Hi there everyone!
I'm wondering if anyone out there has ever been to Walt Disney World on plan and lived to tell the tale? DD and I are going on our own in about 2 mos, and we have the pre-paid dining plan and I already have anxiety about how I'll handle my options.
I'm just freshly back on track after a really terrible couple of years where I was focused more on getting through some personal stuff. I had put all of my determination into "survivng" that mess, but now I am SO ready to be on track and on program again (I was once 280+, but have been down to 170).
I can slip into "binge/ don't count what I eat" mentality when I'm presented with my fave foods- many of which Mickey serves up daily. I'm also a little anxious about travelling "alone", which may contribute to poor decisions.
If anyone is familliar with the WDW dining plan, you'll know that desert comes with EVERYTHING! I'm telling myself to chose fruit when avail, or only have a couple bites of my faves, but I'm anxious that I'll slip into old ways. Last yr we went and DH and I had to cancel a really special romantic dinner because we were so sick of overeating. I don't want a repeat!
THANKS SO MUCH
Hi there!
How exciting!!! I love vacations!!!
I have never been to DisneyWorld, so I can't help with the specifics. But I AM a veteran of vacations without food choices! The ONLY advice that I have is that you should make the best choices that you can, every day, and recognize that you won't be able to control everything and to expect a small temporary bump up in weight as a result. Get your head around this, and you'll be OK. And get right back on track when you return. And I mean, RIGHT. BACK. ON. PLAN.
But the key is to make the BEST food choices possible. And NOT to give yourself permission to have all of your favorites because they are there. After all, these treats will ALWAYS be there, and you can partake of them LATER, when you have more control over your diet as a whole, like at home. (When I used to vacation, it was an excuse to binge -- I might as well have that chocolate cheesecake because I'm only here once -- but the sad truth is that I can have chocolate cheesecake any time. It isn't like this is the LAST TIME EVER that there will be a chocolate cheesecake!) And to accept the fact that I can make the best choices ever, but I can't control alot of it (in the sense that I'm not in the kitchen with the chef so I don't REALLY know what is going on, even when I make special orders...).
So GO, have FUN, be PRUDENT, and get back on plan when you return.
Yes, I have experience of staying (nearly) on plan and dining at Disneyworld, twice in fact. I'm not a WW but normally a calorie counter who keeps low fat. Are you on the full Dining Plan or the Quick Service one? Basically I set myself some rules which were: no fries, no pastries, nothing deep fried, nothing with cheese (except maybe a sprinkling like on a salad), nothing with butter or cream sauces. I did take some Slimfast bars and ready to use drinks with me which I often had for breakfast (except when we had a character one) or I had a bagel with low fat philly cheese. I also came with some healthy snacks in my luggage. I had no problem finding fruit for snacks (you can get a fruit salad, grape cup or pineapple cup as DP snacks). Had some issues with counter-service restuarants where even the 'healthy' salad would come ready prepared with tons of not so healthy dressing. Also some of the counter service places would let me swap a dessert for a snack (not all though) and many did have yogurt anyways.
However, for the most part I had carefully picked our table-service restaurants so I knew in advance there would be something suitable on the menu. I did steer away from calorie laden desserts but did allow myself sorbet on a couple of occasions, berries or once I had a fruit tartlet but ate the topping and left the pastry crust.
First time I came back a pound lighter, but I still had a lot to lose then. Recently, I thought I'd done well and weighed in on my return exactly the same as I'd left. However a week later and I was 4lb up so it might have been due to dehydration on the flight that I didn't see the gain straight-away.
I hope you enjoy your vacation but I do think its possible to eat in a fairly health manner with a little bit of planning.
I just went with my family, and we packed healthy snacks. whole grain crackers, low fat cheese sticks, sun chips, and lots of water. We planed to pack lunch but ended up not going that route. We ate at Pinocchio haus and even though I choose chicken pieces and fries, they did have a salad option. There is a lot of walking so remember you will be burning extra calories. Also, you are not on your own, you are with your daughter so just think about what kind of example you want to set for her. What ever you do, have FUN. i would totally live there, right in Cinderella's castle if someone would let me...lol
I lost 2 1/2 pounds once while visiting WDW and staying OP. There are plenty of points-friendly, healthy foods available from the Mouse. Give Mickey a kiss from me!
We went last year and I managed to stay on plan.....we used to have season passes for WDW when we lived in FL & in the summer heat you always want to really eat light anyway It's not hard since they have a variety but with that comes lots of temptations too!
Most of the sit down restaurants you can pull up there menus to give you an idea and start planning.....have fun!!!
Thanks for all of the suggestions guys! You're all VERY inspiring!
We have the reg dining plan- 1 counter, 1 sitdown, 1 snack.
I think what I'm taking away from all of you is to PLAN, make some ground rules, and keep my focus on the fun AND my goal.
It's reassuring to know that it CAN be done.
THANKS- I'll give Mickey a hug and kiss for you all!
(and I always wished someone would let me live in the castle too!)
Ha! My husband is an electrician- I told him the same thing after we saw a program about the various cool electrical jobs there.... I said I'd work for the haunted mansion....
"good eeeevening!"
I'm heading for Disney World next week, and I've been checking out the menus for the different places on their website. We were there a year ago too, and the food choices are much better than they were just a few years ago. You will be able to have healthy options, and just think of all of that walking you'll be getting in!!! Have fun!! I can't wait!!!
Do you need a personal care worker to go with you? I'm available!
I'll haul luggage, entertain your DD while you go have a massage, pick up tickets, blot your forehead if you get warm, stand in lines on your behalf...
Kira
Hi Tammy- Best wishes for an amazing trip! I'll think of you as the test probe- let me know what you find... if you're not too busy hangin' with Mickey that is! I did notice last yr that there seemed to be healthier options, but my head wasn't in the game, so I really didn't take advantage of them, or bother to get a really good look.
I made a list of must have treats yesterday- funny. It's actually pretty short!
Kiramira- then I really would feel like a princess!
Firstly, it's a vacation and if you have a slight gain, forgive yourself and enjoy. It's an expensive place to be and you don't want to be fretting the entire time.
The good news is that you'll be doing lots of walking. The other semi-good news is that it will be hot and you will be perspiring a bit.
Drink lots of water, avoid soda.
Most of the Disney food places are on line, I think, and you can look over menus ahead. One thing I do not remember much about my family trip there was food quality. The few decent meals we had there were in the more expensive places. What saved me was that we stayed in Kissama (sp?) and left the part late in the afternoon and went for a swim at our hotel and then out to dinner at a local restaurant on the "strip". We enjoyed Red Lobster and Dennys and you can sure find good choices on program at that kind of place. We ate at a buffet for breakfast at our hotel each morning before heading over to the park. There was oatmeal, grits, and tons of fruit and healthy choices like yogurt and such there. I did succumb to bacon as it is a weakness and I seldom had it, but I figure I walked that off.
Relax and enjoy. Remember to choose water over anything else and you will have a great time.
The water on tap is free but not so tasty, so for counter service places, I always ask for that, then add a "To Go" little pack of Chrystal Light.
DH and I just made ressies to go back in December, on his birthday, to get the free 1 day admission for him. Can't wait!!
Btw, when our family goes to WDW, we always send a box of stuff we won't be bringing back (diapers, wipes, juice boxes, snacks, handi-wipes, etc) to the room ahead of time. The Disney resorts will hold it for you.
Walt Disney World on plan:)?
, and we have the pre-paid dining plan and I already have anxiety about how I'll handle my options. 
It's not hard since they have a variety but with that comes lots of temptations too!
