First, let me say that I can't tell you all how much "as much as you want" means to me. Now, twice a day, I can just pile the veggies on and not have to measure something. I can make soup again! I haven't really known how to weigh soup given that it's partly water so I've been avoiding it. Seriously. This is a big deal for me. I can make PCP pilaf with rice and couscous and not have to do the veggies separate from the carbs. Exciting times, people.
Also, as you know, I hate lunges, but today, after not doing them for a while, I realized how much easier they are. All those leg lifts and bicycles (that pain the front of all our legs?) have given me this hip flexor/psoas strength I didn't previously have. It was a totally new lunge experience for me!
And finally, how great is it to just set a timer to jump? I only made in through one of my two-minute sets (the 6th) trip-free, but it was great fun to no longer count. I was mixing it up at the end... 10 jumps on one leg, 10 jumps on the other. I will definitely add music to my workouts now that I don't have to focus on counting.
Love the changes this week. And, wow, those planks. Fifty second is a long fucking time.
JFD
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Day 42 - On a positive note...
In light of my recent negativity, I thought I would try to identify some of the positive experiences I'm having because of the PCP. So here we go, in no particular order:
1. I can see lines in my abs where I used to see rolls in my abs.
2. The exercise has proven to be an incredibly useful outlet for my stress surrounding our adoption woes. In fact the whole thing - even being pissed off at my diet from time to time - is just a good general distraction from stress.
3. I stretch everyday.
4. I am pretty sure my posture is better.
5. I signed up for the Ottawa half marathon (which is next May) ALREADY. This will be my third one in 5 years and the first one I will run in the "over 40" age group. I will also (confidently) say that it will be my fastest. I usually wait until the last possible moment to sign up. This time I kind of feel like "bring it on."
6. I like my coffee with skim milk now, and probably won't go back to cream.
7. I bought new jeans on Monday and they were a size smaller than usual.
OK. That's all I got. Thanks for all your kind comments yesterday. It seems that the middle part is hard, isn't it? But doesn't it kind of feel like we just started yesterday? So on day 85 we'll be saying wow, day 42 felt like yesterday! Right?
1. I can see lines in my abs where I used to see rolls in my abs.
2. The exercise has proven to be an incredibly useful outlet for my stress surrounding our adoption woes. In fact the whole thing - even being pissed off at my diet from time to time - is just a good general distraction from stress.
3. I stretch everyday.
4. I am pretty sure my posture is better.
5. I signed up for the Ottawa half marathon (which is next May) ALREADY. This will be my third one in 5 years and the first one I will run in the "over 40" age group. I will also (confidently) say that it will be my fastest. I usually wait until the last possible moment to sign up. This time I kind of feel like "bring it on."
6. I like my coffee with skim milk now, and probably won't go back to cream.
7. I bought new jeans on Monday and they were a size smaller than usual.
OK. That's all I got. Thanks for all your kind comments yesterday. It seems that the middle part is hard, isn't it? But doesn't it kind of feel like we just started yesterday? So on day 85 we'll be saying wow, day 42 felt like yesterday! Right?
Monday, October 25, 2010
Day 41
I don't know if it's because I'm sick but I'm just feeling like everything's a struggle right now. I'm starting to resent the amount of food I have to prepare and eat everyday. I wish that part was easier for sure. I couldn't make it through my lunch carbs today, I just started feeling sick.
I've also been hating the jump ropes lately - I lost two days to general sickness and yesterday it almost felt like starting from scratch. Not sure I'm seeing any new differences physically. I guess I'm getting stronger - I can do more - but I'd like to start loving this again. Can I do this for 50 more days? Is this just some kind of mid-way slump?
I'm not going to quit because I resolved at the beginning to not to do JUST THAT. But I wish I could just eat a toasted tomato sandwich without having to put so much thought into it.
Maybe tomorrow I will write a post that sounds a little more positive.
I've also been hating the jump ropes lately - I lost two days to general sickness and yesterday it almost felt like starting from scratch. Not sure I'm seeing any new differences physically. I guess I'm getting stronger - I can do more - but I'd like to start loving this again. Can I do this for 50 more days? Is this just some kind of mid-way slump?
I'm not going to quit because I resolved at the beginning to not to do JUST THAT. But I wish I could just eat a toasted tomato sandwich without having to put so much thought into it.
