April 17, 2012 9:52 AM EDT

Final Post

I decided to do PCP because I felt like I needed to do something fundamental to change the way that I looked and how I felt and wanted to detox myself from all the crap I felt was in me. Well I definitely achieved that and have finished the program whilst feeling tired a lot of the time it's a natural tired that comes from very early starts to do exercise and doing lots of exercise throughout the day, generally I have way more energy than before and am most happy when I am moving in whatever sense that is.

I was exercising very regularly and doing a lot of running, spinning and body pump and thought that I was fit. I was conning myself that my diet was actually good and I did have the best intentions apart from the sugar I was eating every single day, the enormous amount of carbs and the lack of vegetables and then there was the alcohol.......when I signed up people made a lot of comments that I didn't have weight to lose and I didn't need a program like this but I was fat, hidden well under clothing and perhaps not fat-fat but it was there. Wobbly arms and stomach for sure. I have finally educated myself on how I should eat and it's been revolutionary for me, it's really simple too, carbs and fruit are not bad and just stay away from processed food. I now understand why I looked the way I did - the exercise I was doing wasn't burning fat and was too focussed on fitness building rather that fat fighting like skipping and then I didn't have an diet that would have ever helped me shift the weight.

Throughout the program I had the most comments on my weight loss half way through the program and as I've put on muscle after week 7 those comments did die off and I found it hard to stay motivated as the reps and sets increased and I felt that I bulked up. My objective now the program has finished is to try and look like a more toned version of week 6 / 7 because personally I don't want to be as bulky as I actually am now - but what an awesome choice to make, muscly or slim?? instead of fat trying to be slim!!

I now adore skipping and that's going to stay with me forever now as my go to exercise of choice. More than that though I love putting a piece of clothing on and not feeling self conscious if something is sticking out or my arm looks wobbly or that I just look bloated because in the end everything is toned now! That is the best feeling ever.

I did do some in-body analysis prior to pcp and have done it afterwards but as Patrick says along the way who really cares about the numbers? I dropped 7kg in total and would defer to patrick to judge my body fat based on my pictures instead of those scales that I used to rely on and that would send me into a spiral of depression after stepping on. 

I am in control now and feels good!!! 

Photos

April 15, 2012 8:08 AM EDT

Penultimate Post

Spent the last couple of days celebrating not the end of PCP but the dedication of myself to being a happier person because when it comes down to it I feel happier when I'm healthier, fitter and lighter. Had celebration drinks on Friday night with fellow pcp graduates and an alumni who was the inspiration for us all which was the perfect way to see out the last day of PCP and the weekend was all about my husband's birthday so great timing. The new version of myself was his birthday present.

Before I post my consolidated thoughts and final picture thanks to that alumni whose passion and enthusiasm and dedication to his health sparked my interest in pcp and made me feel like a change in myself was possible. Thank you so much to my wingman and desk buddy at work Keith, someone to ensure I stayed on track during the day, to talk about the daily message and complain about how much pain we were in. Patrick - a truly amazing program and thanks for being so responsive to all of the questions along the way. Thanks Sarah for the support you've shown throughout the blogging and talking me down from a ledge a couple of time! Biggest thanks to my birthday boy husband for supporting me through the whole process and always knowing I am capable even when I don't realise it myself, couldn't have done it without you.

April 7, 2012 9:08 PM EDT

Final Week

Final week ahead and feeling a little concerned around timings and energy levels. Have an incredibly full on work week meaning late nights and early starts to fit everything in really not an ideal week to be finishing the program but I guess it's what I make of it. In addition feeling a little chunky recently, clothes are definitely loser in certain places but in others I feel like I'm bulky - legs especially my thighs and calves and arms. 

April 4, 2012 8:49 AM EDT

Day 81

Opppppppps easter egg! Feeling very guilty indeed especially so close to the end. 

April 3, 2012 12:31 AM EDT

The two men in my life

I had dumped enthusiastic 90s man a couple of weeks ago knowing that when he says at the end "see you in 24 hours" I wouldn't be returning, and as well documented I have replaced him with crazier yoda abs man who woos me most mornings with his talk of cranking, riding and pumping but most of all boosting my ego my telling me that I've got it!

Anyway I decided to switch back to 8 min abs on Sunday for a couple of days and really benefited from mixing it up - 8 min abs is back to being hard again and can tell the way my body has responded on ab work it's really best to not get into a routine of anything too much because you do adapt quickly. I threw some extra plank work in yesterday where you bring your knee up to your alternative elbow and also did tapping the feet out alternatively and tapping the hands out alternatively. What a timely message from Patrick today then! If anyone has any ab workouts suggestions please tell me about them!! For the remaining few days of the program I'll certainly be hanging out with both crazy guys - why not eh?!

April 2, 2012 10:29 AM EDT

Day 79

A lot more energy the last couple of days and the workouts have been great, feeling the burn and the fatigue. We are so close to the end! Feeling totally up for it and the run to the finish line is paved with 3 bank holidays on top of the weekends meaning lots more time for workouts because no work and no late US conference calls most nights and of course that in turn means I will be pushing hard. Intend to sprint to the finish line......
 

March 31, 2012 6:54 AM EDT

Frustrating week and indulgence

This week has been massively frustrating, low to no energy and for the first time in my pcp experience couldn't even get out of bed some days to do my exercises, in fact I was barely functioning at work. Got me thinking here I am two weeks before the end and I've got to say guys I'm not feeling in my peak! Yeah I'm leaner but I'm knackered is that peak condition? Anyway can really see the lack luster workouts in my body I.e no week on week difference if anything gone a bit backwards I think!

Wasn't sure about the indulgence but took it as I had a brunch for a friends birthday. It was a sushi brunch so fine on the food front but had several glasses of champagne and tucked into the dessert platter that came which was amazing. Feel totally dehydrated though and on a serious sugar crash, these things a socially great fun and you get your "high" indulging off the booze or sugar but just feel so crappy afterwards - but we all know that and I don't think the right answer lies in not having that life but just being aware how you can get yourself back on track. I so badly want to kill the last two weeks and I'm mentally up for it so am really hoping its a case of recouping some sleep this weekend and firing on all cylinders for the week ahead. Although looked at the exercises and though jeez I'm going to have to get up even bloody earlier than I already am to try and fit it all in!!!! So up for finishing strong because as the pcp message said you remember how you finish something not how you start it but boy I think I will be needing a lot of support to get me over that line. Good luck to everyone for this week, we can do it!!!!!!

