How do You get in "shape" for WDW?

[Glendamax]

It's funny I noticed this post today - my friend and I were just talking about this! She and I usually walk once or twice a week for about an hour, and I walk my dog every morning for about 40 minutes, but I haven't been losing weight... She and her hubby decided that they wanted to do this "marathon" in Delaware (bicycling, running, kayaking & canoeing), and running was her weakest point, so she searched for ways to train, and found this website:

Couch to 5K Running Plan

Thanks for posting this link! I printed out the info from the site, and tried it on Wednesday morning. It said to walk briskly for 5mins, then alternate jogging 60secs, and walking 90secs for 20mins. I am a couch potato so I could only run 30 secs before I felt like I was going to DIE! I did go for 20mins though!
I'm going to stick with it, and hopefully by next week I'll be up to speed like this

 

[pixistix]

DH, DD's and I belong to a gym where we work out 2 to 3 times a week (cardio and light weights). I told our trainer we're going to Disney and he said we may still get sore legs from all the walking but we should not get as tired or winded from walking.

 

[magicmouse2]

The last few times I didnt do anything and I was OK. This time I have been going to the gym 3 time a week for the past 3 months so i should have a lot more stamina. DS does amateur boxing, football and gym so e is super fit. DH walks the dog every day, does gym and boxing fitness. DDs dont really do anything other than playing in school yard, and swimming ocassionally, but are really naturally fit so they should be ok. The hardest part for us Brits is adjusting to the time zones. The first 2 days I still wake up at 2am and cant get back to sleep!!! I will probably purchase internet connection at the resort and do some dis-ing those nights!!!

 

[Dawson'sMom]

Bump!

 

[copper0426]

I also experiment with different bags/water bottle combination during the walks. (My first rule of survival for any Disney trip? Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!) I pick the combination that offers the best balance between carrying necessities and comfort.

I agree HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE, but be sure it is with water, some people think fluids are sodas and juices, etc. Sodas will leach potassium from your body.



Diane

 

[lovesmurfs]

For about two weeks before I leave, I stay up until 5 am, drink a 12-pack of beer every night and get up around noon everyday.

Oops -- I'm sorry that's what I do before I go to Vegas!

 

[aubriee]

She and her hubby decided that they wanted to do this "marathon" in Delaware (bicycling, running, kayaking & canoeing), and running was her weakest point, so she searched for ways to train, and found this website:

Couch to 5K Running Plan
She sent me the link today, and my plan is to start doing this during my walk with my dog, so I can get used to walking 5-6 miles a day.

Lots of great tips here! I really appreciate you posting this site. I've been looking for something like this. My mom and I take my Schih tzu and my eight month old Akita to the park every morning to walk. However my Akita has gotten so big that he is easily distracted as we walk too slow for him. My steps just aren't long enough or fast enough to give him the exercise he needs. I can't seem to jog for more than a minute though without huffing and puffing, so I really needed something to show me how to initiate a jogging program. Thanks again.

 

[Threeriversdisneyfan]

I reach into my pocket and pull out my wallet about 30 times a day. Hopefully I'm overtraining.

 

[Dawson'sMom]

Bump!

 

[Ladybugsy]

I am currently waiting for my dh to bring home the treadmill he bought me. I am VERY Pooh sized, and have alot of trouble with my feet. I think I am boiling it down to some kind of wheat allergy believe it or not. But in the mornings after I do lots of walking, and sometimes when I don't, I can barely put my feet on the floor. I'm worried about spending 10 days in WDW. We're going with a group of 11 family members. I'm hoping that I can build up some endurance in 42 days. I hope.

 

[hjd0411]

I try to walk my dog every day (sometimes work just gets in the way!). Also I wear in my shoes, and I don't wear the same ones 2 days running. Also, lots and lots of water.
Last year at DL, I took a small foot bath and each night soaked my feet with lovely foot balm. Very relaxing.

