Day 67: An apple a day......

It's always nice to receive validation that a goal you're working towards is worthy.
Patrick is a great coach and his daily words of wisdom are much appreciated.

However, Patrick has a vested interest in our progress on the PCP and, he has taken part in the PCP himself.

So he believes in it. Obviously.

If he didn’t, I certainly wouldn’t have taken it up.

But when I hear from non-PCPers, who are health professionals or those who work in the fitness industry, that the steps I'm taking on the PCP are creditable, worthy, meaningful, it’s like receiving a big red waxy stamp of authenticity. It feels great.

For example, I picked up a pamphlet from some health magazine, which was promoting health and fitness for women. It read:
"If you exercise regularly, the latest studies show you (women) need around 1.8g of protein per kg of body mass, per day. For an average 70g woman, that means a whopping 126g of protein" ( That's about 5 1/4 eggs or 3 cans of tuna)

It also read; "protein is vital for healthy hair, skin, nails and general well-being" AND...

"protein helps to tone and shape your body after exercise and boosts the metabolic rate to shift fat"... and it went on.....

Nice.

Bite sized little nuggets of motivation. Geared to a woman's sensibilities.

It made me smile when I read it. I though, “I am already doing that!“

But of course, I know I'm doing the right thing because I can see and feel the effects of my PCP lifestyle.

BUT... It's always good to receive that pat on the back, isn’t it?

I spent the weekend with my friend who's a doctor. She was impressed to see my new toned physique and ,when it came round to doing my exercise that evening (which I did at her place) she actually wanted to do the 4 sets of 60 second planks with me!

We also did some yoga with her little boys the next day. She was really keen to hear about the PCP and expressed interest in doing it herself. I would just love it if she did!

We spent a lot of the weekend talking about various health issues. How lacking the BMI is, how important it is to teach children from an early age how to make the best food choices. Being a doctor and a mum, she obviously spends a lot of time with health on her mind.

One thing she said that stuck in my head is that she sees so many patients on a daily basis and she can instantly tell just by looking at some of them, what kind of lifestyles they lead. And, how they prove that the way you lead your life in your younger years is directly related to how you will probably look and feel in older age.

She said before she even asks some patients, she already knows whether or not they are smokers, just by the discolouration of their skin, and even hair if it’s excessive long-term smoking.

Both of my parents look so young for their age. And genes aside, it's probably because they had me and my sisters, when they were in their early 20s, stopped drinking and partying when I was born and have since lead really health consciously.

Most people know all of this, but rarely do people have the impetus to invest into their health for their future. It’s a bit like me knowing the PCP is worthwhile but still feeling somewhat surprised when I read an article that lists that everything I’m already doing is the key to living a long, healthy, happy life. People often need a doctor to tell them to stop smoking or lose weight before they do stop.

I often speak to friends who are cynical about the PCP; they don’t understand the commitment factor. They feel that it's all about deprivation, or vanity, or it’s just too excessive and strict. Or they probably feel that I'm just boring, because I’m not drinking.

I tend not to go into why I’m committed to the PCP too much, as they always answer their own doubts anyway and ALWAYS conclude by saying "But you do look great!" And I always say "I feel great". Because I really do and, these are just two perfectly good reasons to do the PCP.

Motherland's calling...

So fellow PCPers, a quick post to keep you girls informed!

I'm escaping the dull, damp English weather next month and I'm off to India on 4 December and won't be home for a month. Yay! I can't wait!


Being half Indian and having never setting foot in India, this trip is long overdue!!

So, for me the last 10 days or so of the PCP will be spent in unfamiliar territory; staying in a Tibetan colony in central Delhi, catching trains and tuk-tuks!! And enjoying amazing cuisine (hopefully not too much).

I suspect that my postings are going to be sporadic and I don't know how I'm going to keep to my diet and, not to mention the excercise ..and the plane journey! Yikes!

I'm pretty worried that all of the effort I've put into the PCP to date, might slowly come undone at the seams. I've spoken with Patrick about this and he doesnt think it will be a problem.. we'll see!

I'm hoping, I'm going to be able sustain the workouts and diets for what is probably the most important part of the PCP. It would be nice also to be able to keep up to date with you guys and your progress during that time, but I'm not sure how much internet access I will have.

Anyway fellow PCPers, let me know your thoughts on how best to keep the PCP going when I'm abroad. I'm thinking the diet will probably be okay. It just might be difficult fitting the daily workout in whilst I'm on the move. But I'm highly likely to be walking, trekking and swimming a lot anyway.

What are your plans over the holiday period?

Day 54: Walking the plank

Why is the plank the least enjoyable exercise?

It's not just the least enjoyable, but for me, it's just torture. I hate downloading the day's workout to find that plank is sitting at the end of the sheet, taunting me.

