I enjoyed it, I really did. Buzzing on the bridge, bubbly up the busway, pooped by Paremoremo, but you can't have everything.
Boxing's the other big hit. I had another session with Gus Lam last week.
He's building me up to six three-minute rounds sandwiched between warm-up and core work.
Talking of sandwiches, I've even stopped craving bread and all the other no-nos.
This whole thing is really starting to pay off.
I'm getting into clothes I'd secretly thought were bound for the op-shop. Stuff I'm still a bit too big for is hanging in my wardrobe as an incentive.
A fortnight to go, but I don't want it to stop.
Winston Aldworth, Herald travel editor
Here's a tip for young players: if you're ever involved in a six-week programme to lose weight and get into shape, don't fly out to New York for a week of boozing and eating in the middle of it.
On which note, greetings from New York, readers!
I've found it hard to stay on top of the dietary side of things while travelling. I'm far from the meat, veges, nuts and seeds that have been making up my meals at home. No surprise really, because the diet side of it is also the hardest bit to deal with back at home too. I've mostly dodged carbs and sugars, but there's been quite a lot of drinking.
I'm trying to make up for the wayward eating by going hard on the exercise. I've always liked the brief anonymity and newness of hotel gyms and I've had a couple of magic runs through Central Park.
New York's great park is full of autumn colours and the regular shuffling chug of the city's jogging masses. It's the most joggish place I've ever seen and an easy motivator for any runner.
I'm not going to beat myself up about a couple of beers and a few extra carbs here and there. It's Central Park for me.
Jason Winstanley, The Hits radio content director
I am looking slimmer and generally healthier. Photo / NZ Herald
I was a little slow in getting on track, but I'm finally starting to get things sorted.
To begin with, I had an entire four days without booze. Most people probably don't find that unusual, but I've definitely got into the habit of having a few drinks after work every night.
I also exercised far more than I have in several years. And yesterday at my check-in session with Lee-Anne the results were great. I've dropped 4.4kg, and my body fat has dropped from 24 per cent to 19 per cent.
All of the measurements were better than they were three weeks ago. BOOM! I have definitely being feeling more alive, and had many comments from friends and colleagues that I am looking slimmer and generally healthier. I was so excited to tell my wife the news. She has done an amazing job of ensuring my meals are perfect, but without being boring.
For me this is about making real permanent changes to my life. We followed the weigh-in with a tough session in the gym, especially on the abdominal crunch machine. I don't think my body is meant to bend like that and it hurt, but I'm told it will give me abs. Next week I want to better my results. I feel like I'm on a roll.
Nigel Morrison, SkyCity chief executive
I have set myself a goal of getting my body fat down below 20% by Christmas. Photo / NZ Herald
This week started off with our executive management retreat on Waiheke on Sunday and Monday at Delamore Lodge with dinners at The Oyster Inn and Cable Bay - both of which were very good! Trying to stick to my diet was a little challenging, though I think I made good, informed menu choices. Failed on the red wine ... but only modestly. I did get a couple of good walks in each morning (and beautiful mornings they were), more hilly than usual, listening to the Rolling Stones on my new Spotify app - awesome!
Water intake is still a strong focus, and I'm getting better. Also, more focus on cutting down carbs and more green veges.
Lee-Anne upped the bike hits to 20 secs flat-out and 40 secs recovery for 16 mins. Mid-programme weigh-in was Wednesday. Down from 112kg to 110kg, somewhat disappointing, but body fat percentage down from 27 per cent to 24 per cent and muscle mass up 1.5kg. So that's fat down 3.5kg which is a little more respectable. I was happier with that. Lee-Anne seemed pleased. I have set myself a goal of getting my body fat down below 20 per cent by Christmas. After all, it's a journey ...
Lee-Anne's take
A tough week for the guys as life starts to get in the way a little and it takes focus and commitment to keep the good things happening.
Jason - Will his great results keep him on track?
Some great results with his weight loss and body fat measures mid-way through the programme and an alcohol- free weekend achieved. Some exercise sessions missed but food and water going well - will this be the week he takes it up a notch or will he drop back into old habits?
Chris - A boxing guru in the making
Boxing coach Gus Lam put Chris through his paces again, and the improvement in just a week is excellent. It's always a surprise for people to see how much they can improve in just a short space of time. A little soreness after training threw the plan off a little, but it's about choosing what works for you and making sure downtime does not turn into a weekly cruise on the couch. A few bike rides seem to have put Chris back on track.
Nigel - Will work events get the better of him?
Travelling is challenging but Nigel is managing really well. Work commitments and social events can be quite tough to navigate your way around. It's not about being perfect but making your best worst choices when at social events or occasions when you cannot always choose what you want. Go for protein snacks, add water to your beverage choices and make sure you start the next day with a good breakfast and some short, sharp exercise.
Winston - A test in the Big Apple
Although we prepared a plan of action for his trip away, I am a little nervous as things were still pretty new for him and old habits can come back fast. He knows he has measures and testing the day he returns - tough, I know, but I needed to offer a little encouragement to try to work some good habits in while he was away.
