Trained with Paul, Patrick, and Kazue. Feeling stronger and enjoyed
the weigh-in, feedback, and fun of training with someone, especially
mirror image tricep dips. Go Paul!
Results are on track - the nasty wetsuit fat is on it's way out.
I've still got a spare tire, muffin top, and saddle bags if anyone
wants them. No takers? Okay, I'll just sacrifice them to the burrrrn
then!
Bit of a low having yogurt, banana, and apple on station platform with
smell of hot savoury noodles nearby.
Anyone noticed heightened sense of smell? I'm starting to tell from
people's skin what they ate. This is not a blessing on a Tokyo train
at night...Maybe I'm becoming a vampire.
As long as it's a lean and strong one, it's all good.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Capoeira from a coupla weeks ago...
Day 30 - One third in!
It's only just after lunch now, but I wanted to nail a few things about the 1/3 mark! There are a few negatives, but I'm saving those for another time. Maybe Day 45!?
New habits
We've put down the spade work for the challenges of the next two months. The first times you say 'no' to things it feels like a big step, then it becomes just your habit. Your habit becomes something that is part of you and you wouldn't do it any other way. When people say 'It's my habit' as an excuse for eating or drinking too much or not exercising, they really mean 'I don't care enough to do something different'. Habits are either your greatest ally or your worst enemy depending on how they impact your life.
The body speaks
Everyone is showing some changes, big in some places, and small in others.
I'm suprised at how much my torso is flattening and my legs are bulking up. I feel more present in my own body. This gives me hope that the next two months work is going to yield results.
Our community
I've received so much encouragement from my team, those ahead of me, and those who've already completed. This helped me face the situation in Japan and to push on with the PCP. You can always find a blog post that gives you ideas, inspiration, a reality check, a nudge. Whatever you need to hear, it'll be out there. If I was doing this on my own, I'd have given up on Day 2. I know it's going to get harder (and it should) and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's journey.
Oh, and the greatest thing is that rather than feeling jealous of other people, I feel in their corner. I want them to lose that bit of weight or build muscle or complete their V sit-ups. This feeling of generosity, of wanting others to be fabulous and flourish, doesn't happen often enough for me. But when you see the comments people give you can't help wanting to be a part of it.
[ SIDE RANT
At the risk of sounding like a conspiracy theorist, I do believe that so many situations in life nudge us to compare ourselves to others in an unhelpful way. Look at how people buy clothes in a shop. They always avoid looking too closely at fellow shoppers, but there is always a glance, an interrogation. In the UK last year as I was holding up a sweater to myself and looking in the mirror. A middle-aged lady walked past and exclaimed 'Looks lovely!' and was gone before I turned from the mirror. This is the kind of celebratory attitude we can take to others. But all too often we see each other as competitors. PCPing is a refreshing break from all that nonsense]
Self knowledge
Doing the same challenge each day teaches you about yourself. Negative things include being too quick to think a set is over, over thinking, procrastinating, being embarrassed exercising in front of strangers, being prideful exercising in front of strangers. Good things - I'm a fairly mean cook, I like sleep, I can be disciplined if I know what is expected.
Day 29 - Spliced
Today I had a spliced workout - jumps am and the rest after dinner.
I found a delicious way to knock out the nutrients from a banana! It's virtually the same as Chris's drink, 'monkey on my back', only without the egg. Milk, nana, pulverised in blender, teaspoon instant coffee, 1.5 teaspoons cinammon, mash and then heat.
I think this is verboten, but it was SO good.
Serious tiredness upon coming home - needed to shut eyes before WO. Hard to force self to go to bed when awake again, but tiredness tends to hammer down on me.
Wishing all a solid Week 5 and congratulations for tomorrow on the 1/3 mark!
I found a delicious way to knock out the nutrients from a banana! It's virtually the same as Chris's drink, 'monkey on my back', only without the egg. Milk, nana, pulverised in blender, teaspoon instant coffee, 1.5 teaspoons cinammon, mash and then heat.
I think this is verboten, but it was SO good.
Serious tiredness upon coming home - needed to shut eyes before WO. Hard to force self to go to bed when awake again, but tiredness tends to hammer down on me.
Wishing all a solid Week 5 and congratulations for tomorrow on the 1/3 mark!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Day 28 - A bit of prep
Not the best shot, but you get the idea. The endives smell divine, kind of peppery and dark. I also steamed some clams and chopped up some marinaded (AKA salty) saba (mackeral) for tomorrow. Yum!
Day 28 - Early start, salt
Anyone else finding getting up earlier easier? It starts with getting
an earlier evening meal if you can. I had my main meal about 30 min
before my evening class. I used to think that eating later was an incentive, but it doesn't work like that anymore.
Failed again on the salt because I didn't take in pre-prepped protein and got mackeral grilled with salt for both lunch and dinner. I think it's hard to say no to something so delicious and good for you in many ways.
The other option is a sashimi plate at the shop near me, but that's going to mean taking scales into the restaurant, and I'm not brave enough to do that yet.
Realized today that I'm not really trying hard enough on all sets of the exercises especially the ones in the middle. Something to work on.
If you haven't had breakfast eggs yet, may I recommend grinding in some nutmeg? It'll make your home smell lovely all day.
an earlier evening meal if you can. I had my main meal about 30 min
before my evening class. I used to think that eating later was an incentive, but it doesn't work like that anymore.
Failed again on the salt because I didn't take in pre-prepped protein and got mackeral grilled with salt for both lunch and dinner. I think it's hard to say no to something so delicious and good for you in many ways.
The other option is a sashimi plate at the shop near me, but that's going to mean taking scales into the restaurant, and I'm not brave enough to do that yet.
Realized today that I'm not really trying hard enough on all sets of the exercises especially the ones in the middle. Something to work on.
If you haven't had breakfast eggs yet, may I recommend grinding in some nutmeg? It'll make your home smell lovely all day.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Day 27 - Indulge me 20 minutes
After a fun conversation with the owner of the Alice in Wonderland cake shop, 'I'm doing a strict diet, and I HAVE to have a cake/Ara, ara! (dear god! in polite Japanese), mulling over options - marron creme? chocolate orange ganesh? caramel apple tart? - Finally settled on the thing that drew me from the start, the creme cheese ball.
I suprised myself a bit by going for this. When I was considering PCP and in the week or so before, I was convinced that my indulgence would be a curry with triple nan. But actually, I haven't felt any craving for it - mainly because the button it was pressing (BREEEAD) is being satisfied pretty nicely, and I am getting lots of spices every day in my own breakfasts (paprika eggy veg).
So how was it?
Delightful! Not too sweet, but rich and velvety. The cream cheese had some resistance and the centre was slightly lemony. I'm not a big fan of sponge cakes, but this was just enough. And the indulgence wasn't the eating, which took about 20 minutes it was the whole thing - the deciding, the walk there on a cold sunny afternoon, the conversation with the owner/cook (Side rant - WHY are Japanese women so skinny when they are surrounded by cake?), sharing it here afterwards.
