I always gain weight at Disney

[ccgirl]

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.

There is a salad on just about every menu I have ever eaten at. When I was doing Weight Watchers, I lost about 3 lbs. the week I went. But, I very carefully watched what I eat just like at home. I would order from the TS just as I did at home asking for veggies instead of fries, and asking them to hold the butter etc. At the counter service places I also looked for more healthy alternatives. I would get a fruit cup as my dessert. There are definitely ways to eat healthy at WDW.

Good luck.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I agree with the attitude that 'it is a vacation and don't worry so much about it!' BUT I do watch what I eat everyday and still at Disney. I've never gained weight at Disney. I am an avid runner and exercise at least 5 days a week and have a 'lifelong diet' of fruits, grains, lean protein, and yes - cake and brownies! I maintain my weight but before I go (about 3 weeks) to Disney I cut out most of the sweets, make sure I stick to my exercise regimen, cut out the Friday beers, and really keep an eye on what I'm eating. By the time I get to Disney, I actually don't crave all those items like I might normally. I don't eat stuff just because it is there (like dessert at QS - I get fruit instead) and I still get my treats (dole whip!!!). And I'll eat my Cheetos at the pool and get a libation. But I SWIM for hours with the kids and we walk so much. And I will make the same food choices I would at home (like getting a salad with dressing on the side for dinner if I eat a greasy lunch). I think it all evens out. And if I gain weight - I don't care. I wouldn't bring my scale to Disney even though I weight myself everyday normally because I really enjoy the week 'off'!

Good luck but don't fret about those 5 pounds

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

I gain but I dont care, I want to have fun on vacation.

 

[Tigger's ally]

as a guy devoted to his beer, and lifting weights, and eating, and Disney, I have to say that I don't give a ratatouly what happens to my weight when I am down there on vacation. That being said, with my twins and their love of the water parks, I don't have to worry about it at all. There are more steps, swimming, more steps, swimming. more steps....good scenery , more steps and more steps. We hit the water parks at either early entry or regular entry for about 2 hours of crowdless fun, then head back to hotel and to lunch. Then eat supper around 7 ish and I never gain weight on a dis trip.

 

[pixiedust23]

It depends a lot on your eating habits and what you weigh before you go. If you are larger individual who eats out a lot and doesn't do a whole lot of exercise, you're probably not increasing your calories, you are increasing your exercise. I almost never eat out (maybe twice a month) and do at least 45 minutes of cardio 5 times a week. When I go down there, even eating just one meal out per day, I will gain weight.

My suggestion for keeping the weight gain down is to hit the hotel gym in the morning. They're not great, but it's better than nothing. Most resorts also have a jogging trail you can make use of. Include a lot of activities that burn calories, rent bikes or surrey bikes, play shuffleboard (if you're at OKW). Bring breakfast bars/english muffins and smart balance for breakfast or some special K. For dinners eat lots of greens and fish. And of course avoid the fries and ask for all dressings and sauces on the sides. They always put too much of that stuff of on! I'll be attempting to maintain my weight (maybe even lose a pound or 2, while I'm down there in 10 days).

 

[JessicaFaye508]

Well... I look at it this way. At least the food that causes weight gain is Disney food and not this crappy food that you just shove in your mouth that you don't even like.

I don't know if I gain weight at Disney or not... I don't really look at my weight cuz I would just rather not know. I eat so much but people are always like "where does the food go!?" I think my biggest tip would just be to stick to water for all beverages. I think that's the secret to my success. And also, I don't really get a ton of snacks. I save it mostly for meal time.

Just look up the menus before your trip and maybe plan what you're gonna eat so you don't over do it, if you're worried about it.

And walking in Disney is so good! But hey, it's vacation. If you don't walk a lot, big deal. Just enjoy yourself. The food that is offered to you there is not an everyday thing... so if you want to indulge a little bit then do so. It's okay

 

[wezee]

On vacation at WDW we usually have...

Breakfast at POFQ which consists of Beignets and assorted pastries.

For lunch we try to keep it light...fish n chips...pizza..etc.

Afternoon snack usually consists of only a couple of refreshments from the awesome pool bar at the FQ.

