Day 67 - Afternoon sun

I took a day off from work today. My wife and I found out that we're having a girl come September. So after a couple hours of shock/contemplation/debating about names/strolling around downtown we made it back home for a relaxing afternoon on a gorgeous day. Taking the day off also gave me the opportunity to do the workout outside for the first time. I walked over to the tennis court and did the entire routine in the shade of the trees. The breeze was light and cooling. Refreshing, even! One of the best things about the PCP is that the workouts can be done anywhere. No gym required. Outside, sunshine, blue sky, beats any gym any day.

Day 65 - Marks of the PCP

The PCP brings many changes. One of those changes is the appearance of marks on your body. How do these marks appear? Usually by whipping yourself with a jump rope while speed jumping. Here are some of my greatest hits.

Hot off the press! This mark above is a fresh whip from tonight.

These are scabs from whipping myself really hard a few weeks ago. So hard, I bled.

The classic leg whip mark. This is going to scar. I'll show my kids and say, "In my day we did the PCP, whipped ourselves, and liked it"!

This mark is more of a mystery. I don't know if this is jump rope related, resistance band related, or both. The mark appears on both of my hands in the exact same spot. After the work out it's blood red but a few hours later turns a soft brown.

The workout tonight was intense. 6 sets, 5 sets, more reps upon reps. I was really pushing myself today and literally dripping with sweat the entire workout. When I got to the planks, I started to break down. 1st 90 second plank. No problem. 2nd 90 second plank. OK, that was tough. 3rd 90 second plank. FAIL. I could only muster about 30 seconds before collapse. The 4th set was more of the same. Came home, mmmmmm, raw red pepper. I love you, pepper. I love you glass of milk. 25 days left. WOW. Strange feeling.

Day 64 - PCP Panda Says...

Only 25 days left of the PCP!!! This is your moment. This is your opportunity. Turn it to 11. Give 111%.

Don't slack. Don't cheat. The person in the mirror is you!!! You are accountable. You are responsible. You hold the key. You are IT. The future is NOW!!!!

Day 63 - Weekend challenges

After an exhausting 7 mile hike on Saturday, which featured a lovely picnic by a pond, the mind started to play tricks on me. The plan was clear. Hike, BBQ, drink cold beer, in that order. I said out loud, "Maybe I'll have a beer. After this hike and the workout this morning. I guess it would be OK". When I saw the 20 chicken drumsticks on the BBQ I said, "Maybe I can have one of those. I mean, it's for the protein". I had the thoughts, even said them out loud, but I let them pass. I let myself feel the desire but did not act on the temptation. I will soon enjoy a beer after a long hike under the hot sun. But not yet. Not with the finish line in sight. Not with mountain left to climb.

My family brunch this morning was much easier to handle. With my Father and my brother also on a diet and exercise plan, it was not a problem sitting in front of a heap of smoldering freshly cooked breakfast sausage. I just took out my pre-packed lunch and veggies and chowed down on my delicious PCP meal. My Uncle said, "If I knew everyone was on a diet I wouldn't have bought so much food!". It was a fun morning seeing the family and great to hear all the positive feedback. All the support and good vibes certainly made it one to remember.

Onward and upward!

Day 61 - Under the trees

Nice weather brings a bounty of opportunity and as the East Coast emerges from a bitter winter the weekend calendar start to fill up with opportunities to get outside. Saturday starts with a 8 mile hike through a nature preserve with a few friends. Getting out in the fresh air, walking under trees, footsteps on the trail, listening to the birds sing, exploring, packing a lunch, well, just writing about it puts a pleasant smile on my face. Sunday is a family brunch which will bring the opportunity of seeing family that I have not seen since starting the PCP. Most notably, my parents, who I have not seen in 4 months on account of them being “snow birds”. Everyone knows I’ve been doing the PCP. I just don’t’ know how many people have actually looked at the blog. So, the reactions, if any, will be interesting regardless. This family brunch typically includes a mountain of bacon, sausage, taylor ham, doughnuts, pastry, & pancakes. It’s our early Mothers Day gathering and it’s a legitimate feast. In past years I would generally pig out but this year I’m happy to know I won’t be. I’ll have a cup of joe and spend time in the yard with my son playing catch and chasing the dog around. Oh, I’ll be sure to kiss my Mother too.

PCP thoughts…I’ve been sleeping like a log lately. It’s felt great. For the past 18 months I have not slept through the night. They tell you when you have a baby you never sleep the same again, well, they’re not kidding. But ever since day 50, I’ve been sleeping like one. I’m making it a point to enjoy it while I can because in 4 months that will go out the window again.

Hope you’re all well and I’ll see you again on Sunday night. Kill it in the gym, peoples! 30 days left!

Day 59 - Shout Out

I have to give a shout out to my wife and say, "Happy Anniversary!". 4 years of marriage and matrimonial bliss! I also have to thank her for all her support and patience living with a man in the midst of the PCP. We've had a few food wars over the past 60+ days. She being 5 months pregnant and I eating a fair amount of grub myself, there has been extra attention on the chow supply in our kitchen and staying within budget. All of it though leading to more strength and love.

I'm hitting the hay. Hope you all had a wonderful day.

Day 58 - Breaking 20

Officially past the 20 pound marker! 23 pounds gone and feeling wiped after today's workout. Patrick has this e-mail update thing down because there are days where he hits my nail right on the head. I was slacking a bit on the time between reps. Taking an extra 10 seconds here and there to catch my breath. But today Patrick said, "YO! STOP THAT! 20 seconds means 20 seconds." So, I held true and I left the gym in a trance. No slacking! I completed the workout in 1 hour and 8 minutes. The 8 minutes was the 8MA. I'm feeling it, kids. Week 9 pics are up.