I have not been to the movie theatre in years, actually the last movie I saw at the theatre was with my best friend, Nina and her sister, TIna when we went to see the Mel Gibson, movie, What Women Want.  IT's been awhile in other words.

On Sunday it was so terribly hot and my son, Matthew and I decided to go to see the new Batman movie, Dark Knight.  I was excited about going and automatically thought will I be able to fit in the seats, can I walk the distance from the parking lot into the theatre.  THis so insane of me to be thinking like this and I wonder if I will ever think other than being BIG!!!

My son drove and I got to ride in his nice little low rider, TransAM which is an experience all in itself to get in and out of that silly thing.  THey look awesome but very uncomfortable.  It was so nice to go someplace with my son not have to plan out every little detail so that I could be there.  Before my surgery I would have had to use my wheelchair and would have had to sit in the special place for the handicap, which is awesome that they now have that section for the handicap.  Before that didn't exist and you stuck in the aisle at the back by the exit.  Been there done that before.

WE walked in and found the theatre for our movie and in we went.  I was able to climb the stairs to the upper level with no problems and also was able to walk down through between the rolls of seats straight, walking normal, no turning sideways so that you could fit down through there.  I was so excited that I was able to walk down through there like normal people.  The seats were fantastic, BOY OH BOY have they come a long way over the years.  I remember the hard seats that had not give what so ever and now these seats are like mini recliners with cup holders too! 

WE watched the movie and enjoyed our time together, mother and son at the movies and look forward to going again.  This is one more thing I get to check off my do to list of things I am able to regain back into my life or things that I have never ever done before.  This truely is amazing to be able to do this again.  I know it's just going to the movies, but for someone that was reclusive and never did that sort of thing in years, this is wonderful.  I felt normal and didn't even have people staring at me like I was a freak.  I am starting to be more normal instead of the freak show, even had a man stop and look me in the eyes as he was talking to me and ask me how I was doing and if I enjoyed the movie.  Before that would have never ever happened, let alone him look me in the eyes. 

I had a blast and can't wait to go again.  This might be a regular thing on SUnday afternoons, sounds good anyway.  

Kim 

I just recently took a trip to Chicago for a 2 day stay with my best friend, Nina. I have not flown in 10 yrs and it was exciting to think I was getting ready to take this trip and fly somewhere.  I told myself before taking this trip that I would not allow myself to let my fears and insecurities get the best of me.  I would push the envelope and go for it.  I knew there was going to be alot of walking, but I had to do it, prove to myself I have it in me to accomplish this.

We parked in the normal parking lot and we walked into the terminal to the ticket counter.  THe other problem I have had is standing for any length of time, my knees start giving out on me.  I wanted to push that as well.  We checked in our baggage, got our boarding passes and went to the appropriate gate to wait to board the plane.   As we were sitting there I thought about actually being able to do this now and before there would be no way on earth I could have done it prior to my surgery.  I figured out that it had been 10 yrs since I had flown last and WOW here I am getting ready to board a plane for this trip.   

THe KCI Airport is nothing compared to some of the other airports out there like Midway or Ohara.  Fortunately for us, we flew into Midway, but that is where I had my  first real challenge.  I had to get from the gate to the baggage claim and let me tell ya that was one hell of a walk.  Previously I would have been in panic and a full blown anxiety attack would have happened, but I just kept pushing forward.  My friend, Nina was my cheerleader and she just kept telling me, Kim, you can do this, just take your time and go slow.  We can stop if you need to, but you can do this. 

I have no idea how long it was that we walked but I can tell you it was quiet a distance and it has been longer than anything I have done lately all at once.  I  did have to sit down after walking up that slight incline past security, geesh I could feel that working on those muscles.   In the back of my mind I was thinking I am sure as all get out I'm  burning some serious calories right now and I know I will be losing some weight doing all this walking or I had better.    I had weighed myself prior to leaving  and was at 306 and curious if I would lose anything on this trip with all the walking that would be involved.  Kept my fingers crossed, hoping so anyway.  

Lately I have been up and down within 10-12 lbs and it has been driving me nuts.  It's like I can't get past where I am and I know I need to evaluate what I am eating and everything, plus it's been awhile since I have had an adjustment.  I wanted to make this trip first to see if this would help me "kick it" so to speak.

I knew there was alot of walking and believe me I did.  I did make it to the baggage claim and we met the driver there and then of course there was even more walking to the parking garage out to his car.  Lord, that was a killer but I did it!!!  Some day I hope that  I can walk any distance and not have  these thoughts of, can I do it?  THat is an ultimate goal for me, walking with no limitations and worries.  

