Chicago Trip Report #1
Okay, so I'm at the end of my first 2 1/2 days visiting Chicago.
Here's the important info so far:
I fit in the plane seat! I was in United Economy on a Boeing 757. I chose the aisle seat. It worked out great. I put the seatbelt on and pulled the strap in about 3 inches.
Right now I'm wearing size 24 pants and I have a panni. My only issue was that my panni kept the tray from coming down all the way. I didn't splooge over the arm rest into the next seat over. I did have my right arm crossed over my body for most of the trip. The guy next to me had broad shoulders.
Only problem: I couldn't find the audio jack hole easily and gave up. (The movie didn't look that interesting.)
I took a protein bar to eat because airplane food was gross when it was free. I can't imagine it's got much better. I also saw myself walking through the airport with a half eaten sandwich that I paid way too much for to just throw away. The protein bar worked out fine. I also brough****er on the plane with me.
(Look away newbies!) I had one slice of a small deep dish pizza on Sunday night for dinner with a couple bites of salad. It was sooooo good.
Yesterday and today they fed us at the training. Meh, it wasn't spectacular. I ate some beef yesterday and some chicken today. They had salad on the side.
Last night we went for Greek food and I had broiled fish!! The gyros and dolmas were calling, but I resisted. I did have a little bread with yogurt sauce and a couple bites of salad.
Tonight we're going for German. I'll try to be strong... however, for two days in a row I have gotten an hour of moderate exercise in. So that helps (okay, I know, I know, just a little -- it's better than taking taxis everywhere).
Hope you're all having good weeks!!
Patti
Here's the important info so far:
I fit in the plane seat! I was in United Economy on a Boeing 757. I chose the aisle seat. It worked out great. I put the seatbelt on and pulled the strap in about 3 inches.
Right now I'm wearing size 24 pants and I have a panni. My only issue was that my panni kept the tray from coming down all the way. I didn't splooge over the arm rest into the next seat over. I did have my right arm crossed over my body for most of the trip. The guy next to me had broad shoulders.
Only problem: I couldn't find the audio jack hole easily and gave up. (The movie didn't look that interesting.)
I took a protein bar to eat because airplane food was gross when it was free. I can't imagine it's got much better. I also saw myself walking through the airport with a half eaten sandwich that I paid way too much for to just throw away. The protein bar worked out fine. I also brough****er on the plane with me.
(Look away newbies!) I had one slice of a small deep dish pizza on Sunday night for dinner with a couple bites of salad. It was sooooo good.
Yesterday and today they fed us at the training. Meh, it wasn't spectacular. I ate some beef yesterday and some chicken today. They had salad on the side.
Last night we went for Greek food and I had broiled fish!! The gyros and dolmas were calling, but I resisted. I did have a little bread with yogurt sauce and a couple bites of salad.
Tonight we're going for German. I'll try to be strong... however, for two days in a row I have gotten an hour of moderate exercise in. So that helps (okay, I know, I know, just a little -- it's better than taking taxis everywhere).
Hope you're all having good weeks!!
Patti
One food makes you larger, and one food makes you small...
Congrats on the plane seat!!!! That is one of the most horrifying experiences for a big girl and you conquered it! You are free to go anywhere now!!!
I'm glad to see you are enjoying such a wide variety of food. At this stage I only have about 4 things I eat so this is an exciting thought for me in the future!!! Have a great time!
I'm glad to see you are enjoying such a wide variety of food. At this stage I only have about 4 things I eat so this is an exciting thought for me in the future!!! Have a great time!
Good for you, Patti! That's a notable milestone, fitting in a tiny airline seat...I have horrible memories of squishing others and being squished on past flights. When I flew in October, I almost fit without an extender...bet I don't need it now!
I celebrate your triumph; way to go! Love the ethnic cuisine you're sampling; enjoy the rest of the trip!
~Linda (who's half-Greek)
PS: What's a trip to Chicago w/o a taste of deepdish pizza?!~
I celebrate your triumph; way to go! Love the ethnic cuisine you're sampling; enjoy the rest of the trip!
~Linda (who's half-Greek)
PS: What's a trip to Chicago w/o a taste of deepdish pizza?!~
"A box of rain will ease the pain
and love will see you through." R. Hunter
and love will see you through." R. Hunter
Oh Patti! I'm so excited for you! That airplane thing has always horrified me, and frankly, it had not even occurred to me I might be able to fit now - but YOUR story gives me hope! I applaude your food choices! Of course you should be able to enjoy the cuisine! We're not in prison-not anymore we aren't!!! The victory's gotta be in the choices you're making and the portion sizes you're having! I hope the German food is a total feast for the senses and you find yourself perfectly satisfied with having tiny portions of whatever appealed to you most.
