April 15, 2012 5:02 PM HKT

A journey of 90 days

Whether it was an uphill climb or a slow walk through a dark valley,  the pathway has been challenging but one I would do all over again for these results.  I was full of doubt in the beginning that what I saw others accomplish could actually be results I would achieve as well but as days passed by I realized that transformations were happening both physically and mentally!  I started with simple goals of getting a flat tummy and becoming a bit more light on my feet on the tennis court.  Both of these have been achieved along with many others things that if I continued down the list I would be writing for hours.  Thanks to my good friend who asked me over and over to join her on the journey until I finally registered and kept me on the straight and narrow whether it was her softly spoken words of encouragement or PCP compliant menu delights from her kitchen.  Patrick always had the right message for the moment and Sarah was always there to keep me going whether I was suffering from a cold or flu and struggling or smiling about some personal discovery along the way.   Now that I have reached the end, I have accomplished another goal I had from the beginning.  I have in my possession a new mindset about health and fitness and how I can achieve that in simple but accurate means and ways.  As I complete this education process, I move on to never being caught in the habits of my old ways ever again.  I look forward to where I will be physically and mentally at the end of the next 90 days.  I am confident that it is all upwards and onwards from here!  Thanks to everyone who has shared the journey with me.  It has been an awesome ride!

Photos

April 12, 2012 8:12 PM HKT

Day 89

It is really amazing that tomorrow is day 90!  Time to fire the PCP crew and walk out back into the mean hard world and do this right!  Everyone has been amazing!  Thanks for the support and for helping us find new direction for health and fitness.  It has been a tough finish with the supersets killing me.  But we have persevered and ready to graduate!  A colleague grabbed my arm today and was surprised by the hard bicep she suddenly had in her hand.  Time to buy some new clothes so I am not mistaken for being homeless!  It has been a great run.  Thanks to the PCP alumni who encouraged me to join and my good friend who I owe a lot to for doing more than encouraging me throughout the journey from registration to the end.  Thanks P!  The photo of the fat man can come down now!  For all you naysayers who read this now.....I WON!

April 7, 2012 9:44 PM HKT

Less than a week now!

I remember thinking around day 7 wondering how it would feel about this time in the journey.  A week can be a long time and then again it can fly by but feeling great and doing my exercises and keeping up on my diet.  I am in Bangkok and before my PCP days, I would frequent the 7-11 convenience store and load up on all kinds of stuff I would consume by the pool or after the tennis.  I walked passed it today and realized there was nothing in the shop I actually wanted to buy as it all falls under the fake food category I no longer want to let in my body.  Actually even the yogurt is the sugar laden stuff that I also have eliminated from my diet.  Less than a week now and ready to finish in style!  Keep it up everyone!

April 6, 2012 10:42 AM HKT

7 days and counting down!

I headed down to Bangkok for the Easter holidays last Wednesday.  Got a few grumbles from people handling my luggage as like a true PCP'er, I threw in my gear to ensure I was ready to complete my PCP final push with excellence.   Jumprope, pull up bar,  stretch band,  push up bars, scales and measuring cup!  Thank goodness customs never get curious about it!  My PCP gear is about 5 extra kgs in the luggage but having it with me is well worth it.  What used to be a bit arduous has become like a habit for me and definitely a priority.  On the flight  it was quite easy just to bring along my own freshly cut apple for my fruit snack and pass up all those calorie laden offerings of food on the flight.  Once I arrived at the hotel it didn't take the hotel staff long to recognize that I had some special requests about food but generally very willing to assist and help.   I was literally the envy of the table last night as I got my 50 grams of rice with grilled tiger prawns and steamed green vegetables.  How more PCP could that be!  Yes, I still am not back to drinking alcohol.  I just don't want it so the beverage of choice was hot lemongrass tea.  I really enjoyed it and proof that this is sustainable if I only think about what I am putting in my mouth.   I played tennis yesterday afternoon and more comments about how I am moving quicker and lighter on my feet this year compared to last.  And even more comments around looking better without the extra belly on the tennis court.  But even with all this coming from the people around me,  nothing compares to how great I feel about myself and the changes that have come about with a little concentration over such a short period of time.  I have got through some personal challenges and illness along the way, but it has been a remarkable journey with lots of great support from true friends and colleagues and going to ensure I finish this strong!  I was pleased to see another colleague just joined up in the recent new group.  Much success to everyone!

