It's day 91 and there are peppermint patty and pb cup wrappers strewn all over my apt. ....PSYCH! In all fairness, with me that's totally possible. :P Heck, on the day I met Brett (team running rats, who told me about the pcp), I offered him pork rinds and pringles at 9AM. When he said no, I just figured PRP wasn't everybody's idea of breakfast. Little did I know. I'm sure he was probably disgusted.
So post pcp life begins. The funny thing is that you would've thought someone like me would go out boozing and eating fried foods and tons of chocolate after the final workout. Instead I went to bikram, hit the grocery store (zucchini, yogurt, seltzer water, pears, oranges, grapes, apples, lemon, avocados), went home and took pics. Damnit camera batteries died before I could take a pic of me in fat pants or jeans.
On post-pcp day1, I went to see the doctor to make sure my earache wasn't more serious (just a sinus infection but ear hurt like a mofo), came home steamed some zucchini and ate some toast with yogurt. Feels weird not to squint at the scale but also extremely liberating. I also prepped some broccoli for roasting. Might as well take advantage of being home sick. This is not to say that I won't be eating fun again but right now that's not what my body needs. LKR. I've got pizza plans on Friday and a friend's birthday on Saturday.
Things I learned:
1) I like eating and "cooking" well. I always liked veggies but who knew I could enjoy any protein that I prepared. I'm still amazed by how little time it takes to prepare your own food and how much you can enjoy it. No more frozen dinners, even the healthy ones are processed and filled with crap. In fact, I'm saying sayonara to most processed stuff except for a couple indulgences from time to time. :P
2) If I don't eat crap, I'm don't feel tired during the day. I used to eat to stay awake at my desk. It was typically junk food. The sugar would be a temporary fix before I crashed again. Same was true for game days. Even on days that I clocked fewer than five hours of sleep, I didn't feel sleepy cause my body wasn't wasting energy processing bad stuff. I love the farmer's market. I had no idea farm fresh eggs, fresh produce, nice baked bread could make me sooooooo happy.
3) Who knew alcohol doesn't have to be coping strategy No. 1 to deal with stress and problems? I really thought I'd miss cider and wine more but it was shockingly easy to be sober.
4) I love being given a name and trying to live up to it. First, it was Sam's name for me - hot and strong and then being a BADASS.
5) I love being part of a REAL team. I can be super hokey so please indulge me since I just finished a life-changing experience. I've played mostly teams sports all my life and it's been a LONG time since I've been on a time with true support where one person's success didn't diminish someone else's.
None of this would've been possible without team Badass. I've tried diets and exercise regimens before and most have failed. Either because my partner wasn't similarly motivated or I was doing it alone. I needed Haley, Louise, Sarah, Ilan and Will every step of the way for cheerleading, sympathy, arse-kicking, forgiveness, cajoling and inspiration. I heart you guys and to the other PCP alums, particularly Team Sexaaaaay, I would've never reached 90 days without y'all.
Speaking of inspiration, here are my motivational phrases for working out/sticking to the diet in no particular order
1) WWSD - what would sarah do
2) There I said it, now I have to do it
3) The world will not run out of ice cream and chocolate in 90 days.
4) Gotta treat the body w/LKR (love kindness respect)
Stats
Others like to track inches lost, body fat reduction, dress sizes, etc. Me? I take stock a little differently. Disclaimer: this list doesn't include the numerous jump rope lashings, resistance band snaps into my chest/back, weird muscle tweaks or trips off the reservation.
PPCP days - nailing every rep/gram
3
Ridiculous pcp inflicted "injuries":
1) Eating dookie powder
2) lactose intolerance night spent bonding with the porcelain goddess
3) mixing up cayenne powder with cinnamon in my greek yogurt. blech.
4) Burned fingers on burner after transferring hardboiled eggs. I dunno what possessed me to touch the burner w/my bare hand to see if it was still warm. I had just removed the pot. Of course, it's hot!
Avoid injuries or potentially humiliating behavior by getting your eight hours of sleep y'all!
Recent stranger compliments - prolly forgetting a few
"You have more definition in your arms than I do" - pretty fit guy working at the gym
"You go on girl" - old dude whizzing by on bike when I was waiting at crosswalk.
Ok, here's a "real" stat. Day 1 -145 pounds Day 90 - 131.5
Confession time (again): I reported my starting weight to Patrick as 143 (64.7kg) but really it was 145 (65.6kg). It was only a few pounds more but I was mortified that I let it get up that high especially since I had been holding steady at 143 for a decade. Even though he wasn't judging (at least I hope not), I was embarrassed by that number. BTW, for the first time since I was 16, I no longer live a lie. The weight on my drivers license (130) hasn't been updated in years. Feels good to be honest now. My low was 129.5 on day and I've been holding steady at the 131-133 range the last few weeks. But the pics tell it all. Ta-dah!
Congratulations Grace! Another great inspiration for us newbies! You look great and sound as though you have embraced a new, healthy way to live. Woot!
ReplyDeleteLook at you, gorgeous! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteYes, the team approach really helps a lot, I agree. Even people who say they aren't "group project" people don't know how helpful it can be to have a REAL, supportive team. Team Sexaaaaaaay loves you too!
Great wrk Grace, check out those Biceps, and what a smile, you erned it!
ReplyDeleteLKR, baby! That is one mantra that I'm going to employ every time I think, WWGD??
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad the fates put us both on Team Badass - and I completely agree that the team aspect was essential in this process. Let's continue to support each other, k? You can kick my ass in keeping up the workouts, and I will make sure you don't eat too much Halloween candy ;)
Your photos - WOWWWWW! Hot and Strong! Badass AND sexaaay! You killed it, Grace! Woot!
xoxo
Sarah
LKR! LKR! You're so buff, Grace! That dude's not kidding. The definition in your arms is impressive. Being sober is surprisingly nice, huh? Saves some serious money, too. Anyway, I'm super proud of you for overcoming all those evil eating habits so that you you can enjoy those awesome indulgences, upcoming pizza night sounds yummy! Keep on keepin' on! Mwah!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat result not just for the body but for the mind. You've successfully rewired your brain so that you can sustainably keep your condition as long as you like. Saying no to junk food is much easier when you don't particularly want it.
ReplyDeleteI'd say you lost at least 20 pounds of pure fat during this process. That's like 5 2 Liter bottles of Cola that were hanging off your frame.
Great work! Great attitude.
And no more need to lie about your weight! In fact, no more need to care about it at all!
You look gorgeous, and--more important--happy. Congratulations! I can't believe I'd forgotten your self-inflicted cat litter ingestion. Ouch. As for the rest of the wrap-up, all golden.
ReplyDeleteGracieeeeeeeeeeeeeeee my ladyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.
ReplyDeleteAlways my hero for battling on with all the voleyball, yoga, insane family members, sucky people at work.......
And always amusing and supportive with your comments and posts.
You look AMAZING. Here's to the new you, juggling it all and looking HOT. xxxxxxxx
Grace - you look awesome. You are totally my "I wanna look like HER when I grow up and finish the PCP" role model. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteNice Grace! You done did it, and did it strong!
ReplyDeleteThis post definitely inspired me to not run towards the hamburger when this is done. Stay cool
Awesome job, and outstanding results! Especially considering your previous attachment to sugar & booze! Learning what your body and mind are truly seeking through these tricksters--health and serenity--and then freeing yourself so you can truly obtain it--is the greatest gift of the Project. You've definitely earned it!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations !
ReplyDeleteYou look great !
Indeed PCP is team effort that one person's success didn't diminish someone else's, actually one person's success inspires so many other PCPers!!!