Does anyone else try to 'lose before the cruise?'

[Mickeyhugger]

I gained 5 lbs. after our first DCL 7-day eastern. I knew there would be temptations, but I was delightfully overwhelmed when I first went to Topsiders after checking in. I tried to stay disciplined w/my first (and there were many thereafter!) plate, but after looking across the table at the fun DH was having devouring the shrimp, I threw in the towel. "What the heck, I was on vacation' was my thought.

Knowing what to expect the second year, I lost five pounds, (since it was how much I gained the previous year), but gained eight!

I wonder what it's going to be this year? (No, don't tell me.)

It took awhile to lose those eight, (my own fault, I know), but no, I'm not going to cut back on the cruise. The food is half the fun. I guess I'll just try to lose now before May!

AAAHHH the dessert buffet! I can't wait!

 

[wdwmom2]

I'm right with you. I started watching my carbs about mid October and I have lost 15 lbs. My cruise isn't until April and will probably lose another 5. This would make me very happy. I put on my bathing suit yesterday and thought, "wow, this diet and exercise is really going well". I know that onboard I will be eating more than normal and I will gain a few. That is OK. I want to enjoy myself and all the food available. Good luck to everyone out there that are trying to lose weight for their upcoming cruises!!!!!

 

[CRB#33]

Congrats to you on your weight loss wdwmom!

I'm thinking more of how flabby I feel. I'm really only a few pounds overweight, but my real problem is lack of exercise.

I'm trying to get myself motivated to start a pilates program or something. I know it's not healthy to just sit and DIS all day

Seriously. I really need to get motivated. Lots of times I start this stuff and quit within a few weeks.

If I am in shape when I get on the ship, I can eat without guilt!

 

[wdwmom2]

CRB#33

I'll tell you what motivated me. I, like you, am not really that much overweight. I am out of shape. I put on my bathing suit last year and that was all the motivation I needed. I needed some serious firming up. There was noooo way I was going on this cruise looking like this. I am very concious of my body and very critical of myself. I am a mother of 2 beautiful daughters, hold 1 full-time job and 1 part-time job, and take good care of my family which includes 2 step-children. By the time I get home from work it's like I don't feel like exercising. But you have to make time for it. Almost 2 years ago I bought a Bowflex for myself and the only one using it was my husband. And boy did he lose the weight!!! He also lowered his blood pressure from 145/85 to 112/70 in just 1 month. This made his doctor very happy and the doc told him that whatever he was doing to keep on doing it. So now I am making a serious effort with that machine. I exercise 3 to 4 times a week and I am definately seeing the results. It only takes me 20 minutes to do a workout. I just turn on the music and workout. Before you know it you are done. So best of luck getting motivated and once you start just stick to it and it will pay off!!

 

[lillygator]

hmm.....well we are cruising a 3 nighter in May and I am pregnant so I won't be losing this time. But we will be cruising again December 2005 when the new baby will be 1 and I plan on losing a lot before that one!!

 

[disneygal58]

I have found that if I never take the elevator (our cabin always seems to be on deck 2) I don't gain weight. Walking all of those stairs everyday justifies my eating whatever I want. Doing laps around deck4 also helps and doesn't feel like you're "exercising".
Enjoy,
Dawn Hope

 

[NYDisneyMom]

I have sort of a related question...is the workout/gym equipment on the ship available free of charge or is it considered a spa visit?? I haven't seen anything posted about this.

I'm also trying to get into better shape before the cruise. I'd like to drop 10 pounds before May. I just bought an eliptical trainer -- wow, what a workout!

Since I work at home I'm sitting at my computer 8-10 hours a day. The only exercise I seem to be getting most days is running up and down to do the laundry!

 

[lstokes]

I agree with disneygal58;
We always use the stairs on cruises and usually don't gain weight. I also love to just take a few bites of new menu things and rarely "clean my plate". I know some will think this is wasting food but that is what I do.
I am losing weight, after the "winter fluff" was added.
I want to feel good on the cruise!
I also have a 25 year high school reunion this summer to have added incentive to be my best!!!!

 

[EPCOTLADY]

I am with you all... I start the slim fast thing as soon as dh told me that this was to be our anniv. trip this year... then my work told me I could not go...then I was so depressed that I started eating my heart out...then I found out everything is ok and I can go anyway and now here I am a month before we go and find myself back where I started.. I am more than a few pounds overweight and was so self concious on the last cruise til it is almost dampening the anticipation towards this one... then husband makes me feel like his queen and I say what the heck.. I am going and I am going to have a blast!!!!