April 2, 2012 9:22 PM HKT

Raising my virtual champagne glass to Sarah and Patrick!

Hey Patrick and Sarah,
I have to take this opportunity to raise my virtual champagne glass to you both and say thanks again for leading us down the path to greater health and fitness.  I think you have added years to my life and I am grateful.  I was in the gym tonight and saw my personal trainer I worked out with for several years and didn't see much change at all except in my bank account when the money went out of it to pay for the personal training.  I know I am not alone amongst my fellow PCP friends with this experience.  During the last 79 days on the program, occasionally he would see me doing my PCP exercises and make comments around I was losing too much weight and shouldn't lose my muscle mass with such a diet and such light exercises.  He never expressed any support at all for the program.  Always something wrong with it!  We had made a gentlemen's bet shortly after the program started that I would get on the in body analyzer at the end of the program and compare the results from when I started.  He was full of doubt then and thought I am sure that there would be nothing positive come up from my efforts.  As the weeks have passed, he has got less vocal and more observant.  Since he is heading out of town for a diving trip for Easter and won't be around at the end of the program, we both agreed tonight to view the results on the in body even though we are still 11 days away from the program finishing.  When I saw the results I was not surprised as Sarah and Patrick had prepared me for what he was about to tell me.  Just a confirmation to how good and accurate the PCP program has been for me.  Here is a snapshot of what was confirmed tonight:  muscle mass increased by 4% (trainer was shocked it hadn't reduced dramatically) body fat cut in half from 24% to 12%, dramatic strength increase in the lower body thanks to all those squats and crazy leg exercises, body weight reduced from 85.8 kgs to 72.8 kgs (13 kgs lighter).  My waist is down 3 inches since the beginning of the program and the analysis of nutritional evaluation, weight management, obesity diagnosis, body balance, body strength, and health diagnosis all normal for my age and height.   Spot on for recommended body weight with an above average fitness score.  I was ecstatic watching the trainer mumble under his breath how sorry he was for the discouraging words he uttered weeks before.  I doubt he is totally converted but definitely stumped on what he thought was the path to better health and fitness. Of course, as an almost graduate of the program this has been the best investment of my whole life.   We have turned the bend and the finish line is in view.  Ready to push through and complete the program but what I have gained will be a real life changer.  I for one will be never going back to my old ways!  Thanks to Patrick and Sarah and all the PCP friends who have been there for me along the way through the highs and lows keeping me going to where I have got to today!  Am I satisfied?  TOTALLY!

March 28, 2012 10:23 PM HKT

Day 74

Happy to be over my recent chest infection and back on my full PCP regime!  Just a little farther to go now!  Looking forward to crossing the finish line!

March 23, 2012 3:10 PM HKT

Battle continues!

I think I wrote about my cold I somehow acquired on my business trip to Tokyo last week in my previous blog and thought I had conquered it but got weaker the last few days and then back to the doctor yesterday who announced that it had moved to my chest and I had quite a chest infection going on.  I have been put on horse pill antibiotics and told to rest so my PCP train goes off the rails for a few days as I get myself healthy again.  I want to finish strong so hopefully the meds will help me get back on the PCP train.  

