Ready for the beautiful life!

[La_Dolce_Vida]

Hi all,

I am ready for the beautiful life!

I have let being overweight rob me of so many experiences in life; from meeting incredible people, to going to incredible places, and I have decided that I will no longer watch others live MY life. I refuse to make any more excuses as to why I can't do something, knowing its just that I don't want people to look at me and wonder how I could let myself get so big.

I am tired of the, "Wow, you are so beautiful, if you could just lose a 'little' weight," knowing they mean if I could just lose another person; I'm sorry, but I am sick to death of shopping at Lane Bryant, good clothes, not so great prices, and to top it off, I am in the largest size there.

Most of all, the few times a year I do get on a plane, I dread the, WILL THE SEATBELT FIT SYNDROME. You know, the increased heart rate, sweaty palms, eyeing the seats, trying to make sure you get an isle or a window (because the center would be...well, the center would just not work), the sucking and lifting to get the one inch difference between the metals to make out, and the relief when it does, only to get suspicous looks from the flight attendants because you are sweating and out of breath. Yeah, I'm very tired of that, so much so, that on one flight this past holidays, the seatbelt didn't fit, so I tucked it under my tummy and just flew without it. I figured if the plane was going to crash, the belt wouldn't do anything anyways, and my thighs were wedged in so tightly, there was no amount of turbulance that was going to pop me out of my seat.

I am just ready to reclaim something I lost 10 years ago, I am ready to shop in the misses section, I am ready to wake up in the morning and not have my feet hurt from standing on them the day before, I am ready to just be me again, and escape from this self-imposed prison.

I am ready to live!

[KyGurl]

Way to go! I had never given it a name until you mentioned the Seatbelt Fit Syndrome but I have given up a few trips because of it! So much of what you said hit home for me. I hope you don't mind but I am adopting your motto for I too, am "Ready to live!"
Wilma

[Chicklady]

Hi and welcome aboard. Come check us out at the Century Club We all know exactly where you're coming from!!

[sallyseachange]

Warm welcome aboard La Dolce Vida! Good to have you with us.

Thanks for the "seat belt fit syndrome" chuckle this morning. That's such a funny way of describing it. But, joking apart, soon, if you follow the plan to the letter, you won't need to eye those airoplane seats with horror. Soon you'll be slimmer, healthier and more energised.

Post lots... we'll help you make it happen.

[Bizzie]

Welcome, we all here with you, if you need anything!

[PinkWoman]

Hi La Dolce Vida!

I am really inspired by your strong conviction! I love the tone of your post. Just wanted to thank you for the smiles - hey, you're funny!

My DH and I have wonderful friends in Louisianna who keep asking us to visit. They built a beautiful home with an awesome pool in the back yard. The extra weight has kept me out of a swimsuit for a long time.....hmmmm, when I reach goal - and I am determined to - I'm going to book those tickets.

No more letting life go by. Thanks again!

[La_Dolce_Vida]

Hi all, thanks for the warm welcome!

I don't think that a lot of people realize how limiting being overweight is until they have that one moment, it could be as simple as you enjoying broccoli (of all things), and someone gives you a look...not the how could you eat that stuff look, but the WHY are you eating it look, like how dare YOU be eating.

For me, it wasn't even the seatbelt issue, since flying is not a hobby of mine, it was getting the chance to meet someone that millions of people in my town would die to met, and I didn't have the courage to do it, because I was wondering if the person would think I was too fat. I even had my mother rate me on a scale of 1-10 of how fat I was. She made me promise I wouldn't cry at the answer, before she gave me an 8. At first I was indignant and wanted to tell her a thing or two about herself, but then I thought, maybe in her eyes I am an 8. That was when I was like, OK, I have to make a change.

So I am here. I am not going to lie, today was a struggle, and I considered running to the resturaunt across the street, (it woudl have literally been the first time I had run in 10 years...well except for that dog the other day, but that wasn't by choice) and grabbing a burger and a "I swear I will start over on Monday" chocolate shake, but I didn't.

Small victories!

I know I won that battle, but I still have a big war ahead of me.

Oh, and my brother plays professional sports. He gave me one of his jerseys for Christmas, it was the biggest size the NFL makes and it was tight. I thought to myself, D**N I am bigger than an offensive guard.
Yeah, that was a real eye opener.

(for those not familiar with football, an OG are the really big guys that line up and guard the quarterback. they are usually weighing in at 300-350. thing is, most of it is muscle. it makes a big difference when most of your 350+ is all fat.)

*Don't worry PinkWoman, I haven't worn a swimsuit since I discovered the meaning of shame...I think I was 12.

[sallyseachange]

Originally Posted by La_Dolce_Vida

...I know I won that battle, but I still have a big war ahead of me.

Well done for winning that battle. A war is made of many, many battles and the more you win, the sooner the war will be won! Keep up the good work!