Do You Exercise/Work Out while at Disney?

[hakepb]

I'm almost worried about my next trip. I'm not sure what will happen since my "FP- runner" have been replaced by FP+

 

[NYDisGuy]

It's a very big misconception that runners can eat whatever they want! If I run more than ten miles I'll eat what I want that day, but otherwise I only replace what I burn to maintain my weight. Most runners actually put on weight during marathon training because the hunger is crazy!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

This is true. I always drink a ton of water throughout the vacation, that actually helps to curb your appetite as most of the times your body is dehydrated and just needs it. Otherwise Ill try to stick with lean proteins/salads with an occasional indulgence in pizza/burger but not all of the time. I find Disney to be an excellent source to detox/shed pounds if I stay away from the snack carts and the unhealthier options. It is very hard though

 

[typewrittenwolf]

I like the gym at Coronado and find a run there really nice in the morning. After about 3rd or 4th day in park though it's quiet pool laps though because my knees are saying no more running curse you. But then again I averages 17 miles a day just in parks last year in June.

 

[BugsDaddy]

Do 32oz. Curls while walking through World Showcase count?

 

[ArwenMarie]

Agreed! Even if you eat 80% health food that you bring with, the very occasional Disney meal or snack will keep you well supplied with sodium. dh recently went low sodium, and it is mind-boggling how much sodium hides in every kind of prepared food.

The food is so so so salty at Disney. Just looking at the BOG lunch nutritional content as an example, which I think is the only restaurant that posts nutritional content...those sandwiches there are between 1500-2500 mgs of sodium. Just the sandwich! Add in everything else all day...

 

[Sven]

i work out my jaws with all the yummy snacks. i walk a crap-load while we are there. i think that is about it.

 

[Beer Me]

I like to run and being anywhere new and different from my normal routes gets me inspired. So I look forward to early morning runs on vacation. It's completely different from walking around all day.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Seriously? 100 calories per mile? That's it? Considering you have to burn an extra 3500 calories to lose a pound, that's depressing.

A myth that needs to die. It makes it seem so hard for someone to get healthy and/or lose weight.

http://www.zoeharcombe.com/the-knowledge/1lb-does-not-equal-3500-calories/

It's incorrect stats like that which make people feel like weight loss and a healthy lifestyle is just so hard to attain, but again if you think in terms of results and not the process you will likely be overwhelmed at some point anyway.

The true benefits from a cardio workout occur when you're not working out. Teaching your body to burn fat for energy and not just glycogen, developing better eating habits to support and recover from your routine.

Losing weight should never be the goal, being healthy(ier) should be. Muscle weighs more than fat so as you lose fat, you may actually not lose that much weight once you hit a certain point, but just watch the inches shred away.

The path to a healthier lifestyle doesn't have to be intimidating. You can't go from a sedentary or unhealthy lifestyle to a marathon finish line overnight. Getting where we want takes time and hard work, but it doesn't take a miracle or a secret pill to do it.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I truly can't go from eating clean all year round to eating whatever I want and binging once at WDW. My stomach can't handle it and I get very sluggish and tired. I wouldn't be able to maintain the energy to go go go with my two kids.

I kinda did that a few weekends ago (and last summer on a weekend trip) during a mini trip with SO. I had Five Guys, ate out for breakfast, had Mexican, etc and I felt like complete crap!!!! My stomach was in knots.

I try and have my treats but try to do lots of fruit, veggies, chicken and fish. I try to limit my big treat to once a day. Not because I don't LOVE food but because my stomach can't handle it.

So with that I don't gain much. Even without exercising.

 

[Crazyhorse]

A myth that needs to die. It makes it seem so hard for someone to get healthy and/or lose weight.

http://www.zoeharcombe.com/the-knowledge/1lb-does-not-equal-3500-calories/

It's incorrect stats like that which make people feel like weight loss and a healthy lifestyle is just so hard to attain, but again if you think in terms of results and not the process you will likely be overwhelmed at some point anyway.

The true benefits from a cardio workout occur when you're not working out. Teaching your body to burn fat for energy and not just glycogen, developing better eating habits to support and recover from your routine.

Losing weight should never be the goal, being healthy(ier) should be. Muscle weighs more than fat so as you lose fat, you may actually not lose that much weight once you hit a certain point, but just watch the inches shred away.

The path to a healthier lifestyle doesn't have to be intimidating. You can't go from a sedentary or unhealthy lifestyle to a marathon finish line overnight. Getting where we want takes time and hard work, but it doesn't take a miracle or a secret pill to do it.

All good points, but the 3500 calorie/pound thing isn't going to die any time soon.

As mentioned, the food at Disney has it's good points and bad. Also mentioned, moderation is the key....to everything in life if you think about it. I too think that the Disney resort hotels are at their best in the morning and how better to enjoy them then to get out early and burn off 1/2 of a sticky bun...or...burn off a beer..or three.

