Day 90

So, the day has come.  William was selected to play football for his school in a tournament this morning so we were up early to get him ready and drop him off. Simon rightly guessed what Patrick had up his sleeve. So, we choose Day 11 workout - I had been missing the lunges.  It was AMAZING to see how far we have all come.  600  jumps - 5 mins - and I hadn't even broken out into a  sweat.  Anyway, we did the routine and added 8 mins Abs and took lots of photos.  I felt a huge sense of achievement and I'm going to put that bikini back on to see just how big it is for me now.  We have a tailor coming over later on today to take all our clothes to alter - those he can - otherwise, it's shopping time!

Our medicals went really well  yesterday and I have excellent news to report.  In my medical this time last year, I weighed 59.7kgs.  This  morning, I'm 52kgs (8 stone 3 oz). My body fat last in my medical last year was 32.4% in the obese catergory and, I am DELIGHTED to report that today, it is 20.7% - I actually fall into the Athlete category!  Hooray and Hooray!  I am SO very pleased with myself!  I never ever thought that I could get my fat down to such a level and most importantly, I feel on top of the world! Hooray!

Looking forward to the maintenance program / tips but for today, yes, going to relax and enjoy the sunny day in Tokyo and Simon is cooking tonight and we have THAT bottle of wine to look forward to.  And then, 10 hours of sleep tonight!

Congratulations everyone!

Day 89

Simon and I have full medical examinations booked for today.  We have them done annually and thought it would be a good idea to do them just as we finish PCP.  The comparative analysis is going to be very interesting.  I feel on top of the world and sprang out of bed this morning, ready to get on with those super sets.  They were so tough - da vincis followed by forward shoulder raises, but I am now using the next level resistance band and loved them! Managed 2 lots of plank again but did 8 mins Abs and V-sits were great - first failure was at 50 reps!

 No breakfast this morning as we are fasting for our blood and cholesterol tests, so managed another 4000 skips in 40 mins!  Wow!  Really struggling without breakfast but going to examination soon so have to just hang in there.  Simon is treating us to lunch at Nobu - I'm excited to go as everyone who has been is going on about their bento box......

As I got ready this morning, I commented to Simon how lovely it is to have our clothes fit properly.  I just realised that some of them were actually quite snug fitting and now, with toned shoulders and Abs, everything feels comfortable and that gives one a confidence boost and so one walks taller!

Got to go now or I'll be late for my appointment, but just want to say that I've been exercising for over 20 years now and PCP has been the best thing I have ever done in terms of exercise and diet!  Thank you Patrick - and Ren for sharing PCP with us!

Hope you are all keeping strong.  One more day to go and can't wait for Patrick's surprise tomorrow!  Gambatte!

Day 88

Oops, forgot to say that, I, too, am intrigued to see what Patrick has under his sleeve for us for Saturday. Bring it on, Patrick!

Day 88

Jumped out of bed as alarm went off. Wanted to get on with those super sets and was concerned I wouldn't have time to finish workout.  Great to get the blood pumping at 5am and enjoyed the super set exercises but plank continues to be a struggle so only managed 2 sets to failure - 90mins and then 70 mins - but then decided to do 8 mins Abs, too which went well.

Absolutely loved the skipping - another 4000 in 45 mins this time but then managed another 30 mins session after my Japanese lesson.  Feel on top of the world! I will actually miss PCP next week, but I shall definitely continue the good habits and fitness regime, as I'm now having the time of my life as I sprint towards the end!

Well done everyone!

Day 87

Woke up another 10 mins earlier today to get all exercises done. 4:50am!  That's commitment!  To make matters slightly more tricky, William came into our  room around 4am having had a bad dream, so I consoled him and took him back to his bedroom so, I had just managed to drop off to sleep again when the alarm went off.  Anyway, glad I made the effort to wake up so early as managed to get all exercises done and feel really encouraged as, for once, I managed the da vincis!  Yippee!  Shoulders were on fire after the super set.  Loved Abs work - managed one lot of 50 reps V-sits!  Was going to incorporate some 8 mins Abs but was keen to get onto the skipping as really loved it and managed to do 4000 in 40 mins!!  Really pleased with myself as the skipping has really helped to move that stubborn fat I seem to store on my hips!  For the very first time ever, I can actually SEE the difference the skipping is making so, I'm not going to worry about what the scales say too much from now on!  Feel really positive today.  Sun is shining again in Tokyo and I'm spending the day with our relocation lady, as she is helping me locate a hairdresser and nail bar etc, etc.

Hope you all have a good day and keep going!