Maybe tomorrow I will write a post that sounds a little more positive.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Day 39 - Weekend fail
I’m sick and I’m grumpy. I finally got the PCP cold/sinus infection/general malaise that seems to have already hit much of the group. Friday I had to choose between sleep and exercise – I was awake for several hours in the middle of the night and at 4am I was starting to get stressed that I had to get up at 5:45 to get my workout in before leaving for Toronto. Anyway, I chose sleep. The day got away from me and I never got a chance to work out again before we had to get ready to go to a wedding.
And then Friday night (after leaving the wedding early because I was getting sicker and sicker) I took cold medicine at 10pm and had I guess what can only be called a bad reaction to that which I attempted to offset with a sleeping pill (BIG FAIL). I fell asleep just before 7 this morning and managed 2 hours before I had to get up.
I came home early so I could at least be at home instead of hanging out in a hotel while Simon was at a conference. I’m happy to be home but am achy and feeling not well.
Blah, blah... I’m going to have an early night and get back on track tomorrow.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Day 37 - Learning from those who've gone before us
The blogs of those who have completed the PCP and those who are in the cohort that started before us have been such a great resource for me. There are some PCPers whose blogs I have read over many times, like Sarah R's and Corry's. Sometimes I like to jump to the day in someone's blog that coincides with our current day and see what was going on for them and how it compares with what's going on for me.
For example, yesterday I found this post from Sarah on her day 37 and it exactly echoed how I felt during Tuesday's jumps-only day. I jump in sets of 100. It pained me because I was thinking, I've been doing this for 35 days—how can I not just do sets of 400 and get it over with? But by 80 jumps my legs and shoulders are burning and when I hit 100 I have to stop for 20 or 30 second to regroup and start over.
So I really appreciated find this post and reading Sarah's take on her situation and all the follow-up comments. I am going to work harder at pushing it and doing the things I need to do to increase my jumps per set, like switching feet, slowing down, speeding up... whatever helps break the monotony. There's no reason I can't at least try. The most jumps I've done at once is 261 (I tripped or I would have at least tried to make it to 275). So I CAN jump more than 100 times but it's like my mind put up this road block of 100 being manageable or easy to count to or something.
Anyway, I will continue to look back at those who've gone before us. There are some gems of advice in those posts!
For example, yesterday I found this post from Sarah on her day 37 and it exactly echoed how I felt during Tuesday's jumps-only day. I jump in sets of 100. It pained me because I was thinking, I've been doing this for 35 days—how can I not just do sets of 400 and get it over with? But by 80 jumps my legs and shoulders are burning and when I hit 100 I have to stop for 20 or 30 second to regroup and start over.
So I really appreciated find this post and reading Sarah's take on her situation and all the follow-up comments. I am going to work harder at pushing it and doing the things I need to do to increase my jumps per set, like switching feet, slowing down, speeding up... whatever helps break the monotony. There's no reason I can't at least try. The most jumps I've done at once is 261 (I tripped or I would have at least tried to make it to 275). So I CAN jump more than 100 times but it's like my mind put up this road block of 100 being manageable or easy to count to or something.
Anyway, I will continue to look back at those who've gone before us. There are some gems of advice in those posts!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Day 35 - Lithe to Lumpy
Well, it's been 35 days. I haven't missed a workout or screwed up a meal. And like I whined to Patrick the other day... I feel fat.
I feel like I was getting somewhere. I was feeling lithe and lean around the middle. Now I just feel lumpy and lethargic. I want a peice of toast with peanut butter. And not because I'm craving it... I'm still not craving food. I am craving the simplicity of that meal, though. The ease of preparing toast and peanut butter is so appealing to me right now. I just want a quick meal without thinking and weighing. I hope this passes.
Patrick's wise words to me were that it's not really possible to gain fat on this diet and that I should not stress. He also said that I needed all the food to create the new muscle, otherwise the muscle just takes from existing muscle to make more. This all makes sense to me. Yet, I just feel thick around the middle and the rolls of fat are coming back. At least I think they are. Maybe it is my mind playing tricks on me.
Anyway, I'm eager for new and harder exercises this week. (I will regret saying this, I bet.) And I'm wondering if my diet will change. I want to feel like I'm going to succeed at this but I'm 1/3 in and I thought after a promising start that I would see more differences by this point. Maybe this is just the visceral fat... whatever it is it feels like there's more of it and it's getting me down.
