Back On Track Together
WLS enables you to climb mountains, hike volcanic islands and walk a city of 4 million
Yep, it is true! I am a oldie but goodie. Had surgery many years ago and the impact it has had in my life still blows my mind. I am 5+ years older, put on 20 pounds and was able to do things that I only watched others do in TV.
My son invited me to come on a trip with him, his girlfriend and her family to Greece. It was a trip of a life time as I have never been out of the states. He planned to ask her to marry him on the island of Santorini and wanted me there (get the kleenex). If I had not had WLS, lost over 200 pounds and kept moving I would have NEVER been able to do this trip.
I knew I was in for it from the beginning. The kids took 2 buses and the "L" here in Chicago just to get to the airport. Mind you I brought up the rear but kept up. We flew on a brand new jet from Swiss Air and they do not recognize larger people. The seats were smaller than small and if you were taller than 5 feet you had issues. I was able to be comfortable thanks to my WLS. My poor son is 6"4' and when someone laid back his poor knees were jammed the entire flight. When we got to Athens, Greece, we hauled our luggage all over the city, taking several buses, trains and all to get to the Ferry to the island of Crete. Before WLS they would have been calling the ambulance and I would have been too big for the stretcher. Not to mention where is the oxygen?
There was a strike going on and we had to sit in the parking lot for hours. I sat on my luggage without fear of breaking anything... We finally got on the ferry and again space was small. I only saw 3 over weight people during the entire trip. After eating and living like the Greeks I think I know why they don't have a problem with obesity. On the island of Crete we walked fishing villages, climbed caves, walked beaches. We even walked to the store for groceries and all. Can you imagine someone saying hey let's walk to Wal-Mart? We walked miles to get to where we wanted to go. And these streets are winding and an incline like you find in San Fransisco.
We went to the island of Santorini and this is one of the most beautiful spots I have ever seen. My son asked his GF to marry him in a little white church on the side of the cliff. She said yes!! You will have to see the pics but we hiked 1/3 of the island from where we were staying to a town called Oai. Now mind you, this is a trail on a volcano. There were times when the trail was dirt, rocks, lava rocks up down and right next to the cliff. There were times I was on my hands and knees. If you had told the 330 pound old lady she would be doing this one day she would have laughed and then cried. YES I DID!!!!! YES YOU CAN TOO!!!
The last leg of the trip was the city of Athens, 4 million strong. WE walked everywhere, to the store, farmers market. We did rent a van to go to the beaches and it broke down. We had to leave it on the side of the street and walked around all the demonstrations that were going on at the time. We walked all the way back to where were were staying. Walking all the ruins entailed climbing and stairs, stairs, stairs!!!
Now confession time. By now my knees were getting to me. You can't be overweight all your life and get old and not pay the price. My knees and back has....but let me tell you, while I have them propped up now, re cooperating. I am so damn proud of the fact I did it!!!! I did things I only watched others do on TV. And may I add, several years out and still going strong. So don't think weight gain is a given, don't think the first year is the the best it's gets and DO DREAM, YOU CAN DO IT!!!! Thank You WLS!!!!
BTW, something I noticed that blew my mind. There were NO handicap features in Switzerland or Greece. I found that so strange...but then I NEVER saw anyone in a wheel chair. There were older people walking....WALKING with a cane but that was it. And I bet you they were 100 but looked 80. So the moral of this story is, eat right and move, move, move and you will live a very long healthy life!
This is where we were staying, and the white you see at the end of the island is the town we "HIKED" to. Yep, I said hiked. Now that is a WOW moment 5 years plus after WLS!
Take care,
Kathy
ps..will post more about the food
My son invited me to come on a trip with him, his girlfriend and her family to Greece. It was a trip of a life time as I have never been out of the states. He planned to ask her to marry him on the island of Santorini and wanted me there (get the kleenex). If I had not had WLS, lost over 200 pounds and kept moving I would have NEVER been able to do this trip.
I knew I was in for it from the beginning. The kids took 2 buses and the "L" here in Chicago just to get to the airport. Mind you I brought up the rear but kept up. We flew on a brand new jet from Swiss Air and they do not recognize larger people. The seats were smaller than small and if you were taller than 5 feet you had issues. I was able to be comfortable thanks to my WLS. My poor son is 6"4' and when someone laid back his poor knees were jammed the entire flight. When we got to Athens, Greece, we hauled our luggage all over the city, taking several buses, trains and all to get to the Ferry to the island of Crete. Before WLS they would have been calling the ambulance and I would have been too big for the stretcher. Not to mention where is the oxygen?
