April 16, 2012 10:14 PM HKT

Epilogue

Despite my promises to be right back at it on Sunday morning, it never happened.  I didn't fall off the wagon so much as do a swan dive.  Wine, couple of burgers, some jelly beans, the whole shooting match.  Most of it tasted okay going down but didn't sleep well, felt tired and grumpy and very dehydrated.  Without being too graphic, my BMs were pretty unusual as well.  Woke up Monday morning feeling like death warmed up and craving my simple, solid PCP breakfast.  Usual lunch in my gym bag - fully back on track.

Other than that, not sure I can add anything more to what I wrote in my penultimate post.  Plus my PCP brethren have said all that needs to be said and in a more succinct and erudite manner than I could possibly achieve.  Great experience and would recommend it to anyone. 

And so that's it.  This Aurigan is done.  Thanks for everything.  Over and out.

April 12, 2012 2:27 AM HKT

Some final thoughts…

I know we have at least another day left but wanted to get some pre-closing thoughts on paper.

I think above all the simplicity of the program was the key for me.  No weird formulas/restrictions/equipment/purchases/experience required.  Just sort of show up and be committed.  Loved the de-bunking of popular fitness myths especially the 18 glasses of water a day (frigging hate drinking water so this was a popular for me).  The zen approach of slowly revealing along the way was at times frustrating but sort of worked as well (if you ever watched the TV series “Lost” you know what I mean).  I’d like some more information on how the diet was constructed and tailored to individuals but that’s more curiosity than anything else.  Sort of like to experiment and try some diets to see what happens?  Patrick and co, the timing of the training messages was eerily spot on and were amazingly beneficial when I was flagging.  You’ve got this process down to a fine art.

Biggest surprise for me was how much I liked the blogging aspect – thought it would be a pain in the ass but turned out to be one of my favorite things to do.  To quote Nick, “sometimes I fell behind on my blogging but never fell behind on my reading of the blogs”.  It was always reassuring to know that everyone else was pretty much feeling the same despite being very different people – this was especially true during the low points of course but also the little triumphs too.  My biggest disappointment?  That I didn’t hear about the programme earlier.  By and large the best $600 I’ve ever spent on fitness.

A massive thanks to Patrick, Sarah and Teo.  I sort of hated you all at various stages and judging by Thursday’s workouts, you could feel some karmic negativity emanating from midtown NYC around 12.30 tomorrow… But appreciate all the invaluable support, kind words and the gentle pushing that I sometimes need.

My Auriga team-mates; to the victors, go the prizes:

Blogging skills and positive energy – Ward. Kept me amused and sometimes confused but never bored.  With a special mention for the mustache.  Great attitude mate.

Most improvement (Male) – Sias/James. Sorry guys it’s a tie.  Both of you had outstanding weight loss/muscle gain. Keep it going, very well played indeed.

Most improvement (Female) – Akane.  Remarkable change over 3 months.  Enjoy fitting into your old jeans.

Best attitude in adversity – Amy.  You kept going despite some really tough breaks – your Day 90 is around the corner and you deserve the best possible outcome.

Commendation for pectoral development – Brent.  Clearly someone was paying attention to the ovations video and been keeping up with the chest dips.  Don’t know you old you are but you look like a man half that age.

Most honesty in indulgence  – Nagisa.  You showed it was possible to party hard, be honest about it and get right back on the PCP horse with no effect on Day 90’s outcome.  I am still impressed by your second indulgence and your commitment after it. 

Abs I am most jealous of (male/female division) – Jay/Nanako.  Jay, you look ripped man.  Honourable mention too on keeping your stats throughout the program.  Nanako, great effort despite a tough sounding work life and illness – your abs look sharp!

Joint Prize - Best injury/Musical recommendations – Nick.  Not sure I could’ve gone through the accident,then the stitches and kept on track.  And appreciate the Birds of Tokyo introduction.

PCP Road trip Prize – David.  NYC, Hawaii, Tokyo marathon?  Brutal schedule and yet you smoked it.  Best of luck in the next 26.2.

And of course it wouldn’t be appropriate to close without a big shout out to my coach who was there every rep of the way with nutritional advice, encouraging words and a rock-star attitude to PCP.  You know who you are…Big love.

As for next steps?  I see several chilled bottles of wine and a slap-up meal in my immediate future.  But Sunday morning I’ll be right where I left off.  Rocky theme tune, jump-rope and some big rubber bands.

I’ll see you all on the Six-week Chisel…?

April 11, 2012 5:34 AM HKT

More v-sits

Guess I should not have boasted so much about my Vsit numbers yesterday.   Was really strict about the time limit between the sets today and it showed.  First set was 40 and the last set was a rather miserable 10 count.  Fail fast and hard....

April 10, 2012 4:42 AM HKT

150 V-sits today

Think the title says it all.  Sets were 40-30-30-30-20 (yes, yes I know I am not supposed to count).  Suffice to say my plank times sucked.  Abs feel like I've had Mike Tyson alternately punching and kicking them.  With lead gloves.  Not sure I can bear to look at tomorrow's workout.

April 9, 2012 10:40 PM HKT

Massive attack

Senioritis hit me with a bang this weekend.  Literally had to beat myself around the head to go to the gym and do the reps, especially those v-sits.  I may have snuck in a glass or two of wine this weekend and more than one of my daughter's jelly beans - I curse you Easter bunny.  Have opened today's exercises and literally want to shoot myself - supersets of vsits/plank to FAILURE?  Patrick, you must be smoking crack.

