I am a little scared...*** post 18 has a video link** *UPDATED WITH THE STORY!*

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Ok guys, I don't know what came over me 2 weeks ago, but I commited to doiong the Polar Bear Plunge with my DS. What was I thinking?????

I have to admit I am really scared right now. I am not the kind of person that enjoys cold swimming pools, I would be the one that goes in VERY S-L-O-W-L-Y with my arms wrapped tightly about me in a regular pool, how am I going to handle this plunge???? Right now it is 21 Degrees out!

I know why I did this... I am so tired of saying "I will do (fill in blank) when I loose the weight". I guess I was thinking symbolicly about "taking the plunge"... again... What was I thinking????


We will be leaving in about 1/2 hour and the plunge is in 2 1/2 hours, so if you read this in time, send me warm, happy thoughts....

 

[zurgswife]

Extra Warm happy thoughts......

 

[adsrtw]

Oh, I really hope you have a nice warm cup of coffee waiting for you.

 

[MelanieC]

Good for you. Even though it's cold and a little scary - It so great to do things outside your comfort zone. You'll remember this for the rest of your life. I'm a big fan of the N.O.W philsophy (No Opportunity Wasted - a book by Phil Keoghan from the Amazing Race).

Have fun seizing the moment - and get warm and cozy soon. After reading this book I did 2 half marathons, rode in a hot air balloon, saw a space shuttle launch. I need to read it again - it really shows you how you need to seize every opportunity.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

OMG! This is so cool!

I can't w-w-w-wwwait to hear all about it. Hope you don't shiver too much and can come give us all the fun details!

Congratulations for doing something like this for you!

 

[r3ngels]

How awesome! I always think not until I lose weight... but you can't not live your life.

I am sending you WARM thoughts... is it working... do you feel like you are on a toasty beach or what about WDW in June.

 

[dare2dream]

You go girl!!! You dare to dream!!! I know you will come through this adventure just fine (maybe a little chilly though). I can't wait to hear all the details.

 

[MelanieC]

????? I'm so excited to hear how it went!!

You've got me all excited to make a list of things I want to do - I'll have to add to my list, I do have a list at home. It's so fun to cross things off your list that you want to do. It makes it easier to actually do things when you see it on a list.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Oh my gosh, I am back and it was worse than I possibly dreamed! LOL!

Seriously, when I imagined what it would be like, I remembered what it looked like when I watched it from the sidelines a couple of years ago. I imagined everyone on the beach and at the stroke of 12 a loud uproar from the crowd as everyone runs in (and I run right back out ). SOOOOOOO not what it was like this year!!!!!!!!

First of all we park about a mile away and walk to the beach, the wind is so strong, my face and fingers are numb by the time we get to the beach. Huges waves with big white caps rolling in. As we got closer to the beach, my DH points out the icebergs in the water ..... WTH!!!!

Gets worse...

At the edge of the water, there is a 3 foot tall snow/ice bank about 5 feet wide. OKAYYYYYY, how the heck am I supposed to get over that? DS and I go exploring to see if there is a spot cleared out to run in... nope, nada. On top of that I look over the edge, all I see is tons of ice chunks moving about. A guy described it as swimming in a Marguaritta. the ice chunks go on for about 20 feet out. As I look over the edge I also notice that the snowbank is carved out underneath on the lake side because of the waves. I have NOOOO idea how in the world I am going to get back out. I was pretty scared by this point, but I had told so many people I was doing this that I couldn't back out, and I didn't want to, another mountain for me to conquer along my weight loss journey. Had to find a way. DH tells me he'll help pull me out. I just was so scared of getting "stuck" out there. We go back and DH sets up the tent where we will change, I slowly start taking my layers off. Down to my swimsuit, shorts, sweats, and water shoes, and I am wrapped in a nice fluffy blanket. I decide to keep my sweats on as I go in, because I was so worried that the ice would scrape my legs as I get pulled out. (I had extra clothes with me). We hear a roar from the crowd but it doesn't look like anyone is moving?

We get closer to see that people are going in one by one through paths they found to try and get in, I decide this is it. Still no clue of how to get in, we just walk toward the middle of the beach and ask some people coming out where they went in. They said there was a ladder by the police rescue divers who were in the water. Ok, perfect, I'll go there because if nothing else, I know the divers are there to give me CPR.

