April 14, 2012 1:11 PM JST

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye...

It makes me a extremely sad that this will be my last blog... it's been the part of PCP that I have loved the most, and thought that I would loathe..  True to form, I've put together my final thoughts in a list:

1. Have you seen my photo comparison? Oh. My. God.. that is a hell of a difference if ever I've seen one. I look like a different person.. And it feels BRILLIANT.

2. To my wardrobe, welcome back into my life. There is one black dress (that I have never worn) that is a little tight across the boobs, other than that they all slide on or are too big. Eureka!!

3. To Geordie, thank you, thank you for introducing me to PCP. It was the life changer needed from the annus horribilis of losing my wonderful Father last year to making sure that 2012 started on a positive note.

4. To my nephew Tom who took those random, cringe, 'in action' photo's that we had to do at the start for our header photo's. Thanks for not laughing too hard.. 

5. It's either Shaun or Simon who introduced the jump rope video. Genius. That made my skipping so much more efficient and finally I could break the 100 mark :) aaaand if I'm being totally honest made me realise how utterly shite I was at it in the first place and how I needed to up my game after watching the 80 year old bearded guy at the back of the class do it infinitely better than me!!

6. Kelly Clarkson. My life would suck without you too my love. She's the one song that's lasted the whole 90 days.

7. To all those free range NZ chickens. You had your work cut out for you, and your efforts have been appreciated..

8. To all the Geminites who have done nothing short of inspire me and make me laugh throughout... I work from home a lot and have no kids, therefore the exercise has been so easy to fit into my day and getting 8hrs sleep's a doddle. Gold stars for those who have travelled and still managed it or have kids or injuries along the way that really got you down, you've done it, you're amazing. And as for Virg bandaged up like a mummy and still gagging to get back in the game, yowsers, that was dedication.

9. Patrick, Teo and, of course, .. Patrick's-next-door-Kung-Fu-fighting-neighbour. I'm very fortunate to have a rewarding job, but it doesn't come close to what you have achieved with this program. I hope that whenever you are having a hard day, you read all the heartfelt messages that people have written and use them to lift your spirits.

- To Patrick's-next-door-Kung-Fu-fighting -neighbour - thanks for transforming a dishevelled Patrick and being the instigator of this program.

 - Teo, thank you for answering many daft questions and being such an awesome mentor for our group. We all think you rock and that we've been lucky to have you look after us. The Final Countdown will now remind me of you..

- Patrick. Thanks for taking the punt on letting me join after all my 'when is the start date!' emails. I wish you and your team total global domination on the health/ wellness stage because there is nothing else like this out there and you deserve all the success in the world. Oh, and thank you for recording the exercise videos. WOW. I'd still look the same if I did the exercises 'a la Clark'...

10. Finally, and most importantly, it's been really great to understand my psyche around food. I've learnt so much about myself over the last 3 months that I'm very excited about what's next.
* I don't need that G&T at night when an Iceburg will do the trick
* My hungover state makes my food cravings out of control, so let's be hungover a lot less. 
* Fresh food is so freaking quick to make into something delicious. 
* Frozen blended mango is hands down better than ice cream. 
* No carbs at night, makes TOTAL sense.
* Being conscious of how much crap is out there and choosing wisely is not difficult.
* Sugary, calorific, naughtiness is for now and then, not every day.

It's been a phenomenal experience, so thank you all.. and I wish you well. 

April 12, 2012 12:29 PM JST

We're Leaving Together..

In the words of Europe - it's the final countdown...

...and I have to say, I'm really rather sad! 

It's been a truly magical journey, and I never thought that I would say this, but I am not ready for it to end! (Ah, apart from the tricep dips, they can be merrily kicked to the curb...)

As a group we've been through quite a bit in the last 90 days, we've;
1. Been grated to near death in the sea
2. Provided free 3.30am hotel receptionist entertainment
3. Survived marital tensions pushed to max on the fragrant after effects of oh too many eggs
4. Received a good grounding of knowledge into the maple syrup season
5. Collected enough material for ‘the best hotel gyms in Asia’ 
6. Had carte blanche to ogle at random strangers in their gym gear as much as we’d like
7. Felt part of the 8 minute abs ‘hey gang’ and being able to mirror the ‘it’s safe, effective and IT IS fun..’
8. Become skipping DEMONS..

It'll be weird not to eat my breakfast reading how everyone's progressing and learning about visceral fat and the like.

Who knows, one day I may yet be able to do a set of 23 push ups like Michelle Obama. I'm at 3 now, but to quote another 80's has-been Yazz, the only way is up.

For those in HK, it would be lovely to have a post PCP beverage. My email is sc@templaradvisors.com for those wanting to stay in touch.

Do we think the surprise tomorrow is an hour's skipping? I have a feeling Patrick may want to end on a bang!!

Thank you Team Gemini...

April 10, 2012 11:54 AM JST

Finally returned to the fold..

Hello all

FINALLY I am back in the game. 2 weeks out and it feels like forever.
I've put my final photo up wearing the exact same clothes (why did I pick those? not the nicest by a long way :) and it's fun to see the difference from 'Chipmunk Girl' to the 25lbs lighter HK's Giselle.

