This (DISNEY)land Was Made For You and Me - July 2016 Weight Loss and Lifestyle Change Challenge

[MommaoffherRocker]

Can I woohoo again because I really need a place to share this....

We finally decided on a hotel for Princess race weekend and we decided on the Coronado Springs, and staying in a Business Class room. King room, robes, blu-ray player, access to all you can eat/drink, etc.

We won't have park tickets for this trip so it's a 100% stay at the hotel or sneak off to Disney Springs for food type of weekend. So we opted to splurge and we're asking for movies for Christmas so we can sit in the room after the races and munch on Goldfish crackers while wearing bathrobes in bed.

I love resort only stays!! We did that all the time when we didn't have APs, there's just something about being on property even without stepping foot in a park!! I have never stayed at Coronado but DH has been begging to stay there for years, something always seems to come up when we have it booked. You're going to have so much fun!!!

 

[4Mickeys]

I miss sitting with a little one and riding.

I guess my woohoo Wednesday is that it is now less than a month until ds1 gets married.

Maybe it won't be all that long and you can look forward to riding with little grandchildren!

I am not feeling very woohoo today. Work has been very stressful and I am very frustrated with a situation that is going on. They hired a person back in November because we have grown and I can't get it all done on my own anymore. With the RNC next week here most people are taking PTO including this person. I am really the only one working next week (thankfully from home). The renewal paperwork that is coming in is her responsibility this summer and nothing is getting done. Twice now my boss has said that i will get it done. Putting all of the work on me again this summer. There is not really anything I can do but to get as much done as I can and as quickly as I can. This person even said in a meeting with my boss "you did all of it on your own last year". I just need to bite my tongue and deal with it for right now.

I also go some not so good news late last night. My grandfather is going into an assisted living home this week. 2 months ago he was going pretty good but is quickly declining. We I saw him on the 4th he couldn't even remember where he was ate. Since my grandma had to go into a nursing home about 4 years ago because of her Alzheimer's he has been on his own other then family coming over to visit. My mom is one 5 siblings so someone was over there at least 5 days and my one Aunt lives right next door. However he would never go out and do anything. My mom is hoping that having other people around he will improve. I hope this happens. Being almost 37 and having all of biological grandparents has been great. Last night was a realization that they are getting older and won't be around for ever. With my grandma having Alzheimers for at least 20 years we knew what to expect and things have moved very slowly. I know we don't have long with her now since she is at the end stage of it but things are moving just a little to quickly with my grandfather.

Sorry to hear things are tough at the moment. Ageing family is never easy. I only had one grandparent alive while growing up - my Grandmother - and she passed when I was 18. Its my parents that I am facing getting older and their generation passing on at the moment - Dad is almost at the end of his radiation treatment for prostate cancer - he hasn't done too bad during the treatment but is more tired and a bit more forgetful according to Mum - but I'm hoping that is maybe due to the lack of sleep/tiredness.

Where did the summer go?

It always goes so quick the older we get - but the thing I like about that is that means my winter must be moving to its end too haha.

So if you want a fun way to get extra steps, play Pokemon Go.

Ok - I think I need to do this with the kids this afternoon.

Can I woohoo again because I really need a place to share this....

We finally decided on a hotel for Princess race weekend and we decided on the Coronado Springs, and staying in a Business Class room. King room, robes, blu-ray player, access to all you can eat/drink, etc.

We won't have park tickets for this trip so it's a 100% stay at the hotel or sneak off to Disney Springs for food type of weekend. So we opted to splurge and we're asking for movies for Christmas so we can sit in the room after the races and munch on Goldfish crackers while wearing bathrobes in bed.

Yeah - sounds great - especially the eating in bed in your bathrobes

Either way, my nostrils will soon be filled with that awesome new car smell! Can't wait!

There's just something about that new car smell isn't there?

 

[SarahDisney]

I thought you guys might appreciate this. I'm currently in the middle of the large project that is organizing my keychains (I collect them - I have at least 500, maybe even closer to 1,000), and I came across these:


Plus, as I was entering them into my spreadsheet, my iTunes decided to play the Etta James version of "It's a Small World" (from the Music from the Parks CD).
There may have been tears involved.

I want to go back to Disneyland! @courtneybeth, think of me next time you're there. Maybe that will somehow instantly teleport me across the country right into the middle of Disneyland!

