The Darlings Caved Already! A Sept. '12 PTR -- Sept. 26 - TR link posted!

[NancyLuvsMickey]

A real countdown! And real plans! Hahaha
Yes, she got us Pop Century with the dining plan. She did say that none of her usual Canadian suppliers were able to get the free dining and it had to be booked directly through Disney (which I would rather anyway), perhaps they're being more restrictive about it this year?
Not worrying quite so much about Sheeka is great.

I wonder if that's what my problem was... Both you and eeyore04 got reservations at Pop Century using a travel agent and both of you are from Canada...

Guess Iowa isn't far enough North to qualify for Pop Century...

 

[teekathepony]

Wow, seeing that flight diagram makes me more appreciative of my proximity to Disney. Just looking at that back and forth plane path makes me tired. However, it's so worth dealing with that when it comes to a WDW vacation.

Can't wait to hear about your ADRs!

Haha yeah it's a long day but so worth it. We always said if we had nothing to tie us down (jobs, family, animals, our house, etc.) we'd move to Florida. Johnny's theory is "Disney MUST need plumbers!"

I wonder if that's what my problem was... Both you and eeyore04 got reservations at Pop Century using a travel agent and both of you are from Canada...

Guess Iowa isn't far enough North to qualify for Pop Century...

It's so strange, I can't figure it out! I follow another PTR and the writer called with a free dining PIN and couldn't get Pop, had to get one of the AS resorts. Now, eeyore04 and I didn't use a pin, we just (or rather our agents) called the Disney Travel Company and asked to book a room at Pop with the free dining.
I will sponsor you as an honorary Canadian so you can get into Pop!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I'm here for all the fun!!!

 

[teekathepony]

Summer is coming and so is Disney! And that means...

Shorts! Tiny tank tops! Bathing suits!

... bathing suits!?

Confession time!

I've been steadily gaining weight since leaving high school. Every year I say the same thing; "This is the year! Seriously, this really is the year I'm going to lose weight!" and for "some reason" I end each year heavier than the last. So this year I have gone about it analytically and made some lists. I love lists.

Reasons for gain:

#1. Poor eating habits. I definitely don't eat too much, in fact I eat like a bird. I do have terrible habits though. I never eat breakfast, I usually eat junk for lunch and if Johnny's not home, I don't eat a good dinner either, resulting in me being hungry at bed time and snacking. Chips are my downfall, I could eat chips for every meal and snack every day.

#2. Pepsi addiction. I have a slight Pepsi addiction. I usually have a can of Pepsi every day. Most of the time it's just one, but one is worse than none. I have tried swapping Pepsi for water, thinking it must be a thirst issue, but alas it did not work that way.

#3. Lack of exercise. I don't work much (working on that though!) and when I do it's a fairly sedentary job. I sit at the printer and print pictures or sit at the computer and restore old photos and things like that. At home I tend to be very lazy (sugar coating things won't help me, so I'm just going to be blunt and honest with myself, and by extension, you!) I feed my animals and clean the horses' stalls, I do a few things like dishes or laundry as needed, but there's more I could be doing. My floors could use to be washed more often. I could definitely dust more frequently. You get the drift. It's a me thing, I'm fairly lazy.

So by identifying the culprits, I can make a strategy to turn my life around!

#1. Start eating healthy. On my last trip to the grocery store I got lots of good things, veggies and fruit for snacks, good food for meals, whole grain bread, and easy breakfast items. I've eaten a small but healthy breakfast the past two mornings and am trying to make it a habit. I've also eaten regular meals each day. I haven't had chips in over a week! On the weekend I wanted a snack for movie night so I made air-popped popcorn with very little butter and no salt.

#2. Cut out the Pepsi! Not cut back, cut out. Telling myself it's ok once and a while leads to allowing one every day. Since actually being thirsty wasn't the issue with my Pepsi cravings, it's harder to substitute water for Pepsi but I've been doing it anyway. I've been out of Pepsi since Saturday and only really craved one Sunday and Monday. I'm drinking more water too which is always good.

#3. Exercise! I started a modified Couch-to-5k program. I added a "Week -1" which was even easier than week 1, and I doubled every week. I am in my 5th week of running (which ends up being week two of the original C25k) and it's not getting easier, but I'm keeping at it. I've decided that's not enough though, just three workouts per week. It may be better than what I was doing, but I want to see some serious weight loss so I'm also going to work on my Wii fit a bit every day, and take my dog Holly for walks (when Sheeka's knee is better, I'll take her too!) Johnny wants to start biking which is great, and when the weather warms up I'll be in my parents' pool as much as possible. Last year I made it up to 30 laps of their small pool (33 feet long) so I'd like to increase that this year. I'm also making lists (more lists!) for myself around the house. Every day I do more than usual, more sweeping and scrubbing and things, not that the house is dirty, but to get me moving!

