PCP Afterthoughts

Sorry it took a little while for this final post. I wanted a few days post-PCP to see how I would incorporate it into my everyday world and to process all my thoughts about this experience.

First off, I cannot believe how amazing everyone looks! Thanks to Patrick and Chen for creating such a great program that actually works! And I'm super excited about the maintenance workouts. These past 3 days, I've just been doing the jump rope and 8ma, not really knowing where to go on the strength exercises, but now I have something to follow!

I know that diet will be my number one downfall in maintaining all the progress I've made, but I also know that I am capable of eating healthy and being happy eating healthy.

I can't emphasize how happy I am that I have done this program. What a perfect way to end college and enter a new phase of my life. I've landed dream job doing what I love in the legal field for the next year, so I'm really excited about that. My plan is to work, save some money, and then travel for a few months before I head off to law school.

PCP has helped me land another job of sorts. I just got signed with a modeling agency to be a leg and foot model, which weird as it sounds, actually pays pretty well for doing shoe catalogues, etc. And in my test shoots, the muscles in my legs are so well defined, I know I have all the squats, lunges, and jumping ropes to thank!

This has been a wonderful experience, and I cannot believe how these 90 days flew by. The last 45 went by especially quick for me. I'm excited to make this lifestyle a permanent one and continue to reap the benefits of a healthy body and mind!

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.