And I'm back !
It's been my longest absence from blogging since the start of PCP and I must admit I don't like it one bit. Even tho it's only been 6 days and I've been commenting on other peoples blogs, cos I know that by blogging it really makes a fresh commitment to myself and PCP everyday. I fell in the so called PCP valley last week but am happy to say that I've bounced back on the PCP train, slowly but surely.
Rickys mom is in town at the mo and staying with us, so things have been pretty crazy with different activities and eating out but we have tried to cook as many PCP meals as possible. Mama Owen loves them too!
As I type this on my iPhone we're en route to catch our flight to Taipei to spend an extended Easter holidays with my family...
Hmm for those of u who've been to Taipei will know that it's the land of night markets filled with the biggest variety of tasty goodness such as bubble teas, ice desserts, pan fried dumplings, stinky tofu (Ewwww), and the infamous deep fried spicy chicken filets (Rickys fav)just to name a few. I love it there but maybe not so
Much whilst I'm on PCP. Gonna be tempting for sure but also interesting to see how well we control our temptations. I guess Indulgence #2 comes in nice and handy this time !!!
As for he exercises - OMG is all I can say...this week we are focusing on 2 body groups each day with 3 sets of exercises per group. Some have even stepped up to 5 sets. I was cursing under my breath, something along the lines of "Patrick are you trying to kill us??? This is bonkers!!! " My legs almost died on me after 5 sets of floor jumps on Monday..Tues and Wed has been a blur as I've been dragging my tired butt out of bed to do them... I just know that my arms and Shoulders are constantly toight so when I have a quiet moment at work I'm always swinging my arms around to give em a good stretch...I made a promise to myself that when I get back I MUST pay 8min ab man more attention, whether it be on my iPhone or do em as soon as I get home from work - I'm determined to get my abs into action. Right now there's still that nasty stubborn top layer of fat that's just not going anywhere so no matter how hard I flex in my pics I still can't get those little baby Packs showing thru..oh well!
Looking forward to seeing everyones indulgence pics!
Happy Easter to all xoxo
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Day 46 : 51% and fell in the Valley
51% done and dusted, it sure feels good to be on the other side of 50 and now promoted to being part of the 'later' group!
A huge shout out to all the guys who just got a 'complete' stamped across their names - what a phenominal achievement and just reading all your blogs gives me new hope and inspiration (+ goosebumps!). All your transformations are amazing !Well done you guys and good luck for your next chapter in life!!!
As for the PCP newbies have just joined us - welcome and good luck! Look forward to getting to know some of u better thru your blogs. Enjoy these first few days of eating half portions and treasure every moment while it lasts. ;-)
Now back to PCP in my world...I guess i'm hitting the Valley that everyone was talking about last week! This week everything seems tougher than usual- getting up is hard, work outs are whipping my ass and in general my energy levels are at an all time loooooow. Body is in pain and i'm feeling the tightness everywhere esp. my legs and triceps. Not sure if all that travelling has finally caught up to me but i'm feeling zoned out during the day and can hardly keep my eyes open after 8pm. Last night I was reading a book after dinner and had to snooze on the spot for 30min cos I couldn't even get thru one page...
To top it off it seems like i'm back to Square 1 with my skipping...tripping big time with the rope which is really frustrating. Will go and buy a Lululemon one tonight as recommended by Yeeman. I know it's not the rope...it's me but it can't hurt trying something new right? Anything will help since I have lost my skipping rhythm and phzazzzz from last few weeks...
Echoeing Ricky's blog yesterday I know that 'This too Shall pass' and I am looking forward to emerging out of the Valley and getting back to the PCP groove very very soon !
A huge shout out to all the guys who just got a 'complete' stamped across their names - what a phenominal achievement and just reading all your blogs gives me new hope and inspiration (+ goosebumps!). All your transformations are amazing !Well done you guys and good luck for your next chapter in life!!!
