We Need a Redo! A Fall 2012 PTR: NEW 11/11 Trip Report Link!

[DanniDeer]

subbing in!!

fall is my absolute favorite at Disney! The food & wine festival is so delicious!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

I love when people post pictures from their previous trips... especially the trips from a long time ago.

Good luck on the job front! I'm sure it will all work out for the best!

I hope the job thing will fall into place but right now it isn't looking too good...

I had a lot of fun looking through those pictures. I was thinking that I've actually been in Disney World with quite a bit of my family.

subbing in!!

fall is my absolute favorite at Disney! The food & wine festival is so delicious!

Isn't fall wonderful? It's looking forward to the Food & Wine trip that gets me through my busy summer!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

I have GREAT news! I was offered one of the library jobs I interviewed for! I am SO thrilled. As much as I enjoyed being able to work from home part-time with my writing job, the pay wasn't great and it is hard to be motivated enough to devote at least 60 hours per month to writing and researching. I now will work two part-time positions in a library setting, so I'll be working full-time! The new job is a 45 minute drive from our house and I know there are going to be days that I loathe that drive but I have a reliable car. I also will be working 3 Saturdays a month but I knew that going into this. Greg and I will have more money to do fun things every month and more money to set aside for vacations! What this news means in terms of our fall trip is that I'll definitely be switching our dates to late October. I want to work at least 3 solid months at the new job before I take an extended period of time off, part-time or not.

 

[smile4stamps]

Congrats on the new job! Sounds like it will make life a little more hectic but also that you have a solid plan to handle it!

What new dates are you considering for October. We have an October planning group on Facebook if you aren't already apart of it...

 

[DisMomAmy]

Congratulations on the new job!!! That's great news!!

Question for you... I know you went to the 3D Dessert Party at Epcot last year. I read your TR, but I don't remember exactly what you said about it. Did you like it? I might be doing it in October with my two friends... any advice for us?

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Hi Rachel! Just dropping in to say hi and get caught up! Congrats on the new job! That is so exciting - I hope it's been going well for you!

I loved looking back at all of the pictures from the past Disney trips. It's so fun to take a trip down memory lane.

 

[DisneyCrafter]

I'm going to go ahead and make it official: this PTR isn't going to continue, unfortunately. There is no fall trip this year (we're going to Texas for a long weekend in September to visit college friends but that's it). I can't take any vacation time in the first 3 months of my new job. I have been working SO MUCH. As of now, Greg and I have both agreed that a fall trip next year is a definite!

Edited to add: JUST KIDDING! (I wasn't kidding at the time I wrote this originally but I am now.)

THE TRIP IS BACK ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[smile4stamps]

I'm sorry you won't be able to go on your fall trip. Happy to hear the new job is going well!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Just logged on today to get caught up & saw your double update! You are so funny... Glad the trip is back on!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

Hi everybody! I know I unintentionally sent a lot of readers away when I announced that our trip was a no-go. I hope there's some readers left, though. I need your opinions!

I'm a little worried that we are going to be scrambling to pay this trip off. Now, here's the thing: if we stopped putting money into savings for the next couple of months and paid less on our credit card debt, and I'll just share that it is less than $1500, than we could most likely make it work. I just don't know if I'm comfortable with that, though. I'd like to get our savings to a minimum dollar point, and we're pretty close but not quite there. I'm wondering if we should just get our savings where I'd like to see it and then just pay less on the credit cards and put all the rest towards the trip? Am I being financially dumb (for lack of a better term) and should just cancel the trip?

We'd really love to go to Disney, it's something great to look forward to. Especially with everything we have going on. Between our house being up for sale, me starting a new job, focusing on losing weight and now the newest hurdle, being diagnosed with PCOS and thus, infertility, we definitely have A LOT on our plate right now. I just don't know if going on this trip would help relieve some stress or cause more because I'd hate to be on the trip and worrying about money the entire time. Ugh, I don't know what to do! That all being said, if everything works out the way I'm praying to God that it does, this could be our last vacation to Disney World without kids! That thought alone makes me want to go for it.

I should also say that I spent quite some time pricing the trip. I even figured the cost with staying less days and off property but in the end it ends up being just as expensive if not more expensive than the deal we have now (5 nights at Pop with the free quick service dining, which we upgraded to the regular dining plan).

