OT - weight gain on cruises - help!!

[RUSTYSMOM]

Tell me its not true. I just heard that the average person gains up to 14 pounds on average on a one week cruise. Friday I leave for a one week cruise of the mediteranean. What an awful prosepct. Any cruisers out there who can tell me its not true??? Thanks

[gobluem82]

I probably put on a couple of pounds when we cruised the Carribean, but definitely not 14 (a guy I work with put on 20 pounds during his cruise, though!) The opportunity is certainly there, though. I had NO desire to partake in the infamous midnight buffet and was disgusted to see how many people loaded up. We got coffee and a couple of dabbles of dessert only. Maybe this is because of my inherent cheapness, but we got very few drinks, either--I just loaded up on iced tea instead while I was reading by the pool. I also walked around the ship each day (I showed up for the aerobics class one day, but no one else showed up out of 400 on board!), and we did bike-touring excursions and things like that.

My guess is that most people who frequent this BB are quality-not-quantity eaters, so you will resist the urge to load up just because the food is there. Have a great time!

[Gail]

No way. I've been on a few and while I probably have gained something (I'm both a quantity and quality gal) I think that's a gross exaggeration. Now when you consider there are technically like 12 "feedings" daily, you could really get carried away pretty darned fast if you let yourself. So you don't GO to the midnight buffet. (Well, alright, you go once to look only) and you don't take advantage of snacks and teatimes and all that stuff. And you order prudently, even though the waiter is offering you an unlimited number of gigantic lobsters.

And maybe you do laps around the deck or use the gym. Or you make a point of walking around ports rather than automatically hopping on buses. You find a happy balance somewhere between throwing caution to the winds because you're on vacation, and depriving yourself.

...and you send periodic doggie backs home to your friends on CL's bulletin board.

I'm sure you will have a WON-derful time-- especially in the Mediterranean. Incidentally, I WILL fit in any large suitcase. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

[Leonard]

I have been on 3 cruises in the past 10 years. I was so excited by everything I was surrounded by, one the first one I gained 9 pounds in one week!!!! The second one 7 pounds and the last one 2 years ago 3 pounds. Discipline is definitely key. Everything in moderation!!!

[joyous]

Oh yes weight gains on cruises. I went on a Windjammer cruise in the Virgin Islands over Christmas, and brought back an extra 7 or 8 pounds.

Part of the problem was a lack of exercise the last couple of days: I blew out my knee, which sidelined me quite efficiently.

But there was always food food food! They fed us 5 times a day. There were pre-breakfast sticky buns, breakfast, lunch, evening snacks (in case you were feeling weak), and then a multi-course dinner.

I'd advise that you take advantage of every possible opportunity to walk around. And try to choose carefully. But don't forget to have fun: in the Mediterranean, there are bound to be some wonderful foods that you have to try.

[Saralee]

I was lucky enough to get to go on a cruise my senior year of high school. We spent a week in the Bahamas, and the food was fantastic. There were all kinds of exotic fruits and vegetables. You may find that instead of eating all the naughty stuff, you can indulge in all kinds of new veggies and fruits.

Have fun on your trip!

[Julia1Pin]

We went on a cruise last July, and granted Carnival is not known for their stellar cuisine.

I didn't gain anything (I don't weigh myslef, but my close fit the same, if not better, then before I left).

I did see people piling on food at the buffet lines, ordering multiple meals for dinner, eating 12 times a day, etc. I learned along time ago to eat what I want, but in moderation. I think I eat hte same way on vacation as at home. And on vacation, I'm more active than at home, so I tend to loose weight.

I did order multiple appetizers and entrees at meals, but I shared them with DH or friends.

Remember, vacation is a time for bathing suits and pictures. Isn't that when you want to look your best (that's kept me in-line many, many times) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Most importantly, have FUN!!!

[chefbec]

I've been on 3 cruises and never gained weight. As some of the others mentioned, there are things you need to do or avoid. The decks are wonderful for walking. Since they feed you around 6 times a day, stick to 3 meals. We always had a good breakfast, lunch and dinner and avoided the midnight buffet (although we always checked it out, but never ate!) At dinner we always ordered 3 entrees (because we could!) Go dancing at night and work off dinner. Have a great time!!

