How long does it take you to break your pre-cruise diet once you board the ship?

[KennaRuiz]

Just coming across this old post and thought I’d chime in. It’s hard not to indulge when everything is so tempting on board. I’ve been there, too—before my last cruise, I was all about the diet, but once I stepped onto the ship, it was like a free pass to enjoy everything in sight. I found that a bit of moderation, like your husband’s approach, helped me stay a little more balanced. Also, a while back, I read about how goliathsteroids.com has info on fitness and maintaining a balance, which gave me some useful tips on staying active even while on vacation. 

[ChessE4]

45 minutes ago, KennaRuiz said:

Just coming across this old post and thought I’d chime in. It’s hard not to indulge when everything is so tempting on board. I’ve been there, too—before my last cruise, I was all about the diet, but once I stepped onto the ship, it was like a free pass to enjoy everything in sight.

Broke it last night at hotel. At least it was mostly veggies, but I ate too much. Since our Canada cruise just got sent south, I don't feel guilty about over-indulging now.

[tjcruisers]

First cruise, the night before in the hotel.  Since then I've managed to stay even or lose weight (weird isn't it  ). I find I can stay disciplined for breakfast and lunch and given the amount I'm walking per day around the ship, dinner can be a splurge with no affect

[tonyfsu21]

34 minutes ago, tjcruisers said:

First cruise, the night before in the hotel.  Since then I've managed to stay even or lose weight (weird isn't it  ). I find I can stay disciplined for breakfast and lunch and given the amount I'm walking per day around the ship, dinner can be a splurge with no affect

Same here for the most part. I am walking 20k steps/day average on land and then add in the stairs on the ship to eat and drink everything for a week! 

[Gilley]

I know on Icon you are bound to lose weight the ship is massive and its a lot of walking.  I like to walk but that was more walking I desired having a bad knee now.

I'm have never had a drink before noon and I'm going to try it this time. One of those morning mimosa or I think it called a coffee martini.  I'm not gonna limit myself just don't like wasting food.  Those cookies make it hard to stay sugar free.

[pacruiser]

I've been doing Keto for 3 years. Whenever I go on vacation I reintroduce carbs to my diet 2 weeks before our trip. I feel as though vacations are a time to indulge. Once we are back home I go back to Keto and whatever few pounds are gained are lost in about a week or so.

[Gadget Hackwrench]

I party hard all the time, so there's no change to my diet once I board the ship.

[ScottB]

About the time it takes to complete the Safety Briefing Check-In and the time it takes to get to the Windjammer. 

[pheenix99]

Since I generally eat what I want, I technically didn't break my pre-cruise diet.

[Pooch]

1 hour ago, pacruiser said:

I've been doing Keto for 3 years. Whenever I go on vacation I reintroduce carbs to my diet 2 weeks before our trip. I feel as though vacations are a time to indulge. Once we are back home I go back to Keto and whatever few pounds are gained are lost in about a week or so.

Hubby & I tried Keto late last year.  Now I say tried, I counted our carbs every day to the best of my ability.  We cut out bread, pastas, potatoes, starches, sugar.  In three months, my darling husband lost 20 lbs and went down 3 pant sizes.  I lost………………..

NOTHING!!!!!!  

[tonyfsu21]

2 hours ago, Gadget Hackwrench said:

I party hard all the time, so there's no change to my diet once I board the ship.

You might need a “gadget hackwrench” for your heart valves.

[Libby]

Overeating and that overstuffed feeling has become so uncomfortable I don't load up in the buffets anymore.  It also helps to drink a large quantity of water JUST prior to eating a meal as it helps fill me up and aids in digestion as well.

[GoldenTimeHero]

I always say I'm going to stay away from the desserts but those chocolate chip cookies on Coco Cay keep calling my name. It's always I'll have just two but we know it's never just two lol

[dustfsu]

Wait there is a such thing as a pre-cruise diet? I thought we had to Joey Chesnut it before we got on board to break even and get our money's worth

[teddy]

I tend to eat healthier when on a cruise...more balanced meals, better variety of fruits and vegetables....less sandwiches and "salads" consisting of only lettuce.  I definitely drink more water when on a cruise (and am more hydrated than at home).

[Geezer Of The Seas]

The late Toby Keith's song (I ain't) As Good As I Once Was applies to food and me. Despite the eye popping, belly busting offerings available on the ships, I don't eat more or differently than at home.

Compared to my 14 year old grandson, I'm an anorexic. He, OTOH would present a clear and present danger to a ship's kitchen........

