Glyphicons_halflings_078_thin_left_arrow PCP
December 13, 2011 11:50 PM PST

I actually just completed PCP

Felt good to cross the finish line!  What a journey.

Like most in my group have mentioned, big shout outs to Captain P and Sarah and everyone else behind the scenes - PCP really is a quality programme.  There were, however, a few choice words directed in your way mid-plank :-)  All for motivation purposes of course.

I have to say I approached PCP with a little skepticism and a fair amount of fear - fear that I wouldn't see results, or I wouldn't have the balls to finish.  But once over the initial hassle factor (with a few bumps along the way), I realised I could do it, and what Patrick was telling us just made sense.  

PCP has genuinely changed my attitude towards food and exercise - but most importantly it gave me a real sense of achievement. That feeling of 'you know what, I just smashed PCP.  I exercised intensely for 90 days straight and went through an incredibly strict diet - I actually did it'.  Feels bloody good.

Still can't get over the fact that I lost close to 11kg, and 10cm around my waist.  What I find even more unbelievable is when I look at my first photo - I was actually strutting around the pool thinking I was quite buffed!

Last but not least, big ups to my crew - legends, all of you.  Was pretty inspiring watching the support happen when fellow members were struggling.  Looking forward to catching up with you for a few hard earned cold ones.

And to all those sitting on the sidelines wondering if they should do PCP?  Get amongst.

December 12, 2011 1:00 AM PST

Bitchin' and moaning

Crikey - can't believe how much I really didn't want to work out today!  My mind was very anti-PCP, trying to find any excuse.  Did it though!

Weighed myself at the gym today using the fancy Dr Fitness.  One week into PCP I did the same measurements (I was 80.5kg at the start) - pretty amazed by the changes, almost too much?

Weight
20th Sep: 79kg
Today:  69.3kg

Body Fat Mass 
20th Sep: 12.3kg
Today:  4.5kg

BMI 
20th Sep: 25.5
Today:  22.4

Body Fat % 
20th Sep: 15.7%
Today:  6.6%

Waist Girth
20th Sep: 86.10cm
Today:  76.20cm


December 10, 2011 6:01 PM PST

Getting run-down on PCP

Have been pretty frustrated on the last 2 weeks of PCP.  I think that your general well-being increases on PCP - however, when you are at the advanced stages of PCP when you get the flu or similar it can be pretty hard to shake.  You are expending so much energy on your workouts your body doesn't have the bandwidth to properly tackle your cold/flu.

Have been running at about 80% which is pissing me off as I really want to finish strongly!  Last couple of days have been very chesty (one of those try coughs waiting to break) and just exhausted.  Still, only a couple of workouts left and can then rest up properly!

December 9, 2011 12:28 AM PST

First supersets

wasn't actually as bad as I thought it would be.  Was tough, but as Captain P said, we've been training for this.  I was quietly impressed with myself!

December 8, 2011 5:26 PM PST

Superset logisitics

Having looked at the final workouts, it is pretty much impossible for me to do pull-ups followed straight away by chest dips.  No bar in my house, and at the gym the only suitable thing for chest dips (2 chairs) are at the opposite end of the gym to where I can do pull-ups!

December 5, 2011 11:47 PM PST

70kg - I am officially lean

Weighed myself yesterday and have lost 10kg - crikey! still trying to shake this head cold - had a bit of a headache through today's workout but felt better for it.

Figured out how I aggrevated my back.  When doing the elevated press-ups my form went out the window on the last set and arched my back.  Skipped the kung fu leg ups today and just did normal leg ups - seemed ok.

I've been finding on the latest work outs, some exercises I am hitting fatigue quickly - I am thinking this is a combo of good form and increased reps.  I am having to drop down a band strength to complete the last 1 or 2 sets so that I am only isolating the intended muscle.  Is this ok?  Anyone else getting this?

Have come to terms with the fact that my abs aren't going to fully come through in the 90 days - still happy with where I am at.

Latest photo is up - looks a bit blurry when bigger.  I think my hand was shaking a bit trying to hold the pose!

