Yay! I can reach the pedals!

[trinityroyal]

This afternoon, husband and I drove home in our new (well, new to us anyway) SUV. It's a little, cute one...an '06 Chevy Equinox.

We traded in the Expedition and got this.

Finally, FINALLY! we have a car that's small enough for me to drive. I can get in without a step-ladder. I can get out without the jump and free-fall. I CAN REACH ALL THE CONTROLS!

The cool thing is, husband can fit too! He's a little cramped for head room, and says that it feels a bit pinched, but he can FIT. Since he's lost nearly 200 lbs on his weight loss program, he can fit into nearly anything now. We even test drove a VW Golf the other day.

Last year at this time, we were worried that husband would get too big for the Expedition, and I was wondering if there was anything bigger on the market that I'd actually be able to see out of, let alone drive.

I am so proud of husband!

As an added bonus, the payments are about 1/2, insurance is about 1/2 and the cost of gas is about 2/3.

Woo-hoo!

 

[klmno]

Congratulations! That sounds so exciting- you get a bonus, the cost is less, and husband- well, husband gets lots of kuddos- that is an amzing accomplishment!

Way To Go!!

 

[susiestar]

WOW!! I totally understand how exciting it is when you finally have the ability to see out of the car!! I think your husband's weight loss is incredible! He should be very proud of himself, and you should be proud too! It really takes a family to help you lose that much weight.

Enjoy your new ride!

 

[Hound dog]

Since I stand 4' 11" in my stocking feet, I truely appreciate where you're coming from. Huge congrats on the new car!

And wow, husband sure has worked hard! That is a fantastic accomplishment! He should be really proud of himself.

 

[Marcie Mac]

Ok - I am jealous..Our truck I sort of have to hop hop leap, grab the hold bar to get into it and its a stretch for me to reach the pedals, and I am 5'6. But SO at 6'3 has no problem. I would like a smaller vehicle as I don't do well driving a couple of feet off the ground - I feel like I am in a semi and forget about parallel parking..I will drive around and run out of gas first looking for something I can easily pull into and back out of where there is nothing behind me because I so cannot judge the distance.

I think the truck is his way of getting back at me cause he sat in my Fiat, I couldn't put the t top on up cause his head was above the windshield, and his knees were up to his chest.

But everything aside, a big congrad to hubby for losing the weight..

Marcie

 

[KTMom91]

I have the same trouble in the Silverado. I drive it with the steering wheel literally in my lap. Glad you found something you both like and that you can drive comfortably.

Congrats to Hubby on his weight loss! That's most impressive!

 

[flutterbee]

Very cool and Way To Go husband!

Enjoy your new ride!

 

[trinityroyal]

I think the truck is his way of getting back at me cause he sat in my Fiat, I couldn't put the t top on up cause his head was above the windshield, and his knees were up to his chest.

Now THAT paints a picture!

I can relate, though. My last car was a Suzuki Swift. Perfect for me to drive the 10 minutes to work and back every day, but not very good for grocery shopping...

I once had to drive husband (6'2") and difficult child (also 6'2" at the time...now taller) across town in it when husband's giant truck was in the shop. And this was before husband's weight loss. I felt like I was driving a clown car. Poor husband practically hanging out the passenger window, and difficult child folded in half in the back seat. He didn't even have enough room to put his feet on the floor.

This is MUCH better.

So...this morning when we go out to do errands, I'm driving! Yay!

 

[witzend]

Isn't it nice to have a car that is well suited to you and what you need? I have to ask - what weight loss program was your husband on? My co-worker is a 400 pound man, and he has had at least one major stroke, is diabetic, has asthma, hypertension, high cholesterol, all the things you expect with obesity. (He drives an Expedition.) I know his wife tries to get him to eat right, but hitting MacDonald's at least once a day is what's killing him. And I do mean killing him....

 

[Fran]

Congrats to husband. What a great achievement.
I sit on pillows when I drive. I'm not short but I am short from the waist up. I hate not being able to see well so I sit on a pillow when I drive the pick up or Jeep. I understand what you mean about a car fitting you.