 

[DisneyCrafter]

I also thought I'd share a before and progress picture of my weight loss journey. The before picture was taken in February of this year, just a few weeks before Greg and I decided to make a major change. The progress photo is from June, I've lost 12 more pounds since then but I don't really have a recent photo (aside from a couple from my SILs bachelorette party...). I'm so proud of myself but I still have a long way to go. My next goal is to lose 5 more pounds by September 2, exactly 6 months into our new lifestyle.

February 2012

June 2012 (-43lbs)

 

[DisMomAmy]

First of all... WOW! Congratulations on the weight loss! It's so great that you & Greg are doing it together. I'm sure that makes it a lot easier than trying to do it on your own.

As far as your financial goals & this trip... how far behind will it put you? Will it just take you a couple more months to reach your goals? If so, I'd go! If it's going to set you 6 months or more behind and you (hopefully) will have more financial committments coming along with a new family member, I'd think hard about canceling. Ultimately you have to make the call... it's a tough choice. Quality time together away from the stresses of every day life vs. reaching those AMAZING goals!

I think I might have said this before but I'm really impressed with how financially responsible you are at your age. I wish we'd been able to dig ourselves out of debt before starting a family! Either decision you make will be well worth it!!

And I'll continue to keep you & Greg in my thoughts as you work on your family together. Please keep us posted either way... even if you don't have a current report going - stop in & let us know how you are doing.

 

[smile4stamps]

Hi everybody! I know I unintentionally sent a lot of readers away when I announced that our trip was a no-go. I hope there's some readers left, though. I need your opinions!

I'm a little worried that we are going to be scrambling to pay this trip off. Now, here's the thing: if we stopped putting money into savings for the next couple of months and paid less on our credit card debt, and I'll just share that it is less than $1500, than we could most likely make it work. I just don't know if I'm comfortable with that, though. I'd like to get our savings to a minimum dollar point, and we're pretty close but not quite there. I'm wondering if we should just get our savings where I'd like to see it and then just pay less on the credit cards and put all the rest towards the trip? Am I being financially dumb (for lack of a better term) and should just cancel the trip?

We'd really love to go to Disney, it's something great to look forward to. Especially with everything we have going on. Between our house being up for sale, me starting a new job, focusing on losing weight and now the newest hurdle, being diagnosed with PCOS and thus, infertility, we definitely have A LOT on our plate right now. I just don't know if going on this trip would help relieve some stress or cause more because I'd hate to be on the trip and worrying about money the entire time. Ugh, I don't know what to do! That all being said, if everything works out the way I'm praying to God that it does, this could be our last vacation to Disney World without kids! That thought alone makes me want to go for it.

I should also say that I spent quite some time pricing the trip. I even figured the cost with staying less days and off property but in the end it ends up being just as expensive if not more expensive than the deal we have now (5 nights at Pop with the free quick service dining, which we upgraded to the regular dining plan).

What I would do is work on your savings and paying down your debt. Do you have a Disney Visa? With the Disney Visa you have 6 months interest free financing on a WDW vacation. You could use that for the trip and then just pay it off within 6 months! Now I'm not saying to cancel the trip. Just pay down the old debt before paying for the trip. It should save on interest charges!

I know all too much about PCOS! I was diagnosed when I was 18 (I think!) Losing weight will help tremendously!! If you have any questions about it let me know!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

First of all... WOW! Congratulations on the weight loss! It's so great that you & Greg are doing it together. I'm sure that makes it a lot easier than trying to do it on your own.

As far as your financial goals & this trip... how far behind will it put you? Will it just take you a couple more months to reach your goals? If so, I'd go! If it's going to set you 6 months or more behind and you (hopefully) will have more financial committments coming along with a new family member, I'd think hard about canceling. Ultimately you have to make the call... it's a tough choice. Quality time together away from the stresses of every day life vs. reaching those AMAZING goals!

I think I might have said this before but I'm really impressed with how financially responsible you are at your age. I wish we'd been able to dig ourselves out of debt before starting a family! Either decision you make will be well worth it!!

And I'll continue to keep you & Greg in my thoughts as you work on your family together. Please keep us posted either way... even if you don't have a current report going - stop in & let us know how you are doing.

Greg actually lost 40 pounds over a period of 3 years and since we started in March he's lost almost 40 pounds! He looks so much better. In fact, when we were at the specialist's office, the doctor told him that he had the good genes because he doesn't look overweight anymore!