November 30, 2011 1:26 PM PST

Man flu and muscle spasms

Have been battling with man flu and a muscle spasm in my back for the last couple of days.  Didn't exercise yesterday, had taken today off work only to get called into a meeting and didn't get home until 8pm so no exercise today either.  Have decided to actually listen to my body and rest - I fly back to Tokyo on Friday and will resume the PCP exercises when I get back.  In the big scheme of things I figured this made sense.  Will still stick to the diet though (where possible, plane food is very un-PCP and I have a breakfast meeting tomorrow which will involve bacon) - in fact, looking back I am amazed that I have resisted all the foods that I missed from the UK and remained PCP compliant for almost 3 weeks.  Physio tomorrow on the back so will be raring to go when back in Tokyo.

November 29, 2011 2:33 AM PST

Run down?

Woke up this morning with man flu, a cold sore, an irritated eye and a sore lower right back.  Still worked out, but did half sets.  Back is a bit worse now so going to physio this evening.

Don't know if it's just being away from home for so long but PCP's hassle factor is really starting to get to me.  Just tired of fucking egg whites and constantly having to cook and measure and dishes.  It just doesn't sit well with business trips.  Anyway, I recognise I am sounding like a dork so I'll shut up now.  I actually like PCP but just not today.

November 25, 2011 3:41 PM PST

Steak

Well, just got back from the first of two non PCP nights.  Good friends of ours own the most amazing steak restaurants in London (Hawksmoor, http://www.thehawksmoor.co.uk/) and I went there with my business partners for a meal.  Amazing.  Had a beer and a couple of glasses of wine - made sure I didn't go silly though, 3 of us shared a Chateaubriand and just had spinach and mushrooms (with the odd chip and a small onion ring).  The waitress brought me a sticky toffee pudding on the house which I didn't order, but it was rude not to have some!

Tomorrow night I have a party to go to where I will be catching up with good mates I haven't seen for ages - have set myself a 2 drink limit but will keep diet PCP.

November 24, 2011 2:47 PM PST

Londondog

Pressed enter a bit early so hence the blank earlier post!

Crikey, what a workout today - was wobbling all over the place on some of those, in a good way.  For failure on the da vincis, I went 30, 8, 8, 10, 10 - interesting.  Shoulder press was tough, always find that a struggle and had to take a couple of breaths from sets 3 and over!

Have been doing the last 2 weeks without scales.  Bought some today and was pretty happy with my guesstimates on the yogurt - pretty much spot on.  But my milk was maybe a third over so glad I bought the scales.

Was pretty happy with my photo today - perhaps the end of tunnel vision and just a big push to day 90!

November 24, 2011 2:42 PM PST

Day 72

What would you like to tell the world?

November 24, 2011 2:42 PM PST

Day 72

What would you like to tell the world?

November 24, 2011 2:42 PM PST

Day 72

What would you like to tell the world?

November 24, 2011 2:42 PM PST

Day 72

What would you like to tell the world?

November 22, 2011 2:57 PM PST

Tunnel vision and love handles

So, 9 days into my business trip and have been pretty PCP compliant. Up until last night had only had 2 small beers and everything else was on diet, and haven't missed any exercise. Went out to dinner twice but only had a bowl of veges.  Last night I had a steak though and a glass of wine - was soooo good! Have extended my business trip by another week too. Have to say, the hassle factor of PCP on a business trip is pretty frustrating at times.

Weighed myself today for the first time in about 4 weeks - was amazed. I started at 80.5kg, and was 71.8kg! Crikey!

So all going well, I feel great and am looking much better. However - I still have my love handles and my abs are not looking anywhere near where I want them. Hoping the last 3 weeks gets rid of them!

November 18, 2011 12:58 PM PST

Update from Londondog

Quick update from London - going pretty well actually!  Travel day was a write-off (plane food is beyond horrible).  I had only skipped and done abs the day before travelling so tunnel vision kicked in and I thought I would get fat again!  Gym next to where I am staying is good, and today I felt back in the groove - was a tough, but good workout.

I forgot my scales, so have been guestimating (accuratly though) - have to say it feels good to be free of the scales!  have only had 2 small beers so far which I thought was pretty good on a work trip, and no non-pcp meals (we went out for dinner and I ordered a bowl of veges and had my apple, etc when I got home.

The great thing is, I have had so many compliments!

November 13, 2011 4:29 AM PST

Quick update

Off to London tomorrow for a 2 week business trip - aiming to be as PCP complient as possible!  Travel day will likely only be skipping if I can fit it in.  Due to schedule, could only skip and do ab work today.

Also had 2 small shiitake gyoza on Saturday - very small but very good!

