The Peak Condition Project

April 14, 2012 7:02 PM HKT

Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning

This is very much how I feel about finding myself the other side of "Day 90" I have achieved far more than I though possible and stuck with the program with more discipline than I thought I could muster. So why?

I have always struggled with my weight from about the age of 18, roughly the same time my mother handed over the running of my diet to me, and whilst I have followed various fitness programs in the past they have shown much slower progress than what I've achieved on PCP. The biggest difference with this program is the attention and education on diet which is something I hope never leaves my conscious thoughts.

My discipline to the course was driven my three main factors, the progress made kept me motivated. Claire's unswerving support with my food preparation, lack of nights out and my ever increasing absence from her company to complete the exercises. Finally the members of my group who provided, inspirational, amusing and at time a little confusing posts and comments as my commitment to blogging began to wain. Thank you!

I lost 20 kg's in weight, 10% body fat and 6 inches from both my waist and chest. My chest size today was my waist size on day one! Having seen the progress some of the group have made in terms of body definition I intend to take a small break and then spend another 90 days focused on achieving just that!

I have attached some photos which highlight the progress made, including one of my rather portly stomach at week 4 and the much improved version today. Until now I was not happy to share, but I hope it provide some inspiration to others who look over this blog in times to come. It looks like the photos may have to be split over two posts!

I now have to think how I replace my routine of visiting the site every morning when I wake and every night before bed!

I'll sign off by thanking a few people. Patrick and Teo for creating and mentoring such a fantastic program. There are a few people or times in my life which have made a fundamental difference to me, these 90 days can be added to the list. Thanks also to James Mirfin a PCP alumni who inspired me to sign up resulting in me being healthier today than for the last 15 years.

Best wishes to Adamites and good luck to Blaze and Cerite!

Photos

April 5, 2012 8:34 PM HKT

Day 82

Just returned from a 5 day break to Goa. Fantastic place with amazing seafood, managed to stay pretty PCP compliant the whole time, although with eating out the level of salt and oil may have been an issue. This must have been the first holiday that I've taken when I come back weighing less than when I left.

Down 19kg's and today had to buy a new suit, as I am presenting a business conference on Wednesday and my current suits look ridiculous, new waist size a full 6 inches less at 34".

Still enjoying the skipping but the other exercises are proving very challenging. The increase in reps along with the ever increasing heat of Delhi, now at 39 degrees, is leaving my pretty tired.

Only a few days to go so must keep at it!

March 26, 2012 6:24 PM HKT

Day 72

I found last week one of the hardest since starting PCP. Keeping to the diet is no issue and I find myself almost looking forward to the skipping, however, I am becoming increasingly tired from the muscle work. On Thursday I laid on the floor to start my abs work and nearly fell asleep! I think the combination of increasing workouts, small diet and heavy travel, I took 6 flights last week alone, finally took its toll. Had a more positive weekend and found myself with much more energy. Weight loss continues albeit at a slightly slower pace and I'm now at 16.5Kgs. This came as a huge surprise to my parents who arrived in India on Saturday having not seen me since Christmas. Last three weeks!!

March 18, 2012 3:24 PM HKT

Day 64

A mixed week this week. Managed to stick with the diet without any problems as this was the first time since week 1 I have not had to travel. Workouts were going well until Thursday when I hurt something in my back between my shoulder blades. Had to miss most of the muscle work on Friday but having two days off appears to have got it fixed.

Set myself two goals when I started out, 15Kg weight loss and 4 inches from the waist. Hit the later and this week passed 14Kg. Hoping to get there this week and take whatever comes in the last 20 days as extra.

Really enjoying the program and beginning to wonder if I will be quite so disciplined when there aren't 90 people watching!!

Have a good week.

March 11, 2012 10:50 AM HKT

Day 57

Like many others this weekend appears to have had a positive impact upon my motivation to get to day 90. Very nearly 2/3rds complete and I am delighted by the progress that I've made since 15th January.