I just do not like doing the plank.

I have variable feelings towards the other exercises, sometimes I enjoy them, sometimes they're boring. But with the plank, there is consistent mutual dislike; I'm convinced plank dislikes like me too!



But I actually don't think plank is the toughest exercise physically. I just think it's the most mentally challenging.

It's the only exercise where you a) are in an uncompromising position and b) can do nothing but observe the pain as it accumulates.

With every other exercise, it's easy to get distracted by the motion. Your mind is occupied by the movement of the muscles and limbs. And so the pain is secondary, or at least right up until the last few moments.

With plank on the other hand, from the word go, you are completely surrendered to the pose, if you're not in form, you're no longer in the pose - in this way it's a like yoga.

And because you are not moving, and totally focused on your body and the active muscles, you are equally as focused on the pain.

I've tried everything to psychologically beat plank; I've tried embracing the pain, almost meditating into it. That was awful, don't go there. I've tried music or talking. I've tried counting. But the thing is, to become distracted invariably results in losing the form.

This to me, is why plank is such a beast. So when I came across Corry's post , describing a variation to the plank, I just had to try it out.

I wish I had found this earlier.

She introduced a ‘donkey kick’ into the pose, which probably makes the plank more physically challenging, but actually, because variety was introduced, it made it more enjoyable to do.

Also to go into downward dog in between sets is such a treat. It feels like a big yawn!

And in fact, because plank is the last exercise in the routine, once finished, it feels quite natural to go straight into some rounds of sun salutation.

If like me, you also dread ‘plank days’ I would definitely recommend you read Corry’s post and try it yourself. Tell me what you think about it. Personally, it’s changed my view of walking the plank.

Day 51: Questions, questions, questions

I went to the Yoga Show/Exhibition in Kensington Olympia last weekend; I got free tickets from the British Wheel of Yoga.

I've never been to a yoga "show" and so I expected a highly commercialised, money grabbing, sales-orientated experience. But, I was actually pleasantly surprised.

I was able to take part in four very different yoga classes (all for nothing) and meet lots of likeminded people.

I found a stall offering courses in transcendental meditation which, ever since reading this brilliant David Lynch interview , I've been really, really interested in for a while.

I met some interesting yoga teachers or "yoga entrepreneurs" who claim to have styled their own type of yoga. Like this crazy dude He looks like a magician!

Anyway, the point is that I had a great time at the Yoga Show. It was nice to be able to relax and enjoy an event I knew was helping me on the way to peak condition. I tried new styles of yoga and sampling some really exciting foods without feeling guilty about it!

Wheat grass (okay not that exciting, but different), fresh fruit smoothies. I even sampled tiny pieces of this conscious chocolate . (I couldn't resist) Which admittedly has a considerable percentage of cocoa butter but no sugar, no salt, no animal or vegetable fat, no preservatives - Amazing!

Last week I spent the whole time craving chocolate. I mean proper chocolate. I don’t mean toothpick-sized pieces like I sampled at the Yoga Show. I mean a Cadbury's Flake or Terry's Chocolate Orange. Just as long as it was substantial. And chocolately. I haven’t eaten chocolate in eight weeks!!

Now that I've got an indulgence this week, I cannot get my head round the idea. I have no idea what I want. I keep boring my boyfriend with questions like; what shall I eat? Shall I eat it on Friday evening? Shall I get a takeaway? Shall I bake a cake? What shall I eat? What shall I eat? What shall I eat?
Why should he care!???!

Maybe I'm building up the idea of this indulgence into something bigger than it is. Which will inevitably disappoint as it did last time.

I should just get it over and done with, instead of making it something special and having it looming over me like some fat, calorie-laden shadow...dripping with strawberry icing.



.....and then my boyfriend emailed me the link to this Flickr streamfor inspiration!

Day 46: In which I congratulate those who have finished and declare my love affair with milk

Firstly, congratulations to the 10 PCPers who finished yesterday. YAY!!!!!

It's been really inspiring and motivating following your progress while I embarked onto the project.

I am now, exactly where you were 45 days ago, which was day 1 for me! That seem like such a long time ago too!

This week has been eventful for me too. I went to American Apparel mid-week and tried on these beauties


I was so shocked when the size I would normally go for (27inch waist) was too roomy and the 24/25 inch waist was a perfect fit. Really, really shocked!

So that was a great boost, although they are stretch jeans so much better accommodating anyway! But I didn’t care about that minor point.

I've a new found love for my jump rope. I've just found such a good rhythm now and I'm able to concentrate easier and I trip up so much less. This week has been such an all round improvement to my workout.

