Don,

The Tux is wonderful news! Nothing more handsome to me than a man in a Tux and I bet there are a few others here who will agree with that statement!

Cyndi,
We've missed you and your enthusiam!

Kathy - Awe shucks!! And thanks!!

I agree with you that a man in a Tux is great to see!!!

Cyndi---5 pounds per week---seriously, I can't afford that!!! That cruise is nearly 4 weeks long....it would undo all of these months of dieting. You're not going to believe this, but I'm actually thinking of changing to a shorter cruise!!! I'm serious. I've worked so hard, and have finally been able to fit into old, beautiful clothes I've had, and have bought some NEW clothes which it's so exciting to be able to fit into.....I couldn't stand to gain back 20 pounds....Wow. I'll have to really think about this.

Liz,

I don't think everyone gains that much weight - especially if you are making an effort not to. I'm sure Marcie & Tom haven't gained 5 lbs per week. Looking at their pictures, they look just as fit as ever. So don't panic!!! My guess is that on a longer cruise you kind of settle into a routine and the newness of all that food wears off a little. You've been so good for so long and have gained a lot of skills in your weight watching. You'll do fine!!! If you do gain a FEW lbs, we'll all help you get right back on track. As you know, that is the secret. Get right back on track. That is what I DIDN'T do after my cruise and that is why I got in trouble.
Don't change your cruise plans!!!!!!! You'll do fine! :)

Oh, Cyndi, I'm really going to think about this. I will just have to think very realistically. It is possible that I could continue my diet on the ship---focusing mainly on salads, and asking for small portions at dinner. The desserts don't threaten me, b/c that's not my weakness, LOL. I'm just going to think about it, b/c you just hate to think of all that hard work and effort going down the drain. Part of the reason I do well, is that I avoid temptation---don't go out to eat very much (except lunch at work, and I go solo, so I don't have to be tempted by what someone else wants to order). This week, I had a houseguest, and I bought special stuff for her (like a baked brie en croute, LOL) and of course, I ate it too. Scarfed it down would be more accurate.... I do think you're right, that after the first week, the novelty of having so much food around would wear off..... I'll just have to think about it. Another possibility would be to get down so FAR before the cruise by REALLY strict dieting, that then there'd be room to gain it back, LOL. I'll just have to think about it. I have lots of time before my cancel date. Alaska is starting to look appealing, LOL..... :ohmy:

Liz - I did not mean to scare you. I really think you can find ways to control yourself while on board. ESPECIALLY if you start NOW thinking of a plan of attack. For example, you can always take the stairs, instead of the elevator. Make it a game to ALWAYS leave at least a small bit of your meal on your plate, eat lots of fresh fruit with your breakfast, etc, etc. Take lots of excursions and you'll get lots of exercise and no time to snack (they have the excursions timing so tight you sometimes don't even have much time to shop, let alone eat.) So for that day, you won't snack. I also kept a SMALL stash of chocolates in my cabin as a little treat each evening. That took the edge off feeling I needed lots of sweets. I knew I could have my treat in my cabin (plus the chocolates they leave on your pillow!!!). I could go on & on. I'm sure other, more experienced cruisers have lots of tricks.

The important thing for ALL OF US ON THIS THREAD to learn to live with is that we can't avoid the fun things in life forever, just because we watch our weight. Nor, should we. We need to be able to learn to live with all the events that surround our life. That is what makes it worth living!!! So our true goal should be to learn how to eat at those functions, not to avoid them. I know, easier said than done. But we must do it. We've gained so many dieting skills already. This is just one more aspect of it that we really must do. One event at a time. That is kind of why I am starting to like the low carb diet. You can always eat a salad, meat, cheese,vegetables and some fruit. There is always something at a function that you can eat (almost anyways :) ). Then it becomes a game to find those foods and really enjoy them, rather than thinking to yourself - I can't eat anything or I'll blow my diet. This outlook has helped me SO MUCH!!!

