Day 90

Day 90

Wow-- day 90 came much quicker than I ever thought it would.  It has been a difficult,  yet enjoyable journey these past 3 months.  Started the program at 95.5kg and ended up at 80.8kg for a total loss of 14.7kg.  Final pictures have been uploaded.    Did not have any specific weight loss goals when I started but really just wanted to do the program as it was set up and see where it would take me…  and I have been very happy with the results.  The big issue for me is how I will set myself up to continue some degree of the program for the rest of my life.  One thing for sure I will definitely lead a much more balanced life going forward.  It truly has been the best money that I have ever spent.  I would highly recommend the program to anyone that wants to turn their life around.

Day 84

Uploaded my new pictures for the week.  Not much of a change in my weight from last..  still around 83ish.

One thing for sure is 2 sets of 9 minutes goes a lot quicker that 3 of seven for jumping ropes.

Until later,

Day 83

A few thing have happened to me since the last time I updated my blog.  First things first my team.. the Nebraska Cornhuskers were beat by Oklahoma.  That started my weekend off great.  Then  last night when I was about ready to sit down and blog a bit more about what happened I walked over to my bedroom and found out someone broke into my apartment and took all my stuff.   And lastly when I weighed myself this morning I found out that I gained a kilo from the day before. Been down to the low 82 handle for the past week or so but bounced back up.   So guess which one pissed me off the worst.  Yes it was Nebraska losing..   but anyway it has been a long few days..

Out Saturday and ASIJ Winterfest and did have a few people comment on how much weight I lost.  One mentioned as well that he hadn't lost a thing over the past few years and he runs 50 miles a week.  So as you say you have to mix it up and more importantly watch what you are eating to see any success

About the gym...  what I see is that the majority of people do not have a specific system or more importantly a goal that they are trying to accomplish.  They seem to do a few sets and sit around and have a few drinks of water.   Maybe run on the treadmill for 20 to 30 minutes and sweat out a bucket..  ( pretty much what I was doing for a few years) but not really accomplish a thing.  Still the same weight/body look that I have seen over the past few years.   You need to attack the gym and have a system and schedule in place before you show up.   Gone are the days in which you think you can show up at the gym and run a few kilometers and think you will get in shape.    And a good thing that I finally realized this as well.

That is about it for now.

Day 79

Workouts remain brutal.  Push-ups a killer and the planks remain tough as hell.  Really feeling everything right now.  The jumping rope I do not mind so much..   Stopped counting the skips and instead trying to increase the variations on what I am doing.   Keeps me interested a bit more than zoning out.

One thing interesting that I felt today doing the plank is that for the first time I felt a hell of a lot lighter.  Not sure why it hit me right now but I felt good.  Still could not do my full sets after my first without taking a break but it is getting much better.

As for my indulgence day--   I did have a small turkey dinner at a friend's place last Saturday with a bit of wine so decided to substitute. Thought about having a burger/beer after I saw your note but decided that I could let that pass for a few weeks until the program is over.
  
That's it.

Two Weeks left

Updated new photos today..   Down to 83 kg which is a loss of 13.5 kg over the past 76 days.  Pretty happy with that.  Find the workouts over the past few days have of course been brutal.  Push-ups, pull-ups triceps dips and of course the 90 second planks.  Still having a tough time getting anything over 1 set done correctly.  All the other sets of planks I end up dropping a knee with 40--30 seconds left.

While I am writing this my youngest daughter is sitting beside me and still saying that I am too cranky when I get home.  Think I am just a bit too tired recently.  Feel great after the workouts but after I get home I end up just passing out.

Anyway,  

Day 74 Happy Thanksgiving and the day after

Been a tough couple of days..  Have to say I am finding it a bit difficult on the motivation front this week.  Been going through the workout and pressing it but I am finding it difficult.  I know we only have a few weeks left but I am sure that is the problem.  Anyway... as always I get over it and move on.

That is about it for me today.  

Day 69

First things first will load up my pictures tomorrow.  My first daughter's birthday today so sat and watched them eat their cake..... they cake my mom used to make for me when I was a kid.. pure sugar.   Stuff is good but held off.

Workouts are tough and really feeling the burn especially the pull-ups and the elevated tri dips today.    Could not execute the Kung -fu sit up since the gym was a too busy so did 4 sets of 12 V-sit ups instead.  The elevated push-ups yesterday were a treat along with the 90 second planks..    Both those put serious amount of hurt on me.  Still can't complete the full 90 seconds yet on later sets but will get there.  