March 18, 2012 12:01 PM HKT

Sunday PCP

The cold that was brewing earlier in the week hit me with full vengeance on Friday.  I guess what was lying dormant in my chest started to move and it has been a battle for energy and strength since.  Sunday brings me hope that I am getting better and the exercises I haven't been able to do with the reduced health will get back on track.   I have been doing well to stick to my diet plan through the tough days but as of today have to say farewell to the apple dinners which were getting routine.  Some interesting changes in the diet and eager to see what happens the remaining short time training.  I haven't weighed myself recently but the clothes are piling up that I can no longer wear.   It has been no alcohol since Jan 13th and that seems so long ago but haven't really missed it at all.  I was asked by a good friend if I had ended my fast yet the other day.  Like Patrick's note, even when you tell them they don't seem to get what eating well and taking care of yourself means in these modern days.  Another colleague in a similar line told me I was too skinny now and needed to start eating meat again.  After coming this far, not a bad cold nor people who just can't get it can put me off pushing on further.  My resolve remains strong. I still have some stubborn belly fat to declare war on before I finish my 90 days.   I think it is time to start posting not only my weekly photo but the side view as well.   Let's see if I can get to it soon.  Here's to another good week ahead!

March 14, 2012 9:43 PM HKT

Day 60 - Amazing it is gone!

Amazing that another milestone has come and we are still plugging on....I like many others have had my share of valley challenges.  I had a nice little routine with my organization of my exercises and diet plan and it was really running like clockwork.  Then comes along a business trip to Tokyo and though I am still maintaining - my organizing got thrown a bit out of kilter for a few days and I began to think about stopping till I could get back to home base and my comfortable routine.  Then I realized that after day 90 more business trips most likely will come and I will need to adjust and maintain my lifestyle of health so I better start learning the ropes of reality now!  Have been suffering as well with body aches and a headache that is coming and going but fighting it with medicine and rest.  I had to cut my exercise out today until I felt like I could do them with some proficiency without hurting myself or my body in a reduced state of health.  I do want to say it is amazing though for all the benefits from PCP.  I had a fatty tumor in my shoulder that the doctors investigated about 6 months ago and decided it was nothing to worry about and we have been monitoring it along the way since.  I am happy to report that it is gone now after 60 days of eating good healthy fruits and vegetables and ridding my body of some of those free radicals.  I am eager to go back to the doctor and show him what has happened.  Even with fighting off a cold and feeling less than 100% this really makes me smile and happy I made the choice to do this.  Thanks to all the friends and colleagues who have supported me in the journey and day 90 is just a little further down the road.  Not stopping now!

March 9, 2012 11:38 PM HKT

Grim Enthusiasm

Yes, a week of grim enthusiasm....challenges increased around getting the exercises in and getting my food eaten in between all day meetings at work.  Grim definitely....but glad I have made through it.  Today was the grim not so enthusiasm as I was very tempted just to stick the exercises because of various excuses in my mind but I pushed myself to the gym and got it done.  Though it didn't feel like what I wanted to be doing after a hard day on the job but it felt good to get it done.  PCP moves to Tokyo and business trip for me next week.  Need to think and organize so I keep the progress going!  It is time to keep the show going!

March 4, 2012 10:48 PM HKT

Day 50

I have enjoyed my weekend.  I was inspired by my tennis coach as he told me today that I was moving faster from the base line to the net!  I was playing in Bangkok and the temperature on the court was 35 degrees C.  Pre-PCP it would have totally wiped me out but after two hours on the court in that heat, I walked off feeling great.  Wet but feeling great!  PCP could end today and hearing my coach comment on my improved performance has made it all worth it!  I am faster and lighter on my feet which was one of my early PCP goals.  All is cool with the exercises though they are not in any way easy and diet is always a surprise.  Each Sunday morning is welcomed with me wiping the sleep out of my eyes discovering what items have been reduced or taken away.  A moment of renewed resolve always settles on me and we move on ready for the challenge! Glad I love my yogurt as I have blogged before because I still have it in the menu and even got increased portions.  For all you curious birds who are on the other menus, my carbs and protein are down more and fruit is no longer part of my afternoon snack.  Got to love those veggies....not complaining just sharing.  I totally trust the PCP team and Patrick that they know what they are doing cause I have seen the results of their work on others who have passed before me on this journey.  My curiosity is peaked what my 90 days will bring!  From what former PCP'ers have shown in their weekly photos, the next few weeks are when the results start really coming forth!  Bring it on!  GO TAURUS!