Anyway enough whining, headed to the gym at lunch to bust these out.   Pretty sure I'll be incapable of much productive work this afternoon. Have a good final week everyone.  Finish strong.

April 6, 2012 2:52 AM HKT

A little sad (but secretly proud)

My trusty jump rope finally gave up the ghost.  Minute 20 out of 21 out of today's set, she split right in the middle.  Think that's the first time I've ever, aside from running shoes, managed to wear out a piece of exercise equipment through overuse.  And at $4.99, it was probably the most bang for my buck I've ever got. 

A replacement was already on hand so my jump-rope career continues unaffected.  But I'll spare a thought for my retired workhorse tomorrow.  You were the catalyst for my re-engineering, the driver in my PCP growth.  Gone but not forgotten.  RIP.

April 5, 2012 10:29 PM HKT

The 80s...

Been a little quiet this week on the blog - work trip to LA and Chicago so tough to get on a computer. 

Not sure about everyone else but body felt like hell this week.  I had to skip the workout on Monday and only did rope/abs/pullups on Tuesday.  By the time I got to Wednesday's workout, I am not sure whether it was over-exertion at the weekend or stiff from no workout the preceding day but really had to battle through the shoulders (using my lightest band) and the V-sits were more like 12 sets of 9.  Diet has been a bit spotty, broadly been on track but haven't been able to get the egg whites in as much as I would like.  Back in NY now so will be easier to be 100% focused.

Hard to believe its only a few more days.  But that said, I doubt my eating/workout schedule will change all that much - its all sort of ingrained now.  Might take a break from the bands but the skipping and bodyweight stuff is pretty much a given.

Hope everyone else doing well.

April 2, 2012 11:25 PM HKT

Miami Tri

Back from Miami last night.  Great weekend and the triathlon went unbelievably well despite zero specific training.  I was a little off my pace from last year's race but bearing in mind my lack of training, I am very happy with the time.

A couple of reflections on PCP and how I felt during the race.  1. I felt very little, if any real fatigue.  I took things deliberately slowly and only really began to push in the
last three miles of the run but overall I felt unbelievably good.  Better than in any other race I've ever done actually.  2. Transitions were easy.  Usually the first mile of the run is a killer because your legs are used to the bike and then you're asking them to do something totally different.  Not this time; pretty much dropped the bike and was on run form straight away. 3. Felt totally hydrated throughout the race despite only drinking one bottle of Accelerade on the bike and two cups of water on the run.  Normally I drink like a pissed fish.  Got to be the veggies/diet  4.Post race I didn't feel stiff or sore (well maybe a little bit) but overall felt pretty great. 

Bottom line, am a total PCP convert.  This sh-t rocks.  Not suggesting I will concentrate solely on this type of training in the future, but the endless squats/creeps/jumps and even shoulder stuff for the swim, set me up totally for endurance and I think the core stuff was key to helping keep good body position which was good for speed and preventing fatigue.  And clearly the underlying diet has given me overall balance and vitality which I've been missing.  Patrick, you may just have discovered the fountain of youth.

Having said that all that, I am going to have to skip training today - getting on a flight to LA and just no time.  Will try and hit the rope this evening pre-dinner and throw in some ab work.

Have a good week all.

March 29, 2012 9:39 PM HKT

Reflections on gym life

Been reading some of the gym posts and they mirror what's been my experience. 

I belong to a gym with, for a variety of reasons (mostly because its in midtown NY), a lot of personal trainers.  The trainers are in really good shape, the clients not so much. The exercises they do seem PCP-ish, in that there is a good structure, attention to various muscle groups and the programmes seem tailored to the individual clients needs.  So, good in a way.  There are then a bunch of folks running on the treadmill, on the bikes, ellipticals, sweating buckets and working hard.  Clearly these machines have a place in the world for cardio fitness or if you are runner in training.  The free weights section has some big guys shifting heavy loads, grunting and dropping big weights and some really fit looking guys doing alot of body weight stuff, both who seem pretty focused and the results seem to show the work they put in.  So, those groups account for 20% of the gym.  Favourite anthropological subset of mine is the massive guy with huge shoulders, pecs, arms and skinny little legs.

The rest of the masses spend most of their time reading magazines, chatting, looking in the mirror, flailing about on the machines, looking in the mirror, wandering aimlessly, doing a little light workout and generally getting in the way.

I used a trainer for a little while and it made very little difference for two reasons.  One, because I couldn't afford 5-7 days a week and only did it for a few weeks.  And two, most importantly, there was no hint of discussion about diet.  I've never had a problem with motivation to exercise necessarily (well that's not totally true) but its clear that so much of this is food related.  Sort of makes me laugh (and rue the wasted sweat and many many dollars), about the amount of time spent in spin classes and various other workouts that I really didn't need to do.  Jump rope and some vegetables, who knew.  The fitness industry might just put a bounty out on Patrick's head.

So not exactly revolutionary insight but maybe that's the point.  Doesn't matter where in the world you are, some one's getting rich off some one else's wasted gym time.

March 28, 2012 9:41 PM HKT

Another day, another egg white

Day started fine.  Cooked my breakfast, made up my lunch food, gathered my fruit, boiled my eggs, showered, shaved, suited and booted, then jumped on the subway.  Sat down, opened my paper and as the doors closed.... I realised I'd left my food behind in the fridge. F*&^*^&&^%K.

