Disney & Weight Watchers

[BriarRosie]

You can make better choices and stay on plan somewhat. I did the Adventures by Disney tour to Hollywood/Disneyland a year ago December when I was on WW for a month. I was really trying to stick to plan as much as I could, because with many included meals being buffets, I knew it would be challenging.

I discovered the best plan of attack was to walk completely around the buffet to see what items it had. I would try to stick with the filling foods, and items that didn't seem overly sauced.

When I was ordering food at non-buffet restaurants, I'd keep the portions in mind. The sandwich I was served at Cafe Orleans was big enough for two servings, so I ate half. I did the same thing when I splurged on a mac and cheese entree at the Uva Cafe in Disneyland's Downtown Disney.

I didn't completely restrict myself that trip. I bought a s'mores thing from the Main Street Bakery as a treat. I had worn a pedometer and was averaging 12-13k steps each day. I actually lost weight that trip.

But, I have gone off plan at WDW during my October and December trips. I did try to get in a lot of walking, but I did gain some weight back. The good news is that I haven't lost all of my good habits, but I still try to make good choices when I can.

I will hit up a fresh fruit/veggie stand at the parks, too. Each park has one, and it's a good alternative to the high point items.

 

[gogo]

Congratulations on your achievement! I would not really deny myself too much while on vacation (within reason) Personally, I've had more success losing weight when I eat what I want on holidays, special occasions and yes vacations and then get right back on track. If you go off ww while on vacation and you feel you can get back on track when you get home then I would not stress too much about it. I'd rather gain a couple of pounds and enjoy my vacation than deny myself some good meals with family or friends and be miserable.

You will probably be surpriesd that after losing weight, you will get fuller faster. And the previous suggestions of fresh fruit and salads at the buffets are a great way to fill up.

Have a great vacation

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

I went to WDW last year during F&W and didn't gain any weight. With all the walking and drinking way more water than I normally do really helped.

My suggestions would be to check out the kids menus (especially at CS places). The portions are much better and they normally offer fruit or carrots as a side instead of fries. We also shared a lot of things. My husband would order dessert and I'd ask for him to save the last bite. That way I got a taste of it, but wasn't tempted to dive in for more. I also get the last couple of fries, last bite of funnel cake, you get the idea. Knowing that I'll get a taste is enough to satisfy the craving but not blow the calories completely.

Althought I did treat myself to a Premium Mickey Bar (it's the one thing that I have to have EVERY trip) FYI - they are 8 points.

Good Luck!!

 

[jwfla422]

At TS restaurants, order an appetizer as your entree. They're plenty big enough. The other upside to this is that's it a lot cheaper!

If you want an entree, see if someone will split it with you.

Share desserts.

But seriously, you're going to be walking at least 8 miles a day. Most people report 10-12. So I don't think you have to be too militant about it. Just watch the portions.

I do this as well. Since dropping a lot of weight a few years back I love, love to Disney dine but I try to order an appetizer and a salad instead of an entree in many of the restaurants or I look for the fish based entrees and ask for all sauces and dressings on the side. I even publish a Disney dining review website but still try to stay "behaved" as much as possible.

If I order a sandwich I will enjoy 1/2 of it and then eat most of the contents of the 2nd half (if I can't take it back with us) and then leave the bread. I try to order something other than fries.

The buffets are tricky but I will take small tastes of things rather than load my plate with a bunch of stuff. I will never schedule more than 1 buffet or all you can eat meal in one day. And on some days we eat breakfast in the room (we try to stay at the DVC resorts so we have the kitchenette available).

I always bring small snack zip locs for my nut mix that I make before we go on our trip and always have a bag packed each day.

