April 17, 2012 11:51 PM JST

Day 90....not the end just the start of a new chapter!

Firstly thanks to Ben Hartwell & Paul Redbourn for giving me the motivation to sign up to the programme in the first place. Their results and positive outlook towards it inspired me.
 
Although I haven't finished as strong as I would have liked, I am really plased with the results.
 
Key Figures:
 
Start Weight: 117.9 kg
End Weight: 106.8 kg (Down 11.1kg)

At Christmas I weighed myself whilst back in the UK and I was at my heaviest in some time at a whooping 119.2kg....so have actually dropped 12.4kgs since the beginning of the year.
 
Now I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to get closer to the 100kg barrier and will be looking to shift the last 5kg and a smidge over the next month.
 
Annoyingly I've lost my book with my initial measurements. I will update this as soon as I track them down. I've moved several holes on my belt which measures 4 inches and need an addition hole added as its already a little loose. Also what were my favourite shorts are now ridiculously big. 
 
For those of you thinking about doing this programme....DO IT.....this has to be the hardest and easiest thing I've done to achieve what I've been mucking about with over the last 10 yrs, losing weight! I've probably spent thousands over the years messing around with personal trainers but being given the road map by Patrick & Sarah on fitness and diet, it is IMPOSSIBLE to fail. Yes you might have to let your social life take a bit of a back seat for a month or so...but man the results speak for themselves.

Thanks to Patrick and Sarah for your advise and support.  Also to Team Orion, our PCP IB chat room and the fantastic motivating blogs across all the teams.

Best of luck to everyone going forward.

Photos

April 10, 2012 5:05 PM JST

Day 87

Been on holiday in China for the last week. Diet definitely not compliant whilst away as just impossible to over there!

Fallen off the wagon really ever since the 7's too much going on in work and out of work. Still steady at about 9 kg's weight loss which I'm happy with but another 5 kgs would really be good.

PCP doesn't end at day 90 and is just the start of things going forward. Going to retrace day 60 on-wards at the finish of this and keep on track.

Certainly been a great experience and some of the groups results are utterly fantastic. Room for improvement from me though.

April 2, 2012 3:20 PM JST

Day 79

Back from a fantastic break in the Maldives with the duchess!

Managed to get a few workouts in and also was out diving and snorkeling each day.  

March 26, 2012 9:28 AM JST

Day 72

Well I knew the 7's was going to be tough....so thank god that is out of the way now.

Off to Maldives tomorrow. Trainers packed and a great week ahead of me.

March 20, 2012 2:30 PM JST

Day 66

Oh dear what's the on the horizon.....that's right it's the 7's! A Few seriously non-pcp compliant days ahead of me.

Heading to Maldives next week so will be back on track in no time and plenty of time to exercise and chill.

Great pics everyone some fantastic weight loss. I'm stable at around 107.5 at the moment so around 10kgs down, Would love to lose a few more and get the right side of 105 before we hit the finishing line.

Stay strong team Orion!

March 14, 2012 2:10 PM JST

Day 60

1 month to go and time for another big push.

Last few blogs haven't been that positive but with 30 days to go and one minor speed bump ahead of me.....ok well the 7's! Looking for a strong finish and dropping more kg's.

Great motivation seeing the pics some serious weight loss across the group. Have a few days back to back with my personal trainer. Still struggling with the diet a little. If anything I'm not eating enough just too much of it and too often. Need a little fridge under my desk to try and cater for it all.

Onwards and upwards......

March 6, 2012 12:13 PM JST

Day 52

Motivation taken a bit of a dip. Last week had a lot on and a trip to Singapore.

Diet wasn't always PCP compliant but certainly not as bad as pre-pcp life! Exercise was the main issue...just no time to fit it in at all. Weight stable but still got another 5kg I want to attack......I'm coming for you!!

Back on track this week. Need to focus and not let team Orion down.

Week 8 pics looks fantastic for the group. Keep it up everyone.

February 27, 2012 9:32 AM JST

Day 44

Well well that was a pleasant surprise......AMAYW.....boom my new friend! Don't beat me up on any comments but I'm very happy with the diet and there seems a lot of it. Sunday's preparation was on the money so well positioned for the start of this week which is often where I get blind sided if I'm not careful.

Met Jason and did a good workout yesterday. Nice to do that every now and again just mixes it up a little and gives you that extra motivation to push through the reps. As with a lot of blogs the press ups are a little tricky after the chest dips but certainly gets the burn going.

Loaded up week 7 photo and definitely seeing a change in my face.

Great work everyone the half way mark is on the horizon and all down hill from then.

p.s lets gloss over the rugby result!

February 22, 2012 9:43 AM JST

Plodding along.....

Not much to report but getting on with things.

