Need some tips - how NOT to gain weight on a cruise

I'm going on a cruise (yay), but I hear that there's always food around and that most people gain some weight on cruises.

I've never been on a cruise before, so I'm not sure how unhealthy the food is, but I'd love some tips on how to avoid weight gain. I've been really healthy since the New Year, in part because I don't have junk food around. I'm just worried how I'll handle it when it's there in my face.

I'm already planning to hit the gym for my elliptical/weights once a day and probably do a pilates class every other day. Any other tips?

Re: Need some tips - how NOT to gain weight on a cruise

stay away from the buffet!

Re: Need some tips - how NOT to gain weight on a cruise

The buffets have really nice salad bars, so that is always an option. Most cruise lines have something a long the lines of a "spa" menu in the dining rooms which are healthier. I've also found the dinner portions to be on the small side.

I;ve never gained more than 1-2# on a cruise, and I eat like a Pig- I find the key is to walk. There is al ot of going up and down from your room to the pools, resteraunts, theaters. Take the stairs not the elevator

Re: Need some tips - how NOT to gain weight on a cruise

You can not gain weight on a cruise if you watch what you are eating. There is food 24/7 but you need to treat yourself like you are home. Only eat when you are hungry & eat the salads & fruits (always around). There is no need for you to eat everytime there is food out. I think a lot of people just do it bc it is there.

Also, go for a nice walk daily on the sun deck or workout in the gym. DH & I usually offset the eating we do with a daily workout rather then just lounging around.

Have fun though!

Re: Need some tips - how NOT to gain weight on a cruise

The buffets always have salad and fruits. Eat a salad before you hit up the good stuff and you won't eat as much.

Also, try to get to the gym there - even if it's only for 20 min.

Last cruise I went on, I only made it to the gym twice - but I figured it was better than nothing and I was proud of myself for even going. I went when DH went to play games with his brother - since I wouldn't have any fun sitting there watching him play.

Don't forget - your on vacation, so ENJOY yourself!


ETA: The classes on the cruise I went on were SUPER early. I had planned on going, but once I saw what time they were - I opted to sleep in!

Message edited 1/17/2008 8:59:51 AM.

Re: Need some tips - how NOT to gain weight on a cruise

I workout. Running isn't easy for me on the ship for some reason, but there's the gym and there will be classes in the morning that you can take. Often, they ended early enough that the pool was relatively empty and I swam a bit afterward, too.

A lot of cruises will also offer a meal and dessert that is denoted as being lower in calories and fat (and they might even give you the calorie/carb/protein/fat count). I think that this holds true for lunch and for dinner.

I just stick to eating at regular meal times (sit down, not buffet if I could avoid it); I only ate in between if I was actually hungry.

PS Have fun.

Message edited 1/17/2008 9:14:32 AM.

Re: Need some tips - how NOT to gain weight on a cruise

My DH and I just went on a cruise in October and I actually lost weight!!

We ate at the buffet every morning for breakfast but instead of the egss/bacon/bread meal we had oatmeal or fruit and cheese.

We walked up and down the staircases to each level, and took walks around the ship ever night after dinner.

we only ate the 3 meals a day....not like some that eat continuslly!!

we did have dessert at night, after the shows, but again we choose fruit or a cookie or 2.

We arent big drinkers, so we didnt have to worry about the calories from the drinks

Its not really that hard to eat healthy on a cruise. We did but at the same time we enjoyed ourselves a lot.

Re: Need some tips - how NOT to gain weight on a cruise

Don't eat 24/7 - and don't allow yourself the "the hell w/ it, I'm on vacation" mentality .......

If you're careful to eat like a NORMAL person and splurge here and there (b/c you ARE on vacation) rather than completely change your nomral eating habits - you should be Ok !!

have a good time !

Re: Need some tips - how NOT to gain weight on a cruise

All great tips from the previous posters. Also, on both cruises I've been on they had light options on the dinner menu every night. Something to keep in mind too is that when you order dinner they'll ask you what you want for each course (like 5!) but that doesnt mean you have to have something at each course, you can eat as much or as little as you want. hth!

Re: Need some tips - how NOT to gain weight on a cruise

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice

Re: Need some tips - how NOT to gain weight on a cruise

we actually ate like it was going out of style - but we always took the stairs, never the elevator; we did excursions that involved walking, hiking, swimming etc; and we went to the gym every "at sail" day

Re: Need some tips - how NOT to gain weight on a cruise

For me, it isn't possible.

The last cruise we went on, we ate normally--not excessively, but tried to offset it by walking up and down the stairs every day (our room was on the 4th deck, and dinner was on the 10th).

We still both gained 5 lbs.