Dieting for Disney

[bellarose23]

I find that sipping green tea throughout the day helps with the appetite. I would like to try yerba mate, because I heard that has a safe, natural appetite suppressent in it. I am amazed that I've been sticking to the 1200 calories a day! I also have been getting on my exercise bike regularly, which is nothing short of a miracle for my lazy butt!

My only concern is all the salt I'm eating. Lean Cuisine is such a convenient meal and it's so nice to know exact calories. But the salt... I have such a hectic schedule that cooking doesn't happen. It's not that I don't like to, but I have a hard time working the exercise in, let alone devoting more time to figuring out lo-cal, quick meal options. Any suggestions?

Keep up the good work everyone. I'm pulliin for all of us.

 

[Wendy1953]

These last 5 lbs. are the hardest....I've been bouncing around up 1 down .4, up .8, down.2, up 2 (Dis trip I took in January), down 1....staying the same, down up.8, down .2....it's a vicious cycle.....but I'm determined to lose those 5 by the end of April for my next trip down!

WW is a great healthy way to loose the weight...it's really a life long commitment to eat healthy!

GOOD LUCK! THROWING SOME MAGICAL PIXIE REDUCTION DUST YOUR WAY!

 

[helenm29]

o.k all you ladies, I'm 46 years old and I have THE HARDEST time losing weight! I've lost about 10 lbs so far but exercising is really a hard thing for me to do...I walk on the tredmill almost every day for 30 minutes at a time but I have another problem. My skin is not as elestic as it used to be and it's not bouncing back! I just can't DO enough exercise to keep my wings from flapping if you know what I meen? also I had 2 c-sections and a Hystorectomy...all cut the same spot and I have NO muscle left in my lower tummy..WHAT DO I DO? I'm afraid that if I lose as much weight as I want to I'll end up with a California Landslide! anyone got any tips?

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I decided today that I would start replacing some of my coffee and diet soda with water. I drink lots of diet soda and coffee. I am missing the caffeine a bit, but the water hasn't been too hard to drink. I've had 4 large glasses, and I walked 1.5 miles.

So glad to have this thread! Y'all inspire me!

 

[bubba73]

HOLY COW!!!! I am totally shocked and amazed by all of you. I am going to step back just for a second, look at everything that has been posted and tell everyone of you that out of everyone I know or even workout with at the gym, this is the group of people that I want to know better and hang out with. If any of you are going to WDW during Father's Day weekend, I would love to meet you and shake your hand. The people that have been posting here are the most positive, upbeat people I have met in a LONG time. I am floored by all of your desires to be more healthy, not only for a vacation (which is a very short lived experience) but for the rest of our lives .
I can't tell you, from the bottom of my heart, how much you are all motivating me. It's wonderful!!

A lot of people have asked for some suggestions on how to exercise with young kids being involved, certain eating habits and how to lose that weight that is in the worst area of all, the stomach. I am going to try to give some helpful hints or suggestions that I have learned.

1) I, too have a couple of kids that will have to go with me to exercise. Here is a couple of things I have done. Go to the local mall and walk around in there. I know a lot of people think it is just for the older generation but take it from someone that used to work in a mall. I saw it all.) Go to the local high school track when the weather is nice enough to get outside. If the kids are old enough, they can play on the playground while you do your laps. Get a friend that is nearby to go with you. If you know someone is waiting on you or will help push you along, that is a great motivator to keep it up. If the kids are young enough, put them in a playpen while you exercise. If they are too big for that, see if you can put on a Disney movie. That should hold their attention while you listen to the music on the radio or ipod. Just try to find what will work for you. Whatever you do, do not use the kids as an excuse not to do the exercise but use them as your reason. There is no pricetag that you can put on being healthy.
2) As far as dieting and eating habits go, there are a lot of ways you can do this as well. I recommend trying to eat 5 or 6 small meals a day. Before you freak out, let me explain. What this will do will keep your metabolism going. If you go several hours without eating, your body's metabolism shuts down and stores the last thing you ate which will turn that into FAT. When you keep eating portion controlled (small) meals all day, it burns the food for energy. this way you are able to do more because you have more energy and you are not storing fat. Now these meals can be very simple. Protein bars, healthy shakes, fruit, vegetables, pieces of chicken. Whatever you desire, within reason. Hope that helps.
3) Lastly, how do we lose the little bit of "pudge" around the middle. Well, it is very obvious that this is always the last place the fat will melt away. it a very slow, painful process. I think I read where someone was doing cardio and sit-ups. That is wonderful but if you are not seeing all the results that you want, let's change it up some. For your abs, let's try some leg raises. Put your hands under the lower part of your back and then lift your legs up in a very controlled manner and bring them back down the same way. This is going to kill your lower abs. Also, do some twists. You can do this laying down or standing up. That will work on the "love-handle" area. As far as cardio is concerned, try doing a steady jog, fast-paced walking, or if you can, get the bike out and go for a ride. I had it the other night where I had to get out of the house to clear my head so I took a late night walk. I ended up walking about 3 miles and came back feeling better than I have in a long time.