Day 86

Woke up 5 mins before the alarm clock went off this morning so decided to get up and get on rather than just lying in bed.....  enjoyed the sets but plank and V-sit combo is just evil!  My core has definitely strengthened but doing these 2 exercises to failure is just painful.  I was shaking and sweating and glad to go and get skipping afterwards.

Loved the skipping and wanted to do more but just ran out of time.  Breakfasts and school lunches had to get done.  The intention was to be able to fit another skipping session in at some point during the day, but it is not looking possible now.  So hard to fit it all into the day. Still I guess the good intention is there and that must count for something post PCP, I hope?

Can't keep my eyes open much longer after 9:30/10pm but this way, I can actually get up at 5am to do exercises.  End is in sight now, so have to remain focused.  Come on everyone - you can do it!

Day 85

5am start is getting to me but it's the only way I can fit exercise in so have to get to bed early!  Exhausted today - was going to try an extra skipping session - but no chance of that!  Busy, busy, busy.  Feel a bit fed up but think it's just because I'm tired.  Food is good, skipping is good but had a peak - perhaps silly idea? - at exercises towards end of the week and they are just pure EVIL!  Goodness knows how I'm going to get through them all, but I'm definitely going to give it my all.

Simon and I have booked full medical examinations for Friday.  We'll have to fast from 10pm on Thursday night until our appointments which are at 10:30am Friday morning - those are the earliest and first ones. Aargh!  Going to be tough morning - only allowed water - but then we're going to lunch - PCP compliant, of course! - and then looking forward to the weekend.

I'm intrigued to see my report as, if I'm honest with myself, I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't manage to lose more weight.  There does come a point of acceptance of one's body type and shape and I know that I've done all I possibly can by sticking to the program as rigidly as possible.  I keep on saying to myself as though it were a mantra, that it's not necessarily the weight loss that matters, but, like Junko, it is hard to see the weight drop off the guys - Simon, Graeme - and not off of us!!  Perhaps my target weight of 50kgs was an unrealistic one?  Anyway, I'm going to concentrate on the medical results, fat %, cholesterol etc, etc.

Hope you are all coping well this last week.  Good luck everyone!

Day 84

Another 9 hours sleep and feel like a new penny!  Absolutely loved skipping - managed 40 mins which was just AMAZING!

Simon and I had a big cook-athon this morning and into the afternoon to get all vegs and protein prepared for the week.  Children back at school tomorrow so it's good to get the fridge stocked up with all the tupperwares... and, the boys are going to watch the rugby final later on, so it's good to get all the jobs done.

Looking forward to last week.  Going to give it everything I have - going to try 2 skipping sessions if I can but not sure if that's going to be possible so will continue to wake up at 5am to get as much done as possible before the real day begins.

I wish you all a lovely, final week.  Gambatte - good luck as they say in Japanese!

Day 83

Managed 9 hours sleep last night and woke up headache free!  Hooray!  Feels great to feel "normal" again and I'm really grateful that they have now gone.  I was going to see the doctor today if they hadn't as I've never ever experienced such debilitating pain before.

Bit of a busy morning as our children had swimming lessons this morning, so we had to get on with getting exercises done before we left mid morning.  Skipping greatest enjoyment, with old rope.  Just needed a break from the new one so decided to use the old one only and skipped for 40 mins!  Wow, felt amazing afterwards!  Kung fu sit ups still very difficult to do but at least I do try, I guess, - and then substitute with leg ups or another kind of abs exercise.

Simon's special prawns and a salad seem to be our Saturday favourite for lunch.  Yummy.

Weighed in today and weight is up by a kg.  When I think about it rationally, that makes sense as we are building muscle, but emotionally, it's hard to deal with weight going up when one is making an effort reduce it....maybe I should just embrace the fact that my clothes don't fit anymore and I feel so much more healthy, and not be too concerned - hard as it is - about what the scales say?  One is so conditioned to living by what the scales say, that it is really hard to change that mindset.  By try to change it I MUST!

Last weekend of PCP.  Our son, William, has a football tournament next Saturday, so it's going to be a very early start for us all so we will have to do exercises when we get back before our celebratory home-cooked meal and that bottle of wine......

Keep up the good work this last week, everyone.

Day 82

Woke up exhausted.  Throbbing headaches have turned into a constant dull ache which is very annoying and worrying.  I want to feel 100% well again! Body sore from all the catch up exercises but good to get the blood pumping again with exercise - the only thing that completely cures my headaches....

