Day 90 - Gambarimashita!

Welcome to my peak! For those of you outside Japan, 'gambarimashita' means 'I did my best!'
I'm proud of what I've done with the help of this awesome program, the guidance of Chen and Patrick, and of course, my fellow PCPers. As I stand at the peak, I look across at the rest of my gang standing on their own mountain tops, people I have to thank  - Kristi, Yeeman, Ricky, Shirley, Paul, Jon, and all of the other people who helped me so much. I shout and give them a wave of triumph. We made it!

This long post is in eight parts


1. My banner
2. The PCP mindset
3. PCPing and a better planet
4. PCPing and feminism
5. PCPing and relationships
6. The next adventure
7. Thank you
8. Conclusion


1. My banner


Diet


This was without a doubt the most satisfying part of the PCP and one that I felt most secure about. I had already done some online coaching to improve my eating habits, but PCPing went much further. Weighing food became second nature, making bento boxes a pleasure, shopping meant I saved a load of money. 


I thought, erroneously, that PCP-ing would have me cutting back, but was delighted to be told to eat more. Patrick and Chen grasped from my photos that I have a body type (ectomorph, hard-gainer) I'd need to 'keep the tank very full'. I ate and I ate and I ate. Lots of fish, lots of eggs, piles of veg, carbs in moderation. Comments from colleagues on my food included


'Are you feeding the cat?' (on seeing a plate of veggies and fish)


'What is this, voodoo?' (on seeing me separate an egg yolk)


'Are you really losing weight on this diet?' (Again, on seeing a plate of veggies, bread, fish). 


It really is a relief to know that I can eat well and enjoy it. 


Two tips:


1. Eat food, not too much, mainly plants (Michael Pollan)
2. If man made it, don't eat it


Of course, we can't live by this 100 per cent, but in today's food environment, we need to think this way!

Food eaten out adapted for PCPing by ordering extra veg!

Brown rice sushi roll, a la Youtube. Egg inspired by St. George

Fitness


Doing jump rope everyday strengthens your heart muscles, lungs, and teaches better breathing. On day 90 I belted out my record 630 odd jumps in a row very comfortably. After week 1, my jinga (the basic step in capoeira) got much more fluid and powerful. The diet of wholefoods really helped me feel lighter and more like exercising and moving. 

Better fitness = better breathing

Better breathing = better voice

(One tip I hope you won't judge me for...Sleep in workout clothes, so you don't have any time to waste for morning jump rope!)


Strength


I upped my muscle percentage with alot of work. I pushed myself hard during workouts to feel a good burn. And did my best to get enough sleep, so my muscles would build. Now I feel a real solidity to my body where before I was just soft. It's an awesome feeling and I plan to continue to build my muscles. I was most pleased with how my shoulders developed, but also with my torso and arms. The exercises I found hardest were the legups, press ups, pullups. Legups got better and turned into good V-sit ups. Pressups made me feel like GI Jane. Pullups are in my future!


Three tips for building muscle


1. Go after a strong burn. Days when you just get through should be the exception. 
2. Sleep! The weeks I skimped on sleep showed poorer muscle growth. 
3. Expect a cycle of energy and slump. Muscle tissue gets shredded before reforming as new muscle. 

Capoeira


Doing so much for the PCP (expect to spend a lot of time shopping/cooking/cleaning!) meant that my capoeira time got cut back. However, my instructor Cacapa and I can see a difference. I'm more confident, my moves are stronger and more decisive, and I ask more questions. I need to now work on my musicality and learn the instruments for the roda. 

Barbara Stanwyck


I chose her for her sassiness and poise. As the weeks went on, the people in my group and the people who were ahead, especially Chris and Molly, became my role models. Thank you!


2. The PCP mindset (A-E-I-O-U)


A = Animal. 


Wild animals eat when they need food and they eat what is needed. They move and rest at the right time. They do not eat for comfort, worry about their appearance, step on scales or any other nonsense. 
Their main characteristic is functional excellence. Human animals have the ability to know what to eat, how much to rest, and move for a healthy life. 


E = Educated


The paradox of modern life with processed foods and sedentary lifestyles is that modern humans have a distorted relationship with their bodies. During the PCP program we learn a lot of important information on how to care for our most precious gift. Topics such as muscle growth, how to eat well, hydration, exercise, mind/body, sleep. I've really enjoyed this part of the PCP. Patrick, you have a real gift for explaining how the body works in a way that is both accessible, and awe-inspiring. 


I = Intuitive


The way that we apply this knowledge is going to be largely intuitive. I think I have a relaxed confidence in my body now. I trust that it will tell me when something needs adjusting. I just have to listen.