Captain P's message about tunnel vision was spot on - have been feeling I haven't been making that much progress over the last 10 days but I guess we are building muscle in other areas.  Not everything will be seen on the abs!  So will blog at ya from Londondog shortly.

November 10, 2011 5:01 AM PST

Timing a bit out today

Got to the gym today only to find out it was closed, which set me back about 45 minutes.  No worries, could work out at home but it meant I didn't have all my lunch ready, and had to drop a set each off shoulder press and shoulder fly and do my abs later.

With lunch not ready, I only got 70g of protein so made up for it with dinner - not sure if that was the way to go but figured I would need it!

Can't believe there is only a little over a month to go.  Very interested to see how the body changes in this last month!

November 6, 2011 4:04 AM PST

Interesting observations on food this weekend

So, first of all we had a day trip to Hakone on Saturday. Had breakfast, packed my PCP lunch and snacks and off we went.  When we go to the onsen resort (Tenzan, same place as Jim goes!) we ate dinner - as mentioned in my previous blog, this would not be my indulgence as it is a pretty healthy meal.  We had shabu-shabu (thinly sliced meat cooked in boiled water with vegetables and dipping sauce).  Now, I used to love the sauces, that was what made the meal for me.  OMG - it was like dipping your meat in a barrel of salt.  Really overpowering - all I wanted was some veges!  Oh yeah, we also had some fried little shrimps with salt on them which were very tasty.  But very surprised that I now wanted things with subtle flavor, where as before I would have found that bland.  Ended up working out at 10:30 that night but pleased I did it (although couldn't do chest dips as I literally have nowhere suitable in my house).  Also had the first coffee I have had in about 7 years - interesting, quite liked it.

Have just come back from my indulgence at an izakaya (like a Japanese tapas pub) -Patrick said to eat some fattening food so I thought I would eat what I used to order.  So I had chicken karayage (fried chicken), quail eggs with mayonaise, yakitori, mochi-mochi cheese and gyoza, with a couple of beers and some red wine.  Am now at home with a small glass of wine and some dark chocolate.

Interesting thing is that all that I used to like didn't taste that great anymore - greasy and salty and quite underwhelming.  What worried me though was that beer didn't taste that great.  WTF?  So it looks like the PCP diet is actually really tasty - I can't believe how much my taste has changed.  Hoping beer tastes good again soon though.

November 4, 2011 12:51 AM PDT

Frustration and tough last sets

Had some frustration issues with PCP yesterday - just felt like I wanted my life back.  Planning on a day trip tomorrow but was getting myself stressed out about all the hassle of making it PCP compliant.  I reckon we should have indulgence days rather than a meal - it just gives you the opportunity of doing something normal with your wife, family etc.

So I decided I will skip in the morning, take all the packed food I need but if we decide to have dinner after the onsen it will be a very healthy nabe - lean meat cooked in boiled water with veges, no carbs.  I'd say that's pretty PCP compliant and it allows us to do something nice for a change.  I will say this now, this is NOT my indulgence meal!  I plan on going to an izakaya on Sunday for greasy food and beer!

Workout today was pretty interesting.  Was a nice change not having to do leg exercises (I've switched day 52 with day 51 this week just due to logistics) but I couldn't complete the double katana or the pull-ups.  I did the required number but the last set I had to stop and then start again!  New photo up by the way.

October 30, 2011 1:58 AM PDT

Crikey. P-Diddy cranked it up today

Now that was a workout.  Had to split the last set of press-ups.

V-sits crack me up - seems like all is well and then all of a sudden your abs say 'no way Jose' and you fall back on the floor.

October 29, 2011 12:49 AM PDT

As Bon Jovi said, 'Whoooooaaaaaaaaaaa, we're half way there...'

45 days in.  Crikey.  Have to say I'm pretty chuffed with myself for making it this far with no slip-ups - not a single work-out missed and the only diet stray was two small drinks to celebrate the mighty All Blacks!  I find it pretty amazing that we have exercised intensely for 45 days straight.  That's heavy.  As Jim said in one of his earlier posts, the exercise is now something that just needs to be done - it's no longer something you dread, you actually enjoy it - almost crave it.

As for the diet, no real major issues.  A bit of cravings now and then, but every night when I get in the bath I look in the mirror and genuinely don't recognise the body - the change is there to see and just makes you realise it's worth it.  Can't wait to see what we look like on Day 90!

