Let's face it, Disney may be a vacation but it's also an everyday workout and puts major stress on your body! Of course it's a friendly place for folks from all walks of life and in every size, shape, and color so don't let your lack of physical fitness keep you from going (and for those wondering, there aren't many rides that have size requirements - Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Disney World can be a tight squeeze for anyone that is really tall but it's still doable). We usually log anywhere from 8-12 miles in a typical day at a Disney park, and that's going from 9am to park close. We take breaks for lunch, dinner, and usually two more times throughout the day to ensure we are staying cool and hydrated (more on that later!) We haven't had much time to prepare this year, but we usually take our dogs out for walks every day in anticipation of our trip. We like to start with just a mile a day and then gradually increase to 3 or more miles per day. We don't want to stress our pups with super long walks so we avoid the 8-12 miles that are expected at Disney but you get the idea. Just getting in the habit of walking can loosen up those joints and get your feet ready for what lies ahead. It's also a great time to break in any new shoes you plan to wear to the parks so you can avoid blisters later!
Hydration is key any time of year, but especially in hot and humid Florida. Remember, cups of water are free at most food service locations in the park and you can bring your own water bottles for refills at drinking fountains and some soft drink fountains. Drink more than you're comfortable with - every time you pull your phone out of your park bag, grab the water and take a drink, too.
If you don't currently take vitamins or supplements, consider adding a multivitamin and some extra Vitamin C to your daily routine at least 2-4 weeks before heading to Disney. Specialty immuno-boosts are handy, as well (think Emergen-C, Airborne, etc). You will want to keep these items with you on the trip and try to remember to take them while you're on vacation, as well.
You may follow all of this advice and STILL manage to get sick. Trust me, I know what it's like. It's frustrating to put so much effort into keeping yourself healthy and then come down with a cold on the second day (speaking from experience here...) The sundries shops in each resort offer remedies for all kinds of ailments but they're quite expensive compared to Walmart or Target's prices. Pack these items and then cross your fingers that you won't need them! It's better to be safe than sorry and your wallet will thank you later. - As a side note, PrimeNow is offered for most Disney resort locations and can deliver a variety of items to your resort if necessary. There are a few other delivery services, as well, so Google around if you need them.
Dieting to Disney - this is a pretty common phrase I've heard from a lot of people and I have to say I'm one of those people that gets suckered into it every year. To be honest, I'm always on a diet and it's the same story each time: diet, lose weight, go to Disney, end diet. I have no shame in admitting my habit because I don't regret it one bit. Disney offers a lot of great dining options and I will enjoy them for as long as I am able! However, I'm making a conscious effort to jump back on my diet when we return home from Disney World this year and I have a really good feeling this time because we successfully returned to our diet after Disneyland a month ago. If you don't think you can jump back on the wagon after a trip to Disney then you may be thinking that you'd prefer to stick with it while you're there - no problem! Disney chefs are incredibly accommodating of food requests, including special diets and allergies. Also, there are plenty of healthy options around the parks and lots of good snack choices. You can almost always swap the fries in your meal for apples and choose low-sugar dessert options! Take a look at the menus before you travel and create a plan of attack. Being armed with the knowledge of what you can eat and where to find it is the hardest part of the diet battle!
And if you're anything like me then a little visual reinforcement is helpful. Here's an example of the countdown tracker and weight loss visual I made for myself a couple years ago:
I kept this paper on my fridge so I could remind myself to make good choices anytime I was in the kitchen! It helped me to stay mindful of my goal while also being reminded of my reward!
Do you have any tips for getting healthy before a trip or staying healthy while you're at Disney? Share them with us!
No comments:
Post a Comment