DDP; now I know why over 50% of americans are overweight.

[walkermm]

I have just returned from WDW with some startling observations; yes, at least 1 in every 2 americans both adult and children are overweight, and 1 in 3 are obese.
I am a University educator on the topics of exercise, health and fitness and health promotion, so you can imagine how shocking it is too see the statistics played out before you.
I was very aware of the obesity epidemic while spending time at WDW.

So, if you are reading this, you should ask yourself am I at my ideal body weight? More importantly, do I get the recommended amount of physical activity everyday? The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 30 minutes of moderate physical activity EVERYDAY to see any health benefits....watching TV does not count as moderate intensity activity.....

I was shocked to see how many people are overeating, and how many overweight and obese people are overeating.
So, what does this have to do with the DDP? Well here you are encouraged to eat as much as possible....and drink at least 2 large pops/day....do you know how much sugar/calories are in each pop? I don't think you want to know. And how about the desserts? Do you really need to eat the dessert, or are you eating it because you paid for it? We were usually too full after our meal to even think about dessert.

Then in addition to the DDP, you see the same people with the refillable mugs, drinking even more pop.....

I know, you're saying, but its just for my holidays!!!! Loosen up!!!! I understand this, and I know for many of you its not a problem. Plus if its only for a few days, I agreee who cares???, but, if its for a week or even longer, then maybe take a second look. However, if you are not at the ideal weight you should be, then this is probably not something that is a great idea....plus what about your children???? So many of these children were overweight and obese they were overeating on the DDP and drinking way too much pop with the refillable mugs....

These are probably the same children that are spending hours in front of the TV and playing video games.

I know I sound harsh, but I know what this is going to do to the children....Type II diabetes is increasing in epidemic proportions to the extent that they believe that our children have a lower life expectancy today than we do simply because they are overweight.

Going to WDW is a great thing to increase physical activity....just don't counteract all those benefits with excessive calories.

dust off your sneakers and start walking - buy a pedometer - see how sedentary you actually are.....you'll be shocked.

There, I'm done. Don't forget, this is what I do for a living.....I feel compelled to reach out and speak about this area that I am very passionate about....I know what horrible side effects this will have on the children in 10-20 years.

Please don't respond too angrily to my post!!!!!

Thanks for reading.

Don't do the DDP - you'll save $$$ and calories!!!!

 

[daisyduck123]

Oh my goodness. Well....

We are doing the Dining Plan for both our May & August trips...but no worries here....we are all on the thin side (except DH - he's just about right for his height). No heavy people here.

Both DD11 & DS8 are on year round competitive swim teams and also get plenty of exercise.

We can't wait for all of our TS meals!!

 

[formernyer]

You're venturing into dangerous waters here...this is a rough crowd you're dealing with. They're going to flame you for pointing out the truth.

And the truth is:

Most people are overweight
Many people are obese
Most people who are obese have no clue they are obese
(and this next one I learned from another thread on this board)
Most women today seem to think that a size 10 or 12 isn't fat!

 

[travellady]

walkermm - I know what you're saying, we just got back as well. We didn't do DDP, averaged $90.00 per day for a family of 3 (all are considered adults) and had more than enough to eat. Thankfully we are a fit family in good health, but are so because we make it a priority in our lives.

One morning I was sitting by the pool and a woman got out who must have weighed at least 350 lbs if not more. I mentally applauded her for putting on a suit and swimming despite her weight, but at the same time couldn't help but wonder what somebody eats to maintain that much weight. She could hardly walk, it was pretty sad.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

Yikes, talk about putting it out there.

I can eat the daily requirement for a small country and I weigh 100 pounds and am 5'6". No, I am not a big exerciser, just good metabolism. Feel free to pelt me with rotten tomatoes. I actually have to go on meds to try and gain weight. DH is on chronic prednisone therapy (Gulf War Syndrome) and eats much more than a human should. He also has a high metabolism, but the steroids pack on pounds. So he will be in the fitness center working out for 30 minutes every morning, just like he does here on his machine every morning.

My kids are average weight (DD2 is actually low, she is short and skinny). My DS 1 is chubby, but he is a baby and doesn't eat excessively, and is in the correct range for his height and age.

One thing...my kids can pack it away and we are on the DDP. But my kids will eat 4 plates of fruit. DD's favorite foods are broccoli and watermelon. My older son loves hot dogs, but otherwise, he is a veggie and fruit kid too. We limit him to 3 hot dogs during our 10-day stay. I am more worried about the effect on his arteries than the weight factor with him (my father had sky-high triglycerides and died at 65 from coronary artery disease).

All of that being said, I live near Buffalo. Basically the heart disease capital of the country. Our rate of heart disease and diabetes is something like 1-1/2 times the national average. And it shows on people here.