March 1, 2012 10:06 PM HKT

Welcome Blaze!

Hey remember the days 47 days ago when we launched!  What enthusiasm!  What expectations!  Well considering the ups and downs since we are still plugging through and the resolve is still strong!  We are going to do this!  Exercises are getting more and more challenging but plugging through them and diet is a joy!  Love my little treats in the day like my yogurt and cold glass of milk which I am still at awe that I would even say such things before PCP.  Great things are happening with my physical and mental outlook!  I am faster on the tennis court and looking like a homeless man in my oversized clothes!  Holding off on buying the new wardrobe just yet as more of that stubborn body fat is going to be skipped off me sooner than later.  Just uploaded my week 7 photo and liking what is going on even though I think the photo doesn't really show it all.  When a colleague walks by and says, you are really looking good Keith!  It is worth all the work!  Go Taurus!

February 28, 2012 10:20 PM HKT

Halfway Point Done!

I want to say thanks to all my PCP colleagues and friends who have encouraged me along the journey so far.  It wouldn't have been as enjoyable or as successful without them.  Especially my particular colleague who sits quite close to me and keeps me going no matter the mood of the PCP day.  Has tolerated my roller coaster moods from the changes going on and has helped me plow through when the resolve was beginning to weaken.  Most of all, when my food choices were getting to the boring side of life she came along with some fantastic tasting PCP compliant preparations and shared them with me to add little spice to my day!  A special thanks to Patrick and team!  You guys are fabulous and so happy our paths crossed!  I have learned so much about health and fitness from the experience!  Thanks again everyone....we will be to day 90 in no time!!  No reason to give up now!

February 22, 2012 10:52 PM HKT

Day 39

It seems like we are reaching another milestone here.....39 days done.....it is in some ways quite amazing to think about it and in others ways,  we still have a lot of work to do before getting to the 90 day goal.  I am enjoying the exercises.  My physio told me a couple of years ago that my knees were not really going to last and I had pounded the pavement long enough so I laid off the running and the leg exercises for a while.  I am encouraged though now going through the exercises that the strength is coming back to my legs and I am thrilled seeing myself do things I thought I would never be doing such as the pistol squats, creeps and floor jumps.  One of the colleagues saw me today in the office corridor and had to say he had heard I was half the man I used to be!  And continued mumbling about, how he really had to find out more about this thing.  I took the opportunity to tell him how great it was.  Not easy but great!  I had a presentation that worked right into my meal schedule today so I was pushing lunch time up a few mins and was really hungry when I finished and was excited to dig into my afternoon snack of fruit and yogurt.  My fellow PCP'er sitting close to me, lost all composure watching me as I dug for every little last bit of yogurt like it was going to be my last meal for a few days.  It was such a treat.   I am finding my fresh fruit and vegetables so delicious.  I will never ever take them for granted ever again.   So generally from here, challenged still to find the best time to balance my day job with my PCP schedule but still getting it done.  Exercises are good and I love the intensity and variety as well.   I would love more to eat but maintaining the plan accordingly and on target with the quantities and the meal and snack arrangements and am seeing the benefits from my perseverance.  I wish the rest of the PCP gang smooth sailing through the rest of this week.  Bring on day 40......!

February 18, 2012 11:07 PM HKT

Day 35

I so appreciated the message from Patrick this morning.  It seems my difficulties started a little early and I was wondering what was going on this week.  It was tough with the intensity ramping up with the exercises and finding myself short of patience and dealing with irritability which I normally don't experience in non PCP environments.  Thanks for making us aware so we can handle it better.  It does look like this is where it gets tough.  Time to get that second wind and push forward!

February 12, 2012 9:04 PM HKT

I was forewarned!

