December 27, 2011 7:39 PM EST

Day 105

I started two days late and I'm finishing way late - thanks Patrick for keeping it open for me while i was out of blog access!

A great 3 months overall. I covered most of my thoughts in my penultimate post, but i really noticed it skiing (which I have realized has zero cardio!). I felt a lot stronger in my legs and even a tough run at pace created much less burn than it used to. 

Foodwise, I have tried various things and noticed that processed food tastes "odd" - even something fairly simple like a bread product. Equally, lots of things taste too salty, sweet or buttery - and not very nice as a result. Another good long term side effect I hope.

Finally, two weeks on and back to the maintenance program - and even with two weeks off, I still have most of the fitness. Just shows the value of the long-term program. All in all well worth every minute of it!

December 10, 2011 5:18 PM EST

Day 88

just landed in canada and on my way to whistler with the family - the snow looks great! reflecting on the last 88 days (or 86 as i started 2 days late), i have been 100€ per cent compliant on the exercise (today may be the first i miss, ironically), probably 80€ per cent on diet, but ok, but probably weakest on getting enough sleep - esp this week. still feel a much, much fitter and think i'll carry much of this with me. prioritizing gym time has been tough (often at 5am!) but really worth it. long may it continue!

December 6, 2011 6:11 PM EST

Day 84

Final week - can't believe it! 

December 3, 2011 3:24 AM EST

Day 80

Day 80 - can't believe we're into the last 10 days. Food has been a little non-compliant as we get into the Christmas period and the very end, but not terrible. Today was tough - but got through the pull-ups, even if i couldn't quite manage the last set. Jump rope feels really good - a few people have been saying they want to try, but they don't realize it took almost 3 months to get to this point!!

Last 10 days. Wonder what happens next?

November 24, 2011 8:03 AM EST

Day 71

Echo the other blogs - good to see it all returning to a bit more normality as we're getting closer to the end. Starting to wonder what happens on Day 91 - or possibly even Day 87 for me as I leave for skiing with the kids and can imagine finding time to do the workouts may be tough. I'm actually, enjoying the jump rope now, find it relaxing and can switch off. In contrast, the overall workouts are definitely getting tougher! A couple of weeks ago I thought I had the V-sits nailed, but finding my form deteriorating badly in the last 1-2 sets. Same goes for the others. Will keep at it though.

We're celebrating thanksgiving tomorrow (instead of today, easier in Hong kong to do it a day late as it isn't a holiday). Will see how that goes!

November 15, 2011 8:53 PM EST

Day 63 - maybe jump rope is not so bad

After 2 months of jump rope every day, I am finally getting used to it. 2 month ago I crawled out of the gym after 5 x 50 and a week in was tempted to title the blog "jump rope sucks". Now, it's actually quite relaxing (apart from when I trip!) and the rhythm feels good. Never thought I'd say it, but jump rope is not so bad!

November 9, 2011 4:56 PM EST

Day 56 I drunk Gaijin

so this morning's rather bizarre encounter left me feeling pretty good!

up early (5.40) to go to the gym in the hotel and as i step into the elevator, i find a drunk gaijin (non-japanese - if i'm spelling it right) asleep in the corner of the elevator! i did my best to rouse him, but he seemed very keen on staying put so , after telling the staff, i headed to the gym with extra satisfaction to melt off the early start! way to go pcp!

(for the record, i wasn't perfect - i did go out with the team last night and did have 2 glasses of whisky but was in bed by 9.30 and stuck to the food perfectly...)

November 6, 2011 6:27 AM EST

Day 53

Back from Western Australia. Great break, and other than the odd glass of wine, was pretty much compliant. Didn't miss an exercise day, though it has been hard to get the energy every time - esp after a 7 hour flight with 3 small kids! Feeling pretty good fitness wise - V-sits in particular don't seem as crazy as when I started them!

Unfortunately, instead of back into a settled routine, I am off to Tokyo this week for work - will need to try hard to stay on it this week, though at least the food tends to be fresh and simple. Not sure where I'll get those egg whites though - any ideas????

October 27, 2011 7:18 AM EDT

Day 43 - emancipation from counting

two big breakthroughs today/ yesterday. first, i decided to stop counting and start timing given it repeatedly took 2 mins 40 to do 300 or 8 mins to do 900 jump ropes - only to find the counting is over anyway - a great new change that makes it a lot easier. second i find i can blog from my bberry, which is huge as i can't blog from my office (wrong browser) nor my ipad (who knows why not, but it doesn't), so i am reliant on borrowing an apple from time to time. shame the bberry doesn't do capitals for some reason, but i'll live.

off on vacation tomorrow for 10 days to perth, so may not blog for a bit. don't cut me off patrick if i can't!

October 23, 2011 9:03 AM EDT

Day 39

Good day today after a less than 100% compliant weekend (courtesy of taking the kids camping and then having an old friend in town from the US). Managed the full compliment of exercises, plus a decent 40 minute run today. Most importantly, managed 1100 jump ropes without a break, and even then only 20 seconds for water before finishing up. Let's hope i can keep that going. This week should be good (I hope!)

October 17, 2011 8:55 AM EDT

Day 33 - figured out the jump ropes

Have been struggling to get to high numbers on the jump rope. Seems that I was doing the jump rope equivalent of sprinting. Simple answer: slow down. About time I realized that...

October 14, 2011 8:51 PM EDT

Day 31

Still going! Still hate the jump rope, but getting easier and certainly feeling the effects. Main thing i've noticed is that I'm sleeping a lot better than i ever have, even if i'm really tired in the evening. That and I am having to buy a lot more eggs now.

October 9, 2011 8:50 AM EDT

Day 25 - Surviving flights

So survived the New York trip. A big bag of carrots helped me through the outbound, and a late night flight involving mostly sleeping and light meals made the 16 hour return journey fine. I couldn't stick to it perfectly - in particular, "which meal am I on now?" was a bit confusing (having dinner at 5am local time?), but kept all the workouts going and all things considered did pretty well. Also managed to pick up some better resistance bands than I have found in Hong Kong, which was a side benefit.

Definitely feeling fitter all round - had a couple of comments along those lines already. That said, couldn't believe how hard the floor jumps and Vs were this morning - guess there is still a long way to go. Almost a third of the way into it though and haven't yet missed a workout.

This week should be easier - no travel and time to exercise/ sleep. Now I just need to find some way of blogging more regularly - suspect I may head the list of least active bloggers. Having this site work on explorer would be a good start!

September 30, 2011 10:35 AM EDT

Day 16

All feeling pretty good - already feeling a lot healthier/ fitter. Big test coming up this week - work trip to New York. Airplane rides and work dinners to navigate...

September 21, 2011 7:01 PM EDT

Day 7

Final "half portion" dinner - steak tartare and red snapper, plus a glass of wine - won't be seeing much of those for a while

September 21, 2011 7:00 PM EDT

Day 4

Who thought skipping could be so hard?! Oh and why can't i blog from my iPad?

September 17, 2011 8:43 PM EDT

Day 3

Registered a couple of days late, so just getting started today - hopefully not indicative of how it will go from here. First day went fine.

September 17, 2011 2:54 AM EDT

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