Life changes inspired by The Rickster!
I WILL go back to Europe. It's just a matter of when. As a full-time college student, money is not pouring out of my pockets. But as I hope I've made clear in this scrapbook- travel is AMAZING and addictive! I can't wait to go back.
But I did learn a lesson. I've fought serious weight issues for years. And while, with time, I'd come to accept and love myself "as is", I also realized I needed to make some changes for the sake of my health. I knew a certain amount of stamina would be needed to keep pace with The Rickster's active tour schedule. So I began to "train" a few months before my trip. I walked the treadmill and swam and lost about 10 pounds.
I struggled on my trip.
Don't mistake me. I had the most wonderful time on my trip. I don't regret anything. But I did struggle. Neuschwanstein castle was a lightbulb moment. Most of our group was able to make the climb in about half an hour to 45 minutes. It took me an hour.
I also remember that there were many other things I opted NOT to do, because I wasn't physically fit enough to do them. I'll never forget how awful I felt on the gondola ride in Venice, when the gondolier kept yelling at me not to move because my weight was throwing off his ability to steer the gondola. It was humiliating. In almost every place we went, there were so many things that I COULD HAVE done, but opted out of- because I knew I wasn't physically up to the task.
Now I only say this, here, on this page, for a reason. I had an amazing trip. There were so many things that I DID DO- and those are the things that I focus on. I did everything on the itinerary. I saw wonderful sights and met incredible people and I laughed so hard sometimes that I cried. My trip was worth every penny that I spent on it.
But I want to go back. And I want to go back and do it all again and opt to do all of the things that I didn't do the first time. I want to take the scenic hike to Neuschwanstein. Every time I work out these days, I'm challenging that mountain! I want to climb that mountain in half an hour or less and I might even be determined to run part of the way! I want to climb the 300+ stairs within the castle with a metaphorical middle finger up and a derisive laugh while mentally saying "take THAT!" and grinning all the while. Then I'll enjoy St Mary's bridge, AND the hike down, AND the following hike to Hohenschwangau!
I'm taking action. I've lost over 70 pounds and lots of inches. I'm working out 4-5 days a week. I'm down from size 20/XXL to an 8-10/M. I'm off of my blood pressure medication. I'm no longer pre-diabetic. My cholesterol is normal. I sleep better. I have more energy. I'm a work in progress because I hope to lose a bit more. As I continue to pursue better health, I can't wait to see what the future brings!
I'll be back in Europe, one way or another, and I will CONQUER!
But I did learn a lesson. I've fought serious weight issues for years. And while, with time, I'd come to accept and love myself "as is", I also realized I needed to make some changes for the sake of my health. I knew a certain amount of stamina would be needed to keep pace with The Rickster's active tour schedule. So I began to "train" a few months before my trip. I walked the treadmill and swam and lost about 10 pounds.
I struggled on my trip.
Don't mistake me. I had the most wonderful time on my trip. I don't regret anything. But I did struggle. Neuschwanstein castle was a lightbulb moment. Most of our group was able to make the climb in about half an hour to 45 minutes. It took me an hour.
I also remember that there were many other things I opted NOT to do, because I wasn't physically fit enough to do them. I'll never forget how awful I felt on the gondola ride in Venice, when the gondolier kept yelling at me not to move because my weight was throwing off his ability to steer the gondola. It was humiliating. In almost every place we went, there were so many things that I COULD HAVE done, but opted out of- because I knew I wasn't physically up to the task.
Now I only say this, here, on this page, for a reason. I had an amazing trip. There were so many things that I DID DO- and those are the things that I focus on. I did everything on the itinerary. I saw wonderful sights and met incredible people and I laughed so hard sometimes that I cried. My trip was worth every penny that I spent on it.
But I want to go back. And I want to go back and do it all again and opt to do all of the things that I didn't do the first time. I want to take the scenic hike to Neuschwanstein. Every time I work out these days, I'm challenging that mountain! I want to climb that mountain in half an hour or less and I might even be determined to run part of the way! I want to climb the 300+ stairs within the castle with a metaphorical middle finger up and a derisive laugh while mentally saying "take THAT!" and grinning all the while. Then I'll enjoy St Mary's bridge, AND the hike down, AND the following hike to Hohenschwangau!
I'm taking action. I've lost over 70 pounds and lots of inches. I'm working out 4-5 days a week. I'm down from size 20/XXL to an 8-10/M. I'm off of my blood pressure medication. I'm no longer pre-diabetic. My cholesterol is normal. I sleep better. I have more energy. I'm a work in progress because I hope to lose a bit more. As I continue to pursue better health, I can't wait to see what the future brings!
I'll be back in Europe, one way or another, and I will CONQUER!
Before and After~
UPDATE
REUNION~
One year after our tour, I had the pleasure of a mini-reunion with some of my tour-mates in the Los Angeles area. My buddy Bucky and I had to re-create our Cinque Terre pose. We've both lost a significant amount of weight, unfortunately, Bucky's weight loss is due to terminal cancer. Bucky and I have kept in touch through Facebook, texting and SKYPE and we were thrilled to get an afternoon together while I was in California with my dad. I was happier yet to see Robert and Lynn, whom I've also kept in touch with via Facebook. We also managed a short Skype session with Buck's tour-buddy, Herb.
Tour mates Robert and Lynn, Bucky's wife Lydia, Buck and me.
May 2016.
May 2016.
Update
We lost our tour buddy, Bucky, on July 20th, 2016. While we'll all miss his vivacious personality and unique views on life, we're glad his pain is gone. His memory will live on for a very long time.