Sunday, May 30, 2010

Day 91 or Day next

new pics are up - I am Complete.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Day 90 A * Running To -or- Running From

This is the tree that I stared at while jumping for the last 90 days. You may be able to see a single leaf. That is what I stare at while jumping - trying to get an empty mind. That tree was the closest I came to a training partner. I am surprised that my stare did not bore a hole in to the tree...I would really lock into that leaf.

Today has been great. I woke up early...I was fixated on the weigh in. After some plumbing challenges and doing the Day 5 workout I hit the scale. 152 and 83 percent muscle. I was giddy as I updated my graph. WOW - I was consistent.

Jan 3 - 191 - 69% (I started training then)

March 1 - 176 -72% PCP Starts

April 1 - 166 - 74%

May 1 - 157 - 77%

May 28 - 152 -83% PCP complete

I have lost 39 pounds and gained 14% muscle in 5 months. A Wonderful thing...powerful...miraculous...the outcome? I got out what I put in!

After I ate breakfast - I kind of stuck with my pattern I put on my running stuff and went out to rerun a 10 K I had run on Jan 23rd. I wanted to see how I would do. I am in much better shape and 30 pounds lighter. However - I was no faster. HMMMM...why? Well we know that we get out what we put in. I did no training to get faster. It was just easier on my body. I was certainly surprised.

During the run I though about what the past 90 days mean. I kept asking myself I am I running toward my future -or- away from my past? It is really a combination of both. They are powerful motivators.

However, I think as I go to day 91 more of the answer needs to be that i am running toward something. I am putting more of the things that I want and that make my life better into each day. Today I feel strong about the critical mass of confidence and fitness...how they work together.

After the run I did stop and have a cookie and real coffee. Then back to a more PCPish lunch and snack. There is more fruit and almonds in the future. And fewer egg whites.

Alex - thanks for reminding me about youth and promise
Abby - thanks for reminding me how to roll with life's changes and how we can learn to love something (jumping)...Go to France! Quick while you can.
Ren - Thanks for the powerful blogging and working out. And WOW - really... thanks for helping my graph to happen. It made a difference for me.
Brian - Thanks for being such a good writer. What an inspiration you are.

Patrick - Thanks for thinking of others when you discovered this. Powerful stuff.

I should put up my last pictures soon.

Go Team Go!

Friday, May 28, 2010

Day 89 B



The final workout was long - but doable. If fact the highlight of the set was doing every pull up in the big set. I felt so affirmed. I had an interesting expereince with the super duper sets, I felt like I was getting stronger as the sets went on...and that is what the paper showed as well. Even the davinchis were like that. On most sets on the last one I did more then prescribed on last set.

The planks were not. But I did tack on 8ma. I took these vanity shots while I was pumped from the workout. Go Team Go!

Day 89 A

The kids are at school. My wife is at work.
The final workout is in front of me.
I have a feeling of hesitancy - a longing to stay in the womb.
The water is getting ready to break.
A little writing and then
I will knock out the final workout!

Go Team Go!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Day 88 C - Push up sit up count down

Fellow PCPers I introduce to you the Push up - Sit up Count down. I am thinking about doing this every other day on my upcoming trip.

Ten core exercises and ten sets of push ups - Like a super set you alternate between the setups and the push ups. You can adjust the numbers to dial in the right amount of pain. Here is an example.

core exercise reps
Pushup type reps
Legs up - crunch 10
regular 10





Legs bent - crunch 10
decline 9





twisting cruch (l r l r l r etc) 10
RT hand on brick 8





Side crunch (both sides) 10
LF hand on brick 8





Side crunch- shoulders flat (both sides) 10
hands together 6





Diamond crunch (legs from a diamond) 10
hands wide 5





Leg lift 10
fists 4





Knee elbow twist 10
incline 3





balance crunch (v sits) 10
decline 2





Slow cycle 10
regular 1

Go Team Go!

Day 88 B - clothes retrospective







At the beginning of PCP I could barely get into the blue suit and the second suit was in the "I cant wear it closet. I am grateful. The shirt is one I bought a long long time a go (1986 maybe) I kept it all those years - glad I did.

Go Team Go!

Day 88 A - My time at the gym

I went to the gym today and I am just not a gym hater. I would rather bike or run outside and stay fit by doing. But, I think there are some great things about the gym. There are plenty of lonely people. It is a much better place to meet people than a bar and it cost a great deal less.