 

[4Mickeys]

@SarahDisney - those keychains are amazing! I'm super jealous and I with you I miss DL as well ..... oldest son and I both were on the weekend just wish we had a spare $6-7K and we would be there lol.

 

[Oneanne]

Woohoo Wednesday is that my legs feel really good again today. But I'm not really sure how they felt when I got up this morning, which is when they've been aching the most. I was semi-awake when I heard the raccoons chattering outside, the window fan wasn't running and they were on the fence right across from the bedroom window... The Mom and four Babies. They are so cute but such descructive little buggers. But when I heard them I jolted awake, went to the window and picked Whitehall up so she could see them. I wasn't conscious of my legs at all, which might be a good thing.

 

[courtneybeth]

I thought you guys might appreciate this. I'm currently in the middle of the large project that is organizing my keychains (I collect them - I have at least 500, maybe even closer to 1,000), and I came across these:
View attachment 181541

Plus, as I was entering them into my spreadsheet, my iTunes decided to play the Etta James version of "It's a Small World" (from the Music from the Parks CD).
There may have been tears involved.

I want to go back to Disneyland! @courtneybeth, think of me next time you're there. Maybe that will somehow instantly teleport me across the country right into the middle of Disneyland!

LOOK AT THOSE. AND THE BAG WITH THE PINK CASTLE. I'm so over the 60th blue bags with the diamonds on them.

 

[piglet1979]

Can I woohoo again because I really need a place to share this....

We finally decided on a hotel for Princess race weekend and we decided on the Coronado Springs, and staying in a Business Class room. King room, robes, blu-ray player, access to all you can eat/drink, etc.

We won't have park tickets for this trip so it's a 100% stay at the hotel or sneak off to Disney Springs for food type of weekend. So we opted to splurge and we're asking for movies for Christmas so we can sit in the room after the races and munch on Goldfish crackers while wearing bathrobes in bed.

We stayed in a standard room their this past September. We loved it. The main pool miss great. You will really like it.

 

[piglet1979]

I have a good woohoo. My sons baseball team won their playoff game tonight. The championship game is Saturday. He has never been on a winning team and this team has won 10 games and lost 3 and are the number 1 seed.

Thanks for the love today. The day got better as it went on for the most part. I talked to my boss today. Not about my coworker but more so the stress that I have and feeling like everything has fallen onto me. I really like my boss. He is really laid back. I had sent it to him in an email since he was out today. I didn't get the response that I wanted but he told me not to stress that it will get done.

 

[CruisingCamper]

My woohoo Wednesday is that today is my very LAST Wednesday of work! My last day is Friday I guess you could say that I am retiring. I've been there 21 years. Going to stay home and help DH with businesses and kids Very excited!

 

[HappyGrape]

I haven't been around last week much. To be honest as last month worked well without me trying that hard I feel I may continue and only refocus if I stop loosing weight. I lowered my enthusiasm about the new gym as I was getting little too tired

I am making my plans for WDW for this October. Staying at CBR with DDP for 14 days, MNSHHP on Halloween night and we also have 14 day Universal tickets! I was tempted to book night at one of Universal hotels but I hope the waits will be as low as they were when we were there in 2014 same time of the year and will give it a miss for now. I left it too late to get a good deal. So I am trying to make plans - what day what park what ADR (most are already done but some small changes) and fast pass wish list.

I have been planning on my lunches this week and I have to say I need to start moving more again and going for a walks.

I will try to read little more regularly

 

[courtneybeth]

July 14 - Splash Mountain

If you reference the map above, we've already walked Main Street USA, stopped at the hub and the
Tiny Castle, then headed left to Adventureland and New Orleans Square. We are now heading to the farthest
left and entering into Critter Country for the next two days: home of Splash Mountain and Winnie the Pooh.

SPLASH MOUNTAIN. Aka: the one where you get wet.

Caution: You will get wet. Very very very wet. No... really. This is a water ride. With Water.​

Splash Mountain is literally next door to the Haunted Mansion and is known as the "Mountain Ride with Water".
The ride launched in 1989 and is modeled with characters from the movie Song of the South, aka: the one that
Disney really doesn't like to talk about because of its blatant racism. The ride went so over budget that they
had to use the characters from the defunct America Sings attraction to decorate the end of the ride
during the "zip a dee do dah" song at the very end after the drop.

