Not only are the pictures from this trip going to be vastly different, but the trip itself will be unlike any I have ever taken to WDW. I won't need an extension for the airplane seatbelt. I won't have to worry about the lap bar coming down too far for comfort or not far enough for safety. Eating in restaurants will be so much easier (yes, I said easier!) because I won't have to worry about fitting into the small spaces that they have for people to sit in anymore. I won't have to turn sideways and lift my fanny pack up over the turnstile to get into some of those older rides. If I see a shirt that I like I can buy it without having to look far and wide for a plus size or a man's style. I will not have trouble getting in and out of the swimming pool. I could go on and on... But I don't need to because some of you have been in that place too.
I am so proud to have you as friends. You may not know this, but I don't know if I would have done this as easily without you here to talk to and commiserate with and report to. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I also wanted to tell you something else. The next to the last time I got to be with my Mom before she died she looked at me and said, "You are so beautiful to me in so many ways. I wish you would lose some weight so that your family can love you as long as I have." That was in December 2005, and I made up my mind I would do something about it. I did not set a New Year's Resolution because this was something more important than that. I set a new Life Goal. And I was able to tell her when I saw her the last time in January that I had started the diet on January 16, and had already lost 12 pounds.
Even though I never saw her again, I know that she knows what an effect she had on my last 9 months. It has been lilke a rebirth for me. And my decisions have influenced others to make Life Changes too. My sister, who has always been a much larger woman than me (she is 6 feet tall to my 5'4") has also started exercising and watching her weight. She has lost 32 pounds since my Mom's funeral in April.
Some of you have PMed or emailed me to tell me that you knew you could do this too and you have! I did not set out to be an inspiration and I still don't feel as if I fit that role at all. But I do know that I have made dear friends and we have helped each other become even more beautiful, powerful, healthy women. That makes me happier than you will ever know. May you have many tens of years left for your families to love the spectacular women you are.
That means I've lost 9 lbs since starting Weight Watchers. According to my scale I am now 2 lbs away from my previous low after Atkins. I'm so happy to be losing what I have gained. 2 more lbs and I can start working on those lbs that I couldn't lose the first time around
Thanks, Elin, for sharing all of that. I can't wait to hear about how wonderful this upcoming trip is for you, seeing the World in a different light! And - whether you like it or not - you HAVE been an inspiration. Thank you 
thanks, Jennifer. It is wonderful to see you post. 
and 
Within the past week I had 4 people say something, before that 0. I've known I hide weight loss and gain well, and I think that proves it.
I had to turn around and see if there was anyone else on the street with me!!
I think we found the way to keep the "spark" alive.
for all of us 
