Day 87: Guilty as charged!

After reading Patrick's email of how the gym has all these TVs that distract you from focusing on your actual workout, well I am guilty for doing that.  I love American football and since I need to mix in different options in place of jump roping, I catch up on the football updates in the 30-45 minutes of fat-burning cardio I do.  During the exercise portion of the workouts, I am distracted very little, just focusing on the pain and getting through the exercises.  Man, that was a lot of reps today, but it's a really good sense of accomplishment especially if it's done before my work day.

Prior to PCP, I was also one of those gym bunnies who would workout soooo hard at the gym and then feel like I could have an extra slice of pizza for dinner because I worked so hard in the gym that day.  Oh how my thought patterns have shifted!

Day 85: I'm a machine

I went to the gym today and I made it through all the reps and sets.  I definitely am feeling it after, my body feels so heavy.  Good thing I have a 9-5 sit down at a desk kind of job!

I know I will keep up with the daily jump rope and/or other alternatives that burn the fat, but I'm a bit worried when PCP ends what about the exercises?  I guess I'm just used to following what the daily exercises are and I suppose I can work some sort of routine out.  Maybe even just repeating the past workout series would suffice.

I feel pretty good every day.  The hunger pangs have become ancient history and this new way of eating is easy to do.  Yep I said it!  Here's a story for ya, the other day I was at Subway getting a oven-roasted chicken breast sub on whole wheat and the dude at check out slipped a sugar cookie in my bag.  While I didn't notice at the time, I discovered it upon reaching for my sub.  I had two reactions - 1. awe, how nice he gave me a cookie!!  2. enabler!!!  I did not ask for a cookie!  Nonetheless, I threw it out cause I was emotionally torn on what to do.  Ugh!  I should have given it to a co-worker or something.  But I couldn't think straight and I threw it out!  I didn't want the temptation especially when I'm so close to the end of the PCP commitment.  I'm sad I don't heavily crave cookies anymore.  But at the same time, I am happier when there is "less" of me around.

Finally, this made me laugh! 'Cause now I think we are all on the right track to enjoying a piece of fruit over a cookie!!  Go Team Cookie Monster!

Day 84: Bring it!

Because of my volleyball tournament on Saturday, my workouts got shifted and I had to do the jumps and the full exercises today.  But I felt very good afterwards.  I felt very fit.  I can feel my abs when I sit-down now, engaging them when I please.  It's a neat feeling.

Day 81 & 82: Good Weekend

Good news is I played in a volleyball tournament all day Saturday and my team ended up going undefeated and won!  Bad news is after the tourney, I had no energy left to do the PCP exercises. 

This morning I woke up refreshed, went to the gym, knocked out the workout and it went really well.  I felt strong throughout the Day 81 workout.  For some reason the V-sits were a bit tougher than normal though, as I struggled to keep form on the last 5 reps of sets 3-5.

So it's only Sunday and I feel like I've got a whole day of no set plans and can finally have a day to do whatever I want.

Have a good day Team Cookie monster teammates!

Day 80: In the Zone

Today's workout was extremely tough.  One cool thing was, I really felt like I was in a zen state during jump rope, I found myself even when I tripped up, my body was still jumping to the rhythm.  The time went by fast and the sweat was pouring.  After maxing out on the pull-ups, lawn mowers and pull-downs, elevated tricep dips were a fail.  I started off elevated and then half way thru each set, they became bent knee tricep dips.  Man, are my triceps tired today!  I had a ton of leg energy today though, so the air bike abs were much more enjoyable than previous attempts.  Although, I have learned, planks or air bike are much easier when you have a buddy doing them with you.  Something about trying to outlast your partner, a competitive spirit arises and helps me maximize those ab exercises.  I didn't have that today, but I had a buddy over the Thanksgiving holiday, so I can say I miss my ab buddy!

A new season of volleyball coaching has started for me.  I'm the head coach for a local 12 year old and under team for the junior club season.  We had our first practice last night and boy, was it energizing.  Those players are so full of energy it's ridiculous and attempting to focus that energy is a challenge.  I look forward to seeing how much each player progresses as the season goes on.  At this age level, the improvements are always noticeable.

I am going to try to work in 8 minute abs everyday until the end.  Let's knock it out Team Cookie Monster!!

Also, I finally got a chance to connect my camera sooo new (and old) pics are posted - sorry for the delay!

Day 79: An understanding

This morning I felt rushed, as if I didn't have enough time to prep my food for the day, get my workout in and then get to work on time.  The workout was just there for me today, I just went on auto-pilot to get through the majority.  I did run out of time and I will need to finish the sit-up series sometime throughout the day - most likely tonight after practice.

I've also had a late start to my eating for the day, not a big deal but now I'm set to have lunch around 3:30 or 4.  Ugh, it's just one of those days.

I had a chat with Patrick yesterday about me not being exactly happy with where my body is physically at.  It was definitely helpful as he made some valid points to help me understand how my body's blueprint works.  Anyhoo, the PCP is a jump start to get my body onto a new blueprint.  I am confident that with continuing to use the habits learned, I will reach my fitness goals within the year and be able to maintain.  So my body and mind have reached an understanding.  It's nice to have peace between the two.

Day 78: Spent!

Today's workout was no joke.  From start to finish, it was tough.

i.am.exhausted.

Going to try my best to hit the grammage today for food!