I think it is important to let people know what obesity can do to them. I am a medical transcriptionist....I can tell when I type an admission note if the person is obese by the list of medical issues they have. Diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension....all of the above.

I don't, however, think that not getting the dining plan is going to save them. A total change of lifestyle is needed, not just a week of no buffets.

But I want to commend you on your bravery at posting this, knowing you are probably going to get blasted up the wazoo. And hey, if it helps one person.....I'd say it was worth it.


AND:
(and this next one I learned from another thread on this board)
Most women today seem to think that a size 10 or 12 isn't fat!

This made me say.....WHOA This thread is going to go downhill fast. LOL

 

[DiszyDean]

Did you really have to go to Disneyworld to realize people are fat?

As for myself, my wife and I are healthy and have normal BMIs. We exercise regularly and don't eat sugar, flour or starch 51 weeks out of the year. When we go to Disneyworld, we eat and drink (although drinking a non-diet soda isn't anything we would even think about) ANYTHING we want. Drink around the world in Epcot, and finish it off with the kitchen sink, THAT'S the way to go!! And don't gain an ounce. How? Because walking 15 or so miles a day isn't our normally scheduled physical activity.

People who want to overeat will do so whether or not they are on the dining plan.

Also, while it is not the most common reason people are overweight, there are other medical reasons for being overweight other than food and excercise habits.

It is easy to make judgements about people based on appearance, but sometimes you need to dig a little deeper for the truth.

 

[rigs32]

Just a quick comment - A size 10 on a 5'2" woman and a size 10 on a 6' woman are two very different things.

 

[Henlady]

Well now, lets see about how this general observation applies to me. I am a Type II diabetic - diagnosed January 2005. I stopped eating all starches and sugars, lost 50 pounds (still a little heavier than what I would like) and no longer need medications (my A1C was 10.3 in Jan 05, by June 05 it was down to 5.5 and has stayed there). I went on a Disney cruise in October - ate well, had a few "no-no's" - didn't gain an ounce and didn't raise my blood sugar rating. I plan on doing the dining plan in September. I will eat what I normally eat plus maybe 1 or 2 desserts- i'll most likely give the others away. And yes, heaven forbid, I will walk around drinking a couple of sodas a day BUT - they will be diet. So, my dear, don't judge everyone by what you think you see.

Kris

 

[mcgrawfan]

Just a quick comment - A size 10 on a 5'2" woman and a size 10 on a 6' woman are two very different things.

Thank you for pointing that out! The comment from a previous poster was kinda rude!! I am a size 8/10 and I am NOT fat. I can't even post on here what I am thinking right now!!!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Just a quick comment - A size 10 on a 5'2" woman and a size 10 on a 6' woman are two very different things.

Nope. Sorry. They're all fat. Our resident authority has declared such. Now you get down from your size 10 and get to a size 0 like all "normal" women.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

Now you get down from your size 10 and get to a size 0 like all "normal" women.


I gave my stats (5'6" and 100 lbs) and I wear a size 6 or 8, depending on the garment.

That is why I at that "size 10/12 fat" comment. Egads. Can...worms...opening.....

 

[Henlady]

OH NO!!! This 6'1" size 16/18 woman is in big trouble!!! But you know what, I may not look it to you, but I am healthy (my doctor says so).

 

[jbbt]

Pssst...BuzzKill, I mean WalkerMM, I heard the DIS is starting a new Disney Diet forum. Quick, do a search and go check it out!!

Hey everyone else, while he's gone, take a peek at this:

Inspired by the dessert thread SHOW US PICTURES of your WDW DESSERTS!

Now let's get back to dreaming about all the great food we're going to eat while we're on vacation!!!

MMMMM, MMMMM, GOOD!!!!!

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

I can't look!!! I spent 5 hours one night on the food thread and I was SUPPOSED to be working.

I get paid by production...so no...won't drool over dessert....won't.....



16 days til on my way to creme brulee!

 

[Lewisc]

The plan must have changed since December when I was able to get diet soda and bottled water, with zero calories, as my beverage.

Well here you are encouraged to eat as much as possible....and drink at least 2 large pops/day....do you know how much sugar/calories are in each pop? I don't think you want to know. And how about the desserts? Do you really need to eat the dessert, or are you eating it because you paid for it? We were usually too full after our meal to even think about dessert.

 

[formernyer]

I gave my stats (5'6" and 100 lbs) and I wear a size 6 or 8, depending on the garment.

Not sure how that is, but obviously you know your size better than anyone. I'm 5'4" and range from 105 - 112 pounds. I wear anything from a kid's size 14 up to an adult size 4 depending on the cut. I'm obviously bigger than you by quite a bit, but size 6s and 8s would fall to the floor if I tried to put them on.

