Happy Days

Hi all. Haven't posted here in awhile. I've been lurking though, and happy to see our crew working through it all with a continued discovery. You may remember that I had posted a horrible experience flying Southwest last August. I weighed around 450 at that point and got rather publicly humiliated on a full flight for not fitting properly in the seat. I wanted to share with you what happened last week. Back from my first real vacation in a long while. I started a new job in March of 06 and used up my available vacation for the surgery last June. Went to Florida with the wife and kids to visit my Mom and Mickey. Had a couple of nice moments. First and foremost, I fit in the airplane seat. I was able to buckle the seatbelt with some room to spare and did not have to lift up the armrest to sit comfortably. That has happened officially only one other time in my life. While at the Magic Kingdom I rode every ride with my kids completely comfortably. I rode a roller coaster with my almost 5 year old. Think about that. Her first "big" roller coaster and she rode it with me. I get to have that memory with her and I will cheri**** for the rest of my life. I weighed myself this morning at the gym after not eating entirely well or exercising entirely regularly the past week I was ready for the scale to reflect as such. Nope. Came in at 305 this morning. That puts my BMI at 39.2 which is under 40 which means I am now obese, no longer extremely obese. Dreams do come true every so often.

Daniel- Good to see you. Thanks for sharing your story. It is this kind of story that makes everything worthwhile. I bet the wife and kids are so proud of you and happy to be having new experiences with you too. Friday I leave for Yosemite to hike the waterfalls. I am expecting at 187lbs to keep up with everyone better than when I was over 300lbs. Michelle

The thing I couldn't get used to was not having to wipe pouring sweat from my face every few minutes. 90 degree heat and I was only a little sweaty. I think I'm going to be okay this summer for the first time in forever. Good times. Enjoy your hike! Should be gorgeous.

Wow! That is so awesome! I know that I am enjoying life so much more! With all of that extra weight on me, came extra restrictions. Being able to experience new things now that I never thought possible has given me a new found freedom! I will be going to Hawaii in October and I will be thin enough to do a zip-line! This summer we will go to Cedar Point and I intend on getting the Ride & Slide pass. That is 1 day at the amusement park and 1 day in a bathing suit(Water Park)! I NEVER would have thought that it any of this would have been possible a year ago today. I still am amazed at how far I have come. You know what? I REFUSE to go back! Robin

Ah Cedar Point. That sounds like a thrilling couple of days to be sure. There is no going back now Robin. Only forward. Enjoy!

Wow and double wow. What fantastic changes you are seeing. Keep up the great work Daniel. Glad to hear you had such an uplifting vacation. By the way, did the airline ever come to account for their treatment of you? Lori

I decided not to follow up with a letter or anything. I just grit my teeth and let it fuel my workout routine. Paying off for me in other ways now.