There are some days I have to admit that I will eat a bit too much and I feel it! But, I also try to fit my work-outs in most mornings during our visits even if it means doing a run around the resort for 30 minutes. I know many have mentioned walking 10+ miles a day but it is stop and go walking and not a cardio workout. You will burn some calories that way but if you can fit any kind of cardio workout in it'll keep you on track (many of the resorts have great fitness centers!)

www.disneydiningreviews.com

 

[Bouncin-Tigger]

Dw did ww last trip and set 3 small goals for our trip we left on Sun. and she gave herelf a cheat on Tues. and than good for 2 days and again on Friday and again when we left on sunday night. She worked in a snack of her choice daily also. We also did 30 minutes of cardio daily outside of walking the parks. A common misconception is that walking the parks burns and burns and burns, truly your heart rate needs elevated to be in a higher burning zone to burn calories and work in a more positive direction. Walking the parks for someone who works out 3-4 times a week doesnt do as much as it does for someone who never works out and is suddenly walking miles a day which shocks the system. Thats why most recommend atleast 30 consecutive minutes of cardio daily, when we are all walking around the parks we are not doing 30 consecutive minutes of a higher pace we are walking at a strolling pace. But all that walking does do positive towards burning some calories but not the guilt free eating that most think.

 

[saving4nexttrip]

Okay-the tips are terrific. We have ressies for three buffets-Hollywood & Vine, the Luau, the Biergarten-and Cinderella Castle for breakfast. I'm going to take protein bars/skim milk for all other breakfasts, and enjoy kids meals for my CS meals. I can hardly stand not to have a hotdog from Casey's Corner at some point, and if there's bread pudding on the buffet, I will indulge. I plan to fill up on salad/fruit at the buffets before hitting the entrees/bread/desserts. Your tips have empowered me to know I can do this, keep my "setback" to a minimum, and deal with it when I get back.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Congratulations on your WW milestone!!

I started WW almost 3 years ago, and I joined 4 days after I gave birth to my younger son. I became a Lifetime Member in November 2007. I lost 45 pounds on the program and have been maintaining it since November 2007. I also work out 5 days a week religiously. I still go to WW at least once a month and I still love it. I've been asked to become a WW Leader on several occasions, but I have no time to work a second job (I'm a teacher and have 2 little boys at home too!).

We went to Disney for 5 nights in summer 2008. We were on the basic DDP. I was very nervous, as I always get when we go on vacation. Normally I write everything down (I still use the 3-month journals from WW, and I have kept them ALL!). The only time I don't write anything down is on our annual summer vacation, because I need a break once in a while.

We ate breakfast in the room 3 mornings (protein breakfast bars, coffee), and the other 2 we went to character breakfasts. I enjoyed the food at the breakfast buffets but didn't overdo it on danish and breads. We did all buffets and family-style dinners, one each night, and I ate to my heart's content. I still made sure I wasn't uncomfortably stuffed at the end of the meal, made sure to fill up on lots of veggies and chose leaner protein choices (carved meats, salmon, no fried foods). I ate one burger the whole trip for lunch at Cosmic Ray's. I was just in the mood for one and had to have it so I did. I got a double burger and split it with my younger son (he was not on the DDP, too young at the time). For dessert I got strawberry yogurt and gave it to my younger son. So I compensated for the burger and fries by not eating dessert. I also piled lots of veggies on top of my burger. For the other lunches I went with healthier choices...salads with grilled chicken, food at Tangierine Cafe in Morocco at Epcot (Mediterranean food, healthy and delicious), grilled chicken flatbread at the food court at Pop Century.

I enjoyed a couple of Mickey ice cream bars, rice krispie treats and a few other sweet treats. But we did A LOT of walking too! I drank tons of water.

Even though we were at Disney for 5 nights, the entire vacation was 2 weeks because we drove down from NYC, and visited relatives for a few days in Southern FL before heading to WDW. I thought for sure I would gain a minimum of 10 pounds, but I gained 4. I was actually very happy with that, since the rest of the trip I only worked out twice, and I didn't eat so well. I think I was so focused on gaining weight at Disney, that was the main thing I worried about and I didn't watch enough of what I ate the rest of the trip. The weight gain was off a week after returning home, so I was fine with that.

Go and enjoy yourself, and when you get back, just hop right back on! You will be fine, take in all the non-eating things at WDW too...enjoy the attractions, the people you are with, the resort you are staying at, etc. Have a wonderful trip, and I wish you continued WW success in the future!

 

[tinkerbell313]

In June 2009, we went to Disney for 8 days/7 nights.

