Pre-emptive weight loss

[Orcrone]

Does anyone try to take off some weight before a cruise to combat the almost inevitable weight gain during the cruise?

You can vote in more than one category.

[elmorejj]

I do!! It doesn`t always work but I try! If I can drop 7 lbs before I leave, then at least my clothes should still fit me on the last couple of nights. The only problem with that is that we usually do BtoBs, and sometimes I have to really struggle on the 2nd cruise!!........jean :cool:

[doone]

I always try and most times I am not successful either. This time I need to be successful, I need to loose with back to back cruises, good god, I'll have to wear my bathrobe as formal wear, that's all that will fit by the 2nd cruise, ugh. Joining Weight Watchers at work in a few weeks, so I'll have plenty of time to get those darn 20 pounds off.

[spcl4cs_gal]

It is so hard trying to lose weight, especially after that magical 40 years of age. Since diabetes is in my family, I tend to watch my sugars a lot. Hopefully getting into the gym on the ship will have some effect. :(

[Orcrone]

I always try and most times I am not successful either. This time I need to be successful, I need to loose with back to back cruises, good god, I'll have to wear my bathrobe as formal wear, that's all that will fit by the 2nd cruise, ugh. Joining Weight Watchers at work in a few weeks, so I'll have plenty of time to get those darn 20 pounds off.Doone,

Back in 1989 I joined the WW at work program, and took off a lot of weight. The problem was that it was a 6 or 8 week program. Not nearly enough time to get to goal and reach lifetime. So over the years I gained back all the weight, plus some.

So last year I joined WW again, lost over 70 pounds, got to my goal, reached lifetime last fall and have maintained it since. I still attend and weigh in at least every other week. I think it's extremely important to follow through on the program and become lifetime for maintaining your new weight. So if you're "at work" program is for a limited time I'd encourage you to find a regular meeting afterwards and continue to lifetime status.

Marc

[RaffinOrganGrinders]

My blood pressure is down to 105/68 (down from 140/90 last year), cholesterol down more than 100 points, blood sugar at 98 on a non fasting day, heart proteins at 12 (0-125 scale), PSA negative (prostate), liver and kidney function 100%; yet I am so overweight. Luckly, when cruising I don't gain any more weight. Fifteen days on the Statendam and I was able to eat fish two to three times each day, have a drink or two in the evening and sleep like a baby at sea.

George

[jhannah]

I have lost some weight over the past month. Not in the preemptive sense ... I just needed to shed some extra. The main thing about weight loss is that it requires a lifestyle change. Weight loss programs ... any of them that work for you ... are wonderful. But our eating habits must change for life or else we'll ride the weight roller coaster, as I've been guilty of for years. On my past cruises I have ranged from being somewhat careful with what I eat to throwing caution to the wind! :eek: I hopefully won't do the latter on next month's cruise. But with all the variety of great dishes, it's SO HARD! I recently had a checkup and my doctor noted that I weighed the same as I did last year. Maybe there's some hope for me yet.

[doone]

Orcrone, you are so right. I am, sadly to admit, a Weight Watchers Lifetime Member as well. I have been going to WW since I was 13, and now gotta go back AGAIN for the millionth time. I find it easier to take the weight off, extremely hard to keep it off!!!!!!!! Wish me luck this time!!!!!

[FlorenceItaly]

Well, last month I gained 4 pounds on the cruise, but did take it off in about 2 weeks. The problem is I need to lose 50 pounds :(.

Marc, way to go with your awesome weightloss!!!!!!!

Marie

[localady]

Weight has also been a life long struggle for me, but I was so glad to see that although I had lost 15 lbs. before the cruise, I didn't gain anything on the cruise!! My husband and I try to do lots of walking when we cruise, and I was trying to watch my starches. The fish on the Ryndam was very good, but I did love the ice cream bar and volcano cake very much!!! :eek:

I was so thrilled to come home and find that I can take a cruise, enjoy the food and not gain weight!!!!