Then some dude got on at 96th Street; he was clearly was a frustrated rapper and freestyled the whole way to Times Square.  Pet hate - people singing on the subway - generally the music isn't my cup of tea, they tend to do it very loudly and they, by and large, can't sing to save their lives.  Call me a misanthrope, but subway singers rank up there with golf umbrellas and steak knives; you shouldn't need them in life.

Still, in keeping with my life lesson from the PCP outage day, keep calm and stuff works out just fine.  Will order some steamed veg and chicken from my local Korean and pick up some fruit from Lou downstairs.  Sometimes living in New York sucks.  And sometimes it doesn't.

Have a good week all.

March 27, 2012 4:03 AM HKT

Chhh-chh-chh-chhanges...

Full disclosure, I was tensing my abs fairly heavily in this week's photo.  But was desperate for some evidence of all the work over the past ten weeks.  Feel like there may finally be a bit of a breakthrough.  Not going the whole hog and say I am satisfied with the final product but there has been at least some progress.

Good workouts today/yesterday. Thoughts on failure: its very hard to a) not count off reps; b) know when I really lost form versus just being a pansy about it and c) well its just fairly frigging hard to do.  I went two bands on the standing ovations to see if I could fail fast and hard but felt like I was leaning too much into it?  Anyway, will keep at it. Diet still good, be interested to know how my maintenance diet is going to look since I could honestly keep this up going forward.

Triathlon coming up and I am still training-challenged.  Hoping the PCP training will give me a edge and I'll be able to get through it with grim enthusiasm....

Have a good week everyone.

March 24, 2012 2:22 AM HKT

Today - Part Deux

First time I have ever posted twice in a day but yesterday's lack of access has made me feel quite proprietary about my blog. 

Felt great on the workout today.  Got my legs up to head height on the kungfus although may have been a bit too much swinging on the last set.  Also alot of trainers at my gym have been noticing and complimenting me on the workouts, not so much the execution since these guys know a muppet when they see one, but more on the simplicity, isolation and focus of the exercises (the kungfus particularly).  They are pretty much all complimentary about the length of the rope workout too, so its been good to have the PCP methods admired by non-partisan third parties.  Secretly I hope they also admire the consistency of my attendance.  Today represents 70 days in a row that I have worked out consecutively. Clearly this is not a world record but its got my best run beat by about 65 days.

Yoga tonight and going to go for a non-shaky, no-collapsing head stand.  There's a girl in the class who is rather good at them and she is spurring me to work on my inversions.

Have a good weekend everyone.  Only a few weeks to go...

March 23, 2012 9:30 PM HKT

24 hours in a PCP free zone.

Thursday.  PCP site down, 6 week chisel site out, no contact info on yoga site. Panic stations.  Then I realised I have literally no way of getting in contact with my PCP gurus in the event that the site doesn't come back online.  My naturally suspicious mind suspected all kinds of skulduggery and pseudo-Zen training which involved controlling someone's diet and exercise for 70 days and then cutting them off cold turkey to survive in an apocalyptic, post-PCP nightmare.  How many pullups did I do last week?  Do I add another set?  Skijumpers? Or pulldowns?  Both?  Who is Patrick really?  A brief google search revealed some yoga stuff and a lot of kung-fu kicking in rather fetching yellow jumpsuits.  Even considered googling "Ward, teacher, Maine" or "Nick, Australian music, Hong Kong" (literally couldn't remember anyone else's name or background?) to get an email address from one of my cohorts.  Was literally obsessively checking the site twice an hour.  Had to eat some extra vegetables just to calm myself.

Of course the end result, site back up, panic over, exercises done, all is well.  Thanks to my PCP colleague who had thoughtfully and very intelligently written out the week's exercises so I was able to get them over email and stay on track.  Life lesson, stay calm, things tend to work out just fine.

March 22, 2012 3:49 AM HKT

Approaching Day 70

A few alums have told me this was the day they really noticed a big change.  Obviously its different for everyone but feeling positive about the next few weeks and plan on seeing some major physical changes/additional definition.  Going to try and add in an 8 minute abs session or additional rope time everyday until the end and nail the diet just to maximize my potential during these last few weeks.

Not much else to report here - off to a wine tasting tonight so will be lots of sniffing and spitting; no gulping.  Workout was tough today - felt like my muscles were sore already from back stuff yesterday and I moved up a band for the chicken wings.  Busted through the reps though and the 1 second holds really get the burn going.  Sort of hot and humid in NY today - always feels a bit tougher to push oneself on these kind of days.

Hope everyone doing well this week.

March 21, 2012 3:13 AM HKT

Weather and workouts

Great workout today, put in an extra set of pull-ups just because.  I feel like I have broken through a bit of a barrier with them and actually look forward to hitting the bar on Tuesdays and Fridays.  But it wouldn't be the PCP without at least one real b*stard of an exercise every day.  And today it was the bicycles.  Really struggled there and was only able to grunt through them with some assistance - really feel it in my hip flexors/upper thighs more than the abs.  Seem to remember from a Q&A that this is correct - but getting up the stairs to hit the showers afterwards was tricky and felt a little nauseous.  Presume this is a good thing. 

Consequently, not sure I can force myself for a ride tonight despite the beautiful weather.  For those not on the Eastern seaboard of the US, its around 70F/20C, zero humidity and bright sunshine.  Does anyone live somewhere where its like this all the time? Because I'd like to come visit you. Permanently.

March 20, 2012 2:26 AM HKT

Failure

That sh*t hurts... Did around 25 reps on the last set of outside curls and pretty much ensured I'll be unable to lift anything heavier than a pencil for the next few hours.  Workouts are definitely really hard now and they are taking me over an hour to get through them.  Still liking the focus on the specific muscles though and really feeling the benefit.  The chest dips seem to get me in the shoulders more than the chest - Teo, any comments on form?