Dinner...yeah we splurge a bit...usually at a Signature restaurant. We try to limit ourselves to just 1 bottle of wine and actually succeed most of the time. To cut calories....we limit ourselves to one chocolate dessert and mix in a sorbet from time to time.

Evening snack...we try to limit ourselves to a wine or two at the Scat Cat Club.

OOOPPS..forgot about the Mickey Bar for the walk to our room each night.

Weekly Gain: Many wonderful memories.

Weekly Loss.....zero.

 

[smiths02]

Well... I look at it this way. At least the food that causes weight gain is Disney food and not this crappy food that you just shove in your mouth that you don't even like.

Totally agree! I actually remember the reason I gained weight last time I went to Disney (I gained about 6 lbs in a week, but 3 lbs came off in 2 days)...I fondly remember the food at Ohana, the school bread, my 3 dole whip floats, tusker house juice, etc...I can't say that about most times when I gain weight

 

[*QueenB*]

It depends a lot on your eating habits and what you weigh before you go. If you are larger individual who eats out a lot and doesn't do a whole lot of exercise, you're probably not increasing your calories, you are increasing your exercise. I almost never eat out (maybe twice a month) and do at least 45 minutes of cardio 5 times a week. When I go down there, even eating just one meal out per day, I will gain weight.

My suggestion for keeping the weight gain down is to hit the hotel gym in the morning. They're not great, but it's better than nothing. Most resorts also have a jogging trail you can make use of. Include a lot of activities that burn calories, rent bikes or surrey bikes, play shuffleboard (if you're at OKW). Bring breakfast bars/english muffins and smart balance for breakfast or some special K. For dinners eat lots of greens and fish. And of course avoid the fries and ask for all dressings and sauces on the sides. They always put too much of that stuff of on! I'll be attempting to maintain my weight (maybe even lose a pound or 2, while I'm down there in 10 days).

Thats the thing I am not overweight am usually active and do not eat wrong much. I am very self aware of my size and five pounds is a big deal to me. I honestly cannot stand salad which is why ordering those isn't an easy option for me. We know the ADR's we plan to make but I think to counteract my fear of gaining I will get down to my goal weight prior (about 10-15lbs) from where I am now. The smaller I am the less I can even attempt to eat.

 

[emmysmommy]

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.

That is exactly what I would say!! I watch what I eat and run 20 miles a week when at home and maintain a healthy weight. HOWEVER, when on vacation, I've earned every calorie I consume and I just get back to my healthy routine back at home.

 

[MistressMerryweather]

Thats the thing I am not overweight am usually active and do not eat wrong much. I am very self aware of my size and five pounds is a big deal to me. I honestly cannot stand salad which is why ordering those isn't an easy option for me. We know the ADR's we plan to make but I think to counteract my fear of gaining I will get down to my goal weight prior (about 10-15lbs) from where I am now. The smaller I am the less I can even attempt to eat.

It sounds like you have a little more going on. Maybe you should talk to someone about your weight and body image. If you are not overweight and are usually active, but you still are worried enough about 5#'s that you actually bring a scale to Disney with you? Unless I'm missing something? Were you previously very obese? Truly not being snarky, just wondering why the 5# gain would affect you so negatively if you are active and not overweight?

 

[pixiedust23]

Thats the thing I am not overweight am usually active and do not eat wrong much. I am very self aware of my size and five pounds is a big deal to me. I honestly cannot stand salad which is why ordering those isn't an easy option for me. We know the ADR's we plan to make but I think to counteract my fear of gaining I will get down to my goal weight prior (about 10-15lbs) from where I am now. The smaller I am the less I can even attempt to eat.

I'm the same way, but I do enjoy salads, so I go that route. You could always get grilled chicken sandwiches and ditch the bun at a fast food place. Just try to avoid fried food is really the best you can do. Drink lots of water b/c that will fill you up and if don't like water, bring crystal light to go to through into the water bottle to flavor it with very few cals.

 

[pixiedust23]

It sounds like you have a little more going on. Maybe you should talk to someone about your weight and body image. If you are not overweight and are usually active, but you still are worried enough about 5#'s that you actually bring a scale to Disney with you? Unless I'm missing something? Were you previously very obese? Truly not being snarky, just wondering why the 5# gain would affect you so negatively if you are active and not overweight?