The training message that came through the other day about slacking off before the end really struck a chord with me. I've decided (sorry Teo, against your advice) that I want to do the whole 90 days. Therefore technically I am now on day 73 and my finish date will be the 27th April. To have got this far and to finish in a few days when I've only just got back into the groove of skipping longer than 3 minutes without coughing up a lung would be a very sad and flat way to finish. I've definitely got another 2.5 weeks left in me so I'm going to do it with gusto and finish on a high. That and my failure stats are currently about 5 :)

What I've found really interesting is that even though I was having Time-Out over the last couple of weeks, the diet is really easy to stick to. I am not worried at all about life post PCP. We're converted. 
Eating 2 cookies feels like a real treat.... not something you eat and don't even remember to taste it. 

What I will miss though on my final solo chapter will be my fellow Geminites. I've been very fortunate to land such an AWESOME group. Reading the other blogs has provided a lot of entertainment, support and 'thank God it's not only me' along the way.

So - final hurdle, let's NAIL IT GEMINI...

April 3, 2012 3:18 PM JST

Slow recovery...

I'm rather saddened that I'm STILL ill. It's been a week and now if you
shake me, I rattle - I've succumbed to taking so many cold/flu pills. This is
not my norm, I don't take paracetamol with a hangover normally, so I'm beyond bored now.

Therefore, I have decided that my finish date will not be the 13th as I
need a good flourish to the finish line as my middle is remarkly like the
Pilsbury dough boy . I have a friend coming out the weekend of the 27th and so I'll
push through till then.

Very impressed with the good results though Team Gemini. I shall be back shortly..

Photos

March 29, 2012 4:24 PM JST

AWOL

Hi all, it's been a while since I've logged on. I've taken great delight in reading everyone else's blogs and those that managed to hold on during the Sevens - kudos..

I headed back to the UK for my best friend's wedding, and this was always going to the toughie / non compliant time, and the primary reason for me to join PCP in the first place. My outfit rocked, I had confidence I haven't had for quite some time. It was a BALL.

I managed to stick to the diet/ exercise pretty well until the day of the wedding when it all went to pot and even though I drank about 1/5 of what I normally would, my hangover the next day was heinous.. which led on to cravings that I caved at, resulting in blood sugar levels all over the shop for the next couple of days resulting in more cravings. Alcohol is my kryptonite. It zaps all willpower... But what I wasn't expecting was the GUILT!!!

Let's put this into perspective... I can't believe that I felt so bad for having a few days off PCP, when I wouldn't have even noticed them being 'bad' days pre-PCP.. And when I read that there are some others that had some 'PCP time out' this guilt removed itself because I wasn't the only one. Quite remarkable. 

And now I'm sick. Picked up a cold from either someone at the wedding / one of the many spluttering on the plane. Will see how I'm feeling manana but taking it easy on the exercise front till then. Looking forward to killing the next few weeks...

March 20, 2012 8:15 PM JST

Lincolnshire eggs

I thought I would share my breakfast egg's journey.
Our next door neighbours at my home in rural Lincolnshire are delightfully nutty vegetarians who save a multitude of all things heading to the butcher's block..... chickens, ducks, sheep, turkeys... you name it, they all live in a blissful commune in their field.
So my egg came from a happily running around hen about 100yds from home. How I wish they all did and were all £1.20 per half dozen.. And the taste was fabulous.. One of the many joys of being home.

Of course, it's not all the Good Life, skipping in minus 3 degrees yesterday was not a whole lot of fun!

Photos

March 18, 2012 7:09 PM JST

LBD

I tried on a Little Black Dress that I haven't been able to fit into since Sept '09.... and it fits better than it did then - Eureka!
This is when the abstinence over the last 2 months has truly been worth it.

I have since flown to the UK and well done Richard Branson because my food was rather weirdly PCP compliant which was a result.  This is a theme I will carry on through after day 90 and continue to order vegetarian/lacto and take my own fruit. 

Now I'm home and my Mother was wetting herself at what my breakfast this morning contained, but is oh so grateful that I finally have some normality to supper time. Welcome back to my life evening protein!

Off to a family friend's for Sunday lunch and aside from the salt content which I have no control over this will work well - already warned them there'll be no pudding. Hope it's apple crumble anyway, that's the devil's food!!

The only downer is that my back and knee are a little sore. So I'm taking a good country stroll today instead of skipping and missing the lunges. 

Happy Mother's Day all. 

Photos

March 15, 2012 11:16 AM JST

Day 61

New photo is up and the camera angle/ height makes me look a little like I've drunk from the same bottle as Alice did on her way to Wonderland.  I can promise you my height hasn't dropped 12" in a week.

These last couple of days I've felt SO lethargic. Unsure whether it's not having carbs for breakfast but struggling to get into the swing of things.