Disneyland's attraction leverages a 7-seat system where you ride 6 in single file with the last seat holding
space for an adult and a child. The ride takes quick turns through water and yes, you will get wet.


July 14 - Question of the Day
Let's talk about Splash Mountain and your experiences with the ride.
Have you done this ride at Disneyland and how wet did you get?
Most of us have ridden the MK version - so same question. How did it go and how wet did you get?
Have you taken a funny photo on the ride? If so, share it!

Bonus question: what is your Splash Mountain strategy to not get wet.​

 

[HappyGrape]

Are you sticking to your plan and seeing the results you want?
If you're unhappy with your results - what are you going to change for the next week?
If you're happy with your results, are you going to push a little harder or just stick to what is working?

!
​

Are you sticking to your plan - No! Not at all! Am I seeing the results I want - yes, very much so. I will continue with more relaxed approach for another week and if it keeps working so well I won't change anything. I was going to refocus to work on last bit of weight but as I lost 50% nearly of my monthly goal without trying very hard I will continue like this

I do however live healthy and balance but kind of focused on maintenance. I aim to eat my daily calories as my maintenance level would be and do enough exercise to keep me feeling active but not too much to make me feel overtired and drained.

If things slow down on 21 I will cut down little calorie intake but for now - if it's not broken don't fix it!

 

[HappyGrape]

These are the results to date. I tried to find everyone's results, so if you have a big fat zero next to your name - it's probably because I missed your post. PM me and I'll get it fixed

@4Mickeys 25%
@bigsis1970
@courtneybeth 25%
@CruisingCamper 22%
@CruisingKate 0%
@donac 26%
@Dr Gunnie 30%
@Flossbolna 100%
@HappyGrape 0%
@JacknSally 0%
@kirstie101 50%
@iona 0%
@Lady Marie 0%
@mamattorney 29%
@MommaoffherRocker 20%
@MochaDrinker 100%
@Oneanne 50%
@piglet1979 32.5%
@pjlla 0%
@rascooby 0%
@SarahDisney 70%
@ski_mom 19%
@verleniahall 0%​

I can't see the pm option for some reason! I am at 50%

 

[courtneybeth]

July 14 - Question of the Day
Let's talk about Splash Mountain and your experiences with the ride.
Have you done this ride at Disneyland and how wet did you get?
Most of us have ridden the MK version - so same question. How did it go and how wet did you get?
Have you taken a funny photo on the ride? If so, share it!

Bonus question: what is your Splash Mountain strategy to not get wet.

Let me preface this response by stating the following first: I hate this ride. I hate this ride. I hate this ride.

My hate affair with this ride started in 1989 when the ride debuted. My parents took my brother and I for our annual summer trip (before annual passes were a thing) to ride this ride since it was the shiny new toy and we waited for about an hour to board. I get to the height checker and I'm an inch too short. But since it's the 1980s, girls my age with high ponytails are allowed through. So my parents get sent to "baby switcher" and I'm stuck watching my brother ride twice while I'm crying because I'm tiny and don't feel like a baby since I'm six. Dad gets this brilliant idea to wait for a shift change, we wait in another hour line, throw my hair up in a pony tail and we all get on it - and I'm soaked. I hated every minute of it and I am miserable for the rest of the day.

I SWORE, NEVER AGAIN. As a six year old, I was adamant.

Fast forward 20 years. I haven't been on the ride since but my husband's annoying nephew pesters us to join him on the ride so we do it to be a team player. I sit in the front and holy smokes. I've never seen a log FILL UP with THREE INCHES OF WATER by the time we come back. Our boat was so heavy in the front that when we splashed around a corner that a huge wave of water hit my husband and I we were soaked. Everywhere. I went to the nearby bathroom to try to dry off my jeans and underwear but they were soaked with so much water that they 'rung out' probably half the ride. We spent the next 10 hours of park time wet and miserable - I should have just bought a new outfit at a retail store inside the park but it felt like that would give Splash Mountain the victory.


I have never ridden the ride at WDW and probably never will. And I refuse to ride Splash Mountain ever again. I hate it.

