Weight Watchers at Disney

[tori.bh3]

Hey y'all!

I am a Weight Watchers member and have been for the past year. Weight Watchers is a big part of my life! The idea behind WW is just learning to make good food and exercise choices wherever we go - even on vacation at Disney.

I wrote a post on my blog about good snack choices for Weight Watchers while enjoying Disney parks. That can be found here - http://lostgirlguides.blogspot.com/2016/05/weight-watchers-smart-points-values-at.html

I'd like to know if anyone else is doing WW at Disney. What good choices have you found? Favorite restaurants to eat well?

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

You might want to search the forum for dieting at Disney.

 

[tori.bh3]

You might want to search the forum for dieting at Disney.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I'm on the other side of the fence. I go to Disney to cheat on my diet. One week isn't going to kill the lifestyle changes I made to go low carb. When I'm there I dont stress over the menu. I eat what I want for nine days then it's back to what keeps me skinny.

 

[LuckyBelle81]

I'll be following this thread and I'll check out your article. I'm doing WW and will going to WDW in Dec and I've already started worrying about how to manage it all. I'm not going to ruin trip my stressing over it but I would like to be able to make educated choices so I don't gain 5 lbs when I'm down there. I know WW is about a lifestyle change and that I should be able to work through a 5 lb gain, but if I come home 5 lbs heavier its going to be really discouraging...I know I should be able to reconcile all of that in my mind and deal with it in a healthy way, but if I was able to do that where food and weight was concerned I probably wouldn't be on WW in the first place.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm on the other side of the fence. I go to Disney to cheat on my diet. One week isn't going to kill the lifestyle changes I made to go low carb. When I'm there I dont stress over the menu. I eat what I want for nine days then it's back to what keeps me skinny.

Not everyone can do that, mentally or emotionally, as easily as you do.

For those worried about 5 lbs...if you have been following your plan and then you go on a week's vacation and come back 5 lbs up, it's NOT FAT. It's not a real weight gain. It's a water gain and a gain in your innards (anyone else have tummy problems when traveling?).

So if you can work through that emotionally and just get back to it (having food in your house for the day you get back and the next 2+ is HUGELY helpful, so you don't fall into the "we have nothing, let's order pizza" trap), you'll lose that scale-rise in no time. It's nothing to freak out about. If we freak out, if we feel we failed, if we just give up...then it *becomes* something to worry about. But a post-vacation 5 lbs? Just get back to what you were doing.

And that's a hard thing. So prepare yourself and prepare your freezer (frozen veggies, healthy frozen meals that won't go bad while you're gone, etc) and get to the store ASAP. Perhaps have a grocery delivery scheduled for the next full day after you get home?

 

[verleniahall]

I am already planning for this:

Buffets will go like htis
1st trip - fruits and veggies (o points)
2nd trip - proteins, sides, etc...
if still hungry - 3rd trip = same as first

will not get dessert and treat myself with a snack credit later in the day (depending on when the meal is -)

 

[verleniahall]

OP - it sounds crazy, but do the Tommorowland Dance Party one night - I didn't really watch food intake, but tried to make good choices, and did 2 hours of the dance party and after a week I only went up .2lbs at the meeting DAY AFTER I got back

Are you online or meetings? If you are driving, you could go to a meeting during your trip just to weigh in and see where you are at

 

[MamaRoo]

Thank you OP! I sent your link to my DH who has lost 116 lbs at weight watchers and is determined to not go completely off the rails when we're there in a couple of weeks. This should be really helpful!

 

[goofy4prez]

I'm on the other side of the fence. I go to Disney to cheat on my diet. One week isn't going to kill the lifestyle changes I made to go low carb. When I'm there I dont stress over the menu. I eat what I want for nine days then it's back to what keeps me skinny.

I'm glad that it works for you and that you are able to do that. However, for many people who have struggled with weight problems, poor life choice eating habits and low self esteem many just can't binge out, have a great time, eat away and forget about trying to make some healthy and wise decisions because it's a vacation would be like an alcoholic forgetting about their past struggles and drinking away at an Octoberfest for a few days... I know your not advising it, but instead your just saying what you do and that it works for you.

