A Common Sense Way to Loose Weight

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Believe it or not, but I have been searching for a common sense way to loose some pounds and keep them off. You see, over the summer a packed on over ten pounds and it has taken me to March to get it all off. Where is came from, what I did to get it, and why it took soooo long to get off is an honest mystery to me. Before summer I was already five pounds heavier than my "comfort zone" weight, so adding another ten pounds to that was not something normal. It was also the heaviest I have ever been.

That being said, the idea of just loosing it all (plus a few of the 5 lb's extra, thank you ;)) to simply bulk back up while race training sounded AWFUL. But then, I was listening to the Mickey Miles podcast with listener questions with Fitz Koelher and she said something so simple it was like a punch in the face. Her insanely easy method for not bulking and helping people loose weight without yo-yo dieting is to take your ideal weight and tack a zero on the end. That number, my friends, is your total calorie count for the day.

Whaattt?!?! I know.

Fitz says that the average calorie expenditure for usual activities is 10 calories. With that in mind, it makes sense that we would only need our target body weight, times ten. With this simple number, Fitz has found people to be able to slowly and safely bring their body's down to only needing that much energy... I like to think of it as a goldfish- they will only grow as big as their space will allow them. Likewise, our bodies will only grow as far as we feed/energize them.

But then, I had a few questions...

1. What should these calories be?
2. What about workouts? I cannot guarantee anyone's safety when I am hangry and working out+ low cal could make for a very hangry Jenni. 
3. Is using your name in the third person acceptable? Is it a sign of oncoming hanger?
4. What if I have a fast or slow metabolism?

Thankfully, Fitz went over most of these questions, in detail, on her website. You can read the full explanation here. My shortened version is below :)

1. Any diet should be well rounded and consist of lean meats, fruits, veggies, and healthy carbs and fat. This is not exactly the super fun town of eating, but who said being healthy means we get to eat fried chicken for breakfast daily? You know who, no one. ever. And, of course, we are in control of our diets, so we can decide when to cheat and when not. Hello adulthood, I will have that small fry. JK! Kind of.
2. Workouts should not increase your calorie count unless you are running 10-20 miles or doing the equivalent with some other workout. We do not need those extra calories and, if anything, will find those lb's come off faster if we do not supplement the calories lost during a workout. Keep in mind that a) you should not have an unhealthy number that your body cannot live on anyway and b) most workouts will burn between 200-500 calories an hour. Not quite bracket breaking. Also, eating lean proteins and a mix of proteins and healthy carbs after a workout will help you be satiated for longer. So maybe we won't actually break walls in a hangry rage!
3. Every body is different. Fitz recommends playing with the system a bit. If you are finding that weight is just falling off at an unhealthy rate or your are lethargic during the day, you probably have a fast metabolic rate and need to add on a few calories. If nothing seems to be changing, you may have a slower metabolic rate and need to reduce those calories a bit  more. Simple enough, now for the doing!

Please let me know if you are trying this and if it seems to be working for you. I have been trying this method for about a week now and, so far, are liking the results a bunch!

How Do You Run Safely?

Since I have started running outside waay more often, I have also started thinking a lot more about running safety. Of course this means running on the proper side of the road, wearing bright colors, have a phone with you at all times, and not running during busy traffic times. That last one is more important up here since we are running on roads with no sidewalk and no shoulder at times. Other than the basics though, how do you stay safe while running?

The hubs just got me a new key chain pepper spray and had requested that I never run alone without it. I think both of us watched waaaayyy too many episodes of Unsolved Mysteries at far too young an age. Especially since, now that I have it, I would never consider running outside without it.

For all those other issues that could befall me when running, I have turned to Kitestring. Kitestring is, possibly, the best use of my cell phone ever... Other than Instagram, obviously. This is not an app (thankfully since my storage is at about 1 mb free space), it is a number you have saved and simply text. Going out for a jog? Walking down a creepy ally? Going to buy something on Craigslist? Just text Kitestring the amount of time you should be done in and they will check on you when that much time has passed. If you are safe, you send a quick message back. If not, they will notify your emergency contacts right away.

There are two options for Kitestring, the free one and the $3 a month one. With the free option you get eight outings a month and one emergency contact. For $3 you get unlimited emergency contacts, unlimited outings, and two upgrades called perennial mode and a customizable check-in period.