Beautiful weather here on the east coast - its really a struggle to stay in the office.  May even have to squeeze in a couple of laps in the park tonight.  Diet still on song although a minor hiccup over the weekend involving some champagne and cookies (yes they complement wonderfully).  Aim to finish this last month with 100% compliance - lets hope its not case of perfect strategy, imperfect execution. 

Seems like everyone is moving along nicely, well done on another week down.

March 17, 2012 3:42 AM HKT

Less than 30 days

Actually starting/daring to think about life without PCP.  What will I do without endless amounts of food prep, ridiculous levels of egg whites, and a burning hatred for shoulder workouts?  I know....  Six week chisel anyone??

Definitely feeling my abs showing, just need to cut the love handles a tad more and shave the moobs a little and I'll consider the project a success.  Weighed myself for pretty much the first time since the start and am around 158lbs or 72kg.  Figure that's about my fighting weight - think I was ~160lbs/73kg at the start and definitely put on some muscle since then. Net loss about 1kg which won't put me on Jillian Michael's leader board but overall loss wasn't my goal.

Tris and back today.  Pullups continue to defeat me - can only do the min reps and that's with a fair amount of wriggling on the last set.  I tried the 1 second hold today and worked especially well for the rows which I find it hard to feel any kind of burn on.  Five sets of dips was frankly just cruel but the arms have some definition now so its worth the pain.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.  Drinks party tomorrow night will once again test the willpower.  Stay strong all....

March 15, 2012 9:48 PM HKT

Day 60/61

Managed to sneak on an earlier flight back from Richmond yesterday so was able to collect my daughter from school, hit the park, cook her dinner AND get in my full PCP workout.  Total result.

I still don't get creeps, I really don't.  Don't feel them all that much - think I must be doing them wrong.  And you look at little weird in the gym.  Oh well....Someone also gave me a tip re: pistol squats - put something behind you like a workout bench and use that as a target to get down further - don't sit on it but try and touch it with your glutes.  Burned like hell...  Have seen some ab muscles peeking out and overall feeling fairly okay but could do with some more weight off certain parts.

Overall another decent week in PCP-land.  Will hit the 8 minute abs this weekend and try and get a bike ride in.  Two more weeks till Miami triathlon.

March 13, 2012 2:19 AM HKT

Are we there yet?

New diets are up and my carbs have been reduced.  Sort of happy about that frankly since I don't feel I am cutting the fat enough here.  I am also down to a mere 5 egg whites a day which seems more manageable.  Going through a carton of eggs every 36 hours gets old fairly quickly. 

Managed to do yoga on Saturday and went for a great bike ride Sunday with a mate of mine.  He's a fairly strong rider and usually keeps me pretty honest to say the least.  Not sure if he was tired or off form (and he may also read this) but lets just say, it was clear who'd been keeping in shape over the winter.... PCP seems to have really helped get my legs stronger but also has helped with recovery period.  No stiffness today despite doing the full leg workout in the afternoon as well. 

Tough workouts at the moment and found myself having to downgrade bands to get the full reps in particularly for shoulder stuff.  Certain muscles seem to be getting strong though - had to use two bands for the standing ovations today for example.  Its slower progress than I would like and the results are not yet there to see but progress is better then perfection.

Everyone looking good - keep it up team.

Side note.  Curls get girls?  Come on Patrick... :)

March 9, 2012 11:10 PM HKT

Life's simple pleasures - Run, dog, tunes

I've been advised my blogging is somewhat lacklustre generally but particularly yesterday.  I tend to agree.  I think its been reflective of my recent mood, particularly the last two weeks. Haven't felt or seen much progress and the workouts taking longer and are more painful. 

However, got up at 5.30 this morning for a run and was in the park at six.  Sun was coming up and even in the middle of the craziness of NY, there was an oasis of peace and quiet in the north woods of central park.  This was my first run for ages and I
felt like a new man.  Spring is in the air in NYC and I felt really loose and fit, despite my lack of running - normally if I have a month off, the first 4 miler is a killer. I think the dog was a bit surprised by my foot speed and she was lagging a bit on the way home; excessive squirrel/raccoon chasing does tend to burn the legs out.  Even my ipod seemed to sense the mood and was shuffling through the more upbeat tunes on my running mix to keep my legs humming along  Life needs a good soundtrack.

For the first time in what seems quite a while, I have bugger all planned for the weekend.  Sleep, some fl/yoga, hang out with my daughter, some light errands and that's about it.  Hell I may even throw in a double header of 8 minute abs and buns.

Apologies if I have not been a particularly consistent comment-er on the blogs, I aim to do better in the final third of the project. 

Roll on Week 9, lets crush the next month... 

March 9, 2012 5:29 AM HKT

Day 54

Overall liking the new workouts, tough though they are - can definitely feel some muscles working.  Still a tad disappointed with the lack of fat loss but appreciate its a slow process and we still have nearly 40% left in terms of time - hoping to see some rapid progress in these last weeks!  Not much else to report this end.  Roll on week 9.

March 7, 2012 3:01 AM HKT

My triceps hate me

Brutal sets today - was pretty wiped out by the end of the 5x pullups but the fun was only just beginning.  Dips, ski-jumpers and katanas had my triceps screaming. And then the final misery of hanging from the bar for the KF-situps.  Lunchhour used to consist of a gentle sandwich, a check on the BBC Sports page and a stroll in Bryant Park if the weather was nice.  Today ranks as an all-time low on that score.  On the flip side, all this work can't fail to have results.... 

