Gymbrat333

Thank you, Shari! I will definitely share pictures and write a review!

Thanks so much Olga...I hope all goes well with your cruise and your mom will do well.  I surely do feel for her...I hope you will come back and share a review and some pictures of  your dear mom.  

Thank you so much, Shari! I'm so sorry about your loss.  I cannot begin to imagine your pain.  I used to take her on every cruise, but due to her back pain, she only goes on her birthday cruise now.  I will also be taking her on a 2 day cruise aboard the Carnival Horizon in September.  I really hope that you become stronger with the exercise that you're doing.  I hope that you will be able to take a cruise in the future .

I will upload the pictures soon that you can see how fun it was.  Yes, the next day at Princess Cays not many people were up early.  

Thanks so much, Shari!  She used to sail on 7 day cruises, then decreased it to 4 days three years ago because she gets too much back pain.  She wanted to try the Vista last July so we went on the 6 day one, and I will be taking her again this July for her birthday cruise on the 6 day Vista.  To alleviate her back pain, she exercises and eats healthy a few months before the cruise, and it really helps.

Olga...thanks for the nice comment!  I don't think I would ever be able to do all you do to stay in shape.  You are amazing!  I am so sorry that your mom also has arthritis in her spine...hope she will be ok.
Jan...you're doing great, going to the gym, walking, and eating less...only 2 pounds on the last cruise... which was a longer one, is great!
Cheryl...thank you for the nice comment. On the eating...actually, I have very little self-control.  Just getting off of a diet... off and on for 6 months, and only lost 18 pounds...and now that I'm off again, gaining again.  Some days it seems hopeless, but can't give up. You may be doing it right by eating at the buffets, I used to think we ate too much at buffets, but now it seems that we can control the amount we eat a little better, we just have to tell ourselves not to take everything, just what we want the most, and smaller portions...well, it sounds good anyways...LOL
 

I am also so sorry to hear about the stenosis and arthritis, Shari. It does sound like you do have some control over your eating, more than I do. I like to sample everything, which is why we always eat at the buffet. Also, we don't want to be confronted with the bread and butter . We like to go to the buffet, eat and get out quickly. We don't like to sit for long in the dining room. However, on a four day cruise, I do come home at least 4 pounds heavier, although half of it comes off during the week when I  resume my usual eating. I think , also, a lot of it is salt and retaining fluids. 
Wow, Jan, only 2 pounds. Congratulations, that's excellent. I would be thrilled with that. 

Thanks for sharing! I think a New Year’s cruise would be fun, unfortunately I can’t convince the hubby to go and miss all the family gatherings going on during that time. And as you said, it’s really expensive. I did go this year on Norwegian in early December, and the ship was decorated for the holidays, so it as almost like being away at Christmas.
The New Year's Eve party sounded like so much fun. I would have needed a long nap to stay up. How many people actually made it out to the beach the next day? I imagine there must have been more than a few hangovers.?

I'm so sorry about your stenosis and arthritis.  My mother also has arthritis and gets a lot of back pain when she walks long distances.

I actually went to the gym on my last cruise - not just once, but twice, when my husband dragged me out of bed to go with him. Other days I always made a point of circling the promenade a few times. I tried hard to eat in moderation - as I get older, I can’t eat huge amounts of food, thankfully. I came home with only 2 extra pounds, which was a record for me. ?

It's pretty hard not to enjoy all the great meals, and deserts when cruising...in the past I have just tried eating smaller portions and less of the fancy foo-foo drinks.  Just the walking around the large ships would help me then since I didn't get a lot of exercise at home.  I think my first cruise was the only one that I gained weight on...back when they had the midnight buffets, and just ate too much too often...learned then that it's too much food, and just eat less, but what I want...and only have a fancy drink once in awhile.  The walking always helped me.  Today, if I am so blessed to be able to go again, I may need a go-cart...LOL  so would really have to watch the eating.  Have spinal stenosis with bad discs and arthritis in the spine so it's very hard for me to walk or stand for too long...and the walking is what always helped me to keep from putting the weight on.  My husband's first cruise was our honeymoon cruise and he used to order two meals sometimes if he couldn't choose, or they both sounded so good.  He came home with ten extra pounds...he also learned a lesson from that cruise.  LOL  

I really need to do the stairs , rather than elevators. Also, my walking on the Promenade Deck is certainly not as good as going to the gym and working up a sweat. So, now I've got a couple of goals for our next cruise. Thanks for the tips, gymbrat. 

