...nine tenths of this project finito! Wow, my maths must be getting better! Ok, less messing, more serious PCP blogging. Nicole arrives tomorrow at around 2-2:30 (weather permitting) with her husband for a brief 3 day visit. I spent six weeks in Canada with them and my uncle and aunt during the summer which was great fun, so I'm really lookimg forward to seeing them. The strange weather has eased somewhat, although Dublin airport is still being effected, so I hope there are no delays with there flight!
Exercise was good, once again did the 8 minute abs on top of the V-sits and side crunches. The DaVincis remain my main foe, I simply can't get through a full set, however, I shall fight on! I have to say I like the shoulder presses, mainly because it looks pretty impressive when I do them into the mirror! One question I had that I wanted to pose to anyone whos interested, what are super sets? I noticed the group who went before us were talking about them in there last few days. They sound tough, so I'm psyched for them!
On a frustrated note, the weather last week meant major exam cancellation. Result: exams next week. Serious motivation problems setting in, psychologically my mind is saying "good, there done now". But oh no, oooohhh noo! Uuggh, I need to find some will and energy to do a smidgen of study at some stage...doubtful!
However, a good weekend is being had here in the Ryan household. See you tomorrow!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Day 80 into the last 10
Wow, I actually can't believe that there are only ten days to go. It just seems like a couple of weeks ago that I was a PCP beginner, now I'm almost done! I was looking at my day one photos yesterday after I'd taken day 79's photo. The difference is remarkable, I never realised how I could transform my body in such a way. Its going to be a great last ten days, and I'm looking to push it hard!
I tried the 8 minute ab workout on top of my kung fu sits and the bicycle. The burn was unreal, and I couldn't help but think to myself how far I've come from 50 sit ups every other day during the summer being a challenge! As for the other exercises, the pull ups are going OK, I'm now doing the full pull ups instead of the incline so its a massive challenge to say the least. As for the back/tricep combo, thats a real killer. The pull down and pull ups seem to require the triceps to, so doing over eighty odd tricep dips and tricep extension really pose a great challenge and a satisfying burn.
On a non-pcp note, my exams were cancelled on Tuesday and wednesday due to snow, so they will spill over into Monday and tuesday of next week, so thats a big drag. The snow has curtailed a little, yet more snow and very unusually cold weather for this part of the globe is forecast, interesting stuff! On sunday, PCP Nicole and Michael Rewucki arrive for a short visit, but with the airports in dissaray, I hope they can make it!
We'll see!
I tried the 8 minute ab workout on top of my kung fu sits and the bicycle. The burn was unreal, and I couldn't help but think to myself how far I've come from 50 sit ups every other day during the summer being a challenge! As for the other exercises, the pull ups are going OK, I'm now doing the full pull ups instead of the incline so its a massive challenge to say the least. As for the back/tricep combo, thats a real killer. The pull down and pull ups seem to require the triceps to, so doing over eighty odd tricep dips and tricep extension really pose a great challenge and a satisfying burn.
On a non-pcp note, my exams were cancelled on Tuesday and wednesday due to snow, so they will spill over into Monday and tuesday of next week, so thats a big drag. The snow has curtailed a little, yet more snow and very unusually cold weather for this part of the globe is forecast, interesting stuff! On sunday, PCP Nicole and Michael Rewucki arrive for a short visit, but with the airports in dissaray, I hope they can make it!
We'll see!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Day 78 It keeps getting better! (And photos!)
The snow keeps chucking down. School closed today (and possibly tomorrow!) and 8 inches of snow on the ground. Last night I fully expected the snow to come to an end, but I awoke this morning with a sight to behold, a white wonderland! Jumprope was very interesting, a lot of shovelling and brushing was required to clear my jumprope space (not to mention salt).
The exercises were tough today, very tough! The pistol squats are bad, but the floor jumps are something else! My legs were dead, I could barely stand up following the last set. After working the back yesterday, the shoulder exercises were particularly challenging. I could still feel the effects of the back workout so that felt good. One final workout point, has anyone else found that the better you become at the jumprope it actually begins to become a pleasurable experience? I don't know about anyone else, but I used to loath them. Not to mention that I'm no longer feeling tired during them which is always nice!
Ok, to the real importance stuff, results! Pictures for week 11 are finally up and I have to say that I feel very proud of myself when I look at them. I used to always think, wouldn't it be great if I could turn half my fat into muscle? well, I think I might have done just that!
I shall see everyone tomorrow!
The exercises were tough today, very tough! The pistol squats are bad, but the floor jumps are something else! My legs were dead, I could barely stand up following the last set. After working the back yesterday, the shoulder exercises were particularly challenging. I could still feel the effects of the back workout so that felt good. One final workout point, has anyone else found that the better you become at the jumprope it actually begins to become a pleasurable experience? I don't know about anyone else, but I used to loath them. Not to mention that I'm no longer feeling tired during them which is always nice!
Ok, to the real importance stuff, results! Pictures for week 11 are finally up and I have to say that I feel very proud of myself when I look at them. I used to always think, wouldn't it be great if I could turn half my fat into muscle? well, I think I might have done just that!
I shall see everyone tomorrow!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
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!
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!
Monday, November 29, 2010
day 76 snow, oh and more and more...!
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!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
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!
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!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
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!
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!
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