Travel NSV's?

Congrats and thank you for reminding me why I chose my user name :)

I was just shy of needing an extender before surgery, but I can tell you everything about travelling is easier 115# lighter... airline seats are never comfortable, but they're closer to it now. Running from gate to gate in the airport doesn't wind me anymore. I had to travel to California for business this past summer, and was able to go out to the beach and walk a mile or two in the sand and really enjoyed it. Plus having to walk several city blocks each day for lunch. Just everything was SO much better, I couldn't believe it.

I just had the same experience on my recent business trip this week. I had my trusty seat belt extender in my carry on because I hate having to ask the stewardess for one on the flight and I sat down and the seat belt just buckled...I felt like dancing in my seat but did not want to draw attention to myself!! All on my flights were on those small regional jets with the smaller seats, so I was doubly thrilled, because I was not uncomfortable in the seat other than leg room.

I just love being able to walk when I travel now. Well, to be able to walk for a whole day and not be in agonizing pain afterward. It's the best :D

I am reading all the comments about seatbelt extenders. I traveled quite a bit for my business. Clubs would hire me to do demonstrations and teach classes all over the US. I didn't just need a seatbelt extender. I had to buy two seats. A typical airline seat is 17" wide, and my hind end was at least 22". My shoulders were (and still are close to) 31". So they would get me two seats. I am pretty sure my bony butt would squeeze into one seat now, but my shoulders are still going to be in someone else's face. I'll take it. I don't need an extender anymore either.

Love reading everyone's travel NSVs!

I just got back from a two week trip to Germany with a side trip to France. To be honest, the whole trip was a giant NSV, but highlights include:

• mandatory photo not needing a seatbelt extender.
• not looking in cafe and restaurant windows to make sure I'd fit in the seats
• not saving my steps, to make sure I have enough energy for a specific activity
• being able to literally run well over a km to not miss our flight (this is a highlight/lowlight type situation)
• not having to pack for every imagined scenario. If something happened to an article of clothing, or I forgot something, I could go out to pretty much any shop and buy what I needed.

A few years ago I was seated in the very back row of a small regional jet. Another woman, not overweight, was quite tall and was against the window. She was very cramped. I am short so I offered to trade with her. She declined out of consideration for me. I told her I had lost a big load of weight and that I actually enjoyed being able to fit in a small spot. She gratefully traded and I got the window seat. We had a nice conversation about the weight loss and she could not believe I had ever been heavy. DS

PS, I also once went in to a Lane Bryant store post weight loss and got totally snubbed by the staff!!!!