As for the PCP newbies have just joined us - welcome and good luck! Look forward to getting to know some of u better thru your blogs. Enjoy these first few days of eating half portions and treasure every moment while it lasts. ;-)
Now back to PCP in my world...I guess i'm hitting the Valley that everyone was talking about last week! This week everything seems tougher than usual- getting up is hard, work outs are whipping my ass and in general my energy levels are at an all time loooooow. Body is in pain and i'm feeling the tightness everywhere esp. my legs and triceps. Not sure if all that travelling has finally caught up to me but i'm feeling zoned out during the day and can hardly keep my eyes open after 8pm. Last night I was reading a book after dinner and had to snooze on the spot for 30min cos I couldn't even get thru one page...
To top it off it seems like i'm back to Square 1 with my skipping...tripping big time with the rope which is really frustrating. Will go and buy a Lululemon one tonight as recommended by Yeeman. I know it's not the rope...it's me but it can't hurt trying something new right? Anything will help since I have lost my skipping rhythm and phzazzzz from last few weeks...
Echoeing Ricky's blog yesterday I know that 'This too Shall pass' and I am looking forward to emerging out of the Valley and getting back to the PCP groove very very soon !
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Day 44 : Back to life
Back to Reality... after a ten day absence from the 'real' world I feel good to be back but I also think it will take me a little while to ease back into PCP groove.
Slightly drained of energy (jet-lag?) this morning so took it easy on my rope, and esp. as it's sets now instead of counting I find it better but also not working as hard as before? Or perhaps I was just tired and lazy this morning and didn't try...Anyway I will get there slowly but surely. I completed all my other exercises but as per usual some tougher than others, such as Shoulder fly (Ricky's favourite!) and V-Sits ! Legs still in a bit of pain from working them like hell last week and I still need to do 8min abs tonight, haven't seen Captain crunch in a while...
We're 1 day short of half way thru and being the group ahead - what a feeling !!!
I'm so proud of what we've achieved and sharing this life-altering experience with everyone is priceless. ;-)
Let's crush week 7 team!
Slightly drained of energy (jet-lag?) this morning so took it easy on my rope, and esp. as it's sets now instead of counting I find it better but also not working as hard as before? Or perhaps I was just tired and lazy this morning and didn't try...Anyway I will get there slowly but surely. I completed all my other exercises but as per usual some tougher than others, such as Shoulder fly (Ricky's favourite!) and V-Sits ! Legs still in a bit of pain from working them like hell last week and I still need to do 8min abs tonight, haven't seen Captain crunch in a while...
Thought i'd share some pix of my sunny Europa trip--->
 |
| My breathtaking work out view from hotel balcony in Metzingen |
 |
| Sunrise @ Metzingen, Germany - Magical moment ;-) |
 |
| Soaking up some Vit D @ Hyde Park, London with my salad & water |
 |
| Spent a good few hrs at my favourite - TopShop! |
 |
| My friend Alice left this on my desk...this is the same read that turned her into a Vegetarian . Hmmm perhaps I shall save this read for 1st June 2011?? |
We're 1 day short of half way thru and being the group ahead - what a feeling !!!
I'm so proud of what we've achieved and sharing this life-altering experience with everyone is priceless. ;-)
Let's crush week 7 team!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Day 41 - 43 : I am a "Loskop" !
Where I come from Loskop ("Loosehead") means scatterbrain and that's exactly what i've been the last couple of days...I somehow managed to miss my flight on Sat night by 15minutes! Totally did not expect to face the dreaded 'Signal failures' of the London Underground trains. Was I surprised? No. Was I bummed? HELL YEAH!
In desperate attempt to get the next flight back I stayed the night at an overpriced (and slightly dogde) airport hotel to try my luck the next morning on standby but luck wasn't on my side so I had to spend an extra 2 nights in London!
ok so in my pre-PCP days I would be overjoyed since this usually means 2 more days of boozing! In a way I was really disappointed as I had plans to come home and go hardcore PCP to compensate for my slightly off PCP track days in London. Oh and to top things off I realized I had left my new book at the hotel!!! :-(
Well in hindsight all that endless walking and dragging of my suitcase (25kgs!)around London definitely burnt off a few calories ESP.lifting my case up and down the stairs at stations worked my guns too.
Nevermind, I still had a blast spending more time with my mates but now that i'm back i'll be in full force / Top gear PCP!