O = Optimistic


Having a strong and intimate understanding of my body can only make me more optimistic about life in general. Of course, bad things happen - the biggest earthquake in Japan's history happened on my Day 11. However, for a lot of people, including myself, the discipline of the PCP was very grounding. And the endorphines of a great workout or skipping session are better than any night of drinking! 


U = Understanding


We've all fallen from the PCP wagon in some way shape or form. And we signed up for this thing! So while we've gone through some radical changes, we won't judge others (or ourselves come to that) when we see people eating badly or not exercising. We can share what we've learnt with those who really want to know and ask. Live by example, stay chilled!

Educated, intuitive, optimistic, understanding, ANIMALS

3. PCP-ing for a better planet


If everyone did the PCP at some point we'd see


1. More demand for a variety of whole foods. Perhaps more biodiversity. 
2. Lower rates of life-style related diseases, diabetes, heart disease, cancers. 
3. Greater happiness all round

A PCP-ed out world? Nice thought. 

4. PCP-ing and feminism

PCP-ing puts women in charge of how they look and feel, plus cheering on other women. 

"Well, I think I look nice" Julia Roberts as Erin Brokovich

5. PCP-ing and relationships


PCP-ing will raise your expectations of yourself and others. This usually is a good thing, but if a relationship isn't working out, then you'll probably find yourself doing a bit of rethinking. And you'll feel pretty vulnerable too. 


Tip: Use the blogs to make connections, relax, have fun, and get support. Because sometimes, you just won't get it from people you want it from. 


Generally, PCP-ing will be good for relationships by making you a more open and relaxed person. 

Who can resist us?

6. The next adventure


I want to learn and do more with capoeira, get a real career in radio, travel more. Maybe to Kristi's house as she seems to be a good cook and knows some interesting places. I also want to get a meditation practice going. I think this will be an investment for life; just like the PCP has been. 

7. Thank you 

Deep gassho to Patrick and Chen for your insight, plans, encouragement. Patrick, I appreciate you working out with me at the end of a heavy Sunday schedule. 


To all my fellow PCP-ers who made me laugh, encourage me, made me think, inspired. Good luck with the next journey!


To my colleagues, especially Tracy, Russell, and Joy, for encouragement, practical advice, and taking photos. 


To Hayden, for the encouraging emails and being an awesome listener. 

No trouble keeping balance after PCP!?

To my friends at Bantus Capoeira Japan, Cacapa, Bolinha, Abelinha, Cafune. 
You'll see much more of me at class now!


8. Conclusion from Oscar Wilde

'Nothing should reveal the body, but the body'

Day 82 - Report, pink protest, wail of disappointment

Happy it's Saturday! Oh yes.

Can you guess what the pink post-it note on our 'treats tray' says? I wrote it in a moment of beatitude. Or insufferable prigg-iness. Don't spoil tomorrow's post, I'll explain all then.

We bring you Friday's report...

1. Work out

I took my phone to the park and it bleated out the old wake up alarm a couple of times because I forget to turn it off. As I stopped, I instinctively turned my hand to check the time remaining! This happened a couple of times and on the third time I stopped myself. I know it's ridiculous, but blogging does make me more aware.

The best was my V-sits, the first set executed perfectly and a shabby second and ok third.

I was giving my all especially in the creeps - nasty, nasty, nasty, wrong and evil, creeps.

2. Food

Salt in the form of lunchtime fish eaten in the restaurant downstairs and then the shredded nori that I was stuffing into my face like a hamster using just as a condiment for rice. The grams were all on. I discovered a new and ugly way to eat egg whites - blast them in microwave with milk. Boss saw me separating egg yolk from white in the shell: "Is this some kind of voodoo?"

3. Sleep

This was great - lights out at 10.15-ish and up at 5.30 am no problem. About 7 hours. I'm going to sleep at the normal time tonight and try to catch up a bit for tomorrow. I don't want to lose this rhythm because I have three late nights next week - Monday teaching until late, Tuesday teaching in Odawara, Wednesday a voice gig in Chiba!

Compared to other times of year (like June/July when I go to Hokkaido once a week!), work has been relatively friendly to PCP-ing. Not that much travelling around and only a couple or one late night a week. So why, in Week 13, do I get a hard schedule? I'm going to attack it by making sure whatever happens, rope jumping is done early, then ab work, then try to get the rest done at other times. If there is just a band exercise, that can happen in my lunch hour. No sweat. Except, there will be sweat as we are getting into summer now.

