Day 31: Cooking for others...

Had some friends over last night so decided to try out a recipe on them - tandoori chicken.  Even though I can't have any tried to stick to pcp specs to see if it tasted any good.  No salt,  garam masala, cayenne pepper, paprika, lemon, low fat yogurt, chopped fine onion, crushed garlic.

It turned out pretty good as I looked from my side of the table... doh!

Day 29 -30: Month 2 ... bring it on!

Exercises stepping up and definitely feeling the burn now.  Feeling a bit more confident with my knees so did both floor jumps and creeps.  Abs were a killer and exercises + stretches now take up almost an hour.
Woke up an hour earlier to do them today since had a conference call from 8am.

The new diet also kicking in ... woke up hungry this morning.  Will be interesting to see how the body reacts and adjusts over the course of the week on this diet.  Have a feeling eating veggies before bed still going to feel weird.

Work dinner tonight and managed to stay away from all the delicious looking food (Japanese), only had a few yakitori veggie sticks to stay social.

Went to my 3rd visit to the physio today for my left knee (which I sprained tripping up on the street right at the start of pcp - doh!) and surprised to get the clean bill of health!  Pretty happy about that since doctor told me to rest it but I took a risk and continued skipping.  Won't be pushing my luck however so will still keep the knee braced up for while exercising.

Already thinking about how to prepare for my biz trip mid-month and be pcp compliant...

Month 2 bring it on!

Day 28: My very own White Castle experience..

Decided to have my indulgence today.

Ever since Patrick's email I could not get "cheesecake" out of my head.  In fact said cheesecake has been haunting me for 4 days...

Been searching high and low and was told Peninsula has awesome cakes so went over to TST this PM to look for the perfect slice.  Got there and they only had chocolate cake and damn fruit tarts left!  Doh!  But there will be no substitute!

Feeling dejected I came back to HK lsland side and some lazy laps in the pool, all in the while thinking about that elusive baked goodness of cheese, sugar, milk, butter and flour.

I got quite desperate as I know the sun will be setting in a few hours and still empty handed.  4 double vodka shots did cross my mind (same calories..) but having this before sunset on a Sunday may not be the best of ideas.

Finally on way to the bus stop past a cafe with the most delicious slice of pie I have ever seen in the window - calling my name!

As I slowly savored my indulgence, I realized in the past month I have gained much appreciation for food. In particular food I care to spoon into my mouth.  Whether it be finding the best available ingredients for pcp meals or searching for that perfect indulgence; taking the time in earning, finding, savoring my food makes eating that much more rewarding and pleasureable.

For those who have seen Harold and Kumar's go to White Castle - you know what I mean.

Day 27: Shoobie

In case you were wondering what Shoobie was (on my blog banner).

Amongst other things Shoobie is a term given by local surfers to newbies / tourist invading their favorite surf spot...

I definitely look like one, both in and out of the water.

I am not an expert surfer (not even average!) but I do like to have a go whenever I can while on holidays.  In fact one of my fondest travel memories ever was a sunset surf with just the sound of crashing waves and chatter amongst locals.  Felt very much at peace with nothing to worry about other than catching the next set.

Life can be very simple if you let it be..

Was good exercising with my pcp buddy Sam in Victoria park.  Breaks up the groundhog days and a chance for someone else to critic my form and take some pics. ha.

The ladies that were policing the grounds looked on with curiosity and had quite a giggle when they heard us grunting while pulling on these strange rubbery contraptions.

Day 25-26: Groundhog days

Every day seems to be the same:

7am wakeup

7:15 carbs / dairy

7:30 ropes/exercises

8:30 Vege+eggs

9am work blah.

Did get into a panic about my Volvic water since I drink like 3 liter of it a day.   Thought the label read 11mg salt / 100 ml which would have been crazy high but realized it was per 1ltr...then back to...

7am wakeup

blah...

Getting into a routine isn't so bad I suppose.   

A bit nervous about my knees so substituted lunges with floor jumps.  

Day 23-24: Work getting in the way

Was a rough couple of days at work.  8pm Monday / 10pm Tues.  Lucky PCP buddy had made extra salad sunday so just had to concentrate on protein.  Prepping the protein (meat / fish) in the morning so just need to than spend 10 minutes cooking it up but definitely missed the dinner 'window' last two nights.  Also 7 hours sleep..

And what's this about easing into the planks... they were difficult!

