I'm hopeless I guess.

She DOES know the value of good knives in the kitchen. I bought her a set of (what I'd call) mid-level knives years ago--nice steel, boring handles. For the last two years we have talked about buying another chef's knife just to take with us when we visit other people. We both do lots of cooking, and we can't stand the dull POS's our friends have. We've thought about gifting them good knives, but we're not sure we trust them with sharp objects. 😄

On another note, these new high end materials are really messing with me. That ironwood burl? Incredible. Since I'm looking for a user, I have been anticipating synthetics to be my handle of choice (Shadetree?) but that burl is incredible.


Thanks again everyone for your thoughts, prayers, words of encouragement, smoke signals, positive karma, or whatever else you are sending my way.

127 days and 11 pounds to my first Fiddleback.


Michael
 
Good work on still going in the right direction Michael!

Trying to figure out the right combo is a big part of the fun.

Continued prayers for your success.
 
Hi Michael, excellent inspiring post! I just recently went through a bit of a dietary change myself and I can only say that I love food even more, despite the fact that I cut out some of my favorite things. Watch the flicks "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead" or "Forks Over Knives" to get some further inspiration. A Fiddleback reward is an excellent "carrot" for sure. Did your lady see any versions of Andy's "Padre" kitchen knife? I have been wanting to get one for my wife, but funds have not been there yet. Anyway, just wanted to send you my congrats and let you know that your thread has inspired me to stay on the good foot. I want to be around as long as I can with my daughter and wife and diet and exercise are the key to it.

"Let food be thy medicine." —Hippocrates

Best,
CT
 
Thanks for the continued support, all. I haven't updated for quite a while because life sort of exploded into craziness--some deaths, some major illnesses, a bout of the most violent stomach flu I can remember (the whole family had that at the same time--not a good couple days at the Strickland house, I tell you)...

There was also the first camping trip of the year (I was ACHING for a Fiddleback), during which the projected warm front ended up being a cold front with gusting winds up to 60 mph. Other than the cold nights, all good.

In general (and all things considered), I have done a bit better about activity and I've been doing a lot better about portion control and healthy eating choices. Perhaps the stomach flu had a silver lining, too, though I am loathe to suggest it was worth it.

All in all, I'm moving right along. I'm more than a little anxious that the waters have gotten so shark-infested lately, but that's good news for Andy & Co. which I'm glad for. Also, if I've waited this long, I can manage a little while longer. 😄

Thanks again to all of you,


Michael

102 days and 8 pounds to my first Fiddleback.
 
I'm trying to continue the discipline of posting every week or two, but it's really been hard lately. I've been working too much, so I've hardly had any down time. On top of that, my wife and I are expecting a boy in about 7 more weeks (our third child), and she's not sleeping. That means that whenever I'm home, I'm on single-dad duty while she tries to catch some z's.

In terms of my challenge, that also means I've been eating out a lot more lately, which hasn't helped. I have still (somehow) managed to drop another pound, despite all the eating out and stress. That's good. And I'm getting close enough that I'm feeling pretty HUNGRY when I look at the Fiddleback Friday and Flea Market posts, if you know what I mean. The big "success" of the last week or so is that I have noticed I am cinching my belt up a notch tighter than I did when all this began. The pants (real pants, not sheaths :D ) that I have purchased most recently are also now quite a bit too big. It's funny, it doesn't seem like that much weight, but it sure feels it in my pants. I have NOT yet got back into the pants I was wearing 18 months or so ago, but I feel pretty good that I've accomplished what I already have.

Thanks again for your thoughts, prayers, support, smoke signals, feather stick offerings, and anything else positive you're directing my way.


Michael

7 pounds to my first Fiddleback (I'm starting to feel like I don't need to count days anymore; it IS going to happen!)
 
I don't think he meant to, but McVeyMac nudged me toward another update.

Been another rough week or so, complicated by both a lot of out-of-town travel and the suicide of a church member. That means a lot of sitting: in the car, in the hospital, in silence. We're working through a lot of shame and guilt, and the road to tomorrow will be a long one. I have been working the stress out by walking and working in the yard more, which combined with all the restaurant food is allowing me to just about break even.

Once Easter is behind me, I should have a bit more time to relax and get out on the woods. We've replaced some well worn gear and acquired some new and much needed things. That means the Frau is getting tired of me setting up the new tent in the living room, and of the girls insisting on using their new sleeping bags while they watch tv. But it sure gives me good motivation to get outside.

On another note, I won bonifide's generous sheath giveaway. I don't think I've won anything in my life, quite literally. I'm still getting over the fact that I won something of value to me. I may be the first person to have acquired pants before the Fiddleback, but again, it serves as a great motivator. As does this community.

My own stretch goal for this project is to lose the weight before the new baby boy is born. I'm down to six weeks and six pounds to go to make that stretch goal. I think it's doable, but will require more focus than I've been able to give it of late. I just hope this baby isn't born on a Friday....


Peace and thanks, my friends.


Michael

6 pounds to my first Fiddleback.
 
I had read a few of these posts as they popped up, but just took the time to read through it all. Really, really inspiring and I am in awe of your discipline. Really rooting for you and I think on the friday you decide you can/will partake all sharks should wait till you've had the pick of the litter! Keep after it!
 
Hi Michael,

I am proud of what you have accomplished so far. Six pounds in six weeks is quite doable. You are close enough that the finish line is in sight.

Have you decided which model of knife you want as your reward? If not, have you narrowed it down to a few favorites?

Thanks for sharing your story with us.

Phil
 
Hey Michael, I am sorry to hear of the loss of a Church family member. I recently lost a colleague to suicide, and all I could do is shake my head and ask: why? What if? I should have ...