Yeah, it would just take a couple more months. Greg gets his bonus around Xmas time and that would cover a large portion of our debt. We also have quite a bit of equity in our house and we discussed using just a small portion of that to pay off of our debt and give us a little nest egg and put the rest toward a down payment on our next home. However, I don't want to anticipate that latter part b/c we aren't sure when our house will sell.

Thanks, we really try to stay on top of our finances otherwise it stresses me out. Greg really doesn't want to cancel the trip, so I think that we're going to still go. We have until September 17 to cancel without a penalty so it's nice to know that we have a little bit more time if something does come up.

What I would do is work on your savings and paying down your debt. Do you have a Disney Visa? With the Disney Visa you have 6 months interest free financing on a WDW vacation. You could use that for the trip and then just pay it off within 6 months! Now I'm not saying to cancel the trip. Just pay down the old debt before paying for the trip. It should save on interest charges!

I know all too much about PCOS! I was diagnosed when I was 18 (I think!) Losing weight will help tremendously!! If you have any questions about it let me know!

I do have a Disney Visa! What a smart idea!

I was just diagnosed on Friday. I was in the doctor's office less than 5 minutes before he told me. I've been to three other doctors for this problem and none of them even mentioned it. I was so relieved to have an answer that I wanted to cry but it also means that our chances of conceiving a baby, even with medication, is slim. Sure, it's higher with AI or IVF and I know we'd try those if it came down to it, but I am sure praying that it doesn't. Over the next month I'll go in for some tests and then meet with the doctor again to discuss his findings and then I'll start on a combination of Metformin and Clomid. My good friend has PCOS, actually pretty severly, and she got pregnant by taking Metformin and has a beautiful baby boy, so I definitely have hope! I'm so happy that I started losing weight already.

 

[TheNewMrsB]

You look great! But then you always did. Congratulations on your weight loss!

I cannot give advice on this because DH and I always say "This will be our last trip before we have kids..." and that's how we rationalize it. I totally get where you're coming from!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

You look great! But then you always did. Congratulations on your weight loss!

I cannot give advice on this because DH and I always say "This will be our last trip before we have kids..." and that's how we rationalize it. I totally get where you're coming from!

Thanks. I feel so much better.

Greg and I talked it over last night and we decided that we are going to go!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Oh my goodness, you look AMAZING!!! Way to go! The most weight I've ever lost is 40 pounds. I wanted to get to 60 but I just got so burnt out after 40 that I kind of gave up, so I know just how commendable it is to keep going! You are such an inspiration!

I'm so sorry to hear about the PCOS diagnosis. When my doctor told me I have it I was devastated. I think my mind went to all of the same places yours has. I was so worried about having to turn to expensive and invasive procedures to get pregnant. I know every person and every body is different, but here's what "worked" for me if you'd like to hear a success story. I think the biggest thing with PCOS is don't rush to Clomid, the reason being that you really only get 3-4 good cycles with it before you should move on. I think Metformin does help the effectiveness of Clomid, but it takes a while. I believe the recommended time is 4-6 months. I started Met in November (1700 mg) but didn't start Clomid until March. The doctor kept offering it sooner but I decided to wait. During the time on the Met, I still didn't ovulate, but it did its purpose in getting my insulin levels under control, which apparently is very important for ovulation. I was at a 12 pre-Met and the last time I had them tested right before Clomid they were at an 8, which my doctor considered "normal".

I struggled a lot with, do I jump in right away and start Clomid or do I wait it out? I think once you decide you want to have a baby you want it right now and waiting a few months seems like forever, but ultimately I figured waiting a few months to give the easiest and cheapest treatment option (Clomid) the best chance was worth it. I also tried to lose some weight while doing just the Met, which you've clearly got under control! My doctor said with PCOS, even 10 pounds can make a big difference. The month I started Clomid I decided to go all-out. Obviously I was still on the Met, but I wanted to try to combat every possible negative side-effect of Clomid, like decreased cm and a thin lining. Who knows if these things worked, but I like to think they did! I drank 8 oz of pomegranate juice every day from day one of my cycle until the day I ovulated to help with my lining and took 1 600 mg tablet of the regular Musinex (just the expectorant with no other medicine) CD 1 to O to assist with the mucous issue. I also continued the basal body temping and did OPKs twice a day (confusing of course, since PCOS gives you plenty of false positives. I actually had one fake positive before the only real positive I've ever gotten).

