Note: Wrote this yesterday prior to getting on my airplane at 8pm and not getting off of it until 2am… for a 1.5 hour flight. 2 mechanical issues had us sitting in the plane on the runway forever. Shaking my fists at Delta!
I'm writing this from LaGuardia airport as I wait to fly home from Full Figured Fashion Week (posts to come later on the trip!). I love traveling, but it's something that causes a lot of anxiety as I worry about if I'll have some mean stranger next to me on a flight who complains about my size. I've learned over the years how to try to mitigate this risk: strategically selecting seats, sometimes upgrading to first class if it's a long or multi-leg flight, and asking for seat reassignment if it's not a full flight. If you're looking for more specifics, check out this previous post.
No stress on these flights to and from from Lexington and LaGuardia as it's a direct flight and there is 1 side of the plane with only 1 seat, so I'm going to ask for assignment on that side as it looks like a full flight. This particular flight isn't normally so full (I've done it before), but I think since it's a Sunday, people are coming home from vacation.
Anyway – the point of this post: My feet are swollen and blistered from non-sneakers, but my legs aren't swollen or sore in the least. I was super worried about my ankle (I know… I'm tired of talking about it too) and getting around in the city. The last time I was here, I wore my boot and still had some pretty bad swelling. Prior to that, I was here the week after I got my cast off. It was excruciatingly painful, but it was for the Ladies' Home Journal shoot so I sucked it up. This time, my ankle actually held up pretty well! It's swollen, but not nearly as bad as I had expected it to be. I really am not having a lot of pain in it. I have more pain in these blisters I've gotten from wearing different pairs of flats and dress shoes around.
I was able to use the subway a couple times and get up and down the stairs without being winded or having pain (stairs are a little rough on the ankle – especially going down). Several times during the week I chose to walk versus take a taxi. And when a taxi was unavailable, I was able to walk back to the hotel without a problem. I'm a slow walker, but I wasn't wiped out.
I say all of this because it makes me thankful for the fitness that I do have. For the body, however large or imperfect others may see it. It served me well this week and I am starting to see a light at the end of the injury tunnel. I exercise so I am able to do things like this, no matter what the size or weight.
So yeah… thanks body for getting me where I need to go. I remember where we used to be together, and I'm so happy we're in a much better place now. Others may judge us, but we know we're good 🙂