Again, it is AFTER the cruise, trip, etc that really counts. The weight you gain during that time is often just "pig-out" weight and you know how quickly that comes off if you get right back on your diet.

Hope this helps!!

Liz - also, when we see Marcie & Tom at the 5/1 brunch, we can get lots of tips from them. They are experts by now!!!

Liz, there is a simplicity menu on the cruise with all light offerings. They will cook anything you want that's in the ability to do - plain chicken, fish or steak are always available. The portions even on the regular menu are small. I don't recall gaining a lot of weight on an RSSC cruise to be honest. There are exercise classes and a walking track. You need to limit the alcohol and maybe have Pelegrino or Perrier more often instead.

The weight thing does need to be an entire lifestyle

Cyndi, you are SO right about how we have to live in and around fun things that may contain FOOD....and we can't just avoid things. I think this all hit me, b/c I really hadn't given serious thought (partly because it's still so far away) to the REALITY of managing my diet on such a long cruise. I think part of me feels that a lot of the huge expense of this trip is for the food/wine included thing, and I hate to think of being on such a luxurious vacation and then having to deprive myself. In a way, I'm GLAD you got me thinking about the reality of this---it gives me lots of time to physically, mentally and emotionally prepare and have ways of taking care of myself in the midst of the whole thing. And yes, I PLAN to get lots of advice from Marcie and Tom!!!!

Kathy, I'm glad it looks like there will be options to eat healthy and light. I was thinking (see, this is the value of dealing with the issue ahead of time) that maybe I could be careful during the week and then splurge and "pig out" on the weekends....that way, I won't feel totally deprived.

All of us in this group know how hard dieting is, even when, as you say, Cyndi, it sometimes actually becomes something we like and enjoy. I just don't want to be set back and have to start over. I'm glad I got this heads up about it, b/c it does give me lots of time for a plan of attack....

I'm SO glad this group is here!!!

I think that's there's a lot to be said for being watchful. Don't cancel your trip, Liz. The world is full of tempting foods, you just have to be careful of some of it. We had a pancake breakfast at church this morning. They were doing a fundraiser for a defibrillator, so of course I had to go. Two pancakes, 2 pieces of sausage, applesauce and orange juice are almost my entire day's worth of calories. I had an apple this afternoon and now I shouldn't be eating anymore. And it's only 2:30 in the afternoon! Without a menu, I didn't have much choice of what to eat. You will have a choice though on the cruise and you will be just fine.

Trish

Kathy & Trish - you both have really good ideas. Great words of wisdom.

Liz, I hope we have all helped ease your mind. I think it is great for you to stay with your thought that all of this is just to get you mentally prepared for how you approach your eating while on your cruise. You have plenty of time to think through that process and be prepared. We'll all help!!!

Good Morning all. Today was weigh in again and only 3 more of those until we leave for Italy. Down another 3 lbs this week. Added walking in the evenings to my routine, but it is really hard to get both in. Last night we met our friends getting off their Infinity Hawaii cruise for dinner after their flight into Dallas, before they head to OKC today. This morning I have a previously unplanned review with one of my homeowners, which made me miss my morning cycling workout at the gym, so I will have some make up tonight.

Cruise docs are on their way and should be here by FedEx tomorrow. So I should lose plenty of weight this week from all the dancing!!! :banana: :banana: :banana: LOL

As far as the cruise goes. I plan on gaining about 10 lbs back over the 2 weeks trip. However, I plan on losing that 10 lbs spread out over the following 3 weeks after the cruise. The less obviously the better, but I figure that if I plan for it and have a plan afterwards, then I won't be discouraged. Of course with all the walking that we will be doing, it may not be what I think it will.

Good luck to everybody this week. Keep after it!!!!

Don, congrats about the 3 pounds---and I'm sure that doc dance will help you sweat off more, LOL!!!

Thanks, everyone, for your input. I WILL need your help and support planning my "plan of attack"... I'm glad I'll have internet access during the cruise, b/c I'm gonna need you guys' support. I feel SO strongly about not putting back on all that I've worked so hard to lose....

