Is there something wrong with me?

[WdwforLife]

So, some people I know have responded to this as "Wow. That's pretty smart." while others have had the reaction, "Is that...healthy???" So, I pose this question to others who come from where I am coming from and understand the issue a little better.

So, when I go on vacation (most WDW) I like to not have to worry about ANYTHING! I want to leave all my cares and worries at home and just let loose and have fun; no holds barred; including food!

Oh man. Anyone who's been to WDW knows the food is usually never bad it always goes from good to great! Rarely does it rank below a 7 on a scale from 1 to 10. So when I'm in the world, I like to be able to eat what I want when I want how I want it. Big breakfasts, burgers and ice cream for lunch, steak and cake for dinner and of course a couple of sweet late night snacks.

Of course, this poses the problem, after you get back, you have to worry about losing that weight and then it's not so fun anymore

But, I came up with a brilliant solution and it has since worked for the last few years: I simply lose the weight BEFORE I leave for vacation. A couple of months before my trip (in this case, 6 months before seeing as I really went overboard this winter) I go on a strict diet and start to exercise more until I lose a few extra pounds. Therefore, I am 3 to 5 pounds under my ideal weight. This way, I can eat whatever I want when I'm down there and not have to worry about the weight! Then when I get home, I still have a couple extra pounds to play with.

But, surprisingly, one year I went to WDW, I came back and weighed LESS than I did before I went. Never underestimate the amount of walking one does in the world.

So what do you think? Am I brilliant or sick? Your thoughts?

 

[wezee]

I would say you are very, very smart....because I do exactly the same thing. I lose up to 5 lbs. before our trip, and then I don't feel so guilty about splurging and enjoying every bite on vacation. The day after we get home, I jump back on the scale and back to reality!

 

[GoodFairies]

It is more dangerous to gain 5 lbs in a week from eating then it is to lose 5 lbs over 6 months. I have never gained weight at Disney, never, and I eat whatever I want. Unless someone is on a severely restricted diet at home then goes crazy at Disney, I don't understand how someone could gain weight during vacation.

 

[RMulieri]

It really isn't healthy to do that.You may be losing weight but are also losing muscle mass when you get too restrictive on a diet.Then Once you gain the weight you are gaining fat.In order to burn calories more efficiently you need an efficient metabolism, increase in muscle= increase in metabolism=more calories burned.If you lose muscle (which happens with yo yo weight loss or diet ,rapid weight loss than gain) you kill your metabolism making weight loss harder each time.My advice...Don't deny yourself anything,don't get really restrictive before you go with your diet , but work before you leave on vacation at builiding muscle( weight/cardio routine).

 

[MishyMouse]

I do the same thing before the holidays.

 

[WdwforLife]

It really isn't healthy to do that.You may be losing weight but are also losing muscle mass when you get too restrictive on a diet.Then Once you gain the weight you are gaining fat.In order to burn calories more efficiently you need an efficient metabolism, increase in muscle= increase in metabolism=more calories burned.If you lose muscle (which happens with yo yo weight loss or diet ,rapid weight loss than gain) you kill your metabolism making weight loss harder each time.My advice...Don't deny yourself anything,don't get really restrictive before you go with your diet , but work before you leave on vacation at builiding muscle( weight/cardio routine).

Oooh trust me. I know all about it. I used to be "slightly" larger than I am now; (on and off) about 60 pounds larger! I used to be in top notch shape. I still eat pretty healthy most of the time (well, with the exception of the last 6 months ) but when it comes down to it, I like staying thin but I like eating great food. And, exercising ALL of the time and constantly staying in tip top shape, really isn't worth it for me. For some people, it's their obsession, their hobby, but not me. I tried it for a year or so. It was nice but ultimately not for me. It's not who I am.

So when it comes to muscle mass and all that jazz, eh. It doesn't interest me.

Also, it's not exactly losing 6 pounds over 6 months this time, it's about 18 pounds I went a little over board. So, I figured better to start now!

Besides, it kinda make me feel like I'm REALLY preparing for my WDW vacation already!

 

[gigi1313]

i "sorta" do the same thing... but i increase my walking about two months before a wdw trip which allows me to lose a few lbs..

 

[smiths02]

It is more dangerous to gain 5 lbs in a week from eating then it is to lose 5 lbs over 6 months. I have never gained weight at Disney, never, and I eat whatever I want. Unless someone is on a severely restricted diet at home then goes crazy at Disney, I don't understand how someone could gain weight during vacation.

I gained 5 lbs on my week long cruise. I was exercising every day (I got a fitness shirt to prove it!). For the first two days, I even didn't get drinks or eat bread with my meals, etc. Then the alcohol and the bread and the desserts just happened.

It probably really isn't possible to gain 5lbs of fat, that is 17,500 calories OVER what you need to walk around the parks all day...I imagine there could be bloat, water weight, not eating enough fiber etc. coming into consideration


It is probably not the healthiest thing to do though...but then again, neither is eating all you want over the holidays and then having a resolution in January.