I'm on a slight, but not high sugar rush. I chose this cake as I thought it'd have good ingredients and not make me sick.
I learnt about myself that I have at least three cravings related to food
Craving one
For McVities/Marmite/Weetabix, i.e., things that take me back to the UK.
Ex-pats who have a wealth of restaurants to enjoy will still pay a lot of money in foreign food stores for foods that are not that sophisticated because they enable us to take something out of a box and remember our roots.
Michael Pollan said something like 'The last place to look for signs of integration in an immigrants home is the pantry'. Food is a way of expressing our history and identity.
Craving two
For food in companionship. Did you know that 'companion' derives from 'shared bread?'. And in Japanese they say something like 'We eat from the same rice pot'.
The hardest part of the PCP foodwise for me is saying no to my capoeira group dinners because they invariably involve going somewhere that just won't work for me. This may change in the future, but now, I just enjoy class and a bit of chat as we head out. Boring I know, but I'm resigned to it.
This second craving is actually not really for the food, but the chance to be with friends. It's a damn important thing, and I'm a bit scared about what I'll do post PCP.
Craving three
For a specific mouth taste and feel. Invariably, it's lamb or chicken curry, and always nan. The appetite for PCP foods (let's just call it FOOD) builds slowly and is centered around a dish I have already planned. I often dream about breakfast.
------
What did you eat?
I'd love to know how you guys chose what to have! Was it something you'd been looking forward to specifically or did you suprise yourself with an unexpected choice? Whatever it was, I hope that you all enjoyed it as much as I did and it gave you some heart for the next week!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Day 26 - Capoeira Capers
Typing this on the train back from Yokohama where I visited Abada
capoeira group. My group, Bantus, in Kichijioji can't meet because of
the blackouts and this was my first proper class for about two weeks.
I struggled with the moves during practice quite a bit, but got into
my groove in the roda (free capoeira accompanied by music and singing).
I tend to stand with hands on hips between moves and couldn't help
feeling excited that I can hold them closer. And the growing strength
in my torso made me feel more in control. I'm looking forward to
seeing and feeling results of all the stuff in the park and my room.
Right now it feels just like spade work!
I woke late, everything got shoved back and I didn't have time to buy
and eat my cake. That's tomorrow's pleasant duty! I've been thinking
about it today on and off.
One thing that was different to normal was me carrying my dinner in a
lunch box and scoffing fish, sweet potatoes, greens on the station
platform. This is as Patrick advised me to have 90 min between dinner
and bed. And milk got drunk pre class at Yokohama 'Staba' to give me
some energy. 330 yen is a silly sum to pay, but it was sooo good.
Anyone got any wise words about the food/exercise relationship? I
thought I'd hate milk pre PCP but it seems to be what my body wants.
Okay, now to get to my favourite part of muscle building. Oyasumi!
capoeira group. My group, Bantus, in Kichijioji can't meet because of
the blackouts and this was my first proper class for about two weeks.
I struggled with the moves during practice quite a bit, but got into
my groove in the roda (free capoeira accompanied by music and singing).
I tend to stand with hands on hips between moves and couldn't help
feeling excited that I can hold them closer. And the growing strength
in my torso made me feel more in control. I'm looking forward to
seeing and feeling results of all the stuff in the park and my room.
Right now it feels just like spade work!
I woke late, everything got shoved back and I didn't have time to buy
and eat my cake. That's tomorrow's pleasant duty! I've been thinking
about it today on and off.
One thing that was different to normal was me carrying my dinner in a
lunch box and scoffing fish, sweet potatoes, greens on the station
platform. This is as Patrick advised me to have 90 min between dinner
and bed. And milk got drunk pre class at Yokohama 'Staba' to give me
some energy. 330 yen is a silly sum to pay, but it was sooo good.
Anyone got any wise words about the food/exercise relationship? I
thought I'd hate milk pre PCP but it seems to be what my body wants.
Okay, now to get to my favourite part of muscle building. Oyasumi!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Day 25 - Decisions decisions
Today we got our orders to have a treat. It's really interesting to see how I handled this bit of news. The main issue is the restriction to a) eat 200 - 400 cal. and b) eat it during the day to burn it off.
I've been telling myself that a curry plus nan is the big treat - but I checked the calories of nan and it's way over. So that might be a post PCP treat or for when things get ugly which I'm assured they will.
Read about other PCP-ers, as well as Patrick's experience with the indulgences. I get why we are doing it, to see that these foods are 'not all that' and to approach them with greater awareness and calm. However, I felt anything but calm as my colleague started talking about the possible breach in the reactor. Felt very anxious and bought a packet of McVities chocolate digestives. This was with one eye on the numbers - thinking about the fact that a packet had only 150 cal., leaving the possibility of a double day treat. But then I thought, I am doing enough number crunching here and an indulgence is meant to have a bit of 'hat to the wind' about it. The biscuits can go to someone else. It's not hard to give away food in Japan!
On the way to the supermarket, I passed a tiny locally-owned cake shop that is big enough for two customers, one counter, and hearty looking cakes. The owner and chef has displayed copious handwritten notes about the ingredients in both kanji and English calligraphy. Over Christmas I bought a selection of gingerbread, cakes, and candles for a friend and his girlfriend from there, but nothing for myself. I often glance inside as I go past and debate my choices as a kind of substitute for having something. Well, no more debate, no more giving away, tomorrow I will go in, enjoy my choices, and probably get either a marron creme or big round white cheese cake, take it home in a white box, and enjoy it with a cup of tea and movie. And it will be one indulgence with a beginning, middle, and end. Does that make sense PCP-ers who've had their indulgence?
It's so funny that for about a couple of hours today I really resented this choice and feared it would screw up my work. Definitely time to let some pressure off!
I've been telling myself that a curry plus nan is the big treat - but I checked the calories of nan and it's way over. So that might be a post PCP treat or for when things get ugly which I'm assured they will.
Read about other PCP-ers, as well as Patrick's experience with the indulgences. I get why we are doing it, to see that these foods are 'not all that' and to approach them with greater awareness and calm. However, I felt anything but calm as my colleague started talking about the possible breach in the reactor. Felt very anxious and bought a packet of McVities chocolate digestives. This was with one eye on the numbers - thinking about the fact that a packet had only 150 cal., leaving the possibility of a double day treat. But then I thought, I am doing enough number crunching here and an indulgence is meant to have a bit of 'hat to the wind' about it. The biscuits can go to someone else. It's not hard to give away food in Japan!
On the way to the supermarket, I passed a tiny locally-owned cake shop that is big enough for two customers, one counter, and hearty looking cakes. The owner and chef has displayed copious handwritten notes about the ingredients in both kanji and English calligraphy. Over Christmas I bought a selection of gingerbread, cakes, and candles for a friend and his girlfriend from there, but nothing for myself. I often glance inside as I go past and debate my choices as a kind of substitute for having something. Well, no more debate, no more giving away, tomorrow I will go in, enjoy my choices, and probably get either a marron creme or big round white cheese cake, take it home in a white box, and enjoy it with a cup of tea and movie. And it will be one indulgence with a beginning, middle, and end. Does that make sense PCP-ers who've had their indulgence?
