Holiday ruined due to my weight.

[Emmas85]

I've got a trip of a lifetime booked to New York in January, been booked for a year in order to pay for it. I am so overweight, need to lose 7 stone to be a healthy bmi (size 18/20) I've tried every diet so many times and here I am still huge and I feel like I've ruined the trip for myself already. I am really unfit so am dreading the walking already, the plane seat, the plane tray not coming down and having to pretend I'm asleep so no one notices. I don't even know why I'm posting tbh but I feel a bit better having 'said' it out loud. Aibu to think it's ruined before it's even started.

There is really nothing wrong with being size 18-20. If you’re concerned about your fitness that’s another issue and one that is possible to remedy. So yes, start walking now and you’ll have had some practice by the time of your holiday. Then when you get back, look at developing an exercise plan of some kind. It doesn’t have to be difficult! And don’t give yourself a hard time. Enjoy your trip.

Nobody else will be worrying about what size you are. You will be the only one thinking about it. Really, it just won't register with other people. They will all just be thinking about their own lives and how they are flying to NY. Enjoy yourself and don't let worrying about what other people think ruin what could be an awesome trip.

to realise how walking 6 miles a day and having two small meals a day works well for millions of people

Some people eat only twice a day?!

And bring good, comfortable walking shoes. And warm clothes, it's been a mild winter so far but January can be quite cold.

My dream vacation!

Hope you have an amazing time.

Trust me, no one will be fixated on your size. Everyone is too occupied with themselves to think twice about someone else.

Please don’t overthink this. Enjoy yourself!

Some people eat only twice a day?!
Yup, many many people have coffee for breakfast, a light lunch and a decent supper
its the Manhattan way (and delicious)

I lived in Ny and have disabilities and bad feet. You do not need to walk much as there is a metro, so it was easier than getting around my home town in the UK. Bernie Mev shoes are the only comfy shoes for me, even insoles from the dr did not help. Believe it or not, people are busy and do not look at you. Cancel if you can get money back and go when you feel better about yourself.

Please don’t worry! What airline are you flying with? I’m currently on my honeymoon. We flew with British airways. I’m a size 20/22 and fit into the seat with no problems. Didn’t even have to have a seatbelt extender. I will admit I’m not used to walking around so much (we are in Italy) however I’ve really enjoyed it! Enjoy your holiday, you’ll have a fantastic time!

Im bigger than you and recently flew with easyjet so budget airline and had no prob with the seatbelt-you might get tired just keep taking breaks when youre out-enjoy your holiday

Please don’t let this ruin your amazing trip. No one will bat an eyelid at your size and hopefully you’ll have such a great time you won’t be thinking about it too much. There is a lot of walking but you can break it up, use the subway etc.

You'll fit fine. I am a 22 and I fly everywhere. The seats are tight I'm not gonna lie, but it doesn't stop me.

I walk everywhere on holiday too so sometimes come back a bit lighter.

I flew to NYC last August and the seat belt done up.

What date in Jan? I'm after losing a stone in a month on slimming world. Only diet that has ever worked for me, I just love my food too much.

I’m on the subway going into Manhattan right now, it’s full of people of every shape and size. Honestly nobody will notice your size.

Don’t let this spoil your trip! Go and enjoy it!

That's the perfect way to put it Womb

Could this be inspiration for 2020 - try and enjoy newyork - might be worth building up your exercise tolerance before you go if you can

I put off flying for years - but went short haul no frills this year and I'm fatter than you (about a size 26) - and did need a seatbelt extender to actually be at all comfortable, but even that wasn't a trauma - I just asked as I got on the plane quietly to the crew and they brought one over. The only traumas on the plane were the fact I hate flying anyway, the existence of Luton airport and the entire under 13 football team sat in the seats next to and around us who had been delayed in the airport and blown all their money on sweets and fizzy drink so were bouncing around the plane pretty much!

Decent shoes if you're overweight and suddenly going to do loads of walking though! I've gone from inert to about 12k steps a day and my feet were the bloody worst part of it all!

I recommend Megan Crabbe (Body Posi Panda on Instagram) and Yr Fat Friend and Sofie Hagen. Check out their Instagram pages and highlights. Sofie has a great podcast called Made of Human I recommend. The episode with Megan on it is a really good one. There is also a good episode of Fern Cotton's Happy Place podcast with Megan on it where she talks really well about zooming out and focusing on experiencing your life and enjoying moments like holidays rather than zooming in on your body and your feelings about it. It's a fab introduction to thinking differently and giving yourself permission to enjoy experiences regardless of the shape of the body you live in. Have a fab time in NYC, you will love it :)

I went to NY at your clothes size. The only thing I would recommend is to build up your leg muscles as I was very unfit and needed a sit down occasionally. Also wear trainers. I ruined my feet in sandals and had to buy some trainers there. I think NY is possible at your size, but maybe you think you should be thinner.

My mum was a size 20/22 when she went to nyc and she had the time of her life! She fitted in the airline seat / belt comfortably no tray problems and if you don’t just ask for an extender. She wore comfy shoes and we used taxis and the tourist bus to get around. Have a great time

Everyone will be wearing so many layers of clothing, no one will take the slightest bit of notice!

It's bitterly cold in New York in winter, take loads and loads of thermals and layers. It's an amazing city once you're there you won't even remember what you were worrying about.

2 years ago I was the same size as you and went to New York for Christmas.
The tray table came down fine and the seat belt fitted me.

The walking was hard because we wanted to do a lot but it's freezing so a regular stop for a drink somewhere warm (while you sit and rest) is reasonable imo.

Who are you going with? Will they be ok with stopping for breaks?

Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and thin layers you can easily remove if you get a bit warm like I do when I'm walking.
You'll have a lovely time!

What a refreshing thread, so much understanding and positivity. wombofonesown your mum is amazing! OP have the most incredible time!

Just to reassure you, I worried myself sick about my weight on my last holiday (bigger than you) as I was worried I wouldn't fit into the plane seat and would get kicked off the flight. It came to nothing, took my own seatbelt extension (you can get them off eBay for about £10) fitted fine into the seat and the tray came down no problems. Enjoy your holiday!!

If you started on a diet like slimming work NOW, you could lose half a stone easily.

You will also feel thinner and better instantly - as soon as you start dieting.

If your current size is 18/20 thats really not that bad and your no where near seatbelt extension territory!

Have a brilliant time OP.