I also found this article which is pretty nice to read about in the papers as they are normally full of less-than-helpful nutrition advice. Although think their sausage chat is slightly hopeful!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2114101/Whole-milk-healthier-skimmed-baked-potatoes-make-fat--Why-thought-knew-healthy-food-wrong.html

Flying to the UK tomorrow and so am leaving the safe bubble of my PCP World where it's easy to coordinate food and exercise.
Any tips on food for (long haul) planes would be good please!

I looked up when day 90 is and I'm pretty sure that it ends on Friday 13th.. slightly ominous! Lots of people are asking "so what happens at the end?" My answer of "I don't know" is immensely enjoyable as they don't know how we are able to cope with that... 

As Patrick would say - relax man.

March 12, 2012 3:44 PM JST

The Goldfish Bowl

I've never been divorced, but moving sure is stressful..

Saturday started well doing my skips before the movers arrived.
Then it was hulking boxes for 7 hours and I really noticed the difference with general strength improvement.
A rest day it was not...

Sunday was pathetic. Couldn't find which boxes had my rope/ band... so ended up going to hot yoga instead.
Now everything is set up and my first skipping session on 'the goldfish bowl' of my balcony was AWESOME.
I have about 5,000,000 HKers that look onto it which is extremely motivating because you just don't want to look like a slacker.

Reading today's training message made me realise that I'm not pushing myself in the strength work. I love the skipping (NEVER thought I'd say that) but I'm certainly not groaning/ swearing/ praying for death on all of them which makes me think that I need to push to failure now. The ones where I do are tricep dips, bicycle and double katana... and of course the push up.

I had an exPCPer who came round last night to give me a tutorial in the push up. Not the greatest idea as he'd been drinking all day and couldn't fathom how I couldn't be more like Michelle Obama.... grrrr.... 32 days to try.

Photos

March 8, 2012 11:17 AM JST

The Bingo Off?

I have to admit something. I let out a little 'ooh' when watching the 'show off' video. I'm sure I'm not the only girl (or boy!) who thought this.... very impressive Patrick.
However, mine did not look quite the same. In fact, mine should really have been called the Bingo Wing..

Sometimes I think that there are hidden spy-cams in all our homes (are there?) because the training messages that come through are uncanny. I'm currently feeling the food coma because of my switch from wholemeal bread to a white bagel at breakfast.

Exercises going OK.. Leg ups - welcome back. The Plank - wish the resting time was longer! 
The weight is coming off. Now lost 20lbs which is epic and much needed.
Have a good day all..

March 6, 2012 7:15 PM JST

Cheap Date

For my indulgence yesterday I took Paul's advice and thought that champagne would indeed go marvellously well with pizza. 
I have my best friend's wedding in a couple of weeks and I needed to test the waters and see how 2 months off the sauce would affect me. Not bad! A little tiddly, certainly a cheap date, but I kept it together...

Pizza was awesome. No funny lying down mallarky like I had with the chocolate fondant. It did feel like a real treat - like when you were little and your parents would take you out for 'grown up' time. I couldn't eat the whole thing... my how things have changed.

I also did about 5 mins extra skipping this morning to 'make up for it' - I don't know whether others have done this as well? I know Patrick talks about Credit/ ATM thinking...  And whilst I was skipping I wondered what you are all listening to whilst jumping away? My playlist below (try not to laugh TOO hard) - do you dare to share?

In this order:
* Kenny Loggins - Footloose
* Kelly Clarkson - My life would suck without you
* Michael Sambello - Maniac
* Paulo Nutini - New shoes
* Bomfunk MC's - Freestyler.... for going super fast at the end.

and naturally..
* MC Hammer - You can't touch this. 

Photos

March 5, 2012 8:45 PM JST

A little more glam... for pizza

Weekly photo is up, and this time the hair doesn't look like a nesting bird styled it.... and a little less Garfield-eyed.
Nice to see the changes from Week 1... and see how quickly a tan can fade!! The bone on my chest (clavicle?) is now not completely covered in fat... a better look!

There'll be a new backdrop as of next week because I'm moving. Currently I probably don't need to do arm work as I wield the tape gun and lug boxes to and fro. Where the hell did I get all this stuff from??

So lots on the mind. Had about 3 hours sleep last night which was pretty rubbish and involved quite a bit of calf cramping - not too fun. I'm off to have my indulgence for dinner tonight and have completed dazzled my dining companion with my sophisticated palate by saying 'I don't care where we go, so long as there's pizza..'

Here's hoping it's a better experience than the chocolate fondant :)

March 2, 2012 2:13 PM JST

No longer the newbies..

I see that we have a rookie crew that's joined... I love this. Already feeling old and wise in all things PCP.
It actually made me look back at my first few days, which doesn't seem that long ago and 250 skips nigh on killed me.
For any Blazers (great name, they could be on Gladiators with that) if you can read this - best of luck, stick with it and don't look too far ahead.. Ignorance is bliss.

The sun is FINALLY shining in Hong Kong today. My cousin is visiting from the UK and she's been laughing at my egg white consumption, exercise grunting (well, if the female tennis players do it..) and weighing out food. Out for dinner tonight with 10 buddies and I shall be chomping on my veg and drinking my steamed milk. 

Have a bon weekend one and all.

