Day 29 - Protein Pow(d)er

Whenever I think about protein powder, the image of a bulky body builder pumping irons in the gym immediately comes to mind. The association is extremely strong and vivid. Also, the mega bottles of protein powder that stand loud and confronting (EAT ME!!!) in the health stores never fails to intimidate me.

Never have I imagined the day that I will even taste it, let along buy it. Till today.

You can imagine my surprised look when I saw "protein powder" in my meal plan!


Anyways, gonna go get my protein powder. Note to self - never say never.

Go Protein Power!!

Day 28 - Tuesdays rock!

I love Tuesdays! Why? Cos I only need to skip! :D

Today's brilliant, got my meals on time, skipped in the later part of afternoon (finally there's time for the metabolism to work then be "killed" by my sleep at night!) - right on track!

And yap, I had finally converted from sliced cheese to cottage cheese. Anyone has brilliant recommendations on how to eat cottage cheese? I just spread it over my tortilla and wrap up those veges. Pray share if there's any great ideas!

* * *

It's the start of a new month to PCP, I am really working in anticipation to see some ripping rib results!

Day 27 - Fast week

This week seemed to zip by really quickly! Tomorrow marks the beginning of 5th week of PCP!

Getting the hang of skipping cept for the occasionally bleeps that stop the momentum. Talking about momentum, I can now draw the parallel to the PCP todate. The first 3 weeks were like adjustment and all, and once the routine kicks in, this week just seem to be going on, on it's own. No wonder the zip!

Well. I guess it's always the inertia. When it's overcome, things will start rolling!

Keep it up PCPers, we are 1/3 through it :)

Day 26 - Duck Walking

My thighs are BURNING!!!!!

Man, the creeps are killing me! It was ages since I had done them (it's called "duck walk").

Sheessssh, felt like I was back in my teens, duckwalking along the corridors in school from one check point to another (yes, a physical activity that I engaged in my girl-guiding days). And nope, not just d-walking, we got to cheer/shout/sing (in sync mind you) as we embark on our "duckwalk" to demonstrate our team spirit (yes, we get extra points for that!).

I didn't know what kept me going those days, gritting our teeth as we compete with other teams to finish first. One thing for sure, what kept me going then, had kept me going this evening. Maybe it's determination, maybe it's pride. Maybe, it's the sense of accomplishment.

Whatever the case, I am glad that I completed the task today (and yeah! doubled up!) :)

Day 25 going 26 - Double up

This is my 3rd time doubling up my exercise! I don't know if it's useful to do so as key is still consistency. Yet, I felt this nagging feeling if I just missed it and not make up for it.

* * *

The conscious effort to beat the sleepy bug paid off as I drag myself out of bed to to Part 1 of the double up session today. V-sit is a killer!

Looking forward to my Part 2 this evening. Note to self - Double up is unacceptable!!

Day 24 - . . .

. . .

I am a robot.

*skip skip skip

I am a robot.

*skip skip skip

robot off to sleep.

* Z z z

I think my brain's been displaced. :)

Day 22 & 23 - Taxercise

Man, the exercise for this week is taking a toil on me! Gosh, it's tough! I have to grit my teeth real hard to last through the last set!! I feel that these two days of exercises are draining me out. I can feel the exhaustion when I completed the rounds. Practically like a jelly when am done (and I woke up feeling like one).

I cannot imagine how it will evolve as the weeks go by. Mental note to self - I just got to give my best and work harder to prep myself for the next "peak".

"Tough times never last but tough people do" - Robert Schuller

Walk on!

Day 21 - Having vs Experience

Today, I revisited my goal for PCP and it reaffirms the reason behind my decision to join the PCP. It's really not solely on having a six-packs, rather, it is the experience of having the six-packs.

Some people around me who are aware of my fitness program could not understand why I would even bother so much to get to ribbed abs. It's considered frivolous and just superficial. And I admit, along the way, I kind of soak in this perspective and find it harder to persist.

On revisiting my aim today, I recollect that it's about going through this whole journey to develop a discipline and experiencing the desired physical well being! It's like, why do you pursue so hard to get your dream car? Sometimes, it's not about owning the car, rather, to have the choice to experience how it is like to be driving it.

With this, I am ever more determined to persist. At the end of the day, to succeed, it takes 3D desire+discipline+dogged work. Add a dash of fun/humor and it's gonna be all good :)

Onwards!!

