Amazing food, mickey bars, drinks. Who thinks to diet when they’re on vacation anywhere, especially not at Walt Disney World? Well, according to everyone that answered when we asked on facebook, I’m one of a small minority that thinks about it while I’m on vacation! Some readers said they like to lose 5 lbs ahead of time, to balance out all of the Mickey Bars, while others stated that they generally walk enough to not think twice about it.
For me, however, I still think about it. Even post Half Marathon, it didn’t completely leave my mind. I should confess, while Jennifer Hudson I am not, I’ve been a Weight Watcher since 2002 and use it as a lifestyle, not just a diet. With this in mind, I absolutely indulge while at Walt Disney World. I love trying new things and discovering new (to me) foods, such as the cupcakes at Starring Rolls bakery in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. But, I shared one with my husband instead of eating the entire cupcake by myself.
I don’t necessarily think about points/calories/fat while I’m on the road, but I try not to fully indulge the whole day. If I’m planning on having a big dinner, I might go for a lighter lunch. Instead of a Mickey bar every day, I might have one once during a long trip, but than have a chocolate covered frozen banana instead. Instead of a Margarita (which I absolutely do love, but unfortunately know the calorie count), I’ll skip the Mexico Pavilion for the Italy Pavilion and pick up a glass of Rosa Regale, my favorite dessert wine.
I know some people head to the trails for a run or hit the gym before traveling the parks, and while I have been known to do that on vacation (on my honeymoon…), I agree that with all the walking, I’ll mostly even out some of the extra calories I’m eating. Realistically, even going Park Commando for a few days, I’m not burning enough calories to eat 3 buffet meals a day for a week and not gain 5 pounds. But I can walk the world showcase and stop for a few treats, I just try to choose wisely. I don’t feel guilty having a Bavarian pretzels at the German Pavilion, even though those nachos in Mexico smell divine. I’ll have pretty much anything instead of those Turkey legs served in the American Pavilion and several other places around Walt Disney World. At a whopping 1000 calories, they fooled me once thinking that they’re healthy, but that won’t happen again!
I think of it less as dieting and more of just making wise decisions. Maybe one day I’ll join Jennifer Hudson on those Weight Watcher commercials after all…
Jenn lives in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. with her husband, 1 year old son, and 2 bratty dogs. The primary writer at the Disney Babies Blog, she recently ran her first half marathon, at Walt Disney World in January, and plans to continue the tradition in the following years, maybe one day running the full and doing the Goofy Challenge. When not writing or running, Jenn can be found practicing yoga or playing the clarinet in a military band in the nation’s capitol.
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Great article! Keeping fit while at Disney World is a challenge, but it can be done. One of the best ways is to eat one meal – the easiest being breakfast – in the hotel room. Fruit, yogurt, hard boiled eggs, granola, whole wheat/grain bagels and more all make for an inexpensive and a relatively healthy option to start the day out right. And if you’re on the dining plan, instead of using a meal credit for breakfast, you can pile up points for maybe a deluxe dinner or two (depends on how else you split up your dining credits). Also, if you eat breakfast in-room, you don’t have to waste time eating in-park – you could instead be getting fastpasses to Toy Story Mania or Soarin instead! There’s lots of reasons to eat breakfast in-room.
Also, the #1 mistake people make is to believe they can eat anything they want all day long simply because they’ll “walk it off”. Can’t be further from the truth and it sabotages their calorie balance. A leisurely stroll around the park while stopping for attractions and stores (and restaurants) won’t balance out a potential 4,000-5,000 calorie day. Getting exercise in before leaving for the parks, or coming back to the hotel mid-day to beat the heat and getting some fitness center time in during that time is also an option.
It’s hard to keep an eye on diet when at The Mouse, but it can be helped out a little. Great article!