February 29, 2012 2:23 PM JST

Day 46

WOO HOO - did the running (ahem, mild jogging) whilst skipping today. Very pleased because I've got 2 weeks left of my quiet spacious car park before I move apartment and it was a little goal of mine.
Tripped about 40 times, pah, doesn't matter, I didn't faceplant on concrete and that's the point. Teeth remain intact. Happy days.

Tried to 'bust through' my exercises this morning. Did OK, but these ones just aren't friendly..

* Push ups - GAHHHhhhhhh. 4 x 15 of them in a row??? On my knees and only just made it.
* Da Vinci - I honestly feel like one of these women (pictured) when I do them. 
* Bicycle - ended up trying to engage my core, but helped legs with hands today to do about 30 secs. Otherwise it's pathetic 5 second intervals!

You will not beat me...

Photos

February 28, 2012 12:31 PM JST

Hump Day

In the words of Bon Jovi... ooooh, we're half way there......
In that time I've become a little bit dependent on coffee, a little bit thinner, a lot stronger and created a tonne of laughter for the building's cleaner as she watches me skip every morning. 

The stopwatch. I'm 36, and I can't work it out. A 5 year old could work it out. 
What's also worrying is that I can't see the numbers, nor hear it when I've got my ipod on. So it's somewhat redundant.
What I need is a swimmer's clock. The same size as moi, but short of heading to the local olympic pool, this is not really an option. 
Am therefore working out what the 2 min marks are in my fave songs and seeing if I want to stop there or carry on. 
Now really enjoying the nifty skipping footwork stuff, boxers/ running/ side-to-side/ fwds/ backwds/ and just got the wide one without whipping myself. 

Tricep dips still getting the better of me. Hurts at the front of my shoulders for some reason and kills my wrists but am assuming this is normal..

Onwards and upwards into Part 2. 

Photos

February 27, 2012 10:33 AM JST

Weekly model shoot

Sometimes I wish I was a little more vain... my weekly photo is me on a Monday morning, fresh out of my pit, hair awry, with no make up on. Perhaps it's time to head down to the salon as we embark on the second half of the photo's?!
I marvel at how I look biggest in the week 3 photo. Not quite sure how I managed that one.  It's very nice seeing the difference and even more excited about week 12.

Couldn't find my new stop watch for love nor money this morning, so did 14 mins skipping on and off with never more than 15 seconds break. The lawnmower is infinitely more fun if you make rrrrrrrrmmmmmmm noises at the same time(!) and the sit ups are still a little on the pathetic side. Must start on the 8 min abs.

The good news is - I'm a flosser. Have never heard about the connection with that and hard arteries before.. all very interesting stuff.
Keep pumping with the info boys - it's super interesting to read.

February 26, 2012 3:37 PM JST

Rested

This weekend I've managed 19.5 hrs sleep.... blissful. So, so needed.
Excited about the all can eat veggies, but a little disappointed that we're still having the weird dinner!
Week 7 here we come..

February 24, 2012 11:22 AM JST

Freddie - you're wrong

Freddie Mercury - I don't want to ride my bicycle actually...I suck at it!
Teo - any chance there'll be a video coming out on this one?
And Geminites, if you have any tricks/ helpful hints on this one, please share! 

Tricep dips I did all the sets for the first time with straight legs today. Certainly not at the elevated status yet, but progress nonetheless for that one.

February 23, 2012 7:10 PM JST

Dukan - don't

Dinner last night was a plate of veggies at The Hong Kong Club for a school reunion dinner.
When the wine waiter came round, I said no thanks, the lady next door - said no thanks.
When the bread waiter came round, I said no thanks, the lady next door - said no thanks.

I looked at her and said - what are you on?
The Dukan Diet she said, and then proceeded to tell me all about it.

Sounds utterly terrifying. NOTHING but protein for a couple of weeks, blah blah.. no veggies, minimal exercise, minimal fibre (insides must love that) and it served as a lovely reminder that what we are doing is not damaging or shocking our bodies and not putting extra pressure on our organs. I also wonder how many people put the weight straight back on?
I like that we're blasting our bodies with nutrients, removing the crap and using different muscle groups (although remind me about that tomorrow when I'm doing the bicycle). It just seems a much more grown up/ less quick win/ more healthy option. 
Although I wish the lady well... I know which side of the fence I'm pleased to be pistol squatting on. 

February 21, 2012 2:16 PM JST

Urgh

I think I crawled out of bed this morning for my workout. Everything was tired and everything was saying goooo baaaaack to bedddd... Like Virg, the bicycle sets confirmed that my legs are in fact made of lead. Who knew.

I do marvel each day how the training message we receive is like someone is reading my mind. Kind of freaks me out.
I'm definitely at that 'not shifting any weight - argh' stage. The trousers are looser, but in the arse, so I can't wait for it to feel looser around the middle. 

Yet another reminder last night of how much junk I ate pre-PCP at a banker-product-launch-canape-do. I would have tucked into the wine, sausage&hummus, deep fried prawns, chips with truffle mayo and THEN gone for dinner. It's really not surprising I got to the shape that I got to! Instead, I had a couple of Iceburgs and 2 carrot sticks. That's how us Geminites roll...

