Day 90 (ish)

CONGRATS ALL!!!

Been pretty busy with work since coming back from Sanya, where I finished PCP and a few celebratory drinks.

well maybe a few too many Saturday night.  Then steak / wine dinner with Sam and Don Sunday night.  Shared a bottle of red between 3 guys (pretty good),  but a little overboard with the delicious food.  Had food coma afterwards and just crashed.  Then I watched Pat's video about blowouts...haha.

Will post Day 90 pics and comments in a couple of days when I have had a chance to gather my thoughts.

Day 89: Tough

Boy the supersets were a monster today.  Normally I'm still feeling reasonably good during the middle (3rd set) but today, on my 2nd set I'm like "oh oh", pains coming on awfully fast today.  Doh!    Struggled through most of them sweating like crazy.  Off to pack for my trip now.  So I picked up my toy last week.  

Small, zippy around town, fuel efficient - just like me post-pcp I hope.  Only difference is it has low mileage and I don't. ha.  Should open up more options around HK in terms of hiking and other outdoor stuff I hope to do post-pcp. 

Have a nice day everyone!

Day 88: Weekend Away

Exercises OK today, really enjoying mixing it up the muscle groups.  Hard to be disciplined about the planks, always feel like I'm failing earlier than if I had a time target.

Looking forward to a short break away from HK.  Heading off to Sanya for a work offsite tomorrow.
Picked the 11:30am flight so I can try to finish the supersets in the morning.  Will be there on Day 90 Saturday so I might just have a few celebratory drinks early :).

Golf will be interesting too, not sure how without my gut to center my swing where the ball's going to go. ha.

Been on autopilot of veggie cooking for so long I was a little lost at the supermarket tonight, buying enough just to pack for the flight lunch tomorrow instead of a weeks worth; a punnet of mushrooms and some sugar snap peas.

Have a good last couple of days and weekend all!

Day 87: A confession

I skip to Bruno Mars, most of his track are covered by the Glee crew

I wished it was something cool.. like red hot chilli peppers or even linkin park but the beat just happens to sync nicely with my skips. I just zone out and 20mins goes by in no time.  Skipping to "californication" would take me the whole day.  Whatever it takes to get through those skips right?

“there’s only one carrot and they all gotta share it…”  HA.  Trust me - he's infectious!

Exercises were ok today; but I always find when they come around again (from day 4 of the week), I can't seem to lift the same resistance as day 1.  Guess that day 7 break does make abit of a difference, for me anyway.

Day 86: Super Early

Had to get up super early for the super sets before an early work meeting.  Feeling groggy and ended up first 4 exercises in a set instead of 2 at a time.  Doh! Anyway like the balance of alternating muscle groups.  That is until we got to the last ab exercises, no hiding there. major ab burns.

Can't believe only 4 days to go!  Walked past a sports shop and got another jump rope today. Thought I'll have a spare set \in case my original breaks during a skipping fix... OMG - I think I'm addicted!

Just about to book a surfing trip down the southern tip of Taiwan in Nov. Keen to see how pcp helps with riding waves. Can't wait!

Day 83: Consistency

I don't belong to a gym so difficult for me to do the homework.  But I did go to Vic Park for my exercises and was similarly looking at joggers and exercisers alike.

Joggers come in all shapes and sizes and was difficult to map fitness levels to intensity / speed at which they were jogging.

But check out these exercisers.

 
They spent half the time chatting away so you would not expect any of these exercises to be effective. However that guy doing a chin-ups, he warmed up with 5 or so then went straight into a series of loops over the bar.  Incredible.  More so when I walked over and found out he was over 60!

They may not look healthy but definitely deceivingly flexible for their age and found out they have all been it for years, consistently.  That's the key.  For me, post PCP will be finding that "happy medium" so I can keep it up indefinitely and consistently - and BE like these guys when I'm 60! :)

Day 82: Long week...

Definitely my longest work week since PCP started.. that plus the exercises made it quite tough.  Glad its Friday and I get to sleep in tomorrow.

Had to go to Shenzhen day trip today for a client meeting which was draining.  Just skipped in the morning, made b'fast and brought my lunchbox hoping to have it on the way back from meeting but ended up being invited to a client lunch.

Peking duck. Doh!