I feel like I was getting somewhere. I was feeling lithe and lean around the middle. Now I just feel lumpy and lethargic. I want a peice of toast with peanut butter. And not because I'm craving it... I'm still not craving food. I am craving the simplicity of that meal, though. The ease of preparing toast and peanut butter is so appealing to me right now. I just want a quick meal without thinking and weighing. I hope this passes.
Patrick's wise words to me were that it's not really possible to gain fat on this diet and that I should not stress. He also said that I needed all the food to create the new muscle, otherwise the muscle just takes from existing muscle to make more. This all makes sense to me. Yet, I just feel thick around the middle and the rolls of fat are coming back. At least I think they are. Maybe it is my mind playing tricks on me.
Anyway, I'm eager for new and harder exercises this week. (I will regret saying this, I bet.) And I'm wondering if my diet will change. I want to feel like I'm going to succeed at this but I'm 1/3 in and I thought after a promising start that I would see more differences by this point. Maybe this is just the visceral fat... whatever it is it feels like there's more of it and it's getting me down.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Day 34
I could barely get through those leg lifts today and actually welcomed the first plank when they were over. The second and third planks were as painful as all the leg lifts! I’m really looking forward to just jumps tomorrow.
My night away was fine. I had prepared all meals and snacks except Saturday’s supper and I just ate what was available at the bridal shower... sushi, shrimp, raw veggies, quinoa salad, and a whole wheat pita. Definitely low on protein but it was only one meal so I wasn’t too stressed (although my stomach was a little off the next day). I abstained from alcohol and nobody cared, although I will say I didn’t really have a good time. I felt a little uptight and socially anxious in a room full of strangers. I don’t drink a lot but in that scenario (off PCP) I for sure would have used a glass of wine or two as social lubricant! What does that say about me?
I bowed out early – around 8:30 when everyone was headed to the bar. I went back to my best friend’s house and they had company so I made some herbal tea and we all sat up and talked until 1:30. It was after 2 before I got to sleep and even though I slept in until 9:15 I felt completely hung over the next day, like I’d been on a bender. I am usually in bed by 10 and I hate late nights. I was back on schedule last night though.
Looking forward to what’s in store for the upcoming week!
My night away was fine. I had prepared all meals and snacks except Saturday’s supper and I just ate what was available at the bridal shower... sushi, shrimp, raw veggies, quinoa salad, and a whole wheat pita. Definitely low on protein but it was only one meal so I wasn’t too stressed (although my stomach was a little off the next day). I abstained from alcohol and nobody cared, although I will say I didn’t really have a good time. I felt a little uptight and socially anxious in a room full of strangers. I don’t drink a lot but in that scenario (off PCP) I for sure would have used a glass of wine or two as social lubricant! What does that say about me?
I bowed out early – around 8:30 when everyone was headed to the bar. I went back to my best friend’s house and they had company so I made some herbal tea and we all sat up and talked until 1:30. It was after 2 before I got to sleep and even though I slept in until 9:15 I felt completely hung over the next day, like I’d been on a bender. I am usually in bed by 10 and I hate late nights. I was back on schedule last night though.
Looking forward to what’s in store for the upcoming week!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Day 31 - Pancakes
This is a dinosaur made of pancakes and I think it's totally awesome:
It made me think that maybe my next indulgence would be a pancake.
Great workout today. You know how sometimes there are exercises you hate (I'm talking to you, lunges) and exercises you LOVE to hate? I love floor jumps. I hate them too but the love far outweighs the hate. Quite the quiver with those. Things are going well here. I crave nothing and I find that really interesting. I made Simon a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch today and didn't even want a crumble of cheese.
Strange, but I'm not complaining. Much easier this way.
It made me think that maybe my next indulgence would be a pancake.
Great workout today. You know how sometimes there are exercises you hate (I'm talking to you, lunges) and exercises you LOVE to hate? I love floor jumps. I hate them too but the love far outweighs the hate. Quite the quiver with those. Things are going well here. I crave nothing and I find that really interesting. I made Simon a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch today and didn't even want a crumble of cheese.
Strange, but I'm not complaining. Much easier this way.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Day 30 - Eggs, anyone?
Saw these at the grocery store:
And, no, I didn't buy them. If I can't boil my own eggs I am L-A-M-E.
