I ziplined!
carostad
Posts: 161
Lots of anxiety leading up to this event. My son wanted to go so badly, and my husband was excited about it too. But me? There was a 250 pound weight max on participants, and while I'm under that limit by about 10 pounds, I was very concerned that with all the gear on, and of course, my clothes, and my hiking boots, and it being the middle of the day instead of first thing in the morning, and the fact that i was going to have to eat breakfast and lunch, and you know, every other thing we probably all obsess about, my weight was going to be over, and I would be shamed out of participating.
BUT, they didn't even think twice about it.
I didn't even see a scale, although on their website, it stated that all people would be weighed.
Scare tactics, scare mongering, fat shaming, bleh!
I did write my weight down on the initial form, but I don't think anyone even looked at it.
It was rather strenuous though, so even without my weight loss, I don't think I could have participated a year ago. I logged 13 flights of stairs on my fitbit, which is less than walking the hills in my neighborhood, but some of the flights were 4-5 at a time and it barely even winded me. I know that would have killed me last year. I definitely see the results of my exercising, and need to continue with my walking, even though I've slacked some since I was sick last month.
My impressions of ziplining? Overrated. I was terrified the first "take off". Lifting my feet off the ground took a tremendous amount of courage and trust in the strength of my harness. It is hard for me to allow something other than the ground to support my full weight. It makes me very nervous. But, I was fine. The harness was fine, and I felt very secure.
There was another woman my size in the group, and that was reassuring to me. I was able to see her manage successfully and not break the line, lol. She did lose momentum on one of the passes and had to be pulled back up to the platform about 20 feet. That happened to a few people, which terrified me, and I made sure to ball myself up as tight as I could so that I wouldn't slow down. As a result, I mostly came into the landing areas too fast, which was frightening in and of itself, but it seemed much better than dangling 100 feet up in the air and hoping for rescue, lol.
Would I do it again? Nah, I've done it. It didn't really do much for me. I didn't mind the journey of it, but taking off and landing were very hard for me. While I was zipping along though, it was so fast there wasn't time to think or really enjoy it. I didn't really master the braking/slowing down controls, so my right shoulder is quite sore today. If you brake incorrectly, you kind of bounce and twist around, which requires you to grab tighter with your brake hand.
I'm glad I did it though. It was a big fear, in so many ways, and I conquered it. Gaining weight has made me so much more cautious, especially the fear of being "too big" for something. It's good to be back in the range of "not too big" again. Now I'll have to see if I fit into roller coasters again! Ack!
BUT, they didn't even think twice about it.
I didn't even see a scale, although on their website, it stated that all people would be weighed.
Scare tactics, scare mongering, fat shaming, bleh!
I did write my weight down on the initial form, but I don't think anyone even looked at it.
It was rather strenuous though, so even without my weight loss, I don't think I could have participated a year ago. I logged 13 flights of stairs on my fitbit, which is less than walking the hills in my neighborhood, but some of the flights were 4-5 at a time and it barely even winded me. I know that would have killed me last year. I definitely see the results of my exercising, and need to continue with my walking, even though I've slacked some since I was sick last month.
My impressions of ziplining? Overrated. I was terrified the first "take off". Lifting my feet off the ground took a tremendous amount of courage and trust in the strength of my harness. It is hard for me to allow something other than the ground to support my full weight. It makes me very nervous. But, I was fine. The harness was fine, and I felt very secure.
There was another woman my size in the group, and that was reassuring to me. I was able to see her manage successfully and not break the line, lol. She did lose momentum on one of the passes and had to be pulled back up to the platform about 20 feet. That happened to a few people, which terrified me, and I made sure to ball myself up as tight as I could so that I wouldn't slow down. As a result, I mostly came into the landing areas too fast, which was frightening in and of itself, but it seemed much better than dangling 100 feet up in the air and hoping for rescue, lol.
