I don't want to gain weight at disney!! help!

[disney_girl125]

I know it's a vacation, but I do not want to gain weight while i'm there. I was on weight watchers 7 years ago and went to disney, ate anything I wanted and came back and had gained 8 pounds. I count calories now and I work out a lot. I mean i'll do zumba or another hour long fitness class in the morning and then another in the evening and swim. Or i'll do an hour long fitness class and walk 4 miles. Sometimes i'll run too. So, even though i'll be walking alot at disney, I just don't think it'll add up to what i'm doing now. I'm not on a dining plan so that's a plus. I figured i'd get an entree but get fruit on the side instead of fries to cut calories. I'm going to Ohana one night. I was going to try to get up early and walk/jog before I even get started in the parks. Any other tips? It would be easier if disney listed calories for everything. I can approximate, but I know i'll be over everyday regardless.

 

[sugarnspicex4]

So, even though i'll be walking alot at disney, I just don't think it'll add up to what i'm doing now.

The average person walks between 10 - 13 miles at day at WDW, so maybe you'll be closer to your current exercise routine than you think! I don't know if I'd recommend extra jogging or walking before you hit the parks, don't want to wear yourself out, right? We've never done the DDP and usually bring our own snacks and water bottles. With healthy snacks at your reach you'll be less inclined to indulge and blow the diet.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I get up early and run 2-3 miles each day when we are at WDW. It really gets my day going, and I am never any more tired at the end of the day because of it. An extra added benefit - it helps me get acclimatized to the heat much more quickly.

That said, it really isn't possible to gain 8 pounds of fat in a week at WDW. A person would have to more than triple their normal daily caloric intake to even come close. Most of that weight was probably water gain from the higher salt content in the foods served at WDW. The morning runs can help with that too since you WILL work up a good sweat running - even early in the morning.

 

[disney_girl125]

Thank you both for your replies! I really did gain 8 pounds years ago when I went. I probably did tripe my calorie intake..lol. I didn't try to be careful at all, I splurged and ate anything and everything I wanted. I was on the disney dining plan and we ate at buffets (character, etc) every day. Count that in with the entree, dessert, and drink at lunch. Plus the snack daily. I ate good that week and I came home and the scale proved it..lol. I'm not doing that to myself again though!!

 

[jillbur]

Disney portions are so big. If you see something you really want (oh, I don't know...say something from karamell kuche ), split it with who ever you are going with. I have split a dessert or main meal with DH and/or DSs. Ohana is a different story! I would just try for portion control at meals like those. Maybe try a few bites of all that is offered to sample it.

Also, drink lots of water!

And have fun

 

[Figment1990]

As long as you're not on the dining plan, you can also get kids meals from counter service. I do that a lot when we go, or have a yogurt, apple, that sort of thing. Bring my breakfast and snacks and then all I really have to worry about is dinner which I tend to just get what I want because of the walking and walking and walking. I don't have a Mickey bar every day, because that's not my thing,but I do not deprive myself of a margarita at the pool tho since I figure that's basically the only time I drink fun concoctions poolside! When DH and I used to go before kids, we would usually skip lunch or breakfast altogether bc we love the dinner experience! Or do a big lunch and just drinks and a snack at dinner. I also have gotten some apps as entrees, like the tostadas at Mexico. Mmmmmmm

 

[BuckeyeBama]

To add to my previous post - My wife and I split at least one meal/day in WDW (usually lunch, since it is hot at lunch time and we are less hungry when it is hot). We have something light for breakfast (I have a Zone bar). The only meal that gets us in trouble is dinner.

 

[bumbershoot]

That said, it really isn't possible to gain 8 pounds of fat in a week at WDW. A person would have to more than triple their normal daily caloric intake to even come close. Most of that weight was probably water gain from the higher salt content in the foods served at WDW.

The "of fat" was the important part there. I doubt if anyone doubts one can increase the number seen on the scale in a week, but I'm not even sure the body completes its fat-making processes a week after eating enough to create the fat.

So it was almost certainly mostly water and just the extra bulk of the food in your belly causing the change on the scale.

This is supposed to help you feel better about it.



When I go to DLR and WDW now, I eat what I want. BUT...what I want is very different now. And I try hard to pay attention to my stomach, not my tastebuds. Or, at least listen to my stomach MORE than my tastebuds. We generally have a car so we're buying fruits. When we stay DVC and have a proper freezer we buy Haagen Dasz bars to eat once we get back to the room, so we don't have to take a chance on a dessert whose points (or calories) we don't know. Or we buy that same HD bar from a vendor, or the chocolate covered banana (if I recall correctly the nutrition info is on the wrapper). That way we KNOW what we're eating, at least at that one little meal.


If you're going to run before the day, be sure to bring 2 or even 3 pairs of running shoes, so you always have a fresh pair to put on. (well, I wear running shoes at the parks most days, so that's assuming you do, too)

 

[FireDancer]

I think the key is not to eat too differently while on vacation then you do at home. I never subscribed to the eat anything you want on vacation mind set. Sure, I'll have an extra dessert or two or go to a buffet restaurant like Boma and have more then usual once or twice but for the vast majority of my meals I eat the same as I would at home.

