On my last college program in 2014, I lost about 40 pounds in those six months despite not really doing anything different with my lifestyle. All I did was go to work and, occasionally, play in the parks with friends. Still, I lost 40 pounds.

Far right is me at the beginning of my program.

This is me towards the end of my program! My neck and legs lost a lot of weight.

Of course, when I came home and I wasn’t on my feet all day everyday again, I gained it all back (probably plus some). Now that I’m going back in August, I want to start planning simple lifestyle changes that will help me stick to my weight loss plans. Easy, in this case, means saving money and being super fun.

The first big change to make would be cutting out the sugary, caffeinated beverages. Actually, this one is probably the hardest. Sometimes, if you have a 12-hour-shift, then the first thing you’re going to want is something packed with sugar and caffeine. A nice soda or a Starbuck’s coffee sounds really good. Or even coffee made at home with a bunch of R2-D2 vanilla creamer. However, Disney offers free, ice cold water to cast members. In most roles, you’re offered a water bottle that clips to your belt loop so you can bring it around with you. Honestly, water is the best thing for you in the Florida heat anyway. Sugar and caffeine can make you feel dehydrated and you do not want to pass out at work -- or at all preferably. Stick to water and avoid the temptation of the vending machines on your way into work.

It’s also a good idea to avoid the cast eating areas and snack machines. It’s definitely hard to do on those longer shifts, but bringing your own, healthy, homemade meals with you is better for you in the long run and helps you save money. Pack plenty of protein and vegetables for long shifts to keep your energy up. Some break rooms have refrigerators, so it is easier for some than others. If you don’t have a fridge in your break-room, then pack meals that don’t have to be refrigerated or purchase an ice-pack to put in your lunch box to keep things cool until your break time. It’s a lot like being in school again if you brought your lunch with you. Food Network has a great list of 10 school lunches that are both healthy and can withstand not being in the fridge for a few hours.

Finally, staying on your feet. It’s hard when you’re already on your feet all day five to six times a week, but if you go to the parks and just walk around all day, occasionally getting on rides and having a pretty good time, then you won’t even feel it until you come home exhausted. If you’re getting tired of going to the parks, then there are a lot of great adventures to have in Florida. If you have a friend with a car, then you can plan to go on different nature walks or visit the beach or different springs around Florida. You could take the buses to the Florida mall and go window shopping for a day. The biggest thing to avoid when going out all the time is temptation though. Try to bring your own water and healthy snacks with you. It’s also a great way to save money to avoid eating in the parks or eating fast food or at restaurants.

Without a high-intensity workout routine to fit in on your days off, you can still lose weight while doing your college program. In fact, you can do it while making the most of your time in Florida. The only hard parts will be resisting delicious Mickey ice-cream bars and sticking with it when your program ends.