 

[HappyGrape]

Let's talk fluids and your intake of them. How are you doing on drinking more healthy options
rather than sugary drinks and sodas? Have you cut out your alcohol intake or are you limiting drinks?
Or... are you a pirate and someone will lose a hand if they try to steal your bottle of rum, aarrrrr?

Bonus questions: Which versions of the ride have you ridden? Do you sing the infamous song while on the ride?​

I don't drink sodas. Ever. I drink coffee, water, sparkling water (with mint, lime, berries, ginger just to add taste if I have them) and herbal tea. I drink wine or sparkling wine but small amounts. Less then bottle per month. If holiday probably 1 bottle a month, if no holiday/vacation probably 1 bottle per 2 months. Like one glass every second week.

I used to have more cocktails but they are so loaded with rubbish, I find I am perfectly happy with glass of prosecco & champagne and I feel I had a treat without going overboard on sugar

 

[HappyGrape]

What is your plan to resist holiday treats during Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas?
Have you thought about how you'll manage at family functions or restaurants during the holidays?

Bonus Question: Share your experience with Haunted Mansion Holiday if you've ridden it!
​

Fantastic question -it's important we stay on top and have plans for holidays.

I WILL BE AT WDW for Halloween this year!!!

so the plan is ditch the stupid waiting times on Halloween night for candy and ride all rides until my tummy feels sick! Haha we did Thunder Mountain like 10 times in row without waits with the Fireworks (hallowishes) going on top of us it was pure magic moment! Who needs cheap candy???

But the truth is the plans we make have to be made in advance and achievable. Example enjoy the meal but have a long walk before after. Have something you really love but in amount agreed in advance. There is no point of thinking I will eat little bit of turkey and veggies on Christmas. Better plan is to fill in half of the first plate with veggies, and keep doing this with top up I do. Christmas in Ireland is nearly month of celebrations - meeting work colleagues, friends, family. Good plan is a must

 

[HappyGrape]

In one of the UK & Irleand WDW boards we have a thing called double digit dance!

have a little dance with me, burn few calories!

99 days to WDW!!!

 

[4Mickeys]

Have you done this ride at Disneyland and how wet did you get?

Yes have ridden this at DL - yes wet but not as wet as some of our Grizzly River Rapid Rides in DCA! My daughter absolutely refused to ride it - so she waited the first time while me and both boys rode it. Oldest son opted out of another go though so just me and the youngest had another go.

Funny story about our first turn .... we had been looking at the lines and looking at the lines for a few days .... I went into the DL first aid room on this day as I had been having swelling and a red rash on my lower legs from the heat and walking but this day I was getting some weird nerve type pain in my foot .... they were so wonderful in there laid me down iced my legs, gave the kids cold washers - remember I was there in September .... the nurse overheard youngest DS saying he really wanted to go on Splash Mountain .... she wipped out her special fast pass supply and wrote Splash Mountain on 4 of them

Bonus question: what is your Splash Mountain strategy to not get wet.

We didn't worry at all about getting wet - it helped cool us down.

My woohoo Wednesday is that today is my very LAST Wednesday of work! My last day is Friday I guess you could say that I am retiring. I've been there 21 years. Going to stay home and help DH with businesses and kids Very excited!

That is a very cool woohoo!

Let me preface this response by stating the following first: I hate this ride. I hate this ride. I hate this ride.

Oh no! I have come to like it .... the first time I rode a million years ago - I liked the inside of the ride but whoa the drop - I felt much better about the drop this time around - even if my photos might not look like it lol! I will be back with the photos after dinner.

 

[pjlla]

July 14 - Splash Mountain

July 14 - Question of the Day
Let's talk about Splash Mountain and your experiences with the ride.
Have you done this ride at Disneyland and how wet did you get?
Most of us have ridden the MK version - so same question. How did it go and how wet did you get?
Have you taken a funny photo on the ride? If so, share it!

Bonus question: what is your Splash Mountain strategy to not get wet.​

I don't honestly remember if I rode it my one and only time in DL, but I have certainly ridden it several times at WDW. I don't get wet because I wear ponchos on the water rides. I learned my lesson when my kiddos got drenched to the skin on Kali River Rapids on a cool January day during our first trip in 2002. I had THANKFULLY brought a change for them both (more because of weather). I know I look silly, but I don't risk getting soaked.... it would truly have the potential to ruin the day. The ONLY time I will ride without a poncho is if we are leaving the park shortly (either for mid-day break or because it is the end of the day). When I was in WDW with DS in 2010 we saved Splash Mountain for the end of the night and then rode 2-3 times in a row (we were in the last log of the night to go down).... I was pretty damp and well splashed, but not drenched and dripping.

