Days 75, 76 & 77

Its the home stretch now.

Have been back in tokyo for a few days, on days off,catching up on loads of personal and work related stuff. The summer heat is finally here and boy does tokyo heat up, will be glad to head back to the beach in the morning and enjoy the work outs and being able to have a swim after the work outs.

Caught up with Lori and did two work outs together in the park, got bitten by bloody mosquitto's tonight was a tough one with the heat, felt like a beer after the work out, but no it was a soda water & mineral water at the bar.Lori and l keep looking back on 12 months ago, how our lives have changed for the better, we would normally be at a bar drinking, need to work out a plan of attack after day 90.

There are a lot of summer sales happening here at the moment and to date have not brought any new clothes, but was tempted today, managed to fit into a pair of M size shorts instead of the usual XL its been a awhile since that has happened.

Have had a couple of home cooked meals by friends and took advantage of the bonus blow out we where allowed to have,split them over two days, may have gone over my limit but alot has been happening in the past 48 hours.Had a few glasses of red wine, home made malaysian fish curry, and meat balls and linguini pasta, had mimimal pasta. and oh yes Thursday after a very stressful work related issue downed a Crown lager beer, and felt guilty while drinking it, but it was well overdue.
13 days to go now, time to take the work outs to maximum capacity.


In the morning will be back on the trian down to SHimoda ready for work and the weekends crowd, its 4th July long weekend, but no holiday here in Japan.

Happy Friday to every one.

Tony

Day 74 healthy cholesterol

Today l got the reslults back from the blood test, the doctors wording

Following your visit last week I have received your blood test results; these were all normal and specifically your cholesterol levels were healthy.

Way to go, and more the reason for doing PCP, doctors normally prescibe pills to control cholestrol, so this aint gunna happen to me.
This was great news to hear.

l was all set to leave work and go to my mates house for dinner looking forward to some one elses cooking his commnert was in italian "Stai ancora mangare vegetale" are you still eating veggies meaning you still dieting.
My co worker had to rush out for some reaosn, left me holding the fort at work, looks like the home cooked meal may not happen.

Work out was good a seem to be gritting the teeth doing them today, having the blood test results spurred me on through out the exercises and will keep me focused for the next 16 days.Managed a quick dip in the ocean after the work out, and just about lost my board shorts they are way to loose, time ot hit the surf shop for new board shorts

Cheers

Tony

Day 73 PCP word is spreading

Its sunday and the weekend crowds at work have gone, time to unwind and slow down, before l head to tokyo on Tuesday.

Had a 2 hour break from work, came home and got the work out done, so I could enjoy some down after work and sit in front of the TV, l am watching a documentry on the Casa Nostra from Sicily, ( my family is from there, yet no connections with mob).

So much for leaving work early, got talking to a couple of guests at the hotel, mentioned the no drink thing and work out ( as l was serving them a lemoncello and chocolate cello ) the lady guest said its not the pCP thing you are oding, my friend Helen just finished, Helen was in the group before this one, so the conversation changed to fitness, PCP and jump rope, our work outs diet etc... who would have thougth 1 year ago l would be tlaking about jump rope and fitness,spoke to Lori and she mentioned that the same last year we would be talking about what bar or bubbles we would be dirnking at brunch. Patrick,looks like l may have another contender for the next intake of PCP


Feeling quite shattered "I have a lot of personal stuff going on out side of work and PCP am still being very focused often my blogs show mood swings, any way am happy with the results of the weigh in today.

A bit like the biggest looser each week jumping on the scales is a mystery.
Today Visceral fat down to 13.5 % it was at 18% on day 1.
Muscle mass 33.9 ( day 1 31.4% can l hit 35 % by day 90!)
Subcutanous fat 14.7% (Day 1 was 18.5%)
BMI 27.7 % ( Day 1 was 31%)
Weight 85.7Kg ( day 1 the fatty was 96.5kg)

To the PCPeers on day 22 hang in there, the works out may seem tough, stay focused and it is all worth it, l would have never thought l could have stuck it out but so far l have, ( have been tempted to throw it in at times ) working in a kitchen has been hard, so many temptation, french fries, desserts, lots of pasta and over seasoning of food, nice juicy 350 gm rib eye steaks being grilled, ah crispy bacon and fried eggs, and pizza's.