Day 20 - Vegetarian Recipes Wanted!

I decided to get stay up and cook up a new carb for my meal tomorrow. It's time to move away from the bread/tortillas for a while. Experimented with a mixture of wholemeal & vege pasta with a dash of sesame oil, balsamic vinegar and soya sauce. Looks promising!

Let's hope that the dish turn out to be edible tomorrow. Had put the "experimental subject" into the fridge and gonna warm it up before packing it off for lunch!

***

Appealing for "packable", "edible", "appetizing" and "easy to cook" recipes! Anyone with brilliant ideas, please please please leave a note!

Day 18 & 19 - Guilt vs Persistence

Yesterday - I missed my exercise though I had locked in time to do so, things just overrun and it slipped. Felt all guilty and frustrated that I didn't manage to allocate my time well. I just have this challenge of wanting to fit everything into my hours, even if it's filled to the brim.

Today, I missed my lunch , even though I had packed it, somehow, I just started to attend to 101 things but to have my lunch. Lunch became dinner and effectively, I had only 2 meals.

It's just annoying. Seriously. And I am feeling overwhelmed with the guilt bug and all uncomfortable with it. I am not gonna give any excuse for missing my exercise and meal and I just wanna rant this so that the bug is out of my system. Such ill disciplined towards my own goal is just unacceptable. Need to stay focus, laser focus.

Note to self - And probably a little less uptight about all these, enjoy the process of learning and constant feedback to tune to a sustainable life pace.

Persist!!!

“Persistence isn’t using the same tactics over and over. That’s just annoying. Persistence is having the same goal over and over.” - Seth Godin

Day 17 - Quiet moment

Rushed to my class only to realise that it had been cancelled (and I was not informed!). So, I took the chance to have my dinner outdoor (alfresco dining!) in the heart of town. It was surreal munching on my homemade vegesandwich and watching the hustle and bustle go by. It was as if I was surrounded by this invisible glass panel, looking out to the world outside. Such quiet moments are hard to come by and I am indeed lucky to have an unexpected break towards the end of the day.

Vegesandwich goes well with soy latte (my first coffee in 3 weeks!).

Life's little surprises. Thank you :)

Day 16 - Dara Dara

When I was asked to choose an inspirational figure at the start of PCP, I had not idea who I would like to model at. So I started to google online to check out anyone that could inspire me to get to my peak condition.

The thought that ran through my head was - what will be the physical affirmation of my ultimate fitness? I never had flat abs / six packs in my life to date (not the body builder kind, but the really fit and taut sort), so I decided that since that's what I would like to have at least once in my life time, it's time to take action and just get it off the checklist.

That's when I started to google : sports female abs.


And that was how I came to know of Dara Torres (first on the list in google image!)


I had heard of DT during the Beijing Olympics and knew that she was 41 yrs when she took part in the games. But never would I had imagined that at that age, she maintained such a admirable mental strength and physique! Man, I am reaching my big 3 and I am no where near.

I read up more on DT and that's when I decided that she will be my inspiration to my physical health, and also a figure to remind me to persist with great determination and to set the bar higher and higher for myself to be the best I can be.



As I proceed with the PCP, I realised that this is not just a journey to a physique goal, but one that requires much discipline and perseverance that will impact me physically, mentally and emotionally.

Onwards to 30 and more!

Day 14 & 15 - New exercise grounds

Had been doing my exercises at my place for the past 2 weeks. Yesterday and today, I decided to venture into new territories for my exercises (so that I can start those pull ups!) around my neighbourhood.

I packed up my gear (skipping rope, push up bars, resistant bands) into this shoe bag so that I can bring it to wherever for my daily work out :)

Did my routine in the late night just now about 11+pm. In the gentle night breeze, under the sky, it was nice to just lie there after 4 sets of sit-ups (yeah, end of the routine!) and enjoy the quiet time with me, myself and I. A great joy to have just a little tranquility to end off the day :)

This PCP is starting to build into my life.

Day 13 - Getting in tune

Finally. A day that went as planned! Prep my meals (with variety and not just bread!), managed to eat at regular meal times, get my dose of exercise and to blog it down! All in all in the time frame of work, and now with time to spare for a bit of pre-prep of food for tomorrow and some time to chill out.