They also have some cool stuff that one person rarely has...a sauna, a steam room. etc. They sponsor group bike rides and training for events. All in all not too bad.

I don't think it is for me. I would rather not drive and run or bike where I am than drive somewhere to work out.

They offer resources and some community that can be pretty good. Better than eating Cheetos on the couch.

The combination of blogging, diet, and exercise in PCP is a great match for me. But, gyms and PCP share the maxim - I get out what I put in.

Go team Go!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Day 87 - final family and a grade

This is my wife Meghan with me on Day 87. I had a solid day. I was torched by the davinchi - forward shoulder...but all in all I had a good workout. I added 8ma after and went on a great brisk walk with wife and daughter at dinnertime.

Diet wise I was solid - but I could feel temptation. Just a few more grams of this, it is OK if I go over a little...that is the devil trying to erode my final power in the closing days. Well...not today!

I have been thinking about how to assess my part in this program. As an educator I want to evaluate or grade projects. Here is my rubric:

Diet
  1. integrity
  2. willingness
  3. creativity
  4. temperance
Blogging
  1. consistency
  2. my blogging
  3. commenting on team
  4. creativity
Exercise
  1. fortitude
  2. intensity
  3. prudence
  4. adherence
Outcomes
  1. muscle added
  2. fat lost
  3. confidence added
  4. friends made
I give myself a solid mark.

These are the shortcomings I notice -

I made a dent in the coffee consumption, but not much

Most of the yogurt was flavored, so there was some sugar in there. Often I cut it with plain. But the real high road would have been plain.

I worked hard during the workout, but I was not reckless. I was not maniacal about timing the rest period (nor was I slothful)

I do feel like I got out what I put in ... a good reminder for life.

Go Team Go!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Day 86 - family and a double shot



Today went pretty well. I totally enjoyed the Supersets. It was nice to get some variety. The highlight was the awesome pull ups I did and the nadir was the plank failure. There was just not much left in the tank and somehow doing the superset helped me fail. Since we were going to failure I did not move around any or employ any other tactic to prolong the agony. I just gritted my teeth and then failed. A nice benefit of the sets was the pace. I almost postponed the workout until later. I was glad I didn't. I was pumped afterward and felt great at a sales meeting where I think I landed my third client. This contract is for CIO activities for a non profit.

I got some good work done during the day and am close to being ready for our trip on Monday. By the end of the day i was restless and decided to take 8 minute abs with me on the trip. By the time I downloaded it I decided to do it and go for a run. I have not done 8ma during pcp so this was new. I totally did the whole thing - except my neck hurt. I had a great run and then a big bowl of broccoli and some ham for dinner.

During the run I decided what I am going to do on Saturday. We get to pick from any workout we have done. I am going to do an early day and then go re run a 10 K I did in mid January. I have been curious to see if I have gotten any faster. That will also be graduation at my old school. The first one I have not attended in 14 years. It seems good to put a real "stake in the ground" for Watson 4.8 in the new life - rather than going back in time. I also realized that I normally weigh in on Sunday and Saturday is our finale. I guess I weigh in on Saturday.

I made today count!

Go Team Go!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Day 85 - now for the family

This is my daughter Caroline and our pug Sam. That is me in the shirt that does not fit anymore.

Workout today was good. I was right on track with the diet. I did eat a few grams more of the protein at lunch - I tried shark. It was ok, but it will not make anyone forget about Salmon - that is for sure.

It is interesting the impact of PCP on our home. There are more and more vegetables in the fridge. I am not a bitter pill, but I do, on occasion, point out what is food and what is not. My wife asked about the diet and the workout. I gave her my week one workout and explained the general idea. That was a well intentioned idea that is not worth repeating. I get aggravated and want to say, Hey- it doesn't work if you don' t do it.

I try to keep my mouth shut. In fact the bast advice I ever got was, "Never let a chance to say nothing pass you by? Strong Stuff!

I am still trying to get a grip on the life after. I get tired of eating all the time and have had plenty of egg whites. I like the idea of mid morning and afternoon fruit. I am not sure how much milk and yogurt I actually want. Historically not a big dairy person.

More later

Go Team Go!

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Day 84 - fries or apples?