Have a fun start to the working week ahead, looks like l will get my 8 hours sleep tonight.

Cheers

Tony

Day 72 - beach

Today l was determined to spend time on the beach, a nice sunny day and quite hot, found a hiding place at work and got the jump ropes over and done with jumping in 30 degree heat sweated like a pig

after lunch service, finished the rest of the workout.Pics of the beach and body shot of day 61 Wednesday.

Today l was quite pumped, yet tired and the thought of sitting " and having a nana nap " on the beach for an hour got me thru the exercises, there where great waves for body surfing,spent time with my friends two 9 year old twin girls who wanted to play around int he ocean, made me relaise how observant parents are when their kids are swimming in the ocean, the beach had a strongunder tow.

Exercises all done and dusted time to enjoy the rest of the evening, have several friends coming in for dinner, will have a bit of a socila life tonight, and dinner is roasted veggies and fish in the pizza oven.

ENjoy the rest of the weekend.

Tony

Day 71 no end in sight

So much for feeling energetic today, another 6 hours sleep would have been nice.

Watched lasts weeks video post from Patrick, felt better after hearing other PCPers have been feeling tired, Today was one of those days, constantly pushing myself at work to to get my own work done, ( and in the back of my mind there was the work out exercies to do grrrrrr).
Working 100 meters from the beach got the better of me, have not stepped foot on the beach in nealry 6 weeks, so close yet so far away. I managed the jump rope early evening before the guests arrived, then ran to the beach for a quick 5 minute swim, it felt so good and recharged my body to get me thru the next 4 hours at work.

Came home and finsihed the work out, was determined to get it all done rather than head to bed.

19 days left to tone up the body.
Happy weekend every one.

Tony

Day 70, and only 20 more to go

Wow cannot believe there are only 20 days left, where has the last 10 weeks gone.

So much for having a day off from work, running around like a headless chook "chicken" all day on the scooter.The tokyo heat wave has been draining the past few days, have drank lots of liquids and still feel dehydrated.Its time to head back to the beach for work, was hopoing to do some of the work out on the train, the pulls ups would have been ideal, the train conductor kept looking at me and watcing me,when ever l would stand up and put my hands on the rails.

Got around to doing the work out at home, I am having a bad run of luck again, l tought being at home was safe, the rope work, seated row and yep the door swung open and good bye the the right nut, think its time for protection down there twice in 4 days. Had planned on a late night swim in the ocean, have been told there are a few sharks about 5 feet out in the bay, knowing my bad run of luck l would get attacked, hence no swim.

Gearing up for a busy weekend at work, need to work hard for the next 20 days on the exerices and push to the maximum.

Happy Friday and start of a new week.
Cheers
Tony

day 68 & 69

A change of scenery once again for a few days, back to the big city. A pleasant trian ride 150 minutes, meant l got to catch up on sleep, had intentions to do my work out on the train, it was full of commuters, so sleep took priority.
Work out went well, nice not to be eaten alive by insects for a change.

Wednesday day 69 bloody hot in tokyo 30 degrees the first hot summers day,l was on fire once again, l seem to thrive when l have lots of task to do during the day. Went for a blood test to see how the cholesterol is going, the dreaded shop at costco again for work,was racing thru the isles, managed a good walking session, luv the chicken ceaser salad minus the dressing, was tempted to go for the chicken bugogi a thick parcel of puff pastry and chicken filling,then realised it is not worth it, stay healthy, followed by ikea for more work stuff & fruit salad.
Managed to get the jump rope in but the other workout will have to be done tomorrow.
Still cannot manage to be an early riser to get the work outs done.

The past few days have been surrounded by neagtive people, tonight had friends from out of town visting tokyo, it was nice to be amongst friends who are quite positive in their outlook in life.

