Final Thoughts

I know I've left this way too long but I have been ruminating and elucidating on the impact the Kung Fu Body has had on me and my family.

I started the KFB thinking it would be similar to the PCP and in some ways it was but it had different aspects and required much more thought and focus than the PCP.

Maybe this was the reason I did not have the same tenacity as when I did the PCP or perhaps as Patrick suggested, the excitement of a new program was not as great as when first doing the PCP, but either way it is what it is.

I lost 10 pounds, gained back some muscle, can do more pushups and chinups than ever but what I really took from this program was the Kung Fu philosophy. I have a great deal of respect for the art, since I now know it is much more than a defensive set of skills and more than a physical endeavour. Patrick's emails have been thought provoking and interesting, making me think about myself and how I think about everything.

The meditation has been great too. I feel calm and serene after my meditations. At first I didn't know what to do with myself - meditatining for 5 minutes was like torture, but now its a peaceful inaction. I continue to meditate and enjoy its influence on my mind.

Stretching has been a good deal of help to me too. I've still got a way to go but I've probably exceled the most in this area, only because I came from so far down - I'm still not 'flexible' but I feel much more limber and can high kick with some finesse now.

So looking back at it in this context I may not have lost the weight or gained the muscle like I did during the PCP but the knowledge and skills learned from the KFB or even more important.

Here the are results of my final test:

Standing High Jump: 30 inches(up from28 inches)

Consecutive Ping Pong Punches: 142(up from 37)

Morning Standing Forward Bend: 4 inches from ground( from 9 inches from ground) can't quite touch those toes...yet.

Current Weight: 208 ibs. (down from 218 lbs.)

Current Height: 6'4"

Current Picture:



And one in ready stance:



For me it's just the start and now I have so many things to work on and explore.

Great job everyone - I've got to say that all of the KFBers have been awesome - encouraging, honest and kind. This group had your back every step of the way - thanks to everyone!

Thanks Patrick for everything - its been a great ride and introduction to so many fantastic things.

See you soon!

Day 89 - Diamond Days

Some days go just how you plan them - how you want them. Today was one of those days and I'm excited and a little sad that the KFB is coming to an end.

I've been thinking a lot about what this program has done for me, emotionally, mentally and physically and how It has affected me differently but as resonantly as the PCP. Where the PCP focused on nutrition, cardio and muscle fitness, the Kung Fu Body adds agility training, flexibility stretching and meditation plus the Kung Fu Philosophy. These added components have meant a more cerebral workout, one that makes you think of the longterm consequences and reasons for doing something and it has also made me changed the way I have thought, reacted to and accomplished the daily programs.


I feel that the program is really 2 things in one - A great fitness plan with nutrition and workouts that will get you lean and mean, and a fantastic martial arts program that teaches eastern fighting/defence techniques and philosophy. It's quite a bit more intense than the PCP but after going through it there is no way I would do a martial arts program without also taking into account all the beautiful things that the PCP teaches.

So only one day away until the end. I'm very proud to have been working with such a strong and wonderful group who are smart and supportive!

While tomorrow is the 90th day I'm going to meditate how I can sum up into one post what this program has done for me.

See you soon!

Day 84 - The Home Stretch

My wife's cousin is in town from Ireland and I had a work out with him last night. He's 17, energetic and excited about what a program like the Kung Fu Body can do for him. While he had a bit of trouble with the rope jumps he enjoyed the intensity of the workout and I started to explain the fundamentals of the program. He's a great kid and eager to learn and his questions and my answers reinvigorated my belief in this type of program.

Its great to mentor someone and I think you get the added value of re-teaching yourself when you teach someone else. He's here for another two weeks so we'll have plenty of time to knock out some good training.

I can't believe this program is almost done! My knees are feeling much better and I'm getting back into the groove of training (especially with the help of my new pupil).

I'm enjoying the freestyle mix agility training. I love the freedom to combine all the types of hits and moves in any way possible. I sometimes get flustered by the speed but more and more the moves instinctually come from the practice of thousands of strikes.