So up 

March 29, 2012 9:20 AM EDT

Tired

This week has been weird, been really tired, my body is desperate for more sleep 7 is clearly not enough at the moment but if I don't carry getting up early I can't fit in all my workout and my whole day gets off kilter. That's happened a couple of times this week and forced me to exercise in the evening which I personally don't like. Frustrated because I wanted to be killing it this week and instead it's more slogging it out! Not a lack of motivation but a lack of energy.

March 27, 2012 10:48 PM EDT

Day 74 - What will I miss the most?

I can't believe that we only have 16 days left, my husband asked me what I am going to miss the most about PCP last night and I couldn't answer him because I haven't felt at a point whereby PCP would nearly be over. Thought about it a bit more as I was jumping rope this morning at 5am and figured I won't be missing the super early starts to get everything fitted into my day, although that said it's given me a body that I've been after for years so the upside is way more than the downside.

Exercises contnue to be a struggle. I'm managing to take thing to failure by closing my eyes - weird I know but just lets me focus on what I'm feeling rather internally than anything else externally.

Crazy abs man and me are still meeting in the mornings, my improvement and progress is slow because it's so hard - if I compare it to how quickly I progressed in 8 minutes abs for example it's taking me much longer to be able to master the moves and complete all the moves with no rest. In summary I've not completed the "perfect" abs work out yet but I'm getting there and in 16 days time I will have done - even the boat rowing thing is getting easier!

On the gym spying front looking around my gym the biggest difference for me are the people you see there during the week versus the weekend. During the week there are some seriously committed folk who are regulars at a time slot or for a particular class and are all pretty lean and fit and doing their thing. The classes are packed with regulars who are there for the serious business of working out you see a lot of people in the morning and perhaps go back for a lunchtime class, it's really not uncommon to see people in the gym twice a day. There seems to be a connection to hitting a social life hard Thursday night onwards throughout the weekend and then purging yourself during the week. Women in Hong Kong all tend to be focussed on being slim and I don't see that many overweight girls. The slim girls aren't necessarily fit though and some of the expats I know whilst having great bodies aren't healthy. On the weekend at the gym it's a different story, it's full of people who just want to say that they "went to the gym" rather than having any purpose or focus or goal. A lot of people are thin with no muscle mass including the men and women and in the classes they struggle with basic moves and lift pathetic amounts of weights. Getting onto a piece of equipment takes ages on the weekend because the people on them don't have a clue how to use the machines and for how many reps and how many sets. The mornings are best on weekends because that's when the committed folk are there or the clueless people are still in bed.

March 24, 2012 8:57 AM EDT

Day 70 and 7s weekend

7s weekend here in Hong Kong so had to do the only thing possible and steer clear of most of the people I know and anything that could descend into a PCP nightmare, gave my tickets away for everything and had an early night friday night - rock and roll!!

Noticed a few subtle changes this week, my collar bone is more defined than it's ever been so clearly lost some fat there, the sides of my abs are more defined too after the exercises and have started to be able to see a more defined line that runs down my hip bone. It's so weird to think that all of this stuff has been there all the long as part of my body but I just could never see it because of the fat over the top! Not sure how much you can really see the differences in the picture and because it's front on but on my arms I definitely feel like there is way less fat and that they are more toned. Would have like to have seen more ab difference this week but trying not to get tunnel vision and instead pretty impressed I've lost the original belly!

OK week 11 here we come lets see what we can do!!

March 21, 2012 8:40 PM EDT

What day is it again?!

That's definitely the type of week that's happening to me this week! Well it was all over for me today as soon as I got to push ups, my muscles are knackered, I still can't extend my arms properly (that will be continuing after today's workout) and I was losing form, sweating and attempting pure mind over matter this morning. By the time I was at 4 x 90 second planks with only 15seconds rest I was cursing all things PCP and I'm man enough to say I didn't make it through all the planks. I can barely type this my biceps are so tight!

All washed down this morning with 6 minutes with my new friend crazy yoga man and his 6 min abs session. Don't be fooled like I was that a reduction of 2 minutes from 8 minutes abs would make this any easier. The video is hardcore and there is a whole section in the middle where he's doing a boat row-to-the right, row-to-the- left thing where he loses me totally, I mean what a core this guy has! Have done the video 3 times now and it's like starting the ab work all over again from scratch which is good for a challenge. I've decided come the end of the program my goal is to be able to do that video perfectly and in time with him - crazy boat row and everything.....

Not been talking much about food because my diet's just great now I seem to have a lot of AMAYW even with carbs in the morning and fruit in the evening but I know how much is what I need now to get through the day and just more attuned to actually how hungry I really am. Not feeling deprived and feel like my diet is giving me everything I need to get through the workouts.

March 20, 2012 7:55 AM EDT

One word.........broken

That's how I would describe myself after workouts today, I've really pushed hard and my muscles are so fatigued that my arms don't hang straight next to my sides my muscles are just so tight and contracted. It's literally the most amazing feeling being broken and exhausted from working out, unless you are doing pcp not sure you would understand this logic....!
I'm trying to refind an old training message that referenced you getting really hot after you worked out and why your body did that but can't find it. I am generally warmer than I usually am in terms of body heat but aft my workouts and when I get my heart rate up or do the weight training I get really hot flushes afterwards but happening all the time now - why is this and anyone else getting it?

March 19, 2012 9:20 AM EDT

DAy 65

Ok so I know I'm not meant to technically but I had done my work out this morning and battled through and had it all done and dusted and mid morning read the message about pushing it to fatigue, so decided to do a body pump class too just because I love the instructor and class. The change in me is crazy, I am so much stronger, stronger than most of other men in there! There is a pretty hard shoulder track now with Loads of different combos and push ups and I did every single one in the class elevated on the step by the time most people were on their knees! I didn't know if it's the fact we are so close to the end of pcp or patricks message today but mentally I was up for it and was shocked myself just how much I'm capable of!