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

lstokes - I like your term "winter fluff"! I also did nothing but run up and down the stairs with my boys. I still gained a few pounds but I ate anything I felt like eating! I had lost 8 pounds right before our cruise and gained back about 5. After I added my "winter fluff" I'm back to watching what I'm eating again and working out a little harder

 

[Mickeyhugger]

BriarfoxinWA, we're in the same boat, (no pun intended)
I take the stairs too, but I still gained, (and lost eventually, when I got back.)

I never eat at home like I do on the cruise, (pastries and all), and that's why I look forward to it so much!

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

My DH managed to gain over 15 pounds He and my older DS were sneaking up to Pluto's and having pizza every night after dinner. How they could stand to eat more after those big meals, I'll never know! I didn't even know they were doing it at the time. When we got home and weighed in - I couldn't believe he had gained so much - until he told me about the pizza every night

 

[lstokes]

I love your phrase "husband makes me feel like a queen"

Isn't that what really is important????

My husband also still tells me I am his best looking girl, even after 4 kids!!!

GOTTA LUV HIM!!!!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Last summer when we headed on our 7 day I was well into a major loss and was somewhat concerned about putting hard lost weight back on, among other things. My doctor was the one that said - you've changed major habits, one week isn't the end of the world.

So I ate what I wanted - and noticed that I didn't always have to "clean my plate". Also as already noted we used the stairs most of the time. One other thing we did was walk the Promenade deck most mornings.

DH & I had gotten into the habit of walking about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes each morning. It was our time, no kids, etc. Since we tended to wake up before the kids anyway we decided on the mornings we woke up and there wasn't an early excursion we'd throw on shorts and t and go walk. It was wonderful. The ship is so peaceful and you get to enjoy all of that beautiful ocean and rising sun (no it wasn't DAWN - 7:30 or so).

I came home having lost another 2 pounds! And I really didn't feel like I gave up anything I wanted to eat!

Deb

 

[wide awake]

I'll go along with all of those who said take the stairs. We did that and neither DH or myself gained any weight. He ate a huge amount of food also...2 main dishes every night, 2 breakfast entrees, complete desserts...We did stay away from the buffets though...except for the first lunch. I also stuck to the seafood entrees and did not eat when I was not hungry...that was hard but I know if I overeat I'm miserable and whiny so my DH kept an eye on that.

 

[jrabbit]

The food is half the fun

Wrong - I thinks it's closer to 3/4's of the fun.

 

[gdulaney]

NYDisneyMom - yes, they have workout equipment which is part of the spa facility, but there isn't a charge to use it. Make sure to bring tennis shoes (my hubby was wearing deck shoes and one of the staff asked him to put on his "trainers" if he was going to use the machines). I think it's the stairclimbing torture machines that overlook the bridge. Very cool!!!!

They also have basketball court and a couple of games can burn a ton of calories.

We ate what we wanted (hubby usually has two apps, an entree and dessert) and we always used the stairs (which is usally faster than waiting for an elevator).

We also do a ton of walking when in port. For example, we walked back to the ship from the shopping district in St. Thomas (yes...I was a very interesting walking buddy...especially if you could hear what I was actually saying ).

Ginny

 

[EPCOTLADY]

I agree with jrabbit

 

[Mickeyhugger]

You're right jrabbit and epcotlady!

Where else but on a cruise (especially DCL!) may one get the all of the gourmet foods and delectable desserts (and yes, the soft-serve ice cream) for one full week, w/out having to worry what the tab is going to be, and w/out having to do dishes!

I'm fantasizing every day about the seafood and dessert buffets!

 

[Shanno66]

Hello everyone!

I have always used the stairs while cruising----but this is my first Disney Cruise, aand first time with kids.

What I mean is.....when I go up the stairs I go kinda fast....how does this work with kids? I know I am being kinda technical, but I would like to know how others "do" this.

A. "Beat you up the stairs kids!"

B. Go as fast as you can up the stairs and never look back

C. "Oh I just saw Mickey! I'm going to catch him!"

Any suggestions, comments, and reflections (hahahha) will be appreciated!


Thanks,

Shanno