Hope everyone having a good week.

March 6, 2012 12:29 AM HKT

Indulgence like the cavalry...

Just in the nick of time.  A couple of glasses of wine washed away the
taste of my lacklustre PCP week and am fully focused on getting it done
in Week 8.  I wish I could say I have cured my love of the bottle by two months of healthy living but thankfully I am still a massive fan...

Workout yesterday was fairly tough and today's sets look equally so.  But definitely feel the focus on one muscle group and can feel things really working.

Question - I have to eat 100g carbs before my workout.  Anyone have any suggestions?  Plain toast/bagel has gotten old after one day and not sure I can stomach more quinoa/couscous/rice.  Coupled with the fact I am totally out of tupperware boxes...

March 3, 2012 3:16 AM HKT

PCP Freakout

I admit it, I am pretty impatient.  But I didn't really get the Day 42 "deep valley" training message until today.  I like to train/workout and don't mind the dietary restrictions too much (except for booze).  But I had a few mis-skips during my rope session and just flipped out.  I stopped short of chucking my rope across the gym but I had a pretty decent full on temper trantrum.  It was mostly internal, along the lines of "Patrick and his G%*&$# eggs and zen **%&# master training messages aint doing sh*t" and "I am busting my ass for no effect or gain".  Apologies and thanks to the lovely lady in the gym who was trying hard not to laugh but was very understanding at the same time.

Anyway having thrown all my toys out of the crib, I have calmed down and am back on track.

March 2, 2012 3:18 AM HKT

Midway

Just noticed we are at Day 47, officially well over the half way mark - hard to believe. 

I was walking to the gym at lunch and a delivery guy came charging out of Little Italy (a favourite pizza joint) carrying 5 large pies, steaming in the cold air, and smelling like, well, like frigging awesome pizza smells to a hungry guy, who loves it and has been denied it for nearly 50 days.  I followed him for two blocks with my nose in the air like a basset hound before peeling off into the gym, feeling virtuous.  And a little depressed.

Perhaps in honour of my abstemiousness, the PCP gods blessed me with an excellent workout today, skipping felt fluid (although there was someone in the gym doing constant crossovers which was a source of significant envy), and the pullups went as well as can be expected.  Decided my true distaste is reserved for the shoulder exercises - raises and da vincis - my shoulders hate me right now. 

Traveling to delightful Buffalo this weekend so will be packing my rope'n'eggs in my hand luggage. Stay strong folks and remember the pizza will still be there on April 15th...

March 1, 2012 12:03 AM HKT

Texas part two

So I found it hard to find decent vegetable options (particularly at breakfast) while on the road.  Rather oddly I found myself craving them and when my flight landed last night, I got home and had a big old plate of them.  Not something I'd ever thought would happen.... Rock on broccoli.

February 28, 2012 8:16 AM HKT

Texas PCP

Hi y'all - hope week 7 going well.  Managed to squeeze in the workout when i landed and ingest my six egg whites for the day.  I am beginning to appreciate how tough it's been for folks who have been traveling a lot during the PCP, definitely trickier than it looks to stay on track with airports, hotels etc.  My minibar contains 8 hard boiled eggs, four yogurts and a couple of pints of milk. Should last me till I am back on home turf.

Feeling ups and downs at the moment - definitely making progress but still a hefty portion of lard around the belt and "pecs" area.... Managed to put in 6 sets of pull ups today which was fairly proud of but clearly work still to do.  I have definitely seen some abs in the stomach region - be nice to get more than just a glimpse.

Have a good week 7. 

Over and out.

February 27, 2012 12:28 AM HKT

Dear Diary....

Confession time.  I fell off the wagon last night and had a few glasses of wine.  My daughter and I had movie night (Diego saves the humpback whale in case you wanted to know) and I snuck in a few bites of her popcorn which tasted revoltingly salty by the way. From then on it was a short sharp slide into the bottle. Feel like hell today - I can literally feel the sugar and salt coursing though the body.  As penance I am going to do double jump rope and 8 minute abs post exercises. May even throw in some pull ups and extra v-sits to truly punish myself.  Think I was feeling a little bit of the dark never-ending valley feeling that patrick was referring to. Disappointed but onwards and upwards.  

Off to Houston tomorrow so taking the PCP show on the road. Anyone with any experience of regional airports in the US will know how hard it is to find decent, healthy food so I'll be packing as much PCP compliant stuff as I can. The security folks are going to laugh when they see six hard boiled eggs in my hand luggage. 

Have a good week all.

February 24, 2012 10:28 PM HKT

Come on gang...!

Ah the 8 minute Ab dude...  Trying very hard to remember the sequence of the workouts so I don't have to listen to him again but so far no dice.  Body was tired this morning and wolfed down my breakfast - think my daughter was a little scared at the manner with which I attacked my plate of food.  She also told me my tummy was gross but I think that has more to do with the hair rather than an indictment of the PCP results.

Looking forward to the weekend - little bike ride, spot of yoga, lots of sleep.  Congrats on another week almost down PCPers...

February 24, 2012 2:44 AM HKT

Day 40

Took Teo's advice and tried to go to failure on every set.  Made the mistake of doing this on the chest dips which was first exercise of the day.  I can now barely lift my spoon to eat.  Highly recommend this variation if you want to shake uncontrollably at the end of your workout.  Still I did say I wanted to really feel the exercises the next day.  To quote George Bush, mission accomplished.