And, no, I didn't buy them. If I can't boil my own eggs I am L-A-M-E.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Day 29 - Going on a trip...
It’s not a far trip, and it’s not a long trip, and I’m not even going until Saturday... but it's all I can think about.
I'm headed to Toronto this weekend for a girlfriend's wedding shower and bachelorette party. I found myself awake in the middle of the night thinking about the things I need to take with me to make sure I get the food as close as possible to what I'm supposed to eat. It's making me nervous but a good test I suppose as the weekend after this one we're going to the wedding and will be staying in a hotel for 4 days/nights. This weekend I'm staying with a friend, so I can bring my snacks and breakfast and for supper I'll do my best and carry a bag of veggies in my purse because I think that will be the hardest thing to get my hands on. I'm not the least bit interested in going to a bar (I never am, but this time I'm REALLY not) so I think by the time everybody's drunk and ready to go out and party I will quietly excuse myself and head back to my friend's place. I will be interested to see if my not drinking will be easily accepted by others or if people will pressure me somehow. I've never understood why people do that. I've witnessed it a lot… I’ve had it happen to me and I’ve seen it happen to friends of mine who were not drinking because they JUST found out they were pregnant... somehow “no thanks” or “just water” gets people all riled up. I guess that's why a lot of people walk around with a glass of wine a just don't drink it. I refuse to do that out of principle.
I like this post from Kim, about navigating social situations and a specific situation in which she went "stealth". That's what I'll do this weekend. I'm not going to explain to anyone why I'm not drinking or eating junk. I will the following weekend when I dine out with my friends, but this weekend is a) not about me, and b) a party filled with people I will be meeting for the first time and I'm just not that interested in sharing with strangers (I mean really, will a stranger ask me why I’m not drinking? I can’t imagine but I will report back!)
I am totally over-thinking this. I know that lots of y'all have gone out and travelled around and made PCP work on the road. I'm just worried that I won't have access to good stuff will get thrown off my schedule. I haven’t deviated and I don’t want to start now. The good news for this weekend is that I can do my workout at home before I go on Saturday and at home when I get back Sunday. The following weekend I'll figure it out in the hotel room and hotel gym.
For the record, I did my 1300 jumps yesterday before supper and was really glad I did. I couldn't bear the thought of skipping my workout. And today I got back to working out first thing. Simon offered to take on the morning dog walk so my mornings aren't so rushed. He's a fine man. Last night he said "you're going to be so proud of yourself at the end of this". I don't doubt it. Today I'm proud that I've exercised 29 days in a row.
That's a FIRST!
I'm headed to Toronto this weekend for a girlfriend's wedding shower and bachelorette party. I found myself awake in the middle of the night thinking about the things I need to take with me to make sure I get the food as close as possible to what I'm supposed to eat. It's making me nervous but a good test I suppose as the weekend after this one we're going to the wedding and will be staying in a hotel for 4 days/nights. This weekend I'm staying with a friend, so I can bring my snacks and breakfast and for supper I'll do my best and carry a bag of veggies in my purse because I think that will be the hardest thing to get my hands on. I'm not the least bit interested in going to a bar (I never am, but this time I'm REALLY not) so I think by the time everybody's drunk and ready to go out and party I will quietly excuse myself and head back to my friend's place. I will be interested to see if my not drinking will be easily accepted by others or if people will pressure me somehow. I've never understood why people do that. I've witnessed it a lot… I’ve had it happen to me and I’ve seen it happen to friends of mine who were not drinking because they JUST found out they were pregnant... somehow “no thanks” or “just water” gets people all riled up. I guess that's why a lot of people walk around with a glass of wine a just don't drink it. I refuse to do that out of principle.
I like this post from Kim, about navigating social situations and a specific situation in which she went "stealth". That's what I'll do this weekend. I'm not going to explain to anyone why I'm not drinking or eating junk. I will the following weekend when I dine out with my friends, but this weekend is a) not about me, and b) a party filled with people I will be meeting for the first time and I'm just not that interested in sharing with strangers (I mean really, will a stranger ask me why I’m not drinking? I can’t imagine but I will report back!)
I am totally over-thinking this. I know that lots of y'all have gone out and travelled around and made PCP work on the road. I'm just worried that I won't have access to good stuff will get thrown off my schedule. I haven’t deviated and I don’t want to start now. The good news for this weekend is that I can do my workout at home before I go on Saturday and at home when I get back Sunday. The following weekend I'll figure it out in the hotel room and hotel gym.