For this weeks photo, I wanted to replicate the photo I had on Day 1.  Haven't compared before writing this blog so hoping there is a decent difference!

October 23, 2011 2:59 AM PDT

All Blacks just won the RWC after 24 years. I'm having a drink!

Just one or two though...

October 19, 2011 7:05 AM PDT

I want a bacon sandwich

With HP sauce.  

October 17, 2011 3:01 AM PDT

First proper struggle

I really, really, really didn't want to go workout today.  My mind was giving me all sorts of excuses, I was knackered and aching from yesterday's workout, it was a real struggle to get down to the gym.  Had to pretty drag myself kicking and screaming.

Was ok once I got past the skipping and then enjoyed it again.  Went and bought a new training top to re-enforce the fact that training will still be happening everyday!  Hoping this was a one-off though.

October 13, 2011 4:15 AM PDT

Skiptastic

Today's skipping was awesome!  Tripped up a couple of times in my first 100, but then went on a long unbeaten run until 1,005.  Stoked!  Made the rest of the work out so much more enjoyable.

Weighed in at 75.5kg today, down from 80.5kg when I started.  How did that happen?

Was delighted to see in the Q&A section that a little tobasco is ok according to the Big P.

October 11, 2011 7:25 PM PDT

Indulgence Day Monday

Crikey - trying to decide what to have for my indulgence day was the toughest part, primarily because I just didn't feel like anything full on.  

We have a great proper Italian pizza delivery place that we use so ended up sharing a seafood pizza with the wife and washed it down with a couple of glasses of champers.  Have to say, it went down a treat!  The biggest thing I missed though was Kaitaia Fire - this is NZ's version of tobasco sauce and it is quite simply the shizzle.  I would love for it to be PCP compliant but it's made with salt.

I think the biggest thing for me though was not wanting to stuff my face.  Usually we would get two pizzas and onion rings - this time we shared one pizza, and I made a side salad and that was easily enough!

October 8, 2011 9:01 AM PDT

A slight PCP slip...

Well, today was interesting.  Had a great breakfast (avocado, cracked pepper and cherry tomato with balsamic vinegar and a dash of olive oil on toast with a poached egg - 'twas the shizzle) and then the wife said she wouldn't mind going to an outlet in Yokohama for a bit of shopping.  Cool - but in the future I need PCP food pre-sorted for impromptu days!

Thought I had brought 2 fruit salads for my fruit snacks but left them on the couch, so missed my morning fruit.  Then lunch - there was nothing even remotely close to being PCP compliant!  Ended up with a bento with hamburger and rice.  Scrapped all the sauce off the hamburger so it wasn't too bad, but the rice was curry rice (didn't realise it when I bought it) and it tasted like eating mouthfuls of salt.  And no veges in sight!  Felt gross afterwards, and was beating myself up about it too, thinking 'What would Patrick say?' - it's my first PCP diet slip up, and I was really disappointed with myself for not being organised.

Got home, had some fruit and didn't get to the gym until around 8pm - used to working out much earlier and really struggled with the skipping and squats.  After that though, found my rhythm again and rocked it so feel I ended up with the day back on track.  

October 6, 2011 1:41 AM PDT

Back up, man

As mentioned in my previous post,  The wife noticed that I was starting to get some muscles come through across my shoulders. Again, nothing huge, but pretty cool all the same! I am guessing we are all getting this in some shape or form, but can't see it - check out your back if you can! 

Photos

Back%20day%2019

October 6, 2011 12:59 AM PDT

Day 22

No huge changes, but definitely noticing some good changes in my body. My legs feel strong, something I haven't felt in years. My stomach feels flat all the time now and no longer have a little bulge when I wear a t-shirt - starting to see some definition in the top two lines of my abs. Still a long way to go for the love handles though! Although I'm seeing enough to keep motivated, which is all I can ask for. My base fitness levels have improved as well - i'm knackered at the end of my workouts, but not completely f*cked! Was stoked with myself today, never thought I would be able to do 4 sets of 5 proper pull-ups but managed it. Skipping is still a mixed bag but I'll get there. For the diet, I'm pretty surprised that I have been 100% PCP compliment so far - not a single slip up. Strangely it's not beer that I feel like if I want a drink these days, it's champers! Haven't felt too tempted yet on anything, although I did walk past a gyoza shop today and started to drool! The wife noticed that I was starting to get some muscles come through across my shoulders. Again, nothing huge, but pretty cool all the same! I am guessing we are all getting this in some shape or form, but can't see it - check out your back if you can! Have been trying to upload a photo but the site seems to have gremlins at the moment - will try later
October 1, 2011 3:04 AM PDT

Broccoli, Mr Grumpy Pants and the War On Skipping

I have discovered a previously unknown love for broccoli - boiled, with some lemon juice squeezed over it with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, is quite simply the shizzle.