I myself am someone who has lost 115 pounds using WW and in just a few short weeks will be celebrating my 4th year a a lifetime member and still keeping all the weight off; I've also been to WDW several times (have another 30 days from today) during this time and still have not had any lasting gains from my Disney trips. I have learned a few things during my several trips. Here is some of my advice.

• Regardless of what some may say about buffets and that you can pick and choose healthy options avoid them (at least in my case). I myself cannot pick and choose the carrots, lettuce, lean fish, and sugar free jello. I want the carved ham, roast beef, mashed potatoes, and a nice large plate of desserts. I don't put myself into that position.
• If you exercise still find the time to at least do a shorten version of what you normally do. Some will say that you will walk off what you eat with how many miles you will walk per day. It is not done at a good cardio pace and will not burn off all that much, especially if you don't take my first advice above.
• Here's where I will agree just a bit with Jadyreen1282; If you can handle it, look at a couple of the restaurants menu's ahead of schedule and choose a couple of days where you will allow yourself to have a dessert if it's what you like. Remember, WW's is not about depriving yourself of things, even with the new point system that was recently introduced.
• Look at the menu's before you head out and for the most part have your choices made ahead of time so that you can plan and know what you are going to eat. I do this and it helps me out immensely. There are many restaurants that have healthy choices and the chefs are also very accommodating to assist you as well.
• Lastly, do not beat yourself up if you do gain a pound or two. Every single one of my trips other than my first one while in the beginning of WW's I gained anywhere from 2-6 LBS. Initially I felt miserable and defeated, but ended up loosing it in only a couple of weeks at the max... Don't forget your success is not measured by the scale one week at a time and from weigh in to weigh in, rather you are in this thing for a lifetime. I am not a know it all, but I have had excellent success with WW's and still going to Disney. I am available if anyone wants to message me... Again, I'm not a know it all, I do struggle, but I have been in the same shoes as some of you are in right now.

 

[LuckyBelle81]

I'm glad that it works for you and that you are able to do that. However, for many people who have struggled with weight problems, poor life choice eating habits and low self esteem many just can't binge out, have a great time, eat away and forget about trying to make some healthy and wise decisions because it's a vacation would be like an alcoholic forgetting about their past struggles and drinking away at an Octoberfest for a few days... I know your not advising it, but instead your just saying what you do and that it works for you.

I myself am someone who has lost 115 pounds using WW and in just a few short weeks will be celebrating my 4th year a a lifetime member and still keeping all the weight off; I've also been to WDW several times (have another 30 days from today) during this time and still have not had any lasting gains from my Disney trips. I have learned a few things during my several trips. Here is some of my advice.

• Regardless of what some may say about buffets and that you can pick and choose healthy options avoid them (at least in my case). I myself cannot pick and choose the carrots, lettuce, lean fish, and sugar free jello. I want the carved ham, roast beef, mashed potatoes, and a nice large plate of desserts. I don't put myself into that position.
• If you exercise still find the time to at least do a shorten version of what you normally do. Some will say that you will walk off what you eat with how many miles you will walk per day. It is not done at a good cardio pace and will not burn off all that much, especially if you don't take my first advice above.
• Here's where I will agree just a bit with Jadyreen1282; If you can handle it, look at a couple of the restaurants menu's ahead of schedule and choose a couple of days where you will allow yourself to have a dessert if it's what you like. Remember, WW's is not about depriving yourself of things, even with the new point system that was recently introduced.
• Look at the menu's before you head out and for the most part have your choices made ahead of time so that you can plan and know what you are going to eat. I do this and it helps me out immensely. There are many restaurants that have healthy choices and the chefs are also very accommodating to assist you as well.
• Lastly, do not beat yourself up if you do gain a pound or two. Every single one of my trips other than my first one while in the beginning of WW's I gained anywhere from 2-6 LBS. Initially I felt miserable and defeated, but ended up loosing it in only a couple of weeks at the max... Don't forget your success is not measured by the scale one week at a time and from weigh in to weigh in, rather you are in this thing for a lifetime. I am not a know it all, but I have had excellent success with WW's and still going to Disney. I am available if anyone wants to message me... Again, I'm not a know it all, I do struggle, but I have been in the same shoes as some of you are in right now.

