Going to Disney during P3...help!

[Randi]

My family is going to Disneyland next month. I will be in Phase 3 by then but only by 10 to 11 days. I would really like to "relax" a bit on my food choices while I'm there but I don't want to sabotage all my hard work and progress for a weeks vacation either. Any thoughts on the best way to approach my vacation? I still have about 4 weeks before we leave but I'd would love to be as prepared as possible so that I don't gain a ton while at Disney.

[C'Marie]

I LOVE Disneyland. Remember to eat P3, lowcarb, no starch/no sugar. If you are 10 or so days into P3, AND you stabilize carefully, you should be fine by then and not fluctuating the weight too wildly. When you begin your P3, go super super slow. Do it like P2, but add breakfast of eggs, and double your protein amount for lunch and dinner. Mix up your veggies, salad, and a teeny healthy fat. Don't add anything else for a few days. Then add one new thing, like a fattier cut of meat, a new fat, a new veggie - but still stick to P3 rules. Don't add any nuts and if you have a little bit of cheese, hold it to an ounce or two. The biggest mistake people make is adding too many different things and it really throws some people for a loop - and results in quickly gaining.

Have you been there before? Are you familiar with the food choices available?
In Disneyland, you can have those turkey drumsticks down by the center! YUM! You can also have a burger and cheese but not the bun. They also sell apples and other fruit down main street. You can have a nice coffee with cream and a no sugar flavor! YUM! You can eat out in a restaurant for breakfast with nice eggs and bacon or ham! You can have wonderful salads with meat and lots of veggies!

It's a wonderful place, there are lots of LC choices. Just remember starch and sugar are not your friends. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, and Pluto ARE! enjoy the time with your family and focus on all the sights. You can do it!

There are links to online menus from allears, might give you some ideas.

(at the tiki room, don't have the dole whip - it's got sugar in it. Ask if the pineapple spear does or doesn't.)

[Randi]

Thank you! We have been to Disneyland but not since 2009. This is a special trip I am taking my boys on to celebrate me graduating from nursing school next month! This trip is to thank them for putting up with me always being gone or having my nose in my books and understanding why mom had to miss so many sports and school events.

So basically if I eat "Atkins like" and not add in foods too fast I should be okay? Thank you so much for your reply and the link to the menus is helpful!

[C'Marie]

Yes, you should be ok. Do not overeat, though. Sometimes people think that if they just eat like Atkins they can eat anything they want with no restrictions. No need to overdo. Remember to drink your water - dehydration can make you gain water weight, strangely enough. I see you are in Oregon. If you are flying, that can make you gain water weight too. Are you bringing a scale?

[Randi]

We are flying. I'm not sure if I want to bring the scale or not. I am the type of person that my weight can make or break my day when I am trying to lose, so I am a bit torn about wither I will bring it or not.

[C'Marie]

I understand. Let's just help get you stable! I only ask because I've done it both ways, traveled with a scale and traveled without. I wondered what your plan was. I went on a cruise once and thought I was doing ok and came back one week later with 8 pounds extra. I've also been ok. (I've done lots of rounds!) Once in awhile I've surprised myself and done really well, and seeing it on the scale made me relax a little. If you take it, you could decide to do a partial correction day if you feel you are getting off track. OR You could just plan one regardless, like a super low carb day in the middle or something, even if you didn't take it. How many days are you going? Will you get a break in the days just to rest at all, or will it be go, go, go!?

[julieboolie]

I'm leaving Wed. for DL! I'm in P4 though.

There are all kinds of "safe" food options in DL. Bunless anything, salads, Flos V8 cafe in DCA has turkey, beef, etc. You can also bring food into the parks. We'll be doing this as dd and dh are gluten free. You could bring nuts, cheese sticks, pepperoni, fruit, etc. I ordered the Quest protein bars from netrition and will be carrying them too. LC and yummy!

I am so excited for our trip and I know you must be too!! Any gains you can correct when you get home. I'm not advising you to go hog wild, but if you do bring home some unwanted souvenirs, you can get rid of them .

[C'Marie]

Good advice as always, Julie!

Be aware many of those plus the restaurant meals have SALT and will make you retain, just don't get freaked out about that, it'll pass after you get home. I end up with swollen ankles every dang time I fly and then I eat more salt out of the house (and it's not the good sea salt or celtic that I use at home either - makes your retain more).

If you are pretty stable by then and have no allergies to them I 2nd Julie's suggestion of good raw nuts - easy to carry on the plane and a handful with a big glass of water will keep you from starving and reaching for something you'll regret

[buttah]

Good advice all around.

I'd like to add one thing, living in Socal and having been to DL many times:

There are FAR better places to eat in this world than Disneyland. (While it would seem there is lots of gastric promise, my taste buds are nearly always disappointed there.) Enjoy your celebration and having your family around you, bring some P3 safe options in your purse like Julie said, and save your indulgences for another time. If you can do that, with all that walking, you might even lose.

[Randi]

Thanks for the advice everyone. We are staying in a 1 bedroom villa that the Grand Californian so I plan on having some groceries delivered so I should be able to eat most of my meals in room. I am sure this will help.
@Marie, we will be gone 7 days with pretty much go, go, go including one day at Knotts Berry Farm. I am thinking I may just go ahead and bring my scale, does not mean I have to use it, but it will be there if I need to "check" myself at all

[pandora174]

I have been not to Disneyland but Disney world several times being on hcg or low cal. I have actually lost weight & then other trips gained weight

First of all drink tons of water. Most if not all of the trips I've gained weight was due to not drinking enough water. It is possible to eat healthy. I've chosen the salads, fruit, pickle (careful on sodium), had the wrap without the wrap or the chicken/burger without the bun. I've also had a bite from my son or husband's dessert when I wanted something but not the whole thing. When we ate at a restaurant I stuck to fish & asked steamed or grilled & had no sauce or simple veggie. I do agree the trips I didn't gain weight we ate outside of Disney before we got to the parks. Made my choices much easier.

We're going back in Jan which I will be in P4 & planning on eating like a "skinny person" as my BF & I call it. I've learned to enjoy the sights, sounds, music, shopping and not focus on the food like I used to. Good luck & have fun !