March 17, 2012 7:51 AM EDT

Day 63

Weekend is here and not been hard today at all like it's been previously because I am definitely out of the mental deep valley and just enjoying PCP and the remaining few weeks before the experience is over and I miss it! Plus the sun has been shining here in Hong Kong and that's always a big factor in mental motivation! The workouts have been really hard this week due to the increased sets and had a quick flick through next week and it's clearly set to increase so goodness knows what week 12 workouts will be like!

Uploaded the new weekly picture and not sure I can see too much difference week on week being honest so wondering if things have plateaued? I have also noticed a lot of people commenting that the carbs have gone from their diets in the morning but mine have changed from a weighted amount to AMAYW which I thought was kind of strange coming into the end of the program and also because I think if I stopped with some of the carbs I would get some more definition going? I am considering looking into my diet for the last few weeks because am sticking to everything but I eat a banana a day (pre-workout snack) and eat avocados a few times a week and my carbs is pretty much always pita or bread because I'm addicted to the stuff, perhaps if I made those small adjustments I would end up looking a bit more defined?

March 14, 2012 9:27 PM EDT

Day 61

Usually today's exercises are my favourite and I love the push up sets in particular and can usually crank out the sets and reps no problem and because it comes at the begining - today was a different story, everything was so much tougher on all the exercises because my muscles are clearly fatigued this week, ended up on my knees literally during push ups. Then x5 minute planks at the end! What used to be one of my favorite exercises I now have grim enthusiasm for! I was shaking all over the shop in the last two but decided to wreck myself properly by doing the plank and the "out, out, in, in" foot movements. Was shattered after it all, felt like I could go back to bed but it was 6.15am - time to get ready for work!

March 13, 2012 9:28 PM EDT

Amusing Email

There was an email that was sent through to me today from one of the many health / lifestyle / fitness websites that I frequented looking for information before PCP and ended up running round like a headless chicken because of the contradictory info. The title of this email was "How much water should i be drinking a day"

Here was the response:
"I get asked this question all the time, especially when it comes to weight loss. Generally speaking you should drink 30ml for every KG that you weigh, so if you weigh 100kg, you should drink 3L a day. Add 1L for every hour of exercise that you do."

PCP it's so great to have you in my life because where on earth would I find time in my already hectic day to listen to this level of crap and work out exactly how much water I should be drinking?!!!! You have simplified my life and made it easy to cut through all the terrible messaging out there (ESPECIALLY aimed at women) about what we should be doing for our health and fitness and to lose weight. (To anyone reading this who is interested I only drink water when I'm actually thirsty which is a lot less nowadays because I know I get enough from my diet!)

Here is to a fantastic last 30 days

March 13, 2012 9:18 PM EDT

Indulgence & Day 60 outlook

So I had been
suffering a bit from tunnel vision as well as overall lack of motivation on PCP
in the last couple of weeks. The end wasn’t insight and I was exhausted and
really missing the variety of all the other gym classes that I usually do. I
had strayed a couple of times off the diet in that my grams weren’t spot on
(not eating anything I shouldn’t have been but just more grams). So when the
indulgence came around I was pretty much decided against taking it because I
didn’t feel my attitude warranted it. After talking to my husband I changed my
mind and we went out Saturday night with some friends and ate at a Spanish
restaurant. I had been craving wine and a social life and was feeling pretty
miserable so was amazing to go out on a Saturday night and have a glass of red
wine. I stuck to the principles of PCP eating wise in that I ate mainly veg,
did have some paella and had a couple of bites of churros with sugar on at the
end of the meal. Overall the food was very nice indeed however incredibly salty
and in the case of dessert sweet. My glass of red wine at this point had turned
into a few and I think I finished up the night having had 4 or 5 and each sip
was as delicious of the last! Reunited with my old friend! Just overall a great
night with friends and a life!

 Now the
funny thing about this indulgence (PCP sure know what they are doing!) is that
it was less about what it did to me physically (felt really bloated and only
shaken that off today 3 full days later) but more mentally as on Sunday my
attitude to the whole program changed overnight. Gone was the cloud that had
been hanging over me for about 2 weeks and in its place is a sense that I’ve
had my little night out and can absolutely take on the remaining month of PCP
and really see what I’m capable of. The end truly is insight and would be awful
to waste a moment of the last 30 days. So thank goodness I took the indulgence!

March 7, 2012 8:13 AM EST

Day 53

As usual the training message today was right on point, low energy boy that is indeed true! It's been tough keeping going especially with the workouts at the level which they are at and the 5.30am starts! The workouts aren't messing around anymore are they? They are so tough! I love it when I manage to make it through but it's such a mind over matter as well as incredible fatigue that sets in. Still loving the 8 mins abs, I love the guys in it and the cheesy stuff they say and how animated they are - I laugh out loud in my head for 8 minutes and look forward to it every day.

My food is back to being like a normal person with the egg white and apple gone so that's been a massive change for me and allowed me to easily stay on track this week in what I'm eating in the evening. It a psychological shift rather than the fact the food has gone up.

Have perked myself up by doing two things - reading my own blog which helped so much with my tunnel vision, I mean I've come so far already in day 53 it's really incredible and feel like I have a better perspective on things rather than getting bogged down in the moment. The second thing is getting some new music on my iPhone, 53 days of the same stuff and I needed a new motivation boost. So there you have it, yes low energy but mentally helping myself out. Week 8 wow!!

March 4, 2012 8:27 AM EST

Day 50

Have struggled the last couple of days with pcp so had a little look through some previous posts from pcp alum and it seems like there is a bit of a theme with some of the women around this day especially with snacking when they have been so compliant on the diet up to this point. Feel relieved that others before me who have completed this program went through the same thing so it's not just me!

March 3, 2012 1:40 AM EST

Grim enthusiasm or just no enthusiasm?