So definitely a trudge day for me today. Hopefully a little more energy coming my way tomorrow.

February 20, 2012 10:50 AM JST

Spent. Literally.

On my 'rest day' on Saturday, I did my skips and then foolishly went on a rather mammoth hike with some friends. 
I initially thought it would be a couple of hours, but instead it turned out to be nearly 5 hours and 3,500 calories of up and down hills with my (then) friend behind me wafting a bamboo cane for extra 'support'.
So yesterday I was absolutely dead. I didn't do my workout. Instead I went for 2 hours of massage. Not good. Note to self - 
Saturday is my new Sabbath.

I also had the quandary of looking at all these eggs that we're buying and deciding whether to sploosh the money on free range / organic or not?
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has done a good job because I just couldn't bring myself to go for normal eggs - poor little chickens.

Pleased to get today's exercises out of the way:
* The pistol squats I was naturally thinking that I'd look like Patrick in the video. Uh-hum.. not even close. That'll take some time..
* The creep and the frog jump thing - I like those.
* Push ups - wow. Still not friends. Still on my knees. Still not Michelle Obama.
* V sits - OK
* Side crunch - not my most graceful and slightly perplexed as to Patrick's elbow in the pocket ability...

Bring on Monday. And already looking forward to my sleep tonight... 

February 17, 2012 12:51 PM JST

Day 34

Last night, as part of my rock and roll existence, I went to a friend's house for Trivial Pursuit.
They all had slow roasted lamb, pita, tzatziki, roasted veg etc, and I was there with my egg white and chopped fruit. 
They also had about 20 bottles of wine between 9 of them, and as I finished up at 12.30am, I've had reports that they continued on and were tucking into kebabs at 3.30am..
Needless to say, although sleepy, it feels great that my head wasn't pounding this morning and reaching for the chocolate/ pizza/ can of coke in a hungover daze.. 

Team Gemini - I love reading your posts. I don't always respond to you all, but I sit down each morning and read what everyone's written. Although I do find it quite hard not to sound like a corny American (no offence David!) saying 'great job' and the like.
I think we're doing really well, and everyone blogging constantly keeps it at the right tempo.
Paul - serious kudos to your 3.30am skipping. Definite top man for dedication this week!!

February 15, 2012 1:44 PM JST

My Top 10

OK, I'm clearly a bit of a freakshow because I actually like the egg white thing at night. Bizarre.
From being starving hungry a couple of weeks back, I'm finally on track and not experiencing hunger pangs.
Thought I would list out ten things that I have learnt about myself from being on PCP so far:

1. I eat / ate way too much, particularly at night
2. Coffee doesn't send my blood sugar levels pinging all over the place as much as I thought it did
3. The money I waste on going out/ cravings/ booze is REMARKABLE. 
4. My emotions are much more stable. Lost my Dad last year, anniversary was last Friday and I don't think that I would have been nearly as strong if I wasn't on this program.
5. Skipping and I only work when done with thumping music. I neeeeed the Maniac song.
6. Morning exercise is worth getting up for. Evening exercise just seems to take so much more energy
7. The variety with recipes is endless. Really enjoying coming up with new options with all the veggies (attached some pics)
8. Sleeping is a joy. 8 - 9 hours a night I can really feel the difference, and I do feel for those with kids who don't get enough time snoozing
9. My group rock. Such a supportive and very funny bunch of people without being know it all... (clearly this list is not done by priority team Gemini!)
10. This is the longest I have gone without booze since I was 17 (pretty frightening) and who knew that a soda water, aka 'The Iceburg' could give me the same buzz as a G&T after a long day...

And - the Amino sauce (soy replacement) pic is attached too.

Photos

February 12, 2012 11:54 PM JST

Indulgence Day - Urgh...

Today I decided was my well earned chocolate fondant day...
What-a mistake-a to make-a.
When pudding arrived it looked and smelled fantastic! So much so that my French dining companion saw fit to eat a third of it much to my chagrin... in hindsight however he did me such a favour. After leaving the restaurant I had to lie down on my sofa feeling as stuffed as I do after Christmas lunch mixed with a food coma hangover. Cancelled yoga because I was so nauseous.
PCP, you have officially ruined my favourite pudding!!!
So - the sugar shock my body received today did not go down well. May have to choose something a little less potent for the next indulgence day..

February 11, 2012 4:14 PM JST

Eureka!

To use one of my dearly departed Father's expressions - EUREKA!
Managed 443 skips in a row.. and I was probably well positioned to stop there rather than the inauspicious Chinese 444 which sounds like 'death'... well done little feet.

We were told in a message to focus on breaking down the numbers and so I now use the columns in my empty car park as '100 skip milestones' (pic attached) so one length of the car park is 1200 skips, and it goes by very quickly rather than just thinking about all the skips still left ahead. Neat trick, thanks.

That and Shaun's amazing jumprope video got me thinking to just battle on through and try the different styles. So I can now do the boxer shuffle, the running one, but yet to master the cross skip without feeling like I'm part of Opus Dei self flagellating myself.

