I always gain weight at Disney

[*QueenB*]

Everytime we go I gain about 5 lbs. I know people say its vacation but I end up eating wrong the entire time. This is not something I do at home. I actually watch what I eat very carefully.
This is an important point because we are able to make ADR's in a day or so and DH wants to make them ASAP.
Part of me doesn't want to because it seems hard to find places with food that sounds good but is also healthy.

 

[Linda T.]

Last year was the first year I didn't gain weight at Disney. We had the dining plan and I found I ate better. No french fries at all, alot of fruit, and grilled seafood. I will say I splurged at Raglan Road and had their fantastic bread pudding. We are going again this year and we have the dining plan again so hopefully, I will have the same philosophy and not gain weight. Good luck!

 

[*QueenB*]

We aren't doing the DDP. I have tried to get DH to do it but he just refuses. It is just hard to know how many calories and fat you're consuming if you get a cooked meal. Last time we went I took my bathroom scale with me.

 

[beebeeryan]

I gained 5lbs last year as well, even with all that walking. Amazing. We are going again this year and considering how well I am doing with eating healthy and losing/maintaining right now it's a little bit of a concern. But, vacation is vacation. I'll do my best, but not worry about it too much. I might just work my butt off for 2-3 weeks before the trip to lose a few extra lbs so I can gain them back at Disney. It's worth it.

 

[sunshineNJ]

I always work out extra and really eat LOW carb for a few weeks before our trips. So by the time we go i'm down a couple lbs. I have lost weight on trips when we go commando even when eating crazy on the DDP, and i have gained a few when we don't go commando. Don't worry and enjoy yourself. If you gain a couple lbs you will take it right off when you get home.

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

Salt & Butter! Plus the change in schedule changes the digestive system. Drink more water and no eating 3hrs before bedtime

 

[TiszBear]

Ok I was not going to post but curiosity has gotten the better of me. This is not the first thread that I have seen of someone gaining weight at Disney but I really want to know how? I am not being mean just curious. How does one gain weight at Disney? I always lose weight and I not really changing my eating habits that much. I still drink lots of water, no soda, and depending on the weather at least 2 powerades a day. I am also doing lots walking and sweating when its hot out (and I am pushing a wheelchair most times) that I lose weight. We never do the plan when we go, too much food. SO can someone please tell me how a person can gain weight at Disney.

 

[poohfriend77]

Ok I was not going to post but curiosity has gotten the better of me. This is not the first thread that I have seen of someone gaining weight at Disney but I really want to know how? I am not being mean just curious. How does one gain weight at Disney? I always lose weight and I not really changing my eating habits that much. I still drink lots of water, no soda, and depending on the weather at least 2 powerades a day. I am also doing lots walking and sweating when its hot out (and I am pushing a wheelchair most times) that I lose weight. We never do the plan when we go, too much food. SO can someone please tell me how a person can gain weight at Disney.

You said yourself that you don't really change your eating habits. I think the point is that most people do. They eat more, or eat more fried foods/burgers, or eat dessert with every meal, when they don't at home.

I was surprised that I actually lost a couple pounds on our last trip. But when I thought about my eating patterns, I noticed the difference. At home I am a "grazer," eating several small meals/snacking throughout the day. When we are in the parks, I only eat at mealtimes (sharing the occasional pretzel or popcorn with the kids). It's just that snacking is such a deliberate thing there. I have to stop whatever fun thing I'm doing, stand in line to get something, pay or use a snack credit, etc., rather than just grab a nibble whenever I pass through the kitchen.

To the OP-- I find I actually do better at buffet restaurants. I always have salad, veggies, and fruit on my plate. But if I can only go for one thing, I'm not going to pick the salad, you know? And I'll take a tiny sample of a dessert, rather than feel like I have to finish off the giant serving I get at a regular TS restaurant (we use DDP, so of course I HAVE to get dessert)

 

[cslittle999]

I find that avoiding weight gain while traveling is always challenging. Every meal is simply larger and the routine is different than at home. I find for me that I need to focus on choosing healthy, lighter options for breakfast and lunch so I can enjoy a nice dinner. The mid-day and late night snacks don't help either. The exercise you get at Disney will offset some of the calories but only some.

 

[rutgers1]

When I am at home, usually eating is a just a means to an end. When I am on vacation, it is an "experience," and I tend to eat more.

I am a thin person who enjoys working out. Even though I swim and walk a great deal while at Disney, I still gain weight. I even run a few times or hit the fitness center.

I'm ok with it. Eating is part of the fun of a vacation!

 

[*QueenB*]

Ok I was not going to post but curiosity has gotten the better of me. This is not the first thread that I have seen of someone gaining weight at Disney but I really want to know how? I am not being mean just curious. How does one gain weight at Disney? I always lose weight and I not really changing my eating habits that much. I still drink lots of water, no soda, and depending on the weather at least 2 powerades a day. I am also doing lots walking and sweating when its hot out (and I am pushing a wheelchair most times) that I lose weight. We never do the plan when we go, too much food. SO can someone please tell me how a person can gain weight at Disney.

