I have a new friend called Michelle

I have told a few people in my real life that I am doing the 12wbt.  I plan to dazzle them with my dramatic change and have them whispering behind their hands as they wonder how beccyb could ever have looked so fabulous.

I have also started talking about my new friend Michelle.  And I refer to her in conversation a lot. 

I work as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in a regional Emergency Department (ED), and I work nightshift only.  It is bizarre to me that I now can say that I actually like nightshift.  As you might imagine, in ED, there are many many busy shifts. We see a lot of very dramatic things and often is is just like it is on TV.  But the nice thing about nightshift in my ED is that, as a general rule, we are nicer to each other.  It is not always the case in health care that the team is kind and supportive towards one another.  I think sometimes the tank is too empty.  We give much of ourselves in our dealings with the sick, and the pseudosick,  the ill and befuddled, and the sad, mad, and the bad.  But on nightshift, with less hangers-on, we get on with it. As a team.  And we care about each other.

So in this context, when it is less busy, we can have a chat.  We chat while we restock, clean and tidy, and we sometimes even get a few minutes to sit and even eat.  When it is busy, we eat on the run.  Often chips, chocolate, dips, biscuits and cheese make an appearance.  Grab it on the run and keep going.

My new friend Michelle doesn't approve. 

Last night, I had a fabulous salad (spinach, pumpkin seeds, tomato, cucumber, dukka and roasted pumpkin) and some delicious broccoli soup.  And it was yum and I felt full.  And virtuous.

And my little friends had chocolate and chippies and coke and lollies.  And because they are lovely, they offered me some.

And because of my new relationship with Michelle, I said 'Thanks anyway, but I don't think Michelle would be happy.'

And when I had one jelly snake, and I checked the nutrition panel (I KNOW, who am I??), I said 'let's not talk about this with Michelle.'  And they understood.  And we had a giggle.  And my lovely work colleagues will support me while they smile with chocolatey teeth.  And bless their little hearts, H even went out the back to the tea room to surreptitiously eat her pizza.
Good people, great nurses and doctors, and caring friends.

Just like my friend Michelle.