Today we went to see RIVERDANCE for my wifes birthday. It was awesome. On the way back we stopped at a burger King (I had taken lunch and PCP snack) The picture above is precut apple slices - I though how sad that we are packaging apples like fries to get people to eat them. I always thought that that had a good wrapper to start with. Too strange.

When we go back I took a long run and tried to get caught up on my food. For the first time I wore these super old running shorts from long ago - I ran a marathon in 1993. They are small and orange, cut pretty high. My family was non-plussed. I felt great...like I was all the way back from a dark place. In reality I am more than all the way back. I am where I have never been. I weighed in at 153 today. I wrestled 155 for one match when I was a senior in high school and that was the last time I weighed a 150 something. What is so great is that I was pissed that I was not closer to 140 something. There is so much more of me that I don't need. But WOW I am really getting somewhere.

More later - Go Team Go!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Day 83 - super set


Today is going great. I had a great work out. I accidentally did a set of the ski pole thing so my triceps were really worked and I lost count on the final jump set and I think I did nine minutes. I am trying to err on the side of working out more and eating less. 100 carbs instead of 140. On all of the food not drying to get the last drop. Getting enough - but not going over,

I am getting ready to go for a bike ride and then celebrate my wife's birthday. Life is good.

Brians post about getting a chance to carry that extra weight - even for a few minutes is just awesome. This is some much easier than carrying the extra weight. Feeling good is also much easier. I have done something called mirror work where you literally tell yourself things that are positive. It is powerful stuff. However, it naturally generates itself when it is true. A critical mass type of thing. After 83 days I do have a great deal of momentum and velocity. Awesome.

Go Team Go!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Day 82 - hit the road

For the last few days I have been doing some light (me and the run) running. A 3 or 4 mile jog in the afternoon. I have been running for over 20 years. I sort things out running that I never get around to swimming or biking. Jumping is OK but I have to keep track of the time - a big distraction for me. I am thinking about getting a cheap digital timer. 10 minutes and BANG I am done. Back to the running. I have been doing this and the full workout. I the back of my mind I am bothered that my weight has been up since the indulgence (fat % is seemingly down) we will see how the graph looks on Sunday.

I am trying to let go of this and focus on the afterlife where how I look and how I feel matter. The numbers we assign do not. We will see how I go. I must say during the last few months I have been fascinated by the numbers...what they do during the day (weight up % down) They are not a worthy objective. The confidence I feel from feeling and looking good is a worthy goal.

Any way diet on track and work out good. Made today a masterpiece.

Go team Go!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Day 81 - spent, I am just spent!

Today was good. Dark thirty workout, car pool, scattered but solid day of work, an afternoon run, a school event, and a really long work phone call at night.

An interesting post indulgence effect is that my weight is up and my % body fat is down. Almost like that shook something up. Trying to focus less on the weigh and more on how I look and feel.

I am exhausted. Tomorrow - new pictures and perhaps some rest.

Go team Go!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Day 80 - a special visit

My indulgence day was too fun to occupy one post. Little did I know that Patrick was coming to town to visit his old high school. Where we met 14 years ago. I had seen him twice since his graduation. My learning obout PCP happened when a mutual friend went to his wedding this year. A powerful sequence of events for me...for sure. It was great to catch up and today he came over for an early AM workout. Too much fun.

I have been settling back in to a post indulgence groove. Today's eating has been spot on. The workout was great - bicycle is a killer.

I have been thinking about the difference between starting something and finishing something. Certainly we are in the stretch run on PCP. But, finishing PCP in not an end game anything. It feels more like a launch. A powerful launch of Watson 4.8 (I turned 48 in April). People ask me what I am training for and I tell them I am training for the next 10 years. They laugh.

But I am not kidding. I have some big boy things to do and I need to be in peak condition to do it. The confidence alone is worth the time and energy. Not to mention how people treat me differently.

The big difference is that I feel so great. People pick up on that vibe like the way a dog can smell fear.

Working out at dark 30 tomorrow. I liked it this morning.

Go team GO! Lets start something.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Day 79 Indulge - Great job Watson





Etymology: Latin indulgēre to be complaisant
Date: circa 1623
transitive verb 1 a : to give free rein to b : to take unrestrained pleasure in : gratify

I decided not to do this half heartedly. My initial instint gave way to a liitle more thought. I also benefited greatly by my PCP mates - Alex, Ren, Abby, and Brian. I began to think of it in more general terms and with more scale and depth. I decided to have an indulgent day. I barely worked at all. I had a great breakfast, took Paul to school, came home and worked a little, then worked out. I had a great workout and made it through the planks, I was twitching and moving...but I made it.