Wow!! Congrats on your amazing loss! Thank you so much for your very thoughtful suggestions. You can tell you've been there and done that on plan and that helps so much. I've been to DW many times but this will be the first trip where I'm committed to the WW lifestyle. You have made some really great points that I will certainly take to heart. Our 180 day mark is June 15th so once we get our ADRs I am going to research the menus and try to make a plan or at least inform myself to the extent that I can make an informed decision once I'm there. On previous trips we have done the Deluxe DP so food obviously became a really big part of the trip. This time we scored FD and will have the Disney DP and we're going to stick with it instead of upgrading like we have before. My DH really loves food and having all the different dining experiences WDW offers so I think the trouble will come in when I'm trying to maintain control but also make sure he gets to have the experiences he so loves. Thanks again for your help!

 

[Oneanne]

I've been on WW since the beginning of the year have lost 30 pound so far... About half of what I need to lose. I head to WDW the end of this week. I only have two TS ADR's, both are at places where I can get pretty straight foward protien and veggies. I have two planned treats... An ice cream martini and a hard root beer float (evidently I only drink alcohol if there's ice cream involved ). Other than that I'll be eating light and earlier. I plan on keeping my step count at double what I normally do, and will be taking morning walks around Hour Glass Lake to make sure some steps are actual walking.

I've had trips where I hate horribly and only gained a couple pounds, so I'm not worried about weight gain, if pounds come on I'll get them off again.

 

[tori.bh3]

Thanks for all of the kind words! I am so glad that the Disney and WW communities can cross paths. Food and Disney have to go hand in hand. I'm going to keep up with this thread with restaurants and keep adding snacks to the list. Please let me know if there is anything you would particularly care to see. I'd love to do the research!

 

[tori.bh3]

I've been on WW since the beginning of the year have lost 30 pound so far... About half of what I need to lose. I head to WDW the end of this week. I only have two TS ADR's, both are at places where I can get pretty straight foward protien and veggies. I have two planned treats... An ice cream martini and a hard root beer float (evidently I only drink alcohol if there's ice cream involved ). Other than that I'll be eating light and earlier. I plan on keeping my step count at double what I normally do, and will be taking morning walks around Hour Glass Lake to make sure some steps are actual walking.

I've had trips where I hate horribly and only gained a couple pounds, so I'm not worried about weight gain, if pounds come on I'll get them off again.

What a great plan! That really is the key - you are going in with a plan and planning for those indulgences! I am SO game for a hard coke float!

 

[OasterP]

I love this post!
First - I agree that not everyone can handle the mentality of a "short break". I thought I was in complete control the last time I went, and really did eat really well, but still had more treats than I normally do, and it was a huge spiral that was so hard to come back from. I am nowhere near as "fit" as I was that time, and I go back in a week. I'm hoping to come up with a plan, b/c I'm doing "ok" now.

I plan to run daily, like I did last time, and I plan to AVOID the huge cinnamon roll and especially the caramel corn. I already know what it tastes like....it's amazing, and I know I can't do moderation (for the popcorn). The cinnamon roll is delicious, but I just don't NEED to have it again. I am planning for treats - I'm just not sure which ones yet.

 

[squeezle]

At table service restaurants, you can always ask for extra veggies instead of the starch. And at some places you can even ask to have fruit instead of desert.

 

[TiffanyA]

I'm not doing WW (I'm low carb), and I do cheat a bit at Disney, but I agree that I try to make healthy choices on my diet. I'll sub out starches for veggies, throw away buns on burgers, go for the more moderately sized desserts. Like one of the PPs, I do worse when I have access to large amounts of food (like at buffets). I like portion-control and will pay for the more modestly plated option so I don't have to second-guess myself. I chose to walk to places if I can and will take stairs, skip boat rides, etc. But I also do these things so I can enjoy myself a little bit at Disney. I remind myself that it's not all down to just one day, but spread out over the week and the month. I remember that my trip to Disney is during just a small period in that month. If it means I need to be slightly more strict with myself after, fine. Just don't got hog-wild

 

[tori.bh3]

