Day 52 - Kung Fu Diva

Thursday afternoon and it's almost Easter weekend. Hip hop hooraaaaay! I'm off for four days!

Yep, Four days of relaxation, hiking, catching up with friends, the long awaited 2nd indulgence and...PCP.

This morning I got up early and went to the gym to train. This is because *sigh* I am still on the elliptical for my cardio BUT this weekend I am hoping to do some hikes and runs instead. Good lord there are some crazy people at my gym - and it appears I have become one of them. I am convinced I am on the 'watch list' of obsessed regulars. Well I am not alone - every morning there is one guy who who rocks up in his comfort walking / business shoes, gets on the same elliptical, two down from me,  sets his level to max (not that I'm in anyone's business or anything...), puts his head down on the handles and goes hell for leather at FULL SPEED for 15mins until his glasses fog up - and then that's it. He's done. It fascinates me. In fact I see a tonne of people literally killing themselves on machines of all type. I guess the idea is to expend as much energy as possible and get it all over with in a shorter frame of time however, my PCP brain can see this is complete insanity! It can only end in a ball of flames.

I found today's work out REALLY tough. Excriciating actually. To my frustration I still cannot do pull ups so for now I have to settle with the inclines. Try as I might I just hang there limply like an orphaned orangutang. Wondering if I will ever have my epiphany moment. I have been using the TRX at the gym to do the inclines as there isn't a nice little bar that isn't conveniently positioned in front of a door (!).  Unfortunately I forgot my band today so I had to get a bit creative with the weights - sorry Patrick!

What I am lacking in pull ups I am starting to make up for in kung fu sit ups. Yes, they are a bit out of control and this morning I kept on crashing into the frame of the bars making a huge crashing sound on my descent not unlike a gong - high drama.

This weekend I have a couple of farewell drinks which should be interesting. I'll probably have a glass or two so I can send my friend off but she is clearly disappointed I won't be up for a huge one tonight and sees it like a kind of betrayal. I'm pretty sure I won't be tempted but it's funny how some people are being really supportive and others want to see you fall off the wagon in disgrace. Saturday, Gilles and I are planning our INDULGENCE!! We have a couple of ideas already as to where we will go. The whole idea of just going out to eat is so exciting. I can't wait!!!

Boooo I forgot I have to finish my homework...Not digging the extra curricular work Patrick. Just finding enough hours in the day to blog, do my workout and cook is a challenge but written Q&A? The dog ate my computer. Hope this is just a once off...

Day 50 - Bloated

That's how I am feeling today. All I want to do is curl up into a ball (after eating a giant bowl of spaghetti bolognese) and sleep for three days straight. I'm completely and utterly exhausted. 

This morning I woke up with mega cramps and have been outrageously cranky for the last few days. Nevertheless I managed to push through my strength training this morning and spent 30mins on the elliptical at the gym this evening then 8mins abs which I followed on my iphone. I figured that if I could get through all of this feeling as sluggish as I do, then tomorrow I will be unstoppable when I am back to my normal self. That's the theory anyway.

My ankle feels a LOT better but I don’t want to push it by getting back on it too early so the plan is to stick with the non-impact cardio and hopefully start jumping again after Easter.

The new workout format is a tad nasty - beefed up versions of each set! As agonising as the shoulders are I am learning to love them now that I am finally starting to see some changes. It's a bizarre fixation but I have always wanted a nice clean collar bone line as mine has been buried under several layers of insulation for many many years - seems they are finally floating back to the surface.

Week 7 photos are up! I don't see a massive change from last week but some of my clothes are feeling a bit loose so something is shifting.

Day 47 - Back on the blog

It's been almost a week since I last posted so before Patrick punishes me by taking away my last remaining carbs (which he'll probably do anyway...) I thought I should write something pronto. This last week was pretty hectic. Everytime I went to post, something (conveniently) got in the way. A big part of the problem was that I was a complete sloth for the better part of the week and ended up doing most of my workouts at night. Add to that cooking, conference calls and wedding planning and I have had almost zero time to sit down and just write...until now. Next week I am getting back into my morning routine. The days are just too short otherwise!

Today Gilles and I did our workout at the mini-muscle beach area in H.Valley racecourse. Yeah, definitely a bit of postulating and parading going on around there but it was great to workout outside in the sunshine. I felt so...dare I say it - healthy! However, I have discovered that I am not a social exerciser. I don't mind being around people when I work out - hooray I'm not a complete misanthropist - but I found myself getting really crabby when Gilles would speak to me in the middle of one of my sets. How does 8minsabguy exercise and talk??

