Quite a Change!

When I was younger, I lived on the water. Rafts, motorboats, sailboats... whatever and whenever I could I would go out on the lakes and rivers around here. I was just sure I'd live on a boat one day. We all grow up, and adult life isn't the same as what we imagined as kids. I don't know anyone who owns a boat, and I gave up on the motor boat or sail boat idea a long time ago. But I did try out a canoe, and liked it. But the canoe was ancient by the time I got it and it fell apart rather quickly about 10 years ago. For my best friend's bachlor party three years ago (when I was weighing in at around 450 pounds) we took him on a float down the Flint River here in North Alabama. He road in the boat with me (I was his best man after all) and as soon as I got in the canoe, it flipped. I couldn't sit in the seat, I was so fat I overturned the boat every damn time. I finally road down the river sitting in the bottom of the boat. My legs went to sleep and I was miserable the entire trip. I hated it. Needless to say I never bothered my wife with "wishing" for a canoe ever again. Shortly after the WLS, I mentioned to my friend that we should try it again when I'd lost down a bit. He mentioned doing it on the three year anniversery of the last trip. I thought sure, and promptly forgot about it. Then last week my friend called up and was like "should we go?" I didn't want to, but he was excited and my brother was going to be in town and he loved that stuff. I was sure that I'd be miserable. Well I went, and it was a complete blast. We did a four hour trip in about two and a half hours. We flew down the river, and I never once felt out of place. We stopped once along the river to water the grass, and as we hung out and chatted I realized that for the first time in this group of close friends I was average. I wasn't the fattest. I wasn't the odd man out. I wasn't the one not pulling his own weight. I was just "one of the guys" and had a wonderful time. I've started annoying my wife with wanting a canoe again. It was SO much fun to cruise down the river, enjoying the fantastic views and the wonderful company of my close friends. I just had the best time.

Wow that seems like a blast !!!!! Glad you did that Mike !!!! I bet you feel great !!!! Take Care Barb

What a fantastic event to celebrate how far you have come!! Sounds like an endorsment for your life. Jacqueline

A wonderful, wonderful thing! as Walt and I were in dance (yes, dance!) class last night, something I would never have done before surgery, I looked in the wall mirrors at all the other couples and realized I, too, was average. And it felt wonderful! So I understand how you feel! Congratulations being just one of the guys! Pam 282/173/145

How wonderful Michael. It amazes me how we strive just to be normal when so many want to be different and stand out from others. Ill take normal any day. Tammy O

Michael, what a beautiful story (be sure and put that in your profile!!). It's times like those that we really have to put all these ups and downs into perspective. This weekend we went to a Tai Chi gathering (my husband teaches) at a beautifulo lake area in called Lake Anna and one of the gentlemen there had a motorcycle. I love motorcycles, but it's been many many years since I've been on one. So he asked me if I'd like a ride. I was so excited I said yes! And then he started telling me about 'you lean one way, I lean the other when we do curves' and all of a sudden I got so nervous that I would make the bike tip over. So I said, ah, I think I'll take a raincheck for another time. My husband later asked me why I changed my mind. I told him cause I'm too fat and I would tip the bike over!! I don't know if I am or not, but I was too nervous to try. It was a huge Harley but still!! I don't know when we get over these past fears except to do it, like you did!! That, Michael, is a wow moment!!! love donna

Morning donna, Don't be so afraid- we are all normal now. My DH asked if I wanted to ride on the back of his bike the other day. What a trip. I never would do it because of my weight. We went around the block a few times. I think he likes having a biker babe.... But actually I think I will stick to driving my own. Its too bad you don't live closer- you could ride mine. I am going to try to get my sister to learn asap. donna

WOW Michael ! Sounds like you had a great time . You ought to do that with your buddies at least once a year . I am still in the aprehensive stage. Not sure if I would fit or not but this summer I hope to do some things I haven't done before. I'm happy for you , Sandy

That's SO COOL Michael!!!! You were so BRAVE!!! I am just so glad the last 2 days I have been losing 2 lbs a day! For me that's great as I was lucky to lose 6 in a month LOL!!!! I'm now down 110 lbs, and my goal of losing 63 more is in site! Tanya 358/248/185

Morning Michael, What a great wow moment. I think back on the times I was embarrassed by my weight and hope to never be there again. It is so great to be one of the guys. I know at hockey last night I was changing in the locker room and didn't even give it a thought. I just chatted away with the other woman. My son's hockey pants are actually a bit big and I have to keep hitching them up as we skate. Its kind of funny. How are your triathlon plans coming? donna