We went on a day trip to a nearby state park on Saturday. We had never been before so I, being the tiny bit obsessive kind of person that I am, researched what there was to do at the park. I looked up the playground situations, the availability of restrooms, food, trails and horseback riding.
We packed a lunch. In case you are curious, I took peanut butter/jelly sandwiches on my homemade bread, unsweetened applesauce, grapes, pretzels and baked chips. I also packed water bottles, some granola bars for snacks and lots of hand-sanitizing lotion.
We found our way to the park and wound our way among the trees. We located a short trail and decided all the kids were old enough to hike it. As we got started, I remarked to John that, “Had I still been morbidly obese, I would have waited in the car with the three year old.” He nodded and said he still remembered those times – even though it’s been about 13 years now.
We hiked around, looked at the lake and then headed back. My second daughter snapped this picture of John and I.
Then, we ate lunch. Well, I guess I should say we tried to eat lunch. I spread out the picnic, gave everyone their bags and we all sat down. No sooner had we sat down when we were invaded by yellow jackets. If you knew me in real life, you would know this was the end of the picnic. I gathered everyone back up and we had a car picnic. I’m crazy – but I hate those things. (Yellow jackets – not car picnics!)
After we ate, I backed the van up and then the bad happened. It’s a big van – it was a sharp turn – and my back wheels went into the abyss. I was totally, 100 percent stuck. I even “burned the rubber” off the back tire trying to get it out. No such luck.
We hiked to the nearby ranger house and asked them to call for a tow. Interestingly enough, I didn’t even think to use my Blackberry. Duh. After an hour, the rangers came and towed us out of the ditch. That made it go from not so good back to good.
We hung out until it was time to go horseback riding – which my kids were all looking forward to. The oldest five kids and myself went, and we left John and the little boys to be little cowpokes.
This was also good – because when I was morbidly obese – the horse people would have turned me away. They had a sign saying if they thought you weighed more than 250 pounds you were not allowed to ride. So I got to ride on a trail. Here are my two middle sons up in front of me.
As I journey through my life as a normal weight person, I’m grateful everyday that I can hike a trail, ride a horse and walk a long distance without my weight hindering my life. I’m also grateful for the nice “rescue rangers” who pulled my too big van out of the ditch.
Anything you are grateful for now, that you can do more easily? Diane
After going to the fitness center and working to be more fit and stronger, I am able to run after my active kids. There was one night at a church activity where there was a large slip and slide down a hill at a park. It was time to go and my daughter didn’t want to leave and I had to run after her. Down the little hill and after her and then right back up the hill….not out of breath and feeling like I am going to fall down dead. I loved it!!!!
It felt nice and it really surprised my daughter…she THOUGHT she could get away from me. Muahhahahaha
Bree Watson´s last fabulous musings ..Bike Ride and Playground Workout
Love the little cowpokes.
There are days when I am overwhelmed with gratefulness for the stuff that I abandoned but that I returned to — like bicycling.
Also, I would not have had the nerve to take swimming lessons.
Glad you enjoyed your state park adventure…
‘Drea´s last fabulous musings ..Human Flourishing
I’m still the same weight, but I am this close *holds up fingers* to doing a headstand in yoga!
i LOVED this story, love it! And so much is familiar, I just don’t bake brownies now like i used to… but they do say confession (and chocolate) is good for the soul!
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I’m so glad that you had a good time–in spite of the “sticky” situations.
I have only begun my journey, so I would still not be allowed to ride the horses, but I’m looking forward to the day that I can. My girls have begged to go riding, but I keep stalling them–not wanting to admit that I wouldn’t be allowed to ride myself because I’m too heavy.
Going to the gym for the last 2 months is beginning to pay off though and I definitely would have taken the hike rather than sit it out so there are good things to look forward to.
Michelle´s last fabulous musings ..Song of Thanksgiving
I’m grateful that I wasn’t worried about fitting into the little shower stall at our hotel this past weekend. It was smaller than your normal walk-in shower and I thought about how that would be hard for a morbidly obese person to fit.
I am also grateful that I fit comfortably in my seat at the football game this same past weekend, and that I could stand up during the entire game. A very overweight man nearby kept having to sit down for breaks.
Thanks for the great post on Monday! That also looked like a fun hike, despite the “downs’ of the trip. What memories!
Great photos!
I would say that what I can do better being at my right weight — is just having more inner peace with myself
First: what a great picture of you and John. You both look so happy.
What a wonderful day you all had, I enjoyed reading it.
Today I’m grateful that I’ve lost the weight so that I can go up and down ladders easily. I’m texturing and painting a room with high ceilings so I’ll be on the ladder a lot. I was terrified of ladders at my high weight, but now I feel fine on one.
What a sense of freedom comes with just being a normal weight. Your weekend sounds like it was one you will remember as the years go by. I enjoyed your pictures. Have a great week!
Diane, what wonderful pics & a beautiful one of you! I love how you made bad in to good! Such a positive attitude!!!!