Now - Indulge. I started at a coffee shop Sisters McMullen and with a copy of WIRED and an article I had been wanting to read for months about someone who tries to vanish. I love a good cup of coffee and an excellent cookie. It was a trifecta of pleasure. I read the entire article, teh phone never rang - an excellent hour in a wonderful day.

But wait - there is more. I then wen tot the fancy grocery store to get lunch. What fun to walk the perimeter of the store and carefuuly select an excellent dinner. An apricot here, an heirloom tomato, a beautful steak, an apple pie, some powerful pumpernickel bread, 6 cashews covered in yogurt or chocolate, and some beautiful olives. REady set go!

I got home and began to prepare. I had so much fun. A funny thing happened when I was gettign the almonds. Istarted to act like a glutton...like i was sneaking from myself, a suble shift from celebratory to gluttony. Happily I shifted back quickly. But it was odd to watch. The meal was delicious. I made to much and I just saved it for dinner. When I looked a the food I realized that except for the pie and bread it was all food. Fantastic! I feel better about day 92.

Go team Go!


Monday, May 17, 2010

Day 78 - Planning indulgence and day 91

Today was great - Got the workout in at a great time and once again enjoyed the benefits. Skipping for that long was really something. Happily - I just knocked it out. The rest of the workout was great.

Eating today was solid. But I keep flutuating between wanting to skip and really wanting to pack it in. I did have some fun at dinner when I ate all raw vegetables. It was great and so easy. I am really enjoying red, yellow and orange peppers. I had chicken today...NEWSFLASH...chicken is not as good as fish.

I think I am going to have my indulgence tomorrow at lunch. Current menu is almonds, Steak, Oatmeal raisin cookie, apple pie, bread with jam and or cheese maybe, probably some vegetables...and SALT. I like to have lunch because I get to eat in solitude. I don't know whats up with that...it drives my wife crazy.

Day 91 - When I look to the fridge - who will tell me what to eat and how much? Before I started PCP I had been doing Weight Watchers and writing down what I ate. I think that was pretty good. I will continue considering. I do know one thing I am not going to eat two breakfasts anymore. I do think I want to have a great lunch, and then really taper off at dinner.

And to complicate things my son and I are flying to Australia and then China for the first 18 days of June. I think I am going to stick with real food. I have liked that as a guidline. Strong stuff.

Go team GO!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Day 77 - back away from the edge

Today had some fantastic rejuvenating spots. And I think a powerful respite from the never satisfied taskmaster - that lives inside me and perhaps all of us.

I slept in today and had a restful morning - with some wonderful solitude. I updated the chart and was happy to see more weight loss and mystified by the different behavior of the body fat meter. But it is much more erratic - and not really important.

As I was mapping out the day I planned to do a brick workout in the afternoon. This is a triathlon phrase for doing two activities back to back. I was going to go on a nice ride and then a run. I have not done one since I started PCP and was looking forward to it.

Before lunch I went for a walk, met some friends and came home. I try not to drive on Sunday and I keep my phone off most of the day as well. Small but powerful gifts to myself. When I returned had a great lunch and then my wife and I totally cleaned our room. I wne thtrough every drawer. I threw out the first clothes. I also move many slacks to the other closet. I am going to take a picture this week of me in a suit that used to fit and one that does fit, although very loose. There was some catharsis there for me. It felt great to clean the room and move some of the old stuff out.

I was getting ready for my ride - I had the clothes on and everything. When the skys opened up and it really started to rain. Eventually I gave up on the ride and went for a run. It was a nice easy run down to the lake and back. I think I needed a break today and am happy now that I didn't push myself to the brink again today. We have less than two weeks left. I want to finish knowing I did a great job each day. I am ready.

Go Team go!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Day - 76 riding the rims


The last few days I have felt like a car that was riding the rims - not enough air in the tires. The feeling of being close to empty - or running on reserves which I guess is what I am doing. I had a great workout - But at the end the tank is empty - I mean really empty.

As we get closer to our completion point I am fixated an my weight too much. I really want to get to a specific number (my wife thought 152). If I get to 151 I will have lost 40 pounds since January. I am also intrigued by getting to the 140s. However - I know that the numbers are meaningless. It really matters how I look and feel. My health really matters. Writing helps - I will apply some meditation and some prayer. I think this is a key for the post PCP success I am planning.