For the record, I did my 1300 jumps yesterday before supper and was really glad I did. I couldn't bear the thought of skipping my workout. And today I got back to working out first thing. Simon offered to take on the morning dog walk so my mornings aren't so rushed. He's a fine man. Last night he said "you're going to be so proud of yourself at the end of this". I don't doubt it. Today I'm proud that I've exercised 29 days in a row.
That's a FIRST!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Day 28 - Spent
Yesterday was the first day of the PCP that I almost didn't do the workout. I'm hurting and I felt like my body needed a break. I pressed on and got the most of my workout though I was extremely careful with my form and about moving too quickly in and out of different positions. Then I had a long soak in the hot tub followed by really gentle stretching.
I hurt myself with the creeps the other day... I feel like I shredded my left quad and my right knee is tweaked too. I think I was too low, not sure. Anyway, I got through yesterday and will see how I feel a little later about doing the jumps. But for the first part of the day I'm going to take it a bit easy and just try to keep moving a little so I don't end up sitting still too long. Will continue the soaking/stretching routine too.
I've enjoyed reading about all the indulgences! Sounds like we've pretty much learned that we can live without the food we used to crave so badly!
I hurt myself with the creeps the other day... I feel like I shredded my left quad and my right knee is tweaked too. I think I was too low, not sure. Anyway, I got through yesterday and will see how I feel a little later about doing the jumps. But for the first part of the day I'm going to take it a bit easy and just try to keep moving a little so I don't end up sitting still too long. Will continue the soaking/stretching routine too.
I've enjoyed reading about all the indulgences! Sounds like we've pretty much learned that we can live without the food we used to crave so badly!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Day 26 - Indulgence #1
First let me say that those creeps may be the end of me. I thought other things were hard until I tried those. I can barely walk. But this means they're doing something and I love that!
OK, like Sara, I indulged very shortly after receiving Patrick's email on Friday. I didn't think I'd do it so quickly and I really though I'd agonize over the choices. But in the end it was easy. Simon had just arrived back from 8 days away and we sat down and had a glass of wine (1.5 actually) and got caught up. It was great. It took me FOREVER to drink that much wine... I had the first glass over the course of an hour long chat and the half glass with my PCP supper. After supper I had two very small peices of 5-year-old cheddar, which I used to eat in copious amounts before PCP. Good cheese is one of my favorite things to eat so this just made more sense to me than a sweet. I haven't had so much as a sprinkle of cheese since PCP started and I missed it. But, HELLO THE SALT! Was cheese always this salty? Yikes! My palate has changed for sure. As for the wine, it was delicious. I had pangs of guilt while I was drinking it and it actually felt like too much.
Then something really weird happened and I have no idea if it was related to my indulgence or not. At 2am I woke up with out-of-control abdominal pain. The pain was up in my stomach, and it felt like a food-poisoning, imminent vomiting kind of pain. I had sweats, was freezing, boiling... this lasted for maybe 10 or 15 minutes, then passed.... and these cycles continued for 2 hours. I was convinced I was getting some kind of stomach flu or really did have food poisoning. I didn't get sick though and by about 4:30 felt normal again and slept until 9:30. The next day I proceeded as usual with normal amounts of PCP food and a hard PCP workout. NO IDEA. Was this related to my small indulgence? I am intrigued.
Yesterday Simon did my workout with me. When I was watching him skip I realized what I must have been like on the first day. I have come a long way.
OK, like Sara, I indulged very shortly after receiving Patrick's email on Friday. I didn't think I'd do it so quickly and I really though I'd agonize over the choices. But in the end it was easy. Simon had just arrived back from 8 days away and we sat down and had a glass of wine (1.5 actually) and got caught up. It was great. It took me FOREVER to drink that much wine... I had the first glass over the course of an hour long chat and the half glass with my PCP supper. After supper I had two very small peices of 5-year-old cheddar, which I used to eat in copious amounts before PCP. Good cheese is one of my favorite things to eat so this just made more sense to me than a sweet. I haven't had so much as a sprinkle of cheese since PCP started and I missed it. But, HELLO THE SALT! Was cheese always this salty? Yikes! My palate has changed for sure. As for the wine, it was delicious. I had pangs of guilt while I was drinking it and it actually felt like too much.