I am sorry this is so long but I think all of you are wonderful . I know together we are going to achieve our goals and be very glad we did.

 

[helenm29]

Hey Bubba73, thank you for your tips! I just went to the doctor today and my blood sugar is normal and my blood pressure is normal...whoopee! I haven't had normal BP in 20 years!

 

[klineyqueen]

My husband and I are working to lose 100 pounds between us. He is going for 60 and I am going for 40. We are doing the Disney crusie in December and that is our reward for the weight loss. So far he lost 12 and I lost 7. We are following Weight Watchers. Time to exercise is hard right now. We have an 8 week old baby and between her and the 2.5 year old diet is easy, exercise is hard. I know we will do it, we both have good will power and we haev each other to encourage the weight loss. Wish us luck!

 

[SandraVB79]

I am also going to add my story: I am 1m85, weigh 91 kg (and by that, you know I am not American, haha! sorry, still didn't figure out how much it is in US measurements!) I want to loose 20 kg, and my next trip to the US is in September (in my case, going to the US is just as bad as going to Disney in general, lol!)

I do Weightwatchers + I go to the gym every day for about 2 hours.

I read almost the whole thread, and I have some remarks/ ideas:
If you really "live" on soda, don't cut it out completely. What you can do is drink water all day, and in the evening have 1 soda, that you drink slowly, so you can taste it! I have never seen much sense in drinking tons of soda with your food, because then 1. you don't taste your food and 2. you don't taste your soda!

The tip to cut back on dairy products: LADIES, be careful with this! If you cut back on dairy products, make sure you take in enough calcium through other means, because you DON'T want to be confronted with ostheoporosis! (sp?)

I heard some people say: the gym is expensive. Yes, it is. BUT you could use the money you save on snacks and soda to go to the gym! That way, there isn't any budget for snacks (aha, good thing!) and you made budget for gym (second good thing!)
Other options instead of going to the gym to get some exercise: take the stairs instead of the escalator (if you do that a couple of times a day, it saved you 10 minutes of stepping in the gym!). If you use public transportation to go to work, ... get off one stop earlier and walk that extra distance! If you have to go upstairs at home to get 2 things out of your bedroom, go once to get one thing, go a second time to get the other.

 

[LovingCinderella]

My kids DD2 and DS1, both eat table food. So I personally feel like I can't diet with them. DD is a very healthy eater, she loves fruit and veggies (which is easy on me) BUT my DS only likes Pasta, Bread, Cheese, all the big no no's. My DH, when he's home, is a carb eater too. But lucky for him, he's ARMY, so part of his job is an hour an a half workout everymorning. Now, my willpower is low..not rock bottom, but if I have a choice between a grilled cheese sandwich with my son, or an apple with my daughter...guess where I'm headed.. I even bought wheat breat (which I hate) so I wouldn't be as tempted. Which helps. But that leaves the pasta.
You know, I have a diet the doctor gave me in high school. I'm sure some of you heard of it. I call it the Tuna diet, but anyway you can lose up to 40lbs in a month. I did it my senior year and lost 40lbs in about 6 wks. Every time I start it now..I fail. Even though I kNOW it Works. I just can't stand Tuna...and my doctor now is pushing me to try it again because of my blood pressure. She said even though its not a good idea to lose weight fast....as long as I keep up a workout routine after I get done with the diet, I shouldn't gain it back. (it took me almost 2 yrs to gain it back the first time and that was without exercising). So any ideas on how to stick to a diet when you absolutely hate it?

me this morning. Tired and Sore from my dance aerobics yesterday.

 

[RebeccaB]

I can't agree more on the eating 5 or 6 small "meals" a day...that's what my dh has to do to regulate his low blood sugar (funny, my fil is supposed to do this for his high blood sugar...apparently it just regulates your sugar, eh?). Also, he quit drinking soda cold turkey, and is amazed at how much better just doing that made him feel overall.
My 5yo is a small meal eater, she doesn't eat huge amounts of food at a time, but she does "graze" most of the day, on healthy things. She doesn't like sweet things like candy or pastries, she'll eat apples, blueberries, bananas or any kind of fruit. Her pediatrician told me that if the world ate like her, we'd all be healthier and happier, who knew?
I have three fitness videos I use, and I alternate. One day I'll do my ab workout and 20 mins of strength training. Next day ab workout and 20 mins of cardio, next day ab workout and cardio kickboxing. I find that varying it helps me to actually keep doing it. (that and that cute little bikini hanging on my mirror helps to motivate me as well...)

