When I started the process for weight loss surgery I made a list of things I always wanted to do but I was either too big or too scared. I wanted to reward myself with these things since I spent the last 30 years always rewarding myself with food. I’m happy to say that in one week I crossed off two major items.
Living by the ocean is amazing. There’s so many things to do here and one of the biggest over the past few years has been Stand Up Paddleboard. I wanted to try it so badly years ago but that would require me to be outside… in front of humans… in a bathing suit. That took care of that thought!
Well this year I saw that my local YMCA was offering a Stand Up Paddleboard class in the pool. I used to think that my body needed to be “perfect” before I would ever show it in a bathing suit but I know that I will never be perfect but my body is mine and it’s amazing and if I want to learn I need to get over myself.
I told my husband that I know that when I take his class it’s going to be me and a bunch of 8 year olds but I didn’t care. I showed up ready to go.
Sure enough my classmates were 8, 10, 12 and (thankfully) 70! I shook off my fear of looking like a fool, of wearing a bathing suit in semi-public and my fear of falling and possibly drowning my tiny classmates and just did it!
It was wonderful. I was able to climb on and start on my knees then I even mastered the hop to standing. For a former 400 pound person this is MONUMENTAL! I could never jump like that before! Certainly not off my knees!
It’s amazing what can happen when you shed your fear, forget about perfection, and just live!
3 Responses
This post makes me so happy! Look at you, out there in the pool doing something new and exciting and scary and in a bathing suit to top it off! Awesome. 🙂
Hi…met you at support group yesterday. SUP is on my list too. My parents have a summer house on s lake and my fat self jealously watches the Stand up paddlers having fun each summer. I can’t wait to be one of them.
Hello! This was such a tremendous victory to get in that pool. You will love it. Thank you for connecting and please keep in touch.