I'm 5'2. 5 lbs means fitting or no longer fitting in my clothes. Also when you are at your normal range weight for BMI, it is much harder to lose weight than it is for someone who is overweight. So adding 5 lbs might not be much to someone who is overweight and can lose it in a couple weeks. For someone in the normal range 5 lbs could take a couple months to lose. IMO that's not worth one week of poor eating.

 

[serendipity]

Something that you also have to remember is when you arrive home you are likely still carrying an abundance of undigested food around, and are retaining water. It's better to wait 3-5 days before weighing yourself to calculate the real difference. It'd be very unlikely for a person to have gained 5 pounds over the course of a trip and then lose that weight in a few days. That's a 17,500 calorie deficit. What's really going on is your body is digesting the food, the person it becoming more hydrated, etc.

 

[*QueenB*]

It sounds like you have a little more going on. Maybe you should talk to someone about your weight and body image. If you are not overweight and are usually active, but you still are worried enough about 5#'s that you actually bring a scale to Disney with you? Unless I'm missing something? Were you previously very obese? Truly not being snarky, just wondering why the 5# gain would affect you so negatively if you are active and not overweight?

I know it sounds a bit odd to bring a scale with you..Ok very odd. But I weigh daily so its a bit of home I bring with me.
Never been obese, was overweight after the birth of both of my daughters for a while and have worked hard to get into the healthy range. And as a poster said further down in this thread it is hard to lose weight the less you weigh. I have been studying menus a bit and made ADR's this A.M. I am going to post them later in the reservations section and if anyone knows something tasty that is healthy at one of the restaurants it would be awesome.

 

[*QueenB*]

I'm 5'2. 5 lbs means fitting or no longer fitting in my clothes. Also when you are at your normal range weight for BMI, it is much harder to lose weight than it is for someone who is overweight. So adding 5 lbs might not be much to someone who is overweight and can lose it in a couple weeks. For someone in the normal range 5 lbs could take a couple months to lose. IMO that's not worth one week of poor eating.

I'm 5'4 and it is so true that 5 lbs can the difference between sizes. It is hard to be around my DH and not eat like he does. He hates my "dieting" but doesn't get that its not really dieting its eating to be healthy and maintain what I have accomplished. Thanks!

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

I too always gain about 3 - 5 pounds at WDW. At home I work out and eat very good. On vacation, yes I walk alot but my heart rate doesn't get up and I don't break a sweat. I also don't watch what I eat on vacation. I do the right thing all year so I can have fun while at Disney.

 

[MisterGoofy1]

I ate like a king last time and only gained 1 pound. All the walking works wonders.

 

[Taja]

WDW is one of the few places where I lose weight on vacation! And I don't watch what I eat most of the time, although I tend to lean toward more healthy options after about the first four or five days (we usually visit for 10 to 12 nights). I must get the craving for junk food out of my system those first few days! *LOL*

I'm also short--and overweight. And I agree that five pounds on those of us who are shorter is more evident and can be the difference between one or two clothing sizes. Apparently the additional walking at WDW works in my favour!

Now, if I just had four or five hours daily to walk around in real life! Squeezing in 30 minutes of exercise is difficult enough. *sigh*

 

[AimeeMichele]

I've always lost weight at Disney, usually 5-8 lbs in a week. Now, I was pushing around my nephew in a stroller and then would chase them around the pool, run up then go down the slide at least 50 times a day, etc. so I was constantly moving. I only drank water or powerade zeros, didn't eat fries or fried foods. However, I would eat Dole whips, ice cream sundaes for dinner (don't judge it's vacation), but would always be cognizant of what I was eating or ordering. We had wegoshop deliver the powerades, bottled water, as well as healthy snacks (apples, dried cranberries, almonds, etc.) so that we always had something on hand should we need it. We did get Doritos, Oreos and whatnot too...I'm not gonna lie, however my nephews ate that, not me. Now we did the deluxe dining plan, so the food options were great! You didn't just choose between burgers, taco salad, hot dogs, etc. I ate a lot of chicken, pork, fiet, veggies, fruits, and salads (Gasparilla's has a phenomenal lobster salad with a viniagrette dressing). A huge plus for me is that when I'm hot I can't eat a lot, nor do I want to.