How to be good on a Disney Cruise!

[disneyochem]

Hi Everyone, sorry if this has been covered before but I've just found this board! My friend is going on a Disney cruise the first week in November. She has been on Jenny Craig for the past two months and is down 30 lbs! :cool1: :cool1:

She is getting a little nervous about how she is going to cope on the cruise. Jenny Craig supplies all the food so she hasn't had to worry about making good choices. Any advice you can give me to pass along to her would be appreciated! She doesn't drink so won't have my little problem with margaritas. ;)

I myself have lost 20 lbs and will be visiting DLR next month for a week. I'm not too worried since I'm on Weight Watchers and have been eating regular food. I have been using the web and have prepared a week's menu of food to eat while in Anaheim.

Thanks! And what a great site! I've been reading the posts and what an inspiration everyone is!

[Miss Jasmine]

This illustrates the problem with programs such as Jenny Craig. To lose weight and to keep it off requires a life change. And in order to make it a life-long change you have to learn what "normal" foods you can eat, the portions of said food and the importance of excercise. Now that my lecture is over... ;)

There are many healthy food options on DCL. For breakfast there is plenty of fresh fruit options, plus eggs. I tried to stay away from too many "bad" carbs. Wheat bread is okay though. And for lunch and dinner there are always healthier options listed in a seperate section of the menus. A few indulgences here and there isn't awful, just do it in moderation. I never clean my plate.

Another great thing to help is to NEVER, EVER take the elevators, always take the stairs. It really helps a great deal. Every cruise I think I am going to use the gym and I never do. I continue to pack an exercise outfit just in case though. One of this times I will actually do it. :teeth:

[ohMom]

well this is a toughie for me b/c i don't do very well on DCL myself :) i'm such a dessert lover. BUT -- there are options and thankfully the portions aren't huge. picking at my portions and purposely trying not to finish each one helps. like Miss Jasmine said there are lots of options and if you speak with your server you may be able to have your foods prepared a bit healthier, not swimming in butter for example. one strategy i use at restaruants is to scan the menu and make my choice, then close the menu and forget about it. i find if i continue to look and read about other choices I'm more tempted to choose a dish less healthy b/c i talk myself into it.

and there is a walking track on one of the decks, maybe 4 that circles the entire circumference of the ship, i believe it's 1/4 mile. I have worked out in the gym and it's really nice. just remember it's only 30-60 mins of the day, there is still lots of time for play! i have also attended the early a.m. water aerobics class and it was a great workout! then be sure to treat yourself to yoga on beach at CC! and steps everytime for sure!

[scrapperjill]

I think one thing that could help your friend is if she knows or can tell what a serving size is. Maybe with you being on WW you could go over the examples of portion sizes that WW uses...like a tennis ball is about the size of one cup of salad, pasta or rice...and a light bulb is about the size of a med to large baked potoat...a Cassette tape is roughly the portion size of meat. ....anyhow I know having a general idea of what a portion size should be has helped me. Of course on DCL...it all goes out the window :goodvibes Also the tip of never using the elevators is the BEST. We've done that each cruise and somehow DH ended up loosing weight :confused3 I didn't end up loosing but I also didn't end up gaining :thumbsup2 ...and we didn't really hold back on ANYTHING....just kept active.

Anyhow if I were in her shoes and worried about not knowing how to pick "good" foods...I'd do some researching...of what the menues on the ship offer and get an idea of what will be the "best" choices.

[Tarabra]

I LOVE eating on the Disney Cruise. Not just because of all the food (which is also a plus) but because there are so many healthy options. For breakfast, I always have a slice of each type of fresh fruit they have, scrambled eggs and a couple of pieces of bacon (sort of o.k. on South Beach). For lunch there are all types of healthy things to eat. The portion sizes for the fish, etc. are quite small, so you can sample a few of each thing. I really am not a desert lover, so nothing for lunch, but I do have desert w/ dinner. And dinners are great. Always chicken or fish, a salad, and a veggie. I don't think I've ever gotten a potato on board. Drink lots of water, and stay away from the free Soda or (pop where I'm from) As others have mentioned, do NOT take the elevators (although this year we did because of a stroller) and walk the track on Deck 4 a couple of times a day. I also try to hit a spinning or aerobics class or 2 or 3. Nothing like just walking up a few flights of steps for class. It's REALLY easy to eat well on the cruise.

[Vallie]

I'm having the same issue too - we are going on a carnival cruise and I've head the food is AMAZING with super extravagant dinners and all however I can offer a few tips that I use on a daily basis and plan to use on the cruise....

When in a buffet, take small portions and try to get at least half your plate full of veggies.

When its a served dinner, leave some of the food on your plate and eat slowly.. it makes you feel fuller b.c your brain is able to register that it is full

I'm not sure about the disney cruise line but I know on the cruise I'll be on there is a full gym and track which would be good on those days that you over-induldge.

Try to show your friend correct portion sizes, which is a biggie on the WW plans.

And my last advice... it is a vacation!! enjoy the trip and don't let the stress of what to eat overpower the amazing vacation you are going to be taking :D

:blush: :blush: :blush: