[thinchickie]

Hi Everyone, I haven't been on because I have been traveling. I was here getting support before I left on vacation. I got some great encouragement, so I thought I'd jump back on now that I am home.

My biggest concern at the time was not fitting in the plane seat at 330 pounds. Well, Thank GOD, for the United agent, we got to the airport three hours early and she said, your original flight is sold out, if you hurry I can get you on a flight in 20 minutes and you can have the seat between the two of you.

I didn't think anything of it, until I got on the plane!! I could NOT fit at all I thought I'd fit but squished, oh no, I was so thankful that woman did that. I had bought my own seat belt extension so I wouldn't have to ask.

We had to do 11 flights over 4 weeks, and I didn't fit any seat we hit, but because we picked seats where it was me and my husband sat together, we threw the arm rest up and I was fine.

HOWEVER, on the Lufthansa flight home, the arms only went 3/4 of the way up, and it was hitting me in the shoulder blade. That was a ten hour flight. we asked if there were other seats that weren't like that and they said that was it. My husband did get up and look for me. Lufthansa was just too small, even for thinner people.

My husband was squished too and he is under 200 pounds. But that is another story for another time

I was worried about the walking around on this trip, and believe me we walked. Some days we did five miles. I was not the slowest, but I was able to keep up.

I had the best time of my life, we did a day in Germany on our layover, we used to live there, so that was fun getting to go back. We did about 8 days in Israel, 10 days in Egypt and 4 days in Jordan.

I absolutely had a great time. Yes, my weight was on my mind because there were times it got in the way. Like seats I couldn't sit in at dinner, or being out of breath.

On the Jordan part of the trip, there was a woman I met who was about my size. People seemed to 'group' us together, like, oh, can you two do this stuff. That is a story for another time. haha

So, I just wanted to get back on, because I did walk off some weight. Thanks for those who gave me great encouragement before I left.

[SoulBliss]

Hey! I remember you and am SO glad you went on the trip and it seems as though you had a good time. I can't wait to hear more. back!

[preetyladyserenity]

I am happy you had a good time.

I think plane seats get smaller by the year. When I was 140 kg and travelling with the old planes of Cyprus airways, I never had to ask for an extension or two seats. Now, 6 years later and at my 114 kg, I need to squeeze in my seat. Luckily I don't need an extension. I wonder if I am going to feel much comfortable when I return with some of the kilos gone.

[beautifulone]

Hey! I am glad you have a great time!!
I admire you for going on your trip! I've postponed planning trips outside of North America because of my weight.. so it's wonderful to be reading about you having taken your trip!! Welcome bacK!

[Heather]

I did have difficulties traveling at my high weight, but am really glad I did those trips to Asia and Europe. Those long flights where you can't put the armrest up are killer.

I think now, however, that I could do so much more on my next travels! And I do fit better in planes!

Congrats on your fun travels!

[angels4u]

I hope I am writing on the right thread...
Thinchickie welcome back from your wonderful trip .......Sounds like you had a great time with the exception of the plane seating....(I have had that emberassment when I travelled also)
Keep walking the next time you go on a trip!!I know you will not have that problem. You go girl!!
Can't wait to hear more about your vacation!!

[mizm]

Congrats Thinchickie! I admire you for completing such a trip. I know from person experience how nerve-racking it can be to contemplate traveling. I spent more time worrying about fitting in the next booth, chair or seat that it put a real damper on the trip. Good going!!!!!

[kirsti]

Oh wow, that sounds like an amazing trip! I am really impressed that you went out and did it. I am absolutely terrified to fly again, it has been a long time (and many pounds).

[thinchickie]

Yes, I did have a good time, and I do know that it wasn't 100% of what it could have been, just because like some of you said, you are thinking, can I fit into that seat or will that plastic chair take it?

I do know when we got to Jordan, they wanted to push the chair in for me and I already knew I was not going to fit, but I sat down and the chair actually creaked, and I was thinking, okay, now little chair hang on through dinner and we'll be fine.

That was the part of the trip where I met the Australian who was my size. She immediately gravitated to me and we hit it off. I was thinking the same thing, thank God I had the nerve to get out and do it and not worry too much about it.

Then I started hearing her travels and she has been everywhere. She was traveling with a friend to a convention and they had just came back from a trip through Asia and Europe.

She was talking about the camel rides they had just taken. Which I didn't have a big interest in doing, but I might have if I were thinner? I am not sure. But I have done a lot of fun things in my 38 years, but that trip, really was the best time I have ever had, despite being on my "how is this going to work out being fat" thought process.

Everything worked out, I did actually say a prayer before we left and then it worked out, so I do thank God for that. There were a few times we were separated on the plane and I had to go back to the counter and get us back together on the seating arrangement.

I am back at the gym this week and starting my more seriousness of eating. I am saying that with a smile. I don't want to go on another trip where the weight is a concern. I just pretended it wasn't an issue and it wasn't an issue until chairs or something stupid like that came up, so I think that's why I had so much fun.

Thanks everyone for welcoming my back!

[JuleeCeeS]

I am so happy to hear that you are back safely and I am so jealous that you were in Israel. I am so anxious to get back there eventually but just need things to line up properly. I'd love to see pictures!!

[Lori Bell]

Good for you. Welcome home, and thank you for the encouragement. I would have never been able to do what you did, I would have major panic attacks and constant anxiety every time I even thought about a damn chair/seat of any kind. I really miss traveling. I haven't been anywhere that required more than an over night bag in years.

Speaking of chairs, I have a funny story, don't mean to hog your thread. For years I have been so terrified of our old antique dinning chairs. They were my husbands grandmothers and very small and dainty. The thought of breaking one of his precious family heirlooms scared the heck out of me. When I quit smoking a few years ago I put money in my underwear drawer every week in the amount of my habit. Just a few weeks before I made a decision to lose weight I had had enough of living on the edge, (literally). I broke down and spent every dime I had saved ($3000) and bought the most expensive, big seated, heavy duty solid oak kitchen table chairs I could find...They are so heavy I have trouble moving them...LOL NO one will ever have to worry about a chair fitting their butt at my house!

[sunshower]

thinchickie, I feel your pain--literally! I work in consulting and part of my job involves flying twice per week for 8 months out of each year. While I don't mind being in a new place, I certainly was bothered by the flights at my heaviest weight. I was too embarrassed to ask for a seat belt extender. You're much smarter than me for bringing one. Plus I dreaded the airport in general because it seems like there is miles of walking to be done. No matter where you land, you have to get to the other end! Or I would go through security and my gate would be the last one in the hall. *sigh*. As you continue on in your weight loss journey, you will notice that everything--including flying--gets easier. Good luck.