I was forewarned but I guess it didn't sink in until this morning when I had a look at the new diet plan for the next week.  I literally had to take a second look and pinch myself to ensure I was seeing correctly!  A little bit shocked!  I was having a conversation a couple of weeks ago with a former PCP participant and I have been haunted by a few words in the conversation till today.  He was asking at which point we were on the diet and I mentioned my plan and the returned comment was, "oh you all are just getting started".  I responded with, "how intense does it get?"  and the response was that he would let Patrick have the privilege of revealing that information.  So it came back to me today that this is what he meant.   Really some changes coming in habits with the new plan.  But some changes are already settling in well.  For instance, before PCP I never drank milk and the first few days it was a challenge and even thought that I might be lactose intolerant.  But since milk was added to the plan for me and I became accustomed to it,  I started looking forward to it and now I get it twice a day so even more exciting for the taste buds.  The immediate shock of the morning started to wear off and I dug in to continue down the PCP yellow brick road.  I wonder when we will get to OZ!!!  Go Team Taurus!  Feeling very bullish for April 14th!

February 8, 2012 7:52 PM HKT

Indulgence Day - A welcome surprise!

I have to say that day 25 was the hardest day yet for me in PCP.  Been cruising along and enjoying it but my dog became ill a few days ago and the doctors haven't been able to determine the cause of his illness.   After he spent a few days in hospital I had to take him back in today and it was more confusion on why he wasn't recovering the way the doctors had expected.  I had to sit and wait for about 3 hours and the stress was really getting to me.  Work, PCP and what would happen next on this day?  I nearly started feeling ill myself and a tension headache quickly got a hold of me.  I thought about maybe I shouldn't be doing this at this time and really had questions whether it was going to be too much for me to keep going even though the progress made has been good.  I eventually was sent home with the dog without much encouragement but with some new medicine that hopefully will help him.  I lost a 17 year old dog last November and this one is 14.  I decided to do my exercises at home tonight so I come be around and keep an eye on him.  I had trouble logging in but found the indulgence message.   It couldn't have come on a better day.  I have pushed my resolve a little further and have decided that I will have a small cup of my favorite frozen yogurt tonight for my indulgence.  And tomorrow, we will face what it holds and keep moving on with my PCP and my life.

February 6, 2012 10:59 AM HKT

Naysayers go away!

The world is full of naysayers and I encountered one this morning as I entered the office.  The conversation started from you look like you are losing weight but my trainer tells me what you are doing is dangerous and with the little carbs you are eating will somehow get you into real trouble with the exercises.  What a way to start your Monday morning!  The small daily incremental weight loss numbers are adding up and this morning crossed over the 6.5 kgs since PCP registration day.  I want to say to my local naysayer that the proof is in the pudding and let me introduce you to my trainer Patrick who obviously isn't worried about losing his personal training job.  Is it not enough to have to fight the internal challenges to also battle back against the external negativism!  We will see who is naysaying after 90 days!  My resolve remains strong!   Roll on Team Taurus!

February 5, 2012 9:08 AM HKT

Week 4 begins - All Smiles!

Week four has begun and I am finished with my new breakfast menu for the week.  Carbs are now down to 70g at breakfast and a big ZERO at dinner.  The added treat is yogurt is now added with my fruit for evening snack.   Lunch now begins to look huge in comparison to my other meals in the day.  Yesterday I was having to train myself a new skill.  How to keep pulling up my pants so the whole of society doesn't think something is wrong with me?  I pulled out a pair of jeans and wore them out for a few hours but never again.  They were so loose that I had to keep pulling them up.  They are now in the bag headed to the clothes collection bin.   I have a feeling I just won't head out with them just yet and some other clothes are going to have to go with them.   I have added to my morning ritual a brief weigh in and all smiles that I am 6.3 kgs lighter at the beginning of week 4 than the weight I was when I registered for PCP.   I have to say that it has been a journey of discipline but I am happy with the progress.  I had a brief chat with a former PCP'er early in the week and gathered from the conversation that the discipline journey will continue and the challenges will become greater but ready for it!  Will have to put the money I have been saving from not going out to my new wardrobe fund!  It looks like I may need it even before day 90 arrives!

