I am so excited to be going back to DisneyWorld this June, but I am NERVOUS!
We have the free quick service dining plan, and there ARE healthy options available, but... I know that I will be tempted by Dole Whip floats, Mickey bars and the giant cinnamon bun on Main Street!
We ate all we wanted last year but with all of the walking (an average of 9 miles a day), I came home 2 lbs. lighter than when I left!
We will be 6 months into our plan by then, hubby and son will most certainly be in phase 3 and I will still be plugging away at phase 2 (hopefully hitting 199 by that time!)
So, here is my question... do you just go and enjoy your vacation but not go INSANE????
I'm almost wishing this was going to be a beach vacation this year instead as I would be able to stay on program better. But we do love our Disney and DS won't be "my baby" much longer.
I'm not on South Beach but wanted to chime in anyway because I'm a Disney nut
We went to Disney last August for two weeks and although I was NOT on a diet of any sort, I lost a few pounds just from all the walking. I ate several Dole Whips - LOL. I tend not to be a heavy eater on vacation, especially Disney, because I'm so busy. So I say, keep active with the walking and swimming and try not to worry too much about it.
Lees, your Disney vacation sounds like so much fun! Just try to remember, though, how far you've come on SBD. You know that straying off-plan will most definitely induce cravings. Do you think you'll be able to handle them without caving in completely?
Since you will have plenty of healthy options available, take full advantage and fill up on the healthy, on-plan foods. Then, maybe, try the 3-bite rule if you feel you absolutely must have a taste of any other Food Porn. Most of us find that our tastes have changed after following SBD for a while, and those cinnamon buns and Mickey Bars may not taste as good as they used to.
Thanks for the comments... we were just talking about this and we don't think we ate as much last trip (compared to our prior October trip) because it was so darn hot!
I think we will "share the pixie dust" by giving our free desserts to other vacationers (we did this a couple of times last time too) because who really needs dessert with lunch and dinner?
Disney does it right with fresh fruit and even carrots available around the parks.
I know that I can have the rotiserrie chicken and green beans in both MK and DHS, and AK, I can get salmon and salad at Epcot and I can do salads for lunch!
I just wanted to add that I'm also not a SBDer but we went to Disney last summer and found a great restaurant in Orlando called Season 52. Nothing on their menu is more than 475 calories and I think you could find something there to enjoy! Here is a link: http://www.seasons52.com/menu/about_menu.asp
When I went, I did gain weight but when I got back, I lost all the weight within 2 weeks. A lot of the gain was water weight from the flight and higher sodium consumption. So....even if you see a gain, don't panic. Have a wonderful time!
It is vacation. And while going hog wild isn't adviced, don't torture yourself either. This is a vacation and experiencing good food and meals are part of the vacation - at least it is for 99% of us.
When we went to California a few weeks ago we went to Disneyland, I just tried to pick the healthiest options they had and I packed a few op snacks to bring with me for when DH and DD2 opted for something I did not want. I lost 3 lbs that week and still had a great time.
I went on a cruise last September when I was only 2.5 months into SBD. I was a nervous wreck! Same as you, I wondered if I could get through it ok. Wondering if I was going to be stuck eating salads all cruise. Wondering if I would truly enjoy my vacation.
I think I went off plan with food twice - I tasted a roasted potato and had 10 french fries. I made the best possible choices and worked within limitations. I drank tons of water and was very active (we went snorkeling 4 times in 7 days). I did drink alcohol (glass of champagne here and there) as well. I also kept a food log in a notebook since I couldn't log in here. I came back fine. No big cravings but it did take me a while to lose the 3 pounds I did for the month.
Disney is notorious for customer service - they will gladly give you sauces on the side or give you options. And if you MUST have something, I like the 3 bite rule. It's just enough to satiate the craving so you can stop thinking about that Mickey Rice Krispy Treat!!!!
If it was me on this vacation, I'd plan out the things that I'd feel cheated for not eating and allow myself one of those treats per day, and eat on-plan as much as possible the rest of the time.