I'm not doing WW (I'm low carb), and I do cheat a bit at Disney, but I agree that I try to make healthy choices on my diet. I'll sub out starches for veggies, throw away buns on burgers, go for the more moderately sized desserts. Like one of the PPs, I do worse when I have access to large amounts of food (like at buffets). I like portion-control and will pay for the more modestly plated option so I don't have to second-guess myself. I chose to walk to places if I can and will take stairs, skip boat rides, etc. But I also do these things so I can enjoy myself a little bit at Disney. I remind myself that it's not all down to just one day, but spread out over the week and the month. I remember that my trip to Disney is during just a small period in that month. If it means I need to be slightly more strict with myself after, fine. Just don't got hog-wild

I love that Disney allows you to sub fruit and vegetable option so easily! I love the desserts at Disney, so I will try to "save points" to enjoy that later in the day by making these substitutions. Great thoughts! Thanks for your thoughtful reply!

 

[tori.bh3]

I love this post!
First - I agree that not everyone can handle the mentality of a "short break". I thought I was in complete control the last time I went, and really did eat really well, but still had more treats than I normally do, and it was a huge spiral that was so hard to come back from. I am nowhere near as "fit" as I was that time, and I go back in a week. I'm hoping to come up with a plan, b/c I'm doing "ok" now.

I plan to run daily, like I did last time, and I plan to AVOID the huge cinnamon roll and especially the caramel corn. I already know what it tastes like....it's amazing, and I know I can't do moderation (for the popcorn). The cinnamon roll is delicious, but I just don't NEED to have it again. I am planning for treats - I'm just not sure which ones yet.

I completely understand about the bad with moderation thing. I am AWFUL. Especially with popcorn/caramel corn. I can't keep my hand out of the bag! Completely mindless eating for me.

 

[loves to dive]

I agree with what goofyforfrez pointed out. I'm not on weight watchers but years ago lost about 30 pounds and have been able to keep the majority of it off for 10 years, allowing for an aging body (I'm 59) and a slower metabolism. I've been to WDW a number of times since the weight loss and with a little portion control and will power, it can be done. A word of caution about the vegetables, make sure there is no sauce on them and they have not been cooked in butter/oil. Also watch those salad dressings, might as well eat a good dose of french fries with the oil and calories some of them contain. I work out at least 3 times a week at home and while I no longer go to the gym at WDW, I do continue to do something while there. I get up bright and early every morning and walk/jog (blew out my knees so jogging doesn't happen often now) for at least 1/2 hour while there. It's a great opportunity to see the resorts with not many people around and gives me time for just me. I usually also find a nice peaceful out of the way place afterwards and do about 10 minutes of yoga, those stretches help a lot. I'm not a huge snacker between meals but I do eat about every 3 or 4 hours just not junk food type things. Every single park has fruit offerings and hummus. I do enjoy a refreshing adult beverage but stay away from sweet ones, for two reasons - they are packed with sugar and I tend to drink them like they are just a sweet drink meaning too fast. I'm a wine gal so the wine tastings at Epcot are perfect for me, small pours. I tend to eat a kids meal for breakfast and lunch most days. The protein for breakfast is the best way to start the day and the portion sizes are just perfect. Most of the time I get a fruit instead of dessert and save that for later in the day since I'm usually full from the meal. I never drink soft drinks even at home it's water, coffee (black) or a glass of wine every once in awhile for me so I don't drink them on vacation either. I don't do buffets either, it's too easy to keep going back and they kind of skeeve me out. I do splurge while there, just not a lot. Thankfully, I'm not a cupcake lover so those don't tempt me, I'm not a big buttered popcorn eater so again not tempted. My down fall is ice cream and cheese, I'm addicted to the stuff. I have a no sugar added cone every night at home but allow myself on single dip cone from France every time I'm at WDW. I'll usually get a cheese plate at TS restaurants then a salad for supper instead of an entre, that normally is more than enough for me. (of course even the appetizer cobb salad at Brown Derby is huge and full of naughty stuff like blue cheese but again, that's a splurge since I'd never eat that at home). There are plenty of healthy choices there if you are just mindful and read the menus. Enjoy.