A VERY sensitive topic

[WaltzingMatilda]

Our trip is booked for the last week of September and a member of our party has...don't know how else to say it..."weight" issues. My hope is that this person will make an effort to get into shape but every time I've tried to broach the topic I'm rebuffed (which I understand...who wants to be criticized?). I want everyone involved to have a good time, but most importantly this person and I think they will have a better time (in life, not just Disney) if steps were taken to address this issue. I don't care about looks, just health and general enjoyment of life. There is no medical condition involved, just poor nutrition choices and lack of execise. I think this person will enjoy their visit to the park much more if steps were taken towards a fitness goal.

Wow..I'm kind of freaked out about even posting this.

Thanks for your understanding.

 

[jesserin]

http://allearsnet.com/tp/ridsiz.htm

Here's some great tips for those of a larger stance to enjoy the parks as much as anyone!

 

[The Mom]

I'm someone who is constantly struggling with my weight, and trust me, I know when I'm "fat" so neither need nor appreciate it when someone else points it out to me.

If losing, and KEEPING, weight off were easy, we would all be at our ideal weight. It takes me almost a month to lose a pound or two, but I can gain 5 pounds in a week.

 

[Tweedle Adie]

I'm someone who is constantly struggling with my weight, and trust me, I know when I'm "fat" so neither need nor appreciate it when someone else points it out to me.

If losing, and KEEPING, weight off were easy, we would all be at our ideal weight. It takes me almost a month to lose a pound or two, but I can gain 5 pounds in a week.

THANK YOU :sohappy:


I understand that this was not trying to isolate your friend but by trying to make him lose weight for your trip you may be doing just that.

If you really want to do something then involve everyone who is going. Have a group walk scheduled where you all go and get your Disney Legs ready, you all will be walking more than usual and you can all have fun as you plan your trip while walking. That is only my humble suggestion as to not make anyone feel like they are less than perfect in your eyes.

 

[tigsmom]

THANK YOU :sohappy:


I understand that this was not trying to isolate your friend but by trying to make him lose weight for your trip you may be doing just that.

If you really want to do something then involve everyone who is going. Have a group walk scheduled where you all go and get your Disney Legs ready, you all will be walking more than usual and you can all have fun as you plan your trip while walking. That is only my humble suggestion as to not make anyone feel like they are less than perfect in your eyes.

Glad I wasn't the only one who was a little sensitive to this. :lookaroun

The "get your Disney Legs" walks are a great idea! We do that too starting a few months before our trip. Its a good way to sneak in exercise without having to hear the whining. :lol:

Why not try to plan some meals beforehand? Maybe make the ADRs for the places that have the "healthiest" choices in foods. Junk food on vacation is a must I know, but sneak in some good nutrition too....like maybe trying a new restaurant "because you heard the food was good".

Overweight people live with the problems everyday and don't need to be reminded of it. Maybe there is an underlying self esteem issue, depression or a host of other problems that cause your friend's poor choices. Please don't judge, accept them for the good person they are...warts and all.

Enjoy your trip :wave:

 

[decbysteph]

Being overwieght most of my life, I can say that nothing someone says or implies usually helps the situation at all. Everyone knows when they are overweight, and I would certainly think that everyone knows that in order to solve that problem you have to work at your eating habits and activity level. I woke up one day this last October and said to myself, "that's it, I don't want to be this heavy person anymore", and now here I sit 75 lbs lighter! (only have 10 more lbs to go!)

So I would suggest telling this person that you have increased YOUR activity level so that YOU don't have a hard time with all the walking at WDW. Then it's up to that person to hopefully get moving. And just to note one thing, it is tremendously difficult to start a fitness program or new eating habits and stick with it at first. But it does get easier and easier, and just becomes a part of your life. Good luck!

 

[napnet]

Overweight people live with the problems everyday and don't need to be reminded of it. Maybe there is an underlying self esteem issue, depression or a host of other problems that cause your friend's poor choices.

You'd be surprised the mental issues that can cause over weight. My personal problem was actually a bad case of ADHD. I would get so bored and just eat and got up to 300lbs.

