Day 77 jumprope in a blizzard and pull ups

Hello all!

The snow continues! Even as I write this its coming down. It was an interesting experience jumproping in a snow storm. It was a besutiful sight, but an unpleasant feeling all the same.
My exams roll on I'm afraid though, and its English up next, a big 'un!

I had a full workout today, as I did day 77's jumprope instead a full workout yesterday because I was tired and mainly, the fact that Barcelona and Real Madrid were battling out the biggest game in world soccer last night, Barca stuffing Madrid five nil! It was a great game, my inspiration, Cristiano Ronaldo, didn't have a great evening (playing for Madrid).

So, pull ups, pull ups, pull ups...why are you so damn tough! I've been slowly weening myself off the easier incline pull ups to make the step up to a full 6 sets pull ups. And today, I did it! However, instead of doing 6 sets with 8 reps, I did 10 sets of 5 reps. For the simple reason that five is my maximum. The kung sits are a true killer, and taking the pro-tip for the day on board for the sit ups made it doubly difficult, but 10 times more satisfying to complete!

Well, the inclement weather is due to continue into next week, and with exams coming up, not to mention a visit from fellow PCPer Nicole with her veteran PCPer husband, its going to be an interseting and hopefully good twelfth week of PCP life!

Talk to you tomorrow!

day 76 snow, oh and more and more...!

It has been an unprecedented snow fall this year. Usually we wouldn't see snow at all until January and certainly not this much! Its been great fun, my exams have been disrupted which is great. I've been doing my jumprope in the snow and its been a right laugh and a half!

Ok, serious stuff...indulgence numero tres! Flapjacks! Absolutely stunning, what a treat!

The hand shot is just to show size, they aren't massive, but god dammit they're good! My mum estimates around 250-300 calories per cake. I made up the rest with cheesy potatoes and juicy gravy on my roast! delicious!

I hope everyone is having a good time and had a great indulgence. One last note, team cookie monster is behind Alex. heres to his full recovery!

I'll be back tomorrow!

Day 75 much to discuss!

First and foremost, I mentioned yesterday We had a piddly amount of snow. Ah, today we got A LOT! About half a foot. Ok, thats not much by North American standards, but with more snow forecasted for the next few night, we can possibly hope for a full foot?? One of the best things about snow is not snowmen, not snowball fights but the fact that our exams start tomorrow. There is almost zero chance of getting to the school tomorrow, the road outside our house is steep and covered with snow and ice, and I think the school have sussed it, they've moved the exams back by 2 hours and are considering scrapping school tomorrow all together, lets hope!

The snow also presented a major challenge, I've done my jumprope outside throughout this project and the snow threatened that fact this afternoon. But never fear, a boiled kettle of water and a half an hours scraping and brushing did the job! I would say I had a better workout doing that than anything else! However, by the end the small amounts of water that I was jumping on turned to ice, and I nearly fell on my arse, but thankfully I survived! One final snlw related note, We live on a very steep hill and the chances of any vehicles other than a tank getting up it. So, I probably should have warned the 15 or so motorists who were stupid enough to be driving, not to go up the hill?? No, much funnier to watch them slide back down!

Anywho, indulgence #3! I haven't had it yet, buts on the way. I'm having flapjacks (golden syrup, sugar, butter, oats) for desert and a full sunday roast for dinner, butter on the potatoes! I estimate 350-500 calories in the flapjacks, and the other 500 will be made up by buttery cheesy potatoes and some lovely gravy! I can't wait, I'm going to savour every mouthful, and tackle the next two weeks HARD!

Anywho, I'll have indulgence photos up later on, and body shots up on flickr too!

See you tomorrow, hopefully with mlre tales of snlw and no exams!

Day 74: part two

Wow, that was tough. Two workouts in the one day is UNBELIEVABLY difficult. I felt confident of achieving two in one day, and I did manage it...just. The jumprope was great today. I'll stop short of saying I've mastered it, but in 38 minutes today I only tripped 9 times. I estimate that in 38 minutes I'd jump 3,700 jumps or so, would I be right? So I'm aiming for a trip free jump rope session before this project is out. The pro-tip for the creeps was too right, absolutely sickening in the fourth and fifth set. The shoulder raises still present a massive challenge, I've decided to split the six sets up into two lots three on that one, simply because I'm cooked after three sets and I do my abs in between (I do the same thing with the DaVincis).