Trish--I know what you mean about the pancake breakfast.....one "splurge" like that, and what are you supposed to do--not eat the rest of the day????? Yesterday, I had such a craving for something, so I "splurged" on a couple of handsfull of peanuts.....then at 170 calories a handfull, I realized I'd eaten an entire lunch worth of calories, LOL. :ohmy:

Liz,

It gets worse. Dave and I helped serve at a funeral last night. We had a ton of food so we all decided to eat. My plate was full already and then because there was carrot cake left - I had to have that, too. There was only one bowl of fruit and that was gone, of course. I can't imagine how many calories I consumed. I'll just be SO glad once the ICD is in and I can start walking.

Do you ever buy a pineapple and cut it up? I find that to be wonderful for cravings. Keep hanging in there. The good fruit is on it's way!

Trish

Trish - one of my weak moments during the last week of tax season was a huge piece of carrot cake that my boss brought in. His wife made it and it was DELICIOUS!!!! I enjoyed every darn calorie. Hope you did too. Forget the calories for that one moment. When your ICD is in and you start walking you'll make up for it!!!!

As for the pineapple - my favorite fruit of all time (if it's sweet). Sounds wonderful. On the Navigator, they had the best pineapple ever. I'm counting on the PG to be the same way.

Don - CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN!!!!! You are on a winning streak!!! That Tux may just be loose on you by the time your cruise comes. I'm sure you could suffer through that "problem" :D :D . After hearing your very wise plan for when you come back from the cruise, I can see how you do it. You are very methodical, committed and just plain SMART!!! No wonder you are so consistant in your weight loss. Keep it up!!!

Liz - another thing I've been thinking about is that you have been at your lower weight for quite some time now, haven't you? Plus, it will be even longer by the time your cruise is here. What I'm getting at is that the longer you keep it off, the longer it takes to put back on. So, you may find that you don't gain much weight at all. Many of us (especially me!!) lose their weight right before their trip. Then, of course, it is easy for it to come back on quickly. There was one time in my life that I'd kept my weight down really low for me for about a year. I then had a lot of stress in my life and started eating a lot of junk food. I was amazed at how long it took to starting putting the weight back on. Of course, it did come back on and then some. Story of my life - up until now. Now I truly am determined!!!

The pineapple in FP is amazing. As I remember they are smaller, and incredibly sweet. The grapefruit is really great too--"pamplemouse"--it's quite different from our North American variety.

Can't wait. :app:

Thanks Liz. Today is the day the docs come in. They are going to be delivered to my office, so the first dance will probably be on top of my desk. Here to eveyone in our getting little group and of course that is low carb wine!!! :D

Don, what an accurate description of how we gain weight back....one day, then another day...once you start up with old habits of eating, it's easy to just let the days roll by.... It isn't easy, after a splurge period like a cruise or other vacation, to find that daily healthy rhythm again. So, I think having a plan is what helps with that. That, and having support like we give to and get from each other.

Because my cruise is so long, I'll have to have a really solid plan for dealing with it, and Trish, like we've been saying, the hardest thing is when you're surrounded by tons of temptation (carrot cakes and the like, LOL).

I also think that it helps to identify motivators---like Don fitting into his tux, being able to wear old clothes you couldn't fit in, or to keep wearing new clothes that you bought for your new look. The latter, for me, is a STRONG motivator. I think, for any of us, it helps to look often in the mirror and enjoy the new look and to remember how we have felt when we haven't been happy with the way we look....

I think it also helps to remember how much WORK it's been to lost so much (it's LESS work to maintain than to lose), so none of us wants to have to repeat that effort.

I think it's true, Cyndi, about when you've been at the lower weight for a time and maintaining it is a daily "habit" rather than when you crash diet to lose quickly right before a cruise. I DO think I'll try to drop down even further in the month before the cruise so as to allow some "growth" room (LOL) on-board.