[Orcrone]

Orcrone, you are so right. I am, sadly to admit, a Weight Watchers Lifetime Member as well. I have been going to WW since I was 13, and now gotta go back AGAIN for the millionth time. I find it easier to take the weight off, extremely hard to keep it off!!!!!!!! Wish me luck this time!!!!!You're so right, keeping it off is much harder than taking it off. When you're losing weight you have that goal to look forward to, every week going in and (hopefully) seeing a smaller amount on the scale. It's a limited time event; for some a couple of months for others a couple of years. But when you've reached your goal, that part of the journey is over.

After you reach your goal you don't get the positives that you received before. People noticing the weight loss, they've now gotten used to it. Trying on clothes that you couldn't fit into, or would never wear before. You're now wearing it. Not seeing the drops in weight or having a set weight to reach for. You're now there.

I struggle with it very often. I still keep track of my points, and probably always will. It had to become part of my lifestyle, or I know that I'll be buying larger clothes again.

Best of luck. You can do it.:)

[doone]

Ocrone, thanks so much for the encouragement on WW, I know I can do it and I have 2 wonderful cruises to look forward to, in a SMALLER size.

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

On our first couple of cruises, many, many years ago, we both gained a few pounds and took it off when we got home.

Now that we are older and wiser, we watch what we eat, both at home and while we are away. That way we can splurge on chocolate volcano cake.

:)

[sail7seas]

I watch myself carefully on cruises now. I did not always. I really, really do no want to gain while we vacation so I watch what I eat and hit the gym. We walk promenade deck and walk alot in port.


I do not deprive myself and allow some treats but I'm careful not to overdo it.



Congratulations, Marc......what a great accomplishment and you seem to be on top of keeping to the discipline that makes it possible to maintain the loss. It does take a change in lifestyle....and constant vigilance.

[Peter D]

We walk at least one hour each day and go to the gym 4 times/week when we are at home. While on the cruise we do walk a lot more than we would normally during an average day at home. We have also found that avoiding the elevators during the cruise and using the stairs is very beneficial to calorie burning.

[saltydog28]

It is so hard trying to lose weight, especially after that magical 40 years of age. Since diabetes is in my family, I tend to watch my sugars a lot. Hopefully getting into the gym on the ship will have some effect. :(


spcl4cs gal-I'm glad you're watching your sugars.-but you have to watch your carbs also, they turn into sugar.

Take care,
Pat.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Orcrone, Wow did you start a topic that I keep on my mind all the time. First off I too have always had a weight problem. I first joined WW in 1981 lost 35 pounds at that time to get to goal, became a Life Time Member. I then worked for WW part time for a couple of years as a lecturer/leader. Then the weight came back on, then lost again, then came back on, well you get the picture. In 2002 when we went on our first cruise I did try to loose a few pounds before we went, I think I lost about 10 but was still quite heavy (women's petites not Misses) Of course I gained on that cruise. The following year on the Zuirderdam I again lost 5 or 6 before I went but gained 14 pounds on that cruise:eek: Unfortuately when I got back I did not loose any, instead I continued to gain till January 1st of this year when I decided enough is enough. I was weighing the heaviest I have ever been and with an Alaskan cruise coming up in May and a 50th birthday coming up at the end of 2004 year I better change my life style. I did manage to loose 34 pounds before Alaska and only gained 5 pounds on the cruise that did come off quickly. While we were on the Oosterdam I did get up 5 of the mornings at 6:15 and worked out for an hour or more:) I have since dropped a total of 42 pounds and want to drop 16 more before our Ryndam cruise in November.
I have found a routine that has seemed to work for me without feeling deprived. First off Exercise is the big KEY. Every morning I do a little Pilates for about 10 to 15 minutes, then I do 8 to 10 minutes on my health rider, then I get on my treadmill for 12 to 25 minutes using hand weights and doing some running. I basically follow WW from before the Points System, then every night before I have dinner I swim lapses and do water exercises while DH is cooking dinner;) ( Tonight is Orange Roughy on the grill):p
I exercise 7 days a week, but Sunday is my day of splurging on food we enjoy a very nice Champange Brunch every Sunday and yes, I indulge in dessert.
I am right now the lowest I have been in over 10 years and when I make it to another 16 pounds that will be the lowest I have been in 18 years. Actually my goal is when I have to renew my drivers lic. in November I want to actually weigh what my weight says on the Drivers Lic.:cool:
Marc good for you on the 70 pounds, I do totally agree that WW is really the best way to do it.
Marie, when I started this process in January I actually had set a small goal of 10 pounds at a time, when I finally hit 30 pounds off I could start to see the big pictures that I could take 50 to 60 pounds off. I know you can do it!!
localady, that is so fantastic that you did not gain any on your B2B. That is a great acomplishment. With the exception of the gym and never taking the elevator on the ship I really enjoy the food. It is kinda 7 Sundays in a row for me.
doone, I know you can do it, you sound like me. We all need to keep in touch and keep each other on track.