I can't tell you how excited I was when I actually ovulated for the first time! Then I found out I apparently had a "weak" ovulation thanks to my progesterone levels and my doctor basically said come in in 2 weeks and we'll try again. When I found out I was pregnant I was shocked and went to the doctor right away to have my progesterone checked again, since unfortunately PCOS doesn't just cause problems with getting pregnant but staying pregnant as well. I literally demanded to be put on prog. suppositories, which I continued until 13 weeks and I stayed on the Met during that time too.

I'm sorry to write such a book, I just know that when I was first diagnosed I wanted all of the info I could get and hearing positive stories helped me to stay positive. As cliche as it sounds, I think that is important, too. I actually kept repeating to myself, every day, that the Clomid was going to work. I thanked God for the pregnancy before I was pregnant. I never once thought it wasn't going to work. Coincidence? Possibly, but I definitely believe in the power of positive thinking.

Again, I am so sorry you have to deal with PCOS. Just know that you can and you will beat it. I can't tell you when or how, but you will. Arm yourself with as much information as you can and the best possible treatment plan and just tell yourself that this will work.

Ok, so as for what you were really asking for opinions on

I say go. I am normally very anti-debt and pro-savings and I like to put those above everything else, but sometimes memories and happiness and the magic of a week at Disney are more important than the size of your savings account or the depth of your debt. I felt the same way when I booked our October trip. At first, I wondered if it was foolish because the threat of expensive IF treatments was still there. After finding out I was pregnant I worried because, obviously, babies are expensive. But in the end I remembered that I have never regretted a trip to Disney and I've never once wished I could have had the money I spent there back to use towards something else.

Ok, I will stop writing now. If you've actually read all of this, I am very impressed!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

Oh my goodness, you look AMAZING!!! Way to go! The most weight I've ever lost is 40 pounds. I wanted to get to 60 but I just got so burnt out after 40 that I kind of gave up, so I know just how commendable it is to keep going! You are such an inspiration!

I'm so sorry to hear about the PCOS diagnosis. When my doctor told me I have it I was devastated. I think my mind went to all of the same places yours has. I was so worried about having to turn to expensive and invasive procedures to get pregnant. I know every person and every body is different, but here's what "worked" for me if you'd like to hear a success story. I think the biggest thing with PCOS is don't rush to Clomid, the reason being that you really only get 3-4 good cycles with it before you should move on. I think Metformin does help the effectiveness of Clomid, but it takes a while. I believe the recommended time is 4-6 months. I started Met in November (1700 mg) but didn't start Clomid until March. The doctor kept offering it sooner but I decided to wait. During the time on the Met, I still didn't ovulate, but it did its purpose in getting my insulin levels under control, which apparently is very important for ovulation. I was at a 12 pre-Met and the last time I had them tested right before Clomid they were at an 8, which my doctor considered "normal".

I struggled a lot with, do I jump in right away and start Clomid or do I wait it out? I think once you decide you want to have a baby you want it right now and waiting a few months seems like forever, but ultimately I figured waiting a few months to give the easiest and cheapest treatment option (Clomid) the best chance was worth it. I also tried to lose some weight while doing just the Met, which you've clearly got under control! My doctor said with PCOS, even 10 pounds can make a big difference. The month I started Clomid I decided to go all-out. Obviously I was still on the Met, but I wanted to try to combat every possible negative side-effect of Clomid, like decreased cm and a thin lining. Who knows if these things worked, but I like to think they did! I drank 8 oz of pomegranate juice every day from day one of my cycle until the day I ovulated to help with my lining and took 1 600 mg tablet of the regular Musinex (just the expectorant with no other medicine) CD 1 to O to assist with the mucous issue. I also continued the basal body temping and did OPKs twice a day (confusing of course, since PCOS gives you plenty of false positives. I actually had one fake positive before the only real positive I've ever gotten).

I can't tell you how excited I was when I actually ovulated for the first time! Then I found out I apparently had a "weak" ovulation thanks to my progesterone levels and my doctor basically said come in in 2 weeks and we'll try again. When I found out I was pregnant I was shocked and went to the doctor right away to have my progesterone checked again, since unfortunately PCOS doesn't just cause problems with getting pregnant but staying pregnant as well. I literally demanded to be put on prog. suppositories, which I continued until 13 weeks and I stayed on the Met during that time too.

