Going on a cruise -- tips to minimize damage

I just went on a carribean cruise a couple months ago. My first one.

Pack protein bars , as long as they are manufacture sealed you are allowed to take them.
Drink lots of water - help counter act the sodium content in the buffet foods and any alcohol you consume
Definately take the stairs and used the track on the deck. I ran a couple nights on my cruise and it helped some because I did over indulge at the desert tables.
Keep focused ...is it more important to have multiple deserts throughout the day or to not feel like a cow in your swim suit on the deck?
You could also try looking up the calorie count of some foods that may be served as motivation to avoid certain things like the 24/7 pizza buffet

Most of all - HAVE FUN!

P.S. I gained 10 lbs in 2 weeks (but i had LOADS of retention and lost 7 of it my first week back) My body didnt take well to all the junk I ate. It only took a few weeks with minmal effort to be back down to my pre cruise weight.

1. Stay on track up until you leave. ENJOY, and don't worry about tracking while you're gone.

2. Work out daily and choose active excursions (Hiking, Biking, etc. rather than laying on the beach).

3. Eat what you want when you're hungry without stuffing yourself, and when you're not, don't eat it just because it's there or because it's "meal time." With all of the options available, you can have something you'll really enjoy any time hunger strikes.

4. If you see something you like when you're not hungry, plan for it the next meal or day, so you look forward to it and enjoy it rather than feeling bloated and guilty after overindulging.

5. When you get home,get back into your routine immediately to avoid the lingering "vacation mode" that can really derail you.

I actually lost weight on my last cruise. A few suggestions:

Always take the stairs unless your aren't able;
Spend your free time walking the track around the deck;
Use the work-out room;
Make healthy choices at the buffets;
Choose the sugar free or fruit dessert options;
Try to order from a menu instead of using the buffet when there's a choice;
Skip the midnight buffet.

Have a great time!!

Do absolutely none of this. Don't even think about working out or watching what you eat. There are so many things you can do that you cannot do at home, go do ALL of them. Spend your time having fun and eat until you want to pass out. Even if you kill yourself all week, you may gain a few pounds that will melt off when you return.

Eat, drink, and have a blast.

I hit the salad bar most of the time....and lots of walking !

Have a great time!!
[/quote]

Do absolutely none of this. Don't even think about working out or watching what you eat. There are so many things you can do that you cannot do at home, go do ALL of them. Spend your time having fun and eat until you want to pass out. Even if you kill yourself all week, you may gain a few pounds that will melt off when you return.

Eat, drink, and have a blast.
[/quote]


This...

We vacationed in Los Angeles a few years ago, went on a 7 day cruise to Mexico. and then 3 days in Vegas and gained 4 lbs.

The cruise ship (well Carnival did) should have an exercise room. I basically spent an hour and a half in there every day.

Not going to lie, I ate like crap. L.A. kills me because of three places -- In N Out Burger, Jack in the Box and Pink's Hot Dogs, not to mention Dodger Dogs at Dodger Stadium.

The cruise killed me too because there is food all around. Now this is right after the time when I dropped close to 90 lbs. I am not much of an alcohol drinker, but a big Pepsi drinker. I laid off on the soda (at over 300 calories a drink I'd rather have a good burger than drink my calories) So if you drink soda, I'd probably recommend laying off the soda. You'll save money and calories.

Vegas killed me too. Buffets all around (although my stomach cannot hold the same amount of food it once did) are killers.

Last year when I was in L.A. and Vegas I basically said f**k it didn't work out at all and gained like 2 lbs in a week. Stuff happens. Vacations are meant to enjoy yourself. I dropped it when I went back to my normal lifestyle at home.

Enjoy yourself and don't worry about it.. a week of bad eating won't kill you But if you want to be good and not be bad like I was LOL you can..

1. Drink lots of water.
2. Limit your alcohol and soda.
3. Order from the menu instead of the buffet when possible.
4. Use the stairs when you can.
5. Use the ship's exercise room (most ships have outdoor running/walking tracks which are really neat)

Good luck!

Mike

I guess it depends on what you want at the end of the cruise. If you are already setting yourself up know, 'Hey, you are going to have to work your butt off to lose the weight you gain" then go hog wild. If you absolutely love working out, then keep working out on the cruise and do what you want with food.

I went to Prague a few years ago and spent five days eating tons of food and drinking a ridiculous amount of beer. But, I also drank a boat load of water and walked everywhere. I came back a little bloated, but lost the weight in two weeks.

If you want to eat like crazy, make sure the first place you go when you get back is to the grocery store to stock up on fresh, healthy food so you can jump right back in to the swing of things.

Have fun!

I'm planning on a cruise later this year. My plan is to eat all the things, work out as I can, and do damage control when I get home.