Day 90'ish - Milestones

We are officially through with the formal 90 day Peak Condition Project as led by Patrick and Chen. Thank you gentlemen for your leadership, support and knowledge. Thank you for the combination of exercise and example by you and all former PCP'ers including Gwen Bell for representing the project so well. It made the tough days and challenges bearable. Both fun and tough days were a blast with my group, Denise, Emily, Naomi and Shelly. The all girl PCP Team Rocked it!

So the formal project is over, but I totally feel like I am at another milestone. When you climb the peak, are you done with mountain climbing? Most people will stop, admire the view, rest for a bit, then eventually... start looking for another mountain to climb. Heh. I don't exactly know what is next, but I do know that PCP has given me the foundation to build a stronger lifestyle than the disorganized parts of pre-PCP. Oh sure, I went to the gym, ate healthy, enjoyed life, but the relationship between diet, fitness and health were somewhat precarious. Lots of instant gratification with consequences. You know... if you have too much rich unhealthy food at a party, then you work out a little longer the next day. Or not. Now, I know what it takes to maintain both an enjoyable life with a good perspective on how food, diet and fitness are related. I get to make the choices and know the consequences. Looks like the good choices are now habits since I find it hard to recall exactly what I ate and did for a workout routine before PCP. Here is a short list of changes to my lifestyle.

Food Choices:

Organic, Local, No sodium (not low, but no), more vegetables than carbs. I now LOVE fruit. We shop at a local farmer's market and will be growing more of my own food this coming year. Most foods have shifted in the way they taste as my palate has changed. I am starting to incorporate more raw foods and will continue exploration of clean, natural flavours.

Fitness Choices:

Cardio - I have always enjoyed the gym and loved lifting weights. Cardio is hard for me. But, I have made allowances and we will continue our budding relationship. I finally found an adjustable jump rope I like, and will trade off now and again with the rowing machine, brisk walks and more consistent activity. My rope is always portable and I have come to begrudgingly appreciate it's versatility. It works.

Strength - My body weight can be used to train? I knew this and knew it was possible, but didn't quite have all the examples I needed. I always thought isometrics, but this is real strength development. The exercise program taught me how to work my body to develop itself. I feel a bit of freedom knowing I don't have to use the gym to develop my body. I will keep my membership for now, but I love knowing I can go to a playground, park, or my own yard and workout any time I want.

Health Challenges:

Back injury - I have a blown out (herniated) disc in my lower spine, it bothers me sometimes. I modified some exercises in the beginning until my core was stronger. Now I can do any of the back and torso related exercises without injury. What did I modify? Early leg lifts with bent knees instead of straight legs, floor jumps (compression on the spine) were short sets or replaced with lunges. A few others I can't recall, but they all seem to have caught up after the first 30 days.

Flu - Out for a week+ with the flu. I was upset for the distraction, but recovered several days shorter if not weeks shorter than others in my local area. I attribute quick recovery to my body being stronger and free of unhealthy foods.

Dental - One root canal near the end of PCP. There is no fighting a toothache. It caused me to circumvent jump roping and then most exercises for nearly a week. Arggh. But, the project also taught me muscle memory exists. A quick deep dive back into the project, and I could pick back up on the same schedule as everyone else. The first workout or two after a week off were taken as short sets, but after about two mini workouts, I could do the sets and reps of my counterparts.

What does all this mean? Here is the summary:

Peak Condition Project Results:

Pounds lost = 14

Pants size = 2 sizes smaller

Shirt size = some don't fit shoulders and biceps any more if the fabric is not stretchy

Skin & Nails = in better condition, free of blemishes and nails grow like crazy

Immune system = stronger than colleagues at work

Diet = Eat healthy and feel full without ups and downs ( zero craving for energy drinks, sugar or energy bars)

Energy = no afternoon crashes after lunch, sleep deeper at night

Extended health = I don't know, but I am sure that my later years of life will be more like my great-great grandparents rather than my parents. Largely, this was my biggest motivation for the project. I have seen so many friends of my parents as well as mom and dad age somewhat ungracefully. I know this is preventable, but requires action now, with little immediate reward. Vanity helps for the moment, knowing I look better when working out consistently. But, deep down, my eye is on the ageing process. My great grandparents and grandparents lived lives full of activity until they ripened with age and good stories. Living well has its consequences and I am counting on it!

Gratuitous inspirational shot! Arms?! Even triceps!

Day 1 vs. Day 90

For now, thank you again to Patrick and Chen for the leadership and to Denise for going on this adventure with me. We did IT! To everyone, I look forward to seeing how we all continue and to a reunion of Complete PCP'ers as we all age gracefully!