To the person commenting about being 6 feet and a size 10, there are obviously exceptions to every general rule.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

I have 38 inch hips (have 4 kids) and a 38 inch bust line. Just wide framed...not heavy boned, I have thin wrists, but I am <---wide--->.

I wish I had the cup size to go with my 38 inch rib cage. Do you know how hard it is to FIND a 38A??

 

[BBGirl]

I was 5'7 and weighted oh about 103 I was a size 6 sometimes . Size 10 is NOT fat when I was a size 10/12 I was my ideal weight of 130. I carry all my weight in my tummy so my body size is different then someone elses who at the same weight and height would wear a smaller size. Oh yeah and at 5'7 at 103 I was off the charts thin at a HUGE size 6.

 

[Ilovestitch]

Just because you are on the dining plan does NOT mean you are overloading on calories. My boyfriend have found the dining plan is cheaper than what we would pay out of pocket and its convenient so that's why we do it.

Actually our fitness level goes way up at WDW- we are usually walking 12 miles a day AND I don't think one week a year is bad to splurge on goodies like ice cream. I've gone on vacations and had foods I don't usually eat like cheese fries, tonga toast, etc. and it does not affect my weight long term.

I think a person's lifestyle/genetics are more related to their weight than what they eat on a week-long vacation. And when I'm on vacation, I'm having too much fun to care what other people look like or eat.

 

[PaulaSB12]

I have just returned from WDW with some startling observations; yes, at least 1 in every 2 americans both adult and children are overweight, and 1 in 3 are obese.
I am a University educator on the topics of exercise, health and fitness and health promotion, so you can imagine how shocking it is too see the statistics played out before you.
I was very aware of the obesity epidemic while spending time at WDW.

So, if you are reading this, you should ask yourself am I at my ideal body weight? More importantly, do I get the recommended amount of physical activity everyday? The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 30 minutes of moderate physical activity EVERYDAY to see any health benefits....watching TV does not count as moderate intensity activity.....

I was shocked to see how many people are overeating, and how many overweight and obese people are overeating.
So, what does this have to do with the DDP? Well here you are encouraged to eat as much as possible....and drink at least 2 large pops/day....do you know how much sugar/calories are in each pop? I don't think you want to know. And how about the desserts? Do you really need to eat the dessert, or are you eating it because you paid for it? We were usually too full after our meal to even think about dessert.

Then in addition to the DDP, you see the same people with the refillable mugs, drinking even more pop.....

I know, you're saying, but its just for my holidays!!!! Loosen up!!!! I understand this, and I know for many of you its not a problem. Plus if its only for a few days, I agreee who cares???, but, if its for a week or even longer, then maybe take a second look. However, if you are not at the ideal weight you should be, then this is probably not something that is a great idea....plus what about your children???? So many of these children were overweight and obese they were overeating on the DDP and drinking way too much pop with the refillable mugs....

These are probably the same children that are spending hours in front of the TV and playing video games.

I know I sound harsh, but I know what this is going to do to the children....Type II diabetes is increasing in epidemic proportions to the extent that they believe that our children have a lower life expectancy today than we do simply because they are overweight.

Going to WDW is a great thing to increase physical activity....just don't counteract all those benefits with excessive calories.

dust off your sneakers and start walking - buy a pedometer - see how sedentary you actually are.....you'll be shocked.

There, I'm done. Don't forget, this is what I do for a living.....I feel compelled to reach out and speak about this area that I am very passionate about....I know what horrible side effects this will have on the children in 10-20 years.

Please don't respond too angrily to my post!!!!!

Thanks for reading.

Don't do the DDP - you'll save $$$ and calories!!!!

Sorry you say your job title is university educator, I am afraid that it should really be santimonious prig! Am I the recomended weight, no I am a bit over. Do I take 30 minutes of exercise a day? Well now I work in a food factory I am on my feet for 7 hours a day lifting boxes going up stairs and walking about a lot, I am also learning tai chi. Active enough precious? Am I indending to eat puddings? Yes do I do it at home? Have to admit to a slight raspberry addiction must have these lovely globes at least once a week!!!!! Will I be drinking pop, no it tastes to gross for my liking too sweet. Am I going to obsess about how much I eat until I get to the weight that I am told to be? No though I have noticed a LARGE increase in eating disorders especially in children, never mind at least they are not FAT!!!!!!!! May I humbly recomend that next time you feel the need to pontificate you learn the meaning of the word tact and be quiet. As for these who say a size 10 - 12 means you are fat, wher I live (uk) they did a study on clothes size and a small woman who usually takes a 10 (thats an 8 in us sizes) found that the size differences in clothes in shops meant that she fit in anything from a size 10 to a siz 20!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She was as skinny as a rake as well.