The picture is my beloved medicine ball. It is blurry because I was shaking. I added it to my sit ups. It made it much easier to fail. I think I could do many many of those. I love that ball because it reminds me of the athlete I am and the potential I have to do great hings. I don't know if I will try to do an iron man. But I will certainly do more triathlons and perform at a higher level. I will not need to be embarressed by my appearance of performance. In fact I think my new appreciation of my body and appearance will greatly enhance my experience.

Going to the store for more great food and then to pick up the boy.

Go Team Go!

Friday, May 14, 2010

Day 75 - Bonk & pushups

I had a good day and was dead on with my diet.

We had a different family schedule with more free time for me in the afternoon. so I worked at my desk all morning - had a great lunch - went to the office - picked up my daughter - took her to dance - and came home. I then had phone calls and then more phone calls. Finally - workout time.

I ran today instead of jump. Had a good run. Came back and got busy. It was very muggy this afternoon. I did OK on the dips and then had some real fun with the push ups. I do different types of push ups. With the IRON GYM I do one set wide and one set narrow. Then with my bricks I do two uneven sets- one set with one hand on the brick - then next set with the other hand on the brick. Finally I do a regular set. Well I was feeling so tough I did a sixth set.

I was doing OK until I got the the 5 set 90 second planks. Then it all went bad...or I just got to have lots of failure. For some reason in each 90 second set I just failed after 25 seconds. pause re-boot and then I held our for the remainder. So odd - every set had this pattern. At the end I was a lump on the pad. I made my way inside and I really felt like I bonked - or overdid something. It happens sometimes. I hope tomorrow I feel stronger.

I also realized I have been totally skipping a yogurt serving all week. I wrote it down I just never saw it. I also got vanilla yogurt tonight. It is bad enough drinking milk. The plain yogurt was worse than milk. That and coffee are my weak links.

Thinking about the indulgence - Salt, Steak, Oatmeal Raisin cookie, apple Pie. That is what I am considering. But, I still think about skipping it...not sure if that is an option. I must say I have been better off following the program - do more - argue less.

Well - I live to fight another day tomorrow.

Go team Go!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

day 74 - narcissus and avacado

Off on another great start. I have even had less coffee today!

I got the workout in this morning and felt great. Jumping has been better in recent days and less nerve pain. Awesome. Felt strong and pushed right on through. I really enjoy the days more when I work out in the morning. I get up, have my magnificent breakfast, get the kids out and do a quick work check to make sure nothing is on fire. Then I go work out. I even turn off the phone. I love having that in the bag for the day.

Per Narcissus - I do look at myself much more often and with great admiration. This is new and what a powerful force for good. The constant ringing in my head of "I look great" is fantastic. It packs more of an impact because I know why I look so good. It is not a mystery. We know exactly - why we look the way we do. However, lurking there is a part of this that can get out of hand. I don't want to limit the good vibe, I do want to embrace all the confidence. I want to avoid the arrogance. This is a nice problem to have!

AVOCADO - is a great spread on pumpernickle bread for lunch. Quite a treat in the midst of PCP.

Go team Go!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Day 73 - back in the saddle

I made a real effort today to get things done in the right order and feel much better today. I worked out earlier and ate right on schedule.

The workout today was a challenge - but I felt great. The bike core exercises kill me. I end up doing sets for 15 seconds then fail, back up, fail, back up -fail. So I must be doing it right. Good day jumping. Fewer problems with the nerve problem.

I need to step it up at work. Hopefully I will have a big next two weeks before I hit the road for what looks like most of the summer. Today seem smanageable and I feel strong.

Going to the store for fish and plain yogurt.

Go Team Go!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Day 72 - whew

What an odd day
I did OK eating - I don't think I ate enough at any meal after breakfast. Eating out with the office was strange.

My workout was great, but I had to do it in three parts. One highlight. I did the jumps and core at home. Then at my son's lacrosse game I went into the gym and did dips on the real deal...not chairs. Much easier and smoother. Then after the game I brought the kids home, feed them, finished the workout - and ate a hybrid dinner and snack. just an odd day. I felt great about finishing the workout at all costs. I never know what to think when I under eat. Just such a new concept.

