April 18, 2012 10:17 PM JST

The beginning......

So I've found this a little like living with a pregnant wife.  for 9 months you mostly hear your wife commenting, particularly in the final 3 months about how they want it to be over and just get the baby out etc etc.  And the count down, there is always count down of how many weeks to go.   But for those of you with kids, the birth of your child is not the end, but the beginning of a new life for both child and parent. It is an object of beauty, an emotional (and sleep depriving!) journey that is filled joy, happiness, and inspiration and fulfillment.  So I'm not going to say that PCP was better and more rewarding than having kids, but I will say that day 91 is just the beginning for me.  I've said several time, I've been fit before, but no where near the diet front.  So what have i learn't from PCP.......

Firstly I dropped from 83kg  down to 70kg  !

1) I have a loving an supportive family.  My wife religiously shopped and prepared meals for me, no matter how tired.  My kids who got a kick out of watching me train and tried to join in on many occasions!  (My son can jump rope now!)

2) Food does not have to be sweet and fatty to be enjoyed.  The only time I was hungry was when i skipped a meal or incorrect quantity. Frequent meals and veggies for breakfast were my biggest diet changes.

3)  Jump rope rocks!  I'm a runner and will still run, but jump rope is easy and effective and I'll keep this up regularly

4)  Eating healthy and exercising regularly are easier when you have a goal..  Something to measure, or a final date really helps.  

5) It is ok to be publicly proud of your achievement and body image.  It help you answer the question "why are you doing that!" 

So I'm ecstatic with the results and feel like I've been on a journey.  A journey with my fellow PCP'ers,  a journey with my family, a journey with work colleagues and friends and of course a journey with myself.  So I've learn't what it feels like to be in peak condition!   

Thanks to all my friends and family of course.  Thanks to Patrick and the team for running an excellent program.  Heres to the beginning of years of healthy eating and good exercise.

Oh and i also learn't that sweet potato, a knife and my finger don't mix!

Photos

April 11, 2012 9:52 PM JST

veggies can be bad for you

I'm spending my final 2 weeks alone, and i've lost my meal support (aka wife) and as such I've learn't that sharp knives, sweet potato and fingers don't go together..  ouch   F$#@@K !   yes cut the side off my finger on sunday afternoon.  It is a pretty deep cut but I've gotten away with steri strips.  But I'm a bit irritated as it has taken the edge off what was otherwise a focussed week for me.         I feel great, look great.   As I said on my very early blogs,  I know what it feels like to be fit, just 2 years ago I was the fittest i've ever been.  But this feels different...better!  i've never done the diet part before.  Long live  better life!    

Look forward to sharing my final photo with you all. 

P.S  typing with 2 fingers sux!

April 1, 2012 3:44 PM JST

The final frontier

So everyone seems to have had there turn at the flu and last week I had mine!  After a couple of weeks of international and then domestic travel I think it all got the better of my body!  I ended up having 2straight days off the exercise and a day with jump rope and stomach only.  I'm just sniffling way way out of it now but ready for the final frontier.   I'm committed as ever and you know people are now saying "I admir your commitment" when knocking back beer or fatty food as various events / functions.  They were the ones who said I was crazy and why would I do such a thing.   Anyway I feel much better then I ever imagined before starting this.  Last night I had my endulgence and I probably couldn't have been worse, indian and not a veggie in sight.  No it wasn't as satisfying as I thought and all those carbs really made me feel bloated and unenergetic! So I guess it is all working!   Good luck to all in the final 12 day week!

March 19, 2012 11:03 PM JST

Feeling good

So I think we are at that point in PCP where we are feeling a great sense of accomplishment so far.  Many comments from friends, particularly those who have not seen me in a while.  I'm finding there are two groups, those who comment about how good I look and immediately discuss how the "rebound" diet will impact.  And the second group, who take a more keen interest in how it is going and what it is all about.  I'd say it is a 50/50 split at the moment.  Anyway I'm feeling good. Also it is my wife's 40th birthday tomorrow and apparently the new "me" is not enough of a gift!

March 9, 2012 8:51 PM JST

Day 55

I feel like I'm gaining momentum but at this point my clothes are really starting to fall off me.  I need new belts and my pants are so baggy I"m uncomfortable in them. Off to buy a smaller belt today....

February 29, 2012 9:41 PM JST

Business trip

So I'm off on my first PCP business trip!  I'm hoping it will be easier overseas as it is an English speaking country.  Happy to be past half way and feeling really good.  Finding the work functions tough and I'm in for a week of them next week.  Anyway keep on training!