As for the rest of the diet, not finding it too bad at the moment, which points to the fact that I was eating reasonably healthy anyway - I'm not really missing anything yet.  I am, however, finding myself getting frustrated with the time it takes to prepare food and the dishes.  I didn't sleep well last night after going to bed late, woke up with my grumpy pants on and found myself pretty frustrated with the organisational side of things and being a grizzly bugger - I guess this will be part of the territory (being frustrated from time to time), but need to use it as a reminder to sort my shit out the day before.  

For the exercises, I'm really enjoying it - first day of the new set I felt a bit uncomfortable pushing myself that hard.  Had been a while since I had exercised to the point you feel a bit sick.  Used to get that when I was playing rugby - the mind was a bit unsure how to handle it at first it had been so long!  I'm down to 77kg now from 80.5kg which is great - I'm feeling leaner, my legs feel pretty robust and I'm getting the burn on all my exercises.  Even threw in a few sets of planks on the powerplates at the end of my workout. 
However...

Skipping.  Oh skipping.  It's not the tripping up that bothers me, in fact that doesn't happen that often.  I actually enjoy skipping, but I'm still having problems where the top of my right shoulder stiffens up and gives me a headache that goes from the back of my head through to my right eye!  Really painful, but sometimes it is better - but it is a very frustrating start to my workout.  I think I naturally tense my shoulders and just need to relax them.  It actually made a difference going faster today, bending the knees, loosening the grip on the handles and not landing on the balls of my feet, more the middle of the foot.  When I finished the 850 today and it felt a bit better than yesterday, I was so determined I threw my rope down and said "F*ck you skipping rope, I will kick your f*cking ass."  Good thing no one really understands english at my gym!  But mark my words, I will own the skipping rope, it will bow to me.

September 26, 2011 6:49 AM PDT

Day 12

Bit of an off day for me today - woke up this morning feeling bleurgh with a cold (a bit of man flu!).  Checked what the call was from The Big P when feeling crap while on PCP and the call was if you can exercise, do half the sets.  Did that (actually felt much better afterwards, seemed to have sweated it out).  Feeling really hungry today though!!

September 25, 2011 5:07 AM PDT

Day 11

Calf felt pretty good today, although still getting headaches when I skip.  If I change from the 2 footed jump style to the running on the spot style it seems to make a huge difference though - think it is coming from a very stiff neck.

Also, when doing the leg-ups on a mat at the gym it is making farty noises - anyone else getting that?  I am having to position myself close to a guy that looks like a farter and give him a few 'dude? really?' looks every now and then.

September 24, 2011 12:40 AM PDT

Day 10

Positives:   
 - feeling much more energized
 - really enjoying the work outs
 - my stomach feels pretty flat and hard
 - my legs feel much more robust
 - the food can actually be pretty tasty
 - balsamic vinegar (love that stuff, its the shizzle so stoked it got the thumbs up from The Big P)

Negatives:
 - I hate skipping at the moment.  Got a headache again about 200 jumps in.  Pretty sure it is coming from the front side of my neck - really annoying.  Then my calf tightened up again around 450 jumps (although feels better than yesterday)
 - I feel a bit bloated today, not sure why - am sticking to the diet so maybe it will be different tomorrow
 - I bought a plain roast chicken yesterday, stripped all the skin off it and am using the white meat as protein - should be ok although I think salt was used when cooking it so won't do that again

September 23, 2011 6:26 AM PDT

Day 9

Mixed bag for me today.  Food was pretty good - had a big beef tomato and poached egg on toast for breakfast.  Lunch was tricky as was out and about and ended up at Denny's.  Was ok, got a big bowl of veges with nothing on them and some plain rice - went for a lean steak for protein but was cooked in too much oil.  Dinner was awesome, prawns and avocado pasta with a side serving of pumpkin - had bought the pumpkin pre-cooked though and i think they had used some soy sauce.  Over all though, not too bad. 