It's so funny that for about a couple of hours today I really resented this choice and feared it would screw up my work. Definitely time to let some pressure off!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Day 24 - What some call health, if purchased by continual anxiety about diet, is nothing more than tedious disease
Nice quote from George Denning Prentice there. It sums up a great attitude to food; be relaxed about it. I'm finding PCP food really liberating because I know my limits. That said, I'm still struggling to get LF milk and settling on LF yogurt, and when I can't get that I've tried Yakult, which was a mistake because of the sugar and probable lack of milk! Steamed some oysters this evening with spuds and fried onion/cabbage. It was nice, but next time I'll try to get things really piping hot, which was what I was craving.
Managed to get up earlier today and do all my workout except pullups which were done in the kids playground. I didn't bother 'changing', just got off my bike. Anyone else out there done workout stuff in office clothes? I like mixing things up, and was inspired by Patrick's blog to listen to BBC Radio 7 where you can listen again to radio dramas. Alan Bennett was describing getting beaten up in Italy with his boyfriend and the Italian police dismissing it as a reasonable thing for any red-blooded Italian man. I was doing my pushups. Incongrous? Yes, and I like it.
Confession - I am a once-a-week announcer at NHK radio and had some training today. It's amazing how much you need to control your breath and emotions with voice work. I hope the PCP exercises will make me better at this.
After my training I did what I promised Patrick and got a stronger band. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.
Oyasumi everyone.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Day 23 - Every man is the builder of a temple called his body
Love that Thoreau quote. He has a ton of wise things to say.
Feeling very 'my body is changing' and a mixture of excitement and fear about where this journey will lead. Too many thoughts to blog about at 11.30 at night after a day of jumping, working out, cooking, shopping, going to and from work, and working.
Main theme today is a kind of joining together, at least in my mind, between the food I eat and the shape I'm going to be. I never really thought about this beyond 'I need to eat less, I am eating too much'. Now I am eating more, happy as one of the Bash Street Kids who always finish their adventures with a huge feast, usually sausages and mash.
My home smells good, slightly nutty and earthy from the bag of potatoes I am munching my way through.
Work outs were good, tried to get a bigger band and ended up with one that doesn't really stretch, so going to Tokyu Hands in Shibuya tomorrow. Did work harder and faster after the session with Patrick and again, this felt good.
Going to work on the last bit of muscle building....REST!
Oyasumi!
Feeling very 'my body is changing' and a mixture of excitement and fear about where this journey will lead. Too many thoughts to blog about at 11.30 at night after a day of jumping, working out, cooking, shopping, going to and from work, and working.
Main theme today is a kind of joining together, at least in my mind, between the food I eat and the shape I'm going to be. I never really thought about this beyond 'I need to eat less, I am eating too much'. Now I am eating more, happy as one of the Bash Street Kids who always finish their adventures with a huge feast, usually sausages and mash.
My home smells good, slightly nutty and earthy from the bag of potatoes I am munching my way through.
Work outs were good, tried to get a bigger band and ended up with one that doesn't really stretch, so going to Tokyu Hands in Shibuya tomorrow. Did work harder and faster after the session with Patrick and again, this felt good.
Going to work on the last bit of muscle building....REST!
Oyasumi!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Day 22 - Your Body 101.
Today got to the studio in Yokohama on a cold dark night having crashed out on the train from Tokyo.
Did a workout with Patrick and Kazue and then he proceeded to zap me with a magic scale that told me a few things.
The good news is as follows
1. I have low visceral fat (Mmmm...visceral faaaat) which means that I am at lower risk of various diseases.
2. My muscular percentage is not great but not bad either. He's seen worse.
The bad news is
1. I have high 'subcutaenous fat' (This fat sounds snobby) which Patrick pleasingly dubbed 'the wetsuit'.
2. My body likes to store fat...in the muscles. This explains why despite swimming/jogging/recently capoeira my muscles still look rather sad.
3. My body will raid energy, guess where? From muscles.
We cycle round to the good news.
I need to keep eating protein. To be blunt 'We're going to keep you tanked up'. Team Io, I promise to bear this burden bravely. Patrick looked worried when he told me this, but really, I've embarrassed bigger men than him with how much I can put away.
I then celebrated all this by eating 1.5 times the protein I should have for dinner. I know this because Matsuya kindly labelled how much was in that steak. Not to mention the salt. I think I was feeling a bit emotional and COLD, and telling shop staff that 'No, I don't want the rice nor the miso' depleted my will to eat just 2/3 of the 140 g. of steak. It was nice though. Patrick, any suggestions on what I should do to recover? Less carbs tomorrow? Or just push on regardless? I know that shutting my mouth is a good starting point.
In other news, things are looking better re Fukushima, but it's a long road ahead for the people in the North of Japan who have little to eat and are fighting for survival. For once, I feel some empathy with the things I see on the news and it makes me sad and grateful at the same time.
Did a workout with Patrick and Kazue and then he proceeded to zap me with a magic scale that told me a few things.
The good news is as follows
1. I have low visceral fat (Mmmm...visceral faaaat) which means that I am at lower risk of various diseases.
2. My muscular percentage is not great but not bad either. He's seen worse.
The bad news is
1. I have high 'subcutaenous fat' (This fat sounds snobby) which Patrick pleasingly dubbed 'the wetsuit'.
2. My body likes to store fat...in the muscles. This explains why despite swimming/jogging/recently capoeira my muscles still look rather sad.
3. My body will raid energy, guess where? From muscles.
We cycle round to the good news.
I need to keep eating protein. To be blunt 'We're going to keep you tanked up'. Team Io, I promise to bear this burden bravely. Patrick looked worried when he told me this, but really, I've embarrassed bigger men than him with how much I can put away.
I then celebrated all this by eating 1.5 times the protein I should have for dinner. I know this because Matsuya kindly labelled how much was in that steak. Not to mention the salt. I think I was feeling a bit emotional and COLD, and telling shop staff that 'No, I don't want the rice nor the miso' depleted my will to eat just 2/3 of the 140 g. of steak. It was nice though. Patrick, any suggestions on what I should do to recover? Less carbs tomorrow? Or just push on regardless? I know that shutting my mouth is a good starting point.
In other news, things are looking better re Fukushima, but it's a long road ahead for the people in the North of Japan who have little to eat and are fighting for survival. For once, I feel some empathy with the things I see on the news and it makes me sad and grateful at the same time.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Day 21 - The beginning of a beautiful friendship
I feel like I am a child playing off two parents, the first is the wooden handled rope I started with from the 100 yen shop (Woody) and the second the light pink flashy one (Pinky) from Tokyu Hands.