Disappointment


I'm feeling quite sad that I am going to miss a huge party (Kike-sensei's 40th, a gay extravaganza with gogo dancers, fancy dress, music till 3 am). Telling myself 'there will be other parties' doesn't quite cut it, but I know what I need to do to finish the PCP strong. This Saturday is going to involve some other fun things that allow me to keep the rhythm.


Keep it jammin everyone!

Day 81 - Swords (and rope) drawn at dawn

Can you spot the would-be samurai? He is often in the park at 6 am
practising his kendo swashes when I'm jumping rope! One of these days
I'll challenge him to a fight...

Okay, here's my report for Thursday, Day 80.

Workout - GMA?

Yes, I gave my all in the morning, but not in the evening when I did 8-min abs and pull-ups/KF sits ups - time constraints of finding a bar. Abs are always a pleasure with Mike and the gang. My pull up still consists of me jerking around and lifting my legs rather than my body. Disappointed with that, but you can't have everything.

Mental progress!  I am very pleased to report that I did not check watch ONCE during entire jumping session. Imagined a piston of a steam powered ship and this seemed to help me keep my movement solid. I did of course trip up about 7 times!

Hearing the alarm as a suprise, not a second countdown, is very sweet! When you just give up and go into it, go into the movement, it's altogether more enjoyable. The body wants to excel.

Nutrition

Good. Only glitch was 5 grams under on evening carbs as I ran out of the supply in the fridge. Cooked up a pile of sweet potatoes for tomorrow and restrained myself from eating a big plate of them, Irish peasant style. Added some rosemary from the garden - that's very worth getting up for and working out for...Call me simple!

Sleep

Light was out at 11.15. Very deep sleep, but still dozy in the afternoon. I've got to catch up that elusive hour or two on the weekend. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, kudos to PCP-ers with young kids or super heavy workloads. Next week I have three late nights with work and I'm not sure how to handle it.

Day 81 for our group and Day 35 for those behind. The midway point of Day 40 is tantalizingly close and a bit of a blur for me now!

Let's have a strong day!

Day 78 - An assay on fitness, muscles, and sex

(This is a long post I drafted at the weekend - feel free to come back to it!)


A definition of 'FIT' as it is used in British English.


FIT: (Adjective) Attractive, often sexually so. Said of a person or of their body, e.g., "See that guy at the bar? He's fit. I think I'll ask if he wants a dance."


How do fitness, sexiness, and muscles come together? It's going to get a little steamy here...


Physical power


When we are fit we carry ourselves well, move well, and move with greater power and control. I'll also add that when you do muscle work, experiencing a burn and pushing yourself, you gain insight into how your body feels. One comment people make when they start exercising muscles is 'I hurt in places I didn't know I had'. When you can be strong and fit on your own, you have a lot to bring to the whole sexual experience. 


In Ken Robinson's wonderful TED Talk he talks about about the importance of teaching kids how to use their bodies and jokes about university professors 'They look upon their body as a form of transport for their heads'. Let's not be like that!


By knowing and pushing our bodies through challenging workouts, we learn more about who we really are. We have more to give to ourselves and the other person.


Women, run away from the circus and get really sexy

Patrick has gone into some detail on the post on the fitness/muscles/sex connection as it relates to men. I'd like him to do a post like that for women! Patrick, feeling brave?  Okay, I'll handle this one then....


One line of discussion for women doing the PCP is the effect of lost cup size as the body eats up fat from everywhere. Women have different feelings about this - I've certainly gone down, and I don't mind because, as Patrick said in the Q and A video, a lot of the chest exercises we do actually give us better posture and the 'inbuilt girdle', on the chest just under the breasts. 


I used to think that losing some cup size was a bit of a 'booby prize' if you'll excuse the pun, the tradeoff for my long awaited waist line. But here I am, several sizes smaller, along with other PCP ladies in the same position, and personally, I'm quite happy with how I look. 


Somewhere, somehow, women and men got the idea that big boobs are sexy and small ones are not. Sorry, I must have missed that email. I'm not making a case for or against any size. People like what they like, and that's all good. But in real life, what we think is sexy isn't always what we see in ourselves and the other person. Mainly because most of the time we learn to look outside ourselves for images of what is sexy. Stop all that. It's a moving target made up by the beauty industry to make you feel needy.

(As an aside, most PCP-ers experience a huge boost in the health of their skin because of the great natural food that is going in. Nothing to do with the magic potions that sit on the skin wasting our money. And good skin is verrrry sexy).



