Thanks so much for all the great inspiration.  It's really working.  Into month four now of the lifestyle update and it's becoming ingrained abit now.

Habits are improving all over the place.  I love going to the gym now as its just so enjoyable.  It does not hurt now that the results are becoming more and more obvious.

The news today on my blood pressure has made me really happy as its now down to the level where no medication is required.  When I first started it was at such a level that immediate medication would be normally called for.  Next test is my cholesterol, if that has come down it will be even better.

Overall it's just going so well.  Today we did a full cardio workout with heart monitor to work on keep my heart rate above 130.  First goal was to get it up to 155 on the treadmill.  Bloody Trent has gotten me fit enough that it was just sitting on 132 and not moving up.  The machine kept pushing the incline and speed up, but 132 it stayed.  Had to get to 12 on the incline before we even got near the target.

Next rowing machine again with heart monitor.  Row 250 meter hard, then rest until heartbeat is back to 130, or a minute.  Do five sets.  First set heartbeat won 1 sec before the minute!

It was great feedback to see just how fast my recovery time is now.  Trent is really happy with the progress I have made!

And did I mention I now fit and L size shirt.  My work clothes are now super baggy and really looking bad.  Will keep them for a while yet as its hiding the work in progress.  My old work shirts feel like tents now.  So stunning!

Well its here.  My final sleep before leaving Japan!  I’m spent the 36 hours in Kyoto on a mission to decompress brain and get a bit of zen back into my life.

Its going well!  News from Oz at about 2pm Japan time that Tonto has arrived safely and was now at Eastern Creek in row 4!  (yes it does sound abit like a cell block).

Headed of to Nanzenji then to start the disengaging mental gears.  Today a call with Tonto carer and confirmation that all is very well, so off for more relax!

Been up the top of Mt Hiei (Hieizn) wandering in gardens, Sugi forests and temples.  Finished the day with a soak in the pool to restore body temperature to normal and dinner with a friend in town.

I have one more morning left which will be at Daitokuji which has many famous Zen temples and is basically ‘hardcore’ Zen!  I’m ready for it now, mental gears are free spinning, the internal mental voice is just a whisper if at all (and I’m not hearing voices – Yet).  The bell at the nearby temple is just ringing in 9pm and its a perfect synergy to the calming energy that pervades through Kyoto.

The time of year is perfect as well as the main summer holiday rush is over so the crowds are gone, everything has been at peaceful pace, just what a tired soul needs.

I was asked today if I leave with any regrets, and I’ve been asked by many will I miss Japan.

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