Remember a few nights back when I had that miserable session? The threes, the fives, the tens? That was with Pinky and I was so disgusted that I cleverly put it somewhere I couldn't find it. I was punishing it...Went back to Woody for a couple of days, got a bit better, into the fifties, eighties, a couple of hundreds. Today was a national holiday and I slept in, then went to see a couple of friends - packed Pinky having found it by my door and wore running shoes. Thought that I would 'sneak the jumps in' somewhere when it stopped raining. Well, got home, and decided to just throw my stuff into the apartment and head out straight away while the rain stopped. Pinky got a second chance with low expectations, and I bashed out an easy 214. There were a couple of runs of 100 and 140 too. If I was being really technical, I'd say wearing my heavier shoes gave me a better rhythm, but whatever, it flowed and I feel really good about it.
Ricky had a breakthrough today as well - congratulations!
Let's rock Week 4!
Remember a few nights back when I had that miserable session? The threes, the fives, the tens? That was with Pinky and I was so disgusted that I cleverly put it somewhere I couldn't find it. I was punishing it...Went back to Woody for a couple of days, got a bit better, into the fifties, eighties, a couple of hundreds. Today was a national holiday and I slept in, then went to see a couple of friends - packed Pinky having found it by my door and wore running shoes. Thought that I would 'sneak the jumps in' somewhere when it stopped raining. Well, got home, and decided to just throw my stuff into the apartment and head out straight away while the rain stopped. Pinky got a second chance with low expectations, and I bashed out an easy 214. There were a couple of runs of 100 and 140 too. If I was being really technical, I'd say wearing my heavier shoes gave me a better rhythm, but whatever, it flowed and I feel really good about it.
Ricky had a breakthrough today as well - congratulations!
Let's rock Week 4!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Day 20 - Making a berimbau in Doutours
Today my teacher Cacapa made my first berimbau (instrument for capoeira) from a piece of bamboo, wire, string, and flower pot. I helped by holding my finger at critical points and places. We made it in the corner of Doutours and NO ONE stopped us. I think next time I will set up a model train set and dare them to stop me.
PCP-ing again saw me fail on the salt. Was carrying around a bag of seaweed with shrimp salt. Felt v. tired and low in the afternoon, and gave in. I don't crave salt 'on food' when I'm cooking my own, but I do sometimes crave salty processed foods. Giving this up is harder than I thought. Other meals were okay, but had an unweighed apple walking home, then weighed a similar one and was amazed at how heavy it was. Ate slightly less of evening fruits to try to balance it out. Should have just weighed and packed it along with my lunch.
Anyone else feel virtuous about having a weighed, packed lunch? Just me?
Exercise was okay with the rope and mediocre with the leg ups. And I am very ready for sleep now!
Thanks everyone for the comments and encouragement!
PCP-ing again saw me fail on the salt. Was carrying around a bag of seaweed with shrimp salt. Felt v. tired and low in the afternoon, and gave in. I don't crave salt 'on food' when I'm cooking my own, but I do sometimes crave salty processed foods. Giving this up is harder than I thought. Other meals were okay, but had an unweighed apple walking home, then weighed a similar one and was amazed at how heavy it was. Ate slightly less of evening fruits to try to balance it out. Should have just weighed and packed it along with my lunch.
Anyone else feel virtuous about having a weighed, packed lunch? Just me?
Exercise was okay with the rope and mediocre with the leg ups. And I am very ready for sleep now!
Thanks everyone for the comments and encouragement!
Day 19 - Nadie te quita lo balido (Nobody can take away what you've danced)
This was my mid-morning snack! Yum. Sent a mail to family saying that unless four horsemen were knocking at my door for me, that they should not ring me first thing in the morning to check I was alive. So I got some decent sleep and had a decent session jumping. I like the round numbers!
All my meals were late and this was deliberate countermeasures for a party for a wonderful Brazilian guy Bolinha, who is going back to Rio (This was planned pre-quake.) Those of you who know the magic words 'Tabehodai/nomehodai' will understand why I needed a substantial lunch. I managed to get through the unlimited food, drink, and icecream no problem. Sipped on oolong tea and enjoyed dancing and socializing. IT'S REALLY NOT THAT HARD. There was a street roda (free capoeira) on the streets of Kichijioji and drunken members of the public tried to join in. People neither look or smell good when drunk. I really like that my new 'tribe' of capoeiristas (and PCPers) either abstain or drink in moderation. It's a good feeling to enjoy being alive, here, and with your friends. Alcohol of course brings something, but it also takes away something too. I see a lot of PCP-ers talking about highs of exercise and good food and I'm looking forward to those.
I do find giving up salt pretty miserable and today consumed a pack of seaweed with prawn salt and loved it. Patrick, WHY? Am I just a salty character?
My body is responding to the stress of the last week in it's usual way by getting a throat bug. And the stress of exercise too - so glad tomorrow is national holiday in Japan! Okay, off to do today's (Sunday's) floor work.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Day 18 - TGIF
Short post as pretty tired. Biked home and had a better workout with
the jumprope. Lunch was eaten out and far too salty. Need to ask about
canned fish...
Very glad to make it to Friday!
the jumprope. Lunch was eaten out and far too salty. Need to ask about
canned fish...
Very glad to make it to Friday!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Day 17 - The satisfaction of a lousy workout during a crisis
I stumbled through jump ropes. The most I got in a row was about 50 and there were a lot of runs of 3. Please tell me someone else has been there. But the thing is I churned, jumped, dribbled them out in mixture of average to mediocre form. Then back in my room for the upper arm/body work which I love. Still to find a decent pull up bar, and tried with high shelf in my room. I successfully hung and swung. Housten, we have a fat-arse.
Immensely proud that with the exception of low fat milk, which I am substituting with smaller amounts of yogurt (full fat) and soy etc, I am sticking to my grammes. In fact it puts the hoarding and panic buying into perspective.
Spent the day working at home, but all being well tomorrow, I'll get into the office tomorrow, see people, get some work to do at home, and then make it back. If there has been some response to my request for foodstuffs, I'll drop them on my bike at Second Harvest. Tomorrow is another day. I want to be able to look back and say I did the right thing, I made the right decisions. But sometimes you just need to do your best today. Corn-eee! PCP-ing, no matter where you are has got to be a step towards self determination and self control. And that is satisfying.
PCP-ers who remember this stage, any advice? I've had references to good cooks which is ace. Thank you for reading this everyone and a huge shout out to those who are commenting.
GAMBARE!
Immensely proud that with the exception of low fat milk, which I am substituting with smaller amounts of yogurt (full fat) and soy etc, I am sticking to my grammes. In fact it puts the hoarding and panic buying into perspective.
