Monday Monday

At last, the moment you've all been waiting for...

Today I launched MONDAY MEASURES!

Okay, if you weren't waiting for it and have no idea what I'm taking about - I am committed to changing the mindset of those battling the bulge to shift our focus from weight loss to measurement reduction.

On the first Monday of each month, I'll be taking measures... of my waist, chest, hips and thighs. My aim is to demonstrate that measuring oneself is a more rewarding and accurate way of tracking fat loss. It opposes popular culture that obsesses over weight loss.

I've embedded my first Monday Measures YouTube video below for your convenience (aren't I thoughtful?)

In keeping with the Monday theme, it's time I tell you that I leave for Paris next Monday. Yes you read correctly, Paris. I'll be there one week from today - woohoo! You may or may not know that I'm hosting a tour of non-riders for Le Tour de France next month and I am soooooo excited I can hardly breathe.

I've got a tonne of work to complete between now and then, so my posts are likely to be brief. But don't worry, I'll more than make up for it by sharing my French and Swiss adventures with you - deal?

I have to go to bed now. I'm in the midst of a St. John's First Aid course, which is totally fascinating as well as brain draining.

I'm sure you'd be delighted to know that if you ever lost a limb in my presence, and I managed to save it from the jaws of a pet, I can competently wrap it in plastic and keep it chilled (not iced) until medical help arrives. At this point I should warn you that if I'm required to pop it in the refrigerator, I'll have to write 'Limb in fridge' on your forehead so the ambulance officers don't leave without it. Thought that'd make you sleep easier tonight. Fabulous.

Without further ado, I must retire and recharge my batteries.

Until tomorrow, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

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Sunday Sentence

"The only journey is the journey within"

- Rainer Maria Rilke

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Saturday Quiz No.2

To the right you will see a magnificent creation by yours truly. Yes, artist extraordinaire I am, I am.

I enjoyed reading all the answers from Saturday Quiz No.1 so much, that I was inspired to create Saturday Quiz No.2.

At this point, I must confess, that I'm rather tempted to make a habit of it. We shall see.

I won't give you any clues for now. Just have a guess and see if you can figure out what this picture is saying. Write your answer in the comments section below and I will announce the winner next Saturday.

Also feel free to invite your friends to guess. The more the merrier, I say.

Until Monday, have a fabulous Sunday.

Grace xx

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A Rocky Moment

Do you ever have moments when you feel on top of the world?

Invincible, strong, powerful and quite frankly, like a bloody legend.

That's what I call, a Rocky Moment.

In such moments I envisage myself on top of stairs jumping up and down with fists in the air, complete with the Rocky theme playing in my mind (...getting strong now).

A Rocky Moment can strike me anywhere, anytime. It is unpredictable, so I never know when it's going to hit.

Well this morning - I had one.

I'd just finished running 6km (3.73mi) in less than 50 minutes whilst still remaining within my 'fat burning' heart rate zone. It was a PB (personal best) that had endorphins intoxicating my body. I let out a little whimper "yes", but I really wanted to shout from the roof top - a - la Rocky.

I'm finding that these Rocky Moments are energising. They have me wanting to go back in the rink time and time again. Perhaps that's what makes a world champion. Who knows?

Until tomorrow, have a fabulous weekend full of Rocky Moments.

Grace xx

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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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Setting the Record Straight

Today is cleaning up day - setting the record straight so to speak.

Rather than responding to all different comments, emails and Facebook messages, I've decided to do it once - right here, right now - for everyone to read.

1. Yesterday's nude photo of me was in fact Photoshopped (it was supposed to be funny). It's my oversized head atop of another woman's body (wasn't that obvious?).
   
   Said body was chosen because private bits were covered - and I thought it'd give the image a PG rating instead of XXX.
   
   For those who want to see the REAL me naked (and still remain within a PG rating), check out my YouTube video embedded below. It's a photo montage of the day I modelled nude for Australian artist Samantha Lord, and salvaged my self esteem.
   
   
2. My initial upset over the failure to ignite a global conversation to support others going through grief, was largely to do with failing to ignite a global conversation to support others going through grief. I was not upset about having 'no comments' (thankfully that was cured post 'I am revolting').
   
   
3. To Chanel who wrote:
   
   "YOU were my light, you were the voice of HOPE, you held my hand and told me it would be ok. I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER for standing there naked with me!"
   
   My first response to you is - YOU are my light, YOU are the voice of hope, thank YOU for reminding me all will be okay. I also love you forever and thank you for standing naked with me.
   
   My second response is yes, I was talking about you. While I am utterly inspired by you and your miracles, I don't reveal the identity of family or friends without consent. You (as in all of you who are reading this right now and have spotted yourself in a story), are more than welcome to reveal yourselves in the comments (not that I'm begging for comments - didn't I say that I was cured?).

Until tomorrow, if records need to be straightened - straighten them.

Grace xx

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Get Naked

Today marks one week since I revealed my premature menopause diagnosis (aka POF and POI).

Writing about it was one of the most difficult, yet liberating actions I have taken since embarking on Project Grace 2010. It left me feeling exposed and emotionally vulnerable.

My decision to dedicate the next five days to each stage of grief was to help overcome this feeling of being totally naked in front of the world (all three of you), as well as providing a supportive, loving and inspiring space for those currently grieving.

At first I was bothered by the lack of participation on what I'd hoped would be a global conversation. Then I learned something.

It turns out that many people I know are mourning all kinds of losses outside of my implied subject of infertility. Demised friendships, broken relationships, betrayal, end of marriages, lost custody of children, heartbreaking miscarriages and deaths of loved ones.

Each could relate to the sense of grief and loss. Each sought comfort and consolation. But no one wanted to share it publicly.

Why?

I wonder...

Perhaps exposing our raw feelings is not unlike being naked. Some people can happily prance about in their birthday suits in front of complete strangers (life models, nudists, performing artists, porn stars and streakers on a football field), however for many the thought is inconceivable.

There is both vulnerability and strength in being able to stand nude in front of others. And by nude, I mean physically (no clothes), emotionally (no bull$hit), and metaphorically (no make up). I've had my fair share of nudity - both literally and figuratively - and I'm okay with it. Yes it's uncomfortable at first, but the overall feeling of freedom far outweighs any initial concern or discomfort.

Until tomorrow, where in life can you get naked?

Grace xx

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