Disney world and diets
laurahamm96
Posts: 46 Member
We are heading to Disney World (16 days, woot!!!) and im wondering how I should go about counting my calories and my calories burned while there. I know from last time we went I will walk about 8 miles per day, but at the same time there are food I will be eating that I dont normally eat (creme brule mmmm)
Part of me just wants to say screw it and enjoy myself and it will all work out in the end.
Part of me just wants to say screw it and enjoy myself and it will all work out in the end.
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Replies
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If you don't have the MFP app for your mobile, I recommend it. It's quick, easy, and has a barcode scan feature.
A few days of "screw it" is fine, but if it's a week or two, I think you should definately still keep an eye out. Maybe not as much because it's vacation, but be mindful of what you're putting in to your mouth.
Take it one day at a time. Enjoy a snack or dessert once a day, rather than all day. It's the little choices that make the largest impact.
Most importantly, have a good time!0 -
We are heading to Disney World (16 days, woot!!!) and im wondering how I should go about counting my calories and my calories burned while there. I know from last time we went I will walk about 8 miles per day, but at the same time there are food I will be eating that I dont normally eat (creme brule mmmm)
Part of me just wants to say screw it and enjoy myself and it will all work out in the end.
I went to Disneyland, and spent 3 days there. My calorie burn was higher than normal because I was on my feet for a long period of time, walking and running and excited! We ate and didn't really watch the intake. Still came home with positive numbers.
It's a vacation, enjoy yourself. If it goes up 2 pounds it may be water weight so don't sweat it.
(I know someone will grill me for this, but ... oh well. I'm speaking from experience).0 -
Keep in mind, too, that you will be walking all day0
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there is lots of healthy food at disney, and getting a kids meal can save you some money and keep portions appropriate.0
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I actually lost weight while at disney! You walk soooooooo much you can't not lose weight! lol!
Enjoy every minute! It truly is a magical place (coming from someone who never wanted to go to begin with!)0 -
keep your portions under control and you'll be fine! It's a vacation...ENJOY!0
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A pedometer can cost as little as $5-$10 dollars, some of which track the calorie burn along with how many steps. That'll give you a better gauge of how much you're walking. Most of the foods you'll find there are in the database of MFP, so I'd suggest still tracking.
- Split foods you want to try with friends or family.
- Drink water with every snack/meal.
- Don't worry about it too much! If you know you're going to be over regularly, it might be an issue, but if you allow yourself to indulge in moderation you'll have nothing to worry about.
- Hotel-room workouts. Bodyweight movements. Or the hotel gym.0 -
I am going to put a pedometer with a calorie burned tracker on my shopping list, I totally forgot I could likely find one local. Thank you!!0
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I am going in a few months. SO excited! I plan on just trying to make sure I don't completely make a pig of myself, just stay mindful of what I eat and drink plenty of water. We have the dining plan plus (1 sit down meal, 1 quick service and 1 snack) So I figure that should keep me on a limit somewhat. Have fun!!!0
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I actually lost weight on a trip to Disney. So much walking!!!0
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Turkey legs...0
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Oh yeah, they have fruit stands now!
So there is an alternative, but truthfully, how often do you eat while at the park??? At most, I got a total of two meals, and most days it was just one. Not by choice, but with everything going on, it's hard to fit in food when you want to ride, rides. :happy:0 -
I'd just enjoy it. All that walking will negate most or all of your excess intake. Hell, last time I went on a vacation like that I lost 3lbs. Several hours of walking burns a surprising amount of calories. Who cares anyway, how much damage could you really do? A couple pounds? Oh no!
Have fun.0 -
I've never been to Disneyworld (Land when I was a kid), but it's such a dream that I occasionally do research. And given how much I love food, I often read about the delicious food there. I seem to recall seeing an article about healthy choices at both parks, so if you google that, you might be able to make some plans for specific places to eat.
Another suggestion is to follow the "Slim Fast" rule....maybe eat sensibly for 2 meals, and then go WILD for one meal. Or decide which foods you MUST have, and resist the rest?0 -
Plus, remember that everything there costs 5x what it would anywhere else, so that might help you walk past the funnel cake!0
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Log it, but don't fret it.0
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We were at Disney World back in April, and I wore my pedometer most days just to see how much I walked. Like you- I think in an 8 hour day at a park, I walked around 5-8 miles. Not fast, but still-- lots of walking. I tried to be mindful of what I ate-- but I was away and not able to prep food at home (obviously!) so I was sure I'd gain at least a pound or two in 6 days. But I didn't!! I was shocked when I got home-- not a pound gained! I stayed away from all sodas and drinks- just brought tons of bottles of water into the parks in my backpack (froze them the night before and tucked 3 or 4 in my bag, refilled at water fountains as needed!) and then I bought their fruit at some of the stands, and a salad with chicken for lunch. My breakfasts were usually big (at the Jambo house hotel buffet) but I'd swipe an extra apple or two, and tuck those in my backpack as well. So really- water and apple and maybe a salad each day... then an 'ok' dinner...
You just have to plan. Bring some snacks and water-- try to eat those each day. Allow yourself ONE favorite item each day- and try to choose something sensible off the menus at dinner time. Know that eating out at restaurants means tons of sodium-- so it's important to just drink lots of water each day. It can be done!!!0 -
Turkey legs...