Spent the day working at home, but all being well tomorrow, I'll get into the office tomorrow, see people, get some work to do at home, and then make it back. If there has been some response to my request for foodstuffs, I'll drop them on my bike at Second Harvest. Tomorrow is another day. I want to be able to look back and say I did the right thing, I made the right decisions. But sometimes you just need to do your best today. Corn-eee! PCP-ing, no matter where you are has got to be a step towards self determination and self control. And that is satisfying.
PCP-ers who remember this stage, any advice? I've had references to good cooks which is ace. Thank you for reading this everyone and a huge shout out to those who are commenting.
GAMBARE!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Day 16 - Running out of my office and hanging in there
The angst over the nuclear situation is taking its toll - I left the office early (I was the only one who did as far as I know) during the afternoon's short quake.
Went home and slept for about 4 hours which was great and what I needed. I feel like I am doing so little, but I'm just trying to stay level. Doing PCP stuff is helping, giving me a bit of routine, and discipline. That said, I am eating more than my allowance, not massively, but a bit more. Asked Patrick for advice today and looking forward to the reply.
One other routine that is helping is going to the sento (public bath) pretty much every night. It's a typical local sento in a rather dilapidated but scrupulously clean building. There are always fresh flowers in the reception, television on, friendly staff who ask about me. And today two local women asked me about why I was quicker than usual and about how I was doing. They were laughing and smiling, talking about cats sensing quakes, and people snoring through them.
Secrets to keeping through a crisis seem to be connection to others, humour, a gentle discipline. Although today I tightened the bands!
Weight is down by nearly 1.5 k. since starting PCP but muscles are developing. Definitely feeling a burn and deep readiness for sleep.
PCP-ers who are further down the line, how do you reward yourself for sticking with it when you can't dial a pizza or have a beer?
Went home and slept for about 4 hours which was great and what I needed. I feel like I am doing so little, but I'm just trying to stay level. Doing PCP stuff is helping, giving me a bit of routine, and discipline. That said, I am eating more than my allowance, not massively, but a bit more. Asked Patrick for advice today and looking forward to the reply.
One other routine that is helping is going to the sento (public bath) pretty much every night. It's a typical local sento in a rather dilapidated but scrupulously clean building. There are always fresh flowers in the reception, television on, friendly staff who ask about me. And today two local women asked me about why I was quicker than usual and about how I was doing. They were laughing and smiling, talking about cats sensing quakes, and people snoring through them.
Secrets to keeping through a crisis seem to be connection to others, humour, a gentle discipline. Although today I tightened the bands!
Weight is down by nearly 1.5 k. since starting PCP but muscles are developing. Definitely feeling a burn and deep readiness for sleep.
PCP-ers who are further down the line, how do you reward yourself for sticking with it when you can't dial a pizza or have a beer?
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Day 15 - "Muscles are like work animals"
Haruki Murakami, the Japanese novelist, is also a marathon runner, triathlete, and all-round inspiration for the connection between intellect and body. In his book 'What I talk about when I talk about running' he talks about how exercise, specifically running, was vital to his writing. He started running in his late thirties - my age - around the time he was transitioning from running a jazz bar to being a full time writer.
One of his observations of the early stages in building strength really chimed with me:
"Muscles are like work animals. You need to patiently show them every day what is expected of them and they will obey".
Similar to Patrick's advice about being 'mule-ish'!
That's the good news. The bad news is that if you let up on these 'animals' then they get lazy very quickly.
I feel like on the PCP we are constantly being pushed harder, but really a lot of what we are doing is building consistency with our bodies, giving the mules the same message. This is what you are made for.
----
Today was another day in this unreal situation that is unfolding. People are leaving the country, leaving Tokyo. I've entrusted my decision on this to someone whose expertise dwarfs what I know. This has given me clarity, but no comfort.
PCP-ing is my new normal!
-----
Stay safe everyone in Tokyo and let's hope for an end to this horrible situation soon.
One of his observations of the early stages in building strength really chimed with me:
"Muscles are like work animals. You need to patiently show them every day what is expected of them and they will obey".
Similar to Patrick's advice about being 'mule-ish'!
That's the good news. The bad news is that if you let up on these 'animals' then they get lazy very quickly.
I feel like on the PCP we are constantly being pushed harder, but really a lot of what we are doing is building consistency with our bodies, giving the mules the same message. This is what you are made for.
----
Today was another day in this unreal situation that is unfolding. People are leaving the country, leaving Tokyo. I've entrusted my decision on this to someone whose expertise dwarfs what I know. This has given me clarity, but no comfort.
PCP-ing is my new normal!
-----
Stay safe everyone in Tokyo and let's hope for an end to this horrible situation soon.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Day 14 - Great exercise, less than great eating
Today I decided to bike as I had a party to go to (one that I'd organized some time ago) and the train service is decidedly inconsistent in Tokyo. I was really looking forward to the party as it was a chance to chill out a bit after the earthquake and it was to celebrate a really great person's birthday. Anyway, the upshot was that I didn't eat enough veggies, and my protein was entirely processed meat in the form of mini sausages and 1/2 bowl of shepherd's pie. Carbs were a taco shells, bread, veggies were salad. And I had a banana on the bike ride. Not proud of this! My weakness is I think that if I exercise a lot then this 'allows' me to eat more. Which might be true, but you have to do the numbers and even then, it probably doesn't work out as you think. I cycled about 35 k. today, and the rest of the days meals were okay, a couple of salty items appeared. Breakfast was genmai mochi and wholewheat crackers (no doubt salty), and the lunch time fish from Origin Zen Bento takeout had salt on the skin (picked off skin, but salt still there). Sigh! Hope I haven't screwed up. Still, tomorrow is a new week and I can say that until today I have kept to the grams pretty well. I'll need to be on it harder, more planning in advance. I think that if I had asked for some advice about the meal, I'd have done better. Live and learn eh?
On the positive side - I said 'no' when asked if I wanted free pizza at lunch time. And I sucked it up and told the restaurant staff that I really didn't want cheesecake. And drink was a mineral water. So I have the willpower muscles. I just need to flex them harder and plan smarter.
On the positive side - I said 'no' when asked if I wanted free pizza at lunch time. And I sucked it up and told the restaurant staff that I really didn't want cheesecake. And drink was a mineral water. So I have the willpower muscles. I just need to flex them harder and plan smarter.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Day 13 - Spinach, eggs, aftershocks
A better night's sleep has helped, but there continue to be more smaller quakes. I am also worried about the nuclear situation. I'm torn between the bigger picture and the stuff of my life right now. One thing that did strike me on Friday when I was walking home was that it wasn't a big deal for me to walk back - I knew the route as I've been coming to work by bike a few times a month for about a year. I wasn't clutching a map! The streets were full of people walking calmly home even though there were sirens. Lots of commentators have described the strengths of Japanese society - calmness, discipline, and attention to the feelings of others. My British neighbour said 'Imagine a quake in the UK! People would be so rowdy...' But the geography of a country shapes the mindset of the people. If you live with a natural threat, then you become aware that you are very small and need the people around you.
