Healthy Eating Hacks (boring, I know)

[kona_wahine]

I'm on WW too, have lost almost 20 lbs for upcoming cruise. I'm down 40 from my highest weight.

 

On a previous cruise I gained 3 lbs, but I ate/drank whatever I wanted. I got up in the morning and walked the track. It's such a treat, and beautiful place to walk. I also never took the elevator. I think all that walking is what helped.

 

I'm also getting my mind set right for 2 weeks on ship next month. My goal is to hit my WW meeting the week after we return and be the same as the meeting before we leave. I will not beat myself up over eating/drinking something while on vacation.

 

I do find I eat too much just to eat and not really hungry so gonna try not to do that.

[elainmir]

well I was so mad at myself because last July I started walking each day, using my fitbit, using my lose it app..by October I was down 27 pounds...but pressure at work ( namely yet another danged assessment for my students) on top of the ones I already do had me crazy..I wasn't eating right, sleeping right...now my 27 pounds are back. So I'm going to start on April 1 and reinstitute my old program plus just work harder. I feel worse with the weight back on so I totally commend you on your 50 pounds lost! AWESOME! I'm going to get through this assessment and April 1 I'm on target and am gonna worry about ME...not paperwork! Avoid bread and most of the desserts..I typically order a Flat iron steak and the mahi mahi and shrimp cocktail...trying to keep the less fattening stuff on my plate!

[SadieN]

What are your ports? Many 'local' restaurants are healthier than those catering to the American tourist.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[mzloolue]

well I was so mad at myself because last July I started walking each day, using my fitbit, using my lose it app..by October I was down 27 pounds...but pressure at work ( namely yet another danged assessment for my students) on top of the ones I already do had me crazy..I wasn't eating right, sleeping right...now my 27 pounds are back. So I'm going to start on April 1 and reinstitute my old program plus just work harder. I feel worse with the weight back on so I totally commend you on your 50 pounds lost! AWESOME! I'm going to get through this assessment and April 1 I'm on target and am gonna worry about ME...not paperwork! Avoid bread and most of the desserts..I typically order a Flat iron steak and the mahi mahi and shrimp cocktail...trying to keep the less fattening stuff on my plate!

 

 

Don't beat yourself up.

You gained some weight, but you stayed sane!

You know how to lose, so do it again.

Then concentrate on maintence.

 

 

On a cruise, what has worked for me is to drink a lot of water.

Eat salad whenever it is offered.

Get the dressing on the side and do the dip the fork trick.

In the afternoon if I feel a bit peckish I might hit the buffet and get a bunch of veggies off the salad bar. Then I don't hit the dining room starving.

 

There are a couple of deserts that I look forward to and I have them if offered. Bitter and Blanc, Grand Mariner Souffle, or Creme Brulee. Anything else I will have a scoop of sherbert instead.

 

I avoid the soup because the salt swells me up.

And when I get an omlette I get all veggies and no cheese or meat.

 

Last time I did it like this and gained two pounds which was gone in two weeks.:)

[curious_st]

Mongolian Wok offers a nice opportunity to customize your lunch with lean protein and plenty of veggies.

[leenieweenie]

I just returned from a 3 week vacation that included 14 days on the Carnival Sunshine! I weighed in today at weight watchers and I only gained 1.4 lbs! Hooray! congrats on your weight loss and just remember---you know what to do!!! Just work the plan as usual but give a little leeway for some treats. Remember---skinny feels a whole lot better than any food tastes---even choc melting cake! Good luck.

[mzloolue]

Mongolian Wok offers a nice opportunity to customize your lunch with lean protein and plenty of veg gies.

 

The Mongolian Wok made me swell.

I am guessing it was the bean sauce.

[angela12345]

Remember---skinny feels a whole lot better than any food tastes---even choc melting cake!