I always find weekends the hardest in PCP world but just overall just don't feel like I've had a great PCP week. The food part has been tough and often eaten more in the evening (a nibble of protein here and some bread there - never a full meal just snacking and it's always bread I go to) and not been able to stick to the apple / egg white. In fact I totally ditched the apple this week being petulant because I don't really like them. I had a great week last week and think that's why this week has been so hard, I feel like I've cut corners but maybe that's a psychological thing of mine because I have stuck to all the exercises but had a mental block with the food and for the first time felt deprived in the evenings. I have moved house too and that's thrown my routine even t the point that I have struggled to take my week 7 picture and the format is all weird. Plus I think my stomach looks fat in my week 7 picture, like really wobbly - what happened there? Probably the bread!

Plus I have been so tired this week, exhausted, totally exhausted, I am on medication that makes my glucose levels drop so I have to take them with food but wondering if they are having more of an impact than I thought they would, felt very faint yesterday afternoon at one stage. I have also been doing other exercise classes like spinning and body pump so maybe just doing too much. Not sure I am feeding myself correctly either, am not doing the before workout snack because I am exercising in the morning.

So here I am well in the valley, deep, deep down in the valley and totally over PCP. I looked at the new exercises this week with no enthusiasm at all and my week 7 picture is just depressing so all in all a rubbish weekend. At least I can legitimately rant on here!!! Tomorrow is a new day but talk about highs and lows.....

February 29, 2012 8:40 AM EST

Non pcp evening

Today only comes around every four years and is a special day for me and my husband, coupled with the fact that he's the one who bears most of the brunt of the pcp lifestyle I knew that this evening I would be falling off the wagon as we were going out. And yup I fell off the wagon, in total I had a piece of bruchetta so the carbs and the mozzarella should have been out and had a chicken and pumpkin salad which should have been ok but it also came with chorizo, all with half a slice of banana and walnut cake and a glass of champagne. All of it was amazing, it wasn't like an indulgence where I thought something may taste bad it was just really tasty. I do feel a little bloated in comparison to usual but the skirt I was wearing is so baggy on me now that even bloated is an improvement to 7 weeks ago! I am more curious to see how I will feel tomorrow and what doing my workout is like.

Don't feel guilty as you only live once and I am pretty disciplined and it meant a lot to my suffering husband to have a little night out. That said I was up early jumping rope and did some extra and went through the exercises which are really hardcore now with the increase in reps and sets, plus some guy was doing the perfect v sit next to me as I was flopping around like a wet fish! Also did 8 minute abs too which I am enjoying.

Tomorrow is a new day and back to being totally pcp compliant again, as my husband said this evening, "enjoy honey because that's it for another 6 weeks" and he's right!

That said I was up super early doing the rope and did some extra, went through the exercises which are so hardcore now, it

February 25, 2012 9:35 PM EST

Weekends

Weekends are definitely tougher, hard to accomplish everything that you need to in your two days of personal time as well as navigate the social landscape whilst maintaining pcp. Ended up feeling exhausted last night after a day of being very pcp compliant and going to a one year olds birthday party. Party was fine as took my own sparkling water and packed up my own food to eat, didn't look like a social leper as everyone was eating off paper plates as I did too, husband was driving and it was really nice to be with someone there that wasn't drinking either. Usually the diet doesn't bother me but last night was horrible and just really fed up with an apple (which are also my least favorite fruit ever) and egg white and it being a Saturday night. Was really disappointed to see the new diet plan which is basically the same plus some veggies.

I move house in a couple of days and am worried about what will happen to my routine that I've gotten into. Routine is really important to me and has helped me stick to things, for example easily getting the the gym in the mornings before work and making that a habit. I will be moving further up into the sticks and even the commute to work is going to go up and just not sure what my new routine is going to look like. Guess I will have to wait and see but lack of routine just always throws me over the edge. 

I wish I was sleeping longer on the weekends but since I've started pcp I seem to actually sleep less. I absolutely had to have a minimum of 8 hours previously to have any level of functionality but for some reason I don't seem to be able to hit 8 hours anymore and ive been trying to sleep as long as possible in keeping with training. Maybe the quality of my sleep is just better so I don't need to sleep for as long? 

Other things I've noticed, my nails are so strong - they usually peel at the ends so it's very rare that I don't have manicured hands to this but they are really strong at the moment, absolutely no need to do anything with them. My skin is overall better with a few people having made comments this last week

February 24, 2012 9:20 PM EST

Nearly half way!

Week 6 has really been pivotal for me, more so than any other week I feel like I've experienced the biggest changes just in terms of getting stronger and seeing body changes too. I recovered from being very sick in week 5 really quickly in comparison to how I would usually have recovered and was back doing way more exercise than I usually would have been capable of. The week hasn't been without highs and lows of energy though and PCP really is a lifestyle commitment, it's not just something that's over after you've exercised or eaten some food, you're living and breathing it 24/7. It's tough religiously getting up every single day knowing that there isn't break on that front for another 40-odd days and trying to remain positive and enthusiastic about it, sometimes it's a case of just getting on with it. 

Really going to appreciate taking the "rest" saturday and not doing nothing but skipping because I think I need it. Getting excited to think about what I'm going to be capable of by the end of the program if I feel so strong now think it's about getting your head down and ploughing through.

February 23, 2012 8:26 AM EST

Day 40

Just had one of those amazingly productive days. So much so that in the evening I had finished all my pcp, done more exercises and cardiobon top as well as my "life admin" and prepared all my food for tomorrow. So there I was waiting for a conference call to start with time to spare! I can't remember the last time I had time to spare! I honestly didn't know what to do with myself.........brainwave 8 minute abs! So I did it and still had plenty of time to get on my conf call. All in all awesome day and evening!

One thing I am experiencing though on pcp are definitely highs and lows in terms of energy levels and mood, even experiencing low energy at one point in the day and then surging into having boundless energy. Same with my mood can be really positive one minute or apathetic the next. Wondering why this is? I do feel like this week is tiring as it seems to be a real 'push' week in pcp land and we seem to have stepped up a gear exercising wise and food wise.