Cheers

Tony

Day 67 rope work injury

I forgot to mention be ware when doing lap pulldowns, had a little mis hap at work yesterday, was doing the lap pull downs during my break, had the rope tucked nicely behind the door, minding my own business working away, a staff member when to open the door not realising l was behind the door( a door with glass in it) before l knew it the rope anchor came flying at me and good bye the family jewels, need less to say l was a bit speechless and in pain, so be careful ........

Today all went well with the work out, got a few tips - pointers on the exercises we do from a guest who is professional rugby palyer showed me little tricks to the work outs. I was talking about PCP and the guest was very impressed with the work outs,the food diet, showed him our blogs and he was blown away. PCP word is spreading.


Time for bed, need to get at least 7 hours sleep,
Cheers
Tony

The rope and anchor that caused the injury !!!!!

Day 66 Food review at work

A slow start to the morning, l weakened last night, was at a mate's house after work, took some home made grappa as a gift that was given to me,was chilling out after a long day at work, had one small shot glas of the grappa and boy did it make me sleep well ( this stuff was nice and smooth and not like rocket fuel)

Am still aimimg to get the work outs except cardio done at work during the quiet periods am planning on doing extra ab work or jump rope to help remove the spare tires around the gut.

I was a bit pre occupied at work, seemd to have skipped my dinner, we where having a food review done on the new restaurant. not knowing what the expections of the journalists will be it does play with your mind. It was all a lot of fun, playing around with meals doing a degustion menu of 5 courses, dividing one plate into 2 for small portions. a bit like pcp meals.Even though the restaurant is Italian based food it was simple and light.The high light of the dinner was Swordfish baked in the famous pizza oven and seaosnl veggies, am taking a liking to broad beans or fava beans cooked whole in thier shells- pods,l always thought you had to boil the shite out of them to cook them, still learning after many years in the industry and more catious now doing PCP.
l even think the desserts looked hot,a tasting plate of tiramisu light and fluffy, vanilla pannacotta and baked ricotta cheesecake, and a few fresh berries.

I noticed a few of the guys are going in for their annual medical check after pcp, have been thinking the same, am curious to see how my cholestrol level is as it has always been high.

Happy start to the a new working week everyone.

Cheers

Tony

Day 65 New Pics

Its Saturday and still raining here down at the beach, humid and not so pleasant.

Work out down by mid afternoon,it seems so easy compared to yesterday's work out.Slept for a soild 8 hours which is unheard of for me, Lunch today was some salmon fillets l got at the local supermarket and yep it was cooked in the pizza oven in foil with some friesh rosemary and a

few slices of artichokes, a salad of cold roasted veggies, avocado and tomato with fresh lemon juice and a drop of balsamic vinegar.
Combined my work out egghite with my afternoon sanck of yoghurt to make my smoothi, l am hooke don these now. I was given some Greek low fate yoghurt from a frined, Man on man its good stuff, nice and thick and creamy ( bloody expensive l think it is around $15 for 500 gm) Imported dairy products in japan have a 38 % duty, non the less may have ot indulge int he next coming weeks on the greek yoghurt.

Have some new pics up on the flickr acocunt, got a mate at work to take them, his comment was wow you have lost weight, another mate at work said you are built like a brick shit house ( not sure if it only us Aussie using this term) l wanted to deck the guy.
ANy way the results are showing and l am feeling good.

Like Patrick M, l have been wanting to comment on peoples blog, some how it aint happening for some reason. To all people on day 65 not long to go now, wish we could all meet up bit tis not possible as we are all spread around the world.
Happy saturday to all

Tony

Day 64

It's friday and time to leave the city "civilization" and head back to the beach,very quiet and rural, still not beach weather rainy season is with us here in japan. I met up wiht Lori for a coffee in the morning, we have not seen each other for about 1 month and WOW we looked so good, commneting on each other and poking each other saying look you have lost your luv handles, look at your arse its dissapearing, your face is so thin, I think we may have to take a so called " pretend-make believe engagement" photo at the end of PCP. The story behind this is at Lori's birthday a photo was taken of the two of us, some one commented on Facebook it looked like an engagemet photo, so we played along with it for a joke and peole believed us.
Okay so back to PCP, back to work, a technical monday for me, even though it is friday, all the days just roll into one, Did my work out durng the quiet times at work, mam it was a tough one on the legs, pushed hard and got them done in good time around 35 minutes minus the jump rope will save that for when l get home. There are a lot of bugs insects down here at the beach, l get bitten alive working out doors.
I had to laugh at my dinner tonight, am off the eggwhites and milk, which l bitched about but it did fill me up. Had to take a photo of the veg plate as it used to be so un me for dinner, the corn on the cob baked in the pizza oven was aweosme, l did not eat it all.