February 1, 2012 9:44 PM HKT

Day 18

Those funny hunger feelings were still hanging around today.  Got my exercises done and stuck to the diet.  Seems like a lot of people know about my participation in the program and now even taking the opportunity to ask questions about how it is going.  Some say, "oh you are doing that?"  Others say, "that's great, can see the progress already!"  Keeping on top of getting all the organizing done for my meals and fruit snacks.  Things are going OK!

January 31, 2012 10:44 PM HKT

Hmmm...they smell good!

I have been having a little bit more of a hungry feeling during the day since my dinners took a hit on the week 3 diet plan.  Then after I had finished off my lunch today,  I was sitting at my desk totally minding my own business with none of my PCP supporters around and suddenly out of no where a box of macau egg tarts gets shoved right under my nose by a colleague full of good intentions and hoping to make me smile.  When I said, "no thanks not today".  She frowned and offered again and said, "one won't hurt you" and I replied, "They smell good but I really couldn't" and then started to tell her about PCP.  It seemed like an eternity before she moved them out from where the fresh baked smell was right there in my face.  She graciously accepted that I wasn't going to indulge today but said she would be back on April 15th to offer me some then.  It was a sweet gesture.   Exercises were a great lift today and I got excited when someone said I was looking trimmer at the gym tonight.  Wish everyone a great week of many more successes and keep up the good work!

January 30, 2012 10:40 PM HKT

Day 16

Two days down on the new diet plan.   I really have to work hard to stretch my dinner with the little bit that is there.  Takes me more time to measure it out than to eat it but it is worth it.   Shortly after we started PCP my colleague and I put up the most unflattering photos from a junk trip last summer.  I probably weighed the most I have ever weighed and looked like a real porky!  I so wanted to take it down today.  Several times I brought it up in the conversations throughout the day and several times I was told it would be good motivation as you don't want to ever go back to that state of fitness.   Actually that is true so the photos remains up!  Hopefully the daily reminder will keep me going when the going gets tough.   I am feeling healthier and stronger each day.  I enjoyed the burn today with the exercises and the cardio by jump rope as well though it is a chore to reach the jumps required.  Now off to get my lunch box and fruit snacks ready for tomorrow and then off for some wonderful body building sleep!

January 29, 2012 11:14 PM HKT

Week 3

Armed with a new diet plan and ready to make this week a good one!  All is good on the PCP front!  Keep it up everyone!  You all are doing great!

January 28, 2012 9:22 PM HKT

Day 14

The sunshine in HK was so welcomed today!  It was really nice to do my jumping without having to shiver through the first few hundred.  Definitely is my favorite exercise - NOT!  I do it because I have to so plugging along with it.  I was out shopping to get all the vegetables and fruits needed for the next few days and did a big steam to get them ready.  It really did smell so good in the kitchen as it all steamed up.  I am hungry tonight after dinner.    Well,  I will suck it up!  I am on a diet!

January 27, 2012 10:09 PM HKT

Lucky 13

It was a great day!  Lots of support from my fellow PCPer and lots of encouragement to keep going down the path to renewed health and fitness!  It was great also to get the exercises done and off to eat my nice healthy salt free dinner after a not so exciting day at the office.  Looking forward to moving into week 3.  Always curious what the next week of exercises and diet will bring.  

January 26, 2012 10:34 PM HKT

Day 12

First day back from vacation and was a bit anxious about how it would all go trying to do the day job and keep up with my program.  Happy to report it all went well and better than expected.   I did feel a little bit more loaded down with my lunch box, my fruit snacks and my gear heading into the office.  Will have to put some reminder in my calendar though to get that morning fruit into the schedule in a timely manner as I got busy and almost missed it.  Before PCP I actually thought I needed coffee and drank quite a big gulp in the morning.  I had one earlier this week and it tasted a bit bitter to me and now I am finding I am not even craving it.  Not sure why?  But not worried about that!   Maybe my taste buds are coming back to life with less salt and sugar in my diet.  I did my exercises today and all according to plan.  More challenging and definitely pushing me to my limit on a few of them.  I felt a little bit light headed today after my exercise but just took a short rest when I finished and it helped that feeling pass.  I got on the scales and am 3.5 kilos lighter than the day I registered for PCP so hope that trend continues.  End of the day so off for my next training - SLEEP!