There was a strike going on and we had to sit in the parking lot for hours. I sat on my luggage without fear of breaking anything... We finally got on the ferry and again space was small. I only saw 3 over weight people during the entire trip. After eating and living like the Greeks I think I know why they don't have a problem with obesity. On the island of Crete we walked fishing villages, climbed caves, walked beaches. We even walked to the store for groceries and all. Can you imagine someone saying hey let's walk to Wal-Mart? We walked miles to get to where we wanted to go. And these streets are winding and an incline like you find in San Fransisco.
We went to the island of Santorini and this is one of the most beautiful spots I have ever seen. My son asked his GF to marry him in a little white church on the side of the cliff. She said yes!! You will have to see the pics but we hiked 1/3 of the island from where we were staying to a town called Oai. Now mind you, this is a trail on a volcano. There were times when the trail was dirt, rocks, lava rocks up down and right next to the cliff. There were times I was on my hands and knees. If you had told the 330 pound old lady she would be doing this one day she would have laughed and then cried. YES I DID!!!!! YES YOU CAN TOO!!!
The last leg of the trip was the city of Athens, 4 million strong. WE walked everywhere, to the store, farmers market. We did rent a van to go to the beaches and it broke down. We had to leave it on the side of the street and walked around all the demonstrations that were going on at the time. We walked all the way back to where were were staying. Walking all the ruins entailed climbing and stairs, stairs, stairs!!!
Now confession time. By now my knees were getting to me. You can't be overweight all your life and get old and not pay the price. My knees and back has....but let me tell you, while I have them propped up now, re cooperating. I am so damn proud of the fact I did it!!!! I did things I only watched others do on TV. And may I add, several years out and still going strong. So don't think weight gain is a given, don't think the first year is the the best it's gets and DO DREAM, YOU CAN DO IT!!!! Thank You WLS!!!!
BTW, something I noticed that blew my mind. There were NO handicap features in Switzerland or Greece. I found that so strange...but then I NEVER saw anyone in a wheel chair. There were older people walking....WALKING with a cane but that was it. And I bet you they were 100 but looked 80. So the moral of this story is, eat right and move, move, move and you will live a very long healthy life!
This is where we were staying, and the white you see at the end of the island is the town we "HIKED" to. Yep, I said hiked. Now that is a WOW moment 5 years plus after WLS!
Take care,
Kathy
ps..will post more about the food
HW:330 - GW:150 - MW:118-125
RW:190 - CW:130
Thanks for sharing Kathy!! 
I read this and thought about my 1st trip out of the country in 1991 and how different it would have been for me today even though I have not reached goal.
I went to Taiwan and I learned that like Swiss air and Greece that other countries do not make anything big, convenient, etc for handicap and/or large sized people. That should have been a trip of a lifetime for me but was not because of my size. They did not even have elevators!
Wonderful story about WLS making this trip a dream for you. I had not realized that you were overweight you whole life also and has lost over 200 pounds also. Very inspiring!!!
And I know this trip was worth a little knee pain and if that was all you had you did awesome! 
I read this and thought about my 1st trip out of the country in 1991 and how different it would have been for me today even though I have not reached goal.
I went to Taiwan and I learned that like Swiss air and Greece that other countries do not make anything big, convenient, etc for handicap and/or large sized people. That should have been a trip of a lifetime for me but was not because of my size. They did not even have elevators!
Wonderful story about WLS making this trip a dream for you. I had not realized that you were overweight you whole life also and has lost over 200 pounds also. Very inspiring!!!
And I know this trip was worth a little knee pain and if that was all you had you did awesome!
HW 611 Pre-opW 580 LW 302 GW 238
Life is good!!! Thanks so much for sharing your adventure with us. I'm almost 4 1/2 yrs out and am still amazed and dazzled by what I can do now. At 77 I'm able to breeze through things I couldn't even imagine I'd ever be able to do when I was 37. Enjoy your time there and know that you are missed here and will be welcomed home with open arms. 
Hi Kath,
I missed you!! I love hearing about your trip and all of your many successes.
Your point is so well taken about eating right and moving. It is so interesting to compare the lifestyles and habits in different countries compared to us.
Thanks for sharing your trip. It is one that you will remember always and the memories you created you'll cherish.
Congrats to your new future mom-in-law status. I'm happy for you, your sweet son and fiancee.
Hugs, Cathy
I missed you!! I love hearing about your trip and all of your many successes.
Your point is so well taken about eating right and moving. It is so interesting to compare the lifestyles and habits in different countries compared to us.
Thanks for sharing your trip. It is one that you will remember always and the memories you created you'll cherish.
Congrats to your new future mom-in-law status. I'm happy for you, your sweet son and fiancee.
Hugs, Cathy
Cathy
Want to get back on track or stay on track? Get Back On Track Together!
advertisement
Cathy W.
Group Leader
Kathy S.
Moderator