Several years ago my family was behind a young couple in line for Kali River Rapid (where it is very easy to come off absolutely drenched head to toe) and the young man was wearing very oversized heavy baggy jeans (the kind where your boxer shorts show 4 inches above the droopy waistline). I couldn't believe he would risk getting those wet. But sure enough, he got soaked and those dang jeans were still dripping every time we saw him for the rest of the day (yes, I admit, we kept looking for him!). I cannot imagine how heavy and uncomfortable they were!

I'll try to share pictures later from the home computer! But let me just repeat... PONCHOS ARE YOUR FRIEND! Dry clothes and dry hair and dry phone and dry camera = happy me!!

Let me preface this response by stating the following first: I hate this ride. I hate this ride. I hate this ride.

My hate affair with this ride started in 1989 when the ride debuted. My parents took my brother and I for our annual summer trip (before annual passes were a thing) to ride this ride since it was the shiny new toy and we waited for about an hour to board. I get to the height checker and I'm an inch too short. But since it's the 1980s, girls my age with high ponytails are allowed through. So my parents get sent to "baby switcher" and I'm stuck watching my brother ride twice while I'm crying because I'm tiny and don't feel like a baby since I'm six. Dad gets this brilliant idea to wait for a shift change, we wait in another hour line, throw my hair up in a pony tail and we all get on it - and I'm soaked. I hated every minute of it and I am miserable for the rest of the day.

I SWORE, NEVER AGAIN. As a six year old, I was adamant.

Fast forward 20 years. I haven't been on the ride since but my husband's annoying nephew pesters us to join him on the ride so we do it to be a team player. I sit in the front and holy smokes. I've never seen a log FILL UP with THREE INCHES OF WATER by the time we come back. Our boat was so heavy in the front that when we splashed around a corner that a huge wave of water hit my husband and I we were soaked. Everywhere. I went to the nearby bathroom to try to dry off my jeans and underwear but they were soaked with so much water that they 'rung out' probably half the ride. We spent the next 10 hours of park time wet and miserable - I should have just bought a new outfit at a retail store inside the park but it felt like that would give Splash Mountain the victory.


I have never ridden the ride at WDW and probably never will. And I refuse to ride Splash Mountain ever again. I hate it.

This is a GREAT story!! Disneyland got $100 of my hard-earned money in 2005 because my kiddos rode Grizzly River Rapids, got wet and chilled, and I didn't have time to walk back to the hotel for their sweatshirts before the parade. But I was thinking ahead and rather than buy their current sizes, I bought them each an adult small. DS zoomed past that size without ever wearing it again.... so it became mine!! WINNER! I love "my" Disneyland 50th anniversary hoodie (something I would NEVER have spent the money on for me!).

***********************

Morning friends!! Off to work shortly, so not a lot of time to chat. Our WW scheduling system has had some glitches and as such I somehow didn't get scheduled for a single on-line shift next week.... my paycheck will suffer, that's for sure, but I will definitely have some extra time to keep up better with the chatter plus get ready for vacation and for DD's move to her school year apartment (happening in early August) AND to start getting DS packed up for the big college move. YIKES... I cannot believe that soon.... much too soon.... we will officially have an "empty nest". I can hardly think about it without tears.

Anyhow...... coffee and breakfast and packed lunches and clothes on the line need to happen in the next 20 minutes! YIKES!...........P

 

[HappyGrape]

July 14 - Splash Mountain



July 14 - Question of the Day
Let's talk about Splash Mountain and your experiences with the ride.
Have you done this ride at Disneyland and how wet did you get?
Most of us have ridden the MK version - so same question. How did it go and how wet did you get?
Have you taken a funny photo on the ride? If so, share it!

Bonus question: what is your Splash Mountain strategy to not get wet.​

A no! Why would I do wet ride and have a strategy to not get wet! Where is the fun in that!

I have only done the one at MK WDW. Love this ride!