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.

I just want to say thank you again to everyone who has commented. You really are all amazing! I've been in tears this evening reading your comments. I will enjoy this holiday 😊

There will be loads of fat people in New York, and plenty on the plane. Lots of alternatives easily available if walking is too much.

i have done transatlantic flights 4 times being between size 20 and 26. Only ever needed extension belt once with a BA flight. Never on a virgin flight. Always fly coach and never had a problem. Made sure I was never beside a stranger and pre booked our family seats too. Never had an issue and adrenaline will keep you going on holiday. I managed to walk 12 miles a day doing so many different things!

Just enjoy yourself!! :)

18/20 really isnt huuuuuuuge....

No it's not. Just get some walking practice in before you go and you will be fine.

You have two weeks to increase your walking stamina and test your most comfortable footwear and clothes. In those two weeks you could also start a healthy etaing programme and lose a few pounds. By 13th Jan you'll be feeling stronger, fitter, slimmer and more energised. And once you are there you will just walk and gaze at the gorgeous sights and have a wonderful time.

Love NY and you will too.. As people have indicated, there is a lot of plus size in NY, you just need the right attitude & some walking fitness so work on the walking stamina now. NY can be bitterly cold in Jan /Feb and possibly icy.. so take either good walking boots and trainers to alternate depending on need. have a fabulous time!

Yep, agree with everyone, start walking a bit everyday now and you will soon not even notice walking those extra miles. It’s sometimes a little tricky to feel motivated in the cold weather to get out there (I have a dog, so a bit easier, cause she’d piss on the carpet if I didn’t...can you borrow someone’s dog to walk for a few days?).

At my most unfittest, I went on a walking holiday and lost 11 lbs over a week - eating what I wanted too. We walked 100 miles in 7 days (mostly uphill mind), which may sound a lot, but with plenty of breaks and lots to see, the miles soon clock up. I had a pedometer and it really motivated me to add a bit more on each day. But you must stretch your muscles afterwards, I once made the mistake of not doing this and suffered. Enjoy your holiday and make the most of it, the only person worried about your fitness/dress size/weight is you. All the very best!

I don't often like these kind of motivational things, but this one seems to apply - you need to enjoy the trip you have in front of you, not the one you might have if things were different.

@JoeGargery , my mom is actually often a very awful person. But when she is right, she's very, very right! (If only she didn't think that was "all the time.")

OP I'm a similar size and have flown a few times this year without any problems.

My advice to you would be:

• wear comfy clothes (layers) and shoes (Skechers go walk are good)
• plan your days so you have plenty of breaks in coffee shops etc
• eat sensibly while you're there - I'm going to try to cut down on white bread/carbs, and I find it easier to start when I'm away/eating out as I don't have to prepare it!
• buy a pedometer/activity tracker so you can see how far you've walked/calories you've burned to spur you on
• have a fabulous time!

Just to add, I once wasted a whole week in Spain sat on a balcony feeling sorry for myself about the way I looked, looking back...I wish I was as fat as I was then! (Because I’m fatter now). And I wasted that time for what...nobody gave a monkeys, and if they did it would have been a fleeting thought.

I've flown lots of times as a size 18/20 and never had an issue with seat size or belt size. I think you are imagining things to be worse than they are.

I've done a transatlantic flight at size 18 and had no trouble with seat belts or trays. Once you get to the US, you'll find a lot of people are bigger than you.

What I found was that the sudden increase in walking played havoc with my knees and ankles, so I second what PPs said about spending the next two weeks upping your daily step count.

No one will notice your weight/once you get to NY there'll be loads of bigger people.

One tip - sorry if it's already been mentioned - amazon sell seatbelt extenders - useful to have in hand luggage just in case and obviously avoids having to ask for one.

@WombOfOnesOwn I’m sorry to hear that; I’m glad she was right about this and that you ended up awesome.

I have just returned from NYC, im exactly the same size as you and dreaded the flight, the walking etc... I was absolutely fine, the seat was no problem and NYC is flat so no problems getting out of breath etc. I made the most of the trip - make sure you do the same. Ps NYC is awesome

I flew long haul back from the Caribbean last week and being a size 20 my belt was fine and I was comfortable. I was in the same shoes as you feeling the exactly the same about my size, but when I was there all my fears and worries about my size and how I may look went in the f it bucket. I didn't worry once, and that was in temps of 37!
No one will know you or your life story, you more than likely will never see anyone there ever again, and you really don't need to worry about pics going on SM as you're in control; share what you wish to. Go and enjoy and be grateful you're able to explore the world.

Honestly, I’m a LOT bigger than you and whilst the seat was a little bit tight on my last short haul flight, it was fine. I asked the steward for an extension belt and tried to keep myself off the people next to me.You’ll be fine.

Take your comfiest shoes, I have Dr Martens for walking, I think you will do a lot of walking in New York, I did! It might well be very snowy, so you probably won’t be able to walk too far, thinking about it.

Forget the diet, you need to start looking in the mirror and telling yourself that you are a smart and fabulous women. I mean literally; find a mantra and repeat to to yourself. Grab this wonderful opportunity to visit New York and enjoy every moment. If you need to sit and rest frequently, so what, people watching is wonderful. Live your life and grab happinesss with both hands. Good luck.

I'm very overweight and very unfit, but I'm OK walking so long as it's not uphill. One tip - either wear comfortable trousers or take shorts to wear under skirts - the last thing you need is sore thighs!

Op I went to NY earlier this month, I actually lost a bit of weight because we were too tired after walking around a lot to go out for dinner some nights so picked up boxed salads from Walgreens and ate them in our hotel room!
You will have a wonderful time its a fabulous place!

I recently lost 9lbs in less than 2 weeks on the OurPath eating plan. I never normally lose more than 2lbs in a week, I was amazed. It is low carb and very low sugar, but you can have cheese and cream so not too terrible. If you do that and up your steps, you should drop at least half a size before you go.
Enjoy your trip!

Go and have a wonderful time, it’s an exciting city with so many wonderful things to see. We used the subway to get everywhere. Got tickets after the air train to Jamaica and they were $33 for the week but used phone to work out which station entrance to go into. I couldn’t have walked everywhere & found out I was sick when I got back so the subway was a lifesaver for me

You'll fit fine in place seats at that size.
There's loads of public transport in NY, taxis and the subway and buses.
Honestly I'm bigger than you and would only be excited.