Marlise – 3 Month HSMer (Sunshine Coast) from Chris Raine on Vimeo.

I went to a house party on Friday night, last week with old high school buddies. I consider this as my first significant challenge during my 3 weeks of no drinking. At almost every other social gathering with this bunch I would be the ‘party girl’, whom i love and accept, however being sober at this party has allowed me to understand myself better and increase my confidence. I had butterflies at the beginning, which I believe stem from fears of not being accepted and the unknown, however I’m glad I wasn’t numbing them out as I have in the past. I can see how this challenge helped me become closer to the golden coated, confident woman I aspire to be. A woman who isn’t reliant on anything to socialise confidently. I want more parties like this, more challenges, so eventually the butterflies have flown from the nest and into the air where they belong.

Read the rest of this entry →

Week two has brought insights, more goals, and mock-tails! This week i finally rose to the challenge of completing my first 5.30am running session for triathlon. It was great! By April I want to be attending four 5.30am classes. This will put me well on the way to become the buzzie morning person I dream of. I’m loving the increase of energy and fitness however my diet is still in need for an improvement.

Why has mum already started to buy Easter eggs? Murder!

I have decided to stop eating sweets for  three weeks leading up to Easter. This is a challenge for me because I tend to use food like alcohol to de-stress and suppress anxiety.  Today I shared my new commitment with my family. Mum supported me firstly, by deciding to stop purchasing sweet foods. Not long after my sister and mum decided they were in on the commitment and of course a competition had to be put in place. Shortly after ‘The palace biggest loser competition’ was birthed. A weigh in, goals and rules have been set. This has made me realise just how powerful a commitment is. The commitment I chose has allowed my loved ones to motivate me and also jump on board for the healthy ride. I love how fast positive change can occur. LETS GO!!

In the beginning of HSM I wondered how my new love relationship would go without the presence of friendly, relaxing, and playful alcohol. I also wondered would my new partner support my decision? Well I am very happy to say that I am still having laughing fits, feeling relaxed and having a great time in the drugs absence. I am also pleased that my partner is supporting me by not drinking as well. It feels very satisfying to influence others in a positive way, especially people I love and care for. This has made me realise…

The person I am and the choices I make are very important for two main reasons:

1. because this creates the quality of life I am to experience.
2. because it influences the people around me and their quality of life

Insights in week 2 LOVE IT!!

Another thing I learned this week is regarding the tasty treats available for soberites, try a tropical sunset mock-tail… YUM!!!

Peace out soberites xx

In the pelican kitchen, after weeks of Chris Raine’s inspiration rubbing off on me, things finally came to a head!  ‘So when do you want to begin your HSM 3 month challenge?’ Chris asked, with optimism in his eye. ‘Ive already started’ i replied.  Not long after Chris asked the inevitable ‘What do you want to learn from it?’.  ‘I want greater confidence. The kind that darts like a bullet, with the intention to stimulate my brain and expand its parameters, of vocabulary and knowledge. I want to be a woman of grace and class… in all social situations, especially the corporate kind’.

And so my journey of HSM begins.

2010 is a big year and I’m aiming high. I’m in my final year of public relations at USC. Last week I got my second job in PR/Marketing. Everything is going quite well and I’m in an excited and good place, so what is my reasons behind my HSM challenge?

Well…deciding to do HSM for 3 months has already created a snowball of healthy lifestyle changes, such as starting triathlon training (my sister Louise, triathlon extraordinaire and my hero, definitely inspired me as well!). I love it. At present i am training for the Gold Coast triathlon, which is on the 18th of April. This is very satisfying for me and gives me further motivation to be even more healthy!

However, I have had my fair share of unhealthy alcohol related experiences. I recall when i was a teenager and my friend came to stay for the first time. We sat in my parents wine cellar for god knows how long, doing a private tasting of every spirit, wine and liqueur under the sun or in this case, under the stairs. Not long after, my step dad was carrying me over his shoulder, up the stairs, and into the shower. It was very colourful and even to this day a mere toe into the cellar and I cringe. These days I can drink responsibly and enjoy it, however this year my focus is my career, developing my skills and creating that bullet proof, centered psyche I mentioned earlier.

This is a great opportunity to share, develop my writing skills and test myself in social situations.

My goals over the next 3 months:

• Develop greater confidence, through the ability to socialise intellectually, with intention, grace and class.
• To develop my communication skills as a PR/ marketing manager, for instance speaking, writing and achieving results
• Achieve distinctions and high distinctions this semester at university
• Completely change my habitual way of sleeping and turn off my night owl ways. My goal is to be up and training at 5.30am 4 times a week
• To complete the Gold Coast triathlon on the 18th of April-no stopping! To reach my ideal weight of 50kgs and feel fabulous
• NO drinking for at least 3 months
• Enhance my personal power by breaking through resistance and as a result give my best
• To share and learn, insight from being a part of the HSM community and my own individual process

Initially I was hesitant to join the HSM force, as Byron Bay Blues and Roots Festival is in April.. and I love blues fest. This year I will love it sober! Another sober challenge will be three close friends weddings! They will be FUN to attend and report on.

So, here we go homies… lets do it BIG.