Then something really weird happened and I have no idea if it was related to my indulgence or not. At 2am I woke up with out-of-control abdominal pain. The pain was up in my stomach, and it felt like a food-poisoning, imminent vomiting kind of pain. I had sweats, was freezing, boiling... this lasted for maybe 10 or 15 minutes, then passed.... and these cycles continued for 2 hours. I was convinced I was getting some kind of stomach flu or really did have food poisoning. I didn't get sick though and by about 4:30 felt normal again and slept until 9:30. The next day I proceeded as usual with normal amounts of PCP food and a hard PCP workout. NO IDEA. Was this related to my small indulgence? I am intrigued.
Yesterday Simon did my workout with me. When I was watching him skip I realized what I must have been like on the first day. I have come a long way.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Day 25 - Indulgence
OH THE STRESS!
Does anyone else find the idea of choosing an indulgence stressfull? Will I choose the right thing? Will I regret it? Will I be able to stop?
I will be checking in to see what everyone opts for!
Does anyone else find the idea of choosing an indulgence stressfull? Will I choose the right thing? Will I regret it? Will I be able to stop?
I will be checking in to see what everyone opts for!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Day 23 - Egg in a basket
I haven't had a chance to work out yet but I'm sure glad it's a lunge day. Not.
Saw this picture and thought it looked so good...
... here's the recipe, a cinch to make and if you eliminate the butter and salt and maybe exchange the sourdough for some nice whole grain bread, it's a PCP fantasy breakfast!
Saw this picture and thought it looked so good...
... here's the recipe, a cinch to make and if you eliminate the butter and salt and maybe exchange the sourdough for some nice whole grain bread, it's a PCP fantasy breakfast!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Day 22 - Oh, the bloat
I am so bloated that I could barely eat today and my new diet was a bit of a fail. I got back on track for lunch, my biggest meal of the day, but haven't been able to stomach any snacks and my dinner is all measured out and ready to eat, but I'm just waiting to feel hungry again. When I sit or bend over, I feel this discomfort in my midsection like there's a giant air bubble in there. Everything feels backed up and just generally gross. I was feeling a bit slimmer in my belly until last night... now I feel like a new layer of fat is taking residence over my new abs. WTF?
Tomorrow I am going to try to move my exercises back to the morning. I'm not sure when it's best to do them. Over the last few days I've switched to mid-morning and today it was mid-afternoon. I felt like I was starting to simply procrastinate, though, so want to get back on track.
Questions for Patrick that I will ask here in case these are burning questions for someone else too:
1. What IS the best time of day to work out? I feel like maybe I read this somewhere already... but I can't figure out exactly where.
2. What's up with sweet potatoes? Are they carbs? Are they veg? Are they something that I just shouldn't eat?
That's it for today. Let's hope the bloat goes away soon.
Tomorrow I am going to try to move my exercises back to the morning. I'm not sure when it's best to do them. Over the last few days I've switched to mid-morning and today it was mid-afternoon. I felt like I was starting to simply procrastinate, though, so want to get back on track.
Questions for Patrick that I will ask here in case these are burning questions for someone else too:
1. What IS the best time of day to work out? I feel like maybe I read this somewhere already... but I can't figure out exactly where.
2. What's up with sweet potatoes? Are they carbs? Are they veg? Are they something that I just shouldn't eat?
That's it for today. Let's hope the bloat goes away soon.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Day 20 - The one about my period
Sorry in advance to the men.
I read Patrick’s email about differences we might notice in our third week of the PCP, and I thought “Great, maybe this month my menstrual cramps won’t knock me on my ass”. And for a day there I thought they hadn’t. But I was wrong. By last night I felt terrible and today has been a write-off as far as getting things done. I’d always wondered if being alcohol-free and increasing my exercise output might make a dramatic difference and this month was a great test for that. Alas, no differences.
That said, I ate what I was supposed to eat and at around noon finally dragged myself outside to start my workout. It went something like this:
jump, jump, trip.
jump, trip, jump.
ju…nope, trip.
trip, trip, trip.
Let’s just say that the human body amazes me. I am the same person I was yesterday and the day before but today every fiber of my being feels like lead. I did the workout and I made it count. It used to be that I would take this day as a “rest day”. It’s nice to know that my body can do it, even if it seems to fight me every step of the way.