[mommywannabe]

I agree with the other posters...what you gain depends on the same things as when you're not on a cruise...how much you eat and how active you are. Some cruise lines have "health" menu options, which makes things a little easier, and most have a nice gym or formalized excercise program. The important thing is to have fun http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[SusieO]

The food on cruises can be very tempting, and is way too accessible. Keep in mind that just because it's there doesn't mean you have to eat it. Just because they serve a five-course meal doesn't mean you have to eat (or even order) all five courses.

You can save lots of calories (and $$$) by limiting your intake of those pretty frozen drinks.

One of these days I'd like to challenge myself to go on a cruise with my Weight Watcher journal and stay within my points range every day.

Have a great trip! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[RUSTYSMOM]

You guys really are the best, I have said it before and will say it again. You have given me the motivation I need to stay focused on quality not quantity and enjoy new fruits!! I will let you know how I hold up. Thanks again for all of the great input!

[aka]

As if you needed more "inspiration" I went on a 10-day cruise (my first) last January and I only gained 3 or 4 pounds. Not sure of the exact, but like Julia1pin, my clothes still fit OK. I didn't even really set out not to eat...I was just too busy. Of the 4 "at sea" days I was seasick for one. I did some form of exercise everyday; but more because I like it than to keep my weight even (it is an added bonus though). Since I was in the second seating dinner, I found I wasn't usually hungry for the midnight buffet (wasn't usually up at that time anyway). I did enjoy one night though.

I found other ways to "treat" myself other than food: I enjoyed some movies I had on my "to see" list, I played games (I love games, but dh doesn't), I checked out the on-ship library and read, and I spent time just enjoying the view. Time for snacks in between activities was short, so I usually savoured a nice cup of tea from the ship-cafe. Since dh doesn't usually care what he eats, if more than one thing appealed to me on the dinner menu, he would order what I didn't and we'd switch plates half way though...that way I could sample everything without having to order two plates.

We're doing another cruise to Alaska this August and we're really looking forward to it...any other bber's here going to Alaska this August?

Rustysmom -- have fun on your cruise!

Lilia

[This message has been edited by aka (edited 06-20-2001).]

[mb]

i've been on 4 cruises and have never even come close to gaining 14lbs! yikes! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif what's even scarier is that you said 14 lbs is the average weight gain...

i'm like julia1pin: i don't weight myself, but my clothes fit the same or better after i returned from the cruise.

moderation is definitely the key. my DH and i usually share 3 entrees at dinner (and yes, we order the other courses too), but we don't feel obliged to completely clean our plates. mostly, we do a lot of sampling! during the day, we eat pretty 'normally' - we never had a 4 course lunch or anything like that. plus, we're not big drinkers (it's expensive too), so that probably helps ward off unwanted extra calories.

in the ports, we tend to do pretty active things, like biking or hiking. and even if we're just exploring a place, we tend to go on foot rather than take a taxi or bus.

enjoy the mediterranean! like gail, i can also fit into a suitcase http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Wendy w]

Have a great time RUSTYSMOM, I'm so jealous. A few years back, I went on one of those 3 day numbers with a couple of girl friends (I was a bit younger and thinner at that time).

We had a light breakfast in our room every morning, had lunch by the pool in our swimsuits so we didn't want to look gluttonous, and had dinner at the 2nd seating which made us too full to partake in the midnight buffet. We also danced every night which helped.

[Lynn B]

I DID gain several pounds (OK... four!) when we went on a week long cruise last winter. The food was delicious, and my willpower (apparently!) was not at its best!!!

I was pretty aware of what I ate (and drank), and I tried to stay active, working out several times, etc., but still I gained. After we got home, I did make a conscious effort to lose the weight, but that part was a drag! It's so frustrating that it (the weight) went ON in one week and took FIVE weeks to come off!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/mad.gif

But just remember that one of the best exercises is DANCING!!!!!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

And have a blast!!!!

Lynn

[MelissaAS]

RUSTYSMOM-

I agree with those who've said the big M (moderation) is key- have fun! I've been on several cruises and on the most recent one I stayed exactly the same. I ate 3 meals a day and dessert (at least a few bites) every night (not at lunch) and was just fine. I did find the time to work out at least 5/8 days and that was the saviour. I'm also not much of a drinker (it was hot, so it was mostly water and seltzer for me) so that probably helped. But don't forget to ENJOY- if you really want something, have it. You only live once!! Happy cruising...