I push a stroller, much easier than a wheelchair. DH doesn't like to stay at parks all day so we spend half the day back at resort just relaxing. At home I never do that. I do eat worse at Disney, I am extremely picky and do not like most recipes that are "healthy" so I end up eating individual ingredients. Like fish, chicken, carrots, grapes, ect. We do buy snacks like that for the room but being around my DH all week makes it hard for me to eat like I normally do. He always wants to eat/snack. It is hard to eat like I normally do on any vacation honestly.
So all taken into account we do not walk as much as you probably do, I eat worse and do not just drink water and powerade.
People can gain weight anywhere but Disney is somewhere I always do.

 

[disneyquestions]

First time I went (with my girls I mean, not back when I was 17 months old lol) I stayed even. The second time I gained 3 pounds. DH and I went to Vegas alone last June and I came back at least 9 pounds heavier..... It happens. I'm on vacation, and theres no way I'm taking my scale with me to depress myself! I mean really, this IS vacation - life doesn't stop because of a few extra pounds and I know how to take care of it when I'm back in the real world. Your most likely eating a lot of salty foods, and that really puts the pounds on. Go back to regular eating when your home, and it will be (mostly off) within a few days.

 

[Jupiter&Wolfe]

It also kind of depends on the person. My friend and I went down April '07. She's a little bigger than me. While we were there, we obviously walked the same amount, slept the same amount, and basically got the same foods(we didn't eat healthy at ALL. ).

When we got back I had lost 2 lbs, she had gained 4 lbs. Just depends on your metabolism I guess.

 

[TDC Nala]

Since you're not on the dining plan, order salads and don't have desserts. It's actually not that difficult to find healthier alternatives at most restaurants. Ask for sauces or dressings on the side. Review the menus. If you go to buffets, stick with the salads, soups and lean meats.

 

[bluejasmine]

I normally dont gain b/c we walk so much but last trip we stayed at the Poly so we made a point to come back and relax daily and I gained about 5 pounds but lost it within days when I get home b/c I dont eat that much at home. I was vey over weight at one point in my life and I lost a whole lot of weight so I am very parinoid about my weight but on vacation I eat like I want and just eat like I normally do when I get home. You should enjoy life so I say eat like you want while your on vacation..

 

[YoMickey]

We walk 7-10 miles per day while visiting and usually break even. I've always wanted to try and eat right and use the trip as an opportunity to lose a few pounds but it never pans out. Breaking even and consuming the kitchen sink at beaches and cream is a good trade off.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

its funny how when we did the DDP, we gained, but since we've done the DxDDP we haven't. i think that we're not eating a ton of fried food. i also have taken my sketchers tone ups (not shape ups) the past 3 trips and they've been a miracle for me... very comfy, no pain and obviously working

 

[smiths02]

Don't drink your calories (drink water or coffee or unsweet tea or lowfat milk-and you are not on the DDP, so free soda is not an option)

See above-avoid alcohol...if you must drink, avoid fruity drinks

Only eat sugar/carbs you LOVE-school bread from Norway-great...buns at Casey's-not so much; bread pudding at Ohana-ok...prepackaged chocolate cake at a CS place-no

Fill up on salad (dressing on the side), fruit, and lean meats (or at least meats without frying/breading)

Drink lots of water!

Share meals...this is great since you are not on DDP-it will save money or if you can find a "healthy" kids option, order yourself a kids meal or immediately box up or divide your plate in half and tell yourself you don't have to eat it

Also, if you really want something...eat it...and don't feel guilty

I lost weight when I went to CA last year b/c I just ate what I wanted...meaning I didn't make sure it was healthy...if I wanted an ice cream sundae for dinner that is what I had (which for me is better than downing an entire "healthy" meal and THEN eating the ice cream sundae on top of it)


Lately, I have been asking myself...if this (insert food) made me gain weight, would I regret it. There are many things at WDW that would make me regret it, but I would put on 5 lbs for a caramel apple, dole whip float, ohana, etc.
5 lbs isn't that hard to lose.

 

[pmaurer74]

I was on the regular DDP and stayed club level for 1 week and I gained 3 lbs. I sweated so much. The 3 lbs. came off in a few weeks.

This time I am doing DxDP and am worried because we are eating out every breakfast and I usually don't eat much for breakfast. I have lost 21 lbs. this year so I am little paranoid but I know I will lose it again hopefully.

Eat until you are full not stuffed. Enjoy yourself it is vacation.

I see it as weight gain and weight loss are a life style. 1 week should not make a difference either way. If you starve yourself or work out a ton one week and lose weight it most likely will not stay off unless you make it a lifestyle. The same goes for stuffing yourself over 1 week.

 

[VeganRazzleDazzle]

I agree on the watching the soda! It's easy to drink your calories away. Order a water, and if someone else gets a soda have a sip if you miss it dearly.

I disagree on the salads though. While salad seems like the healthier option, many times restaurant salads have way more calories than you think (often more that the regular entrees, especially caesar). I think you should order what you want and just eat a small portion of whatever you get. Obviously avoid fried food when you can.

We do DxDP and I didn't gain anything, just had a little of each of the appetizer, entree, and a bite or 2 of the dessert to satify the sweets craving.

Hope this helps