For the first time since my surgery, I took my kids to a Water park.

First and foremost, I was always one of those fatties that forced myself to "keep up" with "normal weight" people so I never visibly showed how hard it was to walk the park and climb the (freaking endless) steps to the tops of the rides. That said, by the end of the day, I used to be so exhausted I didn't want to move the next day.

This time was SO MUCH different. Never once was I out of breath. Never once did I dread squeezing my ass into a tube. I wasn't the fastest down to the bottom and my thighs didn't rub themselves into misery just because I was wet and huffing along with the group. lunch time wasn't an absolute RELIEF like it used to be -- instead, it was just lunch.

I am fairly certain I looked fine in my swimsuit and I wasn't the slow one in the group. There was one ride where the entire group had to step on a scale to ensure we didn't surpass maximum rate for the tube and I didn't sweat it for a second. In fact, I happily jumped on the scale and didn't think twice about someone seeing my weight.

I am no longer "new" to the WLS experience, but this was a great thing. For real.

That is too freaking great. I know how you feel, I get kicked off a ride because they couldn't get the bar thing over me. Humiliation city ;-(. So glad for you on that one. Hmmm, I think I have time this summer for schlitterbaum.

That's amazing! You really nailed it how life completely changes once we are not lugging around an extra hundred or more pounds.

I hiked a state park this week. Seven miles and 59 floors climbed, according to my Fitbit. My arthritic knee hurt like hell the next day, but not once was I out of breath.

It's such a glorious miracle to get our lives back.

I haven't tried a Water park yet. My baggy ass swimsuit won't quite cut it. Maybe next summer!

Loved this post!

Dude. It's more than the freaking ride (although that is GREAT).

No chub rub, no huff and puff, no mini freak-outs at the bottom of 8 flights of steps wondering if I'd make it while carrying a big ass tube, no praying for a long line so I could catch my breath...

The rides were great fun, the normalcy was better.

Yes! Go girl! I'm slowly coming out of the momma Jean water park days with you!!

Looking forward to experiences like this more than I can say. Only a week until surgery now.

Edited August 10, 201511 yr by Cervidae

@@Elode ... is that an old picture of you?

@@VSGAnn2014 Sweet Jesus No!! That's the mom from honey boo boo! I'm Just going to forget you said that! You think I'm an animal or something?! Lol!

Sorry @@Elode ... I never watched that show.

Really sorry.

@LipstickLady. That was an awesome NSV for you. It makes us truly grateful for our new lives when we can remember how it used to be. Weight loss is very freeing. I am so happy you had a great time.

I too remember how I used to struggle to keep up while never complaining because I didn't want others to see how hard it was for me.

I haven't been to a water park yet, but it is on my agenda.

Congrats to you!!

Well done !!!

Wow! Here's to you schlepping up and down steps with tubes in a swimsuit, stepping on scales in public and having the energy to enjoy it! Happy days!

I miss Water parks! I have not done that since I gained all my weight.

Congratulations! What a great NSV.

Congrats. That is a pretty large list of NSV's (and technically one SV, I guess!) for one day!

I hope to be in your shoes next summer, not dreading our annual trip to the amusement/water park.

So awesome to hear. I've avoided water parks the last few years for many of the same reason you listed. I'm so happy for you and can't wait til I can do the same in the future.

@@VSGAnn2014 It's ok!