[Orcrone]

Well, last month I gained 4 pounds on the cruise, but did take it off in about 2 weeks. The problem is I need to lose 50 pounds :(.

Marc, way to go with your awesome weightloss!!!!!!!

MarieMarie,

You may need to lose 50 pounds, but you had a great start after your cruise. Just keep doing what you were doing.

How is DH's weight? One thing that made it much easier is that DW and I both joined weight watchers at the same time. If he doesn't need to lose weight, just fatten him up a little and then the two of you could lose together.:D

[CatherineNOLA]

RaffinOrganGrinders, how did you bring your cholesterol down 100 points? With medication or without?

[Orcrone]

Lisa,

You're doing great. I admire your determination to work out 7 days a week and get up so early on a cruise to exercise. Saying you weigh the least that you've weighed in 18 years definitely puts it in perspective.

I heard a saying I liked at WW. Nothing tastes as good as thin feels.

[Orcrone]

RaffinOrganGrinders, how did you bring your cholesterol down 100 points? With medication or without?CatherineNOLA,

I also had a large drop in some levels after being on weight watchers for about 9 months. My cholesterol, although not a problem, went from 170 to 90. My doctor told me that my ratio of bad to good cholesterol was the lowest he's seen in someone my age. I was also on medication for high triglycerides. But after seeing how low it went he took me off the medication, had it checked again in 3 months and kept me off the meds.

I don't think it's because of the shape I'm in, but due to the way I now eat. Lots of fruits and vegetables and very little fat.

[FlorenceItaly]

Lisa and Marc - Thanks for the encouragement. My weight has always been a battle, but I have never been this heavy. I have lost and gained weight so manyt times. I am currently involved in a weightloss support group...TOPS..(Take Off Pounds Sensibly) and even hold an officer position(co-leader). I need to get serious. My husband does not have a weight issue, and never has. I have an unhealthy relationship with food, and it is something he can not relate to. He is so sweet and never says anything about my weight, but he knows it bothers me. It affects all aspects of my life, as you know.

I have made a plan for my upcoming cruise...very limited bread at dinner. I ate alot last cruise, since I don't typically eat much bread at home. Sweets are my biggest downfall. I am also planning on walking the promenade daily, which I did not do last time. I definitely have to have a cruise plan since I have 3 over the next 3 months, and do not want to gain on each one.
Well, thanks for listening, this is a subject I could ramble on about all day, LOL :).

Marie

[CatherineNOLA]

Wow! 170 to 90? Do those numbers reflect your total cholesterol? My mother is determined to lower her total from 290 without medication. She is 5'7" and weighs about 140 lbs.--not really obese, but she has the typical middle-aged figure--a lot of fat in the stomach area.

[Orcrone]

Wow! 170 to 90? Do those numbers reflect your total cholesterol? My mother is determined to lower her total from 290 without medication. She is 5'7" and weighs about 140 lbs.--not really obese, but she has the typical middle-aged figure--a lot of fat in the stomach area.Yes, 90 was my total cholesterol. Mine's never been high, but it's never been anywhere near this low.

Keep in mind, I keep WW interesting by seeing just how much food I can squeeze into how few points. For lunch I had a chef salad made with lean ham, fat free cheese and fat free dressing. It was stuffed into a 10 cup rubbermaid container, so it was huge. And all that for only two points.