February 22, 2012 6:35 AM EST

Dinner and my lack of will power

Another day and fallen down at the dinner hurdle, I am really hungry again and I think it's because I feel tired too so have ended up nibbling on food that I'm making for lunch the next day, not much - a couple of chunks of red peppers, a flake of salmon here and a couple of soba noodles but the point is im not meant to be eating it!! I am so annoyed with myself where is my will power? Ok I haven't gorged on cheesecake or opened a bottle of wine but seriously these little picking habits can't be good. Although in previous weeks when I had some form of dinner I didn't have a problem forgoing nibbling!

I have watched the 8 minute abs video but not done it yet. I've made a commitment to myself that I will do it Saturday. I don't know where these other pcp folk find the time to do it every day! Good for them though that's for sure!

February 21, 2012 8:23 AM EST

Day 38

Wow tough workout today! I love the elevated tricep dips and love the burn they give! My new favorite exercise I have decided. Bicycle thing looked like a fool and my legs were like lead, so in summary loved the workout but was also happy when it was done! 

No cheating in the food front today after yesterday's slip up!

February 20, 2012 6:59 AM EST

Day 37 and a thought for Shrove Tuesday.....

Fell off the food wagon this evening, ate my apple and was literally starving and promptly ate about 40g worth of a slice of bread. So bad and impulsive and if I was really truly hungry I should have had veg but there was something so satisfying about that piece of bread. I recognise it's not the end of the world but ultimately if I want to get the most out of this program I need to be disciplined.

Did my exercises in the morning taking toe of yesterday's message about increased fat burn and did a body pump class later in the day too. Hoping that makes up for the slice of bread but probably more likely I could have traded the bread for the body pump class. 

Shrove Tuesday tomorrow, have been thinking about it but don't think there is anyway that pancakes are / can be made pcp compliant - is there? Any thoughts anyone?

February 19, 2012 8:47 AM EST

Day 36 and going into week 6

Can't quite believe that week 6 is here! Last week was a really tough week and am hoping to put that behind me, have managed to start skipping again which is a real achievement and have done some exercise this weekend after being so ill. Don't seem too many big changes food wise this week so just a case of sticking to the grams religiously.

In all the times that I've ever aimed to do something fitness wise I think this is probably the point that I would start to taper off in my efforts, I would feel like I'd lost weight and getting fitter so would be more relaxed about what I ate or not worry if I skipped a work out and then I would be back to square one and the whole fitness / health thing would start all over again. I'm hoping that Week 6 sees me breaking that cycle and really taking this to the next level!

Good luck everyone with Week 6!!

February 16, 2012 6:17 AM EST

PCP Crash and Burn Week

In short it's been a horrible PCP week. Started Saturday feeling under the weather and plowed on through, did a great work out Sunday and thought I was fine. Monday came and suddenly it was like I was hit by a truck. A ten tonne truck, literally haven't gotten out of bed until today I was so sick. So what does that mean - it means 2.5 days of not eating a thing, forget food being medicine my body needed sleep and I've been unconscious for most of this week clearly fighting the good fight. On top of that I've not exercised since Sunday so just generally feeling really rubbish because well I feel rubbish and I haven't been eating and exercising so added a big layer of guilt on top of my feeling rubbish. Went to the Drs today to have an X-ray as breathing is tough - tissue in my lungs is inflamed too so am waiting to hear back from a specialist on what is up. On top of this I received commentary that it's PCP that's done me in (a couple of people were almost triumphant that I was so sick!) and just upset me that when you need a bit of support people want to knock PCP and in turn knock you. I firmly disagree with this, I had been eating better than before and the exercise whilst tough increases gradually. I've clearly just been seriously unlucky in having picked a bug up, and lets face it Hong Kong's air quality is hardly going to help.

So overall it's been disheartening especially when it seems like this week is such a milestone in PCP world and everyone is kicking up a gear I feel pretty weak. However I told myself today it's a marathon not a sprint and it's only Week 5 and these few days won't break the PCP experience and with that in mind I managed to pretty much eat most of my grams today and tomorrow is a new day........

February 9, 2012 8:02 PM EST

Indulgence Breakfast

Had my indulgence this morning which is a breakfast that I usually make myself and the only thing that I've been craving properly since I started PCP. I was so excited it was ridiculous, and definitely made a little more for myself than I usually would have done. To recap it's almond milk, oats, protein powder, sunflower seeds, walnuts and some chia seeds. What a let down - the whole thing tasted really salty - how on earth did that happen and what on earth is making it taste salty??? I am actually sitting feeling dehydrated after breakfast! Can't believe something that I wanted so badly and had been craving tasted like that, is that really what it tastes like and I was eating it every single day without fail?? Well suffice to say that any future cravings have been well and truly knocked on the head after that indulgence, I have no desire to revisit that eating experience.

Then I read Patrick's training message and what's it about today.....salt!! What comedic timing!

My knee length skirt that I have on for work today has suddenly dropped down to become a calf length skirt and overall the skirt is definitely too big for me now. A small but significant difference.

Husband is loving the PCP food element as he is eating better than he has done before as he just automatically gets what I eat for dinner (but more) and he just gets made an extra lunch box. He even said he wished he had known more about it because he would have wanted to sign up too!

February 9, 2012 9:56 AM EST

Back Fat

Back fat - the most disgusting area of fat? Or could stomach fat trump it? I concluded back fat is seriously the most disgusting. This was the conversation I was having with myself today during my workout. Yes not very intellectual but unsurprisingly motivating! Knee feeling pretty good too so going to try skipping again on saturday and see how I fare.

Made a batch of ratatouille last night which I am loving, the flavour is so good and now the ease of having vegetables en mass and at hand in the fridge is amazing. I even forced a portion onto a fellow pcp'er today I was so proud of myself - he said it was lovely and that he ate it all but I have taken his word for it as I didn't actually see him eat it......hmmmmm

Had my first gagging experience today trying to force yet another egg white down me. It's not that I dislike egg whites particularly just rather that I'm eating a lot more than I would usually and actually if you think about them whilst you are eating them they are not very pleasant.

Having my breakfast tomorrow as my indulgence. What a treat after an AM workout!

