Everybody wants to Ride...

So one of the goals a lot of people mention is wanting to ride a roller coaster.  I really miss amusement parks.  About 10 years ago I found out the hard way I had gotten to big to fit on a roller coaster and had to do the walk of shame when the safety bars wouldn't go down while everyone in line watched. So I am wondering when could I try again without risking embarrassment???

That's a very good question, i've been thinking the same thing, i hope someone posts an answer for both of us! lys

I think that it depends on the roller coaster and who it is you're riding with.  It's been several years now, but we had to go to an amusement park for a work function (you know you're too fat when you say *have* to go to an amusement park when you're getting paid).  Anyway, I digress.  They talked me into riding a roller coaster.  When we got on there was a seat belt and a shoulder harness and then a lap bar.  Since I was riding with a friend who was helpful about these things, she helped me buckle the seat belt and everything else was fine.  It was a *very* tight squeeze and to be honest I wasn't too comfortable about it.  There were other roller coasters that day that I didn't feel that I would fit (and my friends confirmed that I would not have).  I don't know exactly what I weighed at the time but I am positive that it was over 300 but probably under 350.  I plan on trying amusement parks again when I am under 300...hopefully closer to 250.  I think you could do just about anything at 250 (except maybe the swings).

More than anything I think it depends on your body shape. My weight was pretty much distributed evenly - I was huge all over! I started off at 374 and last summer after I'd lost 175 pounds I finally went to Knott's Berry Farm with my best friend and her kids. The very first roller coaster we went on was the old wooden one, I was nervous but when I got on I had room to spare, it was freaking amazing! I was non stop from there, I had so much fun, well, until I ate some refried beans and dumped big time while standing in line for another roller coaster ... that was it for me!  Ugh, when you do go take your own snacks! I guess it also depends on where you go. Disney for example tends to make rides a bit roomer and seat belts a bit bigger to help accommodate it's larger guests.