Enjoyed session but plank is evil!  Still fail to do 90 secs on last set but will keep on trying.... Loved skipping and only had to stop to re-focus and have a sip of water.  So glad that I've discovered jumping as a form of exercise.  Really looking forward to carrying on with it post PCP.

Food excellent but could do with a gin and tonic tonight.....  Our children have been on half term and, as much as I love them, I'm looking forward to their getting back to school on Monday.  That's why a G&T would be great.... Just 1 week left to go now.  Have to get some sleep which will hopefully help to get rid of these headaches, and then re-focus for the last week.

Hope you all have a good weekend.

Day 81

Headaches have finally gone!  Yippee!  The pain was unbearable yesterday, so glad today is a new, pain free day.

Did yesterday and today's exercises this morning so have now caught up.  Very hard.  Bicycle and creep hard but enjoyed doing some legs again.  Getting stronger and more toned and everything fits much better over a toned body, so going to keep working at it.  A bit of a busy day today but going to try if I can to do another skipping session much later on during the day - just before dinner perhaps.

Food portions ideal and encouraged to think that we can easily continue eating like this post PCP.

Day 80

Just thought I would blog again as I've had the most excruciating headaches all morning.  I wondered if I was a bit dehydrated after our recent travel so have had lots of water, but still have the headaches.  I decided to bite the bullet and go for another skipping session.  At first, my head felt as though it was going to explode and the pain across my forehead was unbearable so I stopped a few times but then, once I got into a rhythm, the endorphins kicked in and the headache went away.  Feel a bit better now and having my lunch, but was really concerned that something was wrong with me. I'd love to hear from anyone else who may have experienced these headaches.

Onwards and upwards.  Lunch delicious!

Day 79

Back in Tokyo after a lovely couple of days in Osaka.  We managed to get our skipping done before boarding the Shinkansen at lunch time on Sunday but didn't manage other exercises - we were at Universal Studios all day Monday - until our return late last night - I just managed to skip as I decided to do the cooking as Simon is back to work today and it's school half term so I am trying to catch up on exercises in amongst everything else...... So, it was hard this morning - I was going to have a lie-in but couldn't get back to sleep once Simon was up so decided to get my exercises done then.  Did Monday and yesterday's  routines as well as 1 lot of skipping.  Very tough. Will try to have another skipping session later on and then tomorrow, will try to do today and tomorrow's schedules - not sure if this is the sensible way of going about "catching up" but don't want to miss out on the last couple of weeks?.....

We went out to a wonderful French restaurant at the Ritz Carlton in Osaka and had a lovely meal.  They had some white truffles, so we had a course each which was just delicious - I'm sure Simon will blog more about food.  Still no wine which was hard, but we enjoyed our indulgence and feel focused once again for this last home stretch.....

One thing I have noticed is that I've been suffering from very bad headaches in the last couple of days.  I wonder if I'm dehydrated a bit?  Never one to have migraines or headaches so this is really quite unusual and quite worrying as they momentarily affect my eye sight, they're so bad.  Anyone else experiencing the same?  Any advice / suggestions gladly received!

Not so sure it was sensible to weigh myself this morning, but felt I had to after a couple of days away and also to refocus for the last bit.  I was very disappointed to see my weight is up again so had to put on a pair of my "before PCP " trousers just to remind myself that I have indeed come a long way even if the scales tell me something else.  I was hoping to end PCP around 50 kg mark so, despite keeping to the program as rigidly as possible, it looks like I'm not going to meet my target.  As Patrick has mentioned, I think, sometimes, one just has to accept that that is the way one's body is and I don't want to become skeletal and unhealthy?...... Going to try an extra skip session if I can - see if that'll help a bit?

Anyway, good luck to you all.  The end is in sight.  Keep strong.

Day 76

After 9 and a half hours sleep, feel like a new penny and managed exercises with no problems.  I do find that the workout takes more time now given extra sets and increased reps, so, split my skipping in two.  Used my old rope after workout and then managed to go for another session later on this afternoon with my new rope.  Shoulders really get an excellent workout.

Food very good today.  Chilli prawns with a large salad of red and yellow peppers, sweetcorn, lots of lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes. Yum!

We're off to Osaka tomorrow so up early to skip before we leave. Will pick up again when we get back on Tuesday.  Looking forward to seeing another city in Japan and enjoying our indulgence while we are there!

Day 75

Found exercises  really, really difficult today.  The relentless 5 / 6 sets per exercise, especially the plank, is a gruesome schedule but I managed.  Struggling to cope with my new rope.  Kept tripping up so was hard to get into a rhythm....

And, with the increased exercise load, I've found an appetite!  Really look forward to my  fruit snacks and unlimited veg at lunch and dinner times are getting me through the day.