Anywho, today was a tough day and I'll feel it tomorrow alright! Pictures will be coming tomorrow night, and I'm hoping to show off some good results for this week following today and tomorrows work after a slow start to the week.

See you then!

Day 74: part one

A lot has happened over the last few days. Friday from a PCP perspective, terrible, everything else, GREAT! I was all set to go home yesterday evening when a friend invited me to his place along a with another mate, it was a great night of playstation, snooker and movie watching in the cinema (yes, all of this was in his HOUSE!). They are two friends I've made from my new school so it was an opportunity not to be missed. However, I didn't get home until 10:30. Which meant I had to have dinner at there house, so it was first PCP-food failure. Peas (which I ate a lot of and of course are PCP friendly) with chicken bites (a bit like chicken nuggets) and chips (fries). I have to say I felt a bit greasy and queasy after the chips, but I wasn't going to make a fuss as a visitor in someones home. On top of that, upon my return home, I promptly fell asleep on the couch! So, woke up at 12:15, no chance of a workout. But a good day in any case.

So, day 74 is going to be my first 2 workout day, thats why this post is entitled "part one". I've taken care of day 73 exercises late this morning, and have ear-marked early evening for todays workout. I felt ultra-motivated after missing out yesterday, and I'm gunning for my second workout in around 3 hours time! As for the exercises themselves, all went well, the
kung-fu sits are a killer! But I managed to go to failure (ie: two at the end of the last
set!). The elevated tricep dips are also tough, but I manged an extra eight at the end of the sixth set.

Amazingly, today the 27th of November 2010 IN IRELAND! There was SNOW! Its a great thing to awaken to on a saturday morning, a sheet of snowcovering the lawn. Although an inch of snow is not a lot (especially for Nicole in Canada) but for Ireland, its pretty great. On top that, a very impressive lightening storm started at around six this morning and persisted for around three hours. So, skipping was in the snow and was very entertaining to say the least!

I'll be back later on with blog post two for day 74, and all the workout two info, see you then!

Day 72 feeling a little better

Home from school for the second day running doesn't bode well for PCP exercises OR my exams. I didn't anticipate any workout today, but I picked myself up and did a make-shift session. I knew I would have no chance of finishing a full workout, so I looked at yesterdays exercise (which I missed) and todays. I combined the two with fewer sets to work my whole body, but no extremes. I did 3 sets by 8 reps of pistol squat per leg, 30 elevated press ups, 3 by 15 rep shoulder raises, same for thumbs up curl, some one arm curls and 90 sit -ups, 28 chest dips and 40 V-sits for the abs. Aswell of course as 6 min by 3 set jumprope. So it was pretty intense and I felt relieved after missing out yesterday. Although I still feel fairly rough, but I'm on the road to recovery (I hope!)

Anyway, not a fun week ahead, exams ALL next week and a hard week of PCPing ahead. However being sick over the last couple of days has given me a boost to really kick on and push myself harder than ever of the next two and a half weeks. I had an interesting piece of news yesterday, my brother was speaking to a friend of ours (now head boy in my school) about the project. He is fitness conscious and a member of the senior rugby team, he said he'd like to get his "beach-body" going for his summer vacation in 2011 after his final school exams in june. So, the first person to express a real, genuine interest and actual express a desire to do the PCP. It was a nice piece of encouragement, and it actually made me feel proud of my achievement so far, to know that others close to me are attracted by the project.

A funny story tofinish up today with, a dad of one of my brothers friend (who shall remain nameless) was finished a workout in his personal gym (well, if you can afford it...) proceeded to eat an entire packet of biscuits! Upon questioning from my brother, he said "well I deserve it, I had a workout". Thats sums up a lot of peoples attitude, if I workout, I can eat whatever I want. Well, all I can say is, good luck!

Anywho, I hope everyone health-wise is in better form than I am, and as PCP

Day 71 crap

Thats what today has been. I have something that resembles a cold, but it feels so much more dibilitating. I felt it pretty bad last night, however I managed the 5mins by three sets with the rope. Today on the other hand was a different story. No school, no workout which is fair enough. Even if I had tried to do it, I really don't think I'd have stood a chance. My mum was having none of my attempts to persuade her to allow me do my jumps and since she has just begun to recover from a virus herself, I don't blame her.