[Pooch]

6 minutes ago, Geezer Of The Seas said:

The late Toby Keith's song (I ain't) As Good As I Once Was applies to food and me. Despite the eye popping, belly busting offerings available on the ships, I don't eat more or differently than at home.

Compared to my 14 year old grandson, I'm an anorexic. He, OTOH would present a clear and present danger to a ship's kitchen........

Boy I get that!  I’ve got 3,  16, 15 & 13.  Like human vacuum cleaners or hobbits. Breakfast, second breakfast, elevenzies, lunch…..

[FOB]

This year has not been good for the diet. 
symphony in July - lots of miles walked in NYC and on the ship but too many “wee cakey things” in the WJ and eating late was not good

jewel in August - 16 nights on the ship and when we got back the electronic scales asked was it still me as I had put on 6lbs since I last weighed myself

2 weeks at home and I have managed to lose a pound or so, but we are of to Seattle for B2B2B and I am going to have to be really good at no deserts, no cookies, and even more times of hitting the gym because otherwise I will come back the size of a small outhouse and the dresses won’t fit me

[Pooch]

4 hours ago, FOB said:

This year has not been good for the diet. 
symphony in July - lots of miles walked in NYC and on the ship but too many “wee cakey things” in the WJ and eating late was not good

jewel in August - 16 nights on the ship and when we got back the electronic scales asked was it still me as I had put on 6lbs since I last weighed myself

2 weeks at home and I have managed to lose a pound or so, but we are of to Seattle for B2B2B and I am going to have to be really good at no deserts, no cookies, and even more times of hitting the gym because otherwise I will come back the size of a small outhouse and the dresses won’t fit me

Been there, done that, bought the program!

[WAAAYTOOO]

Tony Keith is dead ?

[Pooch]

1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Tony Keith is dead ?

Yup, stomach cancer earlier this year.

[MdFormula350]

so I will fast the entire day before, just 0 calories liquids and have a nice workout. once on board I obtain my first drink, typically another drink and another.... ill seek out maybe a small high protein low carb meal midday but i can wait for a dinner. typically the next full day on ship I will do 2 small meals breakfast and lunch (again low carb high protein), then a decent dinner no restrictions. main key for me is plenty of water throughout the day and a decent workout each full day onboard. 

[ZootTX]

13 hours ago, Pooch said:

Yup, stomach cancer earlier this year.

It was one of the quietest celeb deaths, very odd to be honest.

[ZootTX]

On 9/21/2024 at 7:02 PM, Pooch said:

Boy I get that!  I’ve got 3,  16, 15 & 13.  Like human vacuum cleaners or hobbits. Breakfast, second breakfast, elevenzies, lunch…..

What you are saying is you actually break even on a cruise haha

[Ditchdoc]

I generally eat and exercise like I normally do. Though....there might be a tad more alcohol involved.

[BigKarl]

I believe in fitness while on a cruise.   Fittin nis whole dessert in my mouth!  

[Rakaia]

As soon as that first Facejammer cheeseburger coyly waves at me while whispering "hellooo sailor!". Buh bye healthy food. 

 

Seriously though, I walk a ton, try to always take the stairs and *do* try to moderate myself a little bit. I'll enjoy what I want but not go nuts. Weight gain is minimal and gone within days (I think it's mainly from the drink package!)

 

 

[Babsy47]

Meals are the least fun part of cruising for me.  We are not really meat folks, and fish quality is iffy.   No-meat alternatives seem uninspired, particularly for a person who cannot abide cheese or mushrooms.  I’m not as picky as I sound — it is just cheese, mushrooms, cilantro, and meat that I prefer to avoid.  Unfortunately, this leaves a relatively boring remainder on board for lunch and dinner.  At 150 CP, for example, the entree option was a head of cauliflower . . . Really.   I limit desert to one a day and never take the elevator.  

[bluer101]

On 9/24/2024 at 4:48 PM, Rakaia said:

As soon as that first Facejammer cheeseburger coyly waves at me while whispering "hellooo sailor!". Buh bye healthy food. 

 

Seriously though, I walk a ton, try to always take the stairs and *do* try to moderate myself a little bit. I'll enjoy what I want but not go nuts. Weight gain is minimal and gone within days (I think it's mainly from the drink package!)

 

 

This is us too. It’s a week, not a lifestyle change. 

[Rakaia]

11 hours ago, Babsy47 said:

Meals are the least fun part of cruising for me.  We are not really meat folks, and fish quality is iffy.   No-meat alternatives seem uninspired, particularly for a person who cannot abide cheese or mushrooms.  I’m not as picky as I sound — it is just cheese, mushrooms, cilantro, and meat that I prefer to avoid.  Unfortunately, this leaves a relatively boring remainder on board for lunch and dinner.  At 150 CP, for example, the entree option was a head of cauliflower . . . Really.   I limit desert to one a day and never take the elevator.  

