A really good day
Hi all -
I always loved theme parks, but going to them always came with two fears: that everyone would see me panting and wheezing as I walk all over the park and that I wouldn't fit into all the rides. And never would I trust my weight to a rollercoaster.
Over the weekend, I went to Six Flags here near Los Angeles. Not only could I walk all over the park (scaling Samurai Summit with more ease than the thin guy I was with, by the way!) but I rode on 7, count 'em, SEVEN freakin rollercoasters.
There was one ride I couldn't fit on, and two other guys that were more muscular than fat also got bumped off it on the same ride as me. That took the sting out of it, along with my achievements over the course of the day. No shame at all - my reaction was "meh, maybe next time" rather then embarressment.
Life is so much better now. I'm really, really happy.
Just wanted to share.
Don
I always loved theme parks, but going to them always came with two fears: that everyone would see me panting and wheezing as I walk all over the park and that I wouldn't fit into all the rides. And never would I trust my weight to a rollercoaster.
Over the weekend, I went to Six Flags here near Los Angeles. Not only could I walk all over the park (scaling Samurai Summit with more ease than the thin guy I was with, by the way!) but I rode on 7, count 'em, SEVEN freakin rollercoasters.
There was one ride I couldn't fit on, and two other guys that were more muscular than fat also got bumped off it on the same ride as me. That took the sting out of it, along with my achievements over the course of the day. No shame at all - my reaction was "meh, maybe next time" rather then embarressment.
Life is so much better now. I'm really, really happy.
Just wanted to share.
Don
Sweet!!
When I went to the amusement park on Mother's Day I had my partner take a video of me on the roller coaster LOL! I wanted proof ..and wanted to share with everyone! I went on everything that had a lap bar ..and even some kiddie rides with my daughter.
It was strange though seeing all the heavier people not being able to enjoy the rides. You could see the embarrassment and shame in their faces.
Doesn't it feel great!!!
When I went to the amusement park on Mother's Day I had my partner take a video of me on the roller coaster LOL! I wanted proof ..and wanted to share with everyone! I went on everything that had a lap bar ..and even some kiddie rides with my daughter.
It was strange though seeing all the heavier people not being able to enjoy the rides. You could see the embarrassment and shame in their faces.
Doesn't it feel great!!!
I've always loved roller coasters. As a teen we lived in Virginia Beach, Virginia, just a short drive from two major theme parks (Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion.) I grew up on the things, frequenting Six Flags over Georgia and Opryland when I moved to Alabama. It was always a tight fit in those coasters, but I always managed to get in.
Then in 2002 my partner and I went to Busch Gardens in Tampa. It was the first time in quite a while that I had ridden any coasters. I was pretty heavy at the time, probably about 320, and was concerned about not fitting in. I took note of the "fat rows" (where the restraints are widened for "people of size"), but a couple of times, what I called "the fat squad" had to rush out to force the shoulder harness to lock over my enormous gut. I was really too excited to be embarrassed at the time, but once the day was finished, I thought about it and became really self-conscious.
I stopped going to amusement parks. I had lost another great love in my life due to my unhealthy relationship with food.
The surgery and my subsequent weight loss gave me that life back. In April, 2007, I rode my first coaster in years, Rampage at Alabama Adventure. I was 290 at the time and a little worried, but fitting in was no problem. It was great. I rode Rampage 5 times that day.
In June 2007 I had my gall bladder removed. The time off from work allowed me to go with my family to Orlando, Florida. I asked the doctor how long after surgery I should wait before riding any coasters, and he said six days. The nurse assured me that he said six weeks, but I heard six days, dammit. There was no way in hell I was going to Central Florida and not getting on any coasters. And my wound was nice enough not to give me much trouble as I looped through The Incredible Hulk Coaster and the Dueling Dragons.
The euphoric feeling I get from doing a vertical loop or a heartline roll is better than any meal I've ever had. This picture, taken on Medusa at Six Flags Discvovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California, illustrates it all-
(BTW, L-R that's me, my brother-in-law, my nephew and my brother. Big fun, although we look like some cheesy, racially diverse advert for Benetton or something.)
Have fun and hold on tight,
Cheers,
Chris
Then in 2002 my partner and I went to Busch Gardens in Tampa. It was the first time in quite a while that I had ridden any coasters. I was pretty heavy at the time, probably about 320, and was concerned about not fitting in. I took note of the "fat rows" (where the restraints are widened for "people of size"), but a couple of times, what I called "the fat squad" had to rush out to force the shoulder harness to lock over my enormous gut. I was really too excited to be embarrassed at the time, but once the day was finished, I thought about it and became really self-conscious.
I stopped going to amusement parks. I had lost another great love in my life due to my unhealthy relationship with food.
The surgery and my subsequent weight loss gave me that life back. In April, 2007, I rode my first coaster in years, Rampage at Alabama Adventure. I was 290 at the time and a little worried, but fitting in was no problem. It was great. I rode Rampage 5 times that day.
In June 2007 I had my gall bladder removed. The time off from work allowed me to go with my family to Orlando, Florida. I asked the doctor how long after surgery I should wait before riding any coasters, and he said six days. The nurse assured me that he said six weeks, but I heard six days, dammit. There was no way in hell I was going to Central Florida and not getting on any coasters. And my wound was nice enough not to give me much trouble as I looped through The Incredible Hulk Coaster and the Dueling Dragons.
The euphoric feeling I get from doing a vertical loop or a heartline roll is better than any meal I've ever had. This picture, taken on Medusa at Six Flags Discvovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California, illustrates it all-
(BTW, L-R that's me, my brother-in-law, my nephew and my brother. Big fun, although we look like some cheesy, racially diverse advert for Benetton or something.)
Have fun and hold on tight,
Cheers,
Chris
I wanna ride the coasters!!! Damn it! I will next year after "Munchkin" is born. What a time to get preggers, coaster season. 
7-09
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