There was a small area worn down, and I ask for help from nearby people to help hold my hand as I slide in to the water. It was about to my knees, maybe more. VERY COLD! But by now I almost don't feel it because it is such a shock and I had worried myself into such a scared state. I wade forward through the ice chunks and at one point stumbled. I looked at hubby like I can't believe I am in here!!!! I was able to get wet to my shoulders but I could not dunk my head, I would say only 10% of the people dunked their head. the idea of putting my head under all that ice was just too much to bear. On the way out.... I lost a shoe!!!!! I felt around for it a bit, but could not find it. GREAT! Now I get to the edge, and I probably sounded dazed as I repeated over and over again, "I lost a shoe" Poor DH didn't know what to do to help me. He and another man gave me their hands and hoisted me up. I am stepping on his boot as I walk, and then past the ice chunks I am walking on the cold beach, and my toes are on FIRE. We make it back to the tent to change and my feet were so cold that I couldn't make my hands and feet work together so DH actually had to put my shoes on.

when we were all done, I remarked on how I was so focussed on the actual process of getting in and out of the water that I didn't even look around me, or down the stretch of beach to see others in the water. As psychotic as it was to do this voluntarily, I wish that I could have enjoyed it more. Taken more time to smell the roses as it were...

BUT, I am sooo proud of myself for going through with it. I learned alot about myself, it took courage, determination and grit, (ALOT OF COURAGE to get over the snowbank and literally PLUNGE into the water instead of run into it) and I DID IT!!!! DS had a good time too. I am very proud of him too.

I do plan on going back again, and dipping my head in. First I have to warm up! I am sitting here with toe warmers in my socks, and I still feel chilled 5 hours later. But I felt exhilarated and very proud!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

zurgswife, Tiger Lily 03, r3ngels, Hanks everyone for sending in warm thoughts and encouragement! I appreciate them more than you know!

adsrtw, DH did have some hot chocolate for me! it warmed me up for sure.

MelanieC, I have not heard of that book, I think I am going to have to get it. I am slowly learning to step out of my comfort zone and I think I am slowly getting into the N.O.W. philosophy. Joining TaeKwonDo has really helped that. ANd you have a great idea of writing down things to do. I think I will do that as well.

Brenda, I love your "Dare2Dream", it continues to motivate me, glad that I inspire you, I think that is one wonderful benefit of stepping outside of the box!

 

[TammyNC]

WTG PRINCESS VIJA...You are the WOMAN!!!! I hope you start warming up soon. WOW is all I can say, you are such an inspiration to us all to step out of our comfort zone more. I hope DS is catering to you this evening.

 

[MelanieC]

I'm so proud of you!!! Thanks so much for sharing this. I can imagine you feel like I did after I finished the 1/2 marathon. I was scared as heck before I did it, and the sense of accomplishing it was so exhilerating. CONGRATULATIONS.

 

[MelanieC]

Maybe we should have an I Did it thread where we each list a few things we would like to accomplish and we motivate each other to do these things. Its very motivating!!

 

[Sunshineminnie]

I loved reading your story! Thanks for sharing.

YOu will ALWAYS remember this. What an awesome way to start out he new year!!!!!!

CONGRATS!!!!

and a little something for your warm thoughts!

 

[Debbie]

VIJA! I am SOOOOOOO proud of you, and you should be, too. What a way to start a new year! You ARE da WOman!

p.s. I hope that you've warmed up by now!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

You Rule!

 

[r3ngels]

That really is soooooo awesome...

I always saw those CRAZYIES on TV... I just didn't think sane people did it.

Just think starting out 2009 like that, there is nothing you can't do this year!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Thanks for all of your wonderful thoughts, I do believe this helped show me that with determination and just the thought "I WILL do this no matter what" that I can achieve my weight loss dreams. Just like I thought when I was looking over the ice shelf... "have to find a way"... so to this year and my weight loss challenge.....

I have to find a way
I WILL do this no matter what!!!!!!



Here is video photage from a local news station, it shows you the ice shelf, icebergs and a few crazy people.... (am I now considered crazy??? )

http://www.cbs58.com/index.php?aid=5806

 

[karebear1]

That is just too funny Vija!! You're a CRAZY WOMAN!

 

[r3ngels]

I laughed so hard when they said the people have a screw loose...

I was cold just watching it... I hope you are warm now.