[fitmom]

I need help, Featherweights! My family and I are going to Disney for one week and I'm afraid my hubby (who's on a strict diet, don't ask) and I will succumb to all the calorie-laden food that Disney is known for. I want to enjoy myself but I don't want to make the trip all about 'the diet', if you know what I mean.

I've pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I won't be running or doing HIIT or weight-lifting b/c of the odd hours we tend to keep. I could still do some non-weighted core work before bed once the kids are asleep. But diet I can definitely be strict with.

What can we eat at these lavish buffets that seem to accompany many of the character breakfasts? For some reason, lunch and dinner seem easier to navigate but breakfast is our downfall, lol. My hubby and I are super nervous that we will both backslide.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks.

[Swiss Miss]

This doesn't answer your question about what to eat, but I was just in Disneyland and at a trade show for about a week and ate more than maintenance (averaged about 500 calories a day over, I logged everything), but I also spent several hours a day walking and after dropping the water weight from the airplane I ended up coming home about half a pound lighter. I exercise about an hour a day at home but walking all day does seem to burn plenty of calories.

I was so close to my goal, like you are, that it was hard to not obsess but I tried to think of it as maintenance practice and loosened up a bit but made sure I truly wanted what I ate. And what I truly wanted was much less than what I would have truly wanted a couple years ago, so it was eye-opening as to how much I've changed in regards to how I think about and enjoy food.

[fitmom]

Thanks, Swiss Miss. I totally forgot about all the walking we'd be doing at all the various parks not to mention swimming, lol. I do agree that we'll probably be eating a lot less than we were last year when we went. I guess we're just nervous b/c we've been doing so well at home but this is the first vacation that we've gone on since changing our eating habits and regularly exercising. I feel better since reading your post. I'm just a worrywart, lol.

[doopdoop]

As someone who lives about 10 minutes from Disney, I can PROMISE you that nothing you can get to eat there is worth the calories. If someone is low carbing it, you can always get a giant turkey leg (not low sodium though), and recently there ARE stands that offer healthier options (fruit cups, baked chips, yogurt, etc), so there aren't too many excuses to eat poorly. Also, no alcohol in -most- of their parks, so you can waste any calories on that. Just keep your head up, be patient in looking for healthier options, and know that you'll have enjoyed your vacation so much more if you manage to keep yourself on track with the weightloss

[fitmom]

Yeah, I'm well aware of the no alcohol rule - my hubby and I don't drink much anyway. We've gone to Disney like close to 60 times since we've been married so I've seen plenty of those turkey legs particularly by the Haunted House, lol. It's just the breakfast buffets are laden with pancakes, syrup, danish, bacon, etc. - a real dieters' dream. Wow, 10 minutes. Awesome.

[doopdoop]

Haha, so you'd think. I'm pretty sure I've had enough "disney magic" for 10 lifetimes...I think I might be growing an extra arm.

Good luck, though. I know Disney is a mega challenge..and if you go to Epcot, it only becomes 10 times worse with the "food around the world" and all of the tasty foreign fare at every turn.

Breakfast buffets are indeed a force of evil. Maybe you can look at it this way: Who wants to traipse around Disney in 95 degree weather with 2 lbs of breakfast sausage and maple syurp and greasy muffins sitting inside of them? Go go fruit salad!

[EricAnn]

Breakfast buffets are my weak spot, I loooove breakfast foods. So I had to find a way to still have all that breakfasty goodness without wasting a days worth of calories. I follow the following rules to keep my calories low(er):

1) No seconds! I know it seems tempting and you feel like you're paying for it but you really don't need more than your first plate. Or if you really feel like going for seconds use the smaller plates they offer... not the full dinner size plates... for both "rounds".

2) Avoid putting butter/whipped butter/whipped cream topping and syrup on pancakes and/or waffles. The batter often has enough butter in it already that you don't need to put it on top as well, especially if you have syrup.*

3) I'm not a huge fan of bacon and sausage (or any breakfast meat really) simply because I know how they're prepared Stick with eggs for your protein.

4) Your plate should be half fruits and veggies (they're probably what you're paying for anyways - they're more expensive than the "bulk" sausages they serve you).

5) Try to avoid the pastries... I know, they're tempting. But could contain your entire breakfast worth of calories.

*Note about syrup: It has enough sugar in it that you really don't need anymore than 1tbsp... You can also try a low cal/fat/sugar jelly on your pancakes and/or waffles.

I hope some of these help you! The biggest ones that help me are using the smaller plates and not putting multiple toppings on my pancakes and/or waffles.

Oh, and I should add that moderation is key... as you know... so don't not have anything if you really want it, just don't have a lot of it.

[fitmom]

Thanks, EricAnn! I've been using smaller plates at home and that helps tremendously. My biggest downfall (and my hubby's too) is the breakfast meats. I'll have a piece of grilled ham every now and then with my eggs but bacon and sausage are like the real temptors, lol. Not much of a pastry person b/c I used to work in a bakery as a teenager and know how they are made - with loads of butter and sugar! I'm definitely sticking to eggs or oatmeal and lots of fresh fruit and cottage cheese. Ditto on feeling like you do have to go back to seconds, that kind of thinking got me in trouble initially. I just have to stay focused and stick to the plan.