What IS a fat person to do?

I know this is a website devoted to CP, so I'm not sure if this question is appropriate. I love this site, and wish I'd known about it while I could still actually go to CP. But I was one of those unfortunate souls who CP deemed to fat to ride this year since I couldn't get a full inch of slack on the shortened seatbelts (even though it was buckled). Of course, now I'm trying to crash off some weight as fast as possible. But I AM a coaster enthusiast, and since it's coaster season, I need to ride NOW. Has anyone else who just barely missed on MF because of the lack of slack had problems at any other parks? I'd hate to go through that embarassment again! I need to ride something while changing my body to be acceptable to CP/Intamin! If that's an unacceptable question to ask here, I apologize. But I'm unaware of any other "unofficial" websites as good as this one for getting the real scoop on what's happening at a particular coaster.

Screw Cedar Point. If you want to change your body, do it for yourself and your health, not for some stupid roller coaster.

should put pressure on cedar points sponsors! i still have no idea why a height requirement that has nothing to do with seatbelts. i see on cp's website that for some of the smaller rides like himilaya,there is a weight limit posted near the ride. several other rides also have a weight limit. ridiculas. check park policies

Exactly Jeff!

I have recently lost some weight for myself and I feel great. CP and or INTAMIN has taken this thing too far. I have been a raving fan of cp for over 20 years and I must say that I am a little dissappointed over this one inch thing.. Though I have been able to ride I feel for those who used to be able to ride and cannot anymore..

Loose it for yourself and the rest will fall into play and not just coasters either. A lot.. I feel a lot of americans are unhappy in life because of their weight.. it takes a toll.

Dr. Phil's book is great as is the book "Body for life"

I lost over 26lbs. in 12 weeks on BFL. not a diet.. a way of life.. eat right excercise..

sorry to have gotten off the path.

For me, this so far has been the biggest incentive to lose weight ever!

Exactly, I was really unsure if I would make the cut, I barely got that inch out. I've been more inclined to lose weight now. If for some reason, you would want to lose weight only for the coaster, the thighs are where you need to concentrate as the belts are truly 'lap' belts now- they go right over your lap. Maybe go biking or run a bit will concentrate the area. But keep in mind, to be faithful to yourself, lose weight because you want to, and use mille as a reminder to help yourself along. Its been working great for me for the short 2 weeks already...

I can't help but wonder how CP can turn riders way for being "over sized"; when over half of the food places are serving some of the most unhealthy,deep fried, fat forming foods on the planet.

We buy. We eat. We get fat. We can't ride. I don't get it.

If the belt fits, ride it!!

I agree with just about everything said above.

Losing weight to improve one's self and one's health is more important than doing it just to ride a roller coaster.

With that said, however, I still resent the fact that this has become an issue now -- after four years of riding MF with no problem.

I've been at the park twice this year. This time last year, I'd visited CP at least a half dozen times. This time two years ago, I'd been at the park about a dozen times.

Why have I curtailed my visits? The new rider rules etc. It's very disappointing because going to CP and riding MF has been a refuge for me the past few years.

CP has the perfect dodge for all of this: It's Intamin. And technically, they are correct, but it's also pretty obvious that Intamin is in butt-covering mode and CP is just along for the ride. If I wasn't in danger the past four years, why am I in greater danger now? It's an unfortunate situation for many people. For that matter, it's unfortunate that CP has to deal with this.

As an aside, why are Intamin rides inconsistent? For example, Wicked Twister has always been a snug fit for me, but I've always made it (two years ago after lunch and beers, I came very close to being asked off the ride but I made it).

On the other hand, I rode Volcano at PKD for the first time last summer. In fact, I rode it four times in about 25 minutes. Hate to say it, but it became my favorite coaster in that time. The only thing I worried about while riding was whether my teenager son's cell phone would fly out during one of the inversions.

Sorry, I digress, but here's the question: Why were Volcano's restraints so much more forgiving than WT's?

And inconsistency in Intamin restraints seems to be an issue here. That and inconsistent enforcement of ride standards by ride workers. Had the folks at SFNE ensured that the rider was adequately restrained on SMRS, then this conversation wouldn't be taking place.