Some of the new exercises are a little challenging but managing to get through everything. Will have to take today's note on board as not sure my form is 100% correct throughout all the reps. Skipping has come good......not sure how I did it or how I'll ever do it again but even managed the boxers shuffle! Ditching the counting and giving it my best for 15/20 mins has been the key.

With the diet still no complaints with breakfast or lunch but dinner is quite restricting. This isn't forever and know that these few weeks are crucial in powering on through to the end. Still not missing alcohol although social life with clients and colleagues has nose dived. We had some friends round for dinner the other day and did treat myself to a glass or two of wine but felt sluggish for it the next day and don't want to feel like that again.

Weight still coming off and getting more compliments from people in the office or friends I haven't seen for a few months. Always helps keep the motivation going.

Preparation.......preparation.......preparation!!!

Stay strong team Orion and all the PCP'ers!

February 14, 2012 4:00 PM JST

Dinner.....blink and you'll miss it!

My suits are starting to feel slightly more spacious than before. Also on the way to the morning meeting yesterday someone commented that my toursers were almost falling off me.....these same trousers left little to the imagination 5 weeks ago!

Dinner has been extremely boring but good suggestion on chat at work to blend up dinner and consume as a smoothy. Thankfully the wife is back from Aus after 4 weeks so can help me preparing lunches going forward. Am far too reliant on a couple of dishes and finding them a little dull.

First night of trying out the new exercises. Had 4 days straight with the personal trainer so didn't do PCP workouts. I incorporate most of the PCP moves in the circuits anyway plus boxing on top.

Will report back tomo but expecting to be sore given the other blogs.

February 12, 2012 12:58 AM JST

Rugby...

6 nations and no booze...still a strange feeling!

COME ON ENGLAND...

February 11, 2012 11:19 PM JST

Day 28

Where do I start....well I think I don't and just put last week behind me and start this week with a fresh outlook. Lots on at work, late nights, lack of exercise/pcp compliant food.....

Anyway locked in 4 PT sessions friday thru to mon so 6 hrs all up which will hopefully get me back on track. Amazingly I seem to have lost weight and am now 110kg's. 

So today has been a great day. Had a PT session and got organised for the week with a huge food shop. I made an industrial amount of roast ratatouille following the waitrose website which will last me the majority of the week -(http://www.waitrose.com/home/recipes/recipe_directory/r/roast_ratatouille.html)

Looking forward to cracking on with the exercises this week.

Keep Going Team Orion!!

Note to self: No more indulgences fatty!

Photos

February 7, 2012 1:40 PM JST

Day 24

Struggled with diet Sunday & yesterday as I just wasn't prepared. Lots going on at work so missed exercise yesterday. Dinner certainly wasn't PCP compliant!

Have had a word with myself and am refocused. I'm a day behind on the exercise but come Saturday I'll do Friday's exercise and the skipping to catch up.

February 5, 2012 10:18 PM JST

Day 22

Definitely struggled this weekend.

Still haven't touched a drop of alcohol since the start but had dinner out on Friday & Saturday. I think on both occasions I probably went a little over on my protein & carb limits but not by alot.

If you weren't aware PURE IFC is open till midnight. I stopped in on Fri night after dinner to ensure I didn't miss my exercise. Sat & Sun I did long hikes so dropped the skipping but did all the exercises.

After a 2 day break I will persevere with my skipping. Like David I'd hit a wall with it but hoping the break has done me some good.

Not prepared at all for Monday food wise so going to rely on Ciy Super. Park n Shop delivery monday evening will sort that out though.  

Hmm no carbs for dinner so the fun begins...

February 2, 2012 10:56 PM JST

Day 19

Feeling Great Great Great.

Food and workouts going well. I really do need to spend some time this weekend working on skipping as I'm shite! I owe 400 from yesterday. I also did an hour and half with my trainer this evening incorporating all of the PCP moves and more. Didn't skip today but an hour+ of boxing/interval training is exhausting nothing in the arms.

Think I've found the perfect solution for my poor skipping.......Jump Snap!! https://www.jumpsnap.com/ Thought this was just a joke but turns out to be genuine!!

Promise to put some pics up of food soon as owe some ideas. Team Orion and our IB chat has been superb sources of ideas. This was today's intake:

Breakfast - 2 slices wholemeal toast. One with Avocado and the other 2 poached eggs.
Lunch - Rosemary oven roasted chicken breast, Sweet potato mash & broccoli.
Dinner - Grilled chilli chicken breast, Roast potato & green salad.

Hope everyone is powering on.

January 30, 2012 1:49 PM JST

Day 15

Had a good mate and his wife in town Fri & Sat so showed them the sights and had dinner out and about. Wasn't tempted in the slightest to drink and believe I kept the diet on track. Eat Right on Staunton street has a good menu and got them to tweak a few dishes to comply with PCP. Even managed to persuade a coffee shop to weigh the fruit salad I bought later on in the day!