Hppy Weekend everyone.

Tony

Day 63

I certianly felt the results from yesterday's work out, slept like a log, and a bit slow to get going this morning, good to have a day off from work.

Went to a Meeting put on by the American Chamber of Commerce toady about business in japan and effects of the earthquake,

My suit pants that could not fit me was swimming on me, ( have not worn this suit in many years, my shirt that used to choke me doing up the top button was loose, felt quite good about the results PCP has done to the body in the past 60 days) The food was dismal, had to come home and stock up on veggies and salad,
The jump rope is a nice change for the days work out.
Lets see what next weeks diet and work out will be, more eggwhites and apples.

Cheers

Tony

Day 62 a tough one

Today, l leave the beach area and head back to the city for 2 nights and a day, a nice change to be back amongst the hussel and bussel of Tokyo's traffic, that past few days all l have seen is alot of local people working on their veggie gardens, l think the average age is around 70.

So onto the work out, today was teeth gritting, back and triceps, l managed 1923 jumps in the 16 minutes, l never check this, today was a bit peeved off with my results managed to gain 0.5% body fat from last week and loose 0.6% muscle mass, and l thought l had a good week. Lost just under a one kg, from last weeks weight, so l guess I should not be so hard on myself, I was doing the exercies out side my home, had very strange looks from some young Japanese kids about 3 years old, the look on their faces was look at this gaijin( Foreigner ) what is he doing.

After the work out, legs, triceps are burning, tomorrow will be interesting to see how sore l will be, thank god it is our rest day.
Will get some pics taken tonight and have them uploaded tomorrow.

Happy work out evry one.
No food pics today sorry about that.

Tony

Day 61

Todays work out was done in the morning for a change, a nice feeling going to work knowing you donot have the work out in the back of your mind all day, this made my day alot easier. l felt good and could concentrate at work, and knock over all the little jobs l had to do, today l was Bob the handy man /builder making shelves in the line room, nailing anything in sight to hang utensils, the odd bit of gardening.

Food at work today was for a photo shoot, most of it all PCP friendly,

fish kimedai a local fish and squid or more glamarous wording "Calamari" seafood pizza all cooked in the pizza oven am lovin the oven these days, a nice chnage to the BBQ and pasta with seafood. My dinner was the usual again the soothie ( am so looking forward to eating a proper meal for dinner, l guess that will not happen for while.
Have been feeling peckish late at night, am not sure if its due to eating dinner early, had my evening sanck at 10 30 pm am still hungry at midnight,have been tempted to go to the convenience store for some fried chips but that would put all todays work out the window. time to attack the cooked veggies.

I tried replying to peopels repsone to my blog and it keepss cutting out on me. sorry for that, l donot know why this happens grrrrrrrrrrrr
Enjoy the pics.
Tomorrow heading back to civalisation "Tokyo" for a few days.
Tony

Day 59 & 60

Sunday, had another decent nights sleep, Saturday night was the first time in a while to sit in front of the TV, a few of the house mates were down from Tokyo, it was nice to ahve company for a few days. WOrk outs are going well, have now decided to do them at work in down time.l leave the jump rope for when l get home.
Dinner was at my mate steve's house, its becoming a regular event on sunday nights, Steve made Veg curry, chick peas and tomato and lots of spices, Cauliflower, onions with cardamon and cummin seeds, saffrom jasmine rice and yoghurt raita with fresh herbs from Steve's garden. I did swap my lunch meal for my dinner meal,as l could not face egg whites and milk at a dinner table. I got to admit cauliflower has never tasted so good,or more to the point l was starving.
Had a glass of french wine with dinner the color looked like Pee, it tasted some what tasted rank, we came ot the conclusion it was corked,

Monday day 60 two thirds of the way there,
Feeling some what slow this morning, it took a while to get motivated at work, espresso coffee got me on the right track, Lunch was fish for a change and oven roasted veg in the pizza oven, sprinkled them with chili oil and forgot about it and wandered why they tasted so hot when l was eating them!!!