I can honestly say that Cedar Point is anal about the whole weight thing. But it is good incentive to lose weight. I've gone to Kings Island this season as well and I only got turned away from ONE ride, Flight of Fear, which I had a lot of trouble with last year as well (it's the odd placement of the belt). I'm rather pissed that I spent $229 on a season pass to be turned away from seven coasters but by staying under 1,000 calories a day, along with exercise, I should be able to manage to get in a bunch of rides by the end of August.

---

staying under 1,000 calories a day

---

Holy cow ... I hope that's under a doctor's supervision!

My first suggestion: if you are a couple, make whatever lifestyle changes you want to make together. It is much easier to do when you have someone else for the ride!

Last year, we followed the six-week body makeover. we spent about four months on the plan pretty religiously, and then another 2-3 "close to" it. I'm not sure I'd recommend it---while it worked, I found it to be very boring. I never went hungry, but there are many things this plan avoids which made things tricky.

I *do* recommend that anyone interested in weight management read this site: http://www.health101.com/eating101.htm

Very sensible advice. Very easy to follow. The basic thrust: keep eating plenty of food, and stop eating junk.

It went well with my own physician's advice: if you want to lose weight, there's no secret. Just burn more calories than you consume.

i don't think intamin likes larger people.

And I always thought the Swiss were supposed to be neutral

LOL Meanspirit, well some of the swiss is neutral there B&M they are good tord the larger guest. I have to agree with coolfun intamin don't like large people.

well the only reason they don't like large people is because they eat that stinky cheese full of drugs and it fills their brains with hate towards fat people.

Somebody, cancel 2nd Grade English class. Some of these posters are going to flunk it, anyway.

MrScott

I was interested in Boatman's post mention riding Volcano at PKD last year. He felt the restraints were more accomodating than Wicked Twister. Since I got booted off MF this year, I'm hesitant to try riding anything Intamin right now. Not only was I devistated over losing my #1 coaster, MF, but my next scheduled trip this year was supposed to be to ride a coaster high on my list - Volcano. I cancelled the trip for next week, but am considering trying the first week of July. Maybe my vigorous dieting will have made a difference by then. Has anyone who got kicked off MF this year rode Volcano this year?

I can say from experience the ride hosts try thier best at entrance. How would you like to ask someone to try the test seat greatly fearing you might get yelled at, or acussed of calling someone fat when your trying to your job and a rush of people come and have to keep the line flowing all by yourself. I think the ride host should be admired. I have had a season pass for years, and this group at mil force is doing awesome. I say if you could do better then get a job and try it in thier shoes for a week. *** Edited 5/31/2004 5:02:01 AM UTC by rozz***

Everyone who is successful at losing weight needs a final reason to make a lasting commitment to what can be a long process.

Two years ago my son decided to work at CP as a lifeguard. We live in Texas. The plan was for us to take a family vacation to CP and leave him off. I realized at 305 pounds I was not going to be able to ride the coasters I enjoyed as a child let alone the ones that I had never been on.

This was my final reason for joining Weight Watchers in March. By the first week in June I lost enough to ride all the coasters. I watched what I eat while on that vacation and lost 7 pounds more while at the park.

When I came home I continued to attend Weight Watchers. Last summer I return to CP weighing 175 pounds and had the time of my life. I now lead Weight Watchers meetings and work as a media ambassador for them. I never fail to tel people it was my desire to ride MF that got me threw the door and on way to losing 130 pounds.

If you need to lose weight begin by reaching deep within and finding the reason why it is important to you. It does not need to be earth shattering and it can even be a little thing, in the grand scheme, like riding a roller coaster. Just make sure it is important to YOU!

If you would need encouragement, send me a message.

Dennis

Excellent post, Dennis. Although losing weight just to ride a roller coaster may seem superficial and silly to some, it can provide the motivation needed to stick to it. And just think of all of the extra benefits--better health, improved self-esteem, a more active lifestyle. The list goes on. By the way, people, an article in the Toledo Blade dated May 24 states that, under Ohio law, Cedar Point is required to comply with Intamin's directive regarding seat belts on Millennium Force. So let's give CP a break here. Be upset with Intamin if you must, but CP is only obeying the law.