The incredible lightness of being thin

So today I went to old people's exercise class which I am trying to make a habit of doing (its gentle weight work to help prevent bone thinning). We use ankle weights and do leg lifts and so forth.

Today after doing the exercises and removing the weights I was struck by how extremely light on my feet I felt - like I could almost fly or something. I now weigh 121 pounds from a high of 247 and have maintained this range for 20 months.
 
It made me think about how truly difficult life was with all that extra weight. If I felt so slim and light after removing ankle weights of just a few pounds, how much relief my body must be getting after being released from over 100 pounds of  excess weight.

So those of you who are not at goal, keep at it. It is so worth it. And if you are tempted to settle for anything less than your final goal set by you and your surgeon, think again. Today I realized how much better it felt to move around without even those few extra pounds of the weights.  Pu**** to the limit. YOu will be so glad.

Diane

It's a great feeling, isn't it Diane?  I find myself gliding and skipping and doing all kinds of crazy things with my body, just because I can!   Today, because of all the weight lifting, I also noticed that certain parts of my body are starting to feel hard, like they are cast in stone.  I am starting to feel strong in places that only ever felt thin and squishy before.  It's great fun to go around flexing different parts all day long.  :)

yep, who'd a thunk it. you and I who were both practically alergic to exercise. well, i sort of still am but at least I am doing something. learning my bones are thinning a little was scary so i decided i just had to do something.

but this weekend hubby is past his 6 weeks of not lifting stuff so i am going to make him get his bicycle out of the shed (under a ton of junk) and see if we can't start riding. there is an ocean trail a mile from our house.

diane

 Elina, I had to smile at you walking around flexing everything.  Your husband must be delighted t how much fun you're having.  :)

Yes, Lee, he is indeed delighted.  :)

Tonight I am very tired, but oh boy, do I feel light most of the time. Bounce from one thing to another most of the day. And I don't grunt any more picking up the dog bowls off the kitchen floor!

Tonight I upped my resistance level on the elliptical intervals I do and surpassed my 12 minute mile (not by much, but still 11:46 is under 12 minutes!). No way I could have done that 100 pounds ago! With my cool down I put in 5.5 miles tonight.

My favorite lighter and smaller moment lately came just a few weeks ago while sitting in the airplane flying from Baltimore, MD to San Francisco. My butt was hurting something awful and I suddenly realized I had brought my left foot up on to the seat so I could half squat in the seat. I didn't even realize I had done it, but it was such a thin person behavior I was over the moon!

Getting to goal is awesome in so many different ways. It really is a gateway, not a destination!

 Yes, those airplane NSV's are terrific.  Crossing our legs in coach!  Half squatting on a seat, priceless.

Last year on a Southwest flight, I had the aisle nd a pretty young gal had the window.  Down the aisle comes a six foot guy.  He stopped and asked if I'd mind his sitting in the center.  I remember the decades of coming down the aisle and people looking at me with terror, praying I didn't have the seat next to them!

 
I posted pics the other day about my experience with the Team USA Americas Cup Boat.......

I shot from a chase boat that was pretty bumpy and it took some agility and balance..... I thought I was a goner few times when being tossed completely airborne holding an 8lbs. camera with both hands!!! 

Well that was all fine and good.... (big fun!)

It came time to board the race boat (out in the middle of the bay) This boat is made of the lightest materials known to man and than some.......

First, I have to step from one moving boat to another (yah, that woulda happened at 350lbs.)

Than for more than a few seconds....... Mt Fatboy brain kicked in......shear panic.......!!!!

The floor on the Race Boat is "Net"..... yup.... Net.... ya know.....see through.....like Tennis Court Net....but thinner.....(probably very strong/light Carbon Fiber)

Fat people don't/can't walk on net.....And I'm sure it wouldn't be allowed on this Mega Buck Speedster......

Took me a bit to survey the crew with my fine tuned eye on who weighed what...... I figured I was lighter than half the crew..... so panic went away......

Keep in mind under the net......is water....it wasn't easy walking fast on net that was moving fast and not always flat. Not gonna say it was graceful and that I was in control all the time.... but I did it !!!

I can assure you..... not happening at 350lbs.  !!!!

frisco

 Frisco, this is great! I can imagine the stress when you looked at the net.  Good job.

 My friends think im crazy because I like to run up stairs just because I can - that's usually the time I feel the lightest. I used to dread anything that looked like a stair - but now I feel like I can just bounce up them :)


Some days I still feel like im made of lead and heavy and blah, but those days are slowly decreasing.