I have now lost 12kg and find myself looking forward to the daily exercise routine. I don't believe I have ever stuck so rigidly to anything in my entire life! The only thing I have to watch is not allowing my expectations to run away with themselves. I have now lost 80% of what I set out to achieve, which on day one I thought was optimistic, and am having to buy new trousers 4 inches smaller around the waist. Whilst I'm delighted I am also finding myself saying "Well done, but you still have a lot of weight or fat to shift"

This weeks travel was to Mumbai to attend the Lakme Fashion week, India's premier fashion event. Hospitality tickets with lashings of food and alcohol resulted in me being very grateful for my indulgence allowance. One key learning was that my tolerance for, and indeed satisfaction from, alcohol has significantly reduced and I was done after two small wines and a shot of whiskey. I also felt pretty awful in the morning.

This weeks diet sees a further reduction in carbs. Only 100gs a day at lunch time will be interesting as I was really enjoying my poached egg on toast in the morning. Still not feeling too hungry with the exception of last thing at night. I am now falling asleep before Claire which is a first in our relationship!

Enjoy week 9!

March 4, 2012 10:57 PM HKT

Day 50

Still going strong with the diet, however, motivation to exercise each day is fading. Stuck to it and it's fine once you get going.

Traveling at least three days a week at the moment so having to plan in advance and take my food with me for snacks and lunch.

Continue to be happy with the progress as I have now passed the 10kg loss marker which is 2/3rds of my original goal.

February 26, 2012 10:57 PM HKT

Day 43

Feeling good! Got through a pretty tough week with 4 days away from home traveling on business. Packed up my veg and egg whites and saved the company a fortune on hotel meals!! After long days I found the exercises tiring and was feeling sleepy most of the week. However, after my flight home on Saturday morning I found myself full of energy which has lasted all weekend. Sailed though the exercises and managed to complete two 5k runs.

I was no doubt spurred on by my weight loss now standing at 8.3kg and the reduction in body fat percentage by 7% since day one. I can now fit into shirts which haven't fitted for nearly two years. My next target is a Zara shirt which I bought last time I lost weight and rather over estimated my progress!! It still has the label on and I am now determined to get my use from the investment!

Started to feel hungry for the first time this week but still enjoying the diet and my body is taking a better shape.

Keep going, one week at a time.

February 21, 2012 11:48 PM HKT

Day 38

Feeling much more positive than when I last posted. Following the message to split the exercises I was up early this morning to complete the skipping before work. It made quite a difference to my motivation knowing there were no more exercises after the skips. Equally this evenings workout was much better having not just completed 1400 jumps. I was able to complete all exercises at maximum reps, including the planks which until now had proved too challenging. Where time allows this is the new way forward!

February 16, 2012 4:00 PM HKT

Day 33 - Getting Harder!

The last two days have been much more difficult for me in the land of PCP. Work pressure is stepping up as we prepare for the board meeting next week. Days are long and, at times, a little heated. This results in me returning home late and not in the right frame of mind for exercising. I have stuck with it as I know the first day I chose to miss the exercises will become the start of an acceptance of less than full commitment.

It is also getting much harder for me to complete the exercises at full reps. Pull ups have always been a challenge but yesterday I was also not able to complete the planks for the full 40 second on the last two reps. I hope the plan doesn't move ahead faster than I can manage!

Skipping is getting much better and I completed 675 without tripping on Monday, something I have not yet been able to replicate! Still finding the diet filling and have not yet felt hungry. The weight keeps coming off and my general well being is most certainly improving which is keeping me on track.

February 13, 2012 9:21 PM HKT

Day 30

Having a rather angry looking robot staring out at me this morning I thought I really should make an effort to update the blog. Now taking advantage of my 4 km yet 45 minute drive home from work. Love the Indian traffic!!

Last week went well and I managed to stick to the program on my first business trip of PCP. I visited Bangalore and the only challenge was exercising in the 33 degree heat. I have now shifted 5.2 kgs and I can now see some changes in my face and upper body.

Took my indulgence on Saturday in the form of a couple of beers. Enjoyed them but was impressed with myself at being able to stop at two and switch to tea when everyone else continued to get drunk. I have always been able to not drink of an evening the bigger challenge was stopping once I started.

Exercises are proving a tad more challenging with the planks being my new worst exercise! Still if the weight keeps coming off I'll keep going.

February 7, 2012 1:14 AM HKT

Day 23

Found it hard work tonight getting through the exercises. Not sure if this was due to the step up in reps or just a tough day at work, however, it took some serious focus to stay on track.

What did I want after this tough work out? A nice big meal!