Finally posted up week 5 pix (was taken in wk 5 but haven't had time to upload) - can't see any visible improvements esp. my abs, I think it's time to do 8min abs again! Will post wk 6 pix tonight.
WOW the folks ahead of us are almost at finish line and we're almost at half time...exciting times ahead!!!
Let's make week 7 count!
XOXO
In desperate attempt to get the next flight back I stayed the night at an overpriced (and slightly dogde) airport hotel to try my luck the next morning on standby but luck wasn't on my side so I had to spend an extra 2 nights in London!
ok so in my pre-PCP days I would be overjoyed since this usually means 2 more days of boozing! In a way I was really disappointed as I had plans to come home and go hardcore PCP to compensate for my slightly off PCP track days in London. Oh and to top things off I realized I had left my new book at the hotel!!! :-(
Well in hindsight all that endless walking and dragging of my suitcase (25kgs!)around London definitely burnt off a few calories ESP.lifting my case up and down the stairs at stations worked my guns too.
Nevermind, I still had a blast spending more time with my mates but now that i'm back i'll be in full force / Top gear PCP!
Finally posted up week 5 pix (was taken in wk 5 but haven't had time to upload) - can't see any visible improvements esp. my abs, I think it's time to do 8min abs again! Will post wk 6 pix tonight.
WOW the folks ahead of us are almost at finish line and we're almost at half time...exciting times ahead!!!
Let's make week 7 count!
XOXO
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Day 39 & 40 : loving London town but slightly off track
Yesterday With my work outs. And food. But trying my hardest to
Play catch up today. Was too excited seeing my old friends again and they were nice enough to throw a little garden party for me in perfect peak English summer. Succumbed to two home made mojitos and some Brazilian chicken rice dish. Did make sure I had my egg/ white, fruit and wine portions right though. And only managed to do a portion of my skips yesterday. Anyway woke up feeling real guilty this morning so after my spot of shopping (at my favourite TopShop) I came back and did a double session of everything. Almost died of exhaustion but felt really good and got my mates feeling ashamed of their beer belly selves. Gonna head to thee airport now for my long flight, hopefully I'll be able to catch some decent zzzzz's. Real sad to be saying goodbye bit kinda glad to be heading home to
Some kind of PCP normalcy.
Peace and X
Play catch up today. Was too excited seeing my old friends again and they were nice enough to throw a little garden party for me in perfect peak English summer. Succumbed to two home made mojitos and some Brazilian chicken rice dish. Did make sure I had my egg/ white, fruit and wine portions right though. And only managed to do a portion of my skips yesterday. Anyway woke up feeling real guilty this morning so after my spot of shopping (at my favourite TopShop) I came back and did a double session of everything. Almost died of exhaustion but felt really good and got my mates feeling ashamed of their beer belly selves. Gonna head to thee airport now for my long flight, hopefully I'll be able to catch some decent zzzzz's. Real sad to be saying goodbye bit kinda glad to be heading home to
Some kind of PCP normalcy.
Peace and X
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Day 38 : Three zero five !
It's 22.50 and I just killed 1400 jumps in about 16 mins as well as breaking my personal consecutive skip record = 305! Whoop whoop!
I was actually amped all day long to come back and skip as I ran out of time to do them after all my other exercises this am. Still can't believe I just did that after my hectic 10 hr work day in heels. I feel like super woman right now :-)
Ps. Tiny unknown leg muscles aching a day long ... I suspect it's those evil p-squats...
I was actually amped all day long to come back and skip as I ran out of time to do them after all my other exercises this am. Still can't believe I just did that after my hectic 10 hr work day in heels. I feel like super woman right now :-)
Ps. Tiny unknown leg muscles aching a day long ... I suspect it's those evil p-squats...
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Day 37 : It's gettin' HOT in here
Did not predict Germany to be so HOT this time of the year! Perhpas i'm just used to the ridiculously low air con temperatures everywhere (indoorsy) you go in HK, I am boiling inside the office here... My German colleagues think it's normal but i'm sweating up a storm, not a very attractive feature I must say...I do however love the wide open spaces, fresh air and sunshine til 8.30pm _ gotta love European Summers!