February 8, 2012 8:13 AM EST

Excitement of indulgence vs the V-sit

Managed to navigate my way through my mini break fairly unscathed on the food front, although I have to admit that there was one day where I cheated. The first day of the new diet with no carbs in dinner - I had a slice of bread, it was about 30g, I kind of felt guilty but the bread was this homemade delicious herby stuff and I was in carb heaven, all 30g of heaven. Anyway that was the only slip, no deviating from the grams and no alcohol. As with most holidays I felt like I had loads of energy and time to tackle workouts and add more cardio on and came back to Hong Kong full of positivity.

Being told that we could have an indulgence today is very exciting and have been carefully considering my options. The thing that I categorically miss the most eating in this whole process is my breakfast I used to eat. Rolled oats in almond milk, one scoop of protein powder, 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, sprinkle of sunflower seeds, almonds and walnuts and finally some blueberries. As we moved into week 4 it's really the only thing I crave and miss. I considered a cookie or cupcake but the sugar hit would probably make me feel sick and I don't crave the flavour like I crave this breakfast. Alcohol is way down on the list and I wouldn't waste this one opportunity on a glass of wine. So I'm having my breakfast Friday morning and delaying gratification and starting my weekend off in the most perfect way.

Anyway the V sits crushed any positivity I had in me, dismal!! The workout seemed just so tough today, great that there are new exercises but boy I should always exercise in the morning because I get to the evening and it just really doesn't happen for me after work. The creep move always warrants being at the gym whilst everyone is still in bed because you look so weird!

February 4, 2012 10:01 PM EST

Day 22 and on holiday

Was a little nervous about how my weekend would go as I am currently on holiday for a long weekend which usually poses numerous issues such as lack of places to exercise, over consumption of food including desserts "because you're on holiday", a total lack of control over the types of food available to you dependent on where you are staying and of course that lovely holiday ritual of a bottle of wine in the evening (shared I do hasten to add). I have been pleasantly surprised by my resolve but more that it doesn't even feel like resolve - it's truly not a big deal to not be eating and drinking these things because I've found that PCP gives you so much food and bandwidth you don't feel deprived whatsoever. The challenge is finding the time to eat all of the food. There was a little fleeting moment between me and my husbands chilled glass of white wine in the sun yesterday, but like the same feeling you get when you bump into an ex I did not miss that glass of wine and feel that my life is infinitely better off without it.

The hotel have been amazing and could not be more accommodating with my strange requests - 160g of fruit and a hard boiled egg for egg white mid-morning anyone? They cottoned on very quickly that I've got some particular eating habits (maybe the scales I carry around with me or my line of questioning over salt and oil?!) and the head chef came out to meet me and look at my food plan to understand more about the diet so they can create some food for me whilst I'm here without compromising on flavour and I did tell him there would be more changes today with the new diet plan. Incredible hotel experience!! Not much change in my food plan apart from an extra egg white and no carbs in the evening but to be honest I'm glad the extra carbs are gone, 50g was hardly worth the bother to weigh it all out.

For the first time in over a week my knee wasn't hurting yesterday, was walking around and up and down stairs no problem!! I swear blind it's because it's 30 degrees where I am rather than how cold I've been in Hong Kong recently (can't complain too much though as could be worse - I could be currently in Europe and the big freeze!!). I did all my other cardio and thought I would try a few skips - big mistake. I got to about 10 and I could see in the mirror my left leg compensating and my right foot refusing to touch the ground and then the knee pain was back again. Joy. Not sure how my knee will fare with this new move - the explosive squat one, it looks so super cool though as do lots of the new exercises if not challenging.

Here is to week 4!

February 3, 2012 11:28 AM EST

Day 20 at the airport

So am currently at Hong Kong international airport waiting for the most un- friendly pcp flight ever because I don't even take off until 1.30am clearly booked the flight before I knew how critical sleep was to my program! On top of that dealing with the usual food smells and crap at the airport, my husband has a ritual of eating at pizza express everytime he's at the airport so was dreading avoiding that one but luckily it's closed. However he's found his way to McDonald's instead so really just out of the frying pan into the fire. I've asked for coffee and water. It did make me think of an earlier conversation with the boss today asking him what his pcp indulgence would be could he have anything right now and his response was fries with mayo....anyway coffee is here now!

February 2, 2012 6:23 AM EST

Frustration

So frustrated as from tomorrow I will not have skipped for a week. My knee is killing me, I haven't skipped but have been super diligent about getting alternative cardio in but I see the number of skips go up on a daily basis and read other people's blogs about getting into the groove and feel like I'm falling behind plus I hate feeling like I'm not really doing pcp proper without the skipping. Just a bit despondent about being injured still.

Food is going fine, not eaten anything that I shouldn't have an slicking to the amounts I am allowed apart from one day when I probably overate my carb allowance at night by 20g. There is a load of food prep but am enjoying how liberating it is at work because I don't have to worry about breakfast, what I'm going to eat for lunch or when I will have time for lunch, it's really just allowed me to just focus on work and get my head time whilst I'm there and have a sustained energy level throughout the day.

Come on knee!!!! Please sort yourself out!!

January 31, 2012 6:38 AM EST

Hong Kong food salvation

Food prep has definitely been getting a little on top of me but last night had the most delicious meal of barramundi and soba noodles and book choi which was totally pcp complaint and hassle free all thanks to a company called secret ingredient! All the ingredients are sent to you with the recipe and you get to cook it yourself but none of the prep hassle! Total bliss in the kitchen! I had emailed them and they kindly made a few tweaks for me and advised me to steer clear of the broth which had soy in it and so in the end I got an amazing meal with zero hassle on my part. For any hong kong based pcp-ers Interested this is the web address www.secretingredient.com.hk

I'm totally bored of my leg being sore now, it's ridiculous, I've always been active and done a variety of high impact sports and have never been injured ever! How has several days of skipping done this to me??? I don't want to get out of practice on the skipping front because of this especially as I am off on holiday Friday night and need my portable cardio to see me through those few days away!

January 30, 2012 8:51 AM EST

Day 16

Still have a bad knee and now a bad ankle, skipping is definitely off the agenda but still doing other cardio for 30minute sessions. On top of that it's all food, food, food. My menu hasn't changed much this week apart from the famous egg whites making an appearance twice a day alongside the fruit snack!
My weight has stayed the same week three from week two which is a 2.5kg loss overall but more importantly and exciting I've had a drop in body fat this week by 1.5%!

