Weight Watchers on Fantasy?

[jillianjigs7]

I am on Weight Watchers, and have been for about a month and a half. I have lost about 15lbs so far and am starting to become concerned with being able to stay on track while on vacation. I've been on numerous cruises in the past on DCL - and I never had to care about if I was going to gain or not. I just know how good the food is. Has anyone successfully stayed on their diet and not gain a lot of weight?

 

[MikeAndNick]

I am on Weight Watchers, and have been for about a month and a half. I have lost about 15lbs so far and am starting to become concerned with being able to stay on track while on vacation. I've been on numerous cruises in the past on DCL - and I never had to care about if I was going to gain or not. I just know how good the food is. Has anyone successfully stayed on their diet and not gain a lot of weight?

As a general rule I lose weight on a cruise. I am able to eat more but I am more picky about what I eat. I tend to stay away from the bad carbs and eat more protein. I also do not take the elevator unless I am going up several decks. I also will walk 1000 times more than at home.

My biggest rule on the cruise.. the more I eat the more I find a way to exercise even if it is just walking around the deck in the evening or dancing all night in the nightclub.

 

[shelbell77]

Get plenty of exercise, and be selective about what you eat and you should be fine.

I just got off the Fantasy Saturday. Gained about 0.5 pounds. Spent an hour in the gym most days, tried to make healthy choices, or control portions when making less healthy choices, and limited my adult beverages.

My weight loss is important, but I don't want it to keep me from enjoying vacation - so my philosophy is to stay active, eat smart, and enjoy myself.

 

[KarenMP59]

My DH and I have been doing WW since September. He's lost 67 lbs and I've lost 25. We don't plan on tracking when we are on our cruise next week (yay!) but we do have a plan. We will make good choices, exercise as much as we can (gym, walking deck 4, stairs when I'm not wearing heels) and drink a lot of water. Other than that, we plan on having fun together (it's our 30th anniversary and both of our birthdays while we are on the cruise) and we will just work to take the weight back off after our cruise if we gain any. The good thing is we both needed all new wardrobes for our cruise

 

[WWLoser12]

I too am on WW. I have been since last year. am now down 62 pounds and will be on the EB Fantasy on May 19th! This is our fourth cruise and I know only too well how wonderful the food is, especially PALO! My plan of attack is to make good choices, count everything in my Tracker like I always do, and walk, walk, walk, as much as I can. I am also planning a session or two with a Personal Trainer while I have the time to do it during vacation and to beef up my exercise routine. I hope I'll learn some new tricks that I can take home with me.

I've had to buy several new things since not much still fits from my old wardrobe, so that's been fun!

But I will think about two things, even while cruising: "Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels" and "How many times do you want to lose the same pound"! Let's keep up the good work and have wonderful time!!

 

[Gigi22]

You can stick to your Weight Watchers plan on a cruise. Been there, done that--on HAL, not Disney.
I found it was simplest for me if I followed a few "diet rules of cruising" as follows:
1. Onboard ship, always take the stairs.
2. In a bar/lounge, every second beverage must be water.
3. Limit drinks with alcohol and fattening mixes. White wine spritzers (with soda water) are a good choice, pina coladas are a poor choice. Champagne is a good diet choice!
4. Always have a salad before a meal, get the salad dressing on the side.
5. Drink hot coffee/tea black or with milk, not cream.
6. Nothing deep fried.

 

[mammacaryn]

Tracking will be nearly impossible unless you order items not on the menu (grilled chicken etc.) but who wants to do that. Watch your portions, get extra salads and veggies. Sauces on the side is always helpful too. Lunches in the buffets is helpful as well because you can get lots of fruit, salad, shrimp

Most of all though, enjoy yourself.

It is one week, and if you do happen to gain (which you most likely won't), it won't be too much that wont come back off with a week or two of diligent tracking and honesty when you come back.