But my main effort will have to be having a real plan for dealing with ship-board temptation on a daily basis for nearly a month. When I get it all into place, I'll post it here for input from you guys.

I think I've lost another pound or two in the last week, but with daily fluctuations, it's hard to tell. I'm not sure how accurate my home scale is....the doctor's scale generally says I weigh more than my home scale says I do....

Don, we're waiting for your doc dance. You sweat it off, guy!!!!


:woh: :woh:

Thanks Liz. The docs are here. I have been dancing all afternoon. I am going to celebrate tonight with a bottle of bubbly. I might even splurge an put a lime in that Perrier!!! LOL

Now it is the home stretch. I am on a mission to get to that weight goal by cruise time. I have seventeen days before we fly out. (We moved it up a couple of days) Now I have to decide which of my big (but not too big) clothes to take and dispose of during the cruise. Should be fun to shop for smaller and tighter fitting clothes when I get back, so that I will continue back on the weight loss program.

Oh, Don, I hope the champagne was GREAT!!! And, all joking aside, I think the promise of a new wardrobe is a really strong motivator. Some guys don't care about shopping as much as women do, but other guys really enjoy it. If you are one of those, it will be so exciting to have a whole new "look" and then being able to CONTINUE fitting into the new clothes becomes a real motivator. With the discipline you have, I'm sure you'll really do well in the upcoming 17 days!!! We'll be here to cheer you on, too!!

Everyone--I was over causing no END of food trouble on the Cruise Roll Call board (the No Name Yet thread), b/c well, you know me, I got everyone talking about.....guess what.....double doubles!!!! Kathy complained about venturing off the weight loss support group and finding herself plunk in the middle of a bunch of Double Double pictures. We've hatched a plot to stump the chef on our cruise by challenging him to imitate a Double Double. My bet is he won't be able to do it!!!

I was pretty good yesterday. Forgoing lunch to eat about 4 handsful of peanuts, which, for some reason, lately, I've been craving almost every day.

Liz, like a glutten for punishment, I just now ventured over to the "No Name" thread to see those pictures for myself. Oh my, don't those burgers & fries look good. Guess what I'll be eating the week after we get back from PIP? <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> Your plan to drop a few more lbs before your cruise will be a boost to you and you won't have to worry as much while on the cruise. We'll help you do it!!

Don - I agree with Liz about your description of weight gain. Very wisely put! Now that you are doc dancing can we count that as a third daily workout (I know you were trying to do your double daily workouts). I think so!!! How was the bubbly w/lime?

Well I just weighed myself and not only did I lose the 2 lbs I gained the last 2 weeks of tax season, but lost 1 more!!! 3 lbs in less that one week!!!! Can't believe it. Could it be the walking I've added in each day after work? Now I'm at 18 lbs total lost. I have a pair of pants that I've been using as a "measure" of my weight loss. When I started at the 1st of the year I couldn't even get them over my hips. Now they go right over my hips and zip right up. This is thrilling for me. Thanks to all of you for your help & support. I know it is making a world of difference. Now onto the last 4 weeks (minus 1 day :D ). Hopefully I can get down even more.

Wendy - You make the pineapple sound soooooo good! Can't wait.

Have a successful day!!

Wow Cyndi, that's great progress, good for you.

Since we are in the home stretch before the cruise, we all will be pushing for that extra pound, I'm betting.

I still have not lost much. But I continue to "tighten up" with my exercise routine.

Wow, Cyndi, losing 3 pounds---1 more than you even tried to lose!! And trust me, I KNOW how utterly thrilling it is when those once too-tight pants just zip right up. What's better is when they start to get too LOOSE and you have to buy new jeans 'cause the ones you couldn't fit into before are now too big, LOL!!! :D

Wendy---I think that even if you're going through a period of not losing much (the old, infamous "plateau" stage) you can ONLY do yourself lots of GOOD by continuing your exercise. That's one area where I'm weak. I used to hike a lot, but haven't done it in months.... I think exercise makes your body look really good, beyond what a diet can do, and of course, it's SO good for your heart, etc.