Anyways, I find the best exersize i get is walking around the parks. I'd be in great shape if i went every day

 

[masterv]

I'm someone who is constantly struggling with my weight, and trust me, I know when I'm "fat" so neither need nor appreciate it when someone else points it out to me.

If losing, and KEEPING, weight off were easy, we would all be at our ideal weight. It takes me almost a month to lose a pound or two, but I can gain 5 pounds in a week.

You are exactly right The Mom. I'm at least glad WaltzingMatilda that you didn't use the person's name. I'm a pretty big guy and would be greatly offended if someone posted something like this on here about me. I have mirrors in my home and know I'm a big guy. I don't need people reminding me every 5 minutes I'm over weight. I know that eating right and exercise is the ONLY way to lose weight. I get it. Leave me alone.

By the way, I fit on all the rides and didn't have a problem "keeping up." In fact, my wife, whose much smaller than me was actually more worn out. Why? Because I was the one dragging her around all day. Hey! I love Disney. What can I say.

 

[AndreainNY]

I think approaching it from the "Disney Legs" point of view is a good one. Growing up, I was always so thin that everyone would yell at me to eat. Now that I am older (41 - not really "older", but not 16 anymore!!), I am overweight (5' 7", about 200 lbs), most of it gained in the last 5 years or so. When we did Disney last October, I had not even been keeping up with my walking and MY FEET HURT!!!! The worst they ever had on any of our trips. When we decided to book WDW again this year (for November), I promised myself that I would not have my feet hurt like that again! So starting this past Feb, I got back into walking and recently started running again. I keep telling myself, even if I never lose an ounce, at least my feet won't hurt at WDW this year!!! That is why I think if you approach it that way with your friend, it takes the emphasis off of pounds and puts it at personal comfort. And who knows, maybe they will shed a few pounds along the way!!!

 

[tigsmom]

You'd be surprised the mental issues that can cause over weight. My personal problem was actually a bad case of ADHD. I would get so bored and just eat and got up to 300lbs.

Anyways, I find the best exersize i get is walking around the parks. I'd be in great shape if i went every day

WDW is the only vacation I lose weight on! Even with their less than healthy offerings the walking does the trick. Wish I could be as motivated at home, but kids and stuff get in the way. I try to get that walk everyday, but the scenery here just isn't the same. :lol:

 

[napnet]

WDW is the only vacation I lose weight on! Even with their less than healthy offerings the walking does the trick. Wish I could be as motivated at home, but kids and stuff get in the way. I try to get that walk everyday, but the scenery here just isn't the same. :lol:

Its odd... i could walk for 12-14 hrs at WDW in the hot sun but when i come home, 20 minutes on the tread mill in the AC is all i can do!

 

[brich]

My only point here is that the person themselves has to recognize the condition and they and only they can make the decision to change. Definately make efforts to inconspicuously incorporate your friend in healthy choices, be it food or excercise but until that light flashes on in their head that says, I need to do something about this, nothing will change. I think the "Disney Walks" are a great idea. Also when planning meals, feel free to find healthy options and all skip desert. These efforts are not only great support for your friend but they also benefit you.
In any event, have a great time and just enjoy yourselves....:sohappy:

 

[masterv]

Its odd... i could walk for 12-14 hrs at WDW in the hot sun but when i come home, 20 minutes on the tread mill in the AC is all i can do!

That's because you have so much adrenaline running through your body because of the excitement of being at WDW. :lol:

My wife tells me all the time when I go to WDW I act like a big kid. She says I'm so excited and want to go here and here and here... :animwink:

 

[banimall]

I would have to say that the individual would have to be pretty excited about going on the trip in conjunction with losing the weight. I've had friends who would go on crazy diets and excercise before going on a cruise. #1 because they know they would gorge themselves on the cruise and #2 that the upcoming vacation is something fun to think about while they're excercising. I myselft always try and drop 5 pounds before a Disney trip, does it always happen, no, but I enjoy thinking about the trip while I try. I actually have an old map type poster of the property and I would imagine myself running around it while on the treadmill.

 

[orangewarrior]

I read your post, didn't read most of the replies. But let me say this...