Melissa

[RUSTYSMOM]

:o Well - you were all so kind to provide guidance and motivation before my cruise I feel obliged to share my results. Maintaining a focus on quality not quantity (I came to the sad conclusion that in fact I am a food snob) I do not believe I gained any weight on the cruise - however I did manage to pick up a couple of pounds on my second week of vaction in Germany.

I have to say that overall I found the food to be of marginal quality - I actually felt like I was seeing the same food over and over again... this is not a bad thing under these circumstances - it kept me on track.

[funnybone]

Originally posted by RUSTYSMOM

I have to say that overall I found the food to be of marginal quality - I actually felt like I was seeing the same food over and over again... this is not a bad thing under these circumstances - it kept me on track.

I'm sorry to hear that about the food. What cruise line did you got on? There is a difference in quality, that's for sure

[kwormann]

I also found the food to be poor in my first cruise (on Carnival).


I should add, however, that last year we went on COmmodore and had great food experiences. Tried escargot, had lobster, exotic fruit etc. The funny thing is the ship wasnt as nice, old and needed a fresh coat of paint, etc., but I WANTED LOBSTER!!!!

[RUSTYSMOM]

Funnybone- we were on ROyal Caribbean International Cruise LInes. It was really funny becuse every I had spoken to raved about the food. My only conclusion could be that i am a food snob - there I admitted it again...

[Grace]

Oh Rustysmom, I was on a RCCL trip this past March, and besides the fact that the ship was so old and out of date (I think it was the ORIGINAL Love Boat!!:D ), the food was SOO gross to boot. Huge steamer pans of greasy cheeseburgers and other greasy meats (chicken with the skin on, fried anything), and the fruit?!! Well, on a cruise you'd at LEAST expect good fresh fruit! We got baskets of whole bananas and whole apples (ok, I guess, nothing to make me ooh and ahh over), bowls of cut up cantelope and honeydew (also pretty everyday, run of the mill), and the rest of the fruit was (hang on...) CANNED!!! I was disgusted. (Not to mention the fact that I was miserable - the whole ship stunk like an outhouse, my bathroom had moldy grout all over the place, and we were in a storm with gale force winds and 14 foot waves - they LIE about the stabilizer bars!! The ship rocked for the entire 4 days. I used pills, wrist bands, everything - I was miserable.)

Sorry to be so negative, you really touched a sore spot with me on this subject. I vow I will never cruise again as along as I live, even though I know for certain there are beautiful ships with the best food on them. The part I absolutely can't handle is being sick and miserable and not being able to leave! (Because of the high seas, our ship couldn't dock at the ports we were supposed to stop at). I was a prisoner. Any other vacation in the world, if you're not enjoying yourself, or you're sick and want to go home, you can leave. That was really the trip from hell for me! Never again.

[BevP]

I just got back from a cruise a couple weeks ago. I know on Royal Caribbean they always had "Ship Shape" food choices available. Even if you go for the more fattening, calorie laden foods, just remember portion sizes while you eat. They also had a great gym with different aerobics classes and a jog track.

I took the stairs instead of the elevator almost every time. It was usually faster and would burn 2 or 3 calories at the same time.

Either way, go on vacation, have fun and get back on track when you get back.

[RUSTYSMOM]

GRACE - this is unbelieveable - your food frustrations are excatly the same as mine. I was shocked to see canned peaches and pears - the only fresh cut fruit was canteloupe, honeydow, watermelon and pineapple. It was very disapointing. The Ship Shape meals were okay - nothing spectacular.

I am so sorry to hear that your overall experience was so terrible. Our ship was quite nice (Grandeur of the Seas), the cabin was fine. The fitness center was quite good. My only real complaint was the food...

[carolynne]

after reading all the posting I am hoping not to gain much weight either on my trip to Hawaii. Has anyone gone on the America
Hawaii Cruises. It is a seven day cruise with 4 port stops along the island. I am hoping I can get in long walks and not just sitting on a bus.