Since client ordered it would have been rude to refuse taking one of the steamed pancake from the roulette table as it came swinging my way. Took one out of politeness, trying not to think about the fat dripping from the fried duck skin (hmmm.. I used to really love this stuff). Not good - but not bad either.

15 mins go by and the table comes around again. This time the pressure was really on to clear the last few pancakes so they can make way for the next dish. Again, nowhere to hide. So I took one -  had some tea -  waited until my clients were distracted in conversation - then rolled it up quickly (without the duck skin) ate it.

Did another rope session tonight to try to work off lunch. Off to bed now.

Day 80: NPV

80. 

The number of days I have been staring at my small wine collection.  

My wine fridge actually broke down back in Sept but I never got around to replacing it. Kept it in the coolest part of the apartment.  Hope wine's still good.

The one thing that's stopping me from popping those corks?  

I'm banking on the health gains and nutrition tips on the pcp will extend my life expectancy that wee bit.  And based on a constant wine intake, but discounted by a moderation factor I figured the net present value of all wine drunk post pcp will be more than I would potentially drunk pre pcp. :)

10 more days!   work hard everyone!

Day 77: Went all out

Decided my final indulgence would be my favorite food. Chinese.

Coincidently, I had arranged a get-together with friends today for Yum Cha.  A tradition of sorts for Cantonese folks.  I was going to bring my own lunch box and then Pat's email came.

It was destiny.

Despite being less rich and heavy than the usual yum cha affair it was still fairly oily and salty for my new pcp palate. Although I did enjoyed the food (i had a bit of everything), it was more the social aspect of catching up with friends that I enjoyed more. Didn't feel like gorging on the food I used to so love and stuff down my old-self.

No real after effects of the indulgence.  Went for a swim then watched the AUS / NZ game (well done Kiwis - well deserved).

Stocked my fridge for the final PCP push.  GAME ON!

Day 76: I can't stand it anymore

My baggy clothes that is.

Was going to wait until end of PCP but just couldn't; even t-shirts look ridiculously large.  Stopped by Espirit outlet store and picked up some casual stuff.

Figured I may lose and then gain back some of the last 2 weeks' PCP 'push' so this may not be a bad time to stock up.

Proceeded to take my biz shirts and trousers to get fixed.  HK has awesome tailors,  my local's going to do all 11 shirts and 6 pairs of pants for less than USD200.  Wasn't too aggressive with the measurements and did leave a bit of room for the post-pcp binge. Should have them back just in time for the end. :)

Worked out at Vic Park today, tried to be smart and started doing rope tricks.  Turned out it wasn't very smart as I may have sprained my right achilles. Hope its fine for the final 2 weeks.

Day 75: Mr Miyagi

Planks are killers. Still fail on 2nd or 3rd.  Exercises taking over an hour now. Can't believe we have only 2 weeks and change to go.  Went old school and watched Karate Kid (the old 80s one!) again last night. Classic.  How Mr Miyagi would answer our PCP questions:

10. How can I skip properly?
MM: close eye. think tree...skipping

9. My weights' not going down!
MM: It's never as it seems.

8. What's the proper way to do creeps?
MM: Wax on (left foot),  Wax off (right foot). breathe in through nose. breathe out through mouth. very important.

7. when do the muscles come?
MM: first learn stand, then learn fly. Nature rule, not mine.

6. No 6 pack yet!
MM:  Go. Find balance.

5. Bicycles not working my abs?
MM: close eye. think bike.

4. Planks are impossible!

MM:  So was I beating up 5 teenagers twice my size.

3. No carbs and protein for dinner?!

MM: Man who catch fly with chopstick accomplish anything.

2. Pistol squats?
MM: If do right, no can defense.

1. MM:  First make sacred pact, I promise teach pcp. That's my part. You promise learn. I say, you do, no questions. Deal? 

Noriyuki "Pat" Morita - You're a legend!  Have a good weekend everyone!

Day 74: to the right

Turkey is not the easiest meat.

Too difficult to marinate and quite tough (unless you roast a whole one but would take a year to eat in pcp portions).

Ah well, thought I'd try something different but will go back to chicken for my white meat protein.

Found the V-sits and shoulder work difficult today, not sure why. Fatigue maybe.  May invest in a nice massage over the weekend :).