Going to a guys dinner tonight at Hill Country - Texas BBQ.  Think eating beforehand might be necessary.

Keep on trucking everyone - halfway point dead ahead....

February 22, 2012 3:32 AM HKT

Addiction

Hi, my name is Fraser and I am a jump-rope addict.  3,000 or thereabouts yesterday.  Loving it now....

Hope everyone having a great week...

February 19, 2012 10:06 AM HKT

Another day complete...

Skipping and 8 minute abs today as promised.  Not that bad actually Ward...  Decent food day as well - suppose that makes up for a minor infraction last night in the form of two glasses of wine over dinner.  I was pretty good on the food front - only veggies and some scallops and no carbs.  Pistol squats tomorrow and the dreaded pullups are back on the menu..!

February 17, 2012 5:23 AM HKT

Three day weekend ahead...

Workouts done and dusted today.  V-sits finally seem to be coming together - its all generally a bit smoother and less jerky.  Seem to be more tired this week and hungrier, workouts seem tougher.  Guess we are in the meat of the program now.  Definitely feeling like my posture is better and I've had no back pain or knee issues - both of which typically plague me.

Looking forward to a long weekend here in the States and some good sleep.  If the weather holds off, might even get on my bike for the first time in a long while and go for a swim or two.  I also have a commitment to try the 8 minute abs - I'll touch base over the weekend Ward and let you know how it goes...

Enjoy the weekend all.  Stay out of the pub and on track.

February 16, 2012 3:44 AM HKT

Day 32

Felt like tough workouts in the past couple of days but feeling good.  Pullups seem to be coming together albeit at minimum reps and the da vincis still suck but really feeling the focus on the specific body areas.  Diet is ticking over pretty well.  Hoping to start seeing some real change soon-ish...!

February 14, 2012 10:52 PM HKT

8 minute abs...?

I can barely do the v-sits and the sit-ups.

February 14, 2012 12:16 AM HKT

Week five

Morning all,

Definitely feeling some loosening of the belt loops which is great but certainly have a ways to go yet.  Feel like I have my routine down pretty well at this stage during the week although weekends are a little trickier since my schedule is a bit more fluid.  Ended up skipping a meal on Saturday which I don't like to do all that much anyway and seems like that is heresy in the programme.  Fully compliant thus far this week though.  Appreciate today's training message re:protein - figure I will have dropped the equivalent of a mortgage payment on eggs by the close of the PCP.  Anyone else struggling to get the massive quantities of protein and veggies inside them in the morning??  With my pre/post workout snack now added, my days feel like a constant grazing session....  Guess that might be the point.

Feeling the burn on the new exercises and like the isolation of specific groups each day.  My skipping seems to have come back too thankfully although someone needs to teach me the crossover so I can take it the next level - still wrapping myself up like a pretzel at the moment.

Other than that all is well in my PCP world...

February 10, 2012 11:03 AM HKT

Regression

Feeling like I have not progressed all that much this week despite nailing the diet and sticking like glue to the exercise plan.  Slow and steady I know, but be nice to see some movement in the lard belt around my waist.  Other than that feeling great - we'll see if that positive energy will still be around at 6am when I am due to go for a run....  Hope everyone having a good week 4 - hard to believe we are almost a third down.

On another note, the friend who introduced me to PCP has signed up for the PCP "chiseler" to re-engage his peak condition - six weeks of pure hell by all accounts.  Good luck mate...  

Round two of the Vsits await me tomorrow I think.

Cheers all.

February 9, 2012 2:36 AM HKT

A new enemy

and V-sit is his name.  Simple, seemingly straightforward and brutally hard.  Failure on every set.  The CIA should take this to Gitmo - bet it would give waterboarding a run for its money.  I can see plenty of these in my future.

February 8, 2012 10:56 PM HKT

A Pyrrhic victory

Hit the pullup bar yesterday for my 4 sets and crushed them; even did some extra at the end of the workout.  Okay so it was the low end of the total reps but it was 4 good sets of them (well the last set was a little sloppy and involved a very red face and some unseemly grunting). Definitely still feel like my legs are helping me too much and I am flopping around like a fish on a hook but getting somewhere at least. 

Of course now my skipping has totally gone to hell.  The PCP gives... and she takes away.

Happy Day 25 all.

February 6, 2012 11:49 PM HKT

New diet, new exercises

Got my shopping done and steamed up a bunch of veggies for the week so we're all set.  Feeling more positive this week. Seems most folks got stuck in a bit of a rut this past week - glad its not just me!  Managed to successfully hard boil some eggs this time and mixed up the diet with a bit of pasta this week.  Roll on the floor creeps/chicken wings/bunny hops or whatever they're called. 

Confession - I sneaked a piece of my daughter's pizza yesterday - didn't have my sh1t together and was starving.  I thought of you the whole time though, steamed broccoli.  It didn't mean anything.

Got invited to a wine tasting in a couple of weeks.  Its for Austrian wines and I have a serious weakness for Riesling and Gruner Veltliner - should be an interesting test of the alcohol ban.  But realising that I have to emerge from my hermit-dom and try and socialise in a PCP-friendly way.

Have a good week everyone, sorry Pats/Brady fans....

Over and out.

February 5, 2012 10:39 PM HKT

Weekend PCP blues

Tough weekend here.  Didn't get myself organised on the shopping front and so ended up eating fairly dry, dull, tasteless meals that showcased the worst about any kind of diet regime.  My own fault of course... Need to make it to the supermarket and get some sexy meals planned for the new week.  Can't believe how much I have to eat for breakfast...

