WDW Pre-walking regiment

[lphillip459]

Our family is headed to WDW in 58 days. I'm not somewhat, but not extremely active, and wondering if I should start WDW walking now so I'm not so sore on the second or third day - any have a regiment suggestion?

 

[Judy in Texas]

To give you an idea of the amount of walking we did at WDW...

My friend is on Weightwatchers and having great success. She wanted to know how much walking we were doing each day so she took a pedometer. The shortest distance we walked was 5 1/2 miles the last day. It was cold and rainy and we had to leave MK by 1:00 so we could get to the airport on time. The most we walked in one day was almost 9 miles at Epcot. We parked close enough in that we didn't use the tram so the distance from the car to the front gate added a bit.

Good luck starting your walking program. The hardest part is getting out the door.

 

[lphillip459]

Thanks so much! The encouragement is helpful and welcome!!!

 

[cewait]

It is not uncommon to put 6-18 miles on depending on the park, the time open and the number of fast pass dashes.

You have eight weeks to get ready. Start TODAY by getting out the door for a brisk 1-2 mile walk. Do this 3-5 times a week. Keep track of distances, times and how you feel in a notebook. Note if the distance is too long go as far as you can. Log it and add a little distance with each walk (one extra house at the end if that is all you can do).

The next week Keep bumping the miles up this week 2-3 miles. We are looking for 3 mile daily walks by then end of the forth week. Weeks 5 - 8 add one longer walk on the weekend (or other day that works for you). Week 5 make that walk 4 miles, 5 the next week and 6 in week 7. Week 8 repeat the six mile walk.

You are working out more with these walks but do not give in to the temptation of eating more. Keep ahealthy and balanced diet while working up to the trip.

You should now have the stanima to celebrate the trip to WDW.

You may still have soreness the second day (after a full day in the park). That is normal; I am sore after a day in the park mainly due to standing for extended periods...it just uses the smaller stabilizer muscles differently. PLAN to take a walk each morning at Disney - Sounds crazy - huh. Allow time to get up and get out the resort door for a 1-2 mile walk. This brisk little walk will loosen up the sore muscle and get the heart pumping; flushing out the waste product stored in the muscle tissue. You will be refreshed and ready for breakfast as everyone wipes the sleep out of their eyes.

Just a thought, you may want to get your DH involved in your walk program. He will be be happier in the happiest place and you two WILL hold one another accountable during the training phase. And who knows this may turn into a passion.

 

[lphillip459]

This information/advice is PERFECT and very "doable"!!! Thank you!

 

[pjlla]

I may be repeating what others have said, but here goes....

START WALKING NOW!!!
Start with at least 1 mile per day and increase by about 1/4 mi. every 3-5 days. Mostly flat surfaces are okay, since most of WDW is flat, but some hilly terrain would be helpful. Walk briskly... remember, you are trying to increase your stamina and endurance... this is no "walk in the park" so to speak!! Walk briskly enough to be breathing a bit heavily, but still able to hold a conversation. ANYONE who will be on this trip with you should be doing the same.

Before our last trip to WDW I had been exercising regularly for many months before, but I STILL made sure to be walking a few miles a day for the weeks leading up to the trip and I made sure my kids and DH came along whenever possible.

If it helps, picture yourself walking through WDW. If you know the parks well enough, you can do it by memory (this is how I do it, especially with the MK). If not, find a copy of a park map (maybe google it??) and "walk" through the park. I picture myself walking from the front gate at MK, down Main Street to the castle and then on to other rides/attractions. Then I imagine that I am hustling back to a ride on the other side of the park to pick up Fastpasses, and then back to another ride to meet my family. I keep picture the rides and buildings that I am passing along the way. I try to imagine the music and smells and sounds. It sounds a bit silly, but it really inspires me to keep moving. It is my version of a "virtual visit" to the parks!

My last suggestion is to buy your new "trip shoes" ahead of time and wear them for the last few weeks of your walking program to be SURE that they are comfortable and broken in. It won't matter how much endurance and stamina you have, if your feet are covered in blisters!

Have a wonderful trip and enjoy the "happiest exercise on earth"!!................P

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Definitely you will have more fun if you begin now. I try to make sure my DH does this and he is always glad he did after he's there and walking around.

Have fun!