Had an interesting WO this morning at 5.30am, did all the resistance and ab stuff in my hotel room first since I needed to wait til 6am when the gym opens up to skip. Well, the exercises were hectic...where to start? How about the pistol squats- i'm not sure whether i'm doing them correctly but they seem quite awkward to do, are you supposed to bend right down? Is the chair merely for balancing? Doing creeps in a confined space is pretty funny, had to make a U-turn at creep #15 but they turned out ok - I tried hard not to bounce as much...The shoulder stuff was quite tough, my strength was pretty much gone after 2nd set and was really running out of gas by the ovations. My V-sits are getting better as I get more controll in my abs but side crunch was a joke? Could'nt come up 90 degrees like it's supposed to be? Did my best and also threw in 80 sit ups afterwards to compensate for my girly side crunches.
My precious speed rope had mercy on me this morning ! I blasted thru 1400 in about 15mins! I felt like a lil celebration afterwards for breaking my fastest record to date! Whoooop whoop! Oh, and skipping in dark crisp weather and seeing the sky lighten up is somewhat therapeutic and awesome too !
Time for dinner at a traditional German restaurant up in the hills - I really wanna order my usual wiener-Schnitzel (pic below) but will go for a healthy PCP friendly choice instead...perhaps some roast wild boar is in order?
We're flying thru week 6 - go team go!
Ciao xoxo
Had an interesting WO this morning at 5.30am, did all the resistance and ab stuff in my hotel room first since I needed to wait til 6am when the gym opens up to skip. Well, the exercises were hectic...where to start? How about the pistol squats- i'm not sure whether i'm doing them correctly but they seem quite awkward to do, are you supposed to bend right down? Is the chair merely for balancing? Doing creeps in a confined space is pretty funny, had to make a U-turn at creep #15 but they turned out ok - I tried hard not to bounce as much...The shoulder stuff was quite tough, my strength was pretty much gone after 2nd set and was really running out of gas by the ovations. My V-sits are getting better as I get more controll in my abs but side crunch was a joke? Could'nt come up 90 degrees like it's supposed to be? Did my best and also threw in 80 sit ups afterwards to compensate for my girly side crunches.
My precious speed rope had mercy on me this morning ! I blasted thru 1400 in about 15mins! I felt like a lil celebration afterwards for breaking my fastest record to date! Whoooop whoop! Oh, and skipping in dark crisp weather and seeing the sky lighten up is somewhat therapeutic and awesome too !
Time for dinner at a traditional German restaurant up in the hills - I really wanna order my usual wiener-Schnitzel (pic below) but will go for a healthy PCP friendly choice instead...perhaps some roast wild boar is in order?
 |
| Goodbye schnitzel |
 |
| Helloooo wild boar chops! |
Ciao xoxo
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Day 36 : J e t - l a g g e d . . . . .
Kind of weird blogging in a different time zone...it's 16.30pm in Germany now (22.30pm HK time =bedtime!) and i'm totally zonned out and ready for bed. I almost did just that but dragged my tired a$$ out the room to come and blog (my head tells me that as soon as it's done i'll need to order a ++Grande espresso!). I need to force myself to stay strong + wide awake so I can get a decent nights rest tonight before the craziness aka work starts tomorrow!
The long haul flight was tedious as expected, even though I bagged an exit aisle seat I still struggled to get some solid zzzz's - the new Cathay shift seats are horrible, not sure how anyone can get comfy in those chairs??? As for flight meals they should officially be banned - I ordered the 'low salt meal' and I got 1) Dinner = a piece of rock hard chicken breast with some over steamed veggies 2) Breakfast = overcooked salmon and chewy carrots and beans. I tried to force as much of the protein down but couldn't eat much of the veggies. As soon as I touched down in Heathrow airport I ordered a mammoth PCP breakfast of smoked salmon, scrambled eggs on wholemeal toast, cesar salad, strawberry carrot and orange smoothly with an XL glass of milk! A good hearty meal made me a happy girl...:-)))
So apart from the jetlag all is good here in Deutschland! The weather is surprisingly sunny and once I got to the hotel the first thing I asked the receptionist was 'Where's the gym?' Now that's a first! Never have I ever worked out whilst on biz trip or holiday for that matter (does a light jog on the beach count?). and definitely would've never stepped foot in a hotel gym! But there I was, itching to get my blood flowing and an endorphin rush! I guess travelling for 16 hours had that effect on me - so I headed to the gym and found a huge bacony overlooking massive lush green fields and a glimmering lake in the horizon - it was postcard perfect - must take a pic tomorrow.