Strange crossroads - Pants. There are pants that I could not wear in December (too small) that I cannot wear now (too big). In fact I wonder what I should do with the clothes that don't fit. I wonder about giving them all away - or putting them in storage. But what would I be storing them for??? Shirts are also too big - but they don't fall off.

I thought of my fellow PCPers when I wanted to not finish the workout. Thanks for being there.

Go Team Go?

Day 72 - lunch in a restaurant and pants

Today started a little differently. I took my son to school and then took my daughter to school and went to the office downtown for an 11:00 conf call. This means that I am in the office all day. This is sub optimal.

I brought in my snack and we went out for a birthday at lunch. I just tell the people what I want and let them figure it out. I am sure I ate OK - just not enough protein.

I am going to have to sandwich my workout today. Cardio and core this afternoon and the rest after dinner. Sometimes this is fun. It certainly makes for a full day.

PANTS - My new problem is that pants that I used to not fit in are now too big too wear. I am going to need to make a decision about what to do with the old clothes. A crossroads...A point of no return...overthinking!

Go to go pick up daughter.

Go team Go!

Monday, May 10, 2010

Day 71 - in the zone




Today was a good day. I had a great start and got my workout in after breakfast but before the break. That is a good time for me and I like getting the workout benefit through the day. More alert and confident. Also relaxed as I don't have to fit it in later. The day is wide open.

The workout was tough. 6 minutes of jumping was a challenge. My form started to deteriorate and my poor toes pain the price. I did find some comedy in doing Davin chi until failure. HA - HA...It don't have to do 20 of those to fail.

Great job eating today. At every turn I had a little less. I am trying to stay under the suggested - instead of getting every last gram...as if I am starving. I fried eggs today to get the egg white - a nice shift.

New pictures are up - I took a look back in time. What we are doing is remarkable. It really motivated me to stay the course and wring every last drop out of this process. I have dreamed about looking the way I am starting to look for much of my life. The shame of the extra weigh cast a long sad shadow over my entire personal landscape. Perhaps a better way to put it is that it seems like I have taken off a pair of glasses I don't need and without them I can see with more clarity and accuracy than ever before. It is awesome!

I feel like I am at the beginning of a sad count down. 71 days in means only 19 days remaining. Much to do - much to do.



Go team go!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Day 70 - Mothers Day

Well today went OK.

Fun to fill in the new graph numbers - hard to dispute the trend!

I am going to try and have new pictures tomorrow.

My wife had a great mothers day, I did call my mom.

However, it was really hard to get PCP in. There was so little time. But, my family was great...they encouraged me to get-r-done, so I did.

A confession, I did not eat all of the food. We ran out of eggs and I totally missed the morning snack, in part because I slept late (it was great) Had a dead on breakfast - went out to church, went on a fantastic walk and then it was time for lunch.

Good idea of the week. I spread avocado on my pumpernickel bread at lunch. So good!

Feeling good and locked in on the purest week of PCP.

Go team GO.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

day 69 - tired and ready to lay down

Tough day parenting - good workout - lots of yard work - even went for a run.

Highlight of the day was a great trip to Earth Fare. I loaded up for a great week and at several turns resisted the temptation to get something almost great. Example - I looked at honey for a long time and then went - I don't need honey this week.

I did get hit on by a cougar for the first time - too funny

My wife is back and I think my son has pulled it together.

going to have an easy night. New numbers for the graph tomorrow - always interesting to see what the scale says.

Go team Go.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Day 68 frustration and strength



Some days when I am jumping rope it goes so well.

Smooth - Rhythmic - Elegant, TODAY was not one of those days.

I jumped for 15 minutes and I think I hit my foot and had to restart 20 times or more. I though that this was frustrating. THEN (This is the good part) I marveled at how quickly and peacefully I just started again and kept going. What a masterpiece moment! That ability is what generates the velocity that makes life great. The entire negative avalanche of having to restart never happened.

Then I went to do the dips. I do them on our porch because that is where the chairs are. For a change I was wearing an old red Nebraska tank top. As I was doing the dips I looked up and there is the reflection of the window were these ripped shoulders. A pretty great moment.

I was also inspired to try on a bathing/swim suit from yesterday's e-mail. Holy Smokes. The picture is bad - tough to take alone. But, things are happening. Very exciting.

My wife is out of town and I am doing more carpooling / hauling the kids around.