I LOVE Disney, well amusement parks in general, and was at Universal in Januray. I allowed myself to have what I wanted, and I did indulge.
My thought is that it's vacation, be reasonable but do your best to not go overboard. Enjoy yourself as if you were in maintenance mode. I ended up gaining under 2 lbs but immediately lost it the next week plus a couple.
It's inevitible that there will be events, vacations, parties, gatherings etc....many of which revolve around food. I dont believe that its realistic to avoid them or not enjoy yourself by being overly restrictive on special occasions. Go with the flow without going crazy and making the best decisions possible and most importantly.....have fun!
Lee, I bet by the time June rolls around you will feel confident. Just stick with the programme and it will become second nature to you by then. It IS more than three months away.
Yay Disney people! DH and I go to Disneyland about 5 or 6 times a year and love it. It's all about deciding how on plan you want to be. I usually pick a couple things that I really love (Dole Whip!) and leave the rest alone. The parks have really done a great job of adding healthier options too. Check out allears, they have listings of all the menus at the parks and ususally the downton area. I know I feel much better when I can plan ahead and know my options.
Also, we pack lots of snacks, bring a camelback for water, and make sure to have an on plan breakfast. I also tend to count my calories (including the calories burned by walking) so that I have an extra level of accountability. Oddly enough, my biggest struggle doesnt come from eating off plan at the park, but on the drive there and back.
I am going on a cruise in a few weeks; Jenn, the log is a great idea and I'm definitely going to do that!!
I can't do the three bites rule! I wish I could. I've never been able to take three bites of anything. I'm planning on doing what Atkins loser said up there--my biggest downfall is impulse eating, so I think if I plan out my cheats so I get the most bang for my buck I'll be able to stay close to my plan the rest of the time. I just don't want to find myself grabbing donuts on the buffet just because they're there. And I don't want to spend my whole cruise feeling bloated and tired! I have felt so great since I started SB.
I think making sure you have a healthy breakfast is a good idea, too. I may put some muesli in my bag, along with some herbal tea bags just in case the cruise water tastes funky and of course, a bottle of wine.
Also I plan on doing a week or two of P1 when I get home. Even if I do stay close to plan I know the sodium, etc, is going to take it's toll.
I love Disney too and I miss going with my daughter and my niece when they were small! We used to go almost every year. Universal, too. Have a great time!
We pulled up all of the menus last night and it looks like they have updated with even MORE healthy choices! I think you can also exchange your "free quick service dessert" for a pack of grapes or apple slices. I am going to do that for lunch, then maybe have a bite of a dessert for dinner.
I have these great little packs of natural peanut butter that I will be packing and I can have that with the apples for an afternoon snack!
We will probably do eggs for breakfast, because I am pretty sure all of the oatmeal is instant, they only have regular bacon and sausage.
I'm not sure about yogurt options there.
We saw a commercial for the South Beach diet bars last night, and while I know they aren't "ideal", I was wondering about using those for a couple of breakfasts... what do you think? (I would never use them at home, but they may be a good vacation option!).
The bars NEVER work for me. They taste so much like sugar, it's unreal. It sets me off for the day. If I must have something, I will eat a protein bar that's not tasty, and only at night as it will set off cravings usually for me.
Missus - the cruise is VERY doable. I packed up on whole fruits a lot - I was able to take them off the ship too! Just not on. Steamed shrimp at dinner as my appetizer, lots of fish, eggs at breakfast (I did eat 2 slices of "regular" bacon on those days I was doing an excursion). I didn't trust their "wheat" bread but it did ok in a pinch. What line are you cruising? And where are you going???
Nervous about our June Vacation
I wish I could. I've never been able to take three bites of anything. I'm planning on doing what Atkins loser said up there--my biggest downfall is impulse eating, so I think if I plan out my cheats so I get the most bang for my buck I'll be able to stay close to my plan the rest of the time. I just don't want to find myself grabbing donuts on the buffet just because they're there. And I don't want to spend my whole cruise feeling bloated and tired! I have felt so great since I started SB.