I need to lose about 40 pounds ideally. I'd like to lose 20 pounds by Disney. That's 23.5 weeks, and 0.85 pounds per week. Definitely do-able! I've just had some breakfast so now I'm off to clean all the fish tanks, a task that requires lugging approximately 15 5gal buckets of water back and forth. Then I'm hitting the treadmill for a run

Wish me luck!

No... wait...

Wish me motivation!

 

[teekathepony]

I'm here for all the fun!!!

Heyyy a ninja poster, posting while I was too!! Thanks for being here!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Sending you lots of motivation pixie dust!!!

I get the "laziness" factor. I am not a fan of exercising, and I would rather sit and read than work up a sweat.

I think your goals are completely doable!

 

[PixieMama]

Glad your DH agreed to your anniversary trip, there's no better way to celebrate an anniversary! Have you ever done an anniversary there before? Make sure to wear your pins, we got a few little extras last year with them.

Yes, this will be our 3rd trip during October and in which our anniversary falls... in '07 I never noted it was our anniversary or anything. The only thing I did was order a cake for our last dinner (it was at Chef Mickey's) and they gave us anniversary pins when we checked in... DH and I wore them for the rest of the evening.

On our 2010 trip, I made sure to note on our reservations we were celebrating our anniversary... we wore those pins every single day, LOL. I remember we got a cupcake at our 50sPTC lunch, and glasses of champagne at our WCC dinner!

 

[PixieMama]

Sending motivation your way!

Sounds like we had similar bad habits, LOL! I used to not eat breakfast and snack a lot, too. Snacking late at night was my downfall... and it was usually cookies or ice cream. And I was drinking 3 or 4 Cokes a day! I haven't had a Coke in almost 3 months... I thought I'd miss them, but I really don't!

Good for you on the changes you're making!

 

[teekathepony]

Sending you lots of motivation pixie dust!!!

I get the "laziness" factor. I am not a fan of exercising, and I would rather sit and read than work up a sweat.

I think your goals are completely doable!

Thank you! I am going to need lots of that pixie dust!
I love to curl up and read, it's one of the things that keeps me stationary too long!

Yes, this will be our 3rd trip during October and in which our anniversary falls... in '07 I never noted it was our anniversary or anything. The only thing I did was order a cake for our last dinner (it was at Chef Mickey's) and they gave us anniversary pins when we checked in... DH and I wore them for the rest of the evening.

On our 2010 trip, I made sure to note on our reservations we were celebrating our anniversary... we wore those pins every single day, LOL. I remember we got a cupcake at our 50sPTC lunch, and glasses of champagne at our WCC dinner!

Nice! We didn't get much in the way of special surprises last year for our first anniversary, we were in a group of 6 so it would have been hard. The year before for our honeymoon we got lots of pixie dust! I love the effort they go through to make celebrations special!

Sending motivation your way!

Sounds like we had similar bad habits, LOL! I used to not eat breakfast and snack a lot, too. Snacking late at night was my downfall... and it was usually cookies or ice cream. And I was drinking 3 or 4 Cokes a day! I haven't had a Coke in almost 3 months... I thought I'd miss them, but I really don't!

Good for you on the changes you're making!

Thanks for the motivation! And good for you too for giving up Coke!
I once gave up chips and pop for 3.5 months and was feeling amazing, I was so proud of myself and didn't miss it at all. I have no idea what made me go back to my old bad habits but I hope to not do that again!!

 

[pinkxray]

Sending motivation your way

I am lazy too, I started running in the fall and now run a few times a week in the morning. That way I can be lazy all day and say "I went for a run this morning, I'm not lazy"

I ditched my obsession, diet coke, about a month ago. I only allow myself to have it when we eat out (which is rare) or when I work an overnight shift at the hospital. I don't miss it as much as I thought I would

I love chips and could eat them every meal too. I decided last week to stop eating them for a month, along with fast food. So far no chips, but I had pizza yesterday It's tough to give up everything at once.

.85lbs a week is totally do able!

 

[eeyore04]

Summer is coming and so is Disney! And that means...

I need to lose about 40 pounds ideally. I'd like to lose 20 pounds by Disney. That's 23.5 weeks, and 0.85 pounds per week. Definitely do-able! I've just had some breakfast so now I'm off to clean all the fish tanks, a task that requires lugging approximately 15 5gal buckets of water back and forth. Then I'm hitting the treadmill for a run

Wish me luck!