It's hard to believe we are already over halfway and the group ahead has finished. I went through their blogs today and the change not only physically but in everyone's outlook by the end of the program is impressive. It's quite strange to think we are now the 'group ahead'. I guess there is no backing out now. So I guess this what it feels like to be an older sibling? Don't expect me to slip you any underage beers newbies!!

I think I have finally started to notice some changes but I guess only the week 7 photos will tell - fingers crossed. My flexibility is returning and I feel more fluid when I move around with a spring  limp in my step - unfortunately I can't shake the pain my my right ankle. All week I have had to do my cardio on the elliptical at the gym to avoid any impact. I am hoping I'll be back on the rope in a few days - I really don't want to get left behind :(

The strength exercises are starting to be killer - lunges STILL feel me with utter dread. Today was 25 per leg - C'mon! Seriously? It took me an absolute eternity to get through them. Fine for the weekend but an absolute pain in the a$$ on a weekday morning. Given I haven't been able to jump, my whole routine is taking absolutely forever to get through which is fine (it just means I have to be more organised). Even without the cardio my strength is now taking me about 40-50mins. Anyone else taking this long? I wonder if I am going too slow.

Abs...in a weird and twisted way, I love 'em. I don't even mind the plank that much - yet. Kung fu sit ups looked a lot scarier than they actually were BUT it's a struggle to not work up momentum and start swinging around. It was all I could do to not work up some height and hurl myself off the bar in a flying kick. I'll save that one for next time. I also might also need to get some gloves...sweaty palms and a chin-up bar are a disastrous  combination.

I can feel my core getting stronger and it's affecting the way I stand and generally hold myself. I feel so much more lifted and centred which in turn seems to affect how I hold my pelvis which in turn affects my shoulders and spine - or so it feels anyway. Could this be the famed tadasana????  Maybe, but whatever it is it feels good.

Day 41 - Moment of weakness...

Sunday night and instead of zoning out with a crappy movie I have decided to be productive and blog! It was a glorious weekend here in HK. Right now it's that perfect period just in between the Spring chill and the oppressive Summer heat. Fangoddamtastic! Pity it will only last another few weeks. Saturday Gilles and I were out and about and ended up having lunch in a cafe. I did my best with what was on offer ordering fish, brown rice and veggies but the rice was more of a risotto loaded up with a plethora of naughty goodies that was so tasty I couldn't stop eating. I was tempted to let loose with some shopping after that but these last few weeks I haven't been able to bring myself to buy any clothes. The truth is everytime I get close the voice in my head tells me to wait until this is all over and then I can shop for my NEW body. Completely narcissistic of course but in a way the ultimate indulgence (in the meantime I guess there are still shoes!).

Today we had some friends over for a bbq so at least we had control over the menu! It was grilled meat, veggies and bread so that was all pretty harmless. But the combination of good company, music, weather and food was too much to resist so when the rose started flowing I couldn't resist...then some friends showed up with Haagen Daaz...and it was boiling on the roof...and it was just a perfect afternoon and... gahhhh, I couldn't resist.  I'm not proud but man it was tasty and for the record Gilles was all holier than thou and resisted. Good for him! I did redeem myself by hitting the gym later in the afternoon to do my workout so that counts for something.

My achilles have been nagging at me for the last couple of days so I might need to give it a bit of a rest from the skipping. Is it possible to get tendonitis from skipping? Reminds me a lot of the pain I used to get when I was doing a lot of pointe work from ballet. I hope I'm not heading back down that road because that wasn't fun. Tonight I spent about 20mins rolling each of my achilles and calves over a tennis ball for a deeper massage (which I used to do back then as well) and it seemed to help. Tomorrow I think I'll turn down the tempo and hit the elliptical or treadmill before work. I wish it weren't the case - it really is easier to just do the skips in a blast and be done with it. Or maybe I should break it up into shorter sessions to give my tendons and calves a rest in between? Might need to get Partick's thoughts on that.

Finally, week 6 photos are in. I am starting to see some results on the abs but now I really want to zone in on the hips and butt. Come on body, lets get a move on!!!

Great weekend but now I am officially exhausted. Goodnight!

