The fat girls guide to some of Orlando's Theme Parks 1 of 3

Last week Hubby and I celebrated our 4th anniversary in Orlando. We had a blast and visited 4 different parks while we were there. Now, theme parks have always been one of my favorite things. Once I got past a certain weight I stopped wanting to go. I had many fears about being obese and how it would affect my time at the parks. In fact because of this I have not been on a vacation that involved rides and such in 8 years. It is just one of the many ways my size has hindered me. I didn’t want my husband to have to suffer, so I agreed to take this anniversary trip thinking I was just going to have to sit on the sidelines and watch him have a ball, luckily this wasn’t completely true.

When we first got to Orlando we met up with our friends Scott and Laura who live up there. Laura’s father has connects with Disney and got us free park hopper passes. They met us at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This was more of a logistical thing than anything else. They wanted to eventually get us to the Magic Kingdom to spend most of the day. We walked around Animal Kingdom for about an hour and then took the safari. The safari ride has huge bench seats and no seat belts. There would be no problem for anyone of any size to fit on this fun animal adventure. This ride was very bumpy and pretty fast at times. I definitely wouldn’t recommend it for anyone with back problems or motion sickness.

Then it was off to the Magic Kingdom. As we walked through the gates I was filled with memories of my childhood and all the fun I had in the magic kingdom and then filled with dread just knowing I would not be able to enjoy them this time because I had let myself get so huge.

First we went on Pirates of the Caribbean. This ride has bench seats and was no problem to fit into. Anyone could have ridden this ride no problem. They added some actual Johnny Depp AKA Jack Sparrow parts to this ride. Hubby loved it and felt very nostalgic.

Next we walked on to the Haunted Mansion. I was concerned about this ride. I wasn’t sure how wide the seats were and wanted to sit with hubby in case I was scared. Ha! I can’t believe that ride ever scared me. It was silly but we are glad we went. The seat was roomy. My larger hubby and I both fit comfortable. In fact if you were with smaller people you could have fit three in a seat.

Then in was on to the Swiss Family Tree House. Lots of climbing, reminded me I need to keep getting in better and better shape.

After that our group was interested in the big three: Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain. I was certain I would not be able to ride these so I was fully prepared to take a drink break while they had all the excitement. My hubby pushed and pushed me to try it anyway. I was so scared I would try to get on one of these rides and the attendant would scream out “Excuse me miss, you can ride this you are way too fat!!!”

The first one we decided to try was Splash Mountain, which typically puts two riders in each row. When I saw the seats I was sure this was going to be a little too tight a squeeze. However once we got closer to the ride I saw that many people were riding one to a seat. We decided to each ask for our own row to avoid embarrassment. To my delight once I got into the bench seat I found I could have ridden with a small person but certainly not with my husband. Hubby rode behind me and we had a great time on the ride. In fact since the lines were so short we rode it twice! I feel most anyone can ride Splash Mountain no matter your size, as long as you don’t mind riding solo.

For lunch we were trying to go healthy. Even though theme park food is not cheap, Disney did make sure to have some healthy options. I had a salad and grilled chicken. I drank water for most of the day expect for once when I splurged and had a revive vitamin water.

After lunch we did what you would expect: more roller coasters! We were lucky not to lose our lunch!! Thunder Mountain was just steps away from where we ate. I saw that this again had bench sits, so I wasn’t worried about fitting but I was worried about the push down lap bar. I decided to sit with Laura since she is tiny and I knew there would be enough space. It may be a tight squeeze if you have two large people in one bench. The lap bar came down without a hitch and we were off.

Of all the rides I remembered from my childhood space mountain was my fondest memory. After reading some reviews online I was positive I would have to sit this one out. I didn't want to miss out unless I absolutely had to so I decided to confront my fear. I went up to the line attendant and just flat out asked: "Do you think I am too fat for this ride?" She was so sweet about it. She said she thought I would be fine. Then I pressed her and said it was okay to tell me I was too fat but I didn't want to get up there and be kicked off. She laughed and said she knew I would fit. As we got closer and closer to the front of the line I thought I was going to have a panic attack. We learned from the ride attendant that if you are larger or tall you shouldn't ride in the front seat because it was the smallest and had the least amount of room. I finally lowered myself into the seat. I fit but thank God my hips weren't any wider. I pulled the lap bar down and although it didn't go down as far as I would have liked, it fit! we ended up riding it 3 times! I do however think if I was a little larger or hubby was just a little taller (he is 6'5'') we wouldn't have made it on the ride.

All in all the Magic Kingdom was a success and I did a lot of worrying for nothing. The next day I had to confront even more fears, and in a bathing suit no less.

To be continued...