What more can I say? *beams*

*peace*

Day 11 vs 12

All goes well on the meals for both days, been getting used to weighing out my portions and preping the food gets more systemic and easy!

Missed my exercised on Day 11 but double it up on Day 12 morning and late evening. Guess I got to put in more thoughtful planning into my schedule. Sometimes, I am just too optimistic, thinking that the hour slot after I wake up will be just nice to complete my exercise - well, all's well till I wake up an hour late, jumping off bed to head off to work (with a scheduled packed till late night), making it hardly possible to squeeze in the day's task at wee hours in the morning.

Double up is not the solution, proper planning AND waking up promptly is.

Gonna sleep now and be prep to wake up for Day 13's exercise!

* I really enjoy the morning freshness when I do my exercise in the day. Got a contrast of morning and night exercise today and it's definitely more refreshing to start the day with a "oiled" body :)

Day 9 & 10 - Contrast of 2 days

Day 9 vs Day 10,
Yesterday vs Today,
Woke up early vs Woke up late
Brilliant morning exercise vs No morning exercise
Prep food in good pace vs Rushing to prep food
Took my time to get to work vs Rushing to work in taxi
Finished my meals in allocated timings vs Finishing my meals in weird timings (lunch at 330pm??)
Chill out evening with friends vs Get home to do exercise
Slept late vs [yet to be determined]
Never blog vs Blogging now

Similar activities, different outcomes.

***

On food -
I am surprised that yesterday and today, I could finish all the food that I had prepared, without feeling stuffed! Ironically, I feel hungry about 2-3 hours after finishing a meal! One thing for sure, post eating, I do not feel the urge to eat other stuff. In the past, I have this habit of binging - be in on chips or cookie - after a meal, I would still want to reach out for something else. Now, the voluminous meal is able to curb my binging crave :)

Had been eating the same stuff for the past 3 days! It's been cereal, bread, cheese, eggs, vege (celery, corn, cabbage, alfrafa), fruits (apples, strawberries). Pro: Effortless preparation, as I know exactly what I am preparing and cutting/weighing, so prep time is shortened. Con: I think I will get really sick of the "standard meal" soon!! Time to look for receipes! Calling all PCPers, if any one has a vegetarian receipe for your meals, pray share :D

On exercise -
The post effect of the exercises are felt today - I am achy when I woke up this morning. I really like the idea of a progressive and alternating exercise program cos doing it is really more energising and motivating.

On morale -
Holding strong :) My desire is clearer and my faith is stronger!

Day 8 - Stuffed Pangs vs Hunger Pangs

"Diet" is usually, ok mostly, associated with "eat less". For the first time in my life, I am on a "diet" that requires me to eat more (ok, total understatement), rather, much much much more!! After weighing just my breakfast, I felt like I am eating for the WHOLE day! Too stuffed. I need to eat almost half the box of cereal to make up for the carbs of one meal. *disbelief*

This is one of the best diet plan - I will never go hungry! Prolly by the time I am done with the PCP, I might be glad to stay away from food!

Anyhows, the step increase in the exercise regime is taking effect on me. Feeling the immediate aching. Finally, "reacquainted" with the muscles that I never knew existed! :)

Day 7 - Skip to my lou

It's Day 7!! ONE WEEK! Woot!

Went all over town to do my last minute shopping on the needed gear - got my push-up bars, resistant band (you're so hard to find), weighing scale, vege and fruits! Interestingly, I was stumped by the choices (or lack of them) when I did my rounds in the supermart. I did not know what to buy! It's so common for me to eat out or pack back meals that the idea of daily cooking has since been forgotten (cept for days of instant noodles).

Anyways. Good! Time to sharpen my culinary skills and be more mindful about what goes into my food.

So I consciously grabbed the "good" stuff and zipped past the aisle of potato chips (I am NOT gonna miss you!!). Bought cabbage, celery, corn and alfafa in prep for some cold salad; tofu and soba for hot meals; yogurt, cereal and fruits for breakfast etc.

All set for week 2 :)

***

Just did my skipping - split it into 100-150-150-100. Yeah, 500!

Day 6 - Cycle repeats

Been doing my exercises late at night. The after effect - I sleep later as my mind is so alert after the exercise!

Dichotomy. I aspire to wake up earlier in the day to exercise. Yet, not being able to rest earlier made it difficult to wake up earlier to do my exercise, resulting in me completing the exercise only in the late evening. Vicious cycle.

