Some observations from vacation

I want to start referring to 'vacation' as 'holiday', like the Europeans, but then nobody here would know what I'm talking about.  Holiday sounds cooler.

These are some random things from vacation:

1. I totally JUST about had the lap belt on in the plane, it took a little work; BUT the male airplane staff said, 'hey sweetie, do you need this?' and handed me the extender.  I was one of the first on the plane, he whispered it to avoid embarassing me.... I took it and just used it. I seriously had to pull it ALL the way tight, it made the lap belt way too freakin big for me.  I just panicked when he came over there I guess.  I kinda wanted to cry, but then again I would have had the normal lap belt clicked in like eight seconds had Mr. Jolly not come over there.  He was a gem.  Even 50 pounds down, I did still use it, but I don't think it was NECESSARY.  A LOT of my weight is carried in my bottom belly roll, right where the darn lap belt goes.  Ugh.  Not cool, but then again I wasn't too upset about the situation.  Had he shouted it in front of a bunch of other passengers, there would have been hell to pay - but he was just being a little sweetie about it.  Never again though, and it's pretty cool to see how far I've come.  In April, I flew to Phoenix for my birthday and I HAD to use it.  The belt was nowhere near being able to buckle. 

2. I saw these two very large women who appeared to be sisters or something.  I went and ordered a coffee black and was waiting near the line for my friend.  The two women, one of which was using a cane (mobility was definitely an issue for her) and seemed to be out of breath, ordered 'black and white lattes' (mocha and vanilla latte combo) and 2 desserts each from the Mrs. Fields coffee bar.  I remember thinking, 'No!!!  What the FUCK are you doing?!".  I felt sad for them.  Now, granted, I gained 3.5 pounds over my vacation and probably have no room to talk....  I remember being in the place where I didn't care to change, where I had no shame in eating ridiculous foods, constantly.  :(  Boo....

3.  Big girls need not dress scantily clad, EVER.  I don't care if you're in Vegas.  Sure, I'm all about - if you got it, flaunt it.  Wear clothes that highlight your 'assets', whatever they may be.  But if you are 260 pounds, don't wear a tiny camisole and way too tight jeans.  It's not cute.  It's a little gross.  Invest in some jeans that are your size, some Spanx and cute tops with a little bling on them or something.  Puke.

4. I was a lot more outgoing and talkative with strangers than I would have been even 6 months ago.  I was a little self conscious, sure, but I wasn't insecure and introverted.  I made some friends, danced, partied like a rockstar, struck up conversations on the plane.... it was a blast.  I felt more comfortable in my own skin and that was a beautiful thing.  I smiled at strangers, raised my glass with foreigners from all over the globe and just had a great time.  I remember my birthday trip in April, we went out one night and I sat at the table most of the time.  I just wasn't happy at all.  I didn't start conversations or even hold eye contact with people.  I think I was ashamed of who I was, that is so depressing.  Not that I'm completely happy with where I am now, but I'm damn proud of the progress I've made so far.

5.  People are nicer than I ever thought they were.  I think that is all part of my attitude towards the trip and how I felt about me.  I was very happy about that, the whole experience was just rad and I can't wait to go back.

6. Late night foods, as in 4-6am, are not healthy and my mind wasn't functioning at the time to make healthy decisions.  When I was sober (3-8pm); I made pretty darn good choices.  (Minus the pumpkin pecan cheesecake, but I did split it with a friend and I was at the Cheesecake Factory so it was necessary)  You can't come off a night of drinking and order a salad - the late night menus are out at that point and I don't even think salad is an option.  That sucks.  But after the carbs, sugars and alcohol of Vegas drinks - does it really matter?  Probably.  I want to develop a better plan for my next trip.

*Yesterday I wasn't THAT upset about my gain, but today the reality sunk in a little more and I can't believe I gained that much.  I got in the scale this morning and it's only 2.5 pounds up vs. 3.5 so that's a good thing, but really?  That is almost a pound a day, yikes.  It does show how easy it is to gain it back, when it's a bear to lose a pound.  Ugh. 

7. Escalators are the devil when you're drunk.  Don't do it.

8. When in Vegas, text yourself your room number and what hotel you're staying in, just in case you forget later.

9. Buy gallons of water at Walgreens or something and take them to your room. Buying a couple liters every day gets pricey. 

10.  Vegas fucking rocks and I'm going again in April!! I will NOT use an extender and I'll have even more swagger than I did this time.  Look out, Sin City, skinnier April is coming back to rock it for my 30th birthday!!  Hey, how cool that will be the end of my 30 before 30 blog list too?!  Double celebration.  Maybe you all need to come with me.  :)

11. I almost forgot! If your room has an adjoining door, make sure that shit is locked!  Ugh, not cool....