Day 27 - The journey continues

Some random thoughts on the progress and changes to body:

- Keeping as much as possible to the diet program.  I had two bites of chocolate on Monday, but everything else is going swimmingly.
- The lack of carbs for dinner is bit of a challenge - especially when my wife surprised me with making a big pasta dinner (then realizing I couldn't have carbs).  As such, I had even more of the salad she made, and a great big helping of fresh-made pasta sauce with ground turkey.
- For some reason (I think Patrick already mentioned it), I've had an on-again, off-again headache this week.  Think its the body continuing to adjust to its new-found heightened performance (and lack of crap in the system ;-).
- For the past two days, have been more focussed at work.  Seem to be churning out emails more quickly and easily.  I also notice that I really am not hungry on this program - there is enough nourishment to keep me fully fueled for the day - also, none of those 'post lunchtime energy drops'.  This is good.
- I have to say, I'm pretty proud of the fact that I haven't had a real soda for 27 days (although i did have a couple of Coke Lights the past week).  I used to drink the stuff like crazy - that sweet tooth of mine is now being filled with sweet, fresh fruit, which is really helping psychologically, too.
- This Friday will be my 'off food'.  Planning a taco dinner at our house with some friends - going to go a bit crazy with the ground beef and corn tortillas!!!  (and of course, lots of lettuce, tomato, olives ;-)
- On the workout front, I've found that doing my quick jump ropes in the morning before going to the office, and then the muscle work in the evening before dinner seems to work the best.  I am really not a morning person, but the jumprope, I can do.  Although this morning, had too much of a wall.  at 800 jumps (on the 4th set), really felt like I was going to pass out and couldn't catch my breath.  Needed to stop there.
- Realized the double katana is even tougher if you're tall (I'm 193cm).  Bit too much for me, so I tried crouching a bit - that seems to be the right, yet tough, level.

Here are a couple of pics from today as well.

Back in time - to Day 1. The original pics.

Haven't put these up yet, so enjoy, laugh, and be amazed at the way I'll look on day 90!

Day 19 - it has been a long time, but a good journey

So far, there are a few things that I still need to work on:

- regular blogging.  I've never been a blogger or a regular personal emailer, but I'm trying to make this a more regular routine.  Know it is a core part of PCP and I need to keep going here.
- lunges.  Really hate them.  Probably because I've got my parents genes of bum hip bones and knees.  Just trying to take it easy to ensure nothing gets injured.  Today was one of many days where can't do all of the lunges prescribed.
- ab work.  Never have like crunches or leg-ups.  Still don't.  BUT, they're getting better and I am getting better at blowing past the wall that hits me in usually the 3rd set.
- craving for juice.  I have been extremely diligent with the juice.  Until the PCP I drunk at least 2 or 3 full glasses of juice a day.  Sometimes I mixed it with sparkling water (to halve the calories), but now I stay away totally.  To date in PCP (2 1/2 weeks, I have snuck in approximately one full glass of juice - 2 or 3 sips on the weekend out of the carton for breakfast ;-)
- continuous jump rope.  To date, i still have not been able to do a FULL SET of jumps without stopping to catch my breath.  Luckily, I am able to hit the total number, and consistently doing the jumps is really a success I've been looking for.


HOWEVER, (and this is really where I'm digging the PCP so far):

1.  My food journey is like a good trip around the world - on an unbeaten path.  The trees are greener, the mountains are taller, those little villages are more colourful, and the experience is better than a 'pack tour'  (like packaged food).   I have to say that although it's still taking some time to get used to the lack of salt with my foods (especially vegetables), it's really amazing how my body got so used to that much salt in my diet.  Just looking at ANY packaged food you see, it's really crazy how much salt we put in the stuff we eat.  I seem to be much more sensitive to the taste of salt now - my body knows and pays attention to what's being put into in more than before.  The measuring of food is not perfect (although I do love my little Tanita scale I picked up in Japan), but I'm getting good at estimating the proper amount  (I choose a pear, think it weighs about 130g, put it on the scale, and it equals 160g!  If I remove the core, it'll be about 130g, so I'm getting it down pretty well).   (Going to attach a recipe for a vegetable greek salad that has saved my butt the past week).
2.  I'm resisting the temptation!  Since PCP, I have had one glass of wine, and 2 beers (and they were all in the 1st week of the program).   Last Wednesday was my first real 'test'.  Going away party after work for a good friend in the office - at a Tapas bar, no less!   I did not have a single drink (soda water with lime was the drink of the night), and I managed to keep to PCP-approved foods.  baked whitefish with garlic and olive oil (not butter),  some tortilla (with some potatoes and spinach), cut vegetables, and toasted brown bread with garlic and tomatoes.  Pretty good for eating out (although difficult to weigh, I just made sure I ate until about 2/3 full).  Felt great about this, and still had a great time with the gang.
3.  I'm sticking to the exercise program.  Of course, haven't seen any big results yet with my physique (not expected yet).  I'm feeling a bit more energetic, waking up earlier (with less lethargy) and feeling more 'on' in general when at the office.  I have never really been an exercise freak (and don't think I will be), but the positive impacts this is already having are becoming clear.  Patrick mentions that you'll see some 'interesting' changes in your body.  Yes, going to the bathroom more regularly is already there  (and my stomach is recovered from the bug from India - thank God!).  Already mentioned that I'm more sensitive to salt.  And THANK YOU for letting us eat those wonderful fruits 3 times a day.  Those natural sugars are just awesome!   The jumps are actually not that bad - I can do them (although not in one continuous go), and I really feel 'sporty' when doing them in the carpark of our condo.  Feeling like Rocky (although still with a gut!)

