NYC Disaster**Long Post**

Oh my goodness!!!! I had the same experience with my three friends when we were in NYC in January for a conference.  They wanted to walk everywhere.  I was so mad when one day (while trying to find the twin towers memorial) we walked in the wrong direction as well.  I had plantar faciatus in both feet and wanted to kill someone.  The worst was that everything in NYC seemed to be created for little people, and I mean little, i.e. petite.  I am petite but large.  My friends that are taller and smaller still felt like they were huge.  I can't imagine living there all the time.  I think it would be rough. 

My friends looked at me like I was crazy as well.  And I am pretty fit for my size to be honest.  I walk all the time.  And my steps are WAY shorter than theirs.  Anyway, I had a pity party too so don't feel bacd.  You are not alone!  Just think, soon we will be the "little people"! 

I so know how you feel.  About five years ago my mom, stepdad, son and I went to visit my father in Nashville.  Even at 70 he was quite the man about town and wanted to show it all to us.  He escorted us on a personal (he used to work there) tour of the Gaylord Hotel all lit up in its Christmas finery.  We took the boat ride and saw the balloons floating up by the rafters and the tiers of rooms facing the courtyard that reminded me of the French quarter in New Orleans.  And it felt like walked us through every corridor of the first floor. 

When we got there I asked him if he'd park in the preferred lot, as it was closer, but he didn't want to spend the $10.

I kept up a brave front and tried to fight the good fight, but my back hurt worse and worse and by the time we were leaving late that night, I could only walk a few feet without stopping.  He was near tears, as was I from embarrassment, as he told Mom that he didn't know I was that bad, that he felt so bad that he wouldn't spend the money to park.  I still remember my mom saying, She doesn't walk that well.  My mom 20+ years older than I am, and my dad 30+ older, could walk longer than I could. 

The day we left he called me, again near tears, begging me to promise him I would do something about my weight.  Of course I said I would.  Blah blah blah.

I'm so glad we made that trip, it was the last time I saw him.  He died three months later. 

My 70 year old mom can probably still walk longer than I can, but I damn sure know I can walk longer and better than I did that December night. 

I agree with what an earlier poster said that every large person has stories like these. 

make your peace with your past....even your present.

FOCUS FORWARD>

I am so sorry to hear that your day in NYC did not exactly go like you thought it would. It does seem like they could have slowed to enjoy your company or taken more breaks thinking of your knee pain.

I hate clothes shopping with skinny friends. I want to have a good time, but it always seems like nothing more than a reminder that this store or section is off limits to me. Then its awkward when they are just waiting for you to finish in the plus size section/store.

Anyway, it is hard for people who have never suffered a weight or pain problem to understand what you're going through, but you'd think a good friend would have tried a lot harder.

I have some painful memories of trips or vacations that didn't go as planned due to my obesity. I try to use them as motivation to continue my weight loss journey.

I hope all goes well with approval and whatnot for your surgery. Someday this will be a distant memory! Hang in there, babe.

Lindsey

Thank you for all the love and support.  One of my close friends asked me why the trip was so bad and I told him it was a disaster and what was even worse was that I couldn't talk to any of my friends about it because there was no way they could understand.  He was baffled, but I kept the conversation moving in another direction.  I instead poured the pain out on here, was able to sleep better last night and wake up this morning to all of your faces, weight loss successes, and unconditional support.  Thank you so very much.  I'm sure you all know, but it means the world to have this OH family that I can turn to in moments like these.  Thank you!!

HI - {{{HUGS}}} - Just a quick note, PRE-OP - I was looking at knee and hip replacement due to pain.  Of course the doctors would NOT do anything - until I lost weight. 

Lost all my weight and still have my knee and hip, exercise most everyday and they may act up once in a while.  But Tylenol arthritis is all I need for now.  It is amazing how losing weight really did help. 

Keep your chin up, I believe your friend did not understand - that in her opinion the day was all about HER and she never even noticed your pain. 

Keep working towards your goal of WLS and one year later your life will be different this will be a distant memory. 

Went to a conference in San Diego with my boss's boss and  a few other people. She wanted to walk everywhere, and my plantar fascitis was killing me. 

I have had tensions with a friend because she lashed out at me for leaving a workout with a back injury. It was an actual injury that took 6 months to get better. She told me that I wasn't trying. I told her that I worked harder than she did because I did what she did with over 100 pounds extra. She told me that "I had an answer for everything". We are not as close now.

The bottom line is that you are making a change. Your friend can't know what you know. Don't give up on her and give yourself a break. Your pain was real and you did the best that you could. Forgive whatever slight that you may have perceived.

It's a new day.