Why is this significant. The only way I can eat a lot for very few points is by eating lots of salads and vegetables. I can't guarantee it will work for your mother, but she could give it a try.

BTW, most middle aged women would kill to be 5'7" and weight 140 pounds. If she doesn't need to lose weight she could always follow the WW program, but adjust her points to maintain, instead of lose weight.

[sail7seas]

You are all an inspiration and I thank you for it.


As I've stated, I'm not overweight and in fact right now weigh the least I have weighed in over ten years but I watch myself carefully.

You inspire me to continue to maintain this level by reinforcing the struggle it is to get it off but even harder to keep it off long term.

Marc......I am fortunate that I really love fruits and vegetables and no lunch or dinner is complete without generous portions of any and (almost all) veggies. I stay away from beets, white potatoes and limit carrots because of the high sugar content. A huge salad sounds like just the thing!!! You will be pleased with the salad bars on HAL. Maasdam's is wonderful!!


Lisa........You Go Girl!!! You're so sensible about your approach and your goals. Keep at it.

Marie.....you too!!!

I've never been to WW but certainly millions of folks have had good success with it. I like maintenance on South Beach.

Whatever the plan you choose.......Good luck and keep at it. It is soooo worth it!!!

[sail7seas]

My mother is determined to lower her total from 290 without medication. She is 5'7" and weighs about 140 lbs.--not really obese, but she has the typical middle-aged figure--a lot of fat in the stomach area.
It doesn't sound like she needs to lose weight. She may wish to change what she eats though.

Sounds like she may be eating too much saturated fat and bad carbs.
If she ate more fish and skinless chicken along with good carbs (veggies, fruits, olive oil, whole grains, beans etc) for a month, I think she'd find some of the abdominal fat melting off and she'd see her waist again. Sounds like she is eating too many (natural or not) sugars. Two weeks of South Beach Level One would perhaps address that. That plan was written by a cardiologist and in our area, all the doctors who wish to drop some weight use that plan. If that is the plan the doctors use, that's the one for me!! :)

[localady]

Me too S7S!!! My cardiologist recommended the South Beach diet and I just love it! It is easy to live by and I am not hungry. When I cruise of course I indulge a little, but had no prob going back to it after!:cool:

[sail7seas]

I do maintenance level on it and think it wonderful. It's sensible and satisfying. It's easy to follow once you understand the diet. No calorie counting, points, and not that many foods that are no-no's......at least not that many that I used to eat but no longer do.

I think it the best of all the diets I have read in recent years....not gimmicky. Logical and safe.

[olderpilot]

Good to hear all the success stories. I started the Atkins program last summer about 8 weeks before leaving on the Oosterdam. Tried to follow a reasonable maintenance program while on board. With all the walking and touring came home 2 pounds lighter than when I left. Wound up losing over 30 pounds and it's still off a year later. The true test will come next year - 24 days on the Rotterdam!

Jerry

[localady]

Jerry-

I suspect you will do what I do, by about day 11 I am tired of eatting and tend to go back to salads for lunch and oatmeal for breakfast. My DH and I agree after that time, the food isn't so exciting, and we tend to eat moderately:)

[olderpilot]

Glad to hear there is hope for me!

J

[RevNeal]

I've been in the process of loosing weight at a nice steady pace this year ... 10 pounds, rest and hold it and get my body used to it, then lose 10 more and then rest and hold it and get my body used to it, then to pounds more ... and so on, and so on. It works. At least, it does for me. :) Over the next 50 days, though, I'm putting a major push on to try and take off a solid 20 pounds. I can do it ... I've done it before. :)

On the cruise I will walk every day -- I'll do the stairs (up and down) a floor or two, and I'll walk a mile every morning on the promenade. It's wonderful. And, on my cruise to Alaska I actually managed to maintain my weight without gaining anything.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I've been in the process of loosing weight at a nice steady pace this year ... 10 pounds, rest and hold it and get my body used to it, then lose 10 more and then rest and hold it and get my body used to it, then to pounds more ... and so on, and so on. It works. At least, it does for me. :) Over the next 50 days, though, I'm putting a major push on to try and take off a solid 20 pounds. I can do it ... I've done it before. :)

Greg, that is really great on how you are working at it slowly. It gives the skin a chance to shrink up to the new size.;) The last 60 days for me I have slowed down a lot but kept up the exercise routine. Good Luck in getting to your goal.