 

[GoMegGo]

Yes. My usual workouts are at a CrossFit gym. During my last WDW vacation, I packed my jump rope and made a list of several workouts (WODs) I could do with very little/no other equipment. There were some concrete planters near our room at AoA that I used for elevated push-ups and box jumps. Depending on your resort, you may be able to find some monkey bars for pull-ups or dips. I would only workout for 15-20 minutes since I didn't have weights to do a strength portion (and it was REALLY hot outside), but I was able to get 2 or 3 solid sweats in during our vacation.

 

[LilyWDW]

I may so some yoga or something to help stretch my muscles and keep my joints from hating me. Otherwise, I don't do anything extra. I am pretty sedentary in my normal life except for my workouts. So for me, the added walking is pretty much enough. I don't count calories at Disney either and just eat what I want. Normally I will lose or maintain. If I do gain anything it's 1-2 lbs which means it is most likely water weight due to increased activity, heat, and increased sodium intake. Especially since it goes away after a couple of days of being back to normal!

 

[mellyf]

One other option if you stay at the Swan or Dolphin is the quiet pool at the Dolphin (I don't remember if the quiet pool at the Swan is the same). It's great for laps...it's well over 25 yards long. I think between 30 and 40, although I don't remember exactly.

 

[KCSherri]

Running/walking isn't just done for the obvious physical benefits.

It is therapy for alot of people.

SOOO true. This. I use running to 'clear my head', or plan, or dream, or re-evaluate how life is going. It's great to not be distracted by other people, television, technology, etc, and just be able to focus on my thoughts.

But, there are also people who are vacationing at WDW who will experience the same walking as others, but are maybe in the middle of training for some sort of an event.

And again, so true. I am running my first (gulp!) half-marathon in October, and I need to do my long runs on the weekend - and I'll be in Disney in two weeks…so, you'll see me out hitting the paths before I head to the park!

You've made some good points, LSUfan4444, and I appreciate your insight to this particular thread.

 

[Hannathy]

Yeah it's called walking a gazillion miles fast around the parks and from the parking lot to my room and going back and forth to the food court for drinks!

 

[LSUfan4444]

All good points, but the 3500 calorie/pound thing isn't going to die any time soon.

It doesn't mean I will stop calling it out as being incorrect. As long as unsubstantiated myths are out there are being healthy, I will do my best to provide more accurate information when available.

Believing or perpetuating in incorrect statistics like that does two things:
1- makes people think losing weight or getting / being healthy is unattainable
2- gives people an excuse for not wanting to be or get healthy

If something is impossible...why try?

I don't want to seem like I am coming down on you, so sorry if it appears that way...it's hard to type things in a conversational mode.

 

[LSUfan4444]

One other option if you stay at the Swan or Dolphin is the quiet pool at the Dolphin (I don't remember if the quiet pool at the Swan is the same). It's great for laps...it's well over 25 yards long. I think between 30 and 40, although I don't remember exactly.

Hmmmmmmmm...I wonder if I can pay to use it each morning as a guest of the Beach Club.

I know I'm not supposed to, but I would literally pay to do it. (assuming I can access it at like 6:30 am)

 

[Couchy]

I work out every day at home and on vacation. I feel like crap when I don't. Working out makes me feel refreshed and ready for the day. It is a stress reliever as well and takes my mind off everything else.
I get up early in the morning and either take a run, hit the fitness center or swim if I am staying at the Swan or Dolphin. I love working out so to me this is a good thing not a chore

 

[DisneyFive]

I exercise regularly, run 4-5 miles every other day, and lift weights on the other days but don't exercise at Disney at all. I'm on vacation, and yes that includes exercise.

It takes a few weeks afterwards to get back to where I was before the Disney trip, but it's worth it. I've never gained weight while on a Disney vacation, but I don't like to eat heavy while there since it makes me tired and lethargic. That's the last thing I want at Disney. I tend to stay with seafood/fish as much as possible, and lighter lunch options

Granted, we still walk about 8-10 miles a day while there, so there is that I guess.


OP, I would say that you are fine to take the Disney time off from formal exercise as long as you're committed to getting back into your routine when you return. You do walk a lot in the parks, and that will help.

Dan

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Stayed at the Grand in February - they have a really nice club right across from the DVC wing. I was in there at 5:30 in the morning working out, and there were at least 10 others in there at the same time.

Unfortunately my plan to jog outside fell by the wayside (keeping in mind that we left 40 below and blizzards at home, so was really looking forward to running outside). Decided to take the 3 mile jog to the Car Care Center to pick up a rental car one morning, and literally took my life in my hands as there were no paths, and the shoulders on the side of the road are really, really narrow. I survived the run (obviously), but it was pretty scary and I was creating a hazard for drivers who had to keep to the left in order to avoid me.

I stuck to the gym after that.