My first time on a plane in more than two years...
 

and I did not need a seatbelt extender!

I now understand what people (after they've lost weight) mean when they say it takes longer for the mind to catch up with the body. For example, the last time I flew before today, I weighed close to 300 pounds and wore roughly size 26 pants, and was used to using a seatbelt extender (I used to ask the flight attendant for it as I boarded the plane). The past few weeks I would think about this upcoming flight and I could not wrap my head around the fact that I wouldn't need one this time. I told everyone I would probably ask for an extender as I boarded, because instinct would kick in. It would probably feel automatic, even now that I'm under 200 pounds and wear size 13 pants. Well, I resisted that impulse and was pleased to find it was easier to get down the aisle of the small plane (a 37-seat commuter), and I was happy to find that the seatbelt not only fit, but I had to pull the belt to cinch it and there was about 5" left! And when it came time for snack service, I was able to open up the tray, I could never get it open all the way because my stomach was in the way, I had to hold onto whatever I was eating. And this time there was a gap between the tray and my stomach!

I was so happy I just had to share! I know from experience what an ordeal plane travel could be when you're overweight. It was like a new experience for me, not feeling squished in and taking up more than my space and feeling uncomfortable.

This made me smile because I know how you feel. The tray always bothered me because of my tummy :/ I am working on it lol. Congrats on your weight loss!!! I hate the small planes because I feel weird when my thighs are slightly bulging over :/ I always get the one seater.

I bet you took a deep breath and lost that anxiety once you knew you could seat comfortably lol. Congrats on your big feat

:D - I know EXACTLY how you feel. What a wonderful victory for you! Keep doing what you are doing - it is working :)

Congrats!

What a GREAT milestone.

Congrats, you! :carrot:

woo hoo! I'm happy for you! I can def relate with you. I was always sooooo worried that I would need the extender and have found myself literally SQUEEEZING it shut and not being able to breathe just cause I was too emarrassed or something to put it on. It would take me like 5 minutes to CRAM it closed and stuff.. The last time I was on a plane I was so excited that I could buckle it and STILL breathe!
congrats again! Weightloss rocks! haha

Great stuff!

Congratulations–that's a great, practical milestone!

congrats-It must be a great feeling.

Fantastic!!! Congratulations!

Congratulations!

Oh yeah. ORDEAL. Which is why I avoided it for over 15 years. 15 YEARS!!! And I finally took a trip this past January. INCREDIBLE FEELING!!!

I am so overjoyed for you. I really and truly know just how ecstatic you must have felt. I am THRILLED for you. When "they" say that nothing tastes as good as being thin feels, THIS is what "they" are talking about.

Congratulations on one of the best things about a healthy lifestyle. And keep up the PHENOMENAL work. I know you know this, but I'll throw it in anyway - IT'S SOOO WORTH IT!!!

:carrot: P.S. Why not change your stats to the left to reflect your awesome weight loss. It says you're 222 lbs. Helloooo - you're a mere 195. Time to change um'. :carrot:

Congrat's that is soooooooooooooo wonderful .You let me see that I can do it also.tks for sharing :)

You are doing great!!!
Every time I fly I am annoyed how sardine-like it feels. The rows of seats are way too close together and I never have any space for my legs - what about people that are over 6 ft tall?

OH my !! I know you must be sooooo happy!!! ANd so you should be!! Way to go!!! I dont' fly so i don't have that problem but i remember when i felt like the seatbelts were getting too snug for my comfort at Six Flags a few years ago!! I can't wait to go back now!! Congrats on an awesome job!!!

I haven't had a chance to come on here in the past few days...thanks everyone, for all the support! Yes, it is a great feeling when you can fit comfortably into something you couldn't before. Like Fauxtini, I would hold my breath, maneuver this way and that way, try to make my body as small as possible to get that seatbelt around me. I would manage to do it...just so, until about 5 years ago, none of the aforementioned would work and I had to resort to the extender. :( Those days are over!

I am flattered that so many think of me as an inspiration. As Rockinrobin says, it is so WORTH IT!! I've felt like giving up a few times, ate more than I should have at times, but I've always managed to get myself back on track. In the last year-and-a-half, I've had several plateaus, not just one, and had to work harder each time to move out of it. Weight loss is slower now than when I started, but these NSVs such as no longer needing a seatbelt extender, and fitting into smaller jeans, are the little things that keep me going.

Oooh, congratulations Oopik!

That is so wonderful! Hooooraaah!!!! :D

Thats is sooo awesome. I am supposed to fly in November, I hope I will have the same experiance as you. I remember I nearly cried the time I got to class and didn't have to squeeze into the desk. These little victories are so much better than the scale ones.

Thanks again everyone! And I can relate, Candogirl...another little thrill I get is when I can effortlessly slide in and out of a booth in a restaurant, and not feel all squashed up sitting there!