January 25, 2012 9:22 PM HKT

Day 11

Chinese New Year holidays came to an end for me today and I made my way back to Hong Kong.  As soon as I was back on the ground I was shopping for my meals the next couple of days and off to the gym to get the exercises done as well. Definitely is an exercise in discipline and finding a way to get it all done.  Just finished up weighing my fruit for tomorrow and getting the rest ready.  Wondering how it will all go now that work starts up and the challenges to stay on course!

January 24, 2012 4:09 PM HKT

Day 10

So life goes on in the PCP world...I think day 10 can be considered some sort of an early milestone.  Exercises are good and are getting more challenging everyday to do the full reps and sets but can feel my body responding to the exercises as well.   My diet is becoming challenging as well.  I had a little bit of a challenge with a sugar craving last night but happy I didn't give into it.  It was just a signal to have my fruit snack a little earlier than I had planned and the rest of the evening went fine.   Happy with my progress so far!

January 23, 2012 3:51 PM HKT

Day 9

Feeling good today!  I enjoy the increased energy I am experiencing now and having a good time with the program.  I know the days are coming though when I may not enjoy it so much when I am squeezed to get the exercises in and still keep up with my job!  But now it is sort of a journey of discovery with my fitness and fueling with the fresh food on my diet.  Armed with my scales, others have said that surely isn't enough food for you with the exercises you are doing and the additional time on the tennis court over the Chinese New Year holiday.  But the truth be known, it really is going well and I have no complaints.  Good energy and looking forward to the changes to come.  I was out shopping and found a shirt I had been looking for for a while but had to skip the purchase as I was sure the size would be too big for me in a few weeks so will leave the clothes shopping for post PCP when the whole current wardrobe is going to have to go for donation.  So the Year of the Dragon gets off to a flaming start....it is going to be a great year! 

January 22, 2012 4:42 PM HKT

Day 8

Things are cruising well today!  Exercises ramping up and having fun with the new diet.  Breakfast and lunch today didn't look like much on my plate but enjoyed it nonetheless.  Being on vacation and in a hotel, has its pros and cons.  But I got great cooperation today from the staff and armed with my scales got what I needed when I needed it.  We were warned it would be like the roller coaster speeding down the rails after cranking up to the top of the hill and it sure does feel like that.  Had a peek at the exercises coming up over the next few days.  Intensity is going up little by little and happy to be into week 2....bring it on!  Legs were sore throughout week 1 with the squats and lunges giving a bit of grief but that is all behind me now!

January 21, 2012 6:59 PM HKT

Day 7

It is feeling good to tick the box for one week complete and still smiling!  Actually I had a great experience today with my jump roping!  When all this began a few weeks ago, in going out and getting my equipment, I bought the only jump rope in the shop thinking jump ropes couldn't be that different.  Well, I found a leather one in the sports shop in Bangkok today and thought I might get it and try it out.  My other one was tripping me up as it being plastic seemed to knot up itself as the end of the rope slid around in the handle as I jumped and eventually I would get tripped up.  So I came back to the hotel this afternoon and after playing tennis for an hour, I pulled out my new purchase and to my amazement soared through my 500 jumps only tripping up a couple of times!  I think I should give credit to the leather rope rather than my enhanced skill.  The other thing I noticed was I could jump must faster with the leather one and it doesn't have a drag when it hit the floor.   I am laughing at myself even as I write.  Sounds like I am getting obsessed with my program.  I have my kitchen scales and measuring cup and ready to roll on Day 8 with the diet.  It is my own little science project named ME!  I did see the uptick in exercises and thought OK now this is getting serious.  And isn't that why we are here?  GO RAFA!