Looking down I can actually see my belly button properly ... it kinda points to the right so guess that explains my golf duck hooks (amongst other reasons I'm sure).

Day 72: Social Again

Its nice to be able to invite friends over again and be social and actually eat similar things and still be PCP compliant.  Pan seared salmon on a bed of garlic oregano mushrooms and tomato salad on the side.  Fruit and yogurt for dessert.  The only difference was that friend had some pasta on their plate but that's it.

Good to know that post-pcp I can be social and still stay reasonably healthy at the same time.

Nothing social about my exercises though. To my neighbors the grunting must sound like I'm slaying a wild boar (or I'm the boar being slayed?). The chest and planks were super difficult.  For chest dips I decided to lift and cross my legs a little farther and boy did I fail quickly.  On leg ups I decided to try keeping my legs off the ground.  Felt ok after but then failed big time on the planks afterwards, shaking like jello.  Everything IS connected I guess.

Onwards and upwards!

Day 70: Introducing...

Melinda, my helper.

She's amazing and helps with cleaning my messy kitchen every Sunday. This has been invaluable as I'm cooking so much these days. Nice to have a clean bench every week.  Will definitely take her to a nice non-pcp compliant meal when I'm done with the program. In the meantime I thought I'll help her with the floors and do my exercises same time.

Day 69: The Splits

Had to split up the skips and exercises today.

Met my buddy Pete bright and early and did the HK Maclehose trail stage 1 and 2.

 Fine weather and truly a spectacular hike (esp. for HK!).  Skipped the initial tarmac road  so shortened to 15 km total from the reservoir to the end of stage 2. We really motored through in just over 3 hrs.  My first time on stage 2 and my buddy said that's a fair decent time. Happy I was able to keep up!

Did stop for lunch at a beach cafe,  but not before I had to eat an apple after burning off b'fast by 10:30.  Can't eat as much in one seating these days but stomach definitely more sensitive and loud when its time to refuel.  Brought a packed lunch and couldn't resist a Tofu Fa as supplement.

I know Tofu isn't pcp compliant but figured I had burned enough calories on the hike to justify. Initially tried it without sugar but it was just plain tasteless so I did sneak in a little sugar on top.

England played rubbish today. Would have liked to see them give the French more of a run for their money.  OZ vs South Africa tomorrow.

Last night at a friends place for dinner.  Special THANKS! to Bel and Chris. They were really considerate and actually made pcp compliant food. Apple with lime mint, low fat yogurt w manuka honey, and steamed egg white with porcini mushrooms!  Testament to the things you can do when you put your mind at work.

Did the exercises fairly late tonight.  Now about to shutdown.  Looking forward to the rest day tomorrow.

Day 66: Prison Break

HK public holiday - action packed.  Exercised in the morning (pull ups and bicycles continue to be difficult - failed very quickly), hiked Mt Butler with friends and then swim and relaxing sauna at a friend's  club.

Doubt I would have been able to do all that in one day (and not crash with exhaustion) without being on pcp... pretty cool.

Not having seen each other for a month, the first thing my buddy Chris said to me over coffee was ... "Looks like you just broke out of prison". haha.  If you know Chris you'd appreciate his weird and sarcastic sense of humor.

Going to chill before powering down in a couple of hours.

Day 63: Knees all ok

Was hoping for a break in the weather for hiking as we were doing the dragon's back to Shek O. Started off decent enough but weather soon turned bad. Another typhoon coming around.

Still..a nice break from not having to look at the exercise sheet and out for some fresh air.  Had to resist the yummy thai food at the end of the hike.  My last meal before PCP was thai. Seems eons ago now.

Had my knee brace with me but didn't have to use it.  They are definitely feeling stronger from all the lunges/squats.  

The weighings came in a little higher than last week.  I blame it on the cheap chinese made scales. ha. Not too worried as I'm definitely feeling lighter and stronger than ever. 

Have a good week all !~

Day 62: Sleep in

Nice to have a sleep-in day.

Found pull ups pretty difficult today - failed after 1.5 sets and had to use bands/chair to support the rest.  Back definitely one of the weaker muscles so need some work there.  Been a long hard week of exercises so looking forward to the rest day tomorrow.

Went to the pool to do a few laps.  The sun finally broke out since the typhoon and rays of light hitting the bottom of the pool and warming my back.  Great feeling...