Thursday, March 10, 2011

Boston Adventure

About a year and a half ago, I went to visit my sister and brother-in-law in Boston. They live about 1/2 mile from the train stop that takes them anywhere they want to go in and around the city, and they try to not drive their car whenever possible because getting around Boston by car is a pain in the ass. That 1/2 mile just to get to the train was awful. My knees hurt, my feet ached, I despised the one hill we had to climb, and then we had to actually go into the train station, climb down the stairs, and get on the train. By that point, I was a mess. And that was only the beginning. Once we reached our destination, we would also have to walk wherever we were going. The science museum, the Boston harbor, restaurants...it was all a complete nightmare. There were several times I was practically in tears, desperate to not take one more step.

I missed out on a lot. I insisted on taking the car several times when the train would have been the better choice because I. JUST. COULD. NOT. DO. IT. I spent most of that trip in pain and just wanting to go home to my nice suburban life where my car would take me wherever I wanted to go. I didn't enjoy the time with my sister like I should have.

It made me very sad.

This visit, 70-ish pounds down, I wanted to walk everywhere. I asked my sister how she managed to move the train SO much closer to her house. It was such an easy, short walk that I couldn't even believe that I once found it painfully difficult.

We walked everywhere.

We took the train to Harvard and walked the 2 miles back. No problem whatsoever. We did another mile or so that night.

We walked well over 5 miles one day. It was beautiful out, chilly, but the sun was shining, so we walked and walked and walked. I saw more of Boston on foot in one day than I'd ever seen there in all of my previous visits combined.

As we were entering the train station one time, we heard the train approaching. We ran for the train. Ran down the stairs, and we caught it before it pulled out of the station. It was exhilarating for this former nearly-300-pound person to run to catch a train with no problem. I wasn't even winded when I got there.

The whole trip, I kept remarking how my life had truly changed. It was amazing how easy it all was. I wasn't dragging my bones all over the place. I wasn't merely existing. I was living. Really and truly.

I crossed off two very important items on my "Reasons to Lose 100 Pounds" list this week:

39. To be able to run all around any city with my sister, up and down hills and the subway stairs, without feeling like I am going to pass out from leg/knee pain.
40. To not have a couple of miles of city walking feel as daunting as a marathon.

It was easy. It was fun. It felt amazing. My feet didn't hurt.

And a bonus? Finding out that my beautiful little sister with the adorably curvy body I'd love to have? Yeah. She's only 2 sizes smaller than I am right now. I wore her old coat. It was a bit snug but it FIT. It buttoned and everything.

I may have a ways to go before I am "done" but I am in a great place right now. I'm looking forward to whatever is coming next.

Here are some pictures of our adventures...

Bundled up in the icy cold night:


At Harvard:



Snowy park:


Breakfast with my sister and her sister-in-law and nephew:


The most amazing pizza from Pizzaria Posto - rosemary ham, brie, arugula, honeycrisp apples, and a wine reduction sauce. Yum.


Hanging out by the water:


Riding the train...comfortably!






Outside the aquarium:


With some penguins:


And for comparison, these are from previous trips to Boston. What a difference, huh?



12 comments:

DiZneDiVa said...

Awesome... love the photos! I am so glad you enjoyed your visit this time!

Meli said...

stephanie!! this post brought back sooo many memories. i lived in boston for like 7yrs. i'm all too familiar with the walking, the stairs, the running to catch trains. all of it. and i was so heavy back in my college days. i just wanted to be back in miami where everyone drove cars. i'd love to go back now and enjoy it without all the difficulty.

where does your sister live? i'm all too familiar. which T stop was she closest too?

Rhonda said...

Victory! :) Amazing difference a year and a half can make. You look so much happier, not to mention thinner. Beautiful post.

nikki said...

This post is so full of NSV's! How exciting! I'm so happy you've marked off two things on your list, I know you feel fabulous. Way to go, girly! & you look great. Thanks for sharing the pics.

Beth Ann said...

I love, love, love stories like that. You just sound so doggone happy and that is AWESOME!

Theresa said...

I am so proud of you Stephanie! You look amazing and even more importantly, it's obvious that you feel amazing! You.go.girl!!!

Dawnya said...

WOW...you look so happy!!! Congratulations on being able to live your life the way life is supposed to be lived.

There is so much more to come.

-Grace- said...

Sounds like a great trip!!

Heather said...

What wonderful pictures and a more wonderful story. Congratulations on all of the things that you can do now! It is such a wonderful feeling.

Linda said...

What an awesome post Stephanie!That's why we did this,right?

Amanda Kiska said...

WOW! Just wow!

And I think you might need some new jeans. Those ones are looking pretty baggy.

Mary H. said...

Isn't it awesome how much better it feels to walk without carrying all that extra around? I think that's been my favorite part so far. I no longer dread things that involve walking! Way to go! :)