Great Running Paths at Disney World

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Did you know that Disney World Resort has more than just theme parks? Gasp! It is true. In fact, Disney has so much to do outside the theme parks, you just might want to spend some of your next trip out and about instead of schlepping it with all those other hot, sweaty park attendees.

One of the nicest bits about Disney World, and further, staying at a Disney World Resort, is all the incredible outdoor areas they have manicured and perfect for your vacationing entertainment. Although most people may not consider jogging to be part of a happy holiday, there are a few of us who love the idea of jogging around and exploring new areas of the Happiest Place on Earth. For those people, and even a few who would just like to meander through some picturesque promenades, you have the running and walking paths at the resorts.

Some of the walking and running paths are ones you will not want to miss, others not so much. Whichever trail you go with, a good tip to remember is to run early in the morning and take it easy. Early morning runs are good since Florida is, well, ridiculously hot. Also because it will be easier to run early in the morning when your feet have the energy and the path is less obscured. Secondly, running super fast along these paths could cause a collision with the other path patrons and leave you a bit too sleepy for the rest of your incredibly eventful day!

Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter

These paths are great for year-round use and will take you right next to the Sassagoula River. It is also one of the longer path options at the Disney Resorts. The first part of this trail will take you by all the beautiful southern colonial mansion inspired hotel buildings and keep you under the shade of about 1,000 oak trees around a 0.7 mile loop. If you opt to make the run longer, you can jog the distance between the Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside Hotels. This path will take you next to the river for a mile there-and-back.

Wilderness Lodge

This is easily considered one of the prettiest paths on Disney property. Be warned though, there will be mosquitos and bugs in the summer months, especially early in the morning. Thankfully, this path has enough shade that you could run it in the afternoon without too much heat resistance and far fewer bugs. The main path runs from Wilderness Lodge to the Fort Wilderness Camp Grounds and is about a 2.5 mile loop. There are also plenty of smaller paths branching off this one that take you throughout the Fort Wilderness property.

Caribbean Beach Resort

The Caribbean Beach Resort has a running path that takes you around the lake. There is plenty of shade and some very pretty views. Caribbean Beach Resort is known for its tropical birds that can be seen in the mornings along this path. The entire loop will take you about 1.4-miles and past Old Port Royal. This is a super good thing to note since you will most likely (and hopefully only figuratively) run into a few early morning coffee goers depending on the time you run.

EPCOT Resorts

The EPCOT resorts include Swan and Dolphin Hotels, Yacht and Beach Club, and the Boardwalk Inn. All of these are grouped together and connected by paths along a waterway. This is one of my personal favorite places to stay since EPCOT and Hollywood Studios are a quick walk away. If you are lucky, you can also see firework shows from each resort while sitting in the comfort of your hotel room!

Of course, with so many hotels and fun in one area, there is bound to be some great paths! When it comes to running at the EPCOT resorts, you have plenty of options with some of the greatest inclines Florida has to offer- bridges. The course ranges from less than a mile to over 3, depending on which you choose to do.

The run directly around Crescent Lake is 0.8 miles, to Crescent Lake's path from the Dolphin hotel is 1/4 mile, the Yacht and Beach Club run is 1.3 miles, The Canal run is almost a mile, and a run around the whole EPCOT resort area is 2.4 miles. Together, you are looking at a solid 5-mile run without treading the same path twice!

I very good tip for this area is to either run late at night or early in the morning. Firstly, these paths have very little shade, and secondly, the Boardwalk is a busy area from afternoon till night.

Other Resorts

Although all of Disney resorts have paths and perks of staying there, the ones above are my most recommended for running. The reason some of the more well know parks did not make the list (sorry Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian) is either because there is very little shade or it is just too busy.

Magic Kingdoms resorts have great paths around the Seven Seas Lagoon, but there is virtually no shade. If you enjoy running in the sun or it is a chilly day, this could be a fantastic option. The views from the path are great and there are many times you can see lots of the Magic Kingdom.

As for Pop Century and Art of Animation, the running path is around the Hourglass Lake. This is about a 2-mile run but will take you into some less desirable parking areas. It would be very wise to review the map before starting this run. You may even want to pause your music during parts to avoid any issues with people and their cars.