But, it's not just about looks is it? It's about movement, voice, smell, taste, touch, and the chemistry that is flying around. The best compliment I ever received was ten years ago now and it came from a completely blind guy in the UK who told me I was 'very attractive'. That kept me going for about a month and I still remember it. It was hugely liberating to realize that it is MORE than how you look.  


Being able to relax and enjoy yourself with your partner means letting go of unrealistic expectations and being cool with yourself. Who wants to make love in the dark or avoid a particular position because it shows something that you think is ugly or unsatisfactory? I don't see animals turning off the light yo!


Presence


I just said how having confidence in our bodies leads to a more relaxed attitude AKA you feel good naked. In Japan people go to onsen and get naked with family, friends, strangers, without any sense that there might be something odd about this. It isn't a sexual thing to be naked unless there is some intention.


So if sex is more than just nakedness, what is it? I think it is presence, intention, and the chemistry. When you are fit and healthy, you are not going to be asking or thinking tiresome questions like 'Do I look fat?' You'll just be relaxed in yourself and interested in the other. A false contradiction is to assume that caring about your body makes you unfeeling towards others. It isn't like this. Putting some time into your body means that your mojo works well. When you feel good, you are more attentive and sensitive, which makes everything, not just sex, way better.

Pleasure


I enjoyed my third indulgence this evening. Having strong muscles means that your metabolism is faster and you can enjoy the occasional treat without worrying about getting overweight. It's about balance - something I struggle with as you saw when I caved to my craving last Sunday. The ideal is to be able to savour the wonderful rich food we have access to in a way that is simple and free, not full of guilt and second guessing. The connection to sex should be obvious, right? Need I go on?


And finally, 


Happiness


Maintaining muscles and fitness stimulates endomorphines, the bodies free 'feel-good' pharmacy. Morrissey aside, most people who are basically happy (and I don't mean 'lala' here), have an inbuilt aura of 'What does she know?'. They tend to make other people happy too and this is attractive. And the sexiness of a happy person tends to be very unique to them. Someone who has presence, enjoys themselves, takes pleasure, and is physically fit...sounds like a sexually fulfilled person to me. 


What do you think?


This was not an easy post for me to write, but I think it was worth doing so.


I would love to know if you have any thoughts on the amazing connections between our fitness, muscles, mind, and sex! 

Day 77 - Walk on

Today is the end of Week 11! Feel like the hardest is to come, so I 'm going to get tougher on myself, before the 'Super sets' come in.

I'm going to report each day on my performance in the three areas needed to build muscle and get fit.

1. Muscle stimulus

Did I give my all in my workout or not? Give my all (GMA) is my way of saying 'Do my best on the day'. It might mean a wonderful workout or a mediocre one depending on the muscle group or the number of reps.

Some of the thing I can control are 'Did I concentrate on the exercise or just wish it was over?' 'Did I waste time between sets?' 'Did I feel a burn?'

2. Nutrition

Did I hit the grams? Did I introduce something I shouldn't? Did I eat my last meal 1.5 hours before sleeping?

3. Rest

How many hours did I sleep the previous night or during the day?

I'll report the previous day, so Day 78, Tuesday will reflect how I did on Day 77.  Feel free to hassle me if you see an area where I need to work harder or smarter!

-----

Some of the practical changes I will make in the last 14 days.

1. No turning on my PC after 9 pm. I want to turn off the light earlier, get up earlier, get the WO done on a well-rested body.
2. Keeping breakfasts a lot simpler. A raw egg on rice, sashimi, a salad. Breakfast fritatta can be on the weekend.
3. Preview exercises the day before. Imagine what I will do. (Image training)

How about you guys? Is there any screw you can tighten up? Now is the time. 

Walk on gang!

Day 57 - PCP is like puberty

I've had a thought that PCP-ing is like puberty, for me anyway.

1. Dramatic bodily changes
2. Increased sense of personal power, coupled with
3. Sense of apprehension about what to do with new power
4. Loss of control - my body is doing it's own thing now
5. Feeling of delight and pleasure
6. Stronger sense of self and thus
7. Need to have time alone
8. Somewhat judgy-wudgy and superior attitude to those who make 'lame' choices.
9. Need for lots of sleep
10. New found surges of confidence.

Anyone identify with these?

---

Today was another freakishly early morning - at 5.30 if you please! The plans came in a little later than usual, but they were worth waiting for. My nose is well and truly in the trough.

I have a new pain, on my right shoulder and it is dull and a bit depressing, but I guess that's muscle tissue doing that thing that teenage revellers do after the first party of the night - getting their booze, fags, texting friends from other places, before going to the party after the party, which is bigger and louder and more debauched than the first.

Okay, on that note, time to disperse!