Work-out was ok, although my skipping was shite - kept tripping up, not sure why.  Rest of the exercises were sweet.

Bit concerned about my calf - was tight when I woke up and after the skipping today it was tighter than a mofo.  It's my troublesome calf so just going to have to hope it eases out after a few days.  The rest of my legs are feeling really good.  Weighed in at 78.5kg today 

September 22, 2011 12:20 AM PDT

Day 8

Well, that was a bit of a step up!  Exercise was ok, although I got a bit of a headache doing the skipping - think I'm getting a stiff neck and the jumping movement is taking a while to get used to.  Took me 8min 10 secs to do the 600 jumps which I thought was a bit rubbish.

The new exercises was fine, although the gym was closed today and I only had a resistance band without handles which wasn't ideal - I actually ripped a bit off it on my first set of Da Vinci's!  Was stoked though, was really struggling to find a place for pull-ups and found a perfect exercise area in a local playground.  Might sound obvious, but it was so refreshing working out outside for a change!  Only other person there was an old guy with his transistor radio smoking ciggies.

Food is interesting - I'm used to eating really small breakfasts so today's was actually pretty big for me!  Got a question around this - can we eat soup (as in stock?)  For example, if I poach some chicken, can I add some noodles into the stock, or does the stock have some food value?  Going to need to get more organised around the food side - fluffed around today.

September 21, 2011 3:29 AM PDT

Day 7

so, 500 jumps.  Thought it would be easier but had to stop for a 10 second breather at 200, then every 100 after.  Finished in 5 min 19 secs.  Have no idea if that is good or bad!

Had woken up thinking I was going to treat myself to a cheeky McDonalds as the last day of eating half week.  After exercising though, I wasn't interested.  Gave my self a swift uppercut for even thinking about it.

Looking forward to rocking my new scales tomorrow (I am aware of how geeky that sounds, but it IS a new gadget, so you know...).  My gym is closed tomorrow (it's closed 10th and 22nd of every month because...well, just because) - pretty frustrating as it's hard to find anything near my apartment block to jump on that isn't concrete.  There is one small patch of grass but it is home to a whole village of mosquitoes.  I saw something on amazon that might be interesting for skipping inside (http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%A6%E3%82%A4%E3%83%8B%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0-WINNING%EF%BC%88%E3%82%A6%E3%82%A4%E3%83%8B%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0%EF%BC%89-%E3%82%B9%E3%82%AD%E3%83%83%E3%83%97%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%97%E7%94%A8%E3%82%B4%E3%83%A0%E3%82%B7%E3%83%BC%E3%83%88-F-36/dp/B0026Z7FZ0/ref=pd_sim_sg2) but it seems like a lot of cash for a piece of rubber.

September 20, 2011 4:23 AM PDT

Day 6

Getting better with the rope now, not so much tripping up.  Looking forward to the actual diet side of things starting, really need some proper instruction on what we can eat.  totally having me a burger tomorrow though!

September 19, 2011 5:19 AM PDT

Day 5

Exercise today felt good.  The aches in my legs are less and less - still finding its the press-ups that knacker me the most.

Went to Pronto (pasta restaurant) for lunch and shared a dish with the wife  -again, wasn't too bad eating that size!  Much easier than day 1.

Starting weight (forgot to add this into the first post) was 80.5kg

September 19, 2011 5:15 AM PDT

Day 4

What I always thought would be a challenge - figuring out the whole eating half thing when eating out!  Went for a day trip to Hakone with the wife for a dip in an onsen.  Did a bit of shopping at an outlet beforehand and not a lot of selection for lunch.  Ended up eating half a hotdog (pretty sure there is some sort of Murphy's Law being applied here as the half you leave always looks like it was the best half...).

Dinner we had shabu-shabu and we did pretty well - ordered half of what we usually order and we were surprisingly full!

On the exercise front, got up at 6:30 and got it out of the way so I had a free day - was chuffed with myself.  Oh, and skipping on grass is a lot harder than on a smooth surface.  Pretty much sucks.  Plus damp grass early morning plus heat = mosquitoes.  Was eaten alive!

September 17, 2011 4:49 AM PDT

Day 3

Interesting day food wise.  Breakfast again half fruit salad and small yogurt.  Went to have sushi for lunch, but there was a massive queue - next door was yakiniku (korean bbq)!  Have to say, first time I've ever left yakiniku hungry - had maybe 6 (small) pieces of meat and some noodles.  Usually would have maybe 3 times that amount!

