My Friend, Alison

I'd like you all to meet my friend, Alison, and her new blog, 'To Thine Own Self Be True' (link below right).  We became friends under the most unusual of circumstances.  In my early twenties, I was living with this guy and Alison moved in similar social circles to him.  Not that they were friends.  In fact, they were far from friends.  I guess Alison tolerated him because she saw something special in me.  

When I eventually split from this guy, Alison was a supportive and life-saving friend.  There is no doubting that I was an absolute mess after the break-up and she was so terribly patient with me.  I never thought I would make it out the other side.  At the time, I was also travelling a four-hour round trip to work due to moving house, and on many occasions, Alison offered me a bed, which was a half way point between work and my new place of residence.  

We began spending more and more time together.  We soon realised how similar we really are: anally organised; neurotic in our special way; love of cats; emotionally screwed up; fiery; same occupation; prone to a wacky sense of humour; obsession with 'SATC'; love of a wine, a chat, and a dance; and so much more.  She is in fact the sister I never had.  When the going gets tough in my life, she is the first person I call.  We can be brutally honest with one another, and no grudges are held.

Fast forward the tape ...

Alison is now engaged to a most suitable man - wedding date set for October - and I am to be her bridesmaid.  Or more exact, her maid-of-honour.  And I am more than honoured to accept this role.  It brings me great joy to know that I mean so much to her.  But it comes at a cost for me.  'At a cost?!' I hear you query.  And the cost is this: there is no way that I would be happy to stand before a crowd of people and be in Alison's wedding photographs for ever-and-a-day with my current body weight and shape.  Ever since I gave birth to Amaya I have struggled to stay in control of my weight, which is within itself a cycle of self-loathing and lack of 'me' time.  But that's for another blog.    

So I stand before you today, adding a new gadget (below right) relating to my weight loss journey.  Now is the time to make the change.  Turn the 'cost' into a challenge.  Each week I will update the figure, and soon you will be sure to see it in the single figure.  I know that Alison will want me to do this for myself.  Just as she once did it for herself. 

And from her I draw great strength.

Thank you, my friend.