Also started to listen to some ACDC while jumping my 5 minute sets.   You do blast through them when  you have tunes on you like.

Up to day 66

The workouts over the past few days have been difficult to say the least.  My legs/rear still hurt from the lunges/pistol squats and floor jumps from 3 days ago.  Found the 4 sets of 90 second planks impossible to get all in without lowering a knee.  First one fine but the remainder tough as hell.  Need to get  those done right. I do look back and remember the initial 30 second plank hurt like hell as well so indeed I have improved and am stronger. Today Benson and myself did not have the chance to do the Kung-fu sit ups since the gym was crowded so replaced that with 4 sets of 25 regular.  

So in short the extra sets are working and I feel like I am exhausted after I am done.  Trying to go for the failure as you have mentioned.  Always feel I could do more as I sit writing this.  

Day 64

Not really too much much to report.  Bought myself a new resistance band the other day so the 6 sets of the divinci were about as painful as I could remember.  Also the increase in the snacks not a bad thing as well. Last few weeks I have been starving during the later end of the day.  I could smell everything that people were eating from about 40 feet.

I was very surprised the other day that I could buy some pants that would fit me again in Fast Retailing.  Have to say my wife was surprised as well.

Anyway-- over the past few days I have been feeling very fat even though my weight has not been gaining at all.  A bit weird but so goes it.

Day 62

ok..  been a few days since my last blog.   I did participate in my first real indulgence day since I started this 62 days ago.. .except for my 1 american hot dog I had which I think really didn't count.  Anyway, the dinner was at a nice Italian restaurant in Marunouchi with my wife and another couple.  The food was great but unfortunately it was all fish so I really didn't feel like I indulged that much with the food.   But I did have my fair share of alcohol so I guess I made up for it a bit.. and did catch a small buzz in the process.  Did find out though that I can really take it or leave it with the alcohol..  it was good but really feel it is not that important to me...  unless it is a great bottle of wine.

On that Saturday did not have the time to complete the workout.  Back from golfing about 4:00 pm and had to be in the Ginza for dinner by 5...   so just banged out the jump ropes and took a shower.  The next day I really pressed it as hard as I could to get my workout done within an hour.  Today as well I might add.  Been fairly stable on my weight over the past week.  My body usually does that every few weeks or so I will take it as it goes.

  

Day 59

Been a bit lazy with by blogger.com page..    In the evening I am getting tired around 10:00 pm so by the time I have the computer time I am already completely passed out.  Workouts are good but feel like they are going about 10 minutes over the time limit according to your note so will have to be stress the time between sets a bit more.  As for the jump ropes...   been happy if I can get in anywhere 2000 total right now.  Doing the 4 minutes sets much easier than it was just a few days ago.

Off golfing with Jason  Block tomorrow so up before the sun rises.   Also my indulgence day is on schedule for tomorrow.  Looking forward to that I have to say

Until later,
  

Day 56

Posted new pictures today.  Down to 85 kg which is just 1.5kg for the week and just over 10 since I started.  Pretty happy about that.  4 sets of 4 minute jump ropes much tougher obviously than the 3 minute sets.   But that is progress isn't it.

Looking forward to the new workouts and diet.  

up to day 54

I think I am exhausted after this weekend.  I got up to make my PCP breakfast early Saturday morning before golf..  took a shower and got dressed and right before I started to cook my egg I saw that I had gotten out of bed about 3 hours before my alarm clock went off.   Tried to get back in bed but unfortunately did not sleep very much before I went out and played.  And I played like crap to top it off.   Anyway, to make a long story short I did not have the best PCP program over the weekend.  Jump ropes were not on and thought my exercise just did not meet my expectations both Sat and Sun.   I know we have to make a point about getting quite a bit of sleep and I really felt like I missed it this weekend.

Feeling like I am getting some pains in my body.  Mainly in my knee joints and sometimes in my shoulders.  Shoulder pains probably more muscle pain than anything which I don't mind but my knees seem to be bothering me.  Not a huge issue now but I am aware of it.    