This loop needs to be reprogrammed as part of the PCP. Rest early, wake up early. As the proverb goes: The early bird gets the worm!

Ganbatte PCPers!

Day 5 - Rainy day

The rainy day did not manage to dampen the mood to carry out my exercise task for the day!
Still having difficulty doing my push up - my arms seemed to give way and not hold my weight with the "boys' style push up" when I reached the 2nd set. Got to resort to doing with knees down during my 3rd set on.

Ok. That's my motivation - to be able to complete my push ups in boys' style by week 2!

***

I love the rain. The fresh cool chill after the pour. Just lovely with a cup of rose bud tea with honey. Sweet Life.

Day 4 - Compass vs Time

I usually have this mental image that workout has to be at a specific timing - ie, either in the morning before work or in the evening after work. If I pass this 2 "golden" slots, it's highly probable that I will not be exercising that day.

Today, knowing that I had to get out of home early and be back home real late, I packed my skipping rope and my running shoes with me with the intention to slip in my exercise task for the day when there's a slot between lessons. Managed to squeeze it in and complete the exercises within 30min!

Goes to show, one reason why things are not done is not about not having the time. Rather, when the end is clear (ie the direction), it's so much easily to flow.

Day 3 - Personal leadership

It's Day 3! No morning workout today cos I thought I was late for a meeting. Turned out that I was one of the earliest as I got in ONE hour earlier! Silly me. Could have squeezed my work out before I left my place. Oh well, saved the work out for a cool night and it turned out to be pretty delightful too. Just done with it so I guess everything has its own merits, just need to recognize and acknowledge them.

Anyways, I thought I will not just blog on my physical progress. I believe that this physical change will eventually spill onto other areas. So, this blog will also be an avenue to record and share my reflections on the mental / emotional goings during this period.

***

There was a discussion on Personal Values today with some of my peers. I had done an exercise a few months back, to sit, think and articulate my core values - what are the values that guides my decisions, that empowers me or what I would like to develop in me. I am a biggie on self-discovery and I believed that values at the end of the day are not just goals, rather, they are beacons that help drive me forward, to be the best I can.

Thus, my endeavor to revisit my beacons today and it dawned on me to add "personal leadership" to my list. Truly, there's tremendous power in knowing that I have the every right to make a choice in every decisions/situations placed upon me. Instead of relinquishing my power, I have the response-ability to choose what's best for or aligned within me.

This is where "personal leadership" can guide me in resisting that yummy double chocolate chip cookie beckoning at me now.

Onwards to Day 4 :)

Day 2 - Morning Perk

A tad late on this post, but the after effect of the morning exercise sure last till now! I am still feeling energised (and a little achy) from this morning's regime. Reminds me how great it is to begin the morning with a dose of adrenaline from the cardio workout.

Feeling a bit hungry from the "half a portion" scheme. Sleep should cure the hungry bug!

A liner from the book I am reading sets me thinking today: "You are never given a wish without given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however".

Quite apt for the PCP I am embarking on now eh?

Onwards to the 3rd day my fellow PCPers! Rock onnn :)

Day 1 - A Fresh Start!

My PCP starts today! Somehow, I felt butterflies in my stomach as I woke up in the morning to take a photo for Day 1.

I had never experienced peak condition through good exercise and diet. It had always been either one or the other, never together, and never sustainable. As I am reaching my big 3, I made a commitment to myself that something has to change. Einstein once said "To do the same thing over and over again, and expect a different result - that's insanity." I knew that if I want a positive sustainable change, I got to do something different. Stumbling upon Patrick's Peak Condition website is probably the ignition to this desire to experience my peak condition.

Joining PCP is a step out of my comfort zone - 1) to be public about this commitment and 2) to engage an "outside in" discipline-approach to my goal of a lifetime of wellness. Health has always been a key note in my life, yet I failed to be sustainable with my attempt to upkeep it. Sometimes, it's just easy to find a rational excuse to let myself off the hook - too busy, no time, just a little treat *open a pack of chips* etc.

I am all geared up to building a set of good habits that empowers me to attain a sustainable wellness!

* * *

Just finished my exercise for the day and guess what, I am actually looking forward to do my exercise task tomorrow!

This is gonna be fun :)