Half term break for our children next week and we're going to Osaka for a little break, so indulgence is VERY welcome.  Simon and I are going to have a lovely dinner out whilst we're there and then concentrate of the last 2 weeks.  Great timing for the indulgence!

Hope you all enjoy your indulgences.  Would love to hear what you spent it on!  Enjoy!

Day 74

 Creep today was very difficult but I did enjoy doing them.  Have been missing squats and lunges - my shoulders and arms are getting nicely toned now, therefore enjoyed the leg work.  Also, I always skip MUCH better after leg exercises.

Another successful lunch out. Chicken salad.  No carbs though - didn't know what to have in the restaurant - so have felt really hungry when I got home, so had some veg to tide me over until dinner time.

Really enjoying protein (other than egg white) at dinner.  Early to bed today as attending our daughter's assembly at school and she's dressing up so, it's going to be a very busy morning......

Day 73

Struggled to wake up this morning but was grateful I did after all exercises were done.  Found bicycle very hard but absolutely love the skipping and am now using my new rope more and more.  They give my shoulders a good work out - they are usually burning - so building up to using it more and more.

Managed a successful PCP lunch out with a  friend today, so really pleased with myself.  It is doable if one remembers the principles of PCP with lots of plain steamed veg!  Pleased as I have another lunch out tomorrow so fingers crossed, I'll be successful again.......

Day 72

Ok, so we now have to wake up at 5:05am in order to get all exercises done in time to get breakfast done and children out the door to school.  Extra sets really hard but managed all ok except for plank, which is just plain evil and continues to defeat me......Will keep on trying though.

Enjoying AMAYW on the veg front, but still tend to get hungry a couple of hours later.  Guess this is good as it means that I'm using all I'm eating to make muscle, hopefully?  Simon and I are tending to have salmon and stir fry veg for dinner which is really lovely.  Oh, yes, and the must have egg white, too!....

Day 71

I found the exercises very hard this morning. The floor jumps were evil - thighs shaking and burning.  Da Vincis to failure, were very hard, sweat pouring down my chest.  Skipping was great.

Looking forward to some other protein at dinner, even though still have 1 egg white.  Nice to have AMAYW on the veg front. Although I feel stuffed once I've eaten, I do feel hungry again in a couple of hours so it'll be good to see if the hunger pangs stay at bay a bit longer now that we have a bit more to eat.

Forgot to mention that I weighed myself yesterday and was up 1.5kgs which was a bit depressing.  Simon reiterated what Patrick said that muscle will weigh more than fat, so I should weigh a bit more, so had to put on a pair of trousers from pre-PCP and when I saw that I could put them on without undoing the fastenings, it made me feel a whole lot better.  Very hard not to take note of the weight increase.  I'm going to work even harder this last phase of the program.

Keep up the good work everyone.

Day 70

Managed to get 9 and a half hours sleep last night so feeling much better today.  Enjoyed skipping, and tried to have another skipping session with my new rope, but ended up running out of time - supervising home work and ferrying children to various activities......Will try with it tomorrow if I can - tried yesterday and it had my shoulders on fire!  Much better rope but harder work on the shoulders as it is heavier.

Have struggled with feeling hungry today.  AMAYW vegs are great as I feel full after I've eaten, but after an hour or so, I start feeling hungry again.  Really hope that we get more food in new diets later on today......

A bank holiday in Japan tomorrow but the children still go to school, so going to enjoy with Simon!

Wishing you all a good week. Stay strong!

Day 69

Our  lovely son woke me up at 5:30am this morning.  I was exhausted and looking forward to the usual Saturday 10 hours of sleep.  No such luck today so decided to get up and get on with exercises, so as not to disturb Simon who was catching up on some much needed sleep.

Exercises good although I  always find it difficult when I'm alone in the exercise room but I was glad to exercise, so got on.  Found ski jumper hard today but loved skipping and, kung fu sit ups still elude me but have to keep plodding on.......

Another week has nearly passed by.  Looking forward to new diets tomorrow.....

Day 68

Good exercise today but failed on set 3 and 4 of plank again.  60 secs no problem, it's the next 30 secs that kill!  Will keep plodding along, though......