Other news. I rediscovered a love for dried dates, but they must produce SO much sugar during the drying process because I ate two or three in one go the other day and got instant indigestion. So I’m kind of off them again.

It's interesting to see how my body responds to foods that I’ve reintroduced since the PCP. Some things taste better, stronger, more complex. For example since the PCP I have been absolutely in love with milk. I never particularly liked or disliked it before the PCP. But now I absolutely savour the taste and really relish every last drop.

Milk is so underrated!

I L O V E M I L K !!!

Another great thing I use on the PCP are frozen packs of mixed summer fruits; redcurrants, blackberries, blackcurrants and raspberries. The amazing thing about these bags of about 500g is that the flavour and colour of the berries once defrosted are so intense and deep, yet they’re frozen!



They last, well, forever and there like £2 a bag!!!! So much cheaper than a fresh box AND they are locally produced AND they are great thrown in the blender for a quick, beautifully pink smoothie!!!

Or once I even mixed about 2 tablespoons full with honey, mashed, spread on toasted brown bread and put under the grill for a healthy jam!

Just imagine the other things you could do with 'em! Oh the possibilities!!

Day 42: A PCP foodie accomplishment

I don't want to blow my own trumpet, but toot toot toot!!

We had friends over for dinner last night and I made the best prawn curry I've ever made.

I think the secret to a good curry is taking your time and not rushing it. That's the best way to get the full depth of flavour out of the ingredients.

The great thing is, and this is probably what made it such an accomplishment, it's got no salt whatsoever and hardly any oil. So it is of course PCP friendly.

I know it looks a bit "swampy" in the picture but these really don't do it justice! And anyway it's the taste that matters.

Here's how to make it:

2 teaspoons garam masala
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
2 teaspoons whole coriander seeds
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
8 whole peppercorns
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
Small amount of ginger or 1 teaspoon of powdered ginger
4 cloves garlic, crushed
4 shallots
2 small Cyprus aubergines chopped roughly into squares (these are about 6 inches long)
50grams fat free Greek yoghurt (optional)
1 tablespoon tamarind paste or lemon juice
2 teaspoons honey
300 grams king prawns
1 bay leaf
Bunch of fresh coriander for serving

[These are rough measurements as the bare minimum of ingredients you should use, but do experiment with them according taste. I normally add more than this in terms of spices.

Also, the honey is added to balance out the sourness of the tamarind/lemon juice. So add this according to your taste.

The curry should be sweet and sour with a kick of heat!]

Put a tiny amount of olive oil in a heavy based pan and coat the cut aubergine in the garam masala. Once the oil is hot, cook the spiced aubergine for about 15 minutes or until the skin is tender.

Whilst this is cooking on a low heat. Put the coriander seeds, cumin, peppercorns, cayenne pepper, paprika and turmeric in a spice grinder or mill and grind as finely as possible.

Add the crushed/chopped ginger and garlic and about 4 tablespoons of water to make a paste. Stir and set aside.

Once the aubergine is cooked add the finely chopped shallots and stir fry until the shallots are translucent. Add the spice mix. Stir fry for 2 minutes.

Now add 150 ml water cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer vigorously for 10 minutes.

Add the bay leaf. Add the yogurt and the tamarind/lemon juice and honey. The yoghurt might curdle slightly but this is fine, once the curry is taken off the heat it won’t be noticeable.

Mix well then simmer again. Add the prawns and stir frequently until cooked.

Remove the bay leaves. Serve. Garnish with the fresh coriander. Done!


If you want you can add an egg/egg white portion to the curry too. The curry should end up with a thin consistency and normally soaked up with rice but broccoli or cauliflower are no-carb substitutes.

Yum!

Oh! And my friend’s wedding was great! Thanks for all your advice guys. I really appreciate your comments.

Dinner was much easier than I expected, a lot of rocket salad and balsamic vinegar and roasted veg as the veggie option, which I ate happily. I steered clear of anything which was too heavy, sugary or calorific.

And the wedding cake? Well it was gorgeous and knowing my friend I knew it would be chocolate rather than the traditional fruit cake.

Here's what it looked like. Nice huh?

I was told it was tasty too but I was happy to appreciate it aesthetically.

Day 38: Help wanted!!

Need some advice guys!

I'm going to a wedding this weekend, what am I to do?

What am I to do about dinner and dessert and wedding cake(I bet it's going to be a nice one too)??

I can't weight my food. I can't sit there and push my food around on my plate. I can't predict what's going to be given to me. I won't be served eggs, that's for sure.

Help!

What would you do in situations like this where you really have no say whatsoever in what you're given to eat?

What shall I do?

What would be the best approach for the day, given the nature of the event?

Hopefully I'll be served some veg with dinner that I can eat, maybe some fruit with dessert....

Who knows....?