How does all this relate to PCPing? First off, confidence in your body is a tremendous thing at any time, but especially in an emergency. Self awareness and awareness of others comes from physical strength. In fact, I don't think you can become physically strong without also being mentally strong too.
The other thing I felt is that eating well and exercising well is a way to honour the fact that we are alive this day. We don't 'have to' eat a well-balanced meal or exercise or rest afterward. We get to do all these things because we are alive and here now.
-------
A few things to report PCP-wise.
1. Enjoying eating PCP food very much. I'm not sure if canned fish is okay though. I want to stick to fish as much as possible for my protein as it's more satisfying for me.
2. I hit 114 jumps yesterday and a record 143 today.
3. Working out later is better for me with a warm body, but I really don't like leaving it! Any thoughts PCP-ers?
4. I'm enjoying milk and yogurt and protein very much.
5. I'm glad I'm doing this!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Day 12 - A bad night, aching body, and today's plan
Morning everyone.
I never thought I would be using my blog to document an earthquake.
Patrick said to us 'Notice what kind of food you crave when stressed'. Love that he never switches off!
I ate an extra apple, 2 teaspoons of honey, and two small packets of miso, neat when I got home after a cold 11-k walk. After I started moving, the fear went down, being with thousands of people quietly, orderly walking back, calmed me, as did knowing the streets of Tokyo really well from the commutes I've done.
I spoke to my parents on SKYPE at home, then made an earthquake bag, in between looking at the tv and Internet, and, in attempt to restore some 'normalcy', watched Patrick's food video.
Never thought PCPing would become my normal so quick!
I'm going to eat some porridge, digest, then go jump some rope and do my workout.
Let's hope today's a safe one, and thoughts to those coming to terms with loss and damage. Where I am, in the North of Tokyo seems almost totally unaffected.
I'll blog more about what I think of having a healthy strong body in situations like this a bit later.
I never thought I would be using my blog to document an earthquake.
Patrick said to us 'Notice what kind of food you crave when stressed'. Love that he never switches off!
I ate an extra apple, 2 teaspoons of honey, and two small packets of miso, neat when I got home after a cold 11-k walk. After I started moving, the fear went down, being with thousands of people quietly, orderly walking back, calmed me, as did knowing the streets of Tokyo really well from the commutes I've done.
I spoke to my parents on SKYPE at home, then made an earthquake bag, in between looking at the tv and Internet, and, in attempt to restore some 'normalcy', watched Patrick's food video.
Never thought PCPing would become my normal so quick!
I'm going to eat some porridge, digest, then go jump some rope and do my workout.
Let's hope today's a safe one, and thoughts to those coming to terms with loss and damage. Where I am, in the North of Tokyo seems almost totally unaffected.
I'll blog more about what I think of having a healthy strong body in situations like this a bit later.
Day 11 - Earthquake
I'm glad to be alive. Today was the scariest day of my life for sure. Never seen buildings move like that, never run out of my office building so fast.
Thoughts with those in the tsunami itself and to Saito-san, my firefighter friend, who went on his shift at 8 this morning.
To be honest, I'm still scared at every shock that is still coming.
Thoughts with those in the tsunami itself and to Saito-san, my firefighter friend, who went on his shift at 8 this morning.
To be honest, I'm still scared at every shock that is still coming.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Day 9 - Channelling Barbara
I have nothing interesting to report about my exercise or diet today other than I am moving my butt and eating real food.
More interesting is what happened to me last night.
My inspirational figure, Hollywood legend Barbara Stanwyck, visited me in a dream.
We had the most interesting conversation. It went like this....
Babs: Hey darlin, what are you doing in the kitchen with those scales?
Me: Uh, weighing out my carbs for tomorrow....I think I got it figured out...
Babs: Whaｔ in Gods name is a carb?
Me: I don't know either. I think it is something I shouldn't eat too much, but I should if I am exercising. You know, to give me energy to move through my jumps and lifts and such.
Babs: Honey, you serious? The only thing you need to lift is a cigarette. That's how I keep my figure! You getting all steamed up there, you just need to eat real food. Lay off the diet sodas too while you're at it. And just eat a little less. Chew slowly sweetie. Masticate
Then something very strange happened! Barbara started to turn into a lanky bald New Englander with a polo neck...The man had Barbara's honeyed tones but spoke with urgency...
Honey, you don't need to smoke or jump a thousand ropes a day to have that waist you desire. Just eat real food and enjoy it. Put your fork or chopsticks down and breathe between bites. You'll soon find you are not eating too much. And stick with the plants, would ya?
More interesting is what happened to me last night.
My inspirational figure, Hollywood legend Barbara Stanwyck, visited me in a dream.
We had the most interesting conversation. It went like this....
Babs: Hey darlin, what are you doing in the kitchen with those scales?
Me: Uh, weighing out my carbs for tomorrow....I think I got it figured out...
Babs: Whaｔ in Gods name is a carb?
Me: I don't know either. I think it is something I shouldn't eat too much, but I should if I am exercising. You know, to give me energy to move through my jumps and lifts and such.
Babs: Honey, you serious? The only thing you need to lift is a cigarette. That's how I keep my figure! You getting all steamed up there, you just need to eat real food. Lay off the diet sodas too while you're at it. And just eat a little less. Chew slowly sweetie. Masticate
Then something very strange happened! Barbara started to turn into a lanky bald New Englander with a polo neck...The man had Barbara's honeyed tones but spoke with urgency...
Honey, you don't need to smoke or jump a thousand ropes a day to have that waist you desire. Just eat real food and enjoy it. Put your fork or chopsticks down and breathe between bites. You'll soon find you are not eating too much. And stick with the plants, would ya?
Monday, March 7, 2011
Day 8- First weighed-out brekkie! Ittadikimasu!
morning.
Got home late after a great capoeira class. My body has responded well
to the hundreds of skips last week and it showed in my jinga (basic
capoeira move, swing). It was way faster and more controlled than I'd
ever been. Felt really good and looking forward to more of this.
Alot to think about in this morning's mail. Glad to finally have the
quantities of food for the week and that my breakfast veggies are back
to what I'd normally eat. For the first time in a week I'm not hungry
after breakfast! Huzzah!
I had wholemeal rice with some other grains mixed in, a raw egg on
that, my lowfat milk allowance, and leftover salad from the weekend
brunch (lettuce, pepper, and some pickled cabbage). I think pickled
veg is out because of salt, but it was the last of the
packet.
I've cooked a load of brown rice in advance and will weigh it out
tonight for each meal so I don't have to think about it. Also, and
this was annoyingly time consuming was weighing morning fruit. I'm
eating half an avocado (again fearing this might be snatched from me
because of the fat), and some green grapes. Yum!
The rest of the day will be veggies bought from the convenience store
under my office (the bag has the weight), steamed and for protein
probably some fish from Origin Bento, and a bought onigiri. This has
to be home cooked rice tomorrow because of the salt..