Looking forward to some sleep (8-10 hours) tonight and over the weekend.  Always feel more positive about my efforts and achievement thus far - I know Patrick says it's not about the weight loss but it's really hard when Simon is disappearing right before my eyes.  He is doing very well - I think he has lost 2 stone to date, which is such an amazing achievement. Anyway, I'm trying my best and that is all I can do!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Day 67

It's my brother's 30th birthday today so woke up at 5am to do exercises so that we could skype him at 6:30am - he is in the UK. Sprang out of bed and got to exercise room to find that it was legs of course!  Still, got it all done and skipping went well, so that was a great way to get out of the bit of a "downer" I'd been experiencing these last couple of days.  Have been on a course for expats, so tried hard to stick to PCP food and am pleased to report no digressions!

Going to try to up the skipping over the weekend - going to try twice a day if I can - just to up chances of another bit of weight loss if possible.  End is in sight and Simon and I have booked our celebratory dinner out already.  Just have to find the right bottle of wine.........

Day 67

It's my brother's 30th birthday today so woke up at 5am to do exercises so that we could skype him at 6:30am - he is in the UK. Sprang out of bed and got to exercise room to find that it was legs of course!  Still, got it all done and skipping went well, so that was a great way to get out of the bit of a "downer" I'd been experiencing these last couple of days.  Have been on a course for expats, so tried hard to stick to PCP food and am pleased to report no digressions!

Going to try to up the skipping over the weekend - going to try twice a day if I can - just to up chances of another bit of weight loss if possible.  End is in sight and Simon and I have booked our celebratory dinner out already.  Just have to find the right bottle of wine.........

Day 66

Haven't had a good day today.  Sleeping dead - a good thing! - but also having terrible, weird dreams - anyone else experiencing this? - so woke up with a start this morning, feeling exhausted! Exercise didn't go well, except for skipping.  Kung fu sit ups really hard.  It's hard to remain positive and upbeat and I feel a bit de-motivated today....

Day 65

Only Tuesday and I struggled to get out of bed this morning.  Just wasn't in the mood but glad, as is always the case afterwards, that I made the effort.

Good exercise but that plank it just plain evil!  Managed 2 sets of 90 secs but failed after 70 secs on 3rd and 4th set.  Whole body shaking and starting to arch my back.  I hate feeling defeated by an exercise but glad I keep on trying.....

Despite as much as you want veg, I seem to be getting hungry very quickly.  Not even mid morning yet, but already looking for my snack.....lovely day in Tokyo today, so going to get on with doing my japanese homework - I'll definitely need a snack after that!

Day 64

Woke up this morning with a bloated and very sore tummy.  Think it might have to do with a yoghurt I had last night which had curdled but didn't smell or taste off, so I had a spoonful and then decided to chuck the rest.  Anyway, exercises were an ordeal given my physical state.  Could barely stand up straight - goodness knows how I managed to get through it all including my skipping!  After school drop off, felt much, much better and my tummy has gone down to normal size.  Anyone else experienced this?

Loving the extra veg at breakfast.  Going to pass at the vegetable market on my way to school pick up to see if I can get lots of other veg - the more the merrier!

Hope that you are all doing well.

Day 63

Decided to try new skipping rope today but it was really difficult to get into a rhythm and I was constantly tripping myself up so decided to use my old skipping rope for today.  Managed to skip for 10 mins non stop which was great!  New rope is much better quality so will definitely work on getting skipping with it in the coming weeks but for now, really enjoying my skipping so don't want to change it now!

We visited the Hokkaido food festival / fair in the park near our apartment and it was a big test of resolve not to tuck into the super noodle dishes and bbq meats etc.  It smelt delicious!  Glad to report that, whilst I was constantly licking my lips, I managed to hold fast!

Looking forward to new diets and a new week.  All boxes now unpacked so apartment is in top shape - time to start living and enjoying Tokyo!

Here's to a great week for you all!  Be strong!

Day 62

Managed to get 9 hours sleep last night so always in much better shape as the weeks are always manically busy.  Exercise good - kung fu sit ups still near on impossible but trying to do the knees up version instead. I managed to find us new skipping ropes - Nike speed ones - and they are super!  They will take some getting used to though, as they are a bit heavier than the Asics ones we've been using, but we're excited to get them after looking around for ages and ages....

Food very hard over the weekends.  We live next to one of the biggest parks in Tokyo and every weekend there is some sort of food festival / fair.  Lots of food stalls and the smell is always so alluring.  Very hard to resist - we stay away for fear of the temptation being too great!  Looking forward to taking the children tomorrow though - Annabel is crazy about horses and they have some there so she can have a ride.  Think we will go over after having a meal so that we are full!

Simon and William are watching the rugby - very close to the end now and England are losing against Scotland, so the tension in the apartment is very tense!  Think it's going to take all the willpower in the world, not to pop open a bottle of wine if England manage to win!