All good though 2 weeks done and really enjoying being back in the gym each day. Also have a trainer 2/3 times a week and seeing improvement there with my stamina. The diet has been fine apart from a spending far too long in the Kitchen. Made a huge batch of
Ratatouille, cheers Ben for the suggestion, which will help save a serious amount of time this week. Will also steam up some veggies towards the end of the week. Feeling and getting more prepared though that's for sure.

Felt as though I turned a corner yesterday with my skipping. Not sure if was a change of environment that helped but didn't struggle through the 800 as much as I have been. Currently trying to do 100 skips twice and then breaking it down to blocks of 50 with a 1 or 2 sec break and then cracking on. Seemed to work but will report back tomorrow on today's battle.

Week 3 diet looks fine as well. Slight drop in carbs for dinner but I'll survive.

Well done everyone so far. Hope those of you that have the old niggle coming through get over them ASAP and doesn't hinder you at all.

January 26, 2012 9:51 AM JST

Day 12

Lost my rhythm a bit over the last few days. Although CNY I had to work both Mon & Tues and long days at that. Monday I got the exercises done but Tuesday just didn't have time as got back too late. I got up earlier yesterday and did day 10 and then later on in the day I smashed out day 11. I owe 650 skips from yesterday but just couldn't do it to my neighbour below what with wooden floors. I'll make up for them today though.

Food wise I'm getting a lot better with preparation, albeit time consuming, but have several meals ready to go in the fridge. Appreciate everyone sharing their tips and meal ideas. Going to experiment a few things on the weekend and will post my recipes and how I go. I know it has been mentioned but a recipe tab would be good where we can all upload our ideas to share would be fantastic.

Exercise going fine and still keeping to max reps. Skipping is still the biggest thorn in my side. I meeting up with Ben Hartwell on Sun to hit the gym with so hoping for some more tips.

Kung Hei Fat Choy & Happy Australia Day everyone.

January 22, 2012 11:20 PM JST

Pleasantly surprised...

1 week done and that little orange bar is slowly ticking along. Had a busy weekend out and about but kept to the half diet and no booze.

Nice to see the exercise plan kick up a notch...but I hope I improve at skipping soon. I nearly lost it mid way through the 600 tonight but battled on! I get on a run but then really seem to lose my rhythm...I'm sure it will come though. I don't know whether it is my technique but by the end of the 600 my right shoulder is burning.

The new diet is surprisingly generous. I just need to get to grips with what my options are as everything was pretty bland today. Sure it will come in the next few days.

Early start tomo really want to get in to the habit of getting the exercise completed before work.

January 20, 2012 11:52 PM JST

1 more sleep, it feels like Christmas!

Slightly annoyed after a long day in the office and then really having to motivate myself to get through tonight's exercises. Going forward I will definitely push on with my original plan of exercising before work. 

On the half portion diet I really am amazed with how well I've adjusted. Tonight I had a lovely chicken dish and certainly had less than half my normal portion size and feel more than satisfied.

So here it is one more sleep before we get to see what really lies ahead. Quite an action packed day tomo but really need to spend some time digesting the new diet and fitness plan for the week ahead. 

Bring it!

January 19, 2012 9:32 AM JST

Day 5

Feeling good and the half portion diet this week is really making me wonder why the hell I used to smash such large portions breakfast, lunch & dinner. What I am eating is certainly a lot healthier and haven't ever really felt that hungry.

Today was the first day I got up earlier and hammered out the exercises before work. Feeling much more awake and better for it. Still have my personal trainer tonight so might be a little sore tomorrow but NO PAIN NO GAIN! Going to try to keep the early starts up for the remainder of the challenge.

Looking forward to week 2 and seeing the next challenge to our diet plan.

January 16, 2012 10:42 PM JST

Day 2

So this half portion diet hasn't started off too bad but maybe my body has a healthy supply to fall back on!

Today consisted of:
1/2 bowl bran flakes
1/2 Turkey and Salad Sandwich
1/2 Cottage Pie (Missus followed the weight watchers recipe)
Apple & Yogurt 

I had a boxing training session this evening and passed the 'Day 2' workout to Adam to incorporate. 

Feel good and hope this attitude continues.

January 16, 2012 12:32 AM JST

Day 1

So all the chat's over and I've got 90 days to get myself into decent shape and more importantly keep it.

So here is the all important number, I weighed in this afternoon at 117.9kg. My target is 105 and achievable with a shake up of diet and a fresh outlook on exercising.

Day 1 has been fairly easy, I followed the half portions and have not found that too hard. I'm under no illusion that this is a walk in the park so appreciate them easing us in to it. Exercises were fine. I'm no natural at skipping but I know this will get better over time. I completed the maximum numbers of reps for each exercise and plan to continue this for the entire course.

I'm realistic that I will have the odd wobble but plan to stay dry until the 7's!

Looking forward to day 2 and a good week of banter and motivation from my fellow PCP'ers.

Good luck everyone.