I remember seeing a petite little French woman on some talk show a few years back. She'd been demonstrating her favorite French foods. And lemme tell ya, there were a gozillion calories laid out on that table! The host (might have been Oprah??) was asking her how she stays so slim and yet eats whatever she wants of that rich French food. I'll never forget what she said: "In France, we ladies like to be tiny. But we also like the wine and the food. And so we use beautiful tiny plates, tiny forks, take tiny portions, and eat tiny bites very slowly so we can savor the exquisite taste. We can enjoy whatever we like, take as long as the others at the table to eat our food, get a sense of fullness, but more importantly, we leave the table with a sense of deep satisfaction."
I want that to be my mantra once I get to my goal. AND, it's what I wish for YOU as you continue your week in Chicago! Take good care! connie
I remember seeing a petite little French woman on some talk show a few years back. She'd been demonstrating her favorite French foods. And lemme tell ya, there were a gozillion calories laid out on that table! The host (might have been Oprah??) was asking her how she stays so slim and yet eats whatever she wants of that rich French food. I'll never forget what she said: "In France, we ladies like to be tiny. But we also like the wine and the food. And so we use beautiful tiny plates, tiny forks, take tiny portions, and eat tiny bites very slowly so we can savor the exquisite taste. We can enjoy whatever we like, take as long as the others at the table to eat our food, get a sense of fullness, but more importantly, we leave the table with a sense of deep satisfaction."
I want that to be my mantra once I get to my goal. AND, it's what I wish for YOU as you continue your week in Chicago! Take good care! connie
p.s: If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always got...
Patti.... I am so happy for you with the airplane experience.. Flying was always my worst nightmare... you make it seem so much less terrifying now.... I still cant imaging not having to use an extender. You being able to cinch the regular belt up some .. WAY TO GO GIRL..
I bet you were so happy with that flight compared to others in the past.. Sounds like you did good on planning ahead for you food and beverage for the flight...
Looks like you are doing pretty good with the food .. a sample of all the ethnic foods available in Chicago is great..and yes even the deep dish pizza.. who in their right mind could go to Chicago and not have Chicago Pizza... one little thing like that is not going to hurt anything... Enjoy your self and enjoy the food varieties available there.. You are eating the right portions and exercising as you can, so I feel you are doing great.. anytime you travel away from home makes the eating habits so hard to follow.. but you are managing just fine.. I applaud you for that..
I hope you have a great time with the time you have left there.. It sounds like you have a pretty hectic schedule but I know the break from the responsibilities at home is doing you good.. so relax and enjoy...
huggs...
I bet you were so happy with that flight compared to others in the past.. Sounds like you did good on planning ahead for you food and beverage for the flight...
Looks like you are doing pretty good with the food .. a sample of all the ethnic foods available in Chicago is great..and yes even the deep dish pizza.. who in their right mind could go to Chicago and not have Chicago Pizza... one little thing like that is not going to hurt anything... Enjoy your self and enjoy the food varieties available there.. You are eating the right portions and exercising as you can, so I feel you are doing great.. anytime you travel away from home makes the eating habits so hard to follow.. but you are managing just fine.. I applaud you for that..
I hope you have a great time with the time you have left there.. It sounds like you have a pretty hectic schedule but I know the break from the responsibilities at home is doing you good.. so relax and enjoy...
huggs...
Teresa S.
Beginning Weight 303 Surgery weight 236 Amount lost by surgery date 67lbs
Starting BMI 63.3 Surgery BMI 49.3 Goal Weight 125 Goal BMI 26.1
In Order To Change...a Caterpillar must have the faith of a Butterfly
Nobody but us would understand the trials and tribulations of travel! I traveled for work many times in my 40s at upper 300s in weight (around 375). It was awful - from seat belt extenders to middle seat on crowded planes - I hated it!
Haven't done a plane ride since surgery, and I'm sure it will be much easier when I do! Thanks for the reminder of this. Hope Chicago is a really good trip for you - I like the "windy city"!!!
Mary
"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you CAN do." John Wooden
I'm down 120 pounds - thanks to RNY! Working on the next 25. Then I'll tackle more...
"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you CAN do." John Wooden
I'm down 120 pounds - thanks to RNY! Working on the next 25. Then I'll tackle more...