No... wait...

Wish me motivation!

40 pounds might be overdoing it just a bit don't you think? you've got legs and arms that are built like... well... a horse, so unless you plan on shaving your head to lose your hair weight, too, I think you're being hard on yourself.

That said, we all need some motivation, and getting fit and staying there is what everyone needs!


I, too need some motivation.. I would ideally like to get back to the gym. I need to eat better, and I need to lose much more than 40 lbs. Well, no, I'd be happy with out 50 lbs gone... so not much more than your goal, but I have many many more places to lose it than you do. let's be each other's

 

[Nermel9]

I'll send you some motivation if you send me some!

I hear you on the soda addiction...I can't have it at my house, or I will drink it. Coke is my favorite, but I'll drink pretty much any kind of soda if it's in front of me and has sugar in it! I try to replace it with diet soda, but it's just not worth it.

I really need to start the Couch to 5K again, I was doing ok with it last year and then I gave up! I actually started to like running, which was weird. I also just bought some a set of Zumba DVD's which I can't wait to start doing! Getting in the habit of exercising is hard! Good luck, I think you can reach your goal with no problem!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Wishing you luck and motivation!!!

 

[teekathepony]

Sending motivation your way

I am lazy too, I started running in the fall and now run a few times a week in the morning. That way I can be lazy all day and say "I went for a run this morning, I'm not lazy"

I ditched my obsession, diet coke, about a month ago. I only allow myself to have it when we eat out (which is rare) or when I work an overnight shift at the hospital. I don't miss it as much as I thought I would

I love chips and could eat them every meal too. I decided last week to stop eating them for a month, along with fast food. So far no chips, but I had pizza yesterday It's tough to give up everything at once.

.85lbs a week is totally do able!

It is tough to give up everything at once! I'm working on Pepsi and chips and trying to eat healthier and so I'm not going to put the ban on fast food just yet. I don't eat much of it anyway, so I'll get to it gradually!

40 pounds might be overdoing it just a bit don't you think? you've got legs and arms that are built like... well... a horse, so unless you plan on shaving your head to lose your hair weight, too, I think you're being hard on yourself.

That said, we all need some motivation, and getting fit and staying there is what everyone needs!


I, too need some motivation.. I would ideally like to get back to the gym. I need to eat better, and I need to lose much more than 40 lbs. Well, no, I'd be happy with out 50 lbs gone... so not much more than your goal, but I have many many more places to lose it than you do. let's be each other's

Believe it or not, losing 40 pounds puts me at the highest end of "Normal" BMI category for my height and age. I carry my weight evenly so I look lighter than I am! (Which isn't a bad thing! LOL) I'm not going to starve myself or go crazy trying to get to a certain weight, just want to be in better shape more than anything.
Next time you come over, I'm making salads!
I'll totally be your !

I'll send you some motivation if you send me some!

I hear you on the soda addiction...I can't have it at my house, or I will drink it. Coke is my favorite, but I'll drink pretty much any kind of soda if it's in front of me and has sugar in it! I try to replace it with diet soda, but it's just not worth it.

I really need to start the Couch to 5K again, I was doing ok with it last year and then I gave up! I actually started to like running, which was weird. I also just bought some a set of Zumba DVD's which I can't wait to start doing! Getting in the habit of exercising is hard! Good luck, I think you can reach your goal with no problem!

Motivation pixie dust being sent your way!
I'm pretty much only addicted to Pepsi. I don't much like Coke (unless it's fountain, which I do like! ) I have Mountain Dew in my closet untouched and I really don't crave any other kinds.
I tend to give up on everything I start as far as healthy living goes. I'd very much like to keep running! I look forward to it a little, despite being no good at it yet.
And thanks.

Wishing you luck and motivation!!!

Thank you very much!!

 

[teekathepony]

I just have a quick little piece of news. Some people have gotten the Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation with Free Dining! Johnny and I wanted to book AoA until we found out that the FD wasn't being offered there. AoA's LM rooms open on September 15th -- the day before we arrive. I'm waiting for a call back from my Travel Agent and I'm going to ask her if we are able to switch and get FD. We weighed a lot of pros and cons including:

Pros: New! Something we haven't done before
- Being among the first ever people to stay in a Disney hotel!
- We've only ever seen Pop, it's time to branch out.

Cons: Little Mermaid rooms are FAR from the main building and bus stops (from what we could see on Google Earth!) and that was our whole reason for getting preferred rooms at Pop.
- First days at places are always a little hectic and confused, but this is a minor Con that we don't really care about.