Nina and I had so much fun in the car gawking at everything out there.  Our driver, Pekco was really nice and very informative about all the different things going on around Chicago and explaining where everything was.  We stayed a block off of Michigan Ave in a Comfort Inn Suites and it was very nice.  First thing we did was get in the room, and kick the A/C on.  LOL  Nina and I are both very hot natured and the cooler the better for both of us.  WE would probably freeze out most people.  LOL

WE had decided to check out all the things around us and ended up eating at a great place around the corner called WEber's Grill and it was awesome.  The food was fantastic and the people there as well.  We had more fun watching everyone and seeing all the variety of cultures all there together.   Here we go with more walking and the restaurant was half a city block away and they literally took up a half block width as their restaurant area. They had the cutiest display outside on their patio with Weber Grills as flower pots all along the entire area.  Very good place to eat and the people were awesome.  

  WE did some shopping and just enjoyed being out on a "girlfriend's  trip" with no kids or anyone making demands on us.  It was so relaxing to be away from it all and for me it was very emotional to see myself being able to do this.  I have come so far and still have a long way to go, but to see myself physically being able to do things that I know there was no way I could do that  before.  TO walk with no worries, to fly on a plane again, to stand and visit with people, to spend time with my best friend, Nina on our 1st girl friend trip together.  TOTALLY AMAZING!!!  

By the end of the trip I could totally feel the effects of all that extra walking, my knees were hurting and I could FEEL IT.   At the Midway airport I struggled with the walking and made it to the ticket counter to check in our baggage and after that I could not walk all that long distance to the gate, my right knee was throbbing and I could not do it.  I was disappointed in myself for giving in, but I knew there was no way I could do it.  I had to ask for assistance and use a wheelchair, dangit!  

I am still very proud of what I was able to do and next time it will be even better.  I will push myself even more.  It showed me that I have it in me to go further and that yes, I was sweating like a stuck pig when I had to walk all that long distance to the baggage claim, but I did it and I was huffing and puffing all along the way and I still made it.

WE got back late into KCI and even had to walk some more once home and still I did it and I couldn't wait to see if I had lost anything on this trip.
Once home, I weighed myself the next morning and I had lost 8.2 lbs making it 297.8.  I can't tell you how good it was to see that I had lost weight and that I accomplished alot over those two days.  I am so proud of myself and know that I can do anything.
 
I need to say a special thanks to Nina for cheering me on and for being there on this trip with me, it was so much fun and I look forward to more of these girl friend trips.   

DOn't give up on doing those things that you like, just push yourself to go for it.  IT feels so good to achieve those and I get to mark some things off my list of things to do again or to get back into my life.  IF I can do it you can too, have faith in yourself and believe that you can do it.  That saying, if you put your mind to it, all things are possible.  THAT IS SO TRUE!!!

Kim

Let me see, what all has been going on in my life for the past 4 months or so.  Spring showed up and for me that meant being extremely busy at work and having no time to do anything.   Seemed like everyone wanted their sprinkler systems turned on all at once.  Things have finally started slowing down at work now thank goodness.

  I celebrated my birthday in March,it was just another day like  no other, except I turned a year older, 46 yrs old now.  I do however, now that I am getting older, have a better appreciation for things such as time spent with those you love, the little things that we all take for granted, and each day that passes.  I have found that my patience is not what it use to be and I think I need to work on that one.  LOL  

I made a trip home to SE Missouri over Memorial Day weekend to attend a school reunion and to visit my family.  I had not been home for a year and my family and friends had not seen me since last MAY.  Last year I had no choice and used my wheelchair to get around at this event.  However, this year I was determined that I would not need that wheelchair and I didn't.  I was able to walk into the building with my son and mother standing tall (well, I'm short , so there is no standing tall for me, barely even 5'4)  HAVE ANOTHER STORY TO TELL ABOUT THAT ONE, WHICH I WILL BLOG ABOUT LATER.  The looks on everyone's faces when I walked in was something I will never forget.  Mind you, these are people that I have known all my life ( I come from a very small town in SE Missouri)  everyone knows each other.  THey all know my story and how I have struggled over the years with my weight and have followed my weight loss progress since my surgery.    It was a feeling like no other to know that I had accomplished something else that I had planned to do.  I was able to walk around the huge room, mingling with others, visiting and enjoying myself.  It felt great to be able to feel normal being there.  

I enjoyed my visit while home and was able to make the trip with no problems what so ever.  I didnt have any problems getting in and out of my mother's home, which in the past has been an issue for me.  I could not make it up the steps into her house, it was so difficult and I would literally have an anxiety attack over it.  Once I got inside the house I would not want to leave there, it was to much to go in and out up and down the stairs. This year it didn't even faze me one bit and that was a big accomplishment as well.  

I am continuing to lose weight and my body is changing with me becoming much more active.  None of my clothes fit me any longer and I am literally down to hardly anything left to wear.  When I was home my sister gave me some of her clothes.  I have never been able to wear any of her clothes and it was amazing to even think that I could now. I brought home bag of clothes wear.  

Life is so good these days and I am so thankful for the opportunities that have been given to be because of my lap band surgery.  I get to share my story and progess with so many people and hopefully I am helping someone else with my story.  If I can do this and go from weighing over 550 lbs to being 291 lbs now  anyone can do this.    

Kim