6 months, 135 lbs, and major NSVs, with pix, X-post

Hi everyone,

Friday was my 6 month surgiversary and I'm down just short of 135 lbs. 

About three months ago I decided that I wanted to spend my 6 month surgiversary going to Mafia Island (off the cost of Tanzania) and swimming with the whale sharks.  For years I have watched as my friends have all gone on this trip which involves flying in a 12-passenger plane, and climbing in and out of boat (up a small ladder) with snorkeling equipment on.  And for all these years I've been afraid.  Afraid of being too heavy for the small plane (maybe that I would even cause it to crash), afraid that the seabelts wouldn't fit me, and certain that I would never be able to get in and out of the boat and really experience the whale sharks.

So three months ago I set a weight goal (in the 270s) which would be the minimum at which I would feel comfortable getting on the plane.  And I kept motivated working out thinking about needing to be able to pull myself in and out of the boat.

And I did it!  I got on the tiny plane and strapped in (no problem).  I wasn't even the biggest person on the plane!  And the hotel was perched on a cliff over the sea and I went up and down big flights of stairs with no problem.  And the whale sharks!!!  I swam with at least 10 of them - in and out of the boat each time.  And best of all - I did it all with my kids.  Their mommy never had to say, sorry, i can't do it.  That was the best NSV of all.

I'm sure you are all curious.  I didn't get a full body shot of me this weekend... but I think you can get the idea from this photo of me and my kids.

Thanks for all your support!

Hally

Yesterday...





Six months ago....

Awesome, Hally! What a dramatic difference in just six months; you are looking great! Don't you love the honeymoon period of meltdown?! It's a rush, losing all those lbs. and inches...I can't say I don't miss it and wi**** had extended for a few more months, but it helped me accomplish what I never could pre-RNY--lose the overwhelming bulk of my excess weight once and for all!

What a very exciting excursion, the whole adventure of buckling into the tiny seat of a little plane, climbing those stairs without huge effort, hoisting yourself up onto the boat, and best of all, swimming with the whale sharks! Very very cool; I want to try that some day. So thrilled to hear about your achievements and what they've allowed you to do! Keep on posting!

~Linda in S FL

Thanks so much for the encouragement, Linda.  You look fabulous in your photos.  Hope to be there with you someday. 

Hally

That's awesome!!  I'm so excited for you.  Like you, I look forward to doing things with my kids that I haven't been able to do.  We're planning a big trip for the summer of 2012 (when my youngest graduates from high school).  Not sure where we're going but it won't matter since I'll be able to do it all .

 

That sounds so great.  I hate getting on those little planes & I haven't been on one in years. I also am really enjoying doing stuff with my daughter that I would have said no to before.  I'm glad that we can enjoy things while they are little.

Though I'm not sure I would have wanted to swim with SHARKS!!

Nan

You look amazing!!!! What a great job of weight loss and life gain. I bet that your kids are so happy and proud for you.

 Wow!  I'm impressed ;)

Hally,
I can relate to the 12 person plane as I once took a flight not know ing what kind of plane it was going to be. I was surprised and a bit scared to find out it was a 12 seater but more so totally humiliatesd when I got in and took a seat as it was open seating and the pilot asked me to switch seats with another passenger to even out the weight. I wanted to slide under the seat of embarrassment but I obviously could not fit. You look awesome and I pray for a weight loss this successful. So glad your able to enjoy those things you can with your children now ...swimming with whale sharks for one ....the best thing is your only 6 months and will be still losing !!!!

 Congratulations! It sounds so exciting and you look fabulous!  You even look much younger in the current pic than you did six months ago!

I definitely know about being afraid you're going to bring down small planes.

Thanks for the inspiration!

k

Yup yup, we have a consensus....you look wonderful! And so happy too! Keep it up, and keep us informed!!