We reasoned that though we hated being in the 80's at Pop last year, we were somewhat unprepared for it and looking at it realistically, we only walked 5 minutes to our room. If we do switch to AoA, as long as we know what we're in for we should be ok. We plan to take it easy in the parks, and besides, a nice walk through a brand new resort complex will be interesting!

So when my TA calls me back I am going to ask her if it's possible to switch. Lots of people are getting lots of different answers. One person definitely got LM rooms with FD for Sept. 15-22, one day ahead of us. Others are saying that from the 23rd on is absolutely not available and so the 16-23 (which we need) we can't get. Of course if we can't get it today we might be able to another day, but for now this is our deciding factor. If I am able to switch today, we're going for it!

 

[amazingact21]

Good luck with landing a LM room! I think it'd be so cool if you stayed in an AoA building. And I think being prepared for the walk is a big advantage. When Alex and I stayed at Pop, we were used to ASSp,where we could practically see our car from our room, so the trek through Pop was a shocker. But with that in mind, I'd be willing to stay there again. (And not bring a week's worth of cruise clothes with me)


I love making lists! Don't they just make you feel so organized and in control of your life? I have a daily planner, a monthly spreadsheet, and a dry erase board filled with lists....Okay, that might be too much


I'm sending motivation your way!!!! (And some pixie dust!) I've been reading on several people's PTRs and TRs that they are trying to work on getting healthier, myself included. I don't know why we've all come to this point at the same time, but at least it lets us know we're not alone. We're like each other's motivational group.

Soda is a hard habit to break, so kudos to you for cutting it out of your life! I used to be horribly addicted to Dr. Pepper, but since I began working out, I've needed to rehydrate with water, and by the time I get around to being able to grab a can, I'm too full. Hopefully by running and doing chores, that sugar urge will deminish for you.

 

[NancyLuvsMickey]

I wish you could sponsor me as an honorary Canadian so I can get into Pop with Free Dining... But I'm sure sooner or later they'll offer it to us down here in the states...

I think you'll easily lose the weight because you're setting realistic goals... I'm cheering for ya!!!

And good luck getting into AoA... That would be so cool to stay there...

 

[teekathepony]

Good luck with landing a LM room! I think it'd be so cool if you stayed in an AoA building. And I think being prepared for the walk is a big advantage. When Alex and I stayed at Pop, we were used to ASSp,where we could practically see our car from our room, so the trek through Pop was a shocker. But with that in mind, I'd be willing to stay there again. (And not bring a week's worth of cruise clothes with me)


I love making lists! Don't they just make you feel so organized and in control of your life? I have a daily planner, a monthly spreadsheet, and a dry erase board filled with lists....Okay, that might be too much


I'm sending motivation your way!!!! (And some pixie dust!) I've been reading on several people's PTRs and TRs that they are trying to work on getting healthier, myself included. I don't know why we've all come to this point at the same time, but at least it lets us know we're not alone. We're like each other's motivational group.

Soda is a hard habit to break, so kudos to you for cutting it out of your life! I used to be horribly addicted to Dr. Pepper, but since I began working out, I've needed to rehydrate with water, and by the time I get around to being able to grab a can, I'm too full. Hopefully by running and doing chores, that sugar urge will deminish for you.

I like the idea of a Disney support group for weight loss and healthy lifestyle! Hmmm, aren't there boards for that? Gotta check that out.

I wish you could sponsor me as an honorary Canadian so I can get into Pop with Free Dining... But I'm sure sooner or later they'll offer it to us down here in the states...

I think you'll easily lose the weight because you're setting realistic goals... I'm cheering for ya!!!

And good luck getting into AoA... That would be so cool to stay there...

Tell you what, if I can get into AoA, you can have my Pop room with free dining!





Just a quick update folks, on the AoA front. My travel agent called Disney and the CM only had The Lion King suites available for free dining. My TA mentioned that some people were getting LM rooms with FD and the CM could unfortunately do nothing at this time, she did however say that if we try again it might come available, and that only a small block of rooms might be available now, just to be sure the construction will really be done in time. I'm going to keep checking as long as I can and trying to get into a Little Mermaid room!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Good luck with the weight loss...if you unlock a secret we do not know on how to shed the pounds faster be sure to share

Hope you and Johnny manage to get a LM room at AoA - they looks so cool and like you said it'll be a new experience.

 

[MEK]

Good luck with the weight lose thing. I know its really hard and it does require a ton of motivation. I know I feel better when I eat better. Yeah for exercise. I definitely am a big fan of that.

Cool about the AoA rooms. I agree - you should keep trying to see if you can get one. What do you have to lose? I really want to stay there. The whole place looks so super cool!