One of the sad realities of being obese

ninerbuff

So for my daughter's Bday, we went to Discovery Kingdom to party. We're getting on a ride and a few seats from me is a father and son combo who were both obese. This ride required shoulder harnesses and while the son barely fit, the father obviously wasn't. So watching the father leave and saying sorry to his son (son was correct height limit, but had to be accompanied by an adult) because he couldn't ride was sad to watch.
And that wasn't the only incident. I saw this happen several times on some of the faster rides. It's gotta suck when people really want to experience the fun, and yet can't because of physical limitations.
Just another reason why America needs to wake up when it comes to how much over consumption is changing people's lives.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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thecakelocker

Every time a "worst fat moment" thread is posted half the replies are about being too fat to ride a rollercoaster. I bet it's only a matter of time til a plus size theme park opens

Carfoodel

But maybe if that is the moment that makes someone realise they have to do something for their own sake and the sake of their children - is that not a good thing? - it is a bitter, humiliating pill to swallow but has probably triggered a lot of success stories?

BathtubBadger

I couldn't go in one of these last year because the maximum weight for going in them was 145 lb :c



I think they're intended for kids, but I REALLY WANTED

kittyd7015

I couldn't go in one of these last year because the maximum weight for going in them was 145 lb :c



I think they're intended for kids, but I REALLY WANTED

they look fun!!! cant u find bigger ones? xxx

Hezzietiger1

That does suck. I remember a similar experience when I was a kid and my dad couldn't ride with me. I could have gone alone, but I didn't want to go alone.. I wanted to go with him. Sucked.

lvsglass

You are right, it is a sad reality and I have many regrets of not being able to do certain active things with my boy as he was growing up. At least now, I will be able to be active with grandchildren!!

basschick

You would think it would be a *big* a wake up call when something like that happens. Sadly, that's often not the case.

Cindyinpg

But maybe if that is the moment that makes someone realise they have to do something for their own sake and the sake of their children - is that not a good thing? - it is a bitter, humiliating pill to swallow but has probably triggered a lot of success stories?

Me! *waves*

Last summer my husband and I went to our annual fair. We were standing in line to get on the Ferris Wheel and when we got to the front,the carny looked all embarrassed and said we would have to wait until "more people our size came along to balance it out."
I was near 300lbs at the time, ditto the hubby. So we stood there for about 10 minutes while all the skinny teens got on... waiting for more chubby folk to get in line..."to balance it out". I was humiliated and decided two things right there:. 1.Not getting on a ride that rickety anyway. 2. Not spending another summer fat.

lolalament

One of the reasons I want to lose weight is so that I can go to Alton Towers and go on all the rides without worrying I won't fit. Recently I wanted to go on some chairoplanes but didn't dare to in case they were too small (or, rather, I was too big)

ninerbuff

But maybe if that is the moment that makes someone realise they have to do something for their own sake and the sake of their children - is that not a good thing? - it is a bitter, humiliating pill to swallow but has probably triggered a lot of success stories?

If that's the moment, then yes it's good. But I'm betting only about 1 out of 10 would actually follow through with doing anything about it.
It's not just amusement park rides either. Riding on planes and public transportation has got to be uncomfortable for both parties. It's sad that it takes an event for some to realize how big they have really gotten.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

SoViLicious

Every time a "worst fat moment" thread is posted half the replies are about being too fat to ride a rollercoaster. I bet it's only a matter of time til a plus size theme park opens

In for the food court!

whierd

That just made me really sad.

I went to go buy a lifting belt today and the XLs didn't fit. They didn't have bigger ones. :grumble:

debbash68

Mine was when I got on a budget airline and the seat belt wouldn't fasten, they said I would need to leave the plane, I explained , but I'm the pilot

ninerbuff

That just made me really sad.

I went to go buy a lifting belt today and the XLs didn't fit. They didn't have bigger ones. :grumble:

They don't go around your head, they go around your waist.:laugh:

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

ricomincia

Think having children is one of the most inspirational things you can do. Keeps you in check to some degree because you have to set a great example for them and keep in shape to keep up with them.

Certainly since I have been on my new regime I have lots more energy and more likely to do physical activities for them.

Hopefully when things like this happen it's a wake up call for all involved!

gerard54

time to hit the waterpark. big or small, the wavepool doesnt judge haha...

NotThePest

It's really not about making BIGGER rides to get obese people on them, it's also what the g-forces do to your internal organs.

TyTy76

I'm confused on your point?

It's sad, yes. For some, it's just the wake up call that we need, I know that it was for me.
For others, nothing will be done...

billsica

I was at a water park yesterday, and I felt sad seeing so many people struggling just to walk to the wave pool.

picture unrelated.

WendyTerry420

Last summer I barely fit in the roller coaster harness. That was one of my motivators for losing weight. That, and wanting to be able to sit in a chair without spilling over the sides.

ninerbuff

I'm confused on your point?