So I certainly haven't started week 11 well at all, and it remains to be seen how I get on tomorrow, I still feel pretty rough. So I took Patrick's advice to eat half my carb allocation for the day.

Anyway, I got some well needed study done at home and I feel marginally better, see you tomorrow.

Day 69 the big 70

Since I began this project, I ear marked day 70 as a crucial number. The hard beginning is done, the middle has past and its a clear run to the end. I'm running on results at the moment. Any time I feel I don't want to do it, I think to myself "you didn't come this far thinking like that." Although, I haven't had to call upon that too much this week. I feel very motivated 90% of the time and I'm going to go harder than ever to the end.

So, dieting is a smooth operation these days, I'm so use to eating the way I am, I almost can't remember what my old routine was. There are certain foods I've discovered in a big way during these 10 weeks. Oatmeal I love, eating tonnes of fruit every day and brown bread, I feel I'll keep up those eating habits (and others)going well beyond the end of this experience.

Something I've been meaning to touch on at some stage is the fact that I've been labeled as a positive person by my fellow PCPers, I love it! I have always thought of myself as a negtive, glass half empty person, yet since I've started this project, my entire outlook has changed. Perhaps the phrase "healthy body, healthy mind" is truer than I've ever thought it was!

Anywho, its been a great week all round for so many reasons that I hope I've conveyed recently on my blog posts, see you tomorrow!

pictures...

...are up, week 10...3 to go!

Day 68 well thats just mean

I thought I had a nice family, until they decide to bake flapjacks (golden syrup, sugar, oats and lots of other yummy things) and a buy an apple pie. The aroma in the kitchen is unbelievable. And while they were being prepared, I was tucking in to an egg white and some plain yoghurt. However, my will remains strong! In twenty two days time I can eat Anything I want, not that I will. I think that 60 odd days ago I wouldn't have been able to resist apple pie or flapjacks, but now I can, that feels good.

As for Ireland vs New zealand yesterday, it was great. Although Ireland lost 38-18 it was great to see the best team in the world (New Zealand) and to be in the new AVIVA stadium for the first time, it was pretty special. The All blacks have a player called Dan Carter who is without doubt the best player of recent years. Yesterday he went to within two points of being the all time top points scorer in world rugby history. So it was sensational to see a master at work, even if it meant him masterminding a victory over Ireland!

Ok, PCP, its all good. I got my favourite rope back after using a lighter one after my old one snapped. The chest dips are becoming much easier each time I do them. I took Patrick's leg up advice and stalled at the bottom of each one, it really adds to the burn big time! I LOVE the bicep exercises, mainly because I love the look of my stronger arms. I'm determined to work my arms to death for the remaining 3 three weeks to get maximum results, because they've always been my weak point.

I'll have my week 10 pictures up this evening, lets hope they turn out well!

Til' tomorrow team!

Day 66 feeling good!

Today was a good day all round. And plus, its Friday! Its been a tough week of studying and what not, but its all looking up this weekend. I'm off to the AVIVA stadium (previously Lansdowne road) to see the rugby, Ireland vs New zealand. So I'm psyched for that.

The new jump rope is going well, I did an extra two minutes at the end and it felt great. I decided for the first time to do the workout before the jumps. Usually when I finish the last set of the bicycle or whatever abs we have that day, my body says,"finally, some milk, a banana and a warm shower", however, my brain had some news for my body "Eh, y'know how we go outside and hop around for fifteen minutes or so every night? Yeh, we haven't done that yet". So at first I regreted not doing the jumps beforehand, but after the first set of five minutes, I was feeling better than ever without the daunting task of a full workout to come! I know the rope acts as a warm up, but I quite liked doing it the other way round today.

I hope everyone is well, and only 23 days on the clock, the countdown has begun...lets rip it team cookie monsta!!!

Day 65 *yawn*

It has been a hectic few days, and there'll be a few more of them to come I'll assure you! But yesterday and today have been good days none the less. The revision for my exams is picking up momentum and seeming like an easier task all the time. And a very positive note, we had a good game of football(soccer) yesterday. It was our best game of the year in terms of our performance and on a personal note...I scored! A cracker if I say so myself. It was my first goal of the year and a good feeling. Unfortunately, they scored in the last minute to seal victory, 2-1. We have a few more games to come, and we're looking to rack up some victories.