A low point thus far in the PCP but today is a new day. Onwards and upwards.  All well on the exercise front.  Spin and yoga this weekend and body feels good.  Some definite muscle tone under those layers of fat...

Hope everyone else doing well.

February 3, 2012 2:59 AM HKT

Day 19 Workout

Dear Day 19 workout,

You suck.  Especially your pullups.  Looking forward to meeting your more amenable friend, Day 20.

Peace

February 2, 2012 3:07 AM HKT

Chugging along

Not much to report here.  Feeling the exercises a bit more especially the pull-ups - sounds like that's a common theme.  My jumprope seems to have regressed and can't seem to get a good groove going anymore!  Sure its just a blip.  Otherwise finally got my bands (been using the gym ones until now) and feel like there's been some progress on the muscle development.  Early days yet though.

Food-wise, actually quite enjoying the simple food and there's plenty of it.  Also saving myself a fortune by making my own breakfast and lunch as opposed to buying it at the local deli - ancillary benefits of PCP!  I calculated I have been buying breakfast and lunch at the same place for around 7 years - which means I've paid some bloke around $15,000 just for food.  Scary....

Hope everyone doing well in Week 3!

January 31, 2012 12:44 AM HKT

I wasn't angry, just disappointed...

Had a tough start to the weekend on the PCP.  I went out for dinner on Friday and was sort of stumped by the lack of options on the menu.  Tried my best with salmon and vegetables but definitely didn't feel fully compliant and felt irritated with myself for not planning better and asking for something healthier. 

So imagine my surprise and pleasure when I got Teo's missive on Saturday morning that going for fish/veggies is the best bet when out for dinner and don't sweat the minor infractions.  Thus re-energized I spent the rest of the weekend in the PCP-zone, skilfully avoiding the bottles of wine and artisanal cheeses being consumed by the parents at a Sunday afternoon play-date/drinks with my daughter.

Exercises going well - managed to fit in a spin class and yoga this weekend as well as the PCP stuff.  I noticed the pull-up bar begins tomorrow - which promises to join the Da vinci exercises and violent religious extremism on my list of the world's most unwanted items. 

Final note to self, must really cook hardboiled eggs.  Slightly runny egg whites for a snack joins the aforementioned list and adds to dry cleaning bills...

January 27, 2012 11:39 PM HKT

Sleep and rope envy

Not sure about everyone else but I seem to be sleeping like a rock at the moment.  I am out for 8 hours straight no problem whereas for the past 3 years (basically since my daughter was born) I've been up and down like a yo-yo.  Definitely a benefit.

Loving the jump rope at the gym and was feeling fairly cocky about my moves until yesterday.  There I was happily shuffling away doing my 700.  Guy came in with his rope, gave me a look and then he was off.  Cross overs, skips, double jumps, even a few Rocky-esque diagnonals.  All at frightening speed.  Under pressure, I tried to up my game and velocity.  It went well for about 20 jumps.  Then rope round feet, and a red face.  I slunk away for my  squats.  But I'll be back tomorrow my friend....

January 26, 2012 10:09 PM HKT

Mid week

Nothing massively new to report.  Gastro-intestinal issues seem to be resolved for now and the diet part seems to be chugging along.  Going to have to hit the market for more supplies at the weekend - might try myself a big steam.  Other than that trying to fly under the radar a bit so not faced with any booze related temptations!  Always tricky at the weekend....

Exercises and yoga this evening.  Hope everyone doing well.

January 25, 2012 10:09 PM HKT

Day 10 - a retrospective

Morning all,

Felt like I had a pretty good day yesterday aside from some odd and sort of painful stomach issues post lunch.  Took a spin through the blogs (thanks for being proactive about that Ward) and emailed our sensei Teo.  Turns out GI issues are perfectly normal and there will be a certain amount of (ahem) increased activity.  Someone mentioned it was probably the increased fibre which my body was working out how to deal with. 

Also got a tip for a good topping/spread to add - homemade tzatziki - its basically just greek yoghurt, cucumbers, olive oil, pepper, fresh dill and garlic.  Not sure exactly how you'd measure your grams but might be a nice addition to chicken etc.

Exercises going pretty well - Da Vincis are the invention of a sadist clearly.  Finding it tough to keep tension in the band and keep the reps up.  Think I might need to downshift to a lighter band for those. Will hit the gym at lunch for some more fun and games.

January 24, 2012 10:00 PM HKT

Kitchen ninja

Despite a late-ish meeting after work, managed to get to the supermarket and pick up some additional Week Two supplies.  Spent the next two hours in a veritable orgy of chopping and cooking, harnessing my inner Jamie Oliver.  Lunch for the week is now couscous as a carb base, lime chilli chicken as a protein complement, rounded off with a truckload of roasted vegetables (little bit of olive oil).  Feeling much more organised and ready to rock the week with the appropriate fuel.

No further rope incidents at the gym and feeling the da vincis/raises in my shoulders this morning.  All is well in my PCP world...

January 23, 2012 10:09 PM HKT

Day 9

Liking the new diets in terms of quantity but going to have to get my act together to start cooking some decent tasting meals.  Breakfast is pretty straightforward with egg and vegetable wrap and a side of Greek yoghurt instead of milk.  Fruit snacks no worries.  Lunch and dinner need work - need to get some couscous or quinoa made early in the week, stir fry some veggies and turkey etc.  Going to try to get to that tonight - already bored of carrot sticks.