Would I do it again? Nah, I've done it. It didn't really do much for me. I didn't mind the journey of it, but taking off and landing were very hard for me. While I was zipping along though, it was so fast there wasn't time to think or really enjoy it. I didn't really master the braking/slowing down controls, so my right shoulder is quite sore today. If you brake incorrectly, you kind of bounce and twist around, which requires you to grab tighter with your brake hand.
I'm glad I did it though. It was a big fear, in so many ways, and I conquered it. Gaining weight has made me so much more cautious, especially the fear of being "too big" for something. It's good to be back in the range of "not too big" again. Now I'll have to see if I fit into roller coasters again! Ack!
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Replies
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I am so glad you had the chance to experience it. I would never had the courage to do it at any weight. Great job trying something new and going out of your comfort zone.
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That's brilliant
I'm always aware.I can't go on the girls trampoline as it's a 75kg weight limit and I started at 122 kg. Am 107 though so I'm homing.in on that mother...0 -
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS WTGGG
I am so proud you did this! Shame it was not the most awesome thing ever but really that wasn't the point. It was having the courage to face the weight issue AND the height issue. And you did it. Bloody hell that is so amazing. I cannot believe your thread title is not all in caps lol Can't give you a real hug but sending a victory virtual hug for sure. xxx And I am sure they are used to seeing people in all shapes and sizes and being able to tell who is over and who is not. They may save the weighing for people they think are too close to the limit or ones they are sure are over. You were NEITHER. Ha ha take that zip lining
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Great job! You should be proud of not letting fear run your life. That is something I struggle with and avoid activities because "what if" takes over my mind. It's too bad that it wasn't as great as you expected, but at least now you've had the experience and know what it's like instead of wondering.0
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Thanks all.
I'm quite pleased with myself and anticipate more adventures in the future.
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Good work!0
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So glad to see this post. I had wondered how you made out this weekend. I kind of find it funny how much more aware of our bodies we become as we lose weight - not as we are gaining it... Congrats!!!! This is so incredible. I remember my first roller coaster with my Girl Scout Troop a few years back when I lost that first 50 pounds...yup, still hated them, but no one wanted to ride with one of our girls, so I got nominated...lol... Ziplining, some day....perhaps!0
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So approximately at what weight do you fit in amusement park rides? I've been avoiding them, saying "I don't like rides", but actually I wanted to avoid the embarrassment of getting to the front of the line and not fitting in the seat. At 298 I still don't think I would fit, but soon?0
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shballa from what I've read you may be able to fit into some rides now. Most places seem to focus more on size than weight, so tall or wider people cannot always get in some rides either. I have also read that at some places they have test seats so you can check yourself to see if the harnessing fits you. And apparently some places even have larger seats scattered amongst each ride. You could always call the place and ask them if they have such options if it is something you really want to do. I know on the WW boards where I know some people one friend started at 350lbs and lost 75lbs and was asking about whether she could fit now, she went, had a blast and no problems. But she might not carry her weight in the same place you do, so one 275lbs person might be fine, and another might find a couple of rides they cannot get on.0
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So proud of you! Ziplining is one thing I want to do, so I am sad to hear it's an overrated experience, but WTG that you overcame all your doubts and fears and you did it!0
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My son absolutely adored ziplining, so my estimation of it being overrated is truly just my opinion. I've been hang gliding and para-sailing, so I have other experiences to compare it too, although they were MANY years in the past. Lots of people love ziplining.
As for amusement park rides, I'm pretty sure that http://www.disboards.com/ has information for most parks about sizing. I remember consulting them before we went to Busch Gardens a couple of years ago, and back when the kids were littler we went to Disney a few times. It is a very common concern, and one the parks are increasingly sensitive to.
I used to adore roller coasters and thrill seeking. My size definitely got in the way of that. But, as I've gotten older, I'm actually less tolerant of it as well. I get dizzier, headaches, and just don't *enjoy* the thrill as much anymore. I'm not sure if it's a result of less exposure, being more aware of the risks involved, having kids and feeling more protective of myself and my children, I don't know.
So, I'll revisit these things sparingly, mostly just to say I've passed that milestone, and to fully release myself from the barriers I created for myself.
Caroline0