January 20, 2012 5:49 PM HKT

Day 6

It was an interesting day yesterday with me trying to get some important things wrapped up at work and get the exercises done and catch a flight to Thailand.  It went OK!  There was more work than I expected and the tick up in reps and sets in the exercises surprised my body a bit and I did find it more challenging.  On the flight I watched everyone eat their heavy dinner while I munched on my fruit plate.  The flight attendant came by twice worried that I didn't have enough to eat.  Then asked why I didn't want to take one of the chocolates they were passing around after dinner.  I guess getting used to saying no is what our little email was about today!  I watched Nadal at the Australian Open today so got my inspiration in today as well.  So half portions coming to an end and no worries there.  Got my exercises in and the jumping is better though I need to kick in on the endurance side as the latter sets get more challenging.  So nearly through week 1 and keeping on!  Restricted diet?  Bring it on!

January 18, 2012 7:03 PM HKT

Day 4

Jumping rope - check!  Lunges - check!  Push ups - check!  Leg lifts - check!  Half portions - check!  Day 4 is done and looking forward to where we go from here!  My gear is going into my suitcase now as I head to Thailand tomorrow for the Chinese New Year holidays.  I am sure it will be challenging but going to keep up the momentum even through the holidays!  I become the new dragon in the Year of the Dragon!

January 17, 2012 7:36 PM HKT

Day 3

It has been an exercise of sharing food today!  A colleague and I decided to get the usual and just split it 50-50 which made us compliant to the half portions rule.  It was kind of nice doing it with someone who is very supportive and right in there with you.  Unfortunately, an old photo of a few months back appeared later in the afternoon which is evidence once again why I am doing PCP!  It drove me to get home and do my exercises early so I wouldn't miss doing them or having to do them simultaneously with toothbrush in hand prepping for bedtime.  I was a true porky pig in the photo and I so ever do want to make the appropriate changes in diet and lifestyle to never go back there again.  So as I write, I am reminded that the weekly photo was seen by some today which I honestly had anxiety about but it wasn't so bad.  They responded with support which I so appreciate.  Hope they are around on day 67 to keep me going!  I never thought 10 more jumps would be as challenging as they turned out to be.  Never was a good jump roper, actually my kindergarten teacher said I wasn't coordinated enough because I struggled with jump roping way back when.  I wonder what she would think of me now if she could see this PCPer going about his rounds.  So half way through week 1 and I feel progress.  The old ads are definitely tighter and the legs are coming alive too with the daily push through squats and lunges.  Less hungry today.....and I am still smiling.  Thanks everyone and you know who you are for your support!

January 16, 2012 11:22 PM HKT

Day 2

It seemed the news around the office today was who was doing PCP and what the website was all about!  It seemed a lot of people were interested in the news or just wanted to gossip a bit.  Builds up the pressure to do what we are here for!! Maybe more will be joining the ranks in the next group.  For me, it was get serious time with getting the weekly photo uploaded.  The half portions on day 2 were a little more difficult than day 1.  I started to feel hungry at times but resisted the temptation to otherwise.  At dinner, I said I was done and completed my half portions when the person sitting across from me sprouted horns and started talking about there was only a little left why didn't I just eat it!  I held my ground and kept to the plan.  Exercises were good today but I am feeling it in my glutes from the lunges and squats the last two days.   I know some difficult days are ahead but taking it one day at a time now and making the best of it!   

January 15, 2012 8:29 PM HKT

Day 1

What would you like to tell the world?
All well and good with everything done for day 1 that I needed to do!  Ready for this and going to do it for myself with my best effort possible.  After watching someone else go through the program last year and totally transform themselves, I really couldn't stand by and not try it myself.  If I start listing my related goals then I might be typing a while so will leave those for later!   89 days to go!

January 7, 2012 7:03 PM HKT

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