[Marianne]

My best success is eating smaller portions on a small plate. Also I like veggies and fruits a lot, and have always manicured my meat. Another way for me to lose faster is to eliminate my glass of wine with dinner. Since I do enjoy that, I limit myself to a 4 oz glass of wine on Sunday, and sometimes on another day during the week. I also watch foods that are high on the glycemic index, and try to not eat them, or just sparingly. Since around the first of May, I have lost 13 lbs with this method. And, I do not exercise. Can't find the time during my busy days. If I exercised, the weight would most certainly come off faster. I find that by eating smaller portions, I get filled up quite rapidly now when eating out in a restaurant. Yes, I ask for a box, and have the food the next day. Eating out even becomes economical. Don't know how long this system will last for me, but I have been quite happy with this and get to eat pretty much what I like to eat. Even get a cookie or two with my coffee. You might consider this if you don't want to diet in a strict manner.

[jazzsea]

I'm going to do it this time. I am going to lose 20 pounds before our October 20 Rotterdam cruise.

This is the same twenty pounds I was going to lose before the 12 day Oceania Insignia on June 14. I have the South Beach Diet book and have actually read it. That's a good start, right?

[sail7seas]

Greg.....Congrats on your steady loss. Slowly losing does seem to bode better for keeping it off long term. Good Luck.

[sail7seas]

Lisa.....

You are so smart. Keep exercising. Even if you slide a bit on the food end of discipline, the exercise keeps any gains under control. Also...when you lose weight and don't exercise, the body loses any toning. Even if the pounds stay the same, the muscle rather than fat makes you "look" much better and you certainly are healthier with muscle vs. fat.

[sail7seas]

Carol.....


Go fot it. South Beach really is a sensible way to eat. The first two weeks are a bit rigid but after that you will find it is quite easy to stick with. After a short time on that way of eating, you will find you lose desire for a lot of the junk we stuff into ourselves. Good Luck if you decide to give it a try.

[twinds]

I usually diet 2 to 3 months prior to sail date, currently dropped 15 pounds (goal is 20 pounds by 8/28). In case of an emergency, I always pack one pair of slacks larger than the norm for that long flight back home. However, it is a well known fact that salt air shrinks your clothing.............. I can always diet again when I get home!

[spcl4cs_gal]

spcl4cs gal-I'm glad you're watching your sugars.-but you have to watch your carbs also, they turn into sugar.

Take care,
Pat.

Yes and carbs seem to be my biggest weakness. I would pass up a bowl of ice cream anytime for a nice slice of homemade bread. :(

[sail7seas]

Make it homemade whole grain bread and you'll be okay. :)

And if you are baking some, PLEASE invite me over when it is warm from the oven. That would be sooo irresistibly delicious. :)

[Vicar]

I eat pretty much whatever I want, I have just cut my portions in half . I only eat the real "bad" stuff (oreos, ice cream and the like) on rare occasions.

That along with going to the gym three or four days a week, which includes an hour on the treadmill eachtime has helped me keep the 85 lbs off I lost a few years ago off.

It was very tough starting, and it never gets EASY, but after a while it does become almost routine and now I would hate to backslide and make all the work and effort I have put into this go to waste.

[PrincessMelody]

I let my weight creep up to 275 over the years after I had my daughter (she is 11), and even at 5'8" 275 is still very overweight. Doc said I was a Krispy Kreme away from type 2 diabetes. I am down to 180 now and have a goal of 135. I lost the weight over the last 2-3 years by cutting out sweets, soda, fast food, junk food, and walking 2 or 3 times a week. It is slow going-but I try to lose a pound every week or two. I do cheat once in a while, but I just try to eat sensibly most of the time. I did gain 3 or 4 pounds on our last cruise, but lost it within a month. I applaud anyone who has lost weight and improved thier health, because I know how terribly difficult it can be.