Have you tried the Indian selections? Often really tasty vegetarian options. 

[Eric Extreme]

My career is in the fitness & nutrition industry. Even on a cruise, I stick 100% with my usual daily nutritional routine, not varying from it in any form. I also hit the gym and running track every day while on board. In my life, fitness and nutrition don't take a vacation. I love that I can maintain my routine while enjoying a cruise.

[Pooch]

9 hours ago, Eric Extreme said:

My career is in the fitness & nutrition industry. Even on a cruise, I stick 100% with my usual daily nutritional routine, not varying from it in any form. I also hit the gym and running track every day while on board. In my life, fitness and nutrition don't take a vacation. I love that I can maintain my routine while enjoying a cruise.

Ya know, there’s always one!!!!

 

(just kidding)

[Eric Extreme]

53 minutes ago, Pooch said:

Ya know, there’s always one!!!!

 

(just kidding)

I enjoy my dedication to my nutrition and fitness routine more than I ever enjoyed a few minutes of tasting something that I know is not within my nutritional targets. When I was much younger, I used to indulge in foods that were considered healthier, as well as eating plenty of food that was not healthy, and I found that the trade-off wasn’t worth it for me. After years of eating an on-point nutritional plan of extra lean protein, unprocessed whole grains, and vegetables, I crave nothing else. You could put me in the middle of an all-you-can-eat bakery, and I wouldn’t crave it. On the contrary, it’s been so many years since I ate anything like that that it’s no longer appetizing to me. My wife enjoys all of the food options while on board. She monitors her portion sizes and caloric intake so she doesn't leave the cruise heavier than when she boarded. She will hit the gym or hit the track usually every other day. She loves the small portions available, so she can try many main courses, sides, and desserts over the week without exceeding her caloric goals. Her plates will have several bites of eight different things and a small portion of dessert with almost every meal. The great thing about the food options on the cruises is that whether someone is dedicated to a nutrition routine, indulges a little, or indulges a lot, the options are there for everyone to enjoy the culinary aspects of the cruise in the way they choose. For me, that means maintaining my strict nutritional routine; for my wife, it means indulging a little while maintaining caloric goals. Royal Caribbean goes out of its way to accommodate my extra clean eating habits every time I cruise by ensuring a supply of foods that I prefer to eat is always available to me, even if they aren't on the menu. Their special request department and culinary staff have been exemplary in their willingness to help me maintain my preferred lifestyle. I reach out to them 45 days before the cruise, and they always ensure my preferred food is available for the duration of the cruise. Yesterday, I spent a half hour watching a YouTube video of a walkthrough of the gym on Serenade of the Seas, which my wife and I will be boarding in 17 days. I watched it at 1/4 speed so I could see all of the available exercise equipment so I could bring accessories with me from home to compensate for any equipment that wasn't available on the ship. During the same time, my wife was reviewing food menus and reading reviews so she could begin to think about a plan for indulging in the available food options and balancing her desire not to exceed her caloric goals. We love that we can both easily achieve our personal culinary and fitness goals on the cruise and that Royal Caribbean is very willing to help ensure we can. Regardless of where anyone rests within their desire of the food spectrum from extremely healthy to extremely yummy, everyone can do their own thing on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

[CruisingNewb]

We have a 10 day pre-boarding cruise ritual where we limit our intake of calories to 1,200 daily, with moderate exercise.  We lose anywhere from 5 to 8 pounds pre-boarding.  

How soon do we break our diet?  IMMEDIATELY.  

Walking around and engaging in activities will burn calories during your cruise.  After a 10 day pre-boarding caloric limit, we find that we cannot gorge ourselves on mountain high piled plates of buffet food.  So we eat modest amounts throughout the day, but we do first breakfast, 2nd breakfast, first lunch, second lunch, first dinner, and second dinner daily LOL

One thing I will say that is contrary to what a lot of people, including Matt, have said, is don't overdo water.  Yes.  Drink water, but don't start your meals with a glass of water.  Water expands your stomach and its capacity to fill it.  Alot of competition eaters eat frozen grapes and drink extra water days before competing so that their stomachs are enlarged and they can eat tons.  Just go easy on water and drink normally.  Water and salad before main meal has potential negative results.  Just my 2 cents, no need to Wikipedia this stuff or start a brou haha.