Day 38 - Egg Head

Right now I am wolfing down 4 eggs a day which is more that I would probably have eaten in a month pre-PCP!! I used to have to throw eggs out because they were still in my fridge loooong after the use by date. These days it's a completely different story. We have to buy the wholesale sized pack and even then we're back for more before the week is out. I feel like I am about to sprout wings and I swear my head is taking on a conical shape. I'm morphing. Is everyone just eating their egg whites boiled? I'm not into the whole raw strong man shake. An ideas how to liven up a bland egg white?

I'm pleased to say I am in a far better frame of mind. It really is a pendulum and the lowest point is usually after weekly photo posts. My knees and ankles have been complaining a bit the last few days so this weekend I might sub in 30mins on the elliptical or go for a power walk to give my joints a rest. Today during my workout I was feeling pretty strong. I still suffered a LOT but it felt good. The planks are really psychological but I find I have much more control and can get through them if I concentrate on my breathing it also helps to make the plank go much faster. Once again it's all about distracting my brain! Oh and the ski jumps...agonyyyy! Such a tiny little muscle causing so much pain. I might need some help cutting up my lunch tomorrow.

Speaking of lunch, today a met a friend and it was a complete PCP travesty - the best choice was ceasar salad so I pretty much violated every rule. I tried to make up for it tonight by being extra vigilant but I guess I need to be a bit more careful or creative.

Damn I'm tired can barely keep my eyes open. Definitely looking forward to a major sleep in this weekend!!

One step forward two steps back??

OK bear with me as this might turn into a bit of a rant. Today is ching ming festival here in Hong Kong which means a public holiday making for a nice little 4 day week. So far I've had a great day - I slept in, went shopping, went for a sauna after my workout, cooked a truckload of veggies and boiled eggs for my weekly eat-a-thon and am about to curl up with a book. All is all it's been a pretty good day however at the back of my mind I have been annoyed about my weekly photos and results so far. I know it's important to be patient but to be honest I am a bit frustrated that the weight seems to be falling off Gilles and he is morphing into some Greek statue (which I am THRILLED about definitely no complaints) but I am not seeing the same results. This is probably because my priorities are not the same as his because guys don't have to fight the hips and butt battle.  I can definitely see changes in my body but it's all in the wrong places - well not the wrong places but the parts which are a lower priority. It seems the part of my body which I REALLY want to change i.e. the bit which starts at my beer handles and extends down to my mid-thighs and includes a big section of butt, is not budging an inch. How come??? I need to understand what results I can expect from all this.  Is this going to be the last zone to change because my body is just too attached to this security blanket of blubber or do I need to just get over it because this is my body shape? I'm all for getting guns that look like I can punch you out but it would really be so much nicer to have a smaller bum.

This PCP business is a bit of a roller coaster. One day you feel great and the next it's like you're standing at the foot of a sheer cliff. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be in a better state of mind. I know I have to try and stay positive and that the results are slower to show on women etc etc I just hope I'm heading towards the results I am looking for! Sorry for the neurotic post all. I am sure I am not the first female PCPer to go through this. Just gotta hang in there.

Day 31 - My precioussss

Protein has become a precious commodity in our home so when it runs low, tensions thrive. This is exactly what happened yesterday when Gilles and I discovered we were low on muscle fuel. Neither of us wanted to mention it hoping the other wouldn't realise. In battle, tactics are everything and Gilles outmanoeuvred me this morning by leaving for work first and taking with him almost all the 'prots' in the house. I was left with an egg white and some sorry chicken scraps leftover from the wings I used to make stock with 2 days ago. FYI there is about 2% usable meat on those things. Gilles - you are a protein pilferer! I trust your muscles are thriving whilst I wither into this:

'My precioussss proteinsss'

Anyway moving on, I am a bona fide chest dip failure. I can barely bend my elbows. I think I managed to do 3 before collapsing in a heap but every millimetre counts so hopefully next time I'll manage to get through 4! This morning circumstances required me to reverse my exercise order so I did my strength exercises first but didn't get around to my skips. I was running late since I was storming around the house for 30 mins yellling "where are my prots?" when I could have been (a) skipping or (b) cooking a piece of salmon… So I plan to head out pronto and do my skips at the playground. I may even WATCH the 8 min ab routine (with my youtube screen enlarged) and psych myself up to do it for real. I want to see what all this cheese and leotard talk is about but I like the sound of it already.

This weekend, Gilles are I are away on a retreat for our wedding (long story…churches in France…we have do a course). Anyway, it's a weekend away thing and I'm not too sure we'll have any say in what we'll be eating but I will be packing my rope and exercise band!! Fitness on the go - love it.

One month down! That's something to celebrate. Chest dips anyone?