Cyndi :app: :app: :app: You go girl!!! Great job!!! Especially the pants fitting part. Makes you feel great doesn't it?

As far as the bubbly last night, I had to have ny Perrier straight up, because there were no limes to be found in the house.

Looks like everybody is keeping after it. I think I even have enough willpower to peek at that "No Name" thread.

Now, if I could just get my wife well enough. She is sick again with bronchitis (third time in the past several weeks). This stuff just won't go away and the cruise is getting closer all the time. :eek:

Wendy & Don - thanks!!! Don you are right, the best part of all is the pants. Much more important than the actual weight #. Wendy, I've become a true believer in exercise. It makes a world of difference. Since muscle weighs more that fat but takes up less space than fat, you find your clothes fitting better than the scales would reflect. Plus, as Liz said, it is so healthy for you. But I know you know all that. Good for you for keeping up with the exercise!!!

Don, you have to be prepared next time!!! Get those limes ready because you are going to keep celebrating until your cruise!!!!! (So soon!!!!) Hope that Diana gets well ASAP. That type of thing can stick around for what seems live forever and then one day you realize it's gone. Hope that day is very soon for her.

Liz - I do have a few pairs of jeans & other pants that are now too loose. What a shame :D I'm going to go around with baggie pants until after the cruise when I have time to concentrate on that. Right now its PIP time only!! Much to do. It will be fun to shop when I get home.

Gosh, Don, I hope Diana gets better this time around....bronchitis can linger on...is she on an antibiotic? Sending thoughts and prayers that she's fully better by the cruise date!! Oh, BTW, did you peek at the no=name thread, LOL??? I ALMOST drove over to In and Out (unfortunately, there's one within a block of my office, LOL), for lunch, yesterday, but didn't....had my salad instead. Kept thinking of all those clothes, LOL.

Yeah, Cyndi, I agree you SHOULD wait till after the cruise to shop...another benefit of that is it gives you a really good motivator to stay on/get back on track after the cruise!!!

Be good, today, all!!!! :ch:

There is nothing better than baggy pants! Actually one thing is better, and that is the new, smaller-sized pants you will buy when you return from Pip.

I weighed-in today, and no change at all still. But I have definitely tightened up. I get to take a couple of days off from my elliptical--I broke it this morning (it made a thumping noise and quit), so I have to wait until Tuesday for Sears to come and fix it. Meanwhile I'll do my tai chi, pilates and weights--Sunday is tai chi in the park day (barring rain). I think my little 3-pound weights are terrific, and I am addicted to my simple upper body routine.

Sorry to go on and on about exercising, but I haven't been this active for a while, and it feels really good!

Wendy - go on as much as you want about exercising. I'm with you all the way!! Your routines sound really good. Good for you for sticking with it even with your "built-in excuse" with your ellipitcal breaking down. You are on your way!! Hope Sears does a good job for you.

Liz - I'm not going back to the "no name" post until after PIP. Sorry, it hurts too much :D Boy, am I going to have fun after PIP with the shopping spree and a little binge on burgers & fries :D

Yes, those Hamburger posts can set a girl back 5 lbs. I ordered a hamburger patty and salad the othr day to quell the craving but they brought it with the bun and some of us ate the whole thing. But I jumped right back on the horse and had a great day yesterday and off to another one today!

Still not on that exercise bandwagon full boar yet. I am doing a little bit of walking, but, not enough. It's a lifestyle change that is important.

Cyndi--yeah, I would stay away from that thread...the pictures are to die for, especially a really wicked one that Claudia sent.

Wendy--I think it's awesome that you are getting so into your exercise. I think it's very empowering!!!

Hey, Kathy, I hope you enjoyed your burger!!!! We all need those little "breaks" from the diet routine!!

Don--how's Diana doing? Hope she's feeling better.