Wow! Did I mentioned I also did my skipping this morning? And tonight
there will be equipment buying in Shibuya, more weighing and
allocating, more food buying. And the evening resistance work.
And sometime today, a day's work!
Good luck Team Io. We can do this!
Day 7 - In which I skip in a smoking area
Cold sleet in Tokyo today meant I had to rethink where to do the 500
jumps. The best place was the area between my office and the stairs, a
lonely concrete place with the building's air con and fans. It has a
grill just above my head, so I felt like I was the Bird Man of
Alcatraz. As space was limited I floundered a few times, but belted
them out and returned smugly to my desk. Wore a pair of light slipper
like shoes I'd left in the office and my normal work clothes. Done in
about 10-15 min. Felt very Rocky. Working at a desk is hard as that
isn't what our bodies are built for.
jumps. The best place was the area between my office and the stairs, a
lonely concrete place with the building's air con and fans. It has a
grill just above my head, so I felt like I was the Bird Man of
Alcatraz. As space was limited I floundered a few times, but belted
them out and returned smugly to my desk. Wore a pair of light slipper
like shoes I'd left in the office and my normal work clothes. Done in
about 10-15 min. Felt very Rocky. Working at a desk is hard as that
isn't what our bodies are built for.
And at lunch I had a half curry and half a nan. It was okay, nothing
groundbreaking. To be honest, half portions is a bit confusing.
Not sure about dinner, thinking fried chicken. It'll be after
capoeira, which is the harder class.
Photos of a before and after curry to follow.
Cheers!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Day 6 - PCP-style brunch and a bit of MEH.
Sunday! I got up, skipped, then promptly crashed out on the sofa...Friends over for brunch "We know you're on half rations, but you can have half a glass of mimosa, right?". So I enjoyed a half glass with them, while they polished off the bottle of Cava and OJ. Made Spanish omlette, salad, served wholemeal bread, and stewed apples/blueberries. Got really hungry at the end of the day, and probably had more in the way of evening snacks on fruit, but at least it was fruit.
I read somewhere that it's important to 'plan for pleasure' rather than just hoping you get around to it. So before this craziness started I invested in a pack of 11 tickets to an onsen near me, and I'm thinking of making Sunday my regular day there to recharge.
During any new project there is an optimism phase, then a 'meh' stage, then some failures and learning, then confidence...I think I'm coming into 'meh' and am going to handle it by pretending it isn't there.
A few flamboyant handstands and sassy jingas at tomorrow's capoeira class will sort me out.
Good luck everyone with tomorrow's jumping!
I read somewhere that it's important to 'plan for pleasure' rather than just hoping you get around to it. So before this craziness started I invested in a pack of 11 tickets to an onsen near me, and I'm thinking of making Sunday my regular day there to recharge.
During any new project there is an optimism phase, then a 'meh' stage, then some failures and learning, then confidence...I think I'm coming into 'meh' and am going to handle it by pretending it isn't there.
A few flamboyant handstands and sassy jingas at tomorrow's capoeira class will sort me out.
Good luck everyone with tomorrow's jumping!
Day 5 - Capoeira, food, happiness.
CAPOEIRA
This evening we practised a tough pose for me - balancing your body weight on your elbows and extending the legs. Right now my mind gets it, but my body doesn't. I'm not worried about this. But, about six months ago, I went through a phase when I just froze in classes if I didn't get something. I felt tearful and embarrassed. Everyone else was doing okay, why wasn't I? That kind of thought.
Recently I'm more comfortable with just sucking at the beginning.
I realized that learning something new is sometimes just a process of sucking less. Tonight, on my tenth or so attempt at the badass move, just before I collapsed, I remembered the place my elbow was meant to go (just in the squidgy bit by my ribs!) and tried to focus on what it felt like. I got a glimpse of what it would be like to suck less.
FOOD
Kaiten sushi twice today - would normally have about 5/6 plates, but had 3 at lunch with 1/2 bowl aomori miso and 1/2 a plate of wakame. After capoeira, I got a couple of plates and the same miso at a place in Kichijioji. Kaiten sushi is great because you just take as much or as little as you want.
HINT: Focus on your plate and dining companion. Do not look too long at the merry-go-round!
HAPPINESS IS THIS!
Fruit dessert at Takano Fruits Parlor. Mainly fresh fruit, but a scoop each of icecream, pureen and a dab of raspberry compote. I had about three teaspoons of the icecream, one taste of the pureen, then enjoyed sliced kiwi, melon, strawberries, persimmon. Eating fruit is a real joy for the eyes as well as the taste buds. Even better is when it is shared dessert with a wonderful lady, Yoko, who gave me a truly PC-compliant present from Hawaii, a calendar entitled "Men of the Hawaiian Islands". Awesome!
This evening we practised a tough pose for me - balancing your body weight on your elbows and extending the legs. Right now my mind gets it, but my body doesn't. I'm not worried about this. But, about six months ago, I went through a phase when I just froze in classes if I didn't get something. I felt tearful and embarrassed. Everyone else was doing okay, why wasn't I? That kind of thought.
Recently I'm more comfortable with just sucking at the beginning.
I realized that learning something new is sometimes just a process of sucking less. Tonight, on my tenth or so attempt at the badass move, just before I collapsed, I remembered the place my elbow was meant to go (just in the squidgy bit by my ribs!) and tried to focus on what it felt like. I got a glimpse of what it would be like to suck less.
FOOD
Kaiten sushi twice today - would normally have about 5/6 plates, but had 3 at lunch with 1/2 bowl aomori miso and 1/2 a plate of wakame. After capoeira, I got a couple of plates and the same miso at a place in Kichijioji. Kaiten sushi is great because you just take as much or as little as you want.
HINT: Focus on your plate and dining companion. Do not look too long at the merry-go-round!
HAPPINESS IS THIS!
Fruit dessert at Takano Fruits Parlor. Mainly fresh fruit, but a scoop each of icecream, pureen and a dab of raspberry compote. I had about three teaspoons of the icecream, one taste of the pureen, then enjoyed sliced kiwi, melon, strawberries, persimmon. Eating fruit is a real joy for the eyes as well as the taste buds. Even better is when it is shared dessert with a wonderful lady, Yoko, who gave me a truly PC-compliant present from Hawaii, a calendar entitled "Men of the Hawaiian Islands". Awesome!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Day 4 - Ploddy with a nice suprise...
Typing this in good spirits as the weekend starts.
Did all my skips without a break this morning, managed the half rations, and got through the early evening class. I was anticipating needing a 'mini meal' before going to the class and getting home, but in the end 1/2 a soyjoy bar and the help of hot tea/coffee/water saw me through.
I went to my local sento where I weighed myself on Tuesday no less and saw that I am down nearly 2 kg. I've been a bit lighter than this before, but not much. I know that any change in diet gives a fast result at first because of water loss, but I'm still pleased. I can feel where my body wants to take this. Just got to do the work, eat right, and enjoy the journey.