Tomorrow will be better.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Day 18 - OMG, NO TRIPPING
Just a quick post to say 850 jumps with NO TRIPS! I still took a few breaks but my longest streak without a break was 250 jumps which was also a first for me.
I attribute this to my new rope that arrived yesterday - it is this Nike rope and I thought it would be too long at 9 feet but I think the fact that it's got some kind of steel cable in it gives it a good weight and I can get into a good rhythym to get it around my body. Anyway just wanted to say for anyone still struggling with their rope (as I have been) that I believe this has totally made the difference for me! It comes in 10 feet too which is recommended for people over 5'11" (180 cm).
(On another note, I may have see a newly formed shoulder muscle this morning!!)
I attribute this to my new rope that arrived yesterday - it is this Nike rope and I thought it would be too long at 9 feet but I think the fact that it's got some kind of steel cable in it gives it a good weight and I can get into a good rhythym to get it around my body. Anyway just wanted to say for anyone still struggling with their rope (as I have been) that I believe this has totally made the difference for me! It comes in 10 feet too which is recommended for people over 5'11" (180 cm).
(On another note, I may have see a newly formed shoulder muscle this morning!!)
Friday, October 1, 2010
Day 17 - TGIF...
... and it certainly helps that the sun is finally shining today.
First, let me say thanks a LOT for your supportive comments yesterday! I reached out, and you helped... baby steps, right?
Well, fear not, Cookie Monsters, I didn't stray from the PCP! I knew I wouldn't... I wanted to reach for something comforting but venting it out to you all and with my husband later was enough and I was able to let it go. This is one of many setbacks we've had along the way. There may be more and as my husband said to me today "wow, I'm really impressed with how well we handled that yesterday!". Well, me too!
Anyway, I had a great PCP night last night and only wallowed a little in a pot of mint tea. Today, though, I had my first PCP restaurant adventure! I have managed, in the last 16 days, to not eat a single meal out... but Simon was supposed to fly to Florida this morning and his flight was delayed until the late afternoon. We played hookey at the mall and spent a luxurious hour in a book store. It was a great day, and for lunch I had a lovely piece of steamed salmon, some steamed veggies and a large scoop of plain brown rice - I asked for no sauce and was pleasantly surprised that there was also no oil and no seasoning. If I'm ever craving a meal out I know there's at least one place in Buffalo I can go! I didn't have the ability to weigh any of my portions, but by now I can eyeball it pretty well I think it was right on. So, PCP win today!
I haven't posted much on workouts lately. Not much to say. Um, wow, it REALLY makes a difference when you're resistance bands have handles though! I love my new bands and I'm working to find that the sweet spot. I will say that I never realized just how weak my shoulders were. They are definitely feeling the Davincis.
Sometimes we don't know how much we can take until we push ourselves a little.
Happy weekend everyone.
First, let me say thanks a LOT for your supportive comments yesterday! I reached out, and you helped... baby steps, right?
Well, fear not, Cookie Monsters, I didn't stray from the PCP! I knew I wouldn't... I wanted to reach for something comforting but venting it out to you all and with my husband later was enough and I was able to let it go. This is one of many setbacks we've had along the way. There may be more and as my husband said to me today "wow, I'm really impressed with how well we handled that yesterday!". Well, me too!
Anyway, I had a great PCP night last night and only wallowed a little in a pot of mint tea. Today, though, I had my first PCP restaurant adventure! I have managed, in the last 16 days, to not eat a single meal out... but Simon was supposed to fly to Florida this morning and his flight was delayed until the late afternoon. We played hookey at the mall and spent a luxurious hour in a book store. It was a great day, and for lunch I had a lovely piece of steamed salmon, some steamed veggies and a large scoop of plain brown rice - I asked for no sauce and was pleasantly surprised that there was also no oil and no seasoning. If I'm ever craving a meal out I know there's at least one place in Buffalo I can go! I didn't have the ability to weigh any of my portions, but by now I can eyeball it pretty well I think it was right on. So, PCP win today!
I haven't posted much on workouts lately. Not much to say. Um, wow, it REALLY makes a difference when you're resistance bands have handles though! I love my new bands and I'm working to find that the sweet spot. I will say that I never realized just how weak my shoulders were. They are definitely feeling the Davincis.
Sometimes we don't know how much we can take until we push ourselves a little.
Happy weekend everyone.
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