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!