January 29, 2012 8:57 AM EST

Into week 3

Managed to really hurt my right knee towards the end of week 2 to the point where it was hard walking up and down stairs and generally putting pressure on it, laying off the skipping would have been sensible but instead I preservered and ended up over compensating on my left side and hurting my ankle. On patricks advice I haven't skipped since Friday and substituted it instead with cross trainer and a spinning class waiting to see how it feels tomorrow and if I can pick the skipping back up.
Ive not been hungry at all with this new diet plan, a couple of cravings here and there but usually there is only a couple of hours until I'm eating again so knowing that my next snack / meal is around the corner makes it easy to brush off thinking about a craving. I ate out a couple of times over the weekend which was super easy - I took some portable scales that were really discreet and places were really accommodating about grilling food and no oil and steamed vegetables etc it's made me realize that restaurant choices whilst on pcp are very limited (it needs to be a place that can accommodate your cooking requests as well as having the 3 groups that your looking for) but its possible. Maybe because I'm a woman no one even thought it was weird I was weighing food, guess we just have a reputation of being slightly OCD about food anyway!!
Sleep has definitely been my favorite part if this weekend, gotten lots of it and it's been great quality sleep too - the kind where you bounce out of bed in the morning at 7.30am on the weekend and feel amazing! Long may that continue!

January 27, 2012 2:59 AM EST

Coffee Time!

Unlike others I don't appear to be experiencing a
reawakening of taste buds with my food, I definitely didn’t eat things in the right
quantities but I’ve always been pretty good eating salads and vegetables and
never added extra salt to my food. If anything I am eating way more carbs than
I would usually allow myself – I’m expecting tomorrow to be a rude awakening
with a new diet plan and reduced amounts of food allowed but overall been a
good week.

One thing I love even more if possible is coffee! It’s just
not lost any of its taste or pleasure for me. If someone made me choose coffee
or alcohol, coffee would win every time!

My knee was really hurting yesterday and I was struggling to
put pressure on it and walking up and down stairs was hard, my body is just
getting used to skipping but I haven’t done myself any favours by doing my exercises
in the freezing cold Hong Kong weather and not warming up properly, think my
muscles have gotten tight. It’s a lot better today after some advice from a
fellow PCP’er and some stretching.

On that note it's 4pm here in Hong Kong - coffee time!!

January 25, 2012 8:16 AM EST

Food, Exercise, Food and some more food

Have no time to write this evening as am utterly consumed by procurement of food, cooking food and eating it - it's a miracle people find time to exercise on PCP! Have already set one pan on fire by forgetting that there was oil in it - more importantly remembered the correct way to put out said fire was to throw a damp teacloth over the top of the pan and not to put it in the sink with water - very valuable lesson has been learnt. In addition I think I will run out of gas soon there is so much cooking going on in the kitchen. Bedtime has been delayed because otherwise there just wouldn't be enough time to eat in the evening, and then we get Patrick's mail about making sure we get enough sleep! All of this and I'm not even back at work yet.....should be interesting tomorrow to see how I fare, hope I haven't forgotten anything food wise.

Will be a pack horse tomorrow on my way into work - handbag - check, gym bag - check (including PCP equipment in mini gym bag - check) and now food bag - check. Definitely going to have to cut down on the bag front otherwise back ache is going to be the thing that stops me in my tracks!

Oh yes - exercise. My calves are very sore and made more sore and tight by the fact it's so cold here!!! And lunges bored me to absolute tears today and I usually love them.

My husband has also made it known that people considering doing PCP and in a relationship should try and get their partner to do it too (I think that's his way of telling me it's impacting him more than he thought!)

January 24, 2012 5:04 AM EST

Double digits

Exciting to be in double digits although the reality is I feel like pcp has only really been going the last few days with the change in diet and new exercise plan. Have no doubt that it will soon be very hard as the natural enthusiasm starts to wane and life begins to get in the way! Food is all fine although had a crazy sugar craving earlier today which I didn't give into but was based in an association I have of going to a particular place with a friend for a cup of tea and always having a macaroon to accompany the tea. Had my afternoon fruit and back to being totally satisfied again. It's strange food being such centre stage in my life though, I never have put so much thought into what I eat, when I'm eating it and for every single meal! I'm not really a natural planner when it comes to food, I am worried I will find it tiresome towards the end.

Exercise wise made the big mistake of doing a 10k run beforehand and was pretty shattered especially with the exercises so lesson learnt that additional exercise comes after completion of daily pcp workouts. I need to sort my skipping rope out too, I think it's too long personally and think I am getting a bit of drag as a consequence or maybe I should be using a leather rope inside of plastic, not sure what the difference is but seen a few people on pcp have made the switch.......

January 22, 2012 6:18 AM EST

Day 8 - new moves and new diet....for everyone

I was eating out (again) yesterday lunchtime which was a bit of a swan song with some friends and they having known I was embarking on pcp were asking how it was going. When I got to the part about the week 1 photo and that now being available for public viewing in cyber space my friend remarked how I will only be saved mass embarrassment if there is an after picture (which of course there will be in 11 weeks time) but made me realise what a great incentive it is having that picture up - I mean you can't just stop mid program because then you will still look like that and everyone will know!

Anyway today was all about new moves and new foods and ways of eating it. The extra skips were no problem in terms of fitness and I think my technique is improving, would love to be able to do some of those fancy moves but think I am a little way off just yet! Saw a girl at the gym yesterday making it all look so effortless as she kept doing things with her feet and swinging the rope to different sides, I am not that graceful! The incline pull ups were challenging, both because I had to use a table as I don't have the bar yet and also because they are hard!! The da vinci move was also tough for me - I couldn't have both feet on the resistance band so only had one foot on there, hopefully that will improve, aside from that took a little longer but fun.

