Turning Into a Pumpkin

Today was massive.

After dropping our interstate visitor off at the airport, I went to the gym and ran 6km (woohoo!).

I then did some errands before filming my Weigh-In Wednesday YouTube video (embedded below for your convenience).

Despite it being Thursday at the time of filming, I knew it was Wednesday in some part of the world, so I was okay with that.

Next thing I knew, I found myself squeezing in last minute 'must do's' before racing out the door to do my Bollywood dancing class (which by the way, I LOOOOOOOVE!).

Après, I caught up with some more Adelaidean friends who flew into town this afternoon to work at the Food and Wine Show. In the spirit of all things food and wine, we indulged.

After a delicious meal (don't panic, I was good), some gorgeous wine (don't panic, I was good - is there an echo in here here here?) and a great chin-wag (Aussie for conversation), we made our way home via their hotel - the fancy new Hilton by Jeff's Shed (colloquial term for Melbourne's Exhibition Building). More chin-wagging ensued. Thankfully the wine didn't.

A great night has culminated in me sitting here in front of my laptop after having climbed up our stairs thinking, 'I have to post my blog before midnight' - but too late - I've already turned into a pumpkin! My consolation is that it's still Thursday in some parts of the world right now and I am... okay with that.

What I am finding most fascinating about Project Grace 2010 is my unwavering commitment to this blog. I simply cannot say "that's enough for today". My husband's in bed snoozing while I'm tapping away on the keyboard, and yet that somehow feels perfect.

Am I crazy?

I cannot deny that my daily blogging has helped me through some really tough moments. I've dug up and healed old hurts, progressed though blocks, had a few laughs and even managed to inspire myself along the way. I'm scared that if I stop, I may not start again. So, I keep going come rain, hail or shine - or a plane load of Adelaideans!

Until tomorrow, if you have a commitment, stick to it - even if you've turned into a pumpkin.

Grace xx

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Change in focus, not intention

As you may know, I created 'Wednesday Weigh-In' to keep me on track.

I thought a weekly check in would keep me focused, knowing I'd have something to report.

However something wasn't right.

I decided many years ago that weighing oneself weekly was not always helpful in ones quest to trimming down. Contending with the psychological blows that accompany the inevitable fluctuations, often does more harm than good.

Scales are an inaccurate measure of one's true progress. This is because they do not measure fat, they measure weight... and weight is made up of a number of things, such as bodily fluids, muscles, bones, organs, skin, hair, nails - even un-excreted faeces! (not to mention clothes).

A true measure of fat loss is how your clothes fit and how your body feels. If you want measurements - look at centimetres and inches instead of kilo's, stones and pounds.

So with all this in mind, I had to do something that still kept me in check with weekly reporting, but was more in line with what I believe. So, I created Wednesday Wake Up!

Right now, I'm finding out why my body is resistant in burning fat (high insulin and under-active thyroid are major contributors) and learning how I can make adjustments to resolve these issues. I was instructed today to focus on stabilising my insulin first and foremost, then work on fat loss. But you know me, I love a challenge and to multi task ;-)

Until tomorrow, if something isn't working for you - change it!

Grace xx

Email subscribers, click here to view Wednesday Wake Up! video

When Shortcuts Become Detours

I spent the entire afternoon (and half the evening) distilling a ten minute, continuous, one-take video into a tolerable 3:15 minutes for YouTube.

What I learnt was:

1. Slow down to go fast. As much as I like to appear candid and off the cuff, writing dot points will increase overall efficiency.
   
   
2. Don't attempt to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Several takes will give me more to work with when things don't work.
   
   
3. Go by the clock. Keeping an eye on the time will force me to keep it concise and to the point.
   
   
4. Speak consciously. I could do with loosing a few 'ums' and 'ahs'.
   
   
5. Practice, practice, practice. Makes perfect, perfect, perfect.

That's it. I have no more left to say for today - I'm spent.

Until tomorrow, try to avoid shortcuts as they just may be the longest detour you've ever encountered!

Grace xx

PS. Email subscribers, click here to see today's Wednesday Weigh-In

A Matter of Balance

On any given day, you'd typically find me perched at the far end of the seesaw of life. I'll either be high on optimism and happy as Mr. Smiley, or down in the dumps and as blue as Mr. Grumps.

It's exhausting.

I have read, heard, watched and sensed that balance is a state we should all strive for - though in all honesty, it's something I've found the most difficult to achieve.

Since embarking on Project Grace 2010 58 days ago, I am making regular attempts to centre myself. While I can't say I'm brilliant at it (yet), I know that focus, intention and practice will make me better at smoothing out the bumps in the road.

Today is my mother's birthday and we are off to celebrate at a nearby restaurant. I have a few things to do before I leave here, so I'm keeping it short today (in order to maintain balance).

What I'd love to know, is how do you maintain balance in your life?

Until tomorrow, may you master equilibrium and share it with the world.

Grace xx

PS. Click link if you want to view this week's Wednesday Weigh-In

Wednesday Weigh-In

If life begins at 40, then I guess you can say that this is my first ultrasound!

I'm starting something new...

I am venturing into the land of YouTube, and posting a video every Wednesday to track my progress.

The video says it all, so I'll stop typing now.

Until tomorrow... the video says it all (is there an echo in here... here... ere... ere...ere... )

Grace xx

Please note: No radio stars were killed during the making of this video ;-)