Before I sign off for today, here are some pics and recipe of a salad you can prepare on the weekend and have a portion for each day of the week (if you require).   There is a bit of a cheat in the recipe (the bit of feta cheese), but you can remove if you need to.

"Johnny the Greek" Salad:
(can be used 100% for your vegetable portion of PCP - I believe.   Patrick has not endorsed, but he can provide comments?)
- 4 medium tomatoes - chopped into big chunks
- 1 large cucumber - big chunks
- 1/2 tin/jar of black olives (unsalted) - whole/pitted
- 1 small onion - medium chunks
- 1 yellow  / 1 red pepper (capsicum)  - big chunks
- (optional - can add to your protein/milk portion of the day) - 1/2 small package of feta cheese - small chunks
- 50-100mL dressing - 1/3 part olive oil, 2/3 part balsamic vinegar

mix everything and portion out into your own personalized vegetable measures.

Hope this info is informative!

PCP - getting back on track

Well, that bug in India is still with me.  Depending on the day, am not able to eat very much - energy level also influences how many reps I can do with my exercises.

Have been traveling in Japan for the past 6 days, and have been sticking as much as possible to the diet and exercise.   Exercises are getting a bit easier - doing them in the morning gives me more energy for the rest of the day, and don't need to worry about it later in the day.

The food, with no real tools/preparation facilities for me in Japan has been a bit of a challenge, but, after a very cool visit to the Loft (here in Fukuoka), I've got a very cool scale, and steamer.  Have been relying on in-laws cooking (trying to be as PCP-friendly as possible) and eating out.

Very much looking forward to being "home" in Singapore, where I'll finally have full control over my food intake.   My wife is really helping with getting me the food I need to eat (even frustrating my mother-in-law at least one time) ;-)

Day 4 - not a great start

Well, I'm back from a hellish trip to India, and do still have some major Delhi-belly.   Have only been able to keep down / eat less than 1/3 my daily food.  For example:

Day 1 - (April 15: Friday).  Nothing eaten (that stayed down).   4-6 glasses of water / tonic water.
Day 2 - (April 16: Saturday).  AM:  Managed 1/3 piece of french toast, small bowl of yogurt.  PM:  a bowl of muligatawny soup and 1 dinner roll.  3 bottles of water, 2 ginger ales.  Totally dehydrated and everything really passing through me.
Day 3 - (April 17:  Sunday).  AM:  3 small bites of fruit, 1/2 container yogurt, a few bites of vegetables.  PM:  (hunger finally arrives)  3/4 burger,  1/2 fries.    numerous glasses of water and a coke.
Day 4 - (April 18: Monday).  AM:  1/2 bowl oatmeal cereal with skim milk.  PM:  I manage to get down a 6-inch turkey sub from subway - oil and vinegar dressing.
End of day - stomach still aching, digestive tract still somewhat rebelling, but I'm keeping the food down.

As for the workout:
Day 1 - missed
Day 2 - started doing some push-ups, but in weakened state, did 3 before ready to pass out.
Day 3 - began the jumprope routine.   Quickly realizing that this is the totally wrong way to get into a good routine.  I need to have 'some' energy to do this.
Day 4 - although feeling better, the jumprope is already killing me.  I'm pretty sure that I'll need to be better in order to do the full set the whole way through.

AND NOW, off to Japan for another business trip.  This time, with jumprope in hand!

Day 1.5

This is actually day 2 of the PCP and I've "accidentally" started off quite well.   I'm on a business trip in India and didn't think I'd be able to prepare to start in time.   As it turns out (luckily?) I got a bad case of "Delhi Belly", and haven't been able to eat anything on Day 1.  Day 2, able to keep down a bit of food, and am trying the exercises (easy enough in my hotel room).   Really glad I was able to join (late) and am looking forward to sharing my journey with everyone.