See you soon!

Day 77 – Whatever Doesn't kill you..

After my injury with the pull up bar last week I slowed down a bit since my knee was quite swollen and painful when in motion. The doctor x-rayed and found no bone injury but diagnosed the problem as prepatellar bursitis and ordered rest for the next few weeks. Obviously this couldn't have happened at a worse time but I'm still doing as much as I can with Kung Fu.

My first reaction as my knee gets better is to charge in to the training and get back as much of what I lost to falling behind, but we all know what will probably happen as more injuries or re-injury usually strike at this point of recovery.

I think the meditation has been the best part of the program since the injury as it has helped me focus on the injury, what really hurts and how to deal with it properly.

I can still punch however and I know my punching speed in relation to when I started all those weeks ago, is quite quick.

So here I am, I a state I'd rather not be but making the most of it.

Almost there!

Talk to you soon.

Day 74 – Reflexes man!

At work I've been using a makeshift pull-up bar to do some exercises during the day. The only problem - it wasn't secure. During a pull-up It came crashing down and I landed flat smack on my knees. But before I hit the ground, the bar hit my head and I saw stars. So there I was knees throbbing and hurt and a goose egg forming on my head. A while ago I thought that if this bar ever gave way I'd have the reflexes to get my feet under me and be safe - never thought about the bar hitting my head and I guess my reflexes, as good as I thought they've gotten, still need a lot of work.

I've been taking it easy for the past few days with the exception of meditation, stretches and some agility but I'm going into the doctor today because my left knee is still bothering me.

Hopefully the Doc gives the A-Okay and I'll be able to finish up bruised but strong.

See you soon.

Day 66 - Countdown

I can't believe how far we've all gone into this project. It's been difficult, challenging and fun all at the same time. I'm at a point where I'm starting to countdown but I'm going to stop myself in order to take everything I can from this experience.

I spent the weekend looking over all the words of wisdom from Patrick that we received since the KFP started and realized in my enthusiasm to get going on the day's workout that I often missed some key bit of wisdom or some important piece of information - sort of like assembling the furniture without reading the instructions - there's always a screw or bolt left over...

So I'm making a conscious effort to read the information not once but twice - maybe 3 times so that I fully absorb what is important. While the practice and exercise is the key to this program, understanding the why is important to me.

The double target is great - I'm hitting and weaving and kicking like a madman - and I'm connect more than I would have thought. I started trying the follow the balls and then used my peripheral focus and found my connections going way up. I love this. I continue to envision someone in combat with me while I do these exercises.

I'm getting a little tired of my diet - I'm going to try something new. What is your favourite carb, vegetable and protein. Let me know.

See you soon.

Day 58 - Confession Time

I have a confession to make, I have this habit and I've had it for a while now, in fact ever since my eldest was born. I rip my pants - not on the leg or the hem, not even in the pockets - all of these would be okay - I rip them in the seat of my pants. The first thing the pants salesperson asks is if I've gained some weight - I haven't, in fact I've lost some. My wife laughs at me and thinks it quite funny and my kids go into fits whenever they hear me talk about it or get a glimpse of the actual rippage.

Now I wouldn't normally tell the whole world about it, but I actually think it's quite funny and because in the past week I've been doing spontaneously Kung Fu in all places and times of my day. Not bad when you roll up the sleeves and crank out a lighting round of jabs, but in business wear a back or straight kick can be deadly to your seams. A few days ago I was getting a bit over enthusiastic and at the zenith of my kick I heard the start of a rip and pulled up short.

So its strictly sports wear for my kicks from now on....

I guess this goes to show that I'm becoming more comfortable with all the set of kicks and punches that I've done over the last month - to a point where they are a natural extension of my actions. They are in fact becoming instinctual rather than actions that I need to think about to make happen - this is what I've been waiting for. Awesome.

See you soon!