February 22, 2012 8:14 PM JST

Skiing

Definately the hardest week of pop. I'm skiing for the week, sticking to the diet and exercise, so I'm tired, but the other families are hitting the comfort food big time and not to mention the wine and beer at night!  It is hard to stand watch this, but one consolation is eating the evening dinner, for lunch the next day (cold).  Anyway still on track and the 12 inches of fresh powder that is falling each night is unbelievable!

February 13, 2012 2:37 PM JST

Whip lash!

This morning I experienced my first PCP accident.  I didn't secure the door properly and when trying to complete a standing ovation the door released and whipped me in the back!  ouch, I'm glad I wasn't facing forward!  No injuries other than my pride!

February 6, 2012 10:16 PM JST

Getting tired

Hello all, starting to feel more tired in the evenings. I'm getting up at 5:30am, which is only 30-40mins earlier than normal, but i'm not going to bed any earlier.  Anyway the new exercises are starting to burn more and overall I feel fantastic.   I'm 5Kgs down and about 2-3 kg below what I would normally call my "fightin weight"   It is cold in Tokyo in the mornings for the skipping!  Cheers to all.

January 31, 2012 9:52 PM JST

Day 17

So I'm well and truly into the swing of things now. I've a regular routine of waking up at 5:30am, and completing my work out in time for a relaxing breakfast and paper read.   My wife has been an absolute legend and is supporting my lunch and dinner meals.  I'm very lucky.  It has been a long couple of weeks at work, so I'm getting in after 9pm at night to find my dinner, weighed, ready and lunch completed for the next day.  People are actually envious of my lunch each day.  So I've got all my equipment and finding the exercise bands are taking a bit to get used to.  I've typically used weights so the movement and resistance is different.  But I just need to find that stretch point the hurts the most. I've also received my pull up bar just tonight so I'm ready to go.  I have to say I'm starting to look at sweets and take a second look. First 2 weeks it wasn't even a question, but now it is starting to burn!  But I'll stay true, but just expressing my feelings.

So to everyone out there in Tokyo, a girl I work with ran into another PCPer!  She knew this because HE was in bar with scales weighing his food and drinking a sparkling water.  So time to fess up if it was you!

Any way feeling really good, always hard to start training, but the feeling at the end is completely worth it. 

Ciao.
Brent 

January 23, 2012 10:12 PM JST

Day 9 -

So I'm feeling similar to most people, eating the quantity of my diet is very challenging.  I lost 2 kgs in the first week and i feel like I've put it back on in the last 24 hours.  The diet has made me realise how boring my cooking skills are so I enjoy everyone that puts up what they are eating.  It has also added a whole time management aspect to my mornings.  I love to get up and go for a run, come back and read the paper with a coffee.  Haven't managed that yet, since I'm too busy cooking or weighing.    So my exercise bands have not arrived and I'm using all sorts of devices and improvisations, such as juice bottles and any other items i can use as makeshift weights.   Hopefully it should come soon, it has been over a week (come on amazon!).  So skipping is getting better although this morning i could get past 50 in a row.  I've done over 200 before tripping, so I guess I just wasn't in gear this morning. I enjoy reading everyones comments so keep them up.  

January 18, 2012 9:50 PM JST

Day 4

It is an interesting response you get from most people when you tell them that you are on a diet!  Laughter is the first response, but it is usually followed by genuine interest.  I have to admit, although my work colleagues know I'm posting photos, haven't been too quick to let them know the web address!   My first real test this will will be Friday where there is a fare well catch up (in a bar!) for a friend.  I've already sent out the early warning system, and have coped it ever since.   Oh and yes I'm hungry just like everyone else.  

January 16, 2012 10:11 PM JST

Day 2

Hi all,  so I missed blog on day 1 and only just got the week 1 photo up.  Need to get more organized with my photos.  So day one was spent at the Sumo wrestling in Tokyo. Made me hungry watching those guys!  Can you believe they drink beer as part of their daily diet!  Is there any other sport that does this?
Anyway I'm used to training, although since moving to Tokyo in the past year, my fitness is the lowest it has been for 5-6 years.  Worse still the year before was the fittest I've been ever!  I've found the long working hours of japan and the readiness of my fellow workers and friends to have a drink really tough to break and the body has suffered.  Among many things, energy at work is not what it should be, so getting more energy is one of my goals.  Anyway onwards and upwards with hunger!  Tip, drinking water helps with the feeling of hunger!

January 13, 2012 11:48 PM JST

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