I started WW the last week of April 2009 at 170 lbs. On June 2nd...the day we flew out to Disney, I was at 160 lbs. I, too, was afraid that all of my hard work would be lost.

I used my snack credit for a skim milk and cereal. I drank sweetend iced tea with my resort mug (yes...sweetened with sugar!!)

We were on the DDP and we used our CS meals for lunch. And I ate what I wanted to eat...hamburger/fries/chocolate cake...and a large coke (not diet)...sometimes I had a slice or two of pizza...it just depended where we stopped for CS...in otherwords, I chose what I wanted and not what would have been "WW good" for me.

I drank water while walking around...but not a lot (I drink about 80 ounces of water a day now)

For dinner...again, I ate what I wanted...and most of the time, I had an appetizer, an entree, a dessert, one non diet soda, and one or two drinks (glass of wine or zebratini from Jikos...mmmmm).

I was so afraid when I arrived back home...weigh in was two days...ughhh.......and I lost 4 pounds while at Disney!!!! I was so excited!!!


My downfall is soda...not sweets (even though I had them for lunch and dinner...normally I don't). And I did not snack at all during the day...to me the snacks were not jumping out at me...you had to go into Main street Bakery or into the Bakery at France...so, i never did...and I never got tempted.

As a PP said...you are walking lots...although you don't feel like you walked those 10 miles!!

Congrats on your weight loss...and have a blast at Disney.

 

[PrincessPiperMommy]

I just wanted to thank saving4nexttrip for asking this question. While I'm not on WW I have been eating healther and have lost 25 lbs thus far and was nervous about options at Disney. This thread has made me feel better. Thanks

 

[melissa5583]

Congrats on your weight loss!!! I started weight watchers in Feb and I'm almost to my 10% weight loss (21 pounds). When I went 5 years ago, I was also doing weight watchers. We had free dining that year and I basically ate everything in sight b/c it included appetizer, entree, and dessert. I did get sick the third day at Le Cellier though b/c I wasn't used to eating the amounts that I did. But, we walked A LOT around the parks and were hardly ever just sitting around. When I got back, 9 days later, I had only gained 2 pounds. 2 pounds gained was worth it to me! I had so much fun being on vacation and having a new experience. This year, my fiance and I are getting married, and we'll be partaking in the dining plan in August. And...... I'm not going to worry too much about it then either! It's not often that I get to splurge like that. I can always start back strong at WW the next week!

 

[Lilmattie13]

I think the poster that talked about the walking hit it on the nose. When in disney you do walk a lot however it really isnt cardio unless you are choosing to walk very fast at one time, like say to the parking lot or from the parking lot. While you do rack up the miles, it really isnt going to give you the benefit of cardio like power walking does.

I think a lot of people have the mentality that " I will eat what I want when down there because I am going to be walking so much." I wouldnt use that as a crutch, not unless you plan on doing power walks for at least 20 minutes to and from somewhere.

 

[myweegirls]

Add me to the WW list! I'm a lifer who returned to regular weekly status after having my girls. Those pounds are harder to get off, but I'm just about there. That said, Disney is a big challenge.

We usually do the dining plan, so I use a snack early on for a bottle of water and then refill it constantly at water fountains found throughout the parks. I brought a stash of Luna bars (NOM) and apples with me on our last trip for an energizing and low-point breakfast. Then I'd go for a lighter lunch (customize, customize, customize - I'm no longer shy about holding ingredients or putting things on the side when it comes to things like salads and sandwiches).

Dinner was my cut-loose meal. But what I found was that "cutting loose" took on a whole new meaning when I'd been eating pretty well all day. A glass (or two) of wine, no real restrictions on my entree choice, and dessert doesn't add up to a regrettable disaster, and you feel better afterward.

One of my biggest "rules" is to eat veggies/fruit first. If you're at a buffet, fill 2/3 of your plate with fruits and veggies, and stick to that rule if you go back for seconds!

We'll be there in May with our girls, and we're planning on in-room breakfasts with our own supplies - lots of control there. In July, I go with just DH, and we're on the deluxe plan with lots of amazing ADRs already in place. That trip may be the one where my best-laid plans get just that - laid down by the side of the road while I eat my way through the world!

