Healthy Living How To

Vanessa Rae Romero

Cruise to Lose

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Cruise to Lose

Fourteen days of international travel, including a 7-day Mediterranean cruise, and I come home 3 lbs. lighter. 

I didn't go on the cruise to lose. I don't know anyone who actually does.

However, I had countless well-meaning friends tell me to be prepared to gain weight in the face of all-night buffets and 24-hour room service.

I posted a little bit about this on social media and many wanted to know “my secret”.

To be honest, I don't think there really is a secret. For me, it's all about a mindset.

If I go on vacation and tell myself I am going to gain weight, I end up justifying why it's okay to eat food I wouldn't normally eat.

I don't even go there. Instead, I seek out healthy and delicious food that makes me feel good.

While on vacation, I enjoyed every meal, choosing foods, that I eat just about every day.

With the exception of the enormous leg of lamb in Greece. 

My meals were a combination of protein and fat, some veggies, some fruit, and a bit of starch, usually some form of potato, with dinner.

I also indulged in lots and lots of dark chocolate from a candy store we found in Venice, Italy. Now that was a real treat.

So, what didn't I eat?

Well, I left the alcoholic beverages at the bar, the bread in the bread basket, and the cookies, cakes, pastries and other treats for someone else.

They don't make me feel my best anyways. And they certainly aren't required to have fun!

I took two weeks off from the gym and instead made a pact with our travel friends to only take the stairs on the cruise ship. No elevator allowed.

We clocked lots of miles on foot, exploring Venice, Croatia, Turkey and Greece. It was a blast!

Summer is often a time for vacations. I hope this is a healthy reminder you can enjoy your vacation without forgoing your healthy lifestyle.

P.S. I photographed all the meals I ate for 14 days. You can find them on Instagram and Facebook.