Prepping for the Cruise: Intensifying My Workouts
Leading up to the cruise, I knew that food indulgences were inevitable, so I made sure to ramp up my workouts. My plan was to stay active throughout the trip, ensuring I could enjoy my meals without completely derailing my fitness progress.
During the vacation, I committed to:
✅ Two workouts per day – One cardio session and one strength training session
✅ Skipping only one day – Giving myself a single break to recover
✅ Keeping protein intake high – Even with extra carbs and sweets, I prioritized protein in every meal
Embracing the "Dirty Bulk" Mentality
The biggest shift for me was reintroducing carbs, something I had largely avoided for months. At first, I hesitated. But let’s be real—on a Disney Cruise, with world-class dining and endless dessert options, avoiding carbs is nearly impossible. It didn’t take long before I fully embraced the vacation mindset and indulged in everything from fresh bread to elaborate desserts.
I didn’t hold back, especially when it came to sweets—my ultimate weakness. But I also remained mindful of my protein intake, making sure to eat balanced meals rather than just diving into sugar-filled snacks all day.
Post-Vacation Reality Check: The Scale Tells the Story
As expected, the scale showed a noticeable jump after just one week. However, I wasn’t surprised or discouraged. I knew this would happen, and I reminded myself that much of the weight gain was likely from:
🔹 Water retention from extra carbs
🔹 Higher sodium intake from vacation meals
🔹 A temporary increase in glycogen stores
Turning It Into a Strength-Building Opportunity
Rather than regretting the weight gain, I see it as an opportunity to capitalize on strength gains. With my fitness routine entering a new phase, I’ll be increasing my weight training from two days to three per week, which means my body will need more fuel for recovery and muscle growth.
Now, my focus shifts to:
✔ Shedding excess water weight while getting back into my regular meal plan
✔ Utilizing the extra calories to push heavier lifts in the gym
✔ Assessing recovery time to see how often I can afford to do this in the future
Would I Do This Again?
Honestly, I’m not sure if I can do this kind of vacation diet break too often, but I don’t regret it. The balance of staying active while still enjoying food without guilt was the right approach for me. Now, I’ll see how quickly I can level set back to my pre-cruise form—and hopefully walk away with a bit more muscle to show for it.
This experience reinforced a valuable lesson: Fitness is a lifestyle, not a punishment. Sometimes, it's okay to press pause, enjoy the moment, and trust your discipline to get back on track.
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