I'm sorry to write such a book, I just know that when I was first diagnosed I wanted all of the info I could get and hearing positive stories helped me to stay positive. As cliche as it sounds, I think that is important, too. I actually kept repeating to myself, every day, that the Clomid was going to work. I thanked God for the pregnancy before I was pregnant. I never once thought it wasn't going to work. Coincidence? Possibly, but I definitely believe in the power of positive thinking.

Again, I am so sorry you have to deal with PCOS. Just know that you can and you will beat it. I can't tell you when or how, but you will. Arm yourself with as much information as you can and the best possible treatment plan and just tell yourself that this will work.

Ok, so as for what you were really asking for opinions on

I say go. I am normally very anti-debt and pro-savings and I like to put those above everything else, but sometimes memories and happiness and the magic of a week at Disney are more important than the size of your savings account or the depth of your debt. I felt the same way when I booked our October trip. At first, I wondered if it was foolish because the threat of expensive IF treatments was still there. After finding out I was pregnant I worried because, obviously, babies are expensive. But in the end I remembered that I have never regretted a trip to Disney and I've never once wished I could have had the money I spent there back to use towards something else.

Ok, I will stop writing now. If you've actually read all of this, I am very impressed!

Pomegranate juice, musinex from cd1 to O. Got it!

I think your idea about being on Metformin only for a few months is a great idea. While Greg and I want a baby, we are not in a rush as in we need one NOW! I was on Clomid for 3 months but it was a bust and the gyno was no help at all.

I also read about staying on Metformin until 12 weeks. I'm sure when i do get pregnant that they will check my progesterone levels but I definitely will advocate for progesterone Meds.

My friend has pcos and has a beautiful baby boy now. You give me hope too!

My only concern is I have no idea when I ovulate bc of the false positives bc of my high levels with pcos. I have several tests coming up and we meet with the RE in a month so I am definitely doing my research and going into the appointment prepared.

Also, I have to add that Greg and I have paid off over 600 of debt this month! So I'm definitely not worried anymore.

 

[smile4stamps]

I completely missed your progress photos. You look WONDERFUL! I am trying really hard to lose weight and finding it very difficult. I am trying to walk/hike several times a week and watching what I eat but it doesn't seem to be enough. Are you doing a certain plan? Exercise and diet, one or the other? Any secrets?!?!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

I completely missed your progress photos. You look WONDERFUL! I am trying really hard to lose weight and finding it very difficult. I am trying to walk/hike several times a week and watching what I eat but it doesn't seem to be enough. Are you doing a certain plan? Exercise and diet, one or the other? Any secrets?!?!

For the first few months, we rarely missed a day at the gym. We were doing 45 minutes of cardio 7 days a week. Now, I do 5-6 days a week and for 30+ minutes. However, I jog/run instead of walking on the treadmill. We signed up for a 5k in September and I have been running 2 miles outside about 3 days a week and I go to the gym for the rest of my workouts.

I use MyFitnessPal as a food diary and I swear, without it, I would not have lost as much weight. It makes you accountable but it also makes you more aware of the decisions that you are making.

Also, we don't deprive ourselves. We've eaten pizza, french fries, ice cream, steak, pie, etc. and have still lost weight. It's just now 75% of our meals are a lot more clean and nutritional than they used to be. My food goals each day are to make sure I eat 3 balanced meals and 2 snacks (in all of that my goal is to pack in as much protein, fiber and fruits and veggies as I can). I aim for 5 fruits and or veggies every day. I drink TONS of water, too.

My go-to foods (I always get asked this question) are: Greek yogurt (people either love it or hate it, I love it), almonds (I love the cocoa roast or cinnamon brown sugar 100 calorie packs), cheese (in 1 oz. serving sizes), low sodium v8, light v8 vfusion, cottage cheese, oatmeal, fruit, peanut butter (yes!) and celery. I also usually buy the Healthy Ones brand of lunch meat, Blue Diamond sweetened vanilla almond milk, and Laughing Cow cheese wedges. I find that it is actually so easy to eat naturally, cleanly and healthfully while still enjoying what you are eating. That's not to say that eating some cheese fries every once in a while is a bad thing, either.

You have to do what works for you and it takes some time to figure that out. Also, you really have to want it. There's been so many times in the past when I've tried to lose weight but I haven't really *tried*, this time is different. Even when I wasn't aware that I had PCOS, there were too many health reasons NOT to lose weight (kidney stones, fatty liver, creaky knees, etc.). I feel so much better and so much more confident. I'm not finished but I'm almost halfway there!