I just try to be in moderation before and after my vacation, exercise during my vacation (not just park walking but actual training for 10Ks etc) and then use moderation after the vacation.

 

[onemaybaby]

I usually always gain a couple pounds on a vacation. probably because when I am at home I do not usually consume alot of sugar and generally just eat better. When I go on vacation I do what I want! With that said, those extra pounds generally come off pretty easily after returning.

Stephanie

 

[mpetti]

I am slightly over weight about 50 pounds. So what I am doing this trip is trying to lose 10 pounds a month before my Aug 24-30 trip to WDW. I am eating right & exercising. Going on a dream WDW vacation is motive to lose the weight and that's a win win situation all the way around. Get healthy and at the end you celebrate with a great vacation. However when I am vacation I do eat and enjoy myself, but I won't go overboard. Besides with all the walking and the heat you can burn a lot off. Good Luck.

 

[wezee]

I gain a few pounds after 9 days at WDW eating at Signature restaurants every night. I'm 50 yrs old, wear a size 6 and do cardio and/or pilates 4-5 days a week. I follow WW pts. and have successfully lost over 60lbs and maintained (within a couple of pounds up or down) for over a year and 2 WDW vacations. I think I gain weight because I eat so differently, but on my one vacation a year, I deserve a splurge.

I love all the great appies and snacks at WDW. DH and I are vacationing during the F&WF...........so those alcoholic beverages also add up.

Last year I started more extensive workouts, in May, for our late Sept. trip. I lost 4-5 lbs. I gained 2 lbs. at WDW, which were gone within the week we returned. I have had a few pounds creep back this winter and I am currently working on that....if I am successful and at my goal weight....I prolly won't bother with the "buffer zone" this year.
But.....
As long as I am healthy, I don't feel shaving a few pounds for a vacation splurge is wrong.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I do this myself. Charge on!

 

[ttbell]

Hey...I do this too!

 

[WdwforLife]

Omg! I'm not the only one!!!

And it doesn't help that Pop Century has AMAZING french toast! Like, seriously, this is how my week went last year:

Breakfast: French Toast w/ buttloads of butter and powdered sugar. Cinnamon Roll, tall glass of milk. Not very healthy.

Snack: Ice Cream or some sort of pastry from a bakery or candy shop.

Lunch: Something big and filling from a quick service restaurant. Favorite of mine: Cuban Sandwich from the ABC Commissary.

Dinner: All out smörgåsbord!!! Complete with cake for dessert.

Snack: Anything that tickles my fancy.

 

[jimmiej]

I always do that, but not just for that reason. I want to look GOOD on vacation!

 

[natsiswdw]

I do the same thing!!! Really, food is one of the main items in my thoughts while we are there. I eat very healthy while I am at home (for the most part, I do enjoy some junk) so I see nothing wrong to indulge while you are on vacation even if that means a little gain while you are there. With a fast gain like that you can usually get it off fairly quickly!!!

 

[deslynnpatterson]

i think you are very smart!! I live my life by counting Weight Watchers points-- and my 10 days at disney my points are out the door!! but i just try to make healthy choices-- like were i can get a salad i do-- and drink a lot of water, diet coke here and there-- and just try to make the best choices-- but again i look forward all year to this trip and diet year round so whats a few pounds going to do? LOL-- i agree the walking i swear makes you lose weight!! even though i feel completely gross and blah after eating and eating and eating for 10 days--its all worth it because once disney is over i can pick back up and jump back and track-- and who can resist the delicious foods disney has to offer?? NOT I!!! LOL!!!

 

[vorpalswrd]

I eat healthy all year round but I have no food that is off limits. I eat what I want and how I want at Disney but we are vacation warriors and I have never gained weight on a vacation. Diet is a bad word and refuse to do it. Since I stopped "dieting" I have lost over 120 pounds. Never again.

 

[KandiB47]

Unless someone is on a severely restricted diet at home then goes crazy at Disney, I don't understand how someone could gain weight during vacation.

I thought most people gained a few pounds on vacation.

 

[WdwforLife]

I do the same thing!!! Really, food is one of the main items in my thoughts while we are there. I eat very healthy while I am at home (for the most part, I do enjoy some junk) so I see nothing wrong to indulge while you are on vacation even if that means a little gain while you are there. With a fast gain like that you can usually get it off fairly quickly!!!

Yeah. Seriously, we're paying good money for the dining plan, right?! We work our butts off in the real world 51 weeks out of the year, right?!?! So, let loose a little. They'll be plenty of time to worry about your weight when you get back to Reality-vania or Reality-afornia or wherever you're from!

It's so funny, I watch what I eat constantly before a WDW vacation but especially the last couple of weeks before. But then, as soon as I get to the airport, it's game time. I get myself a giant breakfast sandwich with cinnamon roll and milk.