You already have the skills to make wise/healthy decisions

 

[fredgirls]

First, congratulations!

Second, don't sweat it!

I didn't count points and didn't worry about it. I walked everywhere/always stairs and lost 3 pounds! Couldn't believe it. I had dessert every night!

I avoided the fast foods but that was all.

The thing is too, you've done really well so far. Even if you put a couple of pounds on, I call those 'temporary pounds' like the ones that we put on and gain throughout the month. As long as you get back to WW when you return, those pounds will soon come off again.

Go and enjoy the food. Eat slowly and savour it. Stop when you're full. As long as you don't over eat you'll be fine.

Have a wonderful trip

 

[fredgirls]

But I will think about two things, even while cruising: "Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels" and "How many times do you want to lose the same pound"! Let's keep up the good work and have wonderful time!!

And another one I love, 'Little pickers wear bigger knickers'
(Of course knickers are underwear in the UK!)
So avoid snacking!

 

[jillianjigs7]

Thanks everyone for the great tips and pointers! We are so excited for our May 19th Cruise! Especially since this will be my DH and DD's first time - she is 2!

 

[WWLoser12]

Thanks everyone for the great tips and pointers! We are so excited for our May 19th Cruise! Especially since this will be my DH and DD's first time - she is 2!

Thanks for your post! I got some great advice as well! By the way, we are on the same cruise! I hope we get to meet each other! Have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[Hayloburger]

Also, I try to remember, I can have the hamburger by the pool, BUT, I don't have to eat the entire thing. I can split it with the kids! Sometimes, just a taste will curb by craving. ALTHOUGH, I think that I will have to gobble down the entire mickey bar...no sharing those!!

 

[geffric]

just be sensible..

avoid fried foods, really at home one doesnt eat dessert for lunch and dinner..so limited it to one meal.. plus walk everywhere...
and watch the ice cream in the middle of the day..don't deny yourself, but make good choices..

 

[dthogue]

And another one I love, 'Little pickers wear bigger knickers'
(Of course knickers are underwear in the UK!)
So avoid snacking!

love it

 

[Footnotegirl]

I'm doing weight watchers too (lost 70 lbs, got pregnant, am now 8 lbs over my lowest weight, so am back on now that baby is 12 weeks old). Here are my tips for doing great on the cruise, some weight watchers specific, some more general.

1) If you, like me, track electronically, nab a paper tracker before you go to keep track while you're on the cruise.

2) Remember that your goal does not have to be to lose weight on the cruise. You can decide ahead of time to either maintain or name an acceptable amount to gain.

3) On the up side, the serving sizes on cruises are very, very reasonable. So look forward to that!

Now on to the advice:

4) Pretend that the elevators do not exist. Take the stairs EVERYWHERE. My only excuse for taking the elevators are when i'm wearing heels.

5) Choose active shore excursions over passive. Kayaking instead of the glass bottom boat. Walking tour instead of bus tour.

6) Use the fitness area. Bonus pro-tip: The showers in the fitness area are way nicer than the one in your room, so go to the fitness center to work out followed by treating yourself with a nice long shower.

7) Buffets are tough. Here are some buffet tips:
a) Avoid the buffets if possible, they are almost always 'extra' food.
b) If you really want to do a buffet, do not get a plate right away. Walk the whole length of the buffet to see everything available first, make your decisions of what you are going to get.
c) If more than one size of plate is available, take the smallest size plate.
d) Take one trip. Do not go up for seconds. One plate of food is all you need.
e) If going up for dessert, take the smallest plate you can. I go to the coffee bar and take a saucer and use that for my dessert.

8) Use the fact that all your food is pre-paid to try new and interesting foods that you might not otherwise try. After all, you won't have to pay extra for them, and you won't go hungry if you don't like it.

 

[KarenMP59]

I'm doing weight watchers too (lost 70 lbs, got pregnant, am now 8 lbs over my lowest weight, so am back on now that baby is 12 weeks old). Here are my tips for doing great on the cruise, some weight watchers specific, some more general.