I'll leave you with some wise words from Miss Piggy...
NEVER EAT MORE THAN YOU CAN LIFT.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Day 3 - Three things to love about PCP
It's Day 3! And in Japanese a quitter is called a 'three-day monk' 三日坊主.
All I can say is that those monks didn't do the first three days of the Peak Condition Program.
There's a lot going on in my mind - from 'This is silly, have something more' to 'Yes, I can survive with this much'. I didn't sleep well last night, and had to change my plans to get some rest tonight, but it's all good.
Three things I love about the PCP so far which is carrying me over the lack of sleep...
1. Community
It's Fresher's Week all over - very rejuvenating and some of the introductory e-mails have the feeling you get in a college room late at night when people start to put out feelers and make friends. It's very tingly.
2. Sufficiency.
I CAN eat a bit less and be okay with it. This is revelatory. I'm also wondering why I've been eating my money for so long.
3. Satisfaction
Walking back to my apartment after some skipping in strong cold morning sunlight. Very peaceful.
Team Io - what are YOU enjoying so far?
All I can say is that those monks didn't do the first three days of the Peak Condition Program.
There's a lot going on in my mind - from 'This is silly, have something more' to 'Yes, I can survive with this much'. I didn't sleep well last night, and had to change my plans to get some rest tonight, but it's all good.
Three things I love about the PCP so far which is carrying me over the lack of sleep...
1. Community
It's Fresher's Week all over - very rejuvenating and some of the introductory e-mails have the feeling you get in a college room late at night when people start to put out feelers and make friends. It's very tingly.
2. Sufficiency.
I CAN eat a bit less and be okay with it. This is revelatory. I'm also wondering why I've been eating my money for so long.
3. Satisfaction
Walking back to my apartment after some skipping in strong cold morning sunlight. Very peaceful.
Team Io - what are YOU enjoying so far?
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Day 2 - Skipping is for girls
にわとぶは女の子の運動ではないでっしょう！
When I was a kid the boys in the playground used to laugh at the girls doing skipping or 'rope jumping' or whatever it's called to differentiate it from 'skipping'. I used to skip as a girl, but it was usually in a group with singing or with a friend. It was strange to be skipping, boxer style in the courtyard by my apartment.
The tip about finding a softer surface was dead right. Even going from concrete outside my block to a tarmacked road made a difference.
So far, I've only managed one complete set of 50 consecutive skips. When I started yesterday, I was a bit scared of the whippy sound and wondered if I was going to wake anyone as it was about 7 am.
When I get it right I notice a few things are also happening.
When I was a kid the boys in the playground used to laugh at the girls doing skipping or 'rope jumping' or whatever it's called to differentiate it from 'skipping'. I used to skip as a girl, but it was usually in a group with singing or with a friend. It was strange to be skipping, boxer style in the courtyard by my apartment.
The tip about finding a softer surface was dead right. Even going from concrete outside my block to a tarmacked road made a difference.
So far, I've only managed one complete set of 50 consecutive skips. When I started yesterday, I was a bit scared of the whippy sound and wondered if I was going to wake anyone as it was about 7 am.
When I get it right I notice a few things are also happening.
- I'm looking up, not down.
- My wrists are doing the work and I'm not throwing my shoulders around.
- The jump is low and springy, not high and flouncy.
- The count is by numbers one to ten, e.g., get to twenty, then go 'one, two, three...' not, 'twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three'
- As my capoeira teacher Cacapa says, do it with a smile!
However, saying this and doing it are two different things. When I lose focus or just get puffed out I revert to a steppy skip or a double bounce.
The mat exercises are not great. Lunging after skipping is harder than just lunging. And my ab. pull down things are pretty poor because my torso is weak. Only one way to fix that and it's practice!
Does anyone have any advice for better form for the ab work?
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Day 1 - Hungry for it
"Be moderate in order to taste the joys of life in abundance" Epicurus
Today I began by eating half of what I would normally eat in a given day. I think I did okay and was pleased that I did keep to it. I usually try to eat a lot of fruit and veggies in a given day, so cutting back on them was a bit odd. The novelty value, plus the fact that I have been eating like a horse over the last week or so, helped me get through.
Eating in moderation has always been a huge challenge for me. I'll be drawing on a few tips that have helped me curb my enthusiasm for food as a toy, a diversion, a playground. Namely, think about whether you have a craving or real hunger (cravings are in the head and usually for something specific). You know hunger as it builds slowly and is not for something specific; you'll take your time to decide what to have even when you are hungry.
I don't like feeling hungry for long, but I do like a bit of hunger as it makes food taste better.
I made a mistake of getting too much food today and I gave some of it, a tuna and egg sandwich, to a guy on the street who needed it. He was one of the people that is pushing a cart along with stuff like newspapers that he is going to sell somewhere. I got a big smile, then - this killed me - he started rooting around in the cart saying 'Yasai jusu ga arimasu yo!' (I've got some veggie juice) Homeless dude was going to repay me. Reciprocity is a big thing in Japanese culture and he wanted to do the right thing. I was touched, but at the time thought he needed it more than me. Maybe I should have just accepted it, but I'd then have to find another person to give the juice onto (I avoid juices). Grrr!
Going back to the tips on how to deal with hunger. One thing is to be grateful for the food we have and the opportunity to make good choices for our health. It is a big deal to be able to choose what to eat.
Eating right is hard for me, but I'm looking forward to learning more about how to eat better.
Today I began by eating half of what I would normally eat in a given day. I think I did okay and was pleased that I did keep to it. I usually try to eat a lot of fruit and veggies in a given day, so cutting back on them was a bit odd. The novelty value, plus the fact that I have been eating like a horse over the last week or so, helped me get through.
Eating in moderation has always been a huge challenge for me. I'll be drawing on a few tips that have helped me curb my enthusiasm for food as a toy, a diversion, a playground. Namely, think about whether you have a craving or real hunger (cravings are in the head and usually for something specific). You know hunger as it builds slowly and is not for something specific; you'll take your time to decide what to have even when you are hungry.
I don't like feeling hungry for long, but I do like a bit of hunger as it makes food taste better.
I made a mistake of getting too much food today and I gave some of it, a tuna and egg sandwich, to a guy on the street who needed it. He was one of the people that is pushing a cart along with stuff like newspapers that he is going to sell somewhere. I got a big smile, then - this killed me - he started rooting around in the cart saying 'Yasai jusu ga arimasu yo!' (I've got some veggie juice) Homeless dude was going to repay me. Reciprocity is a big thing in Japanese culture and he wanted to do the right thing. I was touched, but at the time thought he needed it more than me. Maybe I should have just accepted it, but I'd then have to find another person to give the juice onto (I avoid juices). Grrr!
Going back to the tips on how to deal with hunger. One thing is to be grateful for the food we have and the opportunity to make good choices for our health. It is a big deal to be able to choose what to eat.
Eating right is hard for me, but I'm looking forward to learning more about how to eat better.
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