It's over...?

Alright... it's been several days and, much like the rest of the team, I keep thinking I'll have a nice inspired post to wrap everything up.  I get little pieces of what I want to write, but it doesn't flow the way I want, so now I'll just get going with it.

I went it knowing that I hated eating.  It was a pain to eat regularly and especially tough to eat healthy.  We were eating out all the time, I was skipping meals, etc.  I'm "lucky" in that my body is pretty much okay with that lifestyle, just as it is on PCP.  Of course it's become really clear that the PCP eating style actually provides me with energy, unlike all my previous eating habits.

I dropped a to-go pizza from a local restaurant into my diet this week and, boy, did that drag me down.  The next day I woke up thirsty and sluggish... basically miserable.

Also interesting is that I've continued to crave so many of the things that I thought I'd learn to hate - those egg whites?  They still taste pretty good and I like having them around.  That Greek yogurt?  Oh yeah, that's here to stay.

I have to be honest and say that I'm really happy with the fact that I've gotten a lot more definition to my body, but I still wish it had gotten a little bigger or a little deeper.  This process has certainly been an eye-opener to just how my body reacts to things - exercise and diet don't show up externally, but primarily internally.



Of course a huge component of PCP for me (and Susan) was Olivia.  We've altered our diet and household in such a way that she is exposed to a wide range of good food now.  She's been watching us exercise and will continue to see us exercise.  We've talked about the choices we make and I know it will be something we will have locked into our lives now.

We didn't go out for our celebratory dinner just yet - it's so busy right now - but we did get our fancy dress clothes on...



Again, given that most of my changes were internal, the biggest thing represented here was the fact that I wanted to own a suit that was tailored for me.  This is something I can now fill from the heart - it would have fit 90 days ago, but I wouldn't have carried myself nearly as strongly.

It's going to really, really odd from here - no emails from Patrick, no blogs to read and catch up with my new friends.  It's the team that is really going to be tough leaving... we haven't all been the best bloggers (myself included), but we've certainly bonded through a pretty wild experience. 

I won't miss all the cooking I've done to prepare the massive meals, and that damn scale can get out of the prime counter space.  Chicken can take a bit of a backseat... not too far back, but not something that I'll eat 6 times a day.  (Only joking... kind of.)

Ugh... I feel like I'm rambling...

I think the long and short of it is that I've learned a lot... my body desires and requires a lot of food, and I'm better when I provide it.  I can push through a 90 day exercise routine, and given that I did it for 90, it shouldn't be that hard to lock in a routine moving forward.

Thank you Patrick and Chen for your desire to share your insight with the world.  For bringing strangers together as a family and turning them back to the world as stronger, healthier people.

A very deep and personal thank you to Patrick (again) and his lovely wife for showing me Yokohama and treating me to a fantastic time there.  I felt immediately welcome with you guys and hope that one day we can return the favor.

To Brian Glazer, who also provided me with a warm welcome to a city halfway around the world - a massive thank you and an even bigger congratulations.  It's wild looking at your starting photos.  When we met, you were halfway through the program, but you were also a completely changed man.  I'm so glad to see that the weeks after I left got you even deeper results.  I know it's been a tough road for you, but I also know that the guy I met there at Tameike-Sanno one Sunday afternoon is really dedicated to getting this done right.

Team Orange Crush - congrats to you all.  Reading your banter was a blast, I only wish I'd had the opportunity to connect while I was in Tokyo, but that's a dangerous place to go out!

Team Cookie Monster - Just F**king Do-it will continue to echo through my mind as I feel the burn.  It's been a blast working with such a diverse, motivated and geographically disbursed group.  It was tough losing folks along the way - some for positive reasons (happy baby thoughts Erin!) - other for negative reasons (so sorry you've been so sick Alex C...).  And now, to "lose" everyone to their daily lives will be a bit lonely.

To Susan - thank you for putting up with me, my massive diets, and my overly excited view of PCP.  I'm so glad you decided to come along with me, as I'm not sure how it would have worked without you.

So... I'll leave you with the permanent reminder of my time on PCP.  After these 90 days, I can say that I know my self better... but I'll always be reminded to keep looking.

Thank you all.