It's sad, yes. For some, it's just the wake up call that we need, I know that it was for me.
For others, nothing will be done...

That possibly somebody with a significant amount of weight to lose here may be struggling and wanting to give up, might read this for inspiration.
Like diets, there are people that will come here and not do well because of lack of consistency or lack of motivation. If it helps just one, then the post is worth is.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

gzus7freek

That very same thing happened to me at Kings Dominion. After I got off the coaster I spent the next 3 hours roaming the park crying. I was 400 pounds at the time and was extremely embarrassed at the fact the ride attendant looked me in the eye and said get off you don't fit. I was unable to ride any of the coasters and after I finished my own pity party all I could do was walk with my kids and watch them have fun and have my younger son ask me at each and every ride if I thought I could fit into this one. It was a massive wake up call for me and I am very excited to go back next summer when I know I will fit.

maab_connor

That just made me really sad.

I went to go buy a lifting belt today and the XLs didn't fit. They didn't have bigger ones. :grumble:

and this is another very sad fact - a lot of the STUFF that you will need as you start getting serious about losing weight, has a weight limit, or is not available plus size. that's why there are so many threads of women asking who got a good sports bra where.

seltzermint555

Last summer I barely fit in the roller coaster harness. That was one of my motivators for losing weight. That, and wanting to be able to sit in a chair without spilling over the sides.

TOTALLY agree with you...these are some of my NSV...knowing I'll fit next time I go to an amusement park (I've always fit but it was tight and uncomfy 40 lb ago) and how happy I feel when I can put my arms down at my sides *inside* the arm of any chair when seated.

k8blujay2

Think having children is one of the most inspirational things you can do. Keeps you in check to some degree because you have to set a great example for them and keep in shape to keep up with them.

Certainly since I have been on my new regime I have lots more energy and more likely to do physical activities for them.

Hopefully when things like this happen it's a wake up call for all involved!

I can certainly agree with that... While I haven't had the experience of being so overweight that I couldn't fit into anything... My little one is what keeps me going in being healthy... I want to be able to keep up with them even when they are 20.

britzzie

But maybe if that is the moment that makes someone realise they have to do something for their own sake and the sake of their children - is that not a good thing? - it is a bitter, humiliating pill to swallow but has probably triggered a lot of success stories?

Yep! Happened to me with my daughter. It was completely humiliating for me and devastating for her. Helped me realize how I was doing a disservice to myself and to her by choosing to remain so heavy. Still pulls my heartstrings when I think about it.

britzzie

But maybe if that is the moment that makes someone realise they have to do something for their own sake and the sake of their children - is that not a good thing? - it is a bitter, humiliating pill to swallow but has probably triggered a lot of success stories?

If that's the moment, then yes it's good. But I'm betting only about 1 out of 10 would actually follow through with doing anything about it.
It's not just amusement park rides either. Riding on planes and public transportation has got to be uncomfortable for both parties. It's sad that it takes an event for some to realize how big they have really gotten.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Not trying to be all sensitive here, but how is it "sad that it takes an event to realize how big they have gotten"? Getting big usually happens over a long period of time, and frequently, when people look in the mirror, they don't see themselves accurately. I know when I look at old pictures of me that I always think: "I can't believe I let myself get that big!" When at the time, I didn't think I was "that big." So...yes it took not fitting into a rollercoaster (and a couple other things) to inspire me to lose > than 70 pounds and counting.

It is "sad" perhaps that we allow ourselves to get so heavy. But I don't think it's "sad" that some humiliating event spurns us to focus on our health. I think it's pretty great, actually. Wonderful, in fact.

bdeezy3396

Same with skydiving - weight restrictions - and the one time I went to do it, I was way to heavy for the tandem diving. Getting ready to do it before summers end because I'm now way under the weight restrictions !!!!

Nishi2013

Every time a "worst fat moment" thread is posted half the replies are about being too fat to ride a rollercoaster. I bet it's only a matter of time til a plus size theme park opens

That will be a sad day for America; sadder than perhaps an obese father finding motivation to lose weight at a theme park.

RhonndaJ

But maybe if that is the moment that makes someone realise they have to do something for their own sake and the sake of their children - is that not a good thing? - it is a bitter, humiliating pill to swallow but has probably triggered a lot of success stories?

Me! *waves*

Last summer my husband and I went to our annual fair. We were standing in line to get on the Ferris Wheel and when we got to the front,the carny looked all embarrassed and said we would have to wait until "more people our size came along to balance it out."
I was near 300lbs at the time, ditto the hubby. So we stood there for about 10 minutes while all the skinny teens got on... waiting for more chubby folk to get in line..."to balance it out". I was humiliated and decided two things right there:. 1.Not getting on a ride that rickety anyway. 2. Not spending another summer fat.

As someone who experienced an unbalanced ferris wheel when I was a child, I thank you for your patience.