Dinner was torture, cooked up a load of meat and veggies for the staff and l stood there drinking my shake, eggwhite, milk and apple. those pork chops and lamb chops looked bloody good.
Exercises are done glad there where not so many squats today, a few of the blokes at work where giving me advice on their exercie regime they do and telling me what l should be doing, I refrianed and said nothing,( very hard for me)

Am looking forward to the next 30 days and what more changes are going to happen with our bodies,my target was to drop 10 kgs, hope to hit that this week, which means l must have been a fatty to start with on the flip side those spare tires around the gut have been paid for over the years with food, now its time to say good bye to them.

have some pics from sunday nights dinner and tonight's bbq at work.
have a fun week ahead with PCP and work.

Cheers

Tony

Saturday

Looks like l am a day ahead in blogs, Today is day 58.

Had lazy morning after a good nights sleep, feeling refreshed and energised. It had been bucketing down cats and dogs last night, have not seen so much rian in a long time. I did not relaise that the clock in the lounge room had stopped, it was 7.30 am for a long time, l was one hour late for work.Played around with the pizza oven baking today and made blue berry muffins and whole meal pizza bases, the bricohe did not turn out too good, oven was way to hot.

Pizza was with in my limits, 90 gm base and oven roasted vegetables, with fresh herb oil and rocket.

Exercies were done at work in my break, the fridges are a good height for doing the chest dips, and the kitchen mats good for doing the push ups, l know keep a set of bands at work to do during slow times.

We are nearly two thirds of the way thru PCP.

Enjoy the weekend everyone.

Tones

Day 58

Finally caught up on sleep, stayed in Tokyo last night to meet up with some friends and headed down to the beach early, well early for me 6.30 am l was at the train station, coffee and milk in hand, boiled egg, rye bread and veggies, nice taking the shinkansen train to speed up the train travelling time.

Lunch was intersting l have not had pasta for a long time the guys at work made staff lunch and made me a pasta,with eggplant and tomato sauce, I thought let me weigh the portion out of curiostity it was 320 gms in total, l weighed out 90 gm and it was so small lucky to be 2 big mouth fulls.

Today was a killer in the kitchen made the lemoncello and orange cello ( lemon zest has been soaked in SPiritis alcohol for 30 days,it is then added with a thick sugar syrup and stored in the freezer, man it was so strong in smell, l was good and did not taste any, the thought of all that sugar sent shivers up my spine. Next was the bisoctti, almonds and more sugar, had to sample a small one to see what it was like. yet the though of all that sugar sends little signals to my brain( biscotiti yummo, you want to stay fat go on and eat me)

Managed to do the work out at work as it was quiet tonight which is a nice change to doing them after work,
It's time to hit the sack and get sleep, as most people are starting their weekend,mine is just beginning.

Todays lunch and the lemoncello, oranage cello and chococello all not on the PCP diet.
happy weeknd every one.

Tones

day 55 & 56 Wed & Thursday

Woke up wendnesday morning as tho l had bene hit by a truck, the work out with Patrick Tuesday afternoon was tough. finally was shown the technique in doing pulls up Kung-fu, not a bad effort, body still aching from the weekend work at work and not work outs.

Wednesday was on fire so much to do so little time, energy level down but l was on mission and patients not on my side, 10 am first stop Ikea, got odds and ends for work, had my fruit from the Ikea food hall. nie fruit salad. nex tstop Costco what a night mare, l thought l could have down both Ikea and costco in 3 hours, 6 hours later was still at costco levainga t 4 pm. Lunch was costco chicken ceasar salad minus the dressing.
My body still aching from the work out and lack of sleep. I had a rolfing session, a good friend visiting from Oz in tokyo (www.rolf.org )Body alignment & efficient seffective movement awareness, felt so much better after wards and was on a roll.