XO
Liz

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

For me, I got extra cardio walking around WDW because I vacation solo.
I also actually enjoy walking fast. I would endulge at the buffet breakfasts.
I would have extra scrambled eggs, but very little bread, and I would have extra fruit. I would never order any appetizers or alcohol. In a one week vacation I only had dessert twice, and that was for baked apple betty at Sci-Fi. ( It sure was worth it !! ) I tried to get in extra water, and for a mid afternoon snack I got one of the fruit cups at one of the carts.
I NEVER got french fries with any meal at all! So, although I did go OFF plan, I did it modestly. I often went out of my way to do extra speed walking. All in all - I stayed exactly the same weight as before I left for vacation. I went back on plan when I got home.

 

[Lilmattie13]

These tips are all nice to hear. My dh and I are going in Sept, which we do every year for our anniversary. The difference this year is we both will be post gastric bypass surgery. So the world, although very familiar will be very different for us this year.
Being post surgery we are goign to need to do things very differently. For us we will be on free dining, and will only be able to eat very little at every meal, so our plan is to share most table service meals, do no desserts at any CS and perhaps try to swap out the dessert for a bottle of water if possible.
Our exercise will have a lot of walking including the Mickey's family 5k. Besides that, staying at the YC we intend to walk to HS, Epcot and powerwalk either very early in the morning or too and from the parks, to get our cardio up.
I think disney can be done while still watching your weight sensibly. It just will take a little more restraint and dropping that mentality of "I can eat what I want because I am on vacation." Not that I may not have a mouthful of dessert here or there, but it will be just that, a mouthful and not dessert with every meal.

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

I just joined WW yesterday, and was hoping to find a thread like this. For me, WDW is just as much about the food as the rides and shows. I've got resrvations at some of the best restaurants (Le Cellier, Boma, Chef Du France), but I'll do my best to portion and pick the best foods.

As I just joined, I'm still learning the program, but the first step (joining) is the hardest. I'm sure I'll have support from all my friends here too.

 

[nikki7680]

I, too, am on WW. Our trip isn't until September so my main focus now is just to keep losing and losing so that I look/feel great for my trip. While I'm there, I hope to make some smart choices but if I don't then it won't be the first time that I've let temptation take over. Afterall, I only get to Disney every couple of years so the gain is worth it to me.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I applaud you for sticking to your plan at WDW. I can tell you that for some people once you go "off plan" it is ten times harder to get back on, so for some people the idea of "I'm on vacation, I'll go back to WW when I get home" can derail them for a long time. I am one of those people. Once I "cheat" it is so hard to get back on. Once I am in a routine of success, I stick with it.

This is what I would do:

For breakfast, lunch and dinner- I would order what I wanted within reason, for example, not getting heavy sauces and fried foods at each meal, and making sure I had fruit/veggies at each meal. (The usual rule is 1/2 your plate fruit/veggies and 1/4 starch, 1/4 protein) If your DH or child eats the same way, this could be a great way to share! I would stick to things like steak, grilled chicken, pastas with veggies, opting for whole grains when I could, just picking the "best" options without making myself crazy.

I would allow myself one sweet/dessert/treat a day- Mickey bar or dessert with dinner, not both.

I think if you are getting so much exercise and getting your fruit/veggies with each meal, drinking water instead of liquid calories and not eating past fullness, you will find your weight won't be negatively affected by eating some things you normally wouldn't.

 

[bangzoom6877]

I applaud you for sticking to your plan at WDW. I can tell you that for some people once you go "off plan" it is ten times harder to get back on, so for some people the idea of "I'm on vacation, I'll go back to WW when I get home" can derail them for a long time. I am one of those people. Once I "cheat" it is so hard to get back on. Once I am in a routine of success, I stick with it.

This is what I would do:

For breakfast, lunch and dinner- I would order what I wanted within reason, for example, not getting heavy sauces and fried foods at each meal, and making sure I had fruit/veggies at each meal. (The usual rule is 1/2 your plate fruit/veggies and 1/4 starch, 1/4 protein) If your DH or child eats the same way, this could be a great way to share! I would stick to things like steak, grilled chicken, pastas with veggies, opting for whole grains when I could, just picking the "best" options without making myself crazy.