For yucks I googled Mr Chen (since we only get emails from Patrick so far so wanted to know if he was real and not made up..ha). Got some guy that had a 154lb tumor on his right leg...  Doh!

http://wtfoodge.com/meet-chen-zongtao-he-has-154-lb-tumor-on-his-right-leg/

hmm...makes doin' the davinci that much more difficult I thought... but then realized Google had dropped the 'h' from Zhong when showing the search results... 

Tried again with "Chen Zhong Tao" as 3 separate words and our very own PCP Master Shifu features prominently in them. Phew!

Eagerly awaiting his words of wisdom.  Will he grace us with a morning email someday or simply appear out of nowhere in our darkest PCP hour?

Day 22: Patience young grasshopper...

Both rope and exercises were pretty tough this morning.  Couldn't do pull ups properly.  Probably because I was feeling good on our 'off' day yesterday and over did it in the pool. Not doing that again... just need to learn a little patience...

Day 21: Lazy Sunday

Fellow PCPers  - enjoy your sunday!

Bruno Mars: The Lazy Song

Day 20: Changes to my body

body craving more food in the mornings...

slight weight loss...

arms feel leaner...

coffee cravings shift from mornings to afternoons...

and most incredibly.  no more ear wax.  Yep - my cotton buds come out completely spotless white. No more poking myself in the head half asleep. And to think all that cash I'm going to save on those little buds.  It 'must' be the PCP - truly amazing... :) 

Seriously, people say I look leaner but I haven't really noticed it myself other than the fact that I feel pretty good most days, more focused and with lots of energy. Very different from my lethargic self 3 weeks ago.  I think that in itself is the most amazing change these 3 weeks. 

oh.. and did I mention left nostril nose hairs have stopped sprouting?

Day 19: The sweet things in life

Desserts.  Cheesecakes, chocolate, creme brulee.  you name it. I love it.

Been resisting but definitely having cravings.  Probably the most difficult thing for me so far on this diet.  People around me seem to be having them everywhere! 

When my fish didn't turn out last night I tried to console myself by making my fruit look like dessert with a dash of plain yogurt. Doh!

Anyway I've been spending up on fruit.  Paying more than I usually do knowing that however expensive it's still better 'value' for my body than some of the crap I used to eat. 

Then again I'll always have time for a chocolate soufflé... 

Pull-ups much better today, stopped swinging like a monkey.  Ropes better too today after changing to another pair of sneakers. 

Day 18: I'm just not born to do fish

My sister and friend had to endure my badly overcooked salmon, mushrooms and brown rice (sorry guys!). I blame it on being distracted by the cable guy ...

Nah... I'm just not born to do fish.

Unlike my buddy Sam.  Check this out.  Cooked to perfection.

Need to up my game on the cooking. Difficult to reach peak condition if I can't swallow my own cooking. 

To make fish taste bearable.

Add that to the list of pcp goals.

Pull-ups  - glad there wasn't any today.  Ropes still struggling. Found out on youtube I may have cut my rope too short. Doh!

Day 17: Social Aspect of PCP

Just a quick one on this topic.

Had some friends over for dinner last 2 nights and in both cases they felt guilty eating twice as much as me. Even as I urged them to keep eating they kinda just stopped.  I don't think it was my cooking (ha),  just that they were sympathetic, or another way to say it... being social.

There is something to be said about communal eating, and sharing with others. That's why us Chinese eat on a round table (and also because we're short and can't reach the other end of a rectangular table...).

Got invited to a b'day party this weekend. Really want to go but its a 5-course set meal.  Doh!  Trying now to see if the restaurant kitchen can accommodate...

PCP will be a stretch for not only our body and mind,  but also our interaction with others.

Day 16: Change of game plan

Prep for b'fast
Sleep by 11
up by 7
stretch and 1/2 b'fast
exercises
stretch and have rest of b'fast
at work by 9

Definitely better and less rushed.  Also was good not having to force down that b'fast all at once.

Still a clutz on the ropes and forgot my lunges til after I showered (I think my legs are sending subliminal messages to my brain to forget about them.. )

baby steps.. baby steps...

Day 15: Legs like jelly

Definitely feeling the legs this morning from the hike yesterday.  Ropes a real struggle, as was the push ups.  Feeling low energy this morning  (Monday blues?).  But do feel like I have lost a notch on the belt.  :)

Been eating b'fast after my workouts the past two week. Might switch it up and have milk/yogurt + carbs first, exercise, then followed by egg/veggies.  Especially knowing that I am supposed to have nearly 1/2 weighted cereal this should work.  Hopefully sugars will start kicking in during the resistance part of the workout. Although what I would give to have a banana in the morning...