This morning I did 1500 skips in 15 mins which is a definite breakthrough. 
Tennis tonight, early night, it couldn't be more different to my prior normal weekends!

Photos

February 9, 2012 10:16 AM JST

Day 26

The skipping is getting there... I'm still stopping and tripping a bit, but compared to how many we did when we first started out when we were doing 250 jumps on Day 1 (ah, bless us, and it seemed like a lot at the time!) it's definite progress. 
The choice of music is definitely helping. Singing 'she's a maniac, maaaaniac on the floor' is most certainly getting the brain into gear with a matching tempo.
Exercise took 40 mins this morning, no idea whether this is 'average' or not. Still very conscious of watching the Patrick videos because I'd be gutted to be doing them wrong/ get an injury at this stage. I weirdly feel that time is going too fast, I can't believe we are nearly a third of the way through.
My indulgence will definitely be chocolate of some description. This is a surprise because I would have bet a lot of money on it being wine... but it appears every day I seem to be learning something new about myself.
I'm house hunting at the moment and (almost subconsciously) one of the things I'm looking for is if there's a car park where I can skip! I think I've been PCP'd....

February 7, 2012 9:58 AM JST

Good timing for today's training message

I woke up this morning and thought 'noooooo, I want to stay in bed...'
My mindset is definitely URGH, I don't want to do the exercises... so need to change that.

Reading that Steve Hersey did 1000 in a row inspired me to push it that bit harder in skipping and I'm quite pleased how fast they went this morning. The plank was new, and normally I rock at that - but it was pretty pathetic this morning! So onwards and upwards with that one too.. Yoga last night was very interesting in that it was definitely easier than it's been for a while..

February 6, 2012 9:25 PM JST

Handbags are heavy

Woke up this morning and went for a walk up the Peak for 1.5 hrs instead of doing my skips - quite nice for a little bit of variety.
Carrying my handbag around all day today was like torture! My poor little biceps don't quite know what's happening to them. 
All good and praying not to have arms like Madonna at the end of this, although she put on quite the show at the Superbowl..

February 5, 2012 11:30 AM JST

Day 22

Set the alarm this morning to head down to the gym to try my first pull ups as my home is not set up for a pull up bar anywhere.
On the way, I saw a bunch of people in black tie that hadn't gone to bed yet... smug, smug, smug.
Pull up (incline) are much easier on the video because WOW they were hard. I'll keep plugging away.
Busy day today, so excercises are done and lunch and dinner are already sorted.

February 4, 2012 10:19 PM JST

Day 21

Never thought I'd utter these words at the beginning of this but I want to be Michelle Obama.
By the end of day 90, I want to be able to do what she's doing here.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89ww9aXrq90
Very impressive for the First Lady.. would have been funny to see Barbara Bush try it!

Managed 270 skips in a row today, would love to know how many the Gemini lot (and others!) are doing... are you doing 1000 in one, or breaking it out into sets? This is my personal best so far.

Currently craving chocolate like you wouldn't believe as the hunger is still a constant companion throughout my day... anyone else hungry ALL the time?

February 3, 2012 3:40 PM JST

Best day yet..

Really enjoying the cooking side of things - picture below of a little 'something I made earlier' which was oh so tasty.
Up early this morning to do my exercises, and the skipping is improving. Managed 200 in a go and feet arches were hurting less. 
Have removed my orthotics which once you've read 'Born to Run' you'll never want to use again.
Still tripping a lot but I think that's a little because of being rather malco rather than the length of the rope which is correct. Onwards and upwards!
The suit jacket button is definitely easier to do up... happy days.

Photos

February 2, 2012 9:10 PM JST

Cliff and Kenny pumping me up

Looking through the i-tunes store for inspirational music to aid me over the next couple of months, I looked up 'best workout albums' and up popped Cliff Richard's - Move it.
Perhaps not.
No offence Sir Cliff, but that's not going to get me skipping harder!
So Kenny Loggins is going to get me in the 'Danger Zone', some Chemical Brothers are Galvanising and I'm Yelling like Rebel with Billy Idol.

Exercises were a bit of a mess today. Skipping still hurts, so I'll try different trainers tomorrow and on the yoga mat outside (and with the new playlist) and still could only do in batches of 100 which is deflating... Used my band for the first time - all good there. No pull up bar in the home, need to head for the gym for that and didn't organise my day well enough.

The food is on track and quite frankly my lunch today would have made Jamie Oliver proud.
Pleased to be finally shifting this cold and getting back into it.

February 1, 2012 4:52 PM JST

Hungry girl

The last couple of days - man, I've been hungry... Like during our half portion week but worse.

Literally after having lunch and supper my stomach is saying "and? is that all?"...... all I can say is, thank heavens for my fruit fixture 3 times a day. My banana / kiwi combo is the favourite so far. There's no chance I'm using the blender as I've got to trick the tum that it's got some work to do.

Tuna for lunch, squid for dinner, I bought about HKD500 of fish and meat on-line which will feed me for a week. That's an average dinner out for me, of which I'd probably do 4 x a week. It's certainly making me think how much money I waste.

