Dieting Advice Needed for WDW Trip

[snicker-doodle]

We're off to WDW in December...and after having three dd's in 5 years, my weight is definitely no where is used to be. I'd really like to drop 20-25 pounds before December (and getting into that dreaded swimsuit in the middle of winter!!...ugh!!).

Does anyone have any advice on what has worked for them; how to get and stay motivated; how to work exercise into a schedule filled with kids and.....how to cut down on those cravings. It's so difficult, since I'm cooking every night for my dd's and dh...and I certainly don't want to put them on a diet...but having a hard time not eating what I've prepared for my family.

Help....please..............................

 

[Deb in IA]

Exercise: I find the only time I have to exercise is early in the morning, before the family gets up. We have a treadmill in the basement, and I work out on it for 30 minutes each morning. Yes, it is VERY hard to get up at 5:30 am, but I find that if I don't do it then, I won't get it done any other time in the day.

Cravings: Drink lots and lots of water. It fills up your stomach, has 0 fat and calories, and keeps you from getting dehydrated.

Substitute: Instead of whole milk, drink skim. Instead of ice cream, eat fat free frozen yogurt. Instead of choc chip cookies, eat graham crackers. Instead of chips, eat pretzels.

Cut down portion sizes: You can still eat what your family eats. Just eat 1/2 of what you used to eat.




Good luck, Sherry!!

 

[mrsapalm]

Deb: Try getting up at 4:17 in the morning (so you're in the gym at 4:30)!
Seriously, exercise exercise exercise. You can't lose it solely by dieting... it's just not good for the body. Drinking water is soooo helpful. The portion sizes.... Americans are used to bighugesupersized portions, and it's just not healthy. Downsize your portions (it's an eye-opener to actually follow the recommended serving sizes on food packages) and make healthy choices in the foods you eat.
You can do it!!
-MrsAPalm

 

[smiley]

My friend tried weight watchers it ended up working for she and her husband. She kinda put the whole family on it by making meals that would fit into her diet. Of course, she'd usually have some extra items for the kids. She lost weight, her husband lost weight, and now the kids eat a lot less junk food!!!

As far as dieting at WDW, my best advice is to stay away from the Canadian Pavillion where they have the beaver tail vendor.

 

[LuvTigger]

It'll be difficult at first, but I also agree that getting up a little earlier in the morning and starting off with a walk and build up to a jog really helps. The first few days I did it, it was hard to wake up, but once I was up, I was alert all day. It got easier and easier.

Also, do NOT skip meals, especially breakfast. You need the energy to keep you going.

What works for me is changing the types of carbs eaten when possible. For instance, instead of white flour, use wheat flour. In Hawaii, we eat lots of rice, so brown rice is better than white. Same for sugar, if you can use brown sugar or honey in place of refined white sugar, that's preferable.

I also try to eat fruits and vegetables with each meal. And don't skimp on protein (don't go overboard either!). I find that having low-fat protein with each meal keeps me satisfied and reduces cravings.

I also invested in some 2-3 pound weights that I use while watching tv. During commercials, I'll do crunches or situps, or other stretching. I also walk more, take the stairs etc. It's the little things that count!

 

[imgoingtodisney]

please keep the tips coming - start Tues (day after our last mini-vaca) I have 12 wks to loose weight/get in shape before our Nov 30th cruise

Planning on walking 21miles/wk instead of the usual 14. And eating more fruits & vegs.

 

[mrsapalm]

This is my post-workout breakfast (since I don't have time to eat a bowl of cereal)...
1 chopped banana
1/2-3/4 cup frozen chopped fruit (apple/mango/peaches/berries/whatever)
1/2 cup 2% milk
1/2 serving Pina Colada Yoplait Yogurt
3/4 cup All Bran Extra Fiber
Ice

Place all in a blender, blend until smooth. If I haven't finished it by the time I get finished getting ready for work, I take it with me and finish it during my commute. It gives me everything I need to start the day!
-MrsAPalm