Kathy - well, I don't even have an excuse. I drove my car straight to McDonald's and ordered a cheeseburger & fries. And I didn't even hesitate to eat the bun. It was quite a treat (or course not as good as an In-N-Out or Carl's but a treat just the same).

Tonight I'm being good and then MUST be good for the next 3 weeks!!! Liz & Kathy, we'll have to help each other out at the brunch. Everything is going to be so tempting. Maybe if I starve the day before and after I can just have fun on Sunday!!!

Don - you are getting really, really close!!! How are you doing and how is Diana? Hope things are going well.

Diana is still under the weather, but she won't stay down. We had a baby shower at our house on Saturday night and she could hardly talk. I was at the doctors on Friday and they gave me some antibiotics for her, but it is still lingering. We leave a week from Friday, so it is getting really close. She did stay in bed on Sunday until almost noon. Nothing going on for us though between now and the time we leave, so she can rest up.

Today was weigh in again, and I lost another 3 lbs, so I am down 69 lbs. My goal was 75 by cruise time, so I'm getting pretty close.

Well, there should be a whole lot of dancing going on this week with the PIPsters. I figure that y'all probably get your docs this week.

Talk soon,

Sigh, let's hope so Don, although I am trying to be stoic about their arrival.

Let's hope that Diana gets lots of rest and feels better soon.

Congrats on your spectacular weight loss!

Thanks Wendy. Diana is feeling a litle better tonight. Hopefully she is on the downside of this now.

I am sure that the docs are in the mail!!!

:banana: Just a primer!!! LOL

Hi guys! I need to join this group...I gained 10 lbs. on the Voyager!!! I've never been on a diet in my life but need to learn how to loose 10lbs....ALL AROUND MY BELLY!! H E L P !!!! I'm cutting out all potatoes, rice, bread and will begin to exercise. Will this be enough? I'm afraid if I don't get this 10 lbs. off, it will turn into 15 then 20 etc. I really want to fit into my clothes again! All of my gain is around my waist, nothing in my legs....I look like an egg balancing on tooth picks!

Marcie, welcome home and to our group. Actually, I think that is quite remarkable for you to be on the ship that long and only gain 10 lbs.

It sounds like you have the right plan. That is going to be ther problem for most of us in the next few weeks after we return from our respective cruises. We know that we will probably gain some while we are gone and what do we do when we get back. We HAVE to get back on program.

I would say that you have the right idea in limiting the carb intake and picking up the exercise routine.

Hi Marcie, I also think you did very well gaining only ten pounds after all that time on holiday.

I think your approach is right. But also do a little portion control, and be aware of the habits you may have fallen into on the ship--desserts, alcoholic comsumption, butter, things like that. I gained 5 pounds last summer when I was in Greece/Turkey and aboard the Diamond. And I found it difficult coming home to get back into my regular meal routine, without wanting all those yummy treats that I had been having while I was away!

I'm sure you will do fine--the tummy fat goes first!

I think you did extraordinary to have only gained ten pounds. I gained seven pounds just in the last week. Nerves and eating on the run. You may find that eating lots of fresh veggies and being away from the good food on the ship will help those pounds just drop right off.

Trish

Hi, guys---haven't been on for a couple of days. Marcie--welcome to our group. You are AMAZING that you only gained 10 pounds. That gives me hope, b/c my cruise is also long and I don't WANT to gain weight.

Don, what's the latest with Diana? Is she better? Way to go with losing another 3 pounds!!! Yay!!!

Cyndi, I hope you enjoyed the Mcdonalds.....I think when we DO cheat, that at least we should enjoy it!!! And yes, you, Kathy and i will have to help each other at the brunch......I think roast chicken sounds like a good option.....

Wendy--hows the exercise going? I bet you are really starting to notice the difference. I bet you FEEL good too, keeping up with that.

Missed you guys for a couple of days. I've lost 2 more pounds. Might treat myself to something fun for lunch, today.............