Danise

This may sound like a stupid question, but will my being overweight keep me from doing a lot of the fun things CAncun has to <BR>offer? I want to go scuba diving, ride the waverunner & snorkeling. Also want to go to the ruins, but do I need to try & get in <BR>shape first? Please forgive me to those who think this is dumb, but I'm concerned & don't want to hold back those people I'm <BR>going with. If I'm just gonna slow them down I may jsut stay home. Thanks

Christina

This may sound like a stupid answer, but no one can answer that question for you because we don't know how fit in general you are and, most importantly, how overweight you are as you haven't said. You should know for yourself whether you can do these type of activities and how well, already. If you have never done anything related to swimming, etc, then I don't think you can, anyway, it would not be safe. I thought you had to be certified to do scuba diving in any case, it's not a trivial activity. Maybe snorkeling is possible for untrained people, I think I've heard that (as you can tell, I have done either and don't care). As far as the ruins, my friend went with her somewhat overweight (but not obese), out-of-shape 60-yr old mother and they did have problems with the ruins; apparently there is a lot of climbing and it is rigorous. However, I would not be particularly interested in climbing up a pyramid myself and I'm relatively thin, so would probably pass on such activity if I were visiting the area and just go for the sightseeing and viewing -- you don't have to climb the thing. So, it seems to me if you are not embarrassed or bothered by being in skimpy clothing on the beach (which you don't seem to be, I guess anyone can wear shorts and a tank top or something), I would go and enjoy the things you can. Everybody doesn't have to be an athlete. For example, you are immediately defining the "waverunner" as a "fun thing" -- it wouldn't be to me as I don't like that kind of stuff, and in fact, think water toys and, in general, motorized water vehicles are obnoxious and wish they didn't exist, so I would never do such things if I went to Cancun, anyway. Also, I don't think a waverunner is a group activity, so it doesn't really matter if you do it or not in terms of holding up the others. I don't think there is snorkeling at Cancun, either, I think you have to go elsewhere, anyway (like Cozumel), but I could be wrong on that. You probably realize I am the wrong person answering this as I don't value a lot of the things you want to do so don't see the loss, and perhaps that's true, but that does show you that the loss of these activities isn't the end of the world or your vacation. If your friends want you to go, they must enjoy your company, so you should go and enjoy whatever activities you can. You can go to the ruins and not climb up them, for example (and don't overdo it or jeopardize your health if you can't do some stuff). You can sit on the beach and reach a book, etc., and still enjoy talking and being with your friends during meals and other times. However, if you are only a few pounds overweight or not really overweight at all by normal stds, then this IS a silly question (young people, in particular, can obsess over appearances and call people fat who are not)--I just wonder from your comment about whether you should "get in shape" first which implies only a few pounds. Sure, if you can get in shape first, do it, you'll probably enjoy your trip more. But don't not go anywhere or do anything due to being overweight, that doesn't help anything and makes you a less interesting person and encourages bad thought patterns and self-absorption. If you have a close friend going that you can talk frankly with, express your concerns and see what she or he says; they know your size so there should be no surprises here, just have a plan in mind and something for you to do if you can't participate in some of these things (ie, waverunner) so there are no hard feelings or discomfort when the time comes. Those are my thoughts.

Susan

Danise, my thoughts are very similar to the previous reply. You'll also see that people are all kinds of shapes and sizes on the beach - very few look like models! <BR> <BR>Re the comments about the ruins - it can be strenuous. I'm in reasonable shape, but after traveling around the Yucatan for a week on one vacation, my legs were very stiff and sore. The stairs up the pyramids are steep and not very deep, so going up and down didn't feel very natural to me. If you're doing anything like that, make sure you wear a hat and carry water. (That goes for anyone, with or without a weight issue.) <BR> <BR>Enjoy yourself, do what you can and want to do. Have fun! <BR>

debbie

Danise - don't worry about whatever weight you may be. The travel brochures do not really reflect the real sized people you see when you are on vacation in the Caribbean. <BR>If you don't hold back the people you hang out with when you are at home why would you feel you would hold back from them on vacation. <BR>If you want to see ruins and snorkel take the package tour to Tulum and Xel-ha (I believe they offer it out of Cancun). The bus is airconditioned but when you step off that bus you will sweat and perspire like crazy and it doesn't matter how much a weight a person has on - it's just that hot there! Tulum is all flat and you are not allowed to climb anything so you can still see ruins and not 'hold anyone back'. Then the bus takes you to Xel-ha where you can cool off in the beautiful water and snorkel all you like. They have life vests there that they recommend you wear into the water so you will be fine. <BR>Go. Have a good time. Enjoy.

Cindy

Danise, <BR> <BR>A few points. <BR> <BR>Ruins: I went to Cancun and climbed the ruins. They were steep and it was exhausting (and hot!). Getting down was a terror, and I slid down on my butt. You may not wish to attempt them, but you can surely enjoy them from the ground. <BR> <BR>Waverunning: Frankly, my opinion is that this activity is not safe for anyone, regardless of size, unless they are an experienced rider. Newbies shouldn't just hop on one of these, and I doubt that Cancun would be a place you'd wish to risk a serious injury. <BR> <BR>Snorkeling: perfectly fine and not all that strenuous. But you'd better be a decent swimmer before you think about going way out in the ocean. <BR> <BR>Scuba Diving: as a previous poster noted, you need to be certified to engage in this activity. I read once that scuba diving has a low accident incidence rate but a high fatality rate. In other words, things don't go wrong that often, but when they go wrong, they go really wrong. Skip this, I think. <BR> <BR>Bottom line: you can go and have a great time. But you'll be happier with yourself if you do as much exercise (walking) as you can do to get your legs in shape. I hope I've helped you. Have a splendid time!

Melissa

Danise...I am a size 2x...so you know I'm not petite!!!! You have to be comfortable with yourself..I wear bathing suits, shorts etc...and I am not young.. The first year I wore shorts I wore them in a country that I thought I'd never run into anybody that knew me...forget it..I did.. and have worn them ever since. Another time I was on a practically deserted beach when a woman who made me look like a petite sat down next to me to talk...Forget your size.. The only thing you won't be able to do if your over 200 pounds is go parasailing.. As for the ruins..go and see and if you think you want to try to climb up...go for it..getting down is a problem I understand..so do it on your rear.. We go to alot of the Carribean islands where there are European women (and men) who wear bikini bathing suits andthe women go topless at the beach or pool.. some of them look like blimps.... Fun is where you make it...trust me..

Krissy

Another word about the ruins-I'm talking about Cichen Itsa(sp). Very interesting but extremly hot and dry. If you attempt to go up, be sure to look back before going too high. The climb up looks do-able but the return trip is frightening. There doesn't appear to be any definition in the steps, it looks like a solid sheet of rock and the steps are very narrow. However, it is wonderful to look at from the ground. I'm glad I went.