Day 50-51

Started the day absolutely drained.  Jump ropes were tough today.  Felt like I had concrete shoes on.  Kept tripping up but still finished 1750 during the 5 sets.. so I guess not a total waste.  Push-ups remain difficult as hell.  working on em.   Workouts remain tough but it really feels good I have to say.  I feel the best I have felt in years.

I think I have to postpone my indulgence day for a week.  I was looking forward to having a nice burger but my wife wants to make a go of it... so out with some friends on the 13th for Italian.  

Day 48--49

Downloaded my pictures just now and down to 86.5kg this week. My old Japanese home stay mother took a look and was quite surprised on not how much weight I have lost but how huge I was when I started this program.

Jump ropes going OK I think...  Trying to complete anywhere between 1750 an 2000 per session.  Back in the saddle again for the new workouts tomorrow.  See the our diet has been pushed down a little bit for breakfast.  Gutted about the 80 grams for carbs... I usually really look forward to eating the cereal that I used to hate eating when I first started with this 49 days ago.   Anyway.. right now I am dreaming of having a nice big burger for my indulgence day.

Day 45--47 Over the hump

Surprising that we are half way done with this.  Not quite sure if it is going fast or slow.  I guess it all depends on the day for me.   Decided to try out the Minato-ku gym the other day when the typhoon was passing through.   Not a bad facility but they do not allow anyone to jump rope if the activity room has a program going on.  I guess not enough room in the other 4 gyms around the complex...

My jump rope has become a bit worse over the past few days.   not sure why but my average is slipping back a bit.  Probably getting a bit tired.  May try to jump these out in the morning before I go to work.   Four sets of 15 push-ups quite a test.  My arms/chest are rubber after I did those.

Not much more to say.  I am really trying to concentrate on everything I am doing... especially the muscle group that is under stress.    I feel that it really is having positive impact on my workout.    

Day 43--44

After I started this week timing my jump ropes I have been averaging about 250 per 2 minute set so I have been jumping more in less time than I was when I just had to do 1500.  It really has helped my concentration.  Yesterday's push ups were tough..  got through them... not all on my toes but got through em.  Trying to take those as deep as possible.  Also recently been trying to slow down my sit up action and really visualizing me rolling up my abs like a newspaper. Thanks for that analogy--it really helps me press those muscles since in the past I think I have been jerking that move too much.  After I finished the sit-ups the v sit-ups proved to be very interesting.

Day 41--42

Good workout on Day 41 by myself.  It was unfortunate that I did not have Benson pushing me along like I normally have.   He was missed.  Felt I could do the workout a little bit more easily than the ones over the past weekend.  Most difficult part though were the abs...  bicycle and v- sit ups.

My nephew and niece were in town from Moscow last night.  They are the athletes in the family.  They both ice dance for the Japanese national team and participated in the last Olympics in Vancouver.  Talk about 2 kids that are in shape.  Their younger sister actually ice danced for Georgia too.  Anyway-- did break from my diet a little bit had had a couple of sushi with them.

Feel like I have to be extra careful right now because so many people in our company are out sick right now.  Need to get a bit more sleep since I am totally spent.

Updated my pictures today..  down to 88kg..  looking forward to next week diets and workout schedule.

Day 39-40

Both days I have been exhausted again.  Golf was good but by the time I got home I was completely shattered.  It always seems to be much more difficult to decide to go work out rather than the workout itself.  Once I started I felt a ton better and got through it no problem.  Think I pulled something in my back though last night..  Today's workout was much more difficult..   it took me forever it seems to finish it up it seems.   One result I am seeing is that I have broken into the 88 kg handle.  First time in I don't know how many years.

Food is going well, especially my dinner shakes.  My kids loved the taste so much they wanted me to make some for them--- minus the raw egg whites.

Till tomorrow.

Day 37-- Day 38

Have to say Patrick that these workouts this week are brutal.  Been doing it with Benson over the past week and we are definitely feeling it.  Benson has been getting a lot better at jumping ropes.   Today he beat me by about 200 jumps...  I have to admit that even I was surprised but we both feel that the ropes are the easiest part of the workout.

I am having some serious cravings right now..  my wife was cooking chocolate brownies or muffins last night for my daughter's cheerleading group and walking through the kitchen was like walking through a field of land mines.  Anyway.. keeping strict with my diet because I still want to get rid of my gut.

Golfing with Jimbo and Blockie tomorrow.  Should be a good day to do it.