On yet another positive note, a friend of mine has invited me to the Ireland vs New Zealand All blacks on saturday! Ireland have amassed a good team over the last two years, however the All Blacks are the worlds best team by a distance. It should be a sell out at Irelands new national stadium and I'm excited, very excited!

On a PCP note, theres nothing new really to report. My rope broke the other day and I got myself a new one. My old one was a weighted rope which helped the turnover of jumps. But the new one is a lot lighter and will take some getting used to. The new diet on the other hand is great, more carbs and fruit than ever before (well, on the PCP anyway!). Every day that goes by it becomes tantalisingly close to the finish, I've never felt so determined to get through something in my life and I aim to finish strong!

One final thing, Patricks comment about a cold winter, I actually have noticed that I'm feeling the cold a lot more, I'd make a pretty bad seal thats for sure!

See you upon the moro!

photos

Ta na pictiúrí anseo! The pictures are here! My body fat is down to 10.5% from 14% and my weight has gone down from 58kg's to 55kg's, I think the fat I've lost has been replaced by muscle, hopefully!!

team cookie monster, 26 days...thats all!

Day 63 exercising the...

...brain is a lot more frustrating, slow and boring than physical exercises in my opinion. I had a sort of a transition year last year, little homework, no exams and less pressure. But this year has been different. Fifth year (Or eleventh grade in America) has a shit load of homework, christmas exams and more pressure than ever. Most of my non-pcp time is spent studying, and actually think I've mentioned this before, wow, thats worrying!

Anywho, the exercises went well over the last few days and I finally wore through my rope. I actually continued jumping for a minute or so without realising! There was a gale force wind this evening which was an interesting challenge. I'm persisting with the jumps outdoors because I enjoy the fresh air, and because the roof in my house is suspiciously low.

Well, I'm goimg to keep on trucking and only 26 days left, bring it!

Day 60

Funny Patricks E-mail came in when it did. I mentioned that I was in Wexford last night (for the record, I didn't get home til' 2:30am)to see my sister in a play," Fame" the musical. And she hasn't seen me in around three months, so she hasn't seen me during the PCP. She said I looked completely different, that I looked older and some how different. There were a lot of people there so I didn't go into any reasons why I might look different. That was the sort of confidence boost I needed. I've always looked young for my age, so if the PCP is making me look older (as in more" mature" looking) thats yet another positive!

As for exercise, they went well. I've struggled big time with DaVincis and shoulder raises, but as the days go on, I'm finding it easier and able to complete full sets more often. The jumps are great, they were a nuisance up until the last couple of weeks. Now, I find them relaxing. I do them at night usually during the week, and on Thursday it was as clear a night as ever I've seen. It was beautiful, I could see a huge star and I am reliably informed that it was venus!

Christmas is a great time, but it always means one thing...christmas exams. Study is something I'm spending most of my non-PCP time on, and its really a pain. Well, c'est la vie!

See everyone tomorrow!

Day 59 on the road

I realised that I haven't posted in a few days so here it goes. I'm typing on an iPhone so it might be a little sketchy.

I'm currently on my way to Wexford, for anyone who doesn't know the Geography of Ireland (which I wouldn't be expecting) it's a long way from where I live. So I left straight from school and I won't be back until midnight or so. That has put pay to a full workout unfortunately, but having e-mailed Patrick I've got it covered!

I'll come up with something better tomorrow, see you tomorrow!

Day 56 grateful...

....for the fact that it was only jumprope today! Phew, I was feeling pretty bad today, I left school a couple of hours early today. A combo of a headache and a stomach upset, I was laid low. So the break was much appreciated. I actually had my best jumprope session ever! I twice went 140 seconds without tripping. I'm getting more and more comfortable with the rope, who knows maybe by the end I'll finish all my jumps with no trips?..just maybe

I'm not sure what caused by stomach trouble, I was wondering maybe something I had reheated, but I always make sure I heat it up so its piping.

Exciting day tomorrow, new diets, new excercise plan and a soccer game! We lost our first game pretty badly but with a few more weeks training and fine tuning under our belts, we could be in for a good result!

I hope everyone is well, I'll see you tomorrow!

photos

week 8's are up, I'm starting to really see the differences!