Coronado Springs (although a beautiful resort and one of my faves) did not make the list because the running path is busy around the pool and lobby areas. It is also not very shaded for most of the way. So sorry Coronado.

If there is a favorite path of yours that you did not see listed here, please let me know in the comments! I am always up for new areas of Disney to be explored and would love a jogging adventure on our next trip!

Fun Things to Check Out at Disney World This Summer

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Gaahh!! I knew that looking at Disney things over the summer would be bad. My obsessive personality and inability to understand anything but [nearly] instant gratification is not a good combination when we are away from things I love/want/do not know how to live without. Yes, Disney World would be one of those things and, yes, I am ready to hop on a plane for a quick trip and Disney fix. Really, we could be back in two days and in the scheme of things what is two days?! Thankfully, I have not looked at any of the info for the Harry Potter expansion at Universal Studios. That could lead to some very impulsive buying and some pretty guild ridden buyer's remorse. 

Ok, get it together Jenni. We can go more than two months without visiting Disney or Universal Studios. For any of you who are able to visit Disney World over summer vacations, these are some little extras that I would not pass up doing

Fast Pass+ for Anna and Elsa 

If you have children YOU MUST DO THIS. Anna and Elsa are a pretty big deal right now and lines to meet them range from 2-4 hours at both EPCOT and Magic Kingdom. Fast Passes for this means that you will be able to meet them with only waiting 20 minutes. Then, you meet them, your children talk with them, pictures are taken, and you may even cry with happiness at seeing how in awe your kiddos are of these characters. Don't laugh, it has happen many a time before.

If, you are not able to log on to your Disney experience and get Fast Pass+ for this event (they sell out like months in advance), my best advice would either be to not tell your kids they could meet these characters, or, bring an iPad with some movies and games pre-loaded. Perhaps Frozen for some pre-meet and greet fun! 

Downtown Disney Co-Op

Go here, go here, go here. This new Downtown Disney store is one of the first stores to open under the new Disney Springs reconstruction. I have not yet been here, but from everything I have been hearing, we will be going when we get back, for sure. 

The store is separated into multiple mini stores that change depending on what is popular at that time. Right now there is a tech area with self customized phone covers called D-tech (I need this), accessories at Cherry Tree Lane, (I need this), a clothing area focusing on cute clothing for teen girls called Zoe and Pickles, Beautiful Disney with exclusive Disney make-up, sports memorabilia at The Trophy Room, and theme park themed kitchenware in the center. A family could easily spend all night here or just long enough for your table to be ready at a nearby restaurant. 

LeFou's Brew

Let's face it, Orlando gets H-O-T over the summer, it also has torrential downpours that can last anywhere for 2-minutes to 45+. If you are stuck at Magic Kingdom during this time and are either too hot to bear it or ducking from rain drops as big as your fist, stop by Gaston's Tavern in New Fantasyland. LeFou's brew can be found here and is, pretty much, an iced apple cider with mango frosting on the top. I am not personally a fan of the mango bit, but the iced cider is fantastic! 

The tavern is also a great place to sit and relax, cool down, and enjoy some off time before hitting the parks all over again. 

EPCOT Late Nights

Why EPCOT did not think of this sooner, I simply do not know. Now, instead of heading home promptly at 9:00 PM when the park closes, you can pay a little extra and stay in the parks visiting the different restaurants in the World Showcase. There will be four lounges open in the World Showcase for this Late Night Wind Down. The cost is $35 per person and can be reserved in advance by calling the Disney reservations line.

If you are wanting to go to this, I would highly recommend getting reservations ahead. This EPCOT addition is not super popular yet, but chances are that it will start selling out quite soon. Those who are not crazy interested in alcoholic beverages would probably not get too much out of the extra price since most lounges are catered around drinks. That being said, having the kiddos along would not be super advisable either. 

Festival of The Lion King

The Festival of The Lion King show was recently closed down so it could move from the Camp Minnie Mickey location to it's new spot in Animal Kingdom's Africa. Although the show is the same, the theater is different and the setting seems much more fitting. This is also a free show that is ridiculously fun for every age range. Really, what those acrobats do will leave more than your two-year-old awe struck. Be sure to watch the monkeys a bit extra during this show, they are my favorite!