Will try to get back into exercise mode tonight. First time with the bands, so there's video watching to be done to get the technique right.

January 31, 2012 3:07 PM JST

Day 17

Drinking milk in the morning takes me back to being at junior school - where are the Nice biscuits?!

Still recovering, so no exercises for me yet.. managing to get the carbs and protein right, but slightly over on the veggies which I suppose is the right one to be in excess. Still struggling with the carb volume at breakfast, but managing.

I'm used to cooking with sauces, so it's time to start being imaginative with my veggies. I love cooking, so this was the bit I was most looking forward to.

January 30, 2012 5:09 PM JST

Weighing up the options

No exercise today as I get over this wretched cold (dull...) but I found this article of a 6,000 calorie REVOLTING breakfast to make us feel even more angelic as we 'veggie up' in the morning!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093449/The-REALLY-big-breakfast-6-000-calorie-fry-slammed-health-campaigners--hit-diners.html

Today's my first day of weighing - as last week it was all guesstimating.
I was way off on my carbs... under that is, and am slightly relieved that my carb load for week 3 has dropped. I couldn't finish breakfast this morning...
But on the others I wasn't too bad!

For those in Hong Kong, I'm getting my seafood from South Stream Seafoods http://www.south-stream-seafoods.com/
All produce is from Australia and NZ, they deliver and it's not that expensive and infinitely better quality than ParkNShop/ Wellcome for seafood and other bits - if it helps..

Photos

January 29, 2012 2:22 PM JST

Manila Airport - not the healthiest place on earth

Bit of a disastrous day yesterday... turns out airports in the Philippines are not great for anything that's fruit or vegetable related.
The closest I could get was (for breakfast) a piece of carrot cake that was by far and away the healthiest thing on offer.... for lunch some beef ramen with a pathetic amount of seaweed and my saving grace was a friend who came over and cooked dinner 'A La Patrick' which made the day at least end well.
Note to self, I won't leave for airports again without being uber prepared.

Have managed to pick up a cold which is most frustrating considering my angelic lifestyle over the past couple of weeks. 
It's worth questioning whether we should bring back smoking on planes.. At least they would change the air so we didn't get germs sent round and round and round again as we do now. 
So am on bed rest, and the skipping rope is winking at me. 

I have spent most of the morning buying my food online. Hopefully from here on in it'll become a lot easier as I've no travel coming up. I've got a great glass wall in my kitchen, so measurements are up there for the world to see..

Photos

January 28, 2012 9:46 AM JST

Birthdays - a sobering thought

It's my birthday today, and I'm 28 - again!
Tonight I'll be going for some drinks with friends and I worked out that it'll be by first birthday without a drop of alcohol in 18 years.
It'll be quite easy (which is a surprise) as this past week I have had so much encouragement from my friends on holiday. I thought this would be the worst day for missing a glass of wine.
Skipping I still can't do past 100 on a stone surface, looking forward to trying for more skips on a softer surface when I get back.
And my normally post birthday hungover plans for Sunday? Heading down to the markets and planning some good wholesome food for the upcoming week.

January 25, 2012 8:20 PM JST

On holiday with boozers...

I am definitely going through a testing time with the old discipline. 
I'm on holiday with 11 other people not on PCP, so I'm trying my hardest and as yet have veered away from all things alcoholic, fried, factory made, sugary and all that things that fall into the 'fun' category... namely pina coladas, margaritas and strawberry daquiris...
The reason I'm sticking to it? Because I am the one when people say, let's get a group beach shot, inside I think urgh... I don't want to be in a bikini in a photo!
Last night was very tricky - Mexican restaurant. Refriend bean - no, sour cream - no, cheese - no... but I managed some chicken, tortilla wrap, fresh made salsa and salad.
I'm also drinking the coconut juice (not the flesh) which I'm now realising might not be allowed? It's 50 cals, full of electrolytes, but not sure if it's 'on the list'.
Our villa is 200 stairs up, so I'm climbing 600 stairs a day minimum, doing my exercises (minus the band work), some yoga, swimming etc, and sleeping very well.
I'm also feeling rather smug at how my bill is about 60% less than everyone elses due to not boozing and waking up in the morning feeling like a box of birds when others emerge a shade of mild green. 

The sun is shining, snorkelling tomorrow...
Happy days...

Photos

January 25, 2012 8:20 PM JST

On holiday with boozers...

I am definitely going through a testing time with the old discipline. 
I'm on holiday with 11 other people not on PCP, so I'm trying my hardest and as yet have veered away from all things alcoholic, fried, factory made, sugary and all that things that fall into the 'fun' category... namely pina coladas, margaritas and strawberry daquiris...
The reason I'm sticking to it? Because I am the one when people say, let's get a group beach shot, inside I think urgh... I don't want to be in a bikini in a photo!
Last night was very tricky - Mexican restaurant. Refriend bean - no, sour cream - no, cheese - no... but I managed some chicken, tortilla wrap, fresh made salsa and salad.
I'm also drinking the coconut juice (not the flesh) which I'm now realising might not be allowed? It's 50 cals, full of electrolytes, but not sure if it's 'on the list'.
Our villa is 200 stairs up, so I'm climbing 600 stairs a day minimum, doing my exercises (minus the band work), some yoga, swimming etc, and sleeping very well.
I'm also feeling rather smug at how my bill is about 60% less than everyone elses due to not boozing and waking up in the morning feeling like a box of birds when others emerge a shade of mild green. 

