Less Is More

An interesting side-effect of the weight loss is beginning to dawn on me, and it will not surprise you to learn that it is a positive side-effect (is there a negative one?!). I am finding that as there continues to be less of me to go around, there appears to be increasingly more of me to go around. I will try to explain...
This time of year is right in the middle of what I term the 'silly season', as it incorporates a Halloween party down in Oxfordshire, bonfire night in Stockport, and then the build-up - in all it's finery - to Christmas, as well as Christmas itself of course. I tend to be fairly key to all four of these events, and as a result my energy levels by this time are usually something akin to a cadaver. My mentality when this happens is to scream 'RETREEEEEAT' at the top of my voice, head for the comfort of my house, and with the exception of things I HAVE to do; cut myself off from the world outside. As a result, I stop going to badminton socials, I pull out of badminton matches, and I dread the Christmas do's which I just see as 'getting in the way' of my withdrawal. It is not as dreadful as it sounds, and I assure you I resort to this purely as a means of survival to preserve what little I have left of my energy levels......

The thing is, this year; I feel great. Well, okay; maybe a little tired, but nothing remotely along the lines of traditional, festive fatigue (FF Syndrome?!). I am still badmintonning both socially and matchilly (?!) and have no intention of stopping. I am getting stuck in to all the Christmas preparations (tree buying this weekend, and trying to resist the temptation to put it up on Sunday.....which I may fail at....cut me some slack here, all my discipline is focused on being healthy!!), and am really looking forward to the Christmas do's this weekend. What's even better is that I have confidence I can give more of myself to these events - more enthusiasm, more 'umph', more joie de vivre; whatever you call it - without the fear of it totally wiping me out. It makes me a happier person knowing this.
I say happier, but it is much more than that. I give a lot to life, and I give a lot to people. The problem has been that on occasion I have given so much to so many, that there has not been much left for myself; that's probably in part responsible for the unhealthy mess I have gotten myself into. Nobody's fault but my own, even though it has occurred with the best of intentions. More recently though I have been more selective about what I 'give' to whom, and that, as well as possessing deeper energy resources, has meant I can actually give more to the right people and still have time for me. I can keep focused on my health, on the task I have set myself, and on telling you lovely people all about it!