His Name Is Alive

Just a few lines to say that I am alive. Following the diet, struggling through the exercises but I have to thank Jerome for keeping my motivation high (and Helen and Patrick for their kind words of support).
Past week has been quite tough, I managed to catch a cold, I am still nursing a sore throat, and caught an eye infection. Anyway, we'll see how this week will go, maybe I could have a day of rest?

And now for the musical reference of the week....well, I was looking for I am alive by one of my favorite bands of all times -this might explain to you why....

...but instead found links to videos of one annoying Canadian singer (no I won't post a link).

Thankfully, years of collecting LPs never go to waste (well they lead you to radical measures like the PCP)...

Fans might frown upon the idea of mentioning His Name Is Alive in this context, but this blog is the only place where I get to write about something else. Happy 20th anniversary, Warren & Co!

Another Way To Die

The fans will surely think of this collaboration between Alicia Keys and Jack White, others (maybe most PCP-ers) will think about how good Daniel Craig looks like in Quantum of Solace. Not really my type, but the real question anyway is: did he go through the PCP ahead of being auditioned for the role of James Bond?

We are now in the third week, but I really feel like as if I am in my first. Still desorganised. Far from skipping the 800 jumps in one go. I haven't set myself a proper daily routine. And I am not convinced I am doing the exercises well enough. A very timely email from Patrick today reminded us as to what it actually meant to B U R N. Not that I have been cheating, but certainly I haven't committed myself to the level of pain required to transform my body. Not ready to face another way to die. Thankfully, my dear friend Jerome (yes, the one that will look like Daniel Craig as a reward for being a PCP evangelist) has kindly offered to provide a watchful eye. The price: a membership at the gym, plus probably a few kicks in the backside if I don't comply.

I haven't spoken much of the diet - that is in comparison of the flood of questions that were sent to Patrick about the food. I haven't found the time to watch the videos (sorry Patrick), at least not yet. One thing I can say is that I have been eating much more fish and fruits. I cannot understand why some say it's a lot of food - but everything is relative. I do feel hungry - and I am not talking about constant cravings. And for those who might wonder, yes I can survive without wine and cheese.

I only have a few hours before the next session of "Burnin'".  So I leave you in good company. And please, discerning fans, leave DJ Sneak as he is. Don't enroll him in the PCP, he's done his fair share in keeping us fittingly groovy (or grooving-ly fit?) !

What does PCP stand for?

Am I the only one who thought of something else when he/she heard the three magic letters for the first time? With the "Genius" in my music player deciding that revisiting Cypress Hill's best hits was the best soundtrack for yesterday's workout session, you will forgive me for feeling out of place.

Well that wasn't the only reason. With the F-words resonating in my skull, I spent the first half of the session pestering about the slowness which characterized how I was progressing through the work-out. I did suffer a great deal yesterday. Honest as I can be, I have to admit I paid the price for not being able to do the routine the day before. I felt terribly disorganized, but I could not imagine doing the exercises in the middle of the night. Simple world of advice to my fellow PCP-ers: don't skip a day, stick to the program. It's obvious, but we have to re-organize our daily schedules. And our nights. Anyone else considering waking up at 5 am? And hence going to bed at 9?

Enough of me wondering "why". On with practicalities.

I tried to do my exercises outside, which meant putting on a pair of trainers. That affected my skipping significantly, and highlighted how poor I am at this core exercise. How a few centimeters of rubber can make a difference...Tripping on the rope means you never get into a proper rhythm, which implies it will take you an unreasonable time to complete your (increasing) dose of few hundreds jumps. Practice makes perfect I guess?

Also, I keep thinking that I haven't sorted out my equipment yet. I haven't decided on what I should do with the pull-up bar. I don't think my landlord will be too happy if I destroy one of the door frames.
My resistance band is too resistant for my weak arms. But that was the only one available.
If anyone has a good idea.

And my electronic kitchen scale wants a new battery. Oh dear...


Enough rumbling. Let's grab the skipping rope...

Never too late...

...to start blogging. Or could it have been? (Thanks Patrick for the kind reminder...).

Anyway, when you are a man of few words, or let's say when you try not to speak (too much) if you don't have anything interesting to say, having to write about some personal experience is as easy as...performing 500 jumps with a rope (that's what is expected of us after one week).

How did my first week go? It did go well, mostly because of all the buzz created by my esteemed colleagues who are in the middle of the program, and the sheer enthusiasm of the ones who dragged me into it.

Having to "eat half" of our usual meals (read excesses) was a gentle way to start the program, since it brought quite some fun and banter. I am surrounded by food lovers, which is great when you discover a new city and new cultures. Some were happy to "help" me with the extra half, others were wondering if the waitress will be questioning our sexual inclination when we ask to share their lunch set menu ("no she won't, she will just think we are being cheap, and by the way...").

As for the exercises...well, well...not much surprise here I am afraid. The traditional torture instrument (read the jump rope), the push-ups, sit-ups etc...all these things you are meant to use / do on a regular basis (or at least were familiar with in another life)...they were all there. Ouch! I am as elegant as I have ever been with a jump rope. My only excuse will be that my weaker knee reminds me from time to time that he is not the reason why I had to enroll in the first place.

If I ever needed a reminder, a dear friend I had not seen for 6 months, did ask 3 days ago the question we all know the answer to..."have you put on some weight?" I can't write well enough to describe the look on his face...thankfully, I did mention about some program I joined, following the great example of some of our colleagues (whose bodies apparently cannot withstand the abuse linked with evening drinks anymore).

There are plenty of reasons to do all these daily routines diligently. I hope I will manage to, not least because they make me feel that I have finally come to terms with the idea that I have to take care a bit of my well-being.

As for those of you who might be looking for a soundtrack to do their exercises, may I suggest something different than the Eye of the Tiger? We are not survivors yet, are we?