The sun is shining, snorkelling tomorrow...
Happy days...

Photos

January 22, 2012 7:04 PM JST

Need to be imaginitive...

This week will not be off to the raging start that is likely for other people. 

I wish I'd been told to bring my stretching thing, and I can't find a pull up bar, so I think I'll have to make up for it by extra swimming and skipping. I'll also be going to yoga every day too.

We're eating out for breakfast, lunch and supper - which is fine because it's all fish/ rice etc, and I'm asking for extra raw veggies on the side. Once I get back I can see how far I was off gram wise.

Getting up really early and getting the exercise out of the way is a nice feeling. Skipping on stone makes my arches hurt, but tough - doesn't hurt my knee and so it makes me want to crack on!

I always knew it would be hard coming away, but I'm glad I'm not skiing and surrounded by people wanting fondue, so I'm lucky that way!

January 20, 2012 4:42 PM JST

Day 6

Seems we're not the only people limiting the food... watch this  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqVPu6csteI

Heading out on my CNY holiday today and the skipping rope and push up bars were the first things packed.
Looking forward to weighing food etc. and what's coming up as eating half really tests me, particularly in restaurants where the portions aren't that big.

Managing to do push ups on my knees to the maximum reps.. just, but would love to get to the proper version by the end of this.
All the other exercises are fine so far. 

All in all, finding this a very professional, interesting, different experience. I had a shocking year of the rabbit - good riddance.
Bring on the dragon lady!

January 19, 2012 7:17 PM JST

Day 5

It's rather nice seeing the little yellow block on the top of my page look wider than a bit of thread today.
This bit'll drag, and when we look back it'll be - wow, seems like yesterday.... right?
Making the most of business lunches / seeing friends for dinner while I can remain semi normal, although I did nearly ask the waitress today what was the largest dish that they had!
Pretty hungry today, no surprises there then. Really enjoying reading other people's blogs, some of which are making me laugh out loud which is quite the tonic... ummmmm.... gin and tonic... no I mustn't!

January 19, 2012 12:16 AM JST

Day 4

I had to shift my exercise time today to early this morning. I think I actually woke up during my second set of skipping, so this could be a neat way of helping them whizz by!

I'm telling everyone... with the vague intention that when it gets tough and I'm gagging for that gin & tonic that they will be supportive.
The hunger is interesting. I normally just eat at set meal times and I don't get that starving/ tummy rumbling which means that I'm not as hungry as I think I am. 

Right. Hot water bottles and sleep time..

January 17, 2012 7:59 PM JST

Day 3

My tummy is growling. Loudly. Most embarrassing!
I'm hungry by the time it comes to meal times, so I'm making sure I have some sort of protein at each meal (esp for breakfast). 
I'm hypoglycaemic you see, so if I don't get enough energy over time, the alternative is that I have the conversational and concentration skills of a crack addict. 
All good today. Done my exercises/ Off for dinner - already gearing up for the half size.
One thing that has surprised me is how cold I've been today - and how I'd use food to warm me up.. like chocolate or a banana.
So, instead it's on with the extra jumpers and thermal socks.

January 16, 2012 4:33 PM JST

Day 2

OK, so after playing around with various Week 1 photo's, I'm not brave enough to bare the 'abs' - hats off to those who have.
Although after 90 days I'll probably waltz into the office in a crop top I'll be so proud..

Half portion is interesting. Just went for a yummy lunch eating sea bass, and leaving so much behind made me feel extremely guilty at 
the sheer waste. I was definitely brought up that if you didn't finish your lunch you had to have it for supper!

I'm feeling the muscles already from our light exercising yesterday. God help me then! And I can categorically say that push ups and I are not friends yet. If I'd recorded it, it would likely be a youtube comedy sensation.

It's nice to see who the other PCPers are now - of whom I think I know 3 and had no idea they were doing it.
No strange effects yet apart from trying to decide whether I'd have had 2 glasses of wine..

January 16, 2012 10:42 AM JST

Day 1

DAY 1

Well hello fellow PCPers

After a friend of mine did this a year ago, I've been so looking forward to finally starting this journey. He said that it was without doubt one of the most rewarding experiences he's ever gone through and that he's going to help keep me on the straight and narrow!

I'm loving that the 1st week is breaking us in gently. After a birthday party last night where I overdid it a little bit, I've just done my exercises and am super excited. 

I literally cannot fit into 3/4 of my wardrobe and after 5 years of being in Hong Kong the weight has gradually crept on and on, so it's time for a change. That and sobriety and focus for the next 3 months when I'm setting up a new business is a wise move..

So day 1 with my half sized portions has been very bearable. Let the madness commence!

Sophie

December 18, 2011 8:41 PM JST

Welcome to Your New Blog!