Also will try to hold out and eat my lunch alittle later, maybe 2pm...since no carbs for dinner. Doh!

Will upload latest pics tonight.

Day 14: Sunny Sunday

Good Morning from HK!  Nice blue sky day today...

An little experiment today for b'fast.  French toast without butter and oil.  Wholemeal bread, my 1 egg and some low fat milk.  Resisted on maple or honey but would have been ok.  Didn't turn out too bad.  Did substitute some veg for a few pieces of fruit - broccoli would have looked abit out of place on that plate...

Then off hiking in the morning with a buddy.  First time above the PCP minimum daily exercise.  Definitely feeling the heat and was slow in keeping up with my buddy but great clear day out [Sam / Susan - you guys missed out!]

Struggled with the ropes afterwards though. Legs feeling the lunges from yesterday. Hmm... really need to work on my conditioning.

Felt pretty active just started prepping veggies and made lunch: turkey meatballs, steam veggies,  pasta and an ice cold beer....  (looks like it but just ice tea!)

Day 13: Liberal interpretation of the PCP Diet Plan...

Made Tacos!!!

Other than the shells, cheese and cream cheese.. everything else was PCP compliant.. (kidding!). Not really but you only live once and it was a long pcp week... 

Actually just a tiny bit of cheese / cream cheese and the shells were baked.  Everything else was to pcp portions and no taco mix. Just natural spices and good old Aussie mince.  
Thanks Sam for the guacamole - Awesome.

Feeling really good today.  7.5 hrs sleep instead of the usual 6 - 6.5 .  Will aim to hit that 8 hr mark from next week.  Jump rope and exercises all good today.

Day 12: Altus - See ya!

New ropes... they are the bomb!

Didn't really help my jumping tho.. i still suck.. but I'm sure I'm burning a million calories tripping over them.

Lunch:  B'fast decided to mix and match ingredients.  Had asparagus, onion and egg omelet.. more like scrabbled everything really since ration was only 1 egg.  Not going to post photo :) but it tasted ok.

Day 11: "Chinese" Chicken Salad

Been busy recently and slow at posting.  Lots of little things to take care of around the apartment to try to feel settled in. Thought it best to try to do that asap so I feel comfortable and in a regular PCP routine.  But still no TV...

Ate out both lunch and dinner Weds.  Lunch salad was ok but had to pick out all the fried won ton skins. Just because it had mandarins and fried won tons doesn't make it "chinese"! ...  Chinese don't make salads,  we eat all our veggies cooked out of a wok and drowning in lard - fool!

Dinner had Tuna "LT" sandwich... asked to leave out the "B"acon and salt ... of course they couldn't help but butter the bread.. tasted good tho.  Give half to a friend.

Exercise; tired today, probably no enough sleep but struggled with ropes (yet again).

Day 10b: Ghetto Ropes

Had to do the ghetto ropes tonight and tied knots to shorten it.

See that packet of hex keys? Well none of them fit into the rope adjust slot which is between size 3 and 4.  Who designs stuff that require proprietary tools!  ALTUS -> FAIL!

The jump roping were difficult tonight.  Not only because of the ropes issue but I'm just knackered from a long work day - and I was hungry.  Definitely going to be doing my exercises in the mornings.

Eat some leftover salmon (still very tasty),  honey-glazed carrots and tried to sauteed tomatoes with basil.  Pretty orange and red looking plate tonight.

Day 9 & 10: Having a routine is key

I hypothesized that having a set routine is key to PCP success. So I have chosen from the start to get up abit earlier so I can do my exercises in the morning before work. My buddy and fellow PCPer Sam cooked Tues and I was the beneficiary for both dinners and lunch today - awesome.  I think the trick is to cook a little more for dinner and have for lunch next day...

However today was NOT one of those routine days. My apartment water supply was cut and my ropes didn't work (long story which I won't go into here). Only did stretches this morning and will try to do ropes tonight.

Hopefully back on routine from tomorrow and not turn up to work too smelly...

Plain yogurt with a dash of honey is da bomb.. Not a morning veggie person so still trying to figure out what's best. Have resisted asking our guru Patrick - trial and error pretty fun so far.

Day 8b: The First True Test

I enjoy cooking, but never without salt or any sort of flavoring.  Marinating meat without any kind of sauce is just really strange to me.  True test to make it tasty...

But funny how adding a few spices, not overcooking the vegies, and the company of good friends can make the meal taste so much better...  thanks guys for coming around to give me support!

Steamed broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, sitr fried lean chicken (in a dash of olive oil) with turkish spices on cous cous.  

Day 7 & 8: What a contrast...

Day 7:  Took my time doing the ropes this morning, relaxing brunch and hanging out with friends. Then very nice "final" dinner of steak and ribs! and definitely didn't have to worry about carbs/protein/sugars...

Day 8:  Woke up at 7:15am and still rushed to finish exercises (since there's more of it!).  Stressed out about not having gas in my new apartment and unable to cook an egg (gas man comes to turn on gas today)... substitute with a peach just for today...also trying to work out how much milk is in my morning cappucino so I know how much to have as yogurt in the morning. Doh!  Once I can visualize my food in grams it should get easier I hope!

What a contrast Day 7 and 8 so far!

Was at the supermarket yesterday and holding up the line 'cause none of my items had barcodes (since all from produce area) other than the carton of milk & eggs so she had to manually type in the prices... the guy behind me with the precooked food (some stir fried noodle thing) was not impressed....  :)

Day 6: Moving Day

Moving to a slightly bigger apartment today with a kitchen that I actually want to cook in.
Last day exercising in this apartment - will miss the view!

Was nice looking out onto all those folks doing tai-chi religiously every morning. Very inspirational to see them doing it well into their 80.  Wonder if I can do the same with PCP... nah!

Exercise was ok this morning.  Abs continue to be sore - bring it on!  Need to go hunting for the rest of the required gear today....

Day 5: Keeping it tight

Got a good 10 hours sleep last night and felt much better this morning.  Glad I didn't come down with a cold.  Would have been a bad omen.

The first two sets of jump rope was particularly awkward until I realized my clumsiness over the past 4 days had stretched the rope due to my constant tripping.  Adjusted the rope by a foot and I was skipping like a champ.  Keeping it tight is the key!

Pretty proud of my diet today.  Ate out at lunch (yum cha) and dinner.  Not an exact science but think I maintained half portions as I was hungry two hours later.  Had a pack of digestive crackers in between.  Did have a glass of wine though after not drink this week.  Somehow difficult to be anti-social when everyone was sharing a bottle.  Hmmm.. think the social pressures might be one aspect of PCP that may be difficult to overcome over next few months...

Day 4: Coming down...

Definitely feeling low energy today.  Slow at finishing exercises and just feeling slow at work.

Had a work lunch and kept my half portions.  Sniffly by end of the work-day. Am home early to take it easy and try to sleep it off... hope I'm not coming down with cold.  That would be bad.

Oh, I did do a weigh-in on Day 1.   Weight: 164 pounds,   Body Fat 23.7% definitely got some work to do...

Day 3: Kitchen Delays

Unfinished!

Doing some kitchen remodeling before I move in.  Was a week delayed because the cabinet guys thought bright green doors would go with those cabinets... had to send them back. Hopefully replaced by the time I move in this weekend.  I have a feeling I'll be doing abit of cooking over the next 3 months...

Abs sore waking up this morning (that's good right?).  Exercises ok and getting abit better at the ropes.  Knees feeling better.

Chicken salad for lunch with kiwi juice.  Went out to dinner first time this week. Great catching up with friends but was definitely rationing my portion in my head and consciously slowing down my eating which helped.

Day 2: How it all began...

Me - when I was 12.  Also the year my grandma fed me 3 packs of instant noodles which I just gobbled down.  I was insatiable.

Henceforth a slippery slide into a habit of overeating what I wanted, as much as I want, anytime.

No matter how much I exercised I just can't quite get the better of this habit.  My metabolism no longer what it used to be (neither is my head of hair).

My goal of PCP isn't to look good at the beach, but just to learn for the first time to eat properly, and just the right amount... and to leave out those instant noodles!

Exercises was ok today other than the sensitive knees.  Decided to jump on the yoga mat over my thin futon instead of just on tiles.   Food wise sticking to the half portion but definitely "thinking" more about food than normal.

Day 1: The Start

My first PCP meal.... Thai pork neck, morning glory stir fry and finished off with a beer.

Just kidding!  This was actually my LAST meal before PCP.  However it was so big it did make the half portions goal alot easier to reach on the first day. :)

Am an absolute clutz on the jump rope but did exercises in the morning so far so good.