Getting In Better Shape For Next Trip To WDW

[Magpie]

I'm dragging my husband through the Fit Girl's Guide, because I really like the recipes. It seems to be having a good effect on his waistline.

For us, too, it's really all about diet. We're reasonably fit, and we walk everywhere, but we won't see an ounce gone unless we cut back on the calories and ditch the chips and fried food. All exercise does is improve your shape and increase your energy levels (which is admittedly quite a lot).

 

[Aurora0427]

It's 80% what you eat, 20% working out!

 

[JoshuaShaw]

I don't have a health strategy for an upcoming trip, but I did lose 75 pounds a few years ago and constantly maintain my weight/overall fitness. Some tips:

-Don't drink soda. Ever. Water is life.
-Getting in shape is 75% diet, 25% exercise. That's not to say one should neglect exercise, but rather, that what you put into your body is key. Garbage in, garbage out. That means lots of vegetables, fruit, and lean meats.
-If you're going from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one, start slow. Walk for 30 minutes every day.
-Muscle burns more calories than fat, so while cardio & aerobics is good, some type of weight training should supplement it, even if it's just carrying dumbbells while walking.
-Try to find an exercise you enjoy, or at the very least, tolerate. If you hate what you do, you'll quit within two weeks.
-Music! I tend to get bored when I exercise, but so long as I have music I can power through.
-Cheat days. I give myself one day a week, usually on a weekend, where I don't count calories. I don't go out of my way to eat junk, but I also don't stress about what I eat. I find that if I have one day a week where I'm not worried about calories, it gives me something to look forward to and makes it easier to eat healthy the other six days of the week. It helps to prevent me from completely falling off the wagon and going crazy.

 

[amy1115]

I am trying to lose weight not specifically for my Disney trip in November but to fit into the clothes I have hanging in the closet that I want to wear. I had lost 42lbs in 2008 and have since gained 25lbs back an I am refusing to buy new clothes when those in the closet were only worn once or twice.

I'm doing the exact same thing!

 

[smallworldnh]

I started working out with the Jane Fonda Primetime tapes and Denise Austins power walk and I actually lost 15 pounds. It took me about 2 months (I didn't eat as well as I should have) but I was thrilled. What I can't figure out is how the heck did I gain back the 15 plus a few more in the 7 days I was at Disney??? Yes, we had free dining, but I walked more than I ever had in my life. Go figure!

 

[Mamato2cutekiddos]

"You can't out-exercise a bad diet"... is to say that you can exercise all you want but you need to tidy up your eating too. Of course exercise is important- cardio is great but lifting weights will raise your resting heart rate which will help burn more calories.

I feel like there are 2 types of people in the world, the types who can eat everything "in moderation" or people who need to cut it out completely. I am the latter- I apparently don't have any sort of sense of the word "moderation"... as much as I'd like to.

Currently I am doing weight watchers, following a clean diet as much as possible (lean protein, lots of fresh fruits and veggies, minimal grains, healthy fats and little to no dairy). I also take Barre3 classes 3-4x/wk and cardio 1-2 times a week. Unfortunately I've been on a bit of a bender the past week or so and I've seeing it in both the scales and the way my clothes fit. I keep going back to "I'm going to WDW in a few weeks, what's the point because I'll go 'off plan' while i"m there anyway..." I swear once you deviate from whatever plan you chose it's hard to get back on!!

If you are looking for small changes, I would definitely start with all processed sugar, and maybe replace snacks with fruit. And it's already beem mentioned a hundered times, but water! water! water!

Good luck. It's difficult, I totally understand. I've been struggling with gaining and losing the same 50lbs for the past 6 years.

 

[Capwkidd]

As I type this Im chilling in the WL waiting for my bus to go home (waaaahhh!)

I do have the new-fangled Apple Watch and it got a workout the past 4 days.

I averaged 8-10 miles a day in the parks. Keep in mind I was a solo traveler with little breaks minus midday breaks at the resort.

I tried to be a tough guy and wear Jordan flip-flops to the parks quite a bit to keep my feet cool, but now I have blisters on the side of my feet. Don't do that...

Wear comfy sneakers and change your socks midday

Change socks midday?

 

[Capwkidd]

I am trying to lose weight not specifically for my Disney trip in November but to fit into the clothes I have hanging in the closet that I want to wear. I had lost 42lbs in 2008 and have since gained 25lbs back an I am refusing to buy new clothes when those in the closet were only worn once or twice.

I have clothes in my closet I would love to wear.... 10 pounds would probably do it.... *IF* I could actually loose 10 pounds! It doesn't help that work gives away candy all the time, and meals, and stuff.... overtime someone retires its a party.... and that has been happening allot lately!

 

[Capwkidd]

I re-joined Weight Watchers 3 1/2 weeks ago. I am a Lifetime Member that needs to lose again. I have lost 7 so far and I want to lose 9 more by Oct 18. That is when I will be going on a solo trip to Disney. It is a early birthday present to me from me. I also walk and I am increasing the amount I walk. My daughter started a FitBit Challenge between us and several of her friends. I am fired up about it. I have to show them that I can whip their rear ends even if I will be 60 in December. This is a work week challenge. They all work retail and I work administration (sit a lot). Right now I am in the lead.

Nice! I love it when an older person (especially when it's me ) is in better shape than the younger people!! Rock On!

 

[alvernon90]

I've lost a little over 90 pounds to get ready for an upcoming trip and hope to lose a little more. As others have said, the absolute key is tracking every single thing you eat and staying within calorie targets. Beyond that I do brisk walking several times per week and weight lifting. Of these, lifting weights is the only thing I can say that I enjoy. Tracking food is the worst, but BY FAR is the best way to lose weight.

Most people don't usually like to do weight lifting, by which I mean progressively heavier weights (not curling little 2 pound dumbbells). Nothing transforms your body faster, and it helps keep you motivated because the changes are so noticeable. Also, on a park-specific note, improving upper body strength is a good way to avoid those embarrassing situations where you struggle to get out of a ride vehicle with low seats. The one caveat is that you need to start thinking about "weight loss" a little differently, because adding muscle will make the numbers on the scale move more slowly. But muscle is more dense than fat, so your clothes will fit better even if the scale isn't changing as much as you hope.

My best advice, besides tracking all your food, is to start early. If you are sedentary and obese, getting in some extra walking in the three weeks before your trip won't help much. Commit fully to a lifestyle change and do it at least six months before your trip, a year is even better.

 

[TB'sWidow]

I agree with those who say tracking your food is a good way to help you lose weight, honestly I was shocked by how much calories I ate I have been walking an also doing free weights I'm only two weeks in but I do feel better scale isn't showing much yet

 

[epcotty]

My shorts always are a bit more loose by the end of each day there. I probably should lose about 10 lbs then I'll be fine to go for next time

 

[wifeof35]

I re-joined WW back in March and have lost 40 lbs. I have invested in a fitbit and try really hard to do my 10,000 steps each day. It has really helped me and I will find out how much very soon!!!!! 9 days and counting

 

[Disneymom1126]

I've lost 50 pounds since March doing weight watchers and walking at least 10,000 steps a day (Fitbit). I highly recommend weight watchers of you stick to it!

 

[IRISH249]

I run about 15 miles per week and wear good running shoes. Also, water. I'll have some soda, but I drink a ton of water.

 

[brazzledazzler]

I joined WW in 2012, and have stuck with it since then. I lost 60 lbs and have kept it off. It's kind of expensive to go to meetings, but it has been the only thing that has worked. It also got me into eating healthier and being more active; I now am a runner and run half marathons!