Foodie on a diet

An Uncomfortable Encounter: Navigating Public Spaces

  • Date: September 16, 2023
  • Current weight: 372.6 lbs
  • Height: 5 foot 7


It was a beautiful Saturday, and I had plans to spend the day out with my partner. I put effort into my appearance, doing my hair and makeup. Even though I still felt fat, I pushed through, ready to make the most of the day. We decided to visit Sherway Gardens for the first time. The mall was stunning, but I quickly realized that most stores didn’t cater to my size. Instead of dwelling on it, I shifted my focus to other items: home essentials, kitchenware, and more.


Post-shopping, it was finally time to eat. I generally prefer takeout, enjoying the privacy and avoiding seating dilemmas, but today I had promised my partner an eat-out experience. Just across from the mall, there was a Jack’s Restaurant. I was initially optimistic, given the quiet ambiance at 4 pm, that we would get a great private seating. However, the hostess proceeded with directing us to the exposed bar area with high seats. I asked if we could have a different table. Despite the restaurant being mostly empty, she seemed annoyed with my request but did lead us to another area… a booth. Usually, I’d avoid booths, but I thought I could adjust the table for space. When I tried to sit, I got stuck, which was quite embarrassing to say the least. I of course requested another table with regular chairs this time, but the hostess, visibly still annoyed, led us to a table oddly placed between two booths, effectively blocking the walkway. This meant I’d have to constantly shift to allow others to pass. If this was not enough, the table was also quite exposed so it really felt like everyone could just see me eat which is far from the ideal seating I had hoped for.


Feeling defeated and recognizing Jack’s wasn’t for me, we left without ordering. After some driving around, we agreed on The Cheesecake Factory at Yorkdale Mall. I remembered the booths being spacious when I weighed 340 lbs. Approaching the restaurant though, I began to doubt if it would still be the case at 370 lbs. When the hostess mentioned a 40-minute wait, I was relieved that my partner agreed to head home for takeout while quickly grabbing a cheesecake to go.


That day was a wake-up call about how my weight was affecting my interactions with the world. It ignited a renewed desire to lose weight again after I finished eating the cheesecake.

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