 

[everywoman]

Congrats on the new car.
Congrats to husband on his weight loss.
My massage therapist's husband is morbidly obese. I think he is close to 600 lbs. When the went to MUSC last week to enroll in the weight loss program there, they dr's were amazed he actually walked in on his own two feet. They were even more amazed that he works everyday as a teacher, coaches football, and plays golf 3 times a week.

When we bought PCdaughter's first new car in 06, husband insisted on the Pontiac G6 because the gas pedal actually raises and lowers, the seat raises, and the steering wheel telescopes. easy child is also 4'11".

 

[Big Bad Kitty]

I suppose you can get rid of the blocks that you used to tie onto your feet to reach the pedals on the bigger car...

 

[Star*]

Congratulations Trinity - you deserve it!

_um if you have no use for those blocks from the pedals - you can send them to me for firewood......fuel costs are going up here 35% over the winter - I think I'll be getting rid of a LOT of furniture.

 

[Wiped Out]

How fun-a new vehicle and even more so since it fits just right! Also, a huge congrats to your husband!

 

[trinityroyal]

Isn't it nice to have a car that is well suited to you and what you need? I have to ask - what weight loss program was your husband on? My co-worker is a 400 pound man, and he has had at least one major stroke, is diabetic, has asthma, hypertension, high cholesterol, all the things you expect with obesity. (He drives an Expedition.) I know his wife tries to get him to eat right, but hitting MacDonald's at least once a day is what's killing him. And I do mean killing him....

Witz,
husband is on a customized program designed for him by a bariatric specialist. Our GP said that husband would die within 10 years if he didn't do something about his weight, and then put him in touch with this doctor.

The program is based on the Glycemic Index, but then further customized based on each patient's blood chemistry, medical history, etc. husband has heart and thyroid issues, so the bdoc keeps a very close eye. Before the program, husband and I were doing the G.I. diet, and he lost about 50 lbs. Since he started seeing this doctor in March 08' he's lost a further 150 lbs or so.

It's a fairly simple diet, but it's hard because it's so strict. Overall it's based on the idea of retraining your body to burn fuel at maximum efficiency. He started out with a very limited list of foods (lean meat, leafy green vegetables, no dairy, no fruit, etc.), and week by week they've been adding food back to his diet based on his blood chemistry and progress,

If your co-worker can get in to see a bariatric specialist, then he might be able to get a similar program developed. I don't think all of the obesity specialists take this approach...this doctor is the only one in the province of Ontario. But the G.I. diet might be a good start. Let me know if you'd like the book references and I can PM you with them.

As for the car, yes, it's wonderful to have something that's well suited to me. I haven't been enthusiastic about driving in years. Today, I kept asking "do you mind if I drive?"

Trinity

 

[trinityroyal]

Fran, not only am I short I'm also short waisted. It's a double-whammy. I'm about 5'2" and I live in heels ALL THE TIME. Doesn't help when I sit down though.

Star, you can certainly have my foot blocks for firewood. I'm keeping the seat pillow, though. It's cushy and just right for the rec room sofa.

The world isn't designed for people of non-average size. Coming from a family of people who fall outside the norms (most in the big-and-tall range, me in the half-pint category), we've learned to adapt. It's just nice to finally have an adaptation in MY direction. Yay!

 

[Abbey]

I've sat for two days wanting to reply, but I'm in the opposite direction. I'm tall and fight all the time with low car ceilings, etc. It's like I'm trying to fit into a pretzel box.

BUT...I'm glad you got what fits you and you're happy.

Abbey

 

[trinityroyal]

I've sat for two days wanting to reply, but I'm in the opposite direction. I'm tall and fight all the time with low car ceilings, etc. It's like I'm trying to fit into a pretzel box.

BUT...I'm glad you got what fits you and you're happy.

Abbey

Abbey, I hear you. husband (6'2") difficult child (6'3") Step-D (about 5'10") and Little easy child (4'4", 6 yrs old. Yikes!) all struggle with the same things you mention.

I think the world has trouble with people who fall outside the average, regardless of which direction you're going. And I further think that it's somewhat easier for shorties to adapt. I can carry a footstool around, I don't have to worry about whacking my head on things, and I get to use ALL the low cupboards in the house.

This was quite a project. Finding a car that fits both husband AND me. Somehow or other, we found it.