Day 89

ONE MORE DAY.

After I did my set of shoulder, tricep, and bicep exercises, I thought my arms were going to fall off. As I was sweating it out, I though about how the workouts only last an hour tops, but the results last much longer. That thought alone is enough to give an hour of my day towards creating a healthy body.

Over these past 90 days, I've really fallen in love with jumping rope. Yes, there are still some days where I cannot jump rhythmically for the life of me, but when I do get into the groove, it is quite enjoyable. I'll admit, a lot of that probably has to do with the location of my jumping rope. At school, I did it on my porch over looking a pretty wooded area. And at home, I also do it on my top porch, overlooking the marsh and ocean. I'm eye level with the oak trees in my yard, and for the past week or so, I've observed a squirrel making its nest. The area on the porch where I jump rope almost always has a breeze and the combination of a breeze blowing through as I jump rope is like paradise.

I got Watson's gift yesterday (Go Team, Go!) and it was great. Perfect end to our PCP program. I won't ruin it for those that might not have gotten it yet.

One more day!

Day 85

Hmmm. I don't know which is harder. Planks, or v-sits. Those v-sits always make my abs burn like no other and I really can't imagine the day when I can do 400 easy peasy as Patrick alludes to in his email. I am excited about finding some new ab exercises to add to my workout and I've been perusing the women's health website. Pre-PCP, I loved looking at all the different types of workouts the website offered, and now I definitely plan on doing a few.

I went to a funeral this past weekend. It was short and sweet and as all funerals are, was a reminder of my own mortality and how I want to spend my time. I'm so happy to be on a healthy track and although my dedication has waned at times, I am definitely committed to continuing this lifestyle.

5 DAYS!

Day 81

I've started to get things rolling in the career front and I had a very promising lead today that I hope works out. Things are slowly coming together as I create my life back home. My room's getting cleaner, I'm going to sign up for yoga next week, and also sewing lessons.

As the days near towards the end of PCP, I find that I have a harder time sticking to the diet. I certainly haven't completely jumped off the wagon, consuming copious amounts of sugar, salt, or anything like that, but I've slacked off on my protein intake. My staple protein was shrimp and right now no where is selling any. But today I got some frozen salmon from whole foods that actually was quite delicious. The workouts are still on track, but I haven't performed them with my usual gusto. Feeling under the weather certainly didn't help, but now my throat is finally starting to feel normal again. I don't know why I suddenly petered out so close to the end of PCP. I want to go out with a bang on day 90, not with a whimper. I haven't worked so hard up to this point only to achieve a "healthy" condition. I want "peak" condition.

Tomorrow is a new day and I am going to make the most of these last 9 days. Everyone in the March group looks amazing. I seriously cannot believe the results everyone is getting; so proud to be part of such a great group!

Day 77

So close. 13 more days. wow.

Yesterday I was feeling really off- just super tired and kind of ill. My throat has been bothering me the past few days and shows no signs of letting up. Yesterday morning, when I started jumping rope, my side started to really hurt. This has happened about two or three other times in the course of PCP and usually i just push through the pain. But because I was already under the weather I just couldn't do it. I made it through one set of 6 mins and then half of the next set before I quit. I have no idea what causes the pain. I hadn't eaten anything "bad". I didn't feel good enough to do the rest of the workout, but I did it today.

Tomorrow I'm going to try to get to the yoga studio and sign up for a membership. My room is still far from clean and organized. I just need to push myself to get back into gear.

Day 75

I feel like I've hit the ground running since I've been home. Between cleaning, traveling to help my dad with work, and preparing for my mom's birthday tomorrow, I haven't made time to post my latest progress pics.

The PCP has been on my mind so much that the other night I had a dream two of my best friends decided to join the program. I remember thinking to myself, "Do they know they can't drink for 90 days?"

I've been sticking to the workouts and diet. I know I already kind of used my indulgence so we'll see if I can withstand the cake we'll have for my mom's bday tomorrow!

Day 71

Wow, this last week flew by. And between graduation parties and family outings, I'll admit, I was not living up to my PCP motto...which is basically, "do what Patrick says in his emails", haha.

Honestly, I didn't completely let go. I stuck to the workouts 100%, but I only got 8 minute abs in about 4/7 days instead of my usual 7/7. And I let a few things into my mouth that rhyme with the word schmocolate. I am disappointed that I let up on the PCP rules so close to the end, but I am going to give it my all these last 20 days, and recognize that letting go for a few days is not an excuse to suddenly give up on all your exercise and diet endeavors. This lifestyle is something I plan on continuing well after day 90 and I know there will be times when I might let up a little. But the important thing is to not let that bump in the road be the end of the road.

My next few days (well probably weeks at my pace) are going to be filled packing up boxes and unpacking boxes so that my room at home can become livable again. In these past four years, my room has accumulated a lot of crap and a lot of memories. After both my study aways, I shoved a lot of stuff in boxes and just left them in the corner of my room. But now that my room is no longer a resting place for a few weeks, but for a whole year, I want it spick and span. I want it to be organized and welcoming, a space all my own. This is going to take time and patience to carry out, but I know the results will be worth it. I'm already becoming a minimalist. I've filled four huge bags of clothes and shoes to go to goodwill. Cleaning really makes you think about what is important to you and what you know you really shouldn't be holding on to.

But as enlightening as cleaning can be, I really wish I had a magic wand and my room would be perfect and clean right now.

Day 69

I'M GRADUATING TODAY!!!!

A nostalgic post is sure to come in the next few days...

But in PCP news, my roommates have packed up all the cooking utensils, so my meals until I move out tomorrow will have to be a little improvised. I won't be able to follow the diet perfectly, but I will do my best.