I am thankful for being able to take care of myself & do things & lift things that many others my age struggle with.. healthy is good!
Despite some rough spots, it sounds like you and your family had a great outing. It was fun to read about!
As to what I’m grateful for that I can do now, I think running is at the top of the list. I’ve just been loving running lately.
What a wonderful weekend! I love picnics, even car ones (and I also hate yellow jackets). What am I grateful that I can do now? Everything! Just getting through the routine tasks of life – grocery shopping, etc. was such a chore. I get those gifts each and every day. The other stuff, the biking, hiking, running, etc. are just bonus.
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That looks like such a fun weekend. Your kids are really lucky you’re so active with them. Some of my fondest memories growing up include times when me, my sister, and my parents were out and about and being active.
Tracey@I’m Not Superhuman´s last fabulous musings ..The Need For Speed
Of course, my answer would be that I can hike! I hiked even at my highest weight and will always be grateful to those friends who adjusted their pace to my much slower one. I can now keep up with and easily surpass most of them in both distance and stamina!
Sharon´s last fabulous musings ..In The Process
Horses aren’t the only things with 250 pound limits. That was one of the most frustrating things about weighing as much as I did – even furniture isn’t made for those over 250 pounds.
I am glad to see the day was good despite the problems. Good for you and your family not letting that ruin the day
I noticed the 250lb limit on a lot of things this summer too.
One of them was the horseback riding stable. Another was go carts at the miniture golf course. Another was rides at the zoo.
I had a mom (morbidly obese husband, way more than 250 lbs) at school tell me her husband was unable to ride many things at one of the large national amuzement parks this summer. And she had hoped this would be a REAL wakeup call for him to change his habits, but she said, he appeared to just take it in stride. No habits changed.
I can’t wait to ride a horse together with my hubby when we have lost the weight. I can ride a horse now because of the 11kg’s I’ve lost in the past 5 weeks but my hubby is still 15kg’s away from him being able to ride a horse.
What can I do now more easier since loosing some weight? Walking longer distances. I find it so awesome to being able to walk longer distances without being so tired.
I am with you on the yellow jackets! Now that both of my guys have an allergic reaction to mosquitoes and my husband to chiggers, my whole perspective of days in the woods has changed. I used to love days like you described, but now the woods are places I have to avoid- sad to say. Changes with a lower weight are more endurance, better mobility and he ability to do a few more daring things like rope swings and bridges. Your day sounds wonderful – and yest thanks to the rangers in the world !
How fun for you and your family – love the horseback riding. Boo on the tire, but i’m glad the rangers could help – and too funny you didn’t think to use your bb – must have really been loving those outdoors.
Love the pictures of you guys – you look so happy!
fittingbackin´s last fabulous musings ..Marie Claire Accuses Food Bloggers of Being Unhealthy
I drive one of those vans so I know the hassle of getting stuck.
But I love that you can appreciate the little things like horseback riding with the kids and a hike in the woods. Those are the things your kids will remember and so will you.
In spite of a couple hiccups what a wonderful day out with the family! Loved the pictures!
Amy´s last fabulous musings ..Absolutely gorgeous day & awesome long run!
ooooooooooooh I love the glimpse into your life Diane.
Thank you for sharing.
I was once stung 17 times when I tromped on an underground yellow jackets’ nest, so I understand your concern!
Over the past two years, I’ve experienced so many wonderful things I wouldn’t have done (or been able to do) 100 pounds ago. Biking across the Golden Gate Bridge in SF, riding a tram in Albuquerque, hiking in the desert in Tuscon, riding a jet ski in Tampa–life is very big (now that I’m not.)
Lovely photo of you and John, btw. Frameworthy, even.
Cammy@TippyToeDiet´s last fabulous musings ..Road Notes- The Big Deal
After the wedding of two friends a few years ago while backing the SUV up in the parking lot, I ran into a huge oak tree! Must have been the marriage thing on my mind!
Great pictures and what a wonderful family outing! I love park trips! We have one near our house and picnic every month or so.
Oh Diane, I just loved this story. It definitely gave me a few things to visualize about why I’m doing this. The goal isn’t *really* to look pretty or fit into nice clothes (although those things are great too), it’s about being able to live your life without weight being an issue.
What a beautiful story.
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Great blog!
Never, never give up…
Working towards half,
Tony B. @ Half of 360
halfof360.blogspot.com
You all look great, the cowboy hats are adorable
Honestly, the thing I am the most grateful for that immediately springs to mind? Being able to walk up stairs carrying my kids without getting winded! It’s the little things like that I would say have made the biggest difference in my day to day quality of life.
Taryl´s last fabulous musings ..I dont want to talk about it
Diane! That’s a lovely picture of you and John! If you have a mantle, it should be framed!
I’m glad that you day at least ended on a positive note! And I myself get a little crazy around insects that sting. I actually run away from them. Doesn’t matter where I am!
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Diane, I love how you are now living life the way it was meant to be lived! What a great feeling.
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