Yes this!0 -
I don't know about Disney World but Disneyland has a lot of healthy options. I have a hard time resisting the corn dogs there, and usually I don't !0
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We are on the dining plan, and we will be eating at a lot of buffets (need to see mickey!) so I am assuming I will be able to make semi good choices. In the long run I dont think going over for a few days with the added walking wll kill my progress.0
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My family went to WDW last year in August. My wife and I had only been on MFP for a couple months and were at the beginning of our weight loss journey. Honestly, I did not log my food during the vacation. I know I ate more calories than usual but my energy use was also much higher. I just made a really focused effort at not eating crap. I declined fries when I could or simply threw them out if I couldn't. I picked grilled chicken options over most other choices. There is a restaurant right on the edge of Fantasyland (Can't recall the name) that serves grilled salmon on a quick serve basis. That was yummy and a great choice. Both my wife and I ended up losing weight during the week. Just stay focused on good food choices and I don't think you will have to log every moment of the day.
One thing that most people also don't realize is that calorie burns are higher in extreme temperatures. If you have typical Florida August heat and humidity, your caloric burns will be greater even doing just simple activities. I found the journal article once that laid out the formula for increased calorie burn per degree of ambient temperature over 65 F, but I couldn't tell you the exact calculation. It's out there on the internet somewhere if you want to find it.0 -
I'm so excited for you! I absolutely love Disney World. Anyway, just pack healthy snacks with you, as you are allowed to bring them into the park. Keep yourself hydrated (not just for your diet's sake, but for your own safety. I've seen people pass out on numerous occasions from dehydration.) With really extravagant treats, try splitting them with a family member (although I don't think I could bear to split my Dole Whip!) You can also prepare yourself a bit by looking at the menus of places you plan on dining and noting healthy menu options. Most of the buffets I have been to have an assortment of fresh fruits & veg. http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm is a great resource for dining menus.
Hope this helps! Enjoy your trip!0 -
I was there in April and didn't put on a pound, I had whatever I wanted for breakfast pretty much, then the rest was healthy options. I also had pizza (the ones you can order to the room, it was nasty and I don't recommend it but I was starving and it was hubbie's idea), a French pastry (totally worth it), a German hotdog (totally worth it), both from Epcot World Showcase, and a huge plate of pasta and meatballs for dinner at the restaurant hotel. Hubby ate whatever and put on 3 lbs.
My advice is if you're going to have a treat, make sure it's a good one, and not those nasty french fries the restaurants have or whatever... that's not worth it. I didn't bother logging, as I had no idea how many calories were in everything anyway (and I had quest protein bars with me for snacks). But yes, we talked a whole lot, so it definitely helped (bring GOOD shoes. I was in sandals and it was torture, plus they got ruined).
ETA: those turkey legs everyone raves about are 1000 calories. I'd pass, lol.0 -
With the dining plan you are on it is good--not too much (the full dining plan people tell me is way too much). Bring in healthy snacks if you can, drink lots of water (they have water fountains), and walk a lot! There are some healthy choices, but I still find them few and far between.
In any case even if you indulge, it is only a short time and you will get back on track. Have a blast and hope for no hurricanes!0 -
We went in June to Disney....it was AWESOME!!!
As far as activity - pedometers are wonderful things.
With the dining, I pretty much said, "screw it" and didn't log anything, BUT I did half-way pay attention to what I was eating - trying to eat grilled chicken instead of fried chicken, having the kids meal portion or splitting a dinner plate with my husband, that sort of thing.0 -
We used to have season passes to Disney when we lived in Tampa. My suggestion is that you bring your own snack with you to Disney. They allow you to bring a backpack in with water (which I recommend because their water tastes funny) and you can pack fruit or nuts or any other healthy snack. That way, between meals, you aren't tempted to buy something highly caloric like a pretzel or other junk. You can still have delicious food during meals! Just be mindful of what you eat and track your walking! Have SO much fun! Disney is great!
P.S. They don't allow glass containers so make sure all of your stuff is in plastic or non-glass containers.0 -
Don't forget, most of the food at Disney is mediocre-to-terrible. There are come exceptions at Epcot and at some of the real restaurants (Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge is *amazing*) but passing on nasty hot dogs and burgers should be pretty easy, even when the alternative is iceberg lettuce topped with rubbery chicken.
(Went to one of those "lunch with the princesses" meals with my neice - good lord, was that incredibly overpriced, terrible food.)0 -
We are heading to Disney World (16 days, woot!!!) and im wondering how I should go about counting my calories and my calories burned while there. I know from last time we went I will walk about 8 miles per day, but at the same time there are food I will be eating that I dont normally eat (creme brule mmmm)
Part of me just wants to say screw it and enjoy myself and it will all work out in the end.
Creme Brulee? Yummy. I am a disney world fanatic as well. Going in October, can't wait.. Good Luck with the diet. I just don't overeat and you already can exercise by walking alot of miles there. Plus drinks lots of water. May I ask which resort are you staying at? A few of them have fitness centers.0 -
Go on all the rides, scream your head off & wave your arms about = still keeping fit!
I would not advise you do that off the rides though you might get funny looks..0 -
We are on the dining plan, and we will be eating at a lot of buffets (need to see mickey!) so I am assuming I will be able to make semi good choices. In the long run I dont think going over for a few days with the added walking wll kill my progress.
Did you get the free dining promo? That is an awesome thing.0
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