I have cruised with family and close friends.  When they can't go, I go by myself.  Sometimes you argue and disagree with family and friends, imagine with strangers.  No way. I always book an inside or an ocean view depending on the price. When I cruise with my mom, she must have a balcony.

I choose the healthy options that they offer.  I drink lots of water, and have a Virgin Pina Colada or two during the whole cruise.  I don't eat fried or salty foods, but I must eat chocolate desserts on a cruise with every meal.  If I eat whole wheat bread for breakfast or at dinner, I don't put any butter on it.  When I eat pasta, I eat the ones made with red sauce.  I don't like creamy sauces.  I also bring my chocolate protein bars with me because I'm up at 5am every morning and breakfast doesn't open up until 7am.  I eat what they have available that's healthier, but will not make special requests to the chefs,  I think that's going a little too far.   I also exercise at the gym everyday, and always use the stairs, never the elevator. 

I choose the healthy options that they offer.  I drink lots of water, and have a Virgin Pina Colada or two during the whole cruise.  I don't eat fried or salty foods, but I must eat chocolate desserts on a cruise with every meal.  If I eat whole wheat bread for breakfast or at dinner, I don't put any butter on it.  When I eat pasta, I eat the ones made with red sauce.  I don't like creamy sauces.  I also bring my chocolate protein bars with me because I'm up at 5am every morning and breakfast doesn't open up until 7am.  I eat what they have available that's healthier, but will not make special requests to the chefs,  I think that's going a little too far.   I also exercise at the gym everyday, and always use the stairs, never the elevator. 

I choose the healthy options that they offer.  I drink lots of water, and have a Virgin Pina Colada or two during the whole cruise.  I don't eat fried or salty foods, but I must eat chocolate desserts on a cruise with every meal.  If I eat whole wheat bread for breakfast or at dinner, I don't put any butter on it.  When I eat pasta, I eat the ones made with red sauce.  I don't like creamy sauces.  I also bring my chocolate protein bars with me because I'm up at 5am every morning and breakfast doesn't open up until 7am.  I eat what they have available that's healthier, but will not make special requests to the chefs,  I think that's going a little too far.   I also exercise at the gym everyday, and always use the stairs, never the elevator. 

I have cruised with family and close friends.  When they can't go, I go by myself.  Sometimes you argue and disagree with family and friends, imagine with strangers.  No way. I always book an inside or an ocean view depending on the price. When I cruise with my mom, she must have a balcony.

Wow, excellent tips. Didn’t realize cruise ships were so accommodating. I can’t picture myself bring the mayo and snacks . I guess if you’re really determined, it’s possible to keep the pounds off but for me, it’s always been a pound up per day. I really do need to try some of these tips. Great article. 

Thank you so much!

Should now be fixed.  Check it again @sunluva7 and @Gymbrat333 and let me know what happens.
Looking fwd to seeing your pics!

The Seafood shack sounds like a great addition...especially for a Minnesotan.  We do have a few places here with good seafood, but not near enough for me...LOL

Thanks so much!  This cruise was the week before Christmas.  I always like to be home for Christmas.  They have been adding the Seafood Shack aboard many Carnival ships now.

You will love the Seafood Shack,  Jason!  

How do I create an album?  I'm looking at the page where all of the albums are posted, but don't see how I can upload my pictures or create an album.  

Sounds like another great cruise, Olga...so sorry your mom had back pain and couldn't go.  I was booked for the Breeze with a group of friends, but had to cancel because my husband had some health issues.  Great reviews...thanks again for sharing with us.