It took a little while for me to get my groove with the skips- I guess my muscles were still dead from sitting down for a hundred hours but once I got them warmed up I was cruising thru them. I noticed that jumping on concrete is really harder than jumping on the soft astro turf that i'm so accustomed to - I find it adds more pressure to my knees which did hurt a little bit...Still not speeding up my time of 20min for 1400 jumps. Floorjumps went by quick but still gave me my legs intense burn by my third set which I kind of like.
Happy that the shoulder press was easier to do than the Double K'S - well not easy but at least I can do them! Bicycle was a killer which took me y surprise since I always used to do them in my body combat classes back in the day. Didn't realize how tough they can be! Then came the killer of the day = 4x40sec planks ... In my head I was wondering 'why Patrick, why 4 sets???' esp. after the bicycles they were real tough but I set my iPhone timer and off I went...I really concentrated on my posture and made sure my body was straight all the way- my belly was squeezing so hard it was constantly shaking...Funny how even when Ricky's not here to kick my a$$ I do that to myself now...It shows how a lil bit of commitment and dedication can do to someone...
As for my weight, I feel how some of the other gals feel - dropped about 1kg I think in week 3 or 4 but now I feel i've bulked back up since then, belly not as toned as i'd like it to be. Took week 5 pix last night before I left and not really happy with what I see. I guess more 8ma are in order??? Speaking of which I might go do so now. After my double espresso
buzz--- who knows, maybe i'll be loving it !
Goodnight / morning my fellow PCP'ers, have a fun filled week 6 and let's destroy Day 37! (4x28 creeps - Meh!)
xoxo
 |
| I now could probably sleep like this too! |
So apart from the jetlag all is good here in Deutschland! The weather is surprisingly sunny and once I got to the hotel the first thing I asked the receptionist was 'Where's the gym?' Now that's a first! Never have I ever worked out whilst on biz trip or holiday for that matter (does a light jog on the beach count?). and definitely would've never stepped foot in a hotel gym! But there I was, itching to get my blood flowing and an endorphin rush! I guess travelling for 16 hours had that effect on me - so I headed to the gym and found a huge bacony overlooking massive lush green fields and a glimmering lake in the horizon - it was postcard perfect - must take a pic tomorrow.
It took a little while for me to get my groove with the skips- I guess my muscles were still dead from sitting down for a hundred hours but once I got them warmed up I was cruising thru them. I noticed that jumping on concrete is really harder than jumping on the soft astro turf that i'm so accustomed to - I find it adds more pressure to my knees which did hurt a little bit...Still not speeding up my time of 20min for 1400 jumps. Floorjumps went by quick but still gave me my legs intense burn by my third set which I kind of like.
Happy that the shoulder press was easier to do than the Double K'S - well not easy but at least I can do them! Bicycle was a killer which took me y surprise since I always used to do them in my body combat classes back in the day. Didn't realize how tough they can be! Then came the killer of the day = 4x40sec planks ... In my head I was wondering 'why Patrick, why 4 sets???' esp. after the bicycles they were real tough but I set my iPhone timer and off I went...I really concentrated on my posture and made sure my body was straight all the way- my belly was squeezing so hard it was constantly shaking...Funny how even when Ricky's not here to kick my a$$ I do that to myself now...It shows how a lil bit of commitment and dedication can do to someone...
As for my weight, I feel how some of the other gals feel - dropped about 1kg I think in week 3 or 4 but now I feel i've bulked back up since then, belly not as toned as i'd like it to be. Took week 5 pix last night before I left and not really happy with what I see. I guess more 8ma are in order??? Speaking of which I might go do so now. After my double espresso
buzz--- who knows, maybe i'll be loving it !
Goodnight / morning my fellow PCP'ers, have a fun filled week 6 and let's destroy Day 37! (4x28 creeps - Meh!)
xoxo
Monday, April 4, 2011
Day 33, 34 & 35 : PCP is off to Europa !!!
