Day 19 - the pull up

Day 19 and going good. Not perfect and still a challenge but all good. So my defeat today was unfortunately my attempt at pull-ups. Oh lord.. I think my sparrow back muscles need some more work before they can lift my elephant torso.

I have a very nifty pull-up bar that fits into the door frame (thanks to a very good friend) all ready to go; preped it up the night before: tried one - no luck but thought, after a good sleep I will be able to hit this fine. 

So 900 jumps later, squats - painful but done, I tried to do my first set of pull ups. I was mimicking the photo description from Patrick.. Well - I could get one and a third done. Not one set - but one pull up. 

I stood there trying (hanging from the bar) and trying again and thought.. OK - back to the incline pull up sets. I did try the pull up around 4 times but seriously there was nothing there to lift me.  So in defeat I did the 4 prescribed incline pull ups sets using my broom handles (taped together); to the chagrin of my cleaner who needs them back un-taped together.

Went through all the sets: Da vinci's are tough and my shoulders were screaming (my grimace could be used for Halloween cookies) but got through all the sets.  Workout done and feel really good.

Can really feel and see a difference although I acknowledge there is a long way to go: all going good on that front.

Man, I am still having trouble getting used to vegetables for breakfast. May see if I can prepare baked beans (with tomatoes) homemade.  This morning, not being able to stomach greens I peeled and sliced a potato into thin scallop slices and then on oven paper - baked them in the oven (no salt or oil). I then fried up my egg (just a little olive oil) on top, sliced a tomato and had a whole wheat bagel for my carbs portion.   Breakfast is the most difficult vegetable serving of the day. The rest are easy.. I guess with time. I need breaky recipes and will look - or make some up.

So - per Patricks email: experiencing a lot of the same things. Zits on chest - (WTF?) but actually going now - noticed them 3 days ago.. I am in a total humming mood where little things no longer annoy me. More on a constant high (althougn not giddy). Bathroom visits are exactly as described although wind for sailing has gone (sorry Marc).  I think it will take longer for fat to allow veins to show: up until now they only show on my forehead when I drive around these mad streets in Tokyo. I look forward to seeing them on my arms, etc.

I am sure (like most of us) that when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror I almost have to look twice. I find myself imitating that scene from Austin Powers where he meets himself (via a time machine)  and begins applauding his looks and the fact that he is a handsome beast..  I know by Day 90 I will look heaps different - as we're just gearing up.

So day 19 and I think so far we've just had the 'warm up'. Feeling good and looking forward to more of the journey. Giddyup team.

This was dinner: brown rice, asparagus, tofu and chicken - heaps of pepper! Pretty good.