February 4, 2012 12:17 AM HKT

Day 20

It's always a great feeling when you complete the exercises on Friday night knowing tomorrow is only skipping. This week has been harder for me to keep on track with the plan with three evening engagements. What kept me on track was receiving three complements from people in the office saying I either looked well or thinner. I didn't cheat once!

Another victory for me this evening as I managed to get through all 900 skips without a break, well if trips don't count as breaks. Like most other people my pull ups are an embarrassment, must try harder!

The diet is working out fine and keeping me feeling full and giving me significantly more energy. This must have been one of the most productive work weeks in years. I attended all scheduled meeting on time, stayed awake in all of them and managed to get my inbox to two mails! Snacking during the day makes a big difference and often sparks conversation as you pull a tupperware box of fruit out during your year end projection meeting.

Looking forward to getting next weeks exercises and diet over the next couple of days. This weeks photo will have to wait as my photographer is away until tomorrow.

Hope all are well!

January 31, 2012 10:35 AM HKT

Day 17

Progress is good, still enjoying the exercises and the new diet continues to leave me satisfied. One of the downsides to this program is the amount of washing up it appears to generate, cooking three meals a day generates a lot of pots and pans!!

As suggested now timing my workouts which has added an other dimension. Trying hard to get the workout below thirty minutes and achieved 31 last night. Workout are easier at the weekend when I do them during the day, however, I still can't find the gusto to complete them before work during the week.

I have lost 3kg since the start and it is beginning to show, mainly my arms. Thankfully the digestion issues now seem to have passed.

January 28, 2012 2:18 AM HKT

Day 13

Finished work early today and was able to get the exercises done in the afternoon. Found it much easier than after a full days work. Not sure if others would agree but I find the muscle work easier as the week goes on until the next set goes up and challenges us again.

Looking forward to an easier day of simply skipping tomorrow and learning what our new diet will become in days 15 to 21.

Suffering from slight digestion problems and not sure if it due to the diet or living in India!

January 25, 2012 2:01 AM HKT

Day 10

Finding the new diet facinating! I am staggered by the amount of food I have to get through during the course of the day. Living in India does have an advantage of being able to source great tasting fruit and veg for a very reasonable price. It has it's challenges also like not being able to source a door anchor for the resistance bands. I've made a Heath Robinson version by tying a knot is an old belt!

The skipping is proving to quite a journey. First I could not skip more that 20 time without tripping. As that improved I began getting out of breath. As that has improved it is not hurting my ankles when I get to around 100 without a break.

Twice this week I've been out with either friends or colleges. Not drinking sparks quite a debate amongst the crowd but most are fascinated or intrigued by the PCP plan.

Still enjoying it although feeling a little more tired this week.

January 22, 2012 3:16 AM HKT

First Week

Well we've made it to the end of the first week. I've stuck to the diet and the exercises well despite the challenges of two business dinners this week. It's actually surprisingly easy to only eat half a meal and not be noticed while the others enjoy twice as much drink!

I have never felt hungry this week and found myself with more energy, vim and vigor. It really has been quite surprising how much I used to eat, this week I thought about what food goes into my mouth more than ever before. As for the exercises I have found, like many others, the skipping tough technically. It is getting better as the feeling of wanting to throw the damn rope across the room has subsided over the last two days. The killer is the press up as I have pathetic upper body strength and a rather large upper body to lift!

Reading other people's blogs is motivational, and also made me realise how poor I had been at posting. In order to keep myself on track I should declare my intent for this program. Two years ago I hit 20 stone (about 130kg). I took action and lost three stone with the help of a personal trainer and lots of running. Last year I moved to India, from the UK, for work and over the course of this year have put a stone back on. I feel a realistic target should be to lose 2.5 stone and around 4 inches from my waist. I am an all or nothing person so if I'm still blogging on day 90 I'm confident I will have reached my goal.

Last night I took some real encouragement from meeting up with a friend who has just completed the PCP program. It was the first time I had seen him since he completed the program and he looked fantastic.

January 8, 2012 3:51 PM HKT

Welcome to Your New Blog!

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Weekly Photo

Final

What is the Peak Condition Project?

This is a 90 day program challenging trainees to get in the best shape of their lives. Using the simplest of materials, adherence to diet, intelligent exercise and the power of social networks, PCPers safely and sustainably make it to the highest levels of fitness.