Preparing yourself physically...

[Rainforest_Elf]

So, I've been trying to lose weight for our trip.... It's now a month away, a little over 4 weeks to be precise. Weight loss is going great, but I'm also worried about the large amount of walking going to be done in the park.

Even the most healthy of persons isn't used to walking around 8+ hours a day, reportedly 6 miles or so. Right? How do y'all prepare your legs and toughen up your toesies for the extreme amount of walking you do in the parks? I've been doing an hour of walking at night, which is better than nothing, but that just ain't going to cut it, is it? Should I sign up for some 5k and 10k walking marathons? Hahaha.

 

[Mom of three]

I honestly didnt even realize it was that long.

There is lots of walking, then stopping....then more walking...then sitting down...then waiting in line. So its not a constant walk and never felt like one.

Pace yourself! Take your time and relax and refresh as needed.

 

[renderman7]

yeah i was a little worried the first time i went over.. i mean i am not eh fittest of people, and i thought going back and forth for a few days would kill me..

but i mean you might walk 6 miles in one day.. but you do it over the course of 8 - 12 hours.. which means you will be walking less than 1 mile per hour. i am sure for your 1 hour walk you do more than 1 mile.. so you will be fine.

but as was said in the previous post, you will spend a bit of time sitting down, for food, for rest. and some time standing in lines.. you will be fine

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I would recommend that if you get sore when you're on your feet for a long time that you take it easy for about a week or so before your visit. I was on my feet for about 3-4 hours straight a few days before my visit this past weekend and I'm just now beginning to feel like my legs aren't made of jelly.

 

[DahliaRW]

And don't forget about all the extra treats you can eat from burning all those calories walking.

 

[bumbershoot]

Bring more than one pair of shoes for the parks! I have to have my athletic shoes and my Crocs (which are comfy for me, but if they aren't comfy for you, don't go buy some just b/c some Dis'ers said to do it, LOL) and I switch off at least every day, if not switch them during the day.

For me, too, it's not the walking but it's the standing.

 

[kylieh]

I haven't done a lot of DL walking, well, none for about 18 years but I have done a lot of big days around here.

Apart from good, supportive shoes that work well for you, I think the secret is to know your body and when to rest. And by rest, not only the nap back at hotel in the afternoon if required, but the short easy rests, 5 minutes here, 10 minutes there. Else you will where yourself out and won't have a good time later in the day or on following days.

 

[emum]

Have to agree with bumbershoot - it's not the walking, but the standing. I work a physically challenging job, with varying shifts of 4-8 hours. I love it when I'm kept moving, and busy, and vary rarely feel it in the muscles, but the minute one has to stand still... UGH !

I should think a good hot shower at then end of each day will do wonders, and resting during the day when the need arises. Oh, and keeping fluid levels up.

An hour walk every night is bound to help - that's what I'm doing atm.

 

[Corpsebride]

I think it is also good to get some gel insoles. Or wear your most comfy sneakers.
But for me, the best way for my feet to feel good is getting a dole whip. And sitting in NOS in that circle next to the HM and people watching. That is where its at!!

 

[joeysmommy]

Bring more than one pair of shoes for the parks! I have to have my athletic shoes and my Crocs (which are comfy for me, but if they aren't comfy for you, don't go buy some just b/c some Dis'ers said to do it, LOL) and I switch off at least every day, if not switch them during the day.

For me, too, it's not the walking but it's the standing.

I second that!
I wear my Crocs sandals during the day so when I get soaked on GRR and SM my Nikes don't get all smelly.
Then when we go back to the room to rest I change into my Nike Shox for the rest of the day/night. It's like getting new feet!
Also, it doesn't hurt to soak your tired dogs in the hot tub at night

 

[Mililani Mouser]

I'm not a walker, but I did an entire week at DLR and didn't have any problems. You are going to be so excited you might not notice it until the end of the day. Just make sure you have comfy shoes. Another plus, by the end of your trip, you'll have some good looking calves!

 

[XTinabell]

I have a few tricks for you to try. First is a yoga stretch, very simple.
Stand on your knees (as in kneel on the ground, probably hotel room floor is the best, with both knees on the floor) curl your toes under you and start to sit on your heels. Only going as far as you can until you feel the stretch. It will really limber up your feet after a long day and give you fresh feet for the next day.
I found you a picture - you don't have to the arm stretch, just look at the feet. You also don't have to sit all the way back like that, she's obviously very flexible so only go as far as you can comfortably and still feel the stretch.

Also, I saw someone already mentioned, switch shoes in the middle of the day. You will feel like you have new feet. Continue with your walking and exercise, being lighter on your feet will help so much.

Take many breaks, take the train sometimes instead of walking across the park, take the cars down the hub instead of walking. Use fast passes so you don't have to wait in as long of lines. And soak your tootsies in the hot tub at night!

 

[Judy from Boise]

The amount of walking doesen't bother me.......but i always get shin splints because of the hard surfaces I am walking on, as I am used to walking inside or on dirt paths. I second a hot bath and lots of stretching each night, I also take ibuprofen twice a day, even if i am not hurting, just to pro-actively help with the inflammation that leads to shin splints etc.

 

[Brady's Mom]

When we went to DLR last March I had been walking on my treadmill for an hour a day for a while. It made a huge difference! My legs didn't ache nearly as much as when we went last year (sept.). I hadn't been using it and my legs just ached! I love a hotel with a hot tub because it feels so great to rest your legs and lower back in the hot water after a long day at the park. My lower back sometimes bugs me when I stand for veeeery long periods of time.

 

[JaneJetson]

I've never had a problem with walking around Disneyland. We go on so many rides, wait in so many lines, and sit on so many benches that I don't get too tired. WDW, on the other hand, was another story! I was dead at the end of the day!

 

[Tasscrapper]

I would suggest investing in some Moleskin for blisters or corns ect. I had heard about it and got some 'just in case'. Well both my hubby and I ended up using it for blisters and it was wonderful. I just picked mine up from Walmart and really think we would have been in so much more pain foot wise without it. Our feet got much sorer than legs. Your walking should have toughened up your toes already. I think you'll be fine.

Here's a link to show what moleskin is. I had never seen it before.
http://www.drugstore.com/search/sea...n&aid=336064&aparam=moleskin&scinit1=moleskin

 

[mad hatter fan]

I second the lots of stretching. One thing that really helped the arches of my feet to not get as sore was to bring one of my son's large super balls (or any fairly firm ball around 2 inches across) to massage my arches with after the long day of walking. If you want to try it, I would start at home before you go so your feet are used to it some. My chiropractor suggested it and it worked wonders.

 

[pattilee08]

Does anyone have any good suggestions for shoes for wide feet with high arches?? I love the idea of changing shoes and with having a stroller to push, it'll be easier to carry!!

 

[Queenbillabong]

I just got some Croc Baja flip-flops and they are the BEST! Even after hoofing it around the malls for back to school stuff, my feet did not hurt at all, not even a twinge!

I would also recommend New Balance runners. I have very high arches, so lots of shoes do not fit me properly. They come in different widths and have different styles - very comfy for sure.

My problem with walking around all day was not my feet, but my shins - oy!! I wish I had thought about taking Advil as a preventative measure, but next time I will remember that

 

[Brady's Mom]

My DH has very wide feet in the front and narrow heels. He also has very high arches. He has been very successful with New Balance cross trainers. He gets the EE width and they work great. Just a thought.