I also try to stick to my exercise routine while I'm on vacation. I'll still get up and run even if I do less miles then I would at home and if I can I still try to hit the gym at least a few times. People talk about all the miles you walk at Disney but if you are active at home those miles, as you suspected, don't replace all the other activity. People drastically overestimate the number of calories walking burns.

I really think as long as you stay active and stick closely to your normal eating habits while allowing yourself a treat or two vacations don't have to be the death blow to health they are often made out to be.

 

[bumbershoot]

People drastically overestimate the number of calories walking burns.

I was underestimating. Wearing my heart rate monitor at DLR was eye opening and I realized why we always LOST weight at Disney even before starting to slim down.

And it was fun to watch it slow to a crawl while in line then speed up a bit while on a thrill ride, etc. But the brisk walks from point A to B are what counts and I burn a lot at Disney.

 

[keahgirl8]

I actually looked at my Weight Watchers tracker from the last time I went to WDW. This was WW attempt #2. I had gained 7 pounds! Not sure how that happened with all the walking I did! I'm thinking this time (and on my next trip to DL) I will be more successful, since I am more mindful of what I eat. I do have to say that it is frustrating to see how few healthy options there are. Disney is getting there, but they are not there yet.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Since your next trip is to DL, be sure to keep an eye out for an upcoming edition of the DIS Unplugged DL Podcast where we go through all the resort eateries and help pick out the best choices! I'm researching it even as I'm typing this!

Maybe I'll see you at D23!

 

[keahgirl8]

Since your next trip is to DL, be sure to keep an eye out for an upcoming edition of the DIS Unplugged DL Podcast where we go through all the resort eateries and help pick out the best choices! I'm researching it even as I'm typing this!

Maybe I'll see you at D23!

Excellent! I have done a DL trip in the healthiest way I could, but I would like more options. It seems breakfast is the most difficult! I remember one morning I just got the fruit plate at River Belle! Delicious, but expensive for just fruit...and zero protein! Carnation Cafe does have an egg white frittata, but it comes with potatoes that appear to be fried. It would be nice to be able to order things without making a ton of substitutions!

I will be at the Expo! Maybe I will see you there!

 

[FireDancer]

I actually looked at my Weight Watchers tracker from the last time I went to WDW. This was WW attempt #2. I had gained 7 pounds! Not sure how that happened with all the walking I did! I'm thinking this time (and on my next trip to DL) I will be more successful, since I am more mindful of what I eat. I do have to say that it is frustrating to see how few healthy options there are. Disney is getting there, but they are not there yet.

I have only been to DL once but I can say there are a lot of very healthy options at WDW. Keep in mind that Disney is very good about making small changes to dishes so you can make something much more healthy with small tweaks. Get the main course without the creamy sauce, substitute vegetables for fries or baked potatoes, get the lighter dressing and ask for it on the side so you can use less, and things like that.

 

[keahgirl8]

I have only been to DL once but I can say there are a lot of very healthy options at WDW. Keep in mind that Disney is very good about making small changes to dishes so you can make something much more healthy with small tweaks. Get the main course without the creamy sauce, substitute vegetables for fries or baked potatoes, get the lighter dressing and ask for it on the side so you can use less, and things like that.

I am very used to making substitutions. It would be nice to be able to order dishes as is sometimes, or to have more than one option. Next year will be my first trip to WDW, so we will see how that goes. I do allow myself treats every day, but I like to stay 80% healthy. I just feel better when I eat that way.

 

[heyitsmejosh]

OP one of the main things you gotta watch out for is stress... when people go on vacations to relaxing places live islands and stuff like that a lot of people tend to lose weight reguardless of what they eat because of the lack of stress. Disney on the other hand can be very stressful so one thing that will help is to just try not to get stressed out about things while you are there (easier said then done)..

 

[GadgetTheInventor]

The POP is a great place for walking/running. The path around the lake provides a clear line of sight and is often empty late at night or early in the morning. You can also get up some good speed running down the themed centers at AoA during the same time. It's also pretty easy to cut over to the CBR paths.

I always throw a sack of clementines into my luggage to help add some fiber to breakfast and snacks. The POP sells clementines but they are quite expensive and the more clementines I eat, the more souvenirs I get to bring home!

Also check out the menus before you go. I love the POP food court for its diversity. In the parks, I would recommend CHH at MK because you can get steamed broccoli there. Seasons at EPCOT is wonderful, as well as the half-chicken meal at any of the parks. There is a lot of healthy QS food out there with a bit of pre-planning.

I've managed to lose weight these past two trips using the free-dining at the POP even with using all parts of the credits and often ordering the largest meals possible...and I'm not exactly an olympic athlete. Just remember to put fiber, fat, and protein before sugar and empty calories.

Good luck!

 

[Lindaland]

The last time I went to WDW was at Christmas and I was doing low carb and on the dining plan. I found that most of the restaurants were very accommodating with some replacements or even omissions. I always asked for dressing on the side and would make veggie changes to my potato options. I also picked food that was not drenched in sauces or fried. Even ordering the salads at places were great. And you also don't have to eat everything on the plate! I only gained 2 lbs for the week and quickly lost it, so I am sure it was just the water gain from the increased salt and a few extras. (I have to have the chocolate covered rice krispy mickey heads!!!, lol)

Also, I didn't stress out about it too much. Relax and enjoy your vacation!!