Ended up having ramen for dinner, but had kiddie size - and then half a choux cream for dessert.  Not the healthiest day of culinary delights, but still stuck to my half portions!

Exercise was fine, although my right butt cheek is still stiff from yesterday's lunges!

September 16, 2011 2:58 AM PDT

Day 2

Actually found the exercises today harder than it looked on paper.  Loving the skipping, but I've ignored my legs for years so they were a tad on the wobbly side after today!  Although it's early days, what I've noticed already is the intensity - very little rests, if any, between sets.  I usually rest 60-90 seconds between sets so this is a big change already.

On the food front, this half business is a bit tricky - I had been trying to reduce the sizes of my meals lately anyway, but was not very consistent.  I've just decided to stick with the good portions, as they were half sizes anyway.  So far today I've had a very small yogurt, the half fruit salad left over from yesterday (breakfast), an onigiri, a 2cm piece of chicken and 2cm piece of egg for lunch with a couple of handfuls of seed mix (lunch) and just had half an onigiri, a 2cm piece of chicken and 2cm piece of egg for my afternoon snack (John likes snacks).  Dinner is chicken and egg on rice, but will through away half the rice.  Will have up to 2 cans of low cal beer (while I can before Patrick gets all medieval on us)

September 15, 2011 1:18 AM PDT

The first of 90

First of all, good luck to Team Yukon - here's hoping we come out of this looking the absolute shizzle!

I've never written a blog before, but figured I could use this as an exercise to outline why I'm doing this, what I'm wanting to achieve, what will motivate me and what I think could trip me up.  Might help me further down the track.  So...

Why am I doing this?  I want to feel confident about my body again, both aesthetically and condition-wise. I used to love playing sport, and looked reasonably decent because of it.  Now thanks to bad habits and laziness over the past decade, I look like I watch sports, not play them - basically I don't feel comfortable with my shirt off anymore.  I've also had a number of niggly injuries over the past few years, and that has stopped me getting back into sports properly.  I go to the gym a few times a week, but never with the intensity or program that was needed to actually get results.

What am I wanting to achieve?  Two key things here for me.  The first is to look and feel good - and that counts for both clothes on and off!  So many times these days (especially shopping in Japan) I feel like Sausage Man trying on clothes - just chunky and bloated. I want people to look at me and think 'that guys looks after his body'.  The second, and equally as important, aspect is conditioning so that if I want to get back into tennis or rugby or whatever, I will feel my body will be able to handle the jandal.

What will motivate me?  I'm going to approach this the same way I quit smoking almost 3 years ago.  One day I just said to myself that enough's enough, I need to do something about this.  I'm expecting the first month to be tough, maybe more mentally than physically, but hopefully once through that barrier you realise that you can actually do this.  Quitting smoking was tough, so I'll keep telling myself if I could do that, then I can do this.  I am also sure once you start seeing results, motivation will come organically through looking and feeling better, compliments and so on.  But I think the key here for me is Team Yukon, and leaning on you guys if things get tough - if we can push each other through this, we'll rock it.  Also, I'm heading home to NZ for Christmas, its summer, and for a change I want to look like a buffed mofo!

What could trip me up?  I'm worried I won't see results quick enough and start to flag.  i'm also worried I will get some niggly injury which will slow me down.  I love beer, and I love burgers - say no more.

DAY ONE


Felt very cheated by my breakfast of half a yogurt and half a fruit salad - pretty sure my stomach was saying 'WTF John?'.  Went to the gym to do my exercises - I've had calf tears over the last few years and I was a bit concerned about how they would react with the skipping (speaking of skipping, hadn't done that for about 20 years!  Had a few uncool moments but all part of the territory).  The first couple of sets they were a bit creaky, but it actually felt pretty good for the last 3.  Squats and sit-ups were fine - was actually a bit surprised with the difficulty level when using the press-up bars - struggled on the last set but I think that is also down to the short rest periods.

This eating half of everything already has me in a slight sense of panic and I feel like I'm missing out - total fear of loss!  Plus the wife just brought back some treats from Nagoya that I can only eat half of!  So far today I've had the above breakfast, and one maki roll of sushi (and some seed mix as a snack and a few crisps stolen off the wife) - I'm Starvin' Marvin!

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September 11, 2011 5:03 PM PDT

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