More specifically Germany (aka land of sausages) for work then London for pleasure - i'm sipping on Evian as I blog @ the airport...Pre PCP me would've been sipping on vino and indulging in some tasty cakes they have on offer here in the Cathay lounge...hence I have decided to stay far far away from the dining areas and off blogging away in a little corner. How things have changed!
Back to the last couple of days - had a stupendous weekend of sun, sea, sand as we took full advantage of the beautiful weather that we were blessed with here and hit the beach. Spent a good few hours soaking up the sun on the South Bay beach after a gruelling Sat morning work out session - damn those squats and creeps ! Knees were burning as soon as I got to the creeps - not sure if i'm doing them 100% correct but I do tend to bounce quite a bit, maybe that's what's putting pressure on them. But that movement is kind of hard not to...I still suck at Double K's - my muscles (or lack of) there (somewhere hidden) are so weak that I can't even do one set properly...I actually laugh at myself every time I attempt them as it's so sad, but funny... Lord give me strength!
Found an amazing rooftop bar/ restaurant in Causeway Bay, right near where we live and had a coffee with my friend on Sat afternoon - it was a perfect way to wind down and see the sunset over Victoria Harbour - just gorgeous!
Just saw our new meal plans and work outs. As for the food i'm pretty happy with what i'm getting - it's basically what i'm already on but extra protein and egg white oh and after pre + after work out snacks...Aiya! That's a lot of food! I'm not sure how i'm going scoff down extra protein before my morning work out, snack, then eat my mammoth of a breakfast?!?? I guess i'll find out soon enough...
As for the new exercise...is it me or is that really intense??? Those much-dreaded Pistol squats have finally arrived and from what i've been reading from the other groups blogs they ain't easy! But what am I on about - nothing is easy on PCP!!! I'm just hoping that I can do all my exercises in the comfort of my hotel room/ gym. My friend in London already has her skipping rope ready for some PCP workouts this weekend @ Hyde Park - bring it ON !
Another thing that's gonna be hard for me to resist are the sausages in Germany - I have a slight addiction as that's usually what I eat once I land - Frankfurters - I just love em- so juicy and delcious ! I MUST avoid those sausage stands like the plaque, wish me luck!
Guten tag PCP amigos!
See you on the flip side, Roll on WEEK 6!!! xoxo
Back to the last couple of days - had a stupendous weekend of sun, sea, sand as we took full advantage of the beautiful weather that we were blessed with here and hit the beach. Spent a good few hours soaking up the sun on the South Bay beach after a gruelling Sat morning work out session - damn those squats and creeps ! Knees were burning as soon as I got to the creeps - not sure if i'm doing them 100% correct but I do tend to bounce quite a bit, maybe that's what's putting pressure on them. But that movement is kind of hard not to...I still suck at Double K's - my muscles (or lack of) there (somewhere hidden) are so weak that I can't even do one set properly...I actually laugh at myself every time I attempt them as it's so sad, but funny... Lord give me strength!
 |
| Ahhhh, I miss u beach! |
 |
| Victoria Harbour |
Just saw our new meal plans and work outs. As for the food i'm pretty happy with what i'm getting - it's basically what i'm already on but extra protein and egg white oh and after pre + after work out snacks...Aiya! That's a lot of food! I'm not sure how i'm going scoff down extra protein before my morning work out, snack, then eat my mammoth of a breakfast?!?? I guess i'll find out soon enough...
As for the new exercise...is it me or is that really intense??? Those much-dreaded Pistol squats have finally arrived and from what i've been reading from the other groups blogs they ain't easy! But what am I on about - nothing is easy on PCP!!! I'm just hoping that I can do all my exercises in the comfort of my hotel room/ gym. My friend in London already has her skipping rope ready for some PCP workouts this weekend @ Hyde Park - bring it ON !
Another thing that's gonna be hard for me to resist are the sausages in Germany - I have a slight addiction as that's usually what I eat once I land - Frankfurters - I just love em- so juicy and delcious ! I MUST avoid those sausage stands like the plaque, wish me luck!
Guten tag PCP amigos!
See you on the flip side, Roll on WEEK 6!!! xoxo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)