I don't know how close this person is to you, meaning I don't know if this is accomplishable or not. But as a family, we always take walks in anticipation of our Disney trips. We walk several times a week in the months leading up to the trip, so the walking around the park doesn't seem like such a big deal. When we have had extended family and friends go along on the trip, we have asked them to walk with us. Sometimes they come, sometimes they don't. But walking around the parks can be exhausting. Having a little bit of preparation helps tremendously.

 

[Nemo14]

I've had weight issues all my life, and to tell you the truth, I took a little offense at this thread. I'm reasonably active, and healthy, but for whatever reason, the weight does not come off that easily. This has never been an issue on Disney trips for me, and I'm sure your friend would agree that if it were that simple, she would have shed the pounds a long time ago! I'm in total agreement about the long walks, not only to get the legs in shape, but also to break in your Disney shoes!

 

[cdunbar]

Not everyone can have a metabolism like urself and eat everything under the sun and stay model thin some of us eat 10 potato chips and gain 5 pounds, trust me on this b/c I am one of these people I eat fruits and vegtables like crazy and I am all over the place all the time, I'm a college student, I hate candy and all that kind of stuff but no matter what I dont lose alot of weight and in my persepctive u should not say ANYTHING if u do all ur doing is proably coasting urself a friend and the person may have a health problem and is too embrassed by it to share with u! So like I said all ur gonna do is hurt urself by saying something.

 

[MickeyTigg]

Our trip is booked for the last week of September and a member of our party has...don't know how else to say it..."weight" issues. My hope is that this person will make an effort to get into shape but every time I've tried to broach the topic I'm rebuffed (which I understand...who wants to be criticized?). I want everyone involved to have a good time, but most importantly this person and I think they will have a better time (in life, not just Disney) if steps were taken to address this issue. I don't care about looks, just health and general enjoyment of life. There is no medical condition involved, just poor nutrition choices and lack of execise. I think this person will enjoy their visit to the park much more if steps were taken towards a fitness goal.

Wow..I'm kind of freaked out about even posting this.

Thanks for your understanding.

As has been stated....I'm sure that they are aware of their weight being a problem and if they really wanted your advice on losing weight, I'm sure they'd ask for it.

So offense...but if you were really concerned for their health you would or should have said something long before now.

Not only that....they didn't put the weight on overnight so they shouldn't lose it overnight either. Even if they start today, they probably won't lose enough for your satisfaction by the time the trip comes anyway.

Basically....mind your own business.

 

[NOLADisneyFan]

I think a lot of people are overreacting.

The OP did not say...there's this fat slob coming with us and I hope she can drop a few tons before the trip to disney...because we don't want her slowing us down.

Not even close.

The OP, as gingerly as possible, asked for advice on how to make sure a person who is going to disney, is able to enjoy disney. That is selfless, not selfish.

Most of the people who say..I took offense to the comments...admit that they have weight issues. GET OVER YOURSELVES! The OP out of concern for a friend, and wisdom from this board and other visits to disney knows how being overweight can influence the park experience, and wants the friend to have a great one.

As a fat person myself, I KNOW that if I don't drop some pounds I am going to be slower to get around, hence not have as much fun when I go this year. So I need to diet, lose some weight and walk more.

Stop being so touchy about your weight...you want everyone to "accept you for who you are," but then you don't accept yourslef or how other people are. Just relax! And have a good time at Disney.

 

[MouseearsDeb]

I know you want "everyone" to have a wonderful time on this trip. But, keep in mind that by 'bringing up' weight issues with this person is only reminding them that someone looks at them in a 'not so perfect' way. I'm not skinny and I'm not obesse. I do have the common sense to know that I'm not a 'two piece bikini' kind of person. What I need is someone to love me the way I am and enjoy my company so that we can have the most fun possible. You sound like my DH, trying to be concerned about my health, when it's obvious it's more about the way I look. But what you have to realize is that until I, or your friend in this case, decides that enough is enough no one is going to change their habits. So, my advice is not to harp on this person or they will not be having a magical time on vacation. Try the 'Disney walks' idea, we do that ourselves. But, if you keep mentioning this to your friend, eventually they will begin to think about it in a negative way and their feelings could be hurt for a long time. Just my 2 cents.....By the way I finally had enough myself and have lost 20 pounds over 3 years. :sohappy:


Hope you have a wonderful trip! Good luck!