 

[maslex]

I'm so glad I found this thread. We won't be in Disney until next fall so that gives me more than a year to do something. I have been very POOH sized for just a long time now, but I've noticed lately that I can actually feel it (if you know what I mean) I've noticed that I've become VERY sedentary within the last year or so and boy can I feel it. My feet are constantly sore and I've had some serious heel pain in my right foot. I think one component is I'm totally addicted to this computer I will seriously be on here for a couple 2-3 hours, then get up and either get something to eat or do a bit a housecleaning, then jump right back onto the computer. It's such a viscious cycle. The last time we went to Disney (last year in June) I ended up having to get one of those ECV's because by the time I got from the bus stop to the park entrance, I was done. SAD HUH? I was so embarassed, it wasn't even funny. While I was able to see all the parks, I felt I ruined my family's vacation because they had to slow down their pace and wait for me to manuever that stupid thing through all the people. I was so depressed. Well, we've decided to go back next fall and I really don't want to go through all that again, so I plan on getting on my new treadmill and do what I can each day. Hopefully in just over a year, I can be in better shape and actually enjoy my trip. Let's keep are fingers crossed!!!!

 

[Karenj2]

Lots of great tips here! I really appreciate you posting this site. I've been looking for something like this. My mom and I take my Schih tzu and my eight month old Akita to the park every morning to walk. However my Akita has gotten so big that he is easily distracted as we walk too slow for him. My steps just aren't long enough or fast enough to give him the exercise he needs. I can't seem to jog for more than a minute though without huffing and puffing, so I really needed something to show me how to initiate a jogging program. Thanks again.

I'll pass the "thanks" onto my friend, who had given ME the tip... I tried it once, but timed my jogging badly (during a downhill portion). It really hurt my shins, so I think I might just walk until I get to a section that I could jog. One thing I did change about my routine is that I added a loop which adds another half hour to my walk (total ~1 hr), and that section is VERY hilly, so I'm definitely getting a workout! (The first time we went, my dog - who normally is tugging me along - ended up BEHIND me because SHE was tired.)

 

[toocooltobeMom]

Just try not to think about this "keeping in shape" thing too much. I was never heavy or out of shape all my life(at 5'5" avg. 130lbs) Only few years back, I can't even climb up 3 flights of stair without taking a break.Did I tell all of you that I was a carb-addict. I could eat a whole loaf of bread or stacks of crackers with on problem Since I decided to change the way I eat, my energy level went up the roof. I eat more. I eat often. I eat good food(meat, veggies, even bread-just not as much) Most importantly is that I only drink non-soda beverages.

Listen to your body first. Once your core is healthy, you will have more strength

 

[btuftee]

Walk until your feet burn and your legs ache, that's my motto! Just be sure you start 6-8 weeks before your trip. I'm gearing up for it now, going to the gym 5-6 days a week, then I'll start adding long walks in as well. Exercising on a machine is one thing, walking 6 miles in a row is another. It's good to have aerobic capacity, but you need stamina for the long haul too.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

For me, getting in shape means training my bladder that it doesn't have to be emptied every 1/2 hour. Slight problem I've had since I had surgery in 2000...

 

[Praying Colonel]

Whatever you're doing, don't go too hard and hurt yourself!

I was doing great, lifting weights and working out on an elliptical machine regularly. Then I had oral surgery and was out of action for about 10 days, and pushed too hard when I came back--now I have a strained low back and 11 days to get better before our trip!

 

[MartDM]

For about two weeks before I leave, I stay up until 5 am, drink a 12-pack of beer every night and get up around noon everyday.

Oops -- I'm sorry that's what I do before I go to Vegas!

 

[aubriee]

Last year at DL, I took a small foot bath and each night soaked my feet with lovely foot balm. Very relaxing.

I do this too! Avon had a little green blow up foot bath that folds to like 9"x4x1/2" that I carry every trip. Then at night I put hot water in it along with Jafra peppermint soak. After soaking my feet for awhile I apply Jafra peppermint lotion and if my feet really hurt I put them up on the bed on a towel and apply Jafra peppermint cooling mask all over my feet and half way up my calves, then cover them with a towel. It makes them get really cold, but feels so good!

 

[intrep93]

My kids and I signed up for 5 paper routes in may. We are so used to running our butts off in the early afternoon/hottest part of the day in humid Iowa that we are going to leave my DH in the dust!!! And we will have lots of souvenier money!!