Now that's just crazy talk. LOLOLOL !! ;) :D

[SMSACE6]

Alcohol is the worse offender to anyone who wants to either keep losing weight, or to maintain weight during a cruise IMO. Also, too much bread and butter! You can tell that I have some experience with this. The only time that I gained a lot of weight on a cruise, was when I got a "drinks on us" card in the casino, on day 3 of an 8 day cruise. I made good use of it too:D Plus my favorite splurges on a cruise are bread and butter. I don't eat butter at home, but love to splurge on it on vacation. So, my advice, is to limit the alcohol intake, as well as bread and butter, and also use the walk/jog track, take the stairs as much as possible to burn calories. Moderation is the key.

 

Do I take my own advice? Well no....:o, but I do try.

[kona_wahine]

Yup, alcohol will get ya! DH gained 10 lbs in a week and he drank beer each and every day. I gained 3 and we ate pretty much the same. I had maybe 2 drinks per day.

[tea4ular]

At home I walk 3 1/2 miles a day for health and meditation - takes just under an hour - I do the same on the ship - sometimes it's on the walking track sometimes at the gym on the treadmill. I only take the stairs.

 

At breakfast you can get egg whites cooked to order at the omelette bar. I will usually include mushrooms and onions in the omelette and find salsa to add to it. Ask them to cook it with no oil - sometimes the reluctant at first but I always tell them I don't care what it looks like! They get used to me by the second day at the omelette bar - there's plenty of fresh fruit at breakfast

 

As others have mentioned you can get a fresh chicken breast cooked to order at the barbecue where the hamburgers are a lot of people don't know that. Sometimes they even have veggie burgers.

 

my favorite thing about Weight watchers is nothing is off-limits you just got to account for it. So do the same thing.

 

I lost over 50 pounds 10 years ago and have been on 10 cruises since - I have not gained 1 pound. It's easier than it sounds with all that food around!

Edited March 11, 2016 by tea4ular

[Flatbush Flyer]

Thanks guys! All what I was thinking. I am going to stick with burrito bowls at lunch, high protein at breakfast and healthier options at dinner. I am not a big dessert person. Avoiding sugary alcohol drinks will be the biggest challenge!

 

 

For all practical purposes, eliminating "sugar" from an alcoholic drink would require also removing the alcohol.

[dolphin2012]

My husband is a diabetic who lost 53 lbs and I also lost 35 lbs by following his diet. Later I got breast cancer so on the advice of my drs. I have stayed on my goal weight for 12 years now. Its not always easy but as they say its a lifestyle and can be done. There are a lot of healthy options on the cruise. Breakfast has oatmeal and healthy cereals. There is also a burrito bar on some that have wheat tortillas/ eggs and salsa. I also get a bowl of peeled fruit or watermelon. The buffet at lunch has a lot of grilled meats or fish. I load up on salad and fruits. There are some sugar free deserts and cakes that taste really good too. In the dining room there is a lot of good choices. Most nites I eat the grilled fish with grilled veggies and salad. Another fruit plate and sometimes soup. I try to limit the bread but that's my fav so I do eat some bread. Id rather have the bread than dessert. There is always a light sugar free dessert that is offered. I think its easy on the ship to eat healthy but off the ship its another story....

 

The track on top of the ship is great for walking and we take the stairs most of the cruise. We don't drink much but I do wine spritzer with diet sprite .

 

Congrats on your weight loss. Its ok to splurge a couple of times a week. Just don't overdo it. The biggest secret is I always try to lose about three extra pounds before I cruise . have a great trip... and yes I have to have that warm melting chocolate cake...

[SadieN]

........

 

As others have mentioned you can get a fresh chicken breast cooked to order at the barbecue where the hamburgers are a lot of people don't know that. Sometimes they even have veggie burgers.

.............

 

 

Only if it has the original grill. Guy's does not have chicken breast. Don't think there's a veggie burger at Guy's.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[tbmrt]

Lost 27 lbs in past 2 years and found that although I worried alot about gaining weight back during cruises, I usually come home about 2 lbs heavier and lose it in a few days.

 

I'm up early so "walk the stairs" in the wee hours, take elevators as little as possible, walk around the promenade deck, do a zumba class, do dance classes on deck, dance at night, visit gym just a little, snorkel alot.

 

I find that the extra activity keeps the weight down.