Day 55

And so another week of homework, toil, sweat and many hours of boring class begins. OK, that wasn't a positive start to my post but thats how I see it at the moment unfortunately. The PCP is what keeps me going most days, I love the feeling of being in great shape and I love the energy it gives me. I'm now so familiar with the exercises that I am far more efficient in getting them done. After todays exploits with the resistance bands my arms are aching. One of the things Patrick said earlier in the project that has stuck with me is that your body should be totally zapped after working out, like as if your arms aren't attached to you. Surprisingly, I love that feeling!

One of the real pick me ups during the day has been when my friends have commented on my multi-coloured lunchs. Today I had some carrots and sprouts for my veg, a big chicken breast with garlic and indian herbs scattered over it and some potatoes to top it all off. The guy sitting beside me peered into my bowl and said "that looks so much better than what we're eating". That gave me a great sense of satisfaction, because most of the time its me looking at a muffin or a piece of lasagne on their tray and practically drooling ( is that how you spell that?) on myself looking at it.

Any road, its looking like a tough few weeks ahead with PCP and christmas exams...but I'm up for it. Lets go team cookie monster!

day 53 out of the valley?

For the first time during this project, I've begun to almost relish the exercises. I never disliked it, but it has felt like a chore from around day 30 to 45, but not over the last week. For me, the valley has been my problems with the jumprope, Patrick mentioned earlier that we should wait until day 60 or so to perfect the rope. I haven't perfected it, but I find it much more tolerable and easier with the timed jumps. The kung fu sit is the onl exercise that I'm struggling with. I think my form is good, but it feels like its working my back more than anything else, any tips on how to improve?

As for dieting, I'm finding it almost effortless at this stage. No cravings, no preparation issues and I'm so used to no salt, sugar or additives in my food. Annoyingly, my christmas examinations begin on the 29th of November, so I need to get a move on with my study!  One craving I feel I might have a problem with over the next month or so is for mince pies. I don't about anyone else, but I LOVE mince pies more than any other dessert in the world...hands down. They start selling them in Ireland around now, however, I shall restrain myself, don't worry!



I found this video today, I'm not a rugby player but I do follow it. They're probably the fittest sportspeople on earth in terms of power and I think this an eye opener to people who think they just go in and "pump iron"...its all a bit more structured than that, enjoy!

see you tomorrow

Day 51 getting ripped

...is something I NEVER in my wildest dreams thought I could achieve. No matter how much I got into going to the gym or running, I always thought "ripped people do it for a living or have built it up over years". OK, I'm by no means ripped yet, but after 51 days a PCPing, I can see it being a big possibliity (even probability?). With 39 days to go, I can see plenty of people on this project at the moment who will be shredded when the end comes. A veteran PCPer said to me during the summer when I said I'd give it a go "I can't wait til' you're ripped!" I chuckled a bit and didn't take it seriously, but now, I am taking it seriously.

I had a rough day yesterday. Too much homework, not enough time and I didn't even start my workout until 10:15 but I got it done...just! As for today, I was much more on top of things. Not to much homework and I was finished my exercises before dinner.

On a dieting front, I had no ill effects from my treat on Tuesday, it was just delicious. But I found myself eating and not feeling like I wanted it. I expected to be wolfing it down and savouring every crumb, but at one point, I actually was going to stop, it simply wasn't that satisfying. I enjoyed it all the same though. In the last few days I've really begun to notice a very encouraging feature on my biceps, lower arms and shoulder muscles...veins! Patrick mentioned it earlier on in the project, and I've always associated "being ripped" with bulging veins, a very nice observation to make when your trying to force yourself through a set of curls!

I hope everyone is well and I'll see you tomorrow!

Day 49 swings and roundabouts...

Well its all relative, I had a good day and the workout went well. However, a massive amount of homework was once again looming. I got through it (just) and I'm not sure which was tougher, a set of tricep dips or the quadratic complex theory?

On a light note, my treat was wonderful, I just induldged in a piece of homemade rhubarb pie! It was scrumptious. I would usually have it with cream, but I decided to leave that out and go with just the pie and dare I say it was almost too much!

I'm excied for the week ahead, christmas is around the corner and team cookie monster...we're in the fifties! Not long to go now.

See everyone tomorrow!