Pooh-Sized and Out of Shape :(

[bumbershoot]

Foot pain is so awful. The trip that finally got to me involved foot pain that felt like someone was hammering my bones all day. I had to take drugs (which I hate to do), soak in epsom salts every night, and use arnica gel/cream religiously. It was absolutely awful.

And that's despite changing shoes at least once a day and wearing good socks. Ghastly.

But shoes are personal for everyone. A Sanuk yoga-mat shoe will work great for one person, and will give another person the worst blisters ever. Or will aggravate plantar fasciitis. Or will cure it in another. etc You have to figure out the shoes that work for you. Not much time for that, though!

After that trip I couldn't take it anymore and made some lasting changes when I got home. Whew.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Sore leg muscles love warm baths, but sore foot tendons need COLD instead of heat because those tendons are slightly inflamed from overuse. A couple things to ease your joints and soothe your feet:

Take time to use the pool. Swimming cools the body down and relieves pressure on the joints.

Bring Biofreeze gel and apply to feet liberally at night. You can also apply this during breaks in the day.

And of course take advantage of shows, parades, breaks where you can sit down a while and rest.

You might want to schedule a doctor's appointment for when you get back to discuss why you're becoming increasingly run down all the time. I respect that excess weight can affect energy levels, but you may also be dealing with an under-functioning thyroid. Or something else. It's always a good idea to see a doctor when changes like chronic lack of energy occur.

 

[jory29]

I, too, was in this same condition on our last trip to DL back in March. Since I've had both knees replaced and I'm dealing with an badly irritated tendon in my right heal, I went ahead and used an ECV to get around for 3 days...what a difference!!! My knees/legs were not shot by the end of each day and I was so glad I spent the extra $$.
I got my ECV at a rental shop located in the hotel(I forget the name) across the street from the main entrance. It was right next door to the McDonalds and the price was a lot cheaper than renting from Disneyland.
You might want to consider this option if you can...but, if the crowds are very big, it would probably not be easy to get around the parks (DL & DCA).

What did you do with the scooter during the times you went on the rides? Is it possible that anyone could just take the scooter, is my question... You would have insurance for that if it happened? (At a rental shop I mean, not on site - also which rental place did you use?) Thanks, and sorry for the HJ on the thread!!

I am glad to see the motivation shared in this thread to get OP, and many others like myself, excited for getting into walking shape for the parks!

 

[jory29]

Oh, another tip - bring washcloths from home, soak them in cold water, and wrap your feet up in them several times to bring that heat down out of your feet after a day in the parks.

 

[bumbershoot]

What did you do with the scooter during the times you went on the rides? Is it possible that anyone could just take the scooter, is my question... You would have insurance for that if it happened? (At a rental shop I mean, not on site - also which rental place did you use?)

The scooters have keys. You keep those with you.

I think they do tend to have insurance. Deckert's is the big company often mentioned here. No website, you have to call them. They deliver to your hotel.

 

[jory29]

The scooters have keys. You keep those with you.

I think they do tend to have insurance. Deckert's is the big company often mentioned here. No website, you have to call them. They deliver to your hotel.

Thanks, bumbershoot!

 

[madasax12]

Reef flip-flops are great. I just got a new pair for our trip and in the next few weeks my whole family is going to go to get new shoes for the trip also.

We are going to carry or wear flip-flops most of the time while we are at the DLH & DTD and also in the park, but I am also going to wear shoes some of the days....just depends on how my feet feel.

My wife has had the sanuk flip-flops and loved them also, I have had great experience with Reef ones every time I have bought them. Amazon has them cheap....

http://www.amazon.com/Reef-Mens-Pha...id=1407799244&sr=1-1&keywords=reef+flip+flops

 

[ociana]

I have done lots of days in the park while pooh sized (shrinking ever so slowly) and I have gathered up lots of tips that worked well for me and are now incorporated in my travel. Hope these help you my fellow Oregonian!

• Change shoes each day! During the day isn't needed, but alternating each day is so helpful.
• Bring a second pair of socks in a ziplock in you bag each day. Midday change socks and put the sweaty ones into the ziplock!
• Take bottles of water and keep them in the freezer of your minifridge. Roll the frozen bottle under your feet at night to ease the muscles. It sounds weird, but it works great.
• Schedule table service meals for late afternoon/early evening and use it as both a long rest break and a relaxing meal. That tends to give me the rest needed to get my second wind!
• Save the junk food for as late in the day as possible, or cut it out entirely. This way you get to sleep it out of your system instead of it dragging you down all day.
• Protein at breakfast!
• Water, water, water. Other than required caffiene to stay awake, all other beverages in the day should be water to keep hydrated.
• As others have said, take a walk daily for as much in advance of the trip as you can to build up the stamina. It helps a ton with just the basic physical movement through the parks without discomfort.
• I used to believe that socks are just socks and shoes are just shoes, but then I bought ones meant for walking and support and was converted! Get a pair of shoes designed for walking/standing (they even have a metal rod in them for stability if they are really good). You can find them under $100 on sale sometimes and it's well worth it if walking is your primary exercise. For socks, find ones that wick away sweat and support your feet.
• Have fun! My hubby and I call our Disney trips "miserable fun" because of how sore we get by the end of them but how simultaneously happy we are. If the fun side is no longer balanced or greater than the misery, take a break and get it rebalanced again.

Hope that is useful info.

 

[MamaLou]

Oh, another tip - bring washcloths from home, soak them in cold water, and wrap your feet up in them several times to bring that heat down out of your feet after a day in the parks.

Better yet take those washcloths, soak them in cold water, roll 'me up and put in your mini frig in your room. Ahhhhh.

 

[jory29]

Better yet take those washcloths, soak them in cold water, roll 'me up and put in your mini frig in your room. Ahhhhh.

Oooooooh, you are a smart DISboard member, thanks for the fantastic tip!

 

[Tasscrapper]

These are great tips!

A couple more I can think of:

1. Take the train when you can or some of the other transport around the resort. Even taking it early in your trip will help you stay fresh for the rest of the trip. Don't wait to be in pain or worn out.

2. Try and hit things in the same area all at once and not do tons of back tracking. Depending on how long you are going to the parks you can always go back to an area more than once. Now that fast passes have to be used in their real time frame it is sometimes hard to get back to the rides. If your group doesn't mind try single rider instead of a lot of fastpasses. It can save you a ton of time on some rides and can be less stressful on the body than standing in a long line.

3. If you are thinking of going from one side of a park to another or park hop for a specific purpose make a quick call to Otto to verify that the ride you want to hit is actually up and running.

 

[kuhltiffany]

Weight-struggler here too Add in the heat and lots of walking, you just described my month-long July vacation! Here's how I survived:

I bought Frogg Toggs, these cool towels that actually stay cold for the day when you wet them. I'd wear one around my neck and it really helped me to not overheat.

I took B vitamins in the morning for extra energy, and kept the small individual packs of unsalted almonds with me for easy and quick protein.

My favorite shoes are my mesh Keen running shoes. So light and airy, yet so comfortable! Quick-drying too, in case of showers.

Have an awesome time! I can't wait to take my kids to DL