Glad I got my workout in during the manageable part of the day.

Go Team Go!

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Day 67 band wisdon 7 / a little time to reflect

Band wisdom 7 - Lean proteins consist of fish, skinless white meat chicken or turkey, lean cuts of beef, tofu or protein power drink mixes, legumes, etc

HEY - what about the major food group egg whites?

I was on the road yesterday and got back, worked out and went for a beautiful run. I felt so free and the breeze was cool, a setting sun smiled at me over the mountains. I felt light and strong. WOW - a new world.

Today I have a real opportunity. My daughter is going home with a friend and then to practice. I pick her up at 6:30. It is 9 AM. So I have 9 hours to live with no carpooling or driving. I need to get some work done. However, I am officially not planning on working all day.

I am planning to get my workout in early, enjoy a walk, see some friends, read a little, do three important things for work.

I had a fun food moment last night. We are a little short on groceries this week. Sometimes I have fun with that and use up things that we have had around for a while. She was making broccoli salad and had cut the stalks off and had put them in the bowl that goes to the compost. I was planning on having pickles for breakfast. I went eureka...I can use those. I found that if I cut the stalks they taste good and look like snow flakes if I cut them like a tree. I steamed then with some onion and WOW they are great.

Shocked, I was shocked when I looked at the PCP home page and saw out band of progress. Time is zooming by. Today I am going to be great with PCP and rejuvenate.

GO TEAM GO!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Day 66 why so hard

why is davinchi and the bicycle so dang hard.

I never would have guessed.

Long day another great day

Go team Go

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Day 64 - wisdom of the bands 6 and some real pain

6 Each meal should include a lean protein, a low glycemic carbohydrate and an essential (good) fat for optimal nutritional balance.

WHOOPS - I think they forgot the vegetables altogether.

Today was good although my right shoulder arm is pretty painful. It is the same problem as before...nerve problems. There is a nerve that goes up through the ribs, through the armpit area into the back of the arm - through the elbow and then to the hand (pinkie). Something is pinching that nerve or irritating it. Some day s are OK - others are really painful. It gets worse when I jump every day. Sometimes it is like there is a knife in my ribs about four inches down from teh armpit on the back. I have gotten used to it but it certainly eats away at my spiritual cushion. I have been seeing a doctor and I still think it is something working out rather than something getting worse. The new strength in my upper body and back is a big help. For now I drink a big can of suckitup and keep moving forward.

I am on the road for a short trip and I get to see my parents for the first time since I started PCP. Not sure what to expect. I will try and enjoy their attention and then divert the topic. I am planning on dressing in beautiful clothes. I will try to get a picture.

Go Team go!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Day 63 Bands wisdom 5 and belts

5 - Eat smaller, more frequesnt meals: 2 1/2 hours apart; this will keep your metabolism working at peak performance, and energy levels stay more balanced throughout the day. Small frequent meals help stabilize blood sugar levels in a way that discourages, rather than encourages, the storage of calories as fat.

that is totally what we are doing. Great alignment.

I like the new menu - and WOW that was a great deal of sets in the workout today. It was also very humid when I was working out and I went through a good number of towels. It almost seemed like I was working something out of my system. I also like the 3 sets of 5 minutes. today was a very good jump day for me. Very few stubbing of the toes. I jump barefoot. It is easier now that it is warm.

I really hit the wall yesterday and have slowly pulled out of it today. I think the official athlete work in BONK! I just went to bed at 9:00. completely done!

New idea for coffee, I am going to cut my normal stock with decaff. Not sure why I am so resistant that change.

Ren has a strong post earlier and I wrote on there about keeping on track as more purity than discipline for me. I wonder how pure I can take it. Certainly a little more pure.

Time for the last snack of the day

Go TEAM GO!

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Day 62 lines cross new clock


Quick post today

This is the clock my wife got me for keeping track of the rest periods between sets - TOO FUNNY

And new numbers on the graphs - lots of movement this week.

Went to a party last night - looked great in a suit that had not seen the light of day in a long time. I can officially wear anything that I own and am considering getting rid of some things. I had the first thought of a gift to give myself at the end of PCP. I am thinking about a new blue suit. The old one is just too big to wear, even with suspenders - I look like David Byrne in his big suit. (you tube it)

Feeling good. Getting ready for a full week. wife traveling at the end of the week - lots of car pooling.

Go Team Go!