I would allow myself one sweet/dessert/treat a day- Mickey bar or dessert with dinner, not both.

I think if you are getting so much exercise and getting your fruit/veggies with each meal, drinking water instead of liquid calories and not eating past fullness, you will find your weight won't be negatively affected by eating some things you normally wouldn't.

This is all so very true!!! Choosing the leaner proteins (i.e., grilled chicken instead of fried chicken; NY Strip or Filet Mignon instead of Ribeye steak; fish that is not fried), the healthier starches (i.e., mashed potatoes instead of fries; whole grains whenever you can if available; skipping the bread basket or only having one piece of break if you would really like to have some), dressings and sauces on the side, and watch portion sizes. Fill up on fruits...they are available in each park and make great midday snacks, especially if you go to WDW in the very hot season! Allow yourself a small amount of indulgences, like sharing a dessert at dinner, or if you are on the DDP, maybe you can split an order of fruit and a regular dessert with your tablemate.

I also noticed recently on the All Ears site, a lot of the children's menus listed for CS locations have a salad with grilled chicken in it available as a choice. I may get this as a lunch myself. You get a drink with kids' meals too, and it could be a bottle of water. They are also usually served with fruit. The All Ears site doesn't necessarily have official menus and they may have some inaccuracies, but I hope that they are correct and the kids' meals have salads. A great way to spend less money and less calories on lunch! Of course if you are on the DDP, the lower price wouldn't matter to you.

 

[twins4me]

I went last year while on WW and I stayed the same at the end of the trip. We were there for a week. I ate a ww friendly breakfast, snacked on fruits (mostly bananas because that was what i most easily found), had salad for lunch, and ate most of my dinner. I tried to splurge on things I don't normally eat and wouldn't be able to have at home. With that said, I think I was on sugar withdrawal once I got home. I had a hard time the first couple of days because I love dessert! We were on the meal plan so I really did eat a lot but again chose carefully.

I will be back this May and still on ww (lifetime). So I will try my best again and even this month leading up to the trip I want to go feeling my best so I'm tracking and trying to stay on points which is tough but I know it will be worth when I have to wear a bathing suit. GL!

 

[bangzoom6877]

I went last year while on WW and I stayed the same at the end of the trip. We were there for a week. I ate a ww friendly breakfast, snacked on fruits (mostly bananas because that was what i most easily found), had salad for lunch, and ate most of my dinner. I tried to splurge on things I don't normally eat and wouldn't be able to have at home. With that said, I think I was on sugar withdrawal once I got home. I had a hard time the first couple of days because I love dessert! We were on the meal plan so I really did eat a lot but again chose carefully.

I will be back this May and still on ww (lifetime). So I will try my best again and even this month leading up to the trip I want to go feeling my best so I'm tracking and trying to stay on points which is tough but I know it will be worth when I have to wear a bathing suit. GL!

I am the same way, I love desserts!! On our upcoming trip we're not doing the dining plan so maybe DH and I will share desserts. We are going to some all-you-can-eat meals, so I will watch myself there...especially the breakfasts, I love breakfast foods and the sweet ones always get me!

That's wonderful that you stayed the same!! I am very impressed whenever I hear that anyone went on vacation and didn't gain any weight! Sounds like you made the right choices but didn't deprive yourself either...nothing would be worse than depriving yourself completely on vacation, then returning home and bingeing because you feel deprived. Better to have a Mickey bar while you are there and just get it out of your system!! Through WW, one thing I have learned is that the last bite of something tastes exactly the same as the first bite does!! So, I try to go by my body's signals and I know when enough is enough. Many times my eyes are much bigger than my stomach and I can't finish something in a restaurant...that's when I take the rest home...or just forego it if it is a buffet restaurant.

The only thing that worries me is that I exercise regularly, pretty intensely. I lift heavy weights 3 days a week and do cardio 2-3 days a week...I know I will be walking a lot, but not at the same cardio pace I work out (especially since DS5 is not going to be in a stroller), and I hope that on the days we are not at a theme park I have enough motivation to just use the gym at Boardwalk Villas and lift weights there.