Work outs going well. the local fruit shop mama san where l have been bbuying from for the past 14 years said Tony san "chotto skinny" you have got thin. a few months ago it was tony san chotto fat. People are starting to notice the drop in wieght and chnage in body, am down 9 kgs from day 1.
Thursday still on a roll,more stuff to do. meals going well,managed an afernoon work out instead of midnight. Good to be back in my house and preparing food. have noticed that the convini stores sell boiled eggs have been buying them on the run for my egg white snacks.

Toworrow its back to the grind of work, looks like 3 days of 14 to 15hours ahead of me, hoping to get break time to enjoy the beach.
I have noticed some familar faces / friends from Tokyo in new group Tracey , Connie, Patrick and John, well done for joining.

Will be experimenting with thw wood fire oven over the weekend, will put up pics with some of my creations.
Cheers

Tones

Day 53 and 54

Monday a great day, managed more than 5 hours sleep which was nice.

Did my work out late at night, was really pumped and full off energy at midnight, could not sit still and was buzzing around, ended up doing house work, felt like Sadie the cleaning lady ( fellow Aussies will know what l mean) I was still hungry after the work out had to break the diet and had a piece ot wholemeal bread and a thin spread of vegemite, l know its bad but have not had cravings for a late night snack before.

I discovered at work l can do the pull ups on the canopy outside the pizza oven, as l am yet to master the pull ups, will be an insentive to do them daily.

Tuesday feeling relievd l will have a day off, will catch up on sleep on the train, heading back to tokyo will stop off in Yokohama and do a work out with Patrick.

Happy Tuesday every one

Tony

Day 52 back on track

Am back on track, its sunday night and the weekend rush of the hotel / restauarnt opening is over, a huge stress relief, guests have gone,its time to get back into my PCP routine.

Went to a friends house for dinner here at the beach, and had my indulgence dinner, my friend Steve made a healthy dinner for me, veg cruditess, grilled eggplant, onions with yoghurt dip, followed my a slow coked morrocan lamb shank,and cous cous.

Did my work out when l got home from dinner, and its now 1.30am catching up on email time for bed.
I have uploaded some photos from work.
Have a fun week ahead every one.

Tony

Day 50 & 51

Thanks to the pcpers for the encouragement to get me thru the gruelling days at work.
friday was a killer, opening day at work,managed the food and did some exercises in a short break finished the rest wehn l got home at 12,30 am, felt pumped after the work out, but it was time for bed, had to be back on deck at work at early, 5 hours sleep made it a long day, hence no work out today,( l gathered that the stress and phsysical work out in the kitchen is more gruesome than jump rope and ab work outs!!! managed a 1 hour break, had a quickk swim in the ocan and a power nap for 30 minutes.

Will have pics up tomorrow, my friends made a comment tonight at how good l look, wait until they see the Abs ( they are there some where hidden, soon to be on display.) A colleague from Gym was at work, he also commented onhow much weight l have dropped,

Tomorrow should be back on track witht he work outs.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Cheers

Tony

Day 49

Life down at the beach is some what quiet, l am starting to wander what have l done. the work outs have been happening after work, have had no motivation or energy to do them when l get home, my mind seems to be focuced on work, Its crunch time with the new job opening day tomorrow friday and we are not quite ready grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!the stress levels are high, l like to be orgainised and hoping for no fouls ups on the first night, but l can see there are going to be several.
The food intake has been going well but l keep forgetting to eat when l get side tracked with work.

Tonight's dinner l endulged and had a small piece of pork fillet,about 70 gms and salad, the pork was seasoned with so much salt, my boss likes it that way,( it makes people drink more??) we where cutting pork Tbone at 350 gm portions,for the hungry "gaijin" western customers. Sorry to bore you with work and food.
The next few days are going to be tough, 3 x 16 hours days coming up hoping to have the energy level to do the work outs.

Cheers

Tony