I hope we all reach our goals!!

Melody

[sail7seas]

Melody.......Congratulations. You are doing so very well. I am sure you feel much better carrying less weight around. Your doctor must be so pleased you heeded his warning. Keep up the good work. You seem to have a very sensible attitude and approach. You're an inspiration.

[sail7seas]

Vicar......Bravo!!!! Seriously. To lose a large amount of weight is so difficult. To Keep it off long term is harder.


You certainly have learned the method and are disciplined and doing what you "need to do". I'm proud for you! Proud of you!! The percentage of people who lose weight and then gain it all (and more) back is so depressingly high.

You are a model of how to avoid doing that!!! Thanks for sharing with us.

[PrincessMelody]

Thanks for the kind words S7S. I do truly feel a lot better, and have more energy. I take it one day at a time, and I don't beat myself up if I slip a little. I just keep on trying, and do the best I can.

Best Regards,

Melody

[obriendan]

Before our next cruise....before our next land tour...I've been on a diet all my life!

[obriendan]

How did this thread get bumped to the top? Without looking at the dates, I thought this was a recent thread. After posting my contribution, I see the most recent entry, before mine, was August 7, 2004???

[viennacruiser]

I did South Beach for a 6 weeks, before this upcoming cruise, it really helped get rid of that belly fat:D.MY DH is diabetic so it works well for him also, We also go to the Gym 3 x/week. Actually he goes to the GYM and I go to Curves, so we try to keep it under control:rolleyes: .Hopefully we will not gain too much on this cruise:)

[calicruzer]

I am down 8 pounds in anticipation of the cruise! Soutn BEach diet and NO drinking for a month! I know it will all come back once I step on board. A bit of added motivation for me is that we are traveling with another couple, and I refer to her as my "skinny friend"! Knowing I will be sitting next to her in my bikini helps me to stay focused!

[HeatherInFlorida]

Obriendan, whenever the thread is a poll and someone takes the poll, the thread gets bumped to the top whether or not someone has posted. It can be very confusing.

[obriendan]

Thanks for the explanation! I just thought I was taking a new poll until I finally looked at the dates.

[kryos]

Does anyone try to take off some weight before a cruise to combat the almost inevitable weight gain during the cruise?

You can vote in more than one category.
Stupid me. I didn't realize when I voted that you could vote in more than one category. I chose that I don't put much weight on during a cruise, so I don't worry about it. However, I do make at least a small effort to lose a few pounds before a cruise because, frankly, I can't afford to gain much weight. I'm a "larger size" now ... not obese, but not skinny either.

I have actually gone on cruises and lost weight because my activity level is higher on a cruise ... especially on a port-intensive one. On my last cruise, I tended to eat more than usual because I went to the dining room every night ... I had great CC tablemates ... and I still only put on about two pounds.

I find that the key to not gaining weight on a cruise is to eat only when you are hungry. Just because the food is there doesn't mean you have to consume it all. :) I am not at all shy about going to the dining room and only ordering soup and a salad if I am not really hungry. Though this doesn't happen that often since my routine is normally a good breakfast and then not eat another meal until dinner, I usually have a good appetite by the time dinner rolls around.

Also, I don't snack a lot ... neither at home or on a cruise. I'm not much for desserts and other sweets, so I generally don't indulge much in those exceptionally fattening treats. Ruth C will be horrified by this, but I am allergic to chocolate (migranes). I will actually go to the chocolate extravaganza only to take pictures and have a cup of tea. :)

I'm going on a 30-day Hawaii/South Pacific cruise next year. Several people have asked me ... "aren't you afraid of gaining a lot of weight?" Not at all. I plan to pace myself very carefully on that cruise to make sure I don't put on much weight. Though I am sure on a cruise of that length there will be some weight gain (because of all the sea days), that gain can certainly be minimized with little effort.

Don't get me wrong here ... I don't actually deny myself anything I want on a cruise ... and I certainly don't go hungry. It's just that I don't over-indulge in things that I have no desire for to begin with. Why eat when you're not hungry? Do something else fun instead. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita