All done...let's start again!

This final post is late, as my Internet has been down for what seems like an eternity. Anyway, it's now a week since I finished, and the truth is, I Feel a little underwhelmed. Why? Mentally, I probably finished PCP 2 weeks befor the end. And, as I had been on vacation for the 2 weeks prior to that, I feel that the last month of PCP was not completed with the dedication of the first 2 months. So, advice to PCPers...hold the course, right up until the last meal and workout...then you'll really feel like you can celebrate.

Nevertheless, I feel better than I have felt in 10 years. I am back to the weight that I am comfortable with...I just don't need to carry the extra, and, I know my eating habits have changed for...don't want to be dramatic and say "the rest of my life", but definitely for the foreseeable future. In fact, a week after Pcp, and I have still been logging the same breakfasts, and eating the simple veggies and protein where I can. another thing, I now feel like I am the limited boozer I always wanted to be. Seriously, 3 drinks, and I have a headache. I've always been a decent drinker, but respected my friends who were small drinkers a lot. That's me now! Again, this is all very soon, so the follow through is the key.

I've still kept up the skipping, and have a gym session tonight. It was amazing to watch others fart around at the gym, mobile phones, walking around for minutes between sets etc. I was in and out in 40 minutes, and had what felt like a good solid workout...no more time wasting at the gym!

Patrick, you have put together a great program. It is obvious that you are passionate about what you do, and that is infectious. You have helped me get along the road to being the healthy person I should be, and will be going forward...thank you so much for that. I certainly plan to spread the Pcp word. I wish YOU every success going forward.  Thanks!

I am a little lost without the strict program. I was scratching my head a little on the way to the gym...what to do? This was never a problem previously. However, I applied your principles to knock up a quick, concentrated workout, and it is so much more efficient than my pre PCP workouts.

However, 80% of PCP is diet, right? Well, the diet part almost feels like second nature now. I truly have "stripped" my pallet clean, and am loving the plain, real food. Each meal and snack time now, I am making simple healthy choices that I know are doing me good. This is the biggest gift from the PCP. 

Well done everyone...stick with it, and thanks for the support...what a wonderfully supportive group we had. Thanks again Patrick, you should be very proud of your program.

Ash

Oh, one more thing. I've found that when in a confined space, when it's just too small to skip, I just pretended to skip. I did the 3 sets of 5 minutes, pretend skipping and star jumps. Wow, it actually works. PCP survival tip!

I'm at Rome airport, about to fly home to Sydney, after a wonderful week and half with my son. Let's look at the PCP angle. I started well, packed the veggies for flights etc on the way over. I missed 2 days workouts on the way over, but managed to get some skipping in on the Saturday. I woke up at around 4.30 on the Sunday, and did the workout in the hotel room whilst the young fella slept....then we got ready and went to Croatia (from Belgrade). in Croatia, I managed to get most of the skips/workouts in, with the exception of any chin ups. There was no chin up bar in the resort! I was ok food wise, lots of salads, grilled fish and meats...probably too much, no doubt too much. Also, I had a couple of drinks most days. Coming back, I have spent the night in Rome, and had a nice blowout...great food, and wine. I figured, last night of vacation, flying solo...when in Rome.

So, my progress has definitely taken a hit. It's not unrecoverable, but I'm def going to be about 2 weeks behind the progress curve now. So, I'll need to stay on the Pcp for a few extra weeks I think. I might try nick silver's idea...have a week off, then do the last month again. The blowout was worth it though. There is simply no substitute to sitting with your son, at a Croatian beach restaurant, and sharing ice cream! PCP progress can wait.

I remained conscious of what I was eating, and managed to control the blowout quite well I think. I can't wait to get back to my routine, and nice, simple food...I need a veggie hit. Will get some backward progress photos when I get home...again, worth every kilo!

Controlled Blowout....holiday....celebrate...

Today I'm off to Europe to collect my "almost 6" year old son, then the two of us are off to Croatia for a Boys trip! Can't wait...lots of sunshine. I expect it will be difficult to remain PCP compliant, as 6 yr olds prefer pizza and ice cream to steam veggies and egg whites...who woUld have thought? A little planning will ease the blowout. I steamed up what veggies I had in the house last night, and have 3 or 4 portions to take with me on the flight, to get around the shitty airline food. Also, got up early to do the working out this morning before leaving for the airport. So, I should only miss two days of exercise, and should manage the diet...all good.

Will check in from poolside, and let you know how it's tracking. However, a rare holiday with my boy certainly warrants some controlled PCP blowout!

Well the training has ramped us this week...it feels much more concentrated. I really feel the muscles burning, almost like they are going to pop. These workouts feel great. It's nice to have that satisfied, exhausted feel post workout. Someone mentioned it's nice not to have the legs to do...couldn't agree more!

So, what's your indulgence? I had a lot of trouble deciding on this one. Dry July is keeping me off the booze, so beer and wine was out. Food, or desert. After searching the web, I worked out I could split a margherita pizza, and some chocolate cake. It was nice, but wasn't the Heaven I thought it would be. I didn't even have the full half pizza. The cake...yeah that was bloody good. It was nice to get up and get the big veggie and egg breakfast going again. I am Plain Jane.

Trying to sound interesting, but I'm watching a show that has my attention. Going to sign off. One thing, I simply feel better than I have felt in 10 or 15 years. Stronger, leaner, healthier...everything is better.

So...you take photos of yourself, and post them on the web?

My willpower is getting better everyday. I went to a family funeral during the week, saw old family I've not seen for a long time...didn't have a drink (previously mandatory at family gatherings!). Oh, doing the rounds of the relatives, my mum appeared to have had a conversation with each just before me, and had apparently told them that i "take photos of my abs, and post them on the internet"...yep, i'm that guy now, until i see them again.

Then, Friday night, joined some mates for a night out. I timed it so I got there later than usual. They were nicely sozzled when I arrived. I put in a couple of hours on mineral water and lemon lime bitters for a "treat"' then made graceful exit at 12.15. Not particularly missing the booze right now. Not drinking allowed me to get up sat and Sunday and put in my best workouts yet. Someone suggested pushups and dips between the 2 minute skipping sets.

I find it a little hard on weekends to get all my calories in. Also, I think I may be hitting the yogurt a little too hard...need to ease up on that.

Off to chop veggies again...seems to be all I do. I would be lying if I didn't say that I'm just so friggin' sick and tired of chopping and steaming vegetables. It is seriously doing my head in. Anyhow...stiff shit, and on with the show!

Raw commitment

Last week was great, but by Friday evening, I was out of vegetables. So, I probably didn't get my fix on fri night and sat morning. I then had to jump in the car and drive two hours. I wooded down an egg..but alas, no veggies. So, in a display of PCP commitment, I bought some broccoli and a carrot. I then ate them RAW, whilst driving. Not too bad, and, got me a nice set of green teeth...sweet! I then had a chocolate cookie....

I stuck to the diet pretty well for the rest of the weekend. I think I'm overdoing it a little on the yogurt...it's such a treat.funnily, my Chinese food on Saturday evening...I looked atit long and hard, and couldnt rally SEE the food. It didn't looknthat nice, covered in super rich sauces etc.

Exercises are going well. Even the old chicken legs are feelingn stronger. Te pistol square have improved. Tonight, I really just went through the motions though, so need to get back into it tomorrow. As the 8 minute abs guy says..."that's right...you got it".

I was at a dinner party on Tuesday evening, and the food was delicious. I picked my way through, trying to be PCP compliant, but prob veered a little from our leaders' path. Anyway, I got back on track for the rest of the week, and am feeling better every day. Saturday night, we went to my favouritE Italian restaurant with some great friends. Drinks before, then dinner. I actually made my shake etc first, and had a simple salad as my post dinner veggie hit....not so hard. Even the not drinking wasn't too hard. Thank god for Dry July! It's nice to have Not one, but TWO reasons to stay off the booze entirely for the next month.

Don't feel like the progress has been huge this past week. However, my jeans that were previously tight, fashionably of course, are now quite loose...even baggy. Bizarre, as the scale says only 3kg. Guess it's about the body shape changing, not the scale. I'm having a love affair with my steamed vegetables and fruit. The thought of overly rich, salted restaurant food is becoming very unappealing now, suggesting my eating habits are like changing for the foreseeable post PCP future.

Things going ok. I was away on the weekend, and stayed mostly Pcp compliant. I'm actually growing to like the food a lot. I actually look forward to my next vegetable hit. I'm not preaching, BUT, the plain food is no longer plain. It's beautiful! And fruit...I'm back on the fruit bandwagon! New discovery...oven roasted pumpkin and sweet potato..what a great vegetable hit! Did my exercises today by the beach today...that's sweet!

I slipped last night, but not too dramatic. Dinner for my girlfriends' birthday. I had 3 glasses of wine, and Vietnamese food, with too much rich sauces etc. I def feel more sluggish after (think it's the salt?). Anyway, I couldn't wait to get back into it this morning...heaps of steamed veggies at breakfast. Couple of things I'm noticing...two wines is enough, I really don't need more (though I will be trying to stay away from here on in). The other thing, I'm becoming more organized since beginning PCP. Washing more dishes and cleaning etc...I think because I know I'll be back in the kitchen chopping and cooking before long. I def feel lighter, though the scales don't really show a big change, the gut feels like it has dropped...more to come!

I'm surprised by how much food we actually get to eat. Here's the thing...I think the fact that I have had to think about everything I eat today, means I cut out the crap, the bad snacks. Result...tonight I feel so good. Those bad snacks etc must make me feel sluggish etc, or drain my energy. I feel great, that's gotta be a good start to the real program!

Day 6 -yesterday I got IT!

Whilst the half meals have not been that tough, they probably have been a little liberal...not too bad though. However, yesterday, whilst walking in a mall, I felt a sudden hunger come on. Nothing too aggressive, just enough to let me know it was time to eat something. I can't remember the last time I was actually "hungry". This felt fine actually. Also, I read a book recently that touches on "zen eating". it talks about eating smaller portions, and eating more slowly, to enjoy, and better digest etc. Well, I have been extremely cogniscent this past week of eating more slowly. And guess what...the half portions are actually filling. I feel just right. No bloated feeling of "ahhh I ate too much". After week one, I"m going to phase out booze for the most part. Whilst I only had one or two, it w on too many days this past week.

The exercise is great. It actually feels like a little break from my previous routine, except, this time I know it's leading to something special!

Day 1 - not so bad

Halving meals wasn't too tough. However, had dim sum for lunch, so was a little tough to work out what is half etc.exercises were fine, had a nice long walk home from work first. I bought some scales, and I kickoff this project weighing 77.1 kg...a little heavier than normal. I have been eating terribly lately, and night out with 2 mates last night turned into a big one, with lot of "bad food" at wee hours of the morning. Well, now Im on the road to recovery! Will try and get some photos tomorrow.

Kickoff

OK - countdown to kick off. Have done the "tech" stuff...looking forward to starting