1) If you, like me, track electronically, nab a paper tracker before you go to keep track while you're on the cruise.

2) Remember that your goal does not have to be to lose weight on the cruise. You can decide ahead of time to either maintain or name an acceptable amount to gain.

3) On the up side, the serving sizes on cruises are very, very reasonable. So look forward to that!

Now on to the advice:

4) Pretend that the elevators do not exist. Take the stairs EVERYWHERE. My only excuse for taking the elevators are when i'm wearing heels.

5) Choose active shore excursions over passive. Kayaking instead of the glass bottom boat. Walking tour instead of bus tour.

6) Use the fitness area. Bonus pro-tip: The showers in the fitness area are way nicer than the one in your room, so go to the fitness center to work out followed by treating yourself with a nice long shower.

7) Buffets are tough. Here are some buffet tips:
a) Avoid the buffets if possible, they are almost always 'extra' food.
b) If you really want to do a buffet, do not get a plate right away. Walk the whole length of the buffet to see everything available first, make your decisions of what you are going to get.
c) If more than one size of plate is available, take the smallest size plate.
d) Take one trip. Do not go up for seconds. One plate of food is all you need.
e) If going up for dessert, take the smallest plate you can. I go to the coffee bar and take a saucer and use that for my dessert.

8) Use the fact that all your food is pre-paid to try new and interesting foods that you might not otherwise try. After all, you won't have to pay extra for them, and you won't go hungry if you don't like it.

Such excellent advice!! We will be on the Fantasy tomorrow and we will not be tracking but we will follow all of your excellent suggestions!

 

[ilovetexas]

More suggestions:

Drink a LOT of water and limit your sodium intake. Water weight gain is still weight gain and can be fairly easily avoided.

Limit alcohol consumption (empty calories).

Eat a big HEALTHY salad before lunch and dinner; no exceptions. That, plus the water, will still allow you to enjoy your meal without eating too much rich (high calorie/high fat) food. One tip to enjoy salad dressing without going overboard....get the dressing on the side and instead of pouring it on your salad, dip your fork in it prior to spearing your salad greens. Works with everything except vinaigrette.

For breakfast, choose oatmeal and fruit over bacon and pastries. Save your calories for the "better" meals. Or, I'm sure you could get an egg-white omelet (without butter and loaded with veggies) made somewhere on board.

Make it a game. For every dessert you eat, you have to spend a half hour walking the deck of the beautiful ship taking in the lovely scenery. Better than a half hour on a treadmill at the local gym!!!

 

[Mokat76]

Congrats to all you Weight Watchers! Great suggestions, most of which I will take to heart here on land, too.

My two cents: Have fun, get some activity points and don't let yourself feel deprived. If you want it, order, take a taste then push it away. Then congratulate yourself for the discipline. This is a great time to be smug (just don't be a food Nazi to those around you).

 

[jillianjigs7]

Thanks again everyone! I am so excited for our upcoming cruise! I will definitely use many of the suggestions above. Now, I just have to get all of the packing done!

 

[SnackyStacky]

I lost 162 pounds years ago on Weight Watchers. (Kept most of it off - had a herniated disc and was immobile for about 6 months and ended up gaining 50 - 60 pounds and am working to get rid of that)

ANYWAY - we went to Walt Disney World in the middle of that weight loss journey. I tracked. I made healthy choices. I counted points. I did everything right.

And GAINED FIVE POUNDS.

I was furious. And ever since then, I go in with the attitude that it's a vacation. No more anal, OCD weight-watchering for me on vacation. I eat half of what I'd normally eat, choose lots of fruits and vegetables, make healthy choices when possible, and move more. Since adopting that mind set, I usually stay the same or gain less than 2 pounds on vacations.

And that's peachy with me!!!

Best of luck to you!