Going on a Mediterranean Cruise, don’t want to blow my weight loss. Need strategies from sane people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all. Great ideas so far! It’s Celebrity. One of the new ships.

Did you upgrade to a drink package? Beware of drinking your calories with all the sugary daiqueries, frapps, and the like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I once went on a cruise and LOST weight! The trick for me was to avoid carbs and sugar. So I ate everything but limited rice, bread, pasta and sweets. There is so much variety on cruise ships that it’s doable!

I did the same thing. Beautiful fruit and vegetables and a variety of choices of activities. Indulge a bit, but choose 80% good choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband lost 60 pounds and kept it off and his approach on vacation that seems to work emphasizes the following three things:

1) Prioritize protein. He makes sure his meal is 3/4 protein. He basically eats as much protein as he wants, in any form he wants, but just makes sure its proportionately dominant relevant to carbs. You'll feel full and satiated for longer between meals and won't be starving when you sit down to eat your next meal. He also packs protein powder and a blender bottle to keep full between meals.
2) Pick one meal per day to go outside your "typical" eating habits. This does require some planning and forethought, but if he really wants to splash out on tacos, chips, and margaritas for dinner that night, he'll focus on eating more typical-for-him breakfast and lunch.
3) Prioritize movement. He doesn't necessarily go to the gym or anything but will make a concerted effort to get steps in, swim laps at the pool, or choose a bike riding tour over something more sedentary.

Finally, enjoy your trip. These are the moments that make life worth living. If you loosen up more than you intended, don't beat yourself up. The most important thing is that you get back to your routine when you get back.

This is great. Just great. All these ideas will really help.

[Anonymous]

If you are at any kind of buffet, make sure 1/2 your plate is vegetables. Pass on sweets, if you are feeling left out take a bite from your husband's plate or have fruit for dessert

[Anonymous]

Honestly? Just make peace with the fact that you will eat and drink more than you will at home. Don’t view it as being “bad” or “ruining” your efforts — it just isn’t possible to gain a massive amount of weight in such a short time.

Prioritize movement throughout the day. Don’t just hit the gym or do a fitness class for an hour — make sure you always take the stairs instead of the elevator, go for a stroll after every meal, walk the beach instead of lying on a towel, etc. Make sure to eat at least 2 servings of fruits/vegetables every time you sit down. Choose drinks that don’t have a lot of sugar. Drink a lot of water to help combat bloating from all the added sodium.

Your weight may be temporarily higher when you come home because of said bloating. But give your body a few days to recover and you’ll be right back where you were before vacation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly? Just make peace with the fact that you will eat and drink more than you will at home. Don’t view it as being “bad” or “ruining” your efforts — it just isn’t possible to gain a massive amount of weight in such a short time.

Prioritize movement throughout the day. Don’t just hit the gym or do a fitness class for an hour — make sure you always take the stairs instead of the elevator, go for a stroll after every meal, walk the beach instead of lying on a towel, etc. Make sure to eat at least 2 servings of fruits/vegetables every time you sit down. Choose drinks that don’t have a lot of sugar. Drink a lot of water to help combat bloating from all the added sodium.

Your weight may be temporarily higher when you come home because of said bloating. But give your body a few days to recover and you’ll be right back where you were before vacation.

Fruit is sugar, plain and simple. Eat it and enjoy it but know it is sugar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly? Just make peace with the fact that you will eat and drink more than you will at home. Don’t view it as being “bad” or “ruining” your efforts — it just isn’t possible to gain a massive amount of weight in such a short time.

Prioritize movement throughout the day. Don’t just hit the gym or do a fitness class for an hour — make sure you always take the stairs instead of the elevator, go for a stroll after every meal, walk the beach instead of lying on a towel, etc. Make sure to eat at least 2 servings of fruits/vegetables every time you sit down. Choose drinks that don’t have a lot of sugar. Drink a lot of water to help combat bloating from all the added sodium.

Your weight may be temporarily higher when you come home because of said bloating. But give your body a few days to recover and you’ll be right back where you were before vacation.

Says a skinny b who knows nothing about struggling with weight. Follow some of the ideas here. It will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Personally, I’ve given up alcohol. It’s just not worth that calories. People seem to back off if you just say “I’m not drinking”.
I’ve also gone pescatarian. You don’t have to go that far, but definitely load up on lean proteins and vegetables before anything else.

[Anonymous]

OP it's easier than you think. Choose fruit or eggs for breakfast and some toast. For lunch eat fresh fish, veggies, salads - same thing for dinner just rotate the protein. What puts on the pounds during a cruise is the endless booze and troughs of food which are available 18 hours a day. Just avoid those areas, you can do it!

[Anonymous]

BLD and no midnight buffets, or extra helpings. Easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly? Just make peace with the fact that you will eat and drink more than you will at home. Don’t view it as being “bad” or “ruining” your efforts — it just isn’t possible to gain a massive amount of weight in such a short time.

Prioritize movement throughout the day. Don’t just hit the gym or do a fitness class for an hour — make sure you always take the stairs instead of the elevator, go for a stroll after every meal, walk the beach instead of lying on a towel, etc. Make sure to eat at least 2 servings of fruits/vegetables every time you sit down. Choose drinks that don’t have a lot of sugar. Drink a lot of water to help combat bloating from all the added sodium.

Your weight may be temporarily higher when you come home because of said bloating. But give your body a few days to recover and you’ll be right back where you were before vacation.

Fruit is sugar, plain and simple. Eat it and enjoy it but know it is sugar.

Ummmm, no. Surely you know that fruit is fiber, water, and vitamins in addition to sugar? An apple with 25 grams of sugar does not have the same effect on the body as eating 2 tablespoons of table sugar by itself.

[Anonymous]

I have maintained a 30 lbs weight loss for about 4 years. My tips:

1) like a pp said-- yes, make peace with the fact you'll gain some weight. No one actually maintains weight loss by never gaining weight. You maintain it by being aggressive about losing when you get 2-3 lbs over. I expect to have to cut back and basically diet after each vacation. Is it totally necessary? I don't know. But I've maintained my weight loss.

2) view the menus that are posted each day so you'll k know what you're having for dinner. Dinner will usually be the most indulgent meal so if you know what you're working with, you can adjust throughout the day.

3) this is obvious but no bread with dinner, etc.

4) you can order appetizers for dinner. Soup, etc.

5) don't get the drink package. Stick with water and tea and then buy alcohol by the wine bottle or by the glass. Make it so you have to truly consider each drink.

[Anonymous]

Why would you pick a vacation where you are stuck sitting on ship surrounded by endless buffets and alcohol if you are at all heath conscious?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would you pick a vacation where you are stuck sitting on ship surrounded by endless buffets and alcohol if you are at all heath conscious?

Not OP, but I've never eaten at the buffet while on a cruise. And I've also never gotten the drink package. I like cruises for the views of the sea, the daily trips to new places, and the traditional cruise dinner experience.

[Anonymous]

Don’t snack between meals. Finish your meal within 60 minutes. And eat all your protein and fat before you eat any starchy or sugary carbs.

Other than that, do not worry about your weight during vacation! Just get back to your plan when you get home.