 

[39CINDERELLA]

I am keeping an outfit that I want to get into hanging on my closet door, and I have a picture of myself from last year when I was heavier on the computer desk to keep me from eating junk that I really don't want.
I am glad I found this thread you all are the best.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Hi all! hope everyone had a good yesterday! i did alright, but i am sincerely going insane already! hahaha......i had cereal for breakfast. I am not sure what to give DD for lunch though, maybe we will have a fruit salad

Didn't work out this morning, my DS was a PAIN last night and didn't get to bed until 1am, so that left me tired at 4am (my usual gym time). oh well i can always do more housecleaning!

Have a great day!

 

[bubba73]

After reading what the person said about not getting enough calcium in their diet because I had said to layoff of dairy products, I want to say that they are exactly right. But at the same time, let me add that I didn't say to cut it out completely. I am a firm believer in drinking my 3 glasses of milk everyday. I also would say to add a calcium supplement. On that note, I would also say to make sure that you are taking a GOOD multi-vitamin. You can train, exercise and eat very clean and still not get all the nutrients that you need everyday. If it is possible, try to keep a log of your eating and training habits. When you look at everything, it might surprise you. Remember: If you lie on the log, you are not lying to anyone else but yourself. Put reminders all over the house or office to motivate you to stay the course. Maybe keep a picture of yourself when you were in the shape that you want to be in now. Unfortunately for me, I have never been "thin" or "muscular" so I have to take my goals out of magazines. Most of those are going to be totally unrealistic for me as many of them have taken steriods to get their size and definition and I refuse to do that. My main goal is to be totally healthy.

Keep up the great work everyone! Let's make this week the best one we have had yet.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I drank lots of water yesterday, and walked three miles. My family wanted to eat at Chili's last night. I tried to restrain myself -grilled chicken (although the marinade could not have been healthy), chips and salsa, veggies.

 

[Tazicket]

Sign me up!!!!

 

[bubba73]

Just wanted to come back and tell everyone that I am very proud of all of your accomplishments. I hope that this thread has been a motivating factor. I know it has motivated me. I had set a goal of loosing 15 pounds before I go on my trip in June. Well, I weighted myself this weekend while I was exercising and I am down 6 of those 15 pounds. 9 pounds to go and I still have 13 weeks, if my math is correct. Hopefully, I will be able to go down to WDW in better condition than I was last year. (Last year, I was in the best shape of my life so that will be a major accomplishment for me.)
This week will probably be a tough week to stick to the diet and exercise routine as Tuesday is my DW's birthday and Sunday is my birthday. I have already made it clear that I will not eat any cake or sweets that will be detrimental to my diet and progress. I have a goal that I am very serious about obtaining.

Hope everyone has a great week!!

 

[Thekidsmom]

Starting Weight: 197 lbs (monday Jan 16th)
Weight Today: 174 lbs
This weeks loss: 2 lbs
Total Loss: 23 lbs
Goal: 135 lbs
Plan: Stick with my 1190 calories and not go to far under! Try and increase the cardio. I am up to 15 minutes on the eliptical but I want to increase it to 30.


I know I should be happy that I have lost 2 pounds but I am very frustrated, that my weight loss has slowed down so much. I was losing 5 pounds at first and now I am happy to get 1 or 2 pounds a week. It is depressing. And I am finding myself slipping into those old thoughts like "is this really worth it". When I am rationial I know it is, but it is those times when I am down that it is hard to focus on the long term and not what is goining on day to day.
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[blestmom]

Alright, I'm jumping on board here. I went clothes shopping yesterday, and looking in the mirror...ugh! Somehow those pounds just crept up! Dieting is not really my thing, but I do try to eat sensibly.

One thing good I did for myself yesterday is I went to my first ever health club class. My 2 oldest boys talked DH into signing up for the family plan, so I went to a Step Class. I felt like a fool for the first 5 minutes, then I realized no one else cared what I looked like and what I was doing, and I had a blast! A full hour of heart-pumping exercise. I'm going back this afternoon for a weight class.

This thread is inspiring! I hope everyone reaches their goals.

 

[mommykds]

Hi everyone,
I was doing good there for a while since Jan but fell off the wagon & now I am back. Unfortunately, the 12 lbs I lost I put back on..so back to square one (again!).

I am doing cardio/step tape every other day (when my little one is in nursery school. Doing WW's too & so far so good.

I do great for a week or so & then I mess up...gotta stay focused!!!

 

[SnackyStacky]

Hi folks!

I'm gonna move this on over to our WISH board. Not only is it more appropriate in that forum - you'll get TONS more support than you will here on the Theme Parks board.