Weight Watchers and DCL?

[ArataCPA]

Is there anyone out there who is or has been on the Weight Watchers program and stayed on the program while on the ship? I've cruised on the Wonder before, however, I was not on any kind of diet or weight loss program, so it will be really different this time.

I would like to know were there any menu/room service items that you felt were "Points" friendly? Thanks for any suggestions and replies : ).

 

[Captain Jim]

I don't think you're going to have to worry about your diet. I just finished watching the DCL DVD and was amazed. EVERY man and woman on that DVD was in amazing shape. The men were handsome. The women were totally hot and sexy, especially the moms. Not an ounce of fat on anyone. There must be something in their water. I was really worried that I wouldn't have a good time seeing I'm a single guy, but after watching the DVD I'm really looking forward to this trip!

Don't worry about your kids either. The ones on the tape were perfectly behaved, well dressed, and polite. Disney truly is magic. lol

 

[WDWLVR]

I started doing WW in anticipation of our upcoming cruise so can't help as far as doing it on the cruise. I do think that the one thing I have learned most with WW is portion control and exercise.

The nice thing about the meals on the ship - while plentiful the servings don't go overboard. So order what you want, stop when you are full even if it means you are leaving something behind. Now your servers may think you aren't happy with something, but if you let them know you are just watching what you eat and that you are happy they'll be happy.

You have lots of opportunites to stay active. Take the stairs instead of the elevators, walk around deck 4 (I think it is 3 times around for a mile), and just enjoy.

Most of all remember you are on vacation so have fun!

 

[twhipple]

I’ve been doing consistently for two years, and did three cruises in that time. The only mistake I made was to go on two cruises two weeks apart last fall. My feeling about WW is that it is a lifestyle, not a diet. Most of us Weight Watchers are trying to lose weight, so we get confused that this is a lifestyle and not a diet. On the last two cruises I agreed that I would not gain more than 10 pounds on the cruise. I really didn’t want to gain 10 pounds because it takes so long to get it off again. We went to Epcot for the wine and food festival. Keep in mind this was only ten days after I returned from a 3 day cruise with my mom and sister. I didn’t gain anything with that cruise. I weighed myself when I got back from our 7 day Magic cruise and I had gained 10 pounds. Four days later I was only up 3 pounds. I attribute this to an increase in salt/sodium and travel. We insisted on taking the stairs as often as possible. We always took the stairs down (except on a couple occasions before dinner while dressed up) and for the most part took the stairs up when we had two or less decks to go, and many other times too. A couple days we walked around the ship on deck 4. All in all, we did a lot of walking. After dinner each night we came back to our room before going to the clubs, which meant we had a lot of walking to do because we were on 7 aft. We’d go back to our cabin many times in the day for one reason or another and had to walk there. Snorkeling, shopping, etc. all made for more exercise in port as well. As far as eating goes, I ate what I wanted. Two nights, I had two desserts. We went to the dessert buffet, breakfast buffets, lunch buffets, but just ate what I really wanted to eat. Don’t deprive yourself and feel that you must eat the lighter fare or the sugar free desserts. You don’t have to. You want to have a good time on your cruise, you don’t want to be obsessed about points. It’s only one week. If you watch what you eat a little more than I did, exercise a little more, and just stay moving, you probably won’t gain anything. I’ve even heard of people losing on cruises. Food is a big thing to me (I’m not obsessed about eating, I just love different tastes) so I feel like I must try more than most people would, but I’m happy to not eat every bite if all I want is a taste. If I was super concerned about points and losing weight on my cruises, I wouldn’t have had as good of a time as I did. Hope this helps.

 

[Muushka]

Originally posted by Captain Jim
I don't think you're going to have to worry about your diet. I just finished watching the DCL DVD and was amazed. EVERY man and woman on that DVD was in amazing shape. The men were handsome. The women were totally hot and sexy, especially the moms. Not an ounce of fat on anyone. There must be something in their water. I was really worried that I wouldn't have a good time seeing I'm a single guy, but after watching the DVD I'm really looking forward to this trip!

Don't worry about your kids either. The ones on the tape were perfectly behaved, well dressed, and polite. Disney truly is magic. lol

Too funny!

 

[kcashner]

I've lost 97 pounds...and during the 1/03 cruise was in the "losing" phase. I have not been on weight watchers, but a plan recommended by my doc.

While onthe 1/03 cruise, I basically did "my best" trying some of the sugar free desserts and eating sensibly. I lost 3 pounds over the 2 week vacation (1 week at parks, one on cruise).

While on 2/04 vacation, I ate sensibly, and came home at same weight I left at....since that's what I've been doing at home (staying stable, not gaining), I consider that a great success. There are low cal, low carb, low sugar choices available at every meal. You just have to make intelligent choices. On my recent cruise, my "most intelligent choice" was to hit the fitness room 4 days of the 7, so I could feel a little more free in the dining room!

 

[married@wdw]

I agree with twhipple -- for me WW is my new way of life. I've been OP since 11/02 and I've lost 117 lbs (23 to go).

We did a 5-day WDW + 3-day DCL in January and I gained 3 lbs on the trip (my WI was 36 hours after we returned home). That said , I was down that 3 lbs plus an extra 1.2 the following week, so another recommendation I have is to attend your regular meeting the week you get back, but don't WI. I was in a funk the whole first week we were back -- disappointed in myself even though I thought I'd done pretty well -- when really, my body just needed to get re-adjusted. So basically, I wish I hadn't weighed in because the I let the scale bethe judge -- bad move!

You will find countless healthy choices and plenty of exercise options on-board. The buffets had loads of fresh fruits and veggies, eggwhite or egg substitute omelets, etc. And they'll cook your food however you want it at the sitdowns, so just ask for what you want -- sauce/dressing on the side, extra veggies, no starch, etc.

And most importantly, remember that you're spending a lot of money on this vacation -- you want to enjoy it! I let myself have a "treat" each day -- a frozen drink, a chocolate chip cookie from room service, etc. -- and I had dessert every night. It was definitely worth it and I can't wait to go back!

 

[kennancat]

My DH and I got up and started each of our Wonder mornings in the fitness center. The view is great - from the treadmills, you look out right over the water and can see a bit down into the bridge. Just getting to enjoy that view for 30 minutes was incentive enough for me to get up and work out You can go easy on dinners and stick to the fish or chicken choices if you like. To me, the best way to keep from gaining too much weight on the cruise is to know your problem areas (portion size, desserts, high-fat/calorie foods, lack of exercise, etc.) and keep your focus on those. Just be sure to have fun, too!

 

[jlawall]

I have to comment on this. I think you should go to your WI and get weighed right after your trip. I just don't recommend getting down on yourself. You had a great vacation and now it's over and time to get back to work. I don't think I would try as hard if I didn't have the WI.

My new plan is to just stick with it through thick and thin. I've learned that when I stop going to WW, I gain weight. While on WW, I've been discouraged when I don't lose or get caught in a rut. So now I'm sticking with it and not getting down on myself when I have a setback.

Best wishes to all, we're in this together!!!