The new diet has totally thrown me, it's so much food! I really thought portions would be smaller and eating 6 times a day is way more than I would usually eat. Breakfast was huge - couldn't eat it all, was really nice to have lots of veggies at breakfast and then before I knew it snack time! Was nice to see carbs on the menu for all meals but just great to have a view on exactly how much I should be eating at each meal. I used to eat the majority of my carbs for breakfast and supper but now the majority will be at lunchtime which makes total sense. So end of the first day of the new diet and never felt hungry once! My husband is unwittingly getting dragged into pcp meals from now as I will be doing the cooking and even my dog has even been put on special food for his liver today so looks like everyone in my house is getting a diet overhaul this week!!

January 20, 2012 7:38 AM EST

Day 6

My blog seems to have generally revolved around food chat so focussing on the exercise part of the pcp. Skipping is actually tough! Am enjoying it and getting through the reps with no breaks but really want to crack the technique part - is it all in the toes and the way you push up / hop over the rope? Not sure but have enlisted a friend's help for a skipping lesson next week who is heavily into his boxing so hoping he can show me the "ropes" so to speak! ;-) (He may actually cancel my lesson if he reads that awful joke!). Am actually looking forward to the 500 skips tomorrow. Love how portable and accessible skipping is as well, solves all those dilemmas you have when it's too wet to run outside / you're travelling / staying at someone's house / you can't get to the gym / spin class. Skipping literally can be done anywhere anytime!!

Push ups I am getting better but I start off on my feet and then have to go to my knees so not yet done a complete set on my feet, it's definitely an objective of mine by the end of the program to be doing them all on my feet.

Am writing this waiting for my husband's famous spaghetti bolognese to be ready so I can have my half portion - it's going to be the last time I have it for a while and it's always sooooooooooo good!

January 19, 2012 9:44 AM EST

Day 5

Got some sleep so felt much better mentally today, did the exercises in the morning and then a body pump class to cram in some more squats / lunges. Wouldn't prioritise other classes over PCP exercises but it was nice to do something else and set to music.

Food was fine during the day, cupcakes were brought out at work in the afternoon and champagne popped open for a colleague who is getting married next week. Usually I would have a cupcake and pass up on the champagne but didn't touch either and totally didn't see the point in having half.

Out again for supper this evening and did the half portions no problem especially as I don't eat dairy and my fish had clearly been cooked in butter and the vegetables!! Honestly why take a vegetable and turn something tasty like asparagus or broccoli into something vile doused in butter. Disgusting, and ruined an amazing piece of fish too. So half portions were easy! Good job the company was amazing. Just don't get restaurants sometimes. 

I am so ready to get into the diet plan and leave behind restaurants ........

January 18, 2012 8:33 AM EST

Day 4 - Lack of sleep is the enemy for many things

Hardly had any sleep and so entered into Day 4 with about 3 solid hours under my belt, still was up early to do exercises which went fine, skipping technique seems to be improving slowly however after the exercises felt like it went downhill from there. Was so tired it was more a three quarter portion of breakfast and over did the coffee to compensate. Food was just a mental struggle being tired, didn't eat more than normal but cutting portions was horrible. Was out again this evening and chose some grilled chicken with lots of veggies but ate three quarters again not half. Was craving carbs but didn't have any because I wasn't hungry - it's a weird sugar need I think because I'm tired. Looking forward to getting some sleep and getting into Day 5!

January 17, 2012 9:37 AM EST

Day 3

Exercises all done in the morning, think that has to be the new routine and requires being very organised the night before to be able to get everything done in the am and get into work at a usual hour. 

Food was interesting today, my boss at work is also doing the PCP which really helps with the motivation and eating habits and we spilt our usual soup and salad between the pair of us today rather than eating the whole thing like we normally do. Was hungry at about 4pm which is pretty standard for me as I usually eat lunch at 12pm so had some almond milk and protein mix but half portion. Have decided that I need to have lunch later otherwise there is this 7 hour lag before I eat anything in the evening, no wonder I am hungry. 

Supper with friends in a restaurant and felt cheated having to leave half my salad especially as it was grilled chicken, spinach leaves, tomatoes and cucumbers that I was putting to the side......it's pretty standard that we usually share one dessert between us when we go out but we didn't do that. These friends are very healthy themselves so supper was a breeze, no judgement, no odd looks and loads of support. Don't think everyone will be like that.....!

January 16, 2012 8:25 AM EST

Day 2 - Goodbye a certain sort of social life......

Two days in and there is a reality dawning that things / life - my social life are about to change to make way for other changes. Having to half my portions has made me realise how little I prepare my own food and how most of my social life revolves around some form of activity with friends that includes eating and drinking. Spent pretty much all day 1 out and about running around, meeting friends and catching up, breakfast, lunch, coffee, supper......

It's not been any problem halving portions at this point. I've actually enjoyed being more cognitive of how much I'm eating and slowing down between mouthfuls because I'm eating less, I clearly eat way too quickly normally! So even though I'm out a lot socially I try and make good decisions. I'm not the type of person to have croissants or a fry up for breakfast and fries / pizza at lunch etc. But even though I think I'm making these choices what has been interesting is just thinking how little you really know about the food that gets put on your plate....your friend that made you eggs for breakfast and if they put butter / milk in there or really how much salt there is in that soy sauce or how many calories or fat in that salad dressing......you think you're making good choices, you know the basics of nutrition and you try and apply it but really you're not sure. So that's why I'm here to get better educated around food, what I should be eating, when I should be eating and regaining some of that control that I have voluntary passed over to other people instead of the ownership sitting with me....... and to get into great shape of course!! 

The thought of exercising for 90 days consistently excites me, yes it's going to be tough at points but that's the kind of challenge I can get on board with. Totally overhauling my approach to food psychologically will be harder for me so am waiting with baited breath for the diet plan this week. 

Exercises are fine this week both day 1 & 2 done, less exercise than I usually do so have incorporated into normal routine. Normal routine will definitely be taking a back seat once the program gets ramped up here! Hoping to lose weight through the diet plan and as a bi-product of understanding more about food, but it's not my primary objective, definitely want to reduce my body fat percentage though.

Guessing as with all things (including the blog posting) organisation and routine is the key!! Note to self on the getting the weekly photos organised..!

January 3, 2012 7:37 AM EST

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