I have to travel quite a bit for work and for the last few trips that have been on the large jet planes, I have been pretty comfortable without a seatbelt extender. I celebrated my first flight without one in April but not all of my seven flights on that trip were as successful. On Tuesday this week, I had to fly to Orlando (yes, I know...I said, "had to"), and one of the segments of my trip on the way home was a short 30-minute flight on a teeny-tiny airplane that seats like 30 people. The seats and seatbelts on these planes are also teeny-tiny and when your butt is nowhere near teeny OR tiny an extender is required (or I would have to fake wearing the seatbelt because I was too embarrassed to ask for one). So, about 4 years ago, I "borrowed" a seatbelt extender from an airline for a regular plane and I brought it along with me every time I flew prior to surgery so I wouldn't have to humiliate myself by asking. I was almost a bit nervous about this flight because even though I was prepared by having it, I was secretly hoping I would not need it.

I got on the "plane", made my way to my seat, put my stuff under the seat in front of me, fidgeted around in my bag to put the extender near the top so I could quickly pick it up without anyone seeing in case I needed to use it, and then proceeded to attempt to buckle the actual seatbelt. I was waiting and then I heard...CLICK! I thought it was lying to me so I tried it again and...CLICK! What a GREAT sound.

Needless to say, I bid farewell to my seatbelt extender. I pushed it to the bottom of my bag. Now, I just need to decide on whether or not I give it back or if I keep it as a reminder of how far I have come.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I remember that feeling the first time I dropped a lot of weight and could get on a Dash-8 without one of those danged things. I say keep it as a momento of how far you've come.

Congrats. It's hearing about successes like this that keep me motivated. Thanks for sharing.

Congrats!!!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Awesome! I love these kinds of NSVs.

GreeneyedMamma, what a great post!!! I know lots of us here share some of the feelings and experiences you talk about. And that whole "click" sound thing.... I love it! Congratulations on your accomplishments. How wonderful for you!!!

Ugh i hated that feeling of worry, anxiety, embarrassment, and humiliation!!! When I flew to San Diego to get to Tijuana, my belt barely fit. I had to suck in and kinda put it under my lower tummy roll lol. And I had lost 35 lbs prior to going too!

Congrats on not needing the extender, I know it must have felt so wonderful!! That is awesome!!

Good for you girl! Keep it!

Congratulations! It's a pretty awesome feeling. I travel a lot for work, too, and had basically resigned myself to forever driving or taking a train--my husband said he thought I was afraid to fly, but that wasn't it at all--I was sick with worry that I would be embarrassed at having to purchase a 2nd seat....

We recently flew to Florida for a training course, and I was thrilled to discover that I not only fit in the regular seatbelt, I had to tighten it a bit! It is such a huge relief!! Just the thought of not having that to worry about is very freeing.

Yay for you and for NSV's!!

Congrats! That is a fabulous NSV- no more worries for you!

I haven't flown on a plane forever, but will be several times in the next year. My first flight will be in mid October. I hope to be around 250lbs by that time. I'm 5'7- do you think I will need to use one? I hope not! I have no idea at what weight people need one. I know it is probably different for everyone- but wondering if there is a ballpark number?

CONGRATS!!!!

Congrats! That is a fabulous NSV- no more worries for you!

I haven't flown on a plane forever, but will be several times in the next year. My first flight will be in mid October. I hope to be around 250lbs by that time. I'm 5'7- do you think I will need to use one? I hope not! I have no idea at what weight people need one. I know it is probably different for everyone- but wondering if there is a ballpark number?

I am 260 right now and fit perfectly fine with extra room in the seatbelt. It also depends on how you carry your weight. I am bottom heavy so I carry my weight in my hips, thighs and butt.

Thanks everyone. It is such a great feeling. Almost like...freedom in a sense.

I say BRONZE IT baby!!

Amazing victory! Click - how sweet the sound. Right now I am sitting in another airport smiling at your story. Awww. So, let me tell you my favorite airport story victory of mine. In ALB I was stopped by TSA and asked to do a special screening. I was perplexed when a supervisor came over and then another looking at me and whispering in hushed tones. The problem? I no longer looked like my drivers license photo.

Congrats and anxiously awaiting more stories of victories of yours to come!

Amazing victory! Click - how sweet the sound. Right now I am sitting in another airport smiling at your story. Awww. So, let me tell you my favorite airport story victory of mine. In ALB I was stopped by TSA and asked to do a special screening. I was perplexed when a supervisor came over and then another looking at me and whispering in hushed tones. The problem? I no longer looked like my drivers license photo.

Congrats and anxiously awaiting more stories of victories of yours to come!

Love your story too! That is awesome!!!