 

Re: Food...I don't overindulge at breakfast and lunch. Pass on lots of bacon!

Dinner - anything goes including splitting a dessert with DH.

 

Drink quite a bit as well.

 

I tell myself this is vacation so I don't feel guilty about eating more than I usually do. Just have to get back on track when I return.

[Micahs Grandad]

Get bored walking the track too many times around to do a mile.

 

Most ships can walk most of the way around deck 10, all around on spirit class and up a few flights on Conquest class but get stopped by serenity. Best early in the morning when it is empty.

 

Also not as windy as track.

[Micahs Grandad]

Mongolian Wok offers a nice opportunity to customize your lunch with lean protein and plenty of veggies.

 

Problem is the sauces seem to be full of salt and no taste without some sauce.

[aenglish1609]

Hey guys! As of today, I have lost 50 lbs in the last year thanks to weight watchers. I leave on April 24 and do not want to gain the 10-15 lbs I gained on my January cruise. What are some healthy eating hacks you would recommend on board?

 

 

Some good advice here OP.

 

The most important thing to remember is that you're on vacation, it's ok to relax and enjoy yourself. I lift weights 5-6 days a week, and am pretty dedicated when I am at home to a healthy lifestyle. However on a cruise or any vacation, I definitely indulge when I want to. I only take 2-4 vacations in a year, so those few weeks won't wreck your whole year.

 

Also, if you keep some high protien in your meals, drink lots of water, and try to hit the gym a few days you should gain no more than a couple of lbs. Our last cruise we had the Cheers package, and I definitely got our money's worth, and ate pretty much whatever I wanted. After 8 nights I came back exactly 1lb more than when I left.

 

The point is, a lot of that weight you gain will be burned off by simply being a little more active, and worst case scenario you will be back to your pre-cruise weight in a week or so afterwards.

 

 

Happy cruising!

[sjn911]

A lot of it is how much your lifestyle has changed and what you have maintained over the years...this is an inspirational thread..thanks all.

 

Taking extra fiber and water if you are not getting enough with travel..is a big thing..so easy to miss that..I usually take fiber every day. About 3 to 5 grams..helps...

[Tripper10]

Stick to veggies and proteins and one dessert a day. You feel fulfilled and don't deprive you're self a great cruise food wise. I go to the gym every day but if that's not your thing try to take the stairs and go for some extra strolling around the ship.

[nursey000]

I avoid the bread, sample the dessert and only drink bottled water. The ships water is filtered but still has more sodium!

[srlafleur]

I look at the whole menu before making my selections. If what I really, really want for an entree seems "weighty" (higher calorie, higher carb, etc.) I'll try to make lighter selections for my appetizers - clear soup, salad, fruit, etc. I eat some bread (it's too yummy to ignore, entirely), but certainly not every meal and I go for the higher fiber types - chewy, with lots of grains and seeds. (fortunately, that's the kind I prefer, anyway). If I have room for dessert, I usually will only need a few bites to satisfy my sweet tooth. Or, if there's a fruit soup on the menu, I may order that for dessert. (okay, it might actually be more calorie-filled than some dessert options. Don't judge!)

I avoid "fried" and "creamy" as much as possible, and I like to take my time, so my meal will have "hit bottom" before dessert, so I can best judge if I actually have room for it or if it will make me feel over-stuffed.

 

But, it is vacation, so a little indulgence is in order.

 

Everything in moderation, including moderation!

[OCruisers]

It's actually fairly easy to eat healthy of ships as long as you aren't overly obsessed. Just order the sorts of things you would order at home in restaurants while being on Weight Watchers. :)

[momonthego17]

OP, you mentioned sugary alcoholic drinks...you could substitute a tall vodka and soda with a splash of cranberry juice and a squeeze of lime. Very refreshing.

Congrats on the weight loss and have a great cruise!

[lahlah57]

Only if it has the original grill. Guy's does not have chicken breast. Don't think there's a veggie burger at Guy's.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

Protein burger is the ticket. No bun and everything else stuffed between 2 lettuce leaves....yummo:D