Good to have the new exercises, nice to break a proper sweat.  Managed to smack someone on the head at the gym with the rope over the weekend.  Clearly she was unaware of the velocity and power of my rope as it spun at light speed around my head and walked straight into it (she was on her blackberry and totally clueless).  No damage done except to her ego and my jumping record - was going for 600 in a row and fell agonisingly short at 580.  However since at least half of these were at the boxer's skip, I think I can stand tall.  Still working on that arm cross - must've watched Patrick's video 12 times.  Still plenty of time.  Other exercises no worries although constantly surprised at how hard the push-ups are on the bar....  And not sure when the pull-ups begin but I know that will be my nemesis.

Have a good week all, sounds like everyone doing well and thanks for some of the food tips.

January 22, 2012 8:00 AM HKT

Day 7

Pretty decent day today.  Managed to do an hour or so of pilates and then the rope - think I may have undercooked it since I thought it was only 350 today instead of 500 but I did some extra so there or thereabouts.  Exercises for Week 2 look good and will likely take quite a bit more time.  I can see my gym time dipping in the coming weeks.

Food still okay, still on half rations but its probably been a breeze compared to what's on its way.  Diet plan looks fairly threatening and judging by the increased volume of Q&As, seems like most people have similar questions and concerns.

Snowy day here in NYC, I see a sofa and pizza sometime in my near future.  PCP begins in earnest tomorrow.  Roll on Sunday and the beginning of the true path...

Plan on getting that Week 2 photo up tomorrow.

January 20, 2012 10:01 PM HKT

Day 5/6

Tough day yesterday.  Had massive hunger pangs (and some rather odd
stomach noises) in the afternoon.  Half a health bar for an afternoon snack seemed to do the
trick but was fairly grumpy for most of the day.  Did an hour of yoga
as well as the exercises and of course Patrick (and Ward) were correct.  Pushups bars are harder than the weights.  Now I have the tools....

Day 6 started well, slept in a bit and half egg whites wrap hit the spot.  Plan to hit a spin class tonight and then crack on with the PCPs.  Still doing well with the half rations.  Looking forward to seeing what's next on the menu for Week 2.

Have a good day everyone.

January 19, 2012 9:58 PM HKT

Day 5

Slept like a dead log last night - couldn't face 6am exercises so will fit in yoga and PCP later today.  Don't feel as lightheaded as yesterday and really not that hungry.  Managed 1.5 rolls of sushi (half my usual 3) for dinner last night, ate at glacial speed and was astonishingly fairly sated at the end.  Half eggwhite, broccoli and Swiss wrap for breakfast this morning.  The scale remains unused in the corner of the kitchen.  For now.

Trying to preempt any cravings by drinking a shed load of green tea, but really have not suffered any so far.  However the weekend approaches though and promises to be booze-free for the first time in living memory.  Scary thought since its freezing in NYC and really there's bugger all to do in this weather apart from guzzle red wine indoors.  May the force be with me.

Per Patrick's exhortation, I am now armed with a new set of push-up bars; will report on progress later.  Exercises still fairly straightforward.  Hour in the gym last night followed by 300 skips and all the rest.

January 18, 2012 9:43 PM HKT

Day 4

Things ticking along nicely.  Had a single small taco last night for dinner and half glass of red wine.  Liking the eat what we feel like stage; am sure its about to get much worse.

Felt a little lightheaded yesterday, presumably from lack of food but aside from the PCP workouts, haven't been able to get much gym time in the past couple of days so not noticing the half portions as much as I thought I might?  Heading to gym tonight - spot of weights and then PCP.

January 17, 2012 10:20 PM HKT

Day 3

Day 3 - woke up at 5.30 feeling a little hungry, despite snaffling a
little more than a half plate of spaghetti last night.  Having a half
glass of red wine was a new experience but felt quite virtuous.  Didn't
manage to make the 6.30am strength class at the gym but got my exercises done
before work.  I did a bit extra with the jump-rope to practice and am pleased to
report I have rediscovered some form.  The boxer's skip is coming back
and managed to do all 5 sets without stopping or wrapping the rope around my legs/head. Still some way off from the diagonal or the arm cross.

Half portion of egg-whites, broccoli and Swiss cheese this morning - feels like a long time until lunch.  Other than that feeling in decent shape.  Week one almost half way done....

January 16, 2012 11:07 AM HKT

Day 2

Oh and I will put my photo up tomorrow....

January 16, 2012 11:06 AM HKT

Day 1

Pleased to be finally starting on the PCP.  Day one was more challenging than I thought.  The half portions didn't go all that well, not sure how to have a half bottle of beer but tomorrow's a new day.  The exercises were what sort of surprised me.  I watched the videos expecting not to learn much about pushups but clearly I have been doing them wrong for the past 20 years.  And Patrick's way is much harder..... Learned something new already.  I am a total muppet at the jump-rope, hoping significant practice will help the form/rhythm.   Exercises done and a decent swim workout.  Looking forward to really getting into the eating, or lack thereof tomorrow.  Definitely going to miss the wine I can tell.

January 13, 2012 10:32 PM HKT

Pre PCP

Day One is fast approaching - I am definitely feeling a complex mixture of dread and anticipation.  I peeked at the first week's diet and exercises.  Seems fairly straightforward which almost makes me more nervous about what is to come.  Anyway this is my last weekend for quite some time where I can drink booze so I intend to top up my internal levels of Riesling.  Look forward to meeting all of my other PCPers in the coming weeks.  Good luck!