Some times our faith is challenged to the breaking point. I don't know why, but I know it is true.

Your girls and your family will really enjoy their new camping gear this year. But always remember that they will enjoy camping because you are present with them, not because they have a new tent or a new sleeping bag. Your challenge is a life affirming one. I am rooting that you will have that bonafide sheath filled with a beautiful Fiddleback when you take to the woods in a few weeks.
 
What a shame. I'm sorry to hear of your loss. It's something that I, unfortunately, understand all too well.

In regards to your own successes, congrats! 6 pounds isn't nothing, but I believe it's very doable. I'm curious to hear which model you plan on getting too. Don't let the sheath dictate that choice though. Get what you have your heart set on. Maybe we can talk you into getting into the leather bending side of things. ;)
 
Comprehensivist said:
Hi Michael,

I am proud of what you have accomplished so far. Six pounds in six weeks is quite doable. You are close enough that the finish line is in sight.

Have you decided which model of knife you want as your reward? If not, have you narrowed it down to a few favorites?

Thanks for sharing your story with us.

Phil
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Thanks, Phil. A few more days out of town this past week has made me feel like I'm moving in the wrong direction. I went to bed last night thinking I'd go mountain biking today, and I woke to find a thin blanket of snow covering everything. The cosmos is against me. Oh well, should know be home for a while, so as long as the stress stays down, i should be back on the straight and narrow.

It's funny, I began this journey with a kephart in mind, and that is where I still (or again) find myself. My Fiddleback "wish list" has sure grown, but everything I have been reading in the last months has continued to affirm that as the knife that fills the purposes I have in mind. Short of holding a similar knife of each handle type in my hands, I don't know what else to do.

All that said, I've been all over the page regarding configuration. Because I intend this to be a frequently used knife, I am leaning toward a synthetic handle. I really like wood on a frequently-carried-but-infrequently-used knife (like an EDC), but think some synthetics make more sense for the destiny of this knife. I'm thinking some Shadetree, though I guess I'll just see what pops up in a desirable configuration. I'm more drawn to evergreen or coffee bag or drunken burlap here, especially with an orange pinstripe. I'm pretty hung up on the tapered tang, though I'd love to see some comparison of balance points between tapered and sft in the same handle configuration to see how much difference it really makes. I think I want 5/32, though that is more my lack of trust in my own skills than the abilities of the knife. I've been watching mistwalker's review of 1/8 pretty close, and others have testified to the power of 1/8, so again, I'm not sure. I'm consciously trying to NOT get locked into the exact configuration in my mind, since I realize this is not a custom shop--I don't have the luxury of dictating exactly what I want. And that's ok. I suppose it adds to the surprise and enjoyment of the hunt.


McVeyMac said:
Hey Michael, I am sorry to hear of the loss of a Church family member. I recently lost a colleague to suicide, and all I could do is shake my head and ask: why? What if? I should have ...

Some times our faith is challenged to the breaking point. I don't know why, but I know it is true.

Your girls and your family will really enjoy their new camping gear this year. But always remember that they will enjoy camping because you are present with them, not because they have a new tent or a new sleeping bag. Your challenge is a life affirming one. I am rooting that you will have that bonafide sheath filled with a beautiful Fiddleback when you take to the woods in a few weeks.
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Thanks MVM. In this case there is a history of mental illness and multiple prior attempts. But it is no less a tragedy or a loss. And you're right, these are trying experiences for us as both human beings and as persons of faith.

And you are definitely right about the kids and the gear. I admit to being a gear head, but I know they don't care one lick about any of that. Our old tent was bought by the Frau and I almost 14 years ago. We paid $60 at Walmart for it. Some years, we have literally camped in it every other weekend between April and October. I have revealed it more times than I can count, and the netting repairs look like Maori tattoos covering everything. I bought a great tent, from a well known maker of backpacking gear. It ticks every box I wanted and makes up for every weakness of the old tent. And still when the excitement of something new wore off, my first grader asked what was wrong with "the yellow tent." Could we have kept using it? Probably. But I think MY experience of camping will be improved by the improved storm resistance. 😄



Strigamort said:
What a shame. I'm sorry to hear of your loss. It's something that I, unfortunately, understand all too well.

In regards to your own successes, congrats! 6 pounds isn't nothing, but I believe it's very doable. I'm curious to hear which model you plan on getting too. Don't let the sheath dictate that choice though. Get what you have your heart set on. Maybe we can talk you into getting into the leather bending side of things. ;)
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Responding to Phil, I shared some of my thoughts regarding my reward. I'm still blown away about the bonifide sheath, though. It's pretty incredible that I won anything, let alone a sheath that will fit the FB I have been eyeing. I may end up with a dangler (maybe from Tal--I love his work) at some point in the future. It's been years since I carried a sheath knife, so I'm interested in finding out which carry method works best for my body and activity type.

Leather bending..... Hmmmmm.... It sure looks fun, but I think the Frau would kill me if I suddenly needed a bunch more tools.


Knowing you guys are out there still rooting for me is an amazing source of strength. Thanks again for everything!


Michael
 
I really enjoy this thread, I mean it's great. Not only because an individual is working towards a healthier lifestyle but because he can seek support in somewhere as unexpected as a knife forum. For someone to be comfortable enough to do this shows that there is more to some things than meets the eye. Maybe I'm just crazy but I would have never believed anyone that there was so much compassion and devotion between people who really like the same type of knives. This proves that there is still good out there fellas. And Michael I wish you the best on your journey. Keep the inspiration going.
Joe
 
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