Happy 4th Anniversary

The last month has been so busy and I have neglected my poor blog friends. Hubby and I went on our anniversary trip last week. I will be writing a three part series on: A fat girls guide to some of Orlando. In the meantime, here are some pictures from the highlight of our trip, our dolphin swim at Discovery Cove.

Happy Birthday to me!

Yesterday was my birthday and I stepped on the scale...it read 338.5. Ya!!...now I am charging through to 299! Lets hope I can make it by the end of the year. *Sigh*

Every thing is closed...

So, we are down here in Florida dodging hurricanes and tropical storms. We were missed but the weather has been horrific which led to everything in the world to close including my job. Traffic conditions were deemed unsafe. I deem staying home alone on a stormy day unsafe for diets. This leading to mindless eating and a load of guilt. Oh well, I cut myself off for the day but not before I squeezed in a couple of cookies and some Doritos. My mom got them as hurricane supplies. Damn Fay!

Good news is this is not the norm for me and I am feeling very good about hitting my revised birthday goal in a couple days. Go me!

The Cookie Diet

Its spreading like a rash in many of my social circles and I just don't get it. I mean the cookie diet?!?!? Come on!

You eat 4-6 cookies a day and then a sensible dinner, there is no magic here, it is PORTION CONTROL.

People are acting like these are super natural cookies that have come to save the day. I'm not buying it!

And although some of my friends have a lost a little weight, ALL of them are so sick of cookies! Um yeah, I would rather just track my calories and have variety any day.

Time is flying...

Everyday is busy busy busy and and I can't believe how long its been since I last posted. It feels like yesterday. Luckily my binge was only a day long. I felt so horrible I am hoping it is a reminder not to run to food when I am stressed.

My little brother (he's 25) is a drug addict and has been causing some family drama lately. It makes me sad and angry. It definitely has the opportunity to derail my efforts but I prevailed this time. I know understand why my mom (who is thin) gained 20 pounds last time he overdosed. But, that my friends is another story.

Since we last spoke I have lost another pound. It seems 1 pound every 2 weeks is what my body is about these days. I can't imagine eating less or exercising any more without feeling completely punished. So I will keep doing what I am doing.

I only have a little under a month before I turn 28. I really wanted to be under 300 pounds. Since that is impossible I have to revise the goal. Under 340 by my birthday would be great, not as good, but I'll take it! Talk to you soon.

When will I learn!?!?!

Comfort eating never actually comforts! Instead of just being depressed and stressed I am: depressed, stressed and FAT! When will I learn!?!?!?

I'm still here...

Barely though. The last couple weeks have flown by in a flash and I won't bore you with the details but they have been less than pleasant. In fact right now I am supposed to be in the Key's with my family celebrating my little sister's 13th birthday but circumstances intervened. Grrrr!

Since we last spoke I have again lost one more pound. One. That's it.

I know, what you all want to say..."At least you are going down and not up" "A pound is a pound" ect. ect. ect.

I try to say it to myself but its truly very hard. I am not giving up no matter what but these are the thoughts that plague me:
If it is taking me up to two weeks to lose 1 pound now, when I am working my butt off and eating like a champion, while I am 5'7'' and still over 300 pounds, while I am very focused and have not faltered...what kind of hell is ahead of me???

Typically weight loss is supposed to be faster at first, then as you lose you have to get more strict and more serious to lose BUT I am giving it my all now. *Sigh*

Someone said to me recently, why does it matter how long it takes you as long as you are losing?

That's easy to say but when you can't even see results on a scale every week it is super hard to stay positive. Also, at this rate I it will take me about 4 years to get down to the weight I need to be for them to even THINK helping me get pregnant. I will still be about 50 pounds overweight at that point.

I want to keep believing that my body is going to kick into gear if I keep pushing on through.

Ethan David is Here!

Sorry I have been out of the loop, I have not fallen off the wagon!! In fact I have S-L-O-W-L-Y lost one more pound.

However my best friend just had her baby and I spent the last 8 days up north with her and her new beautiful boy Ethan David. I have to say I am in love. I will update more later this weekend...I am exhausted!

Little by little

Well, I have lost 1.5 more pounds in the last 11 days. Its something. Its very slow but I am encouraged by anything at this point.

I have noticed something great has happened. I am and always have been a pretty healthy eater. I know what you may be thinking "No way in hell a 300+ pound woman is a healthy eater!" But newsflash: Its true! I love healthy food. My main meals every day consist of fruits, veggies, lean meat, beans, and grains. My real problem was sugar. I craved it and usually gave into the cravings at night time. I wanted chocolate, cookies, ice cream....ect.

Since I have started the Low GI diet my cravings have gone away. I mean completely. I have been watching people eat donuts & cake all week without the urge to eat them at all. Its amazing.