So weird how these 4 years have flown by!

Day 67

Ahh, if only all 4 years of college were like this. No classes, no tests, just hanging out with friends and doing only what interests you.

Yesterday, I got a free massage, courtesy of the yoga studio I go to. They were handing out passes to a nearby massage place a few weeks ago, so I scheduled an appointment for the day after the last of my exams. It was great, such a treat for relaxation and all for only the price of a tip!

My indulgence last night went pretty well. I only ended up having one glass of wine and then a drink concoction called a "creamsicle" with some sort of alcohol in it. Both pretty good, but actually left my stomach feeling a little heavy and weird. I had a few brownies to top it off as a true indulgence. So that should hold me off for the next 23 days...You would think working out this morning would have been awful, but I actually loved it. I imagined all the sweat was the alcohol and brownie toxins pouring out of me. Probably false, but nice imagery and motivation!

Now that I know I have a full year before going to law school, I've already started thinking of some of the things I want to accomplish. I've been reading the last in the series of Simone de Beauvoir's autobiography, and it's given me a lot of inspiration for living a life full of enriching experiences. Autobiographies are one of my favorite genres to read because it's all adventures that actually happened! I know I want to brush up on my French, aka become fluent. A lofty goal, but I was well on my way to achieving it when I lived there. And, of course, I want to continue all my PCP progress well into this summer and beyond!

Day 65- Freedom (For a YEAR!)

So in the course of a few hours, I took my last exams as a college student and figured out what direction I want to go next year. After some consideration, I decided to defer law school for a year. I think my initial hesitation came more from the shock and the idea of such a drastic alteration to my plans. But after I actually thought of what I would be gaining in that year off, it was a no brainer. I've gone from shock and hesitation to excitement at the endless possibilities of what I can do with this year. I know I'm going to look for a job and try save as much money as possible, but that still leaves time for me to pursue my interests and passions. I can read all those books that are on my "list", I can explore my love of photography, I can really focus on my yoga practice. Basically do all the things that studying in law school would detract from.

I learned my lesson in decision making from picking a law school. Basically I knew UVA was right from the moment I visited, but I had to drag it out for almost two months, just to end up going with my gut reaction. And so with the decision to defer, after the shock wore off, deferring just felt right. And instead of debating it endlessly with myself and with family, I decided to just go ahead and make the decision that I know I'll make in a week anyways. So now instead of being stressed about what to do, I've already decided and am relaxed and happy. Hopefully this is a new direction for my perpetually indecisive self!!

In PCP land, things are still good. I love having few types of exercises with more sets. It practically forces me to go until failure and it just doesn't drag as much as those past few weks workouts did. And the food is still going well. I think I am going to use tomorrow night as my last indulgence as I think that's what it will end up being.

For the past few days whenever I make my breakfast mixture of eggs and veggies, my roommates always go, "OMG that smells so gooood!" And yesterday one of them asked for the recipe. I was almost embarrassed to tell her just how easy it was to make. But it just goes to show that healthy food can be just as enticing as some buttered up fancy meal!

Day 64

So today, right before an exam, I found out something that could very well change my immediate future plans. I found out that UVA will give me a pretty significant scholarship to go in 2011, which would require deferring for a year. They just don't have the money to offer me a scholarship this year. At first, I was like no way. I already have my roommates and am about to sign a lease on an apartment, but then I thought about it more. Deferring would allow me time to regroup, get a job, earn some money so I can take out even less loans, and I could hang out with friends sticking around in Charleston. But at the same time, I would have to live at home (well I could find an apartment but that seems silly when I'm trying to save money) and I might feel a little aimless. So I haven't made a decision by any means, but I do need to decide in a few days so I can tell my roommates, etc. This is one of those curveball situations that requires a total realigning of your mind. Basically what I thought was a guaranteed future might not be the reality. So it definitely takes a readjustment of thinking. I meditated about it after my exam, trying to breathe in possibility and breathe out stress.

In PCP world, I don't want to speak too soon, but I think today's workout might have taken me out of the valley. I have never enjoyed a workout so much. It was definitely hard and required a lot of effort, but I felt great and rejuvenated when it was over. I was inspired by Ren's post about not letting up during these last 26 days. I'm so pleased with my results, but I know I'm not at my peak condition...yet.

Two more exams tomorrow and then freedom!

Day 63

I ended up having a great day Friday. The tubing was just what I needed to relax (and it was a gorgeous day) and then I ended up going out that night! While I didn't drink anything, I did choose the designated night where I will partake in the tradition of drinking after all the exams are over. That night happens to fall on Cinqo de Mayo, so I think it should be pretty fun! I know I will have to break the PCP no alcohol rule, but I think this one time is worth it. We'll see how it goes!

As classes are over, I find my days much less structured and I've been sleeping in pretty late (like 9:30 or 10). Of course I'll be getting up early tomorrow and Tuesday for exams, but this has made me think about my schedule this summer. Although I don't enjoy actually getting up from bed early, I definitely am happy once I'm up. I like having that extra hour or two of free time, and I would like to continue that this summer. I'm glad that PCP extends into the summer so I'll learn how to incorporate it into my "lazy" life before I have to do it all on my own.

Food wise, things are going well. But I do have to confess to one attachment that has developed. The Pepperidge Farm 100% Whole Wheat Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Bread has replaced chocolate as my new crack. It has become a pretty good size of my carb allotment each day. Now, it is 100% whole wheat, so I'm hoping that there's nothing wrong with it, but because of the presence of cinnamon and raisin, I'm thinking there might be...I certainly don't want to replace one food addiction with another (chocolate for bread?), but the swirl bread does bring me a certain amount of satisfaction that makes the rest of the PCP diet more than bearable.