Before leaving on the four day Cruise with the Coaches to Cozumel, I heard from several people, “Go on a cruise, you gain 10 pounds.” Why accept such negative programming? I believe that it’s possible to go on a cruise without gaining weight. So let’s see what actually happened.

Thursday - - - Upon boarding the Carnival Fun Ship, the food orgy was underway on the Lido Deck. I passed the pasta/pizza line and headed for the salad and sandwich station. I ordered a Turkey Wrap on vegetable pita and added a spoonful of cold slaw with fresh tomato slices.

After the lifeboat drill, several ladies from our group went to the pool deck to watch the ship pull out from the Port of Tampa. We enjoyed coffee on the deck. Keep in mind this is two hours after lunch and the food lines opened again! As I went to refill my coffee, I passed a woman whose plate contained two chili hot dogs, potato salad and chips. She was debating aloud whether to add onion rings to the mix which she did and turned me saying, “Oh well, it’s over an hour until dinner.”  Looking around I realized that I was actually on the Carnival FAT Ship.

An unexpected treat came from walking to the top deck to watch the ship pass under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. As we drew within a hundred feet it looked as the ship could not possibly clear the bridge and when it did, a loud sigh went up from those of us watching.  I was late for dinner, but didn’t care, the bridge passing was amazing.

Dinner - Yes, a mere hour and half after the last food offering. I ordered the shrimp cocktail, grilled tilapia with grilled carrots, peas and asparagus. The sauce was light and aromatic. Every bite melted in the mouth. For dessert: coffee.

Evening: After dinner, I went to the sauna and steam room followed by chilled water and a chocolate mint bar back in the room.

Friday - - - Rooming with another Health Coach definitely made it easy to prepare breakfast. We requested a large ice bucket from our room steward for each night. Before going to sleep, we mixed Vanilla Shakes and set them to chill in the larger ice bucket. Shakes were ready for breakfast.

Mid-morning:  9-11am presentations were in the Library. We ordered decaf coffees and mixed in the Cappuccino.

Lunch: The menu was almost as large as for dinner.  I ordered baked fish and vegetables, serving too large to finish.

Mid-afternoon:  Latte at the Ship’s coffee spot and a Lemon bar.

Dinner: Shrimp cocktail, baked Norwegian salmon and grilled vegetables. Since this was Halloween, the servers brought a “scary dessert”: cute filo dough shaped like a ghost over a pumpkin cheesecake. Ate two bites, drank coffee. The pumpkin cheesecake was average, not worthwhile.
Enjoyed the musical show in Paris Lounge, skipped costume contest in favor of sauna/steam.

Saturday - - - Vanilla shake before going ashore. Latte at the Cozumel Starbucks.

Mid-morning: Took a shopping break at a two story McDonalds with fabulous view of the harbor. Shared the snack: half Cranberry Mango drink mixed in tea and half Lemon Bar.

Lunch: Half turkey/cheese sandwich at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville (a little slice of Key West in Mexico).

Mid-afternoon: High tea on the ship including a salmon with capers, watercress, tea biscuit.

Dinner: Fresh tomatoes. Lobster tail and shrimp with broccoli. Took one bite of Cappuccino pie; sent it back.

Joined our coaching group on the Lido Deck for music and a Mexican theme mid-night buffet. Watched the food orgy move into high gear. Just looking at all that grease, fat and bulk was exhausting. Nothing was even interesting. My TSFL toned body is a food snob, refusing to sell out for fatty junk food.

Sunday - - -  My favorite breakfast on land or sea, Vanilla shake.

Mid-morning: Coffee and Oatmeal Raisin bar.

Lunch; I went back to the Lido Deck for the hot turkey wrap on vegetable pita.

Mid-afternoon: Ok, here’s the big indulgence; coffee with half piece of white chocolate tart.

Steam and sauna in between meeting and dinner.

Dinner: Onion soup (omit the floating bread), baked Norwegian salmon (other choices fat and heavy) and mixed vegetables.

Evening: While working on my computer in the library, we mixed another cappuccino with fresh brewed (and served) coffee and shared a Lemon Bar.

Monday -  - - Vanilla shake before leaving the ship.

Four day cruise = 2 pound weight loss!

Did I enjoy the food? Yes, with “mindful eating” I chose the foods that I wanted and savored what I ate. Just because the ship offers a menu with four courses for lunch and dinner plus huge buffets does not mean that eating it all is necessary.

Even if I sweated away some water from my daily steam/sauna visits, I still didn’t gain any weight. Of course, I did not expect to gain any weight. I went to participate in the coaches program, shop in Cozumel and enjoy the amenities of the cruise.  Thankfully having my program shakes, bars and drinks kept me well nourished so that I could appreciate the food and the experience.