Not so long ago, much of the pleasure, anticipation, and excitement surrounding my cruise vacations was the FOOD! The mere thought of the buffets, specialty restaurants, bistros, dining rooms, chocolate extravaganzas and all of the other seemingly endless sources of decadent, excessive sustenance was enough to launch me into a personal state of epicurean euphoria! Our societal obsession with edible consumption has reached an alarmingly disproportionate plane, and has driven us collectively to new levels of “food mania”. As a result, this obsession has catapulted us as a society into the travails of an obesity epidemic. And I was no exception! So as I planned each cruise, I indulged my own “food mania” fantasies into “Bring it On” mode. As a result, I rarely escaped a cruise unscathed by the scale, gaining an average of seven pounds for a week’s worth of nautical overindulgence – that, my friends, translates to a pound a day!
After living for nearly forty five years trapped inside this emotionally and physically destructive mouse-trap maze, I came into my own – I mustered every ounce of courage in my being, and made the life altering, life saving decision to have RNY gastric bypass surgery. I did it for my family and those who love and cherish me so greatly, but most of all, I did it for "me". It stands paramount as the single, most selfless, loving and nurturing endeavor I have ever accomplished for the sake of my own personal health and well-being, and it is in this spirit that my Ruby Cruises Cruise to Lose was born.
As a cruise based travel agency owner, and a lover of cruising in general, I cruise often, for both business and pleasure. Eleven weeks after my surgery, I was required to do my first post-operative cruise. I was not looking forward to it, and tried to finagle my way out of it, but in the end, the situation deemed my presence necessary. Onto the ship I trudged, roll-on suitcase in tow, stocked with “healthy” food for myself (protein shakes, beef jerky, protein bars, etc.) because I just KNEW there was nothing “good for me” to eat onboard a cruise ship. I was not looking forward to this experience at all, and I envisioned rolling my food-case with me everywhere I went throughout the ship. As we boarded, we were informed that our cabin was not yet ready, and were directed immediately to the buffet for lunch. I was less than thrilled. As I followed Greg (my better half, business partner and partner in life) into the line, the buffet server quickly handed me a plate before I could decline, which even further enhanced my grumpiness and dread of being there. Since I touched the plate, it was mine for the time being. As we meandered through the buffet area, I came across a station with cheese cubes! Cheese! I can have that! So I added a few cubes to my plate. As I looked closer at the offerings, PAST the mashed potatoes and chicken fried steak, I discovered grilled chicken! Chicken! Excellent source of protein – and grilled to boot! Can’t beat that! So onto my plate it went. A few steps further I noticed broiled tilapia filets! Fish! ANOTHER excellent source of protein! I can have that too! Needless to say, by the time I made it through my maiden buffet venture on that first day of my first post-operative business cruise, I had a wonderful, delicious, protein packed, low fat, low carb, low calorie, sugar free lunch. Heaven! To my delight, I found that whether I was in the buffet area, dining room, one of the many café’s onboard, or even ordering off of the room service menu, there was a plethora of good, healthy food choices for me! The reality of it is that there always WERE loads of good, healthy choices – I simply chose not to see them before, so you see, it truly IS all about what we choose to see. Not once throughout that week at sea did I feel deprived or left out, and I discovered that life onboard a cruise is NOT all about the food…it’s about having a good time, and in doing so, treating myself well to a healthy lifestyle.
Oh, and the best part of that maiden post-operative cruise? I lost six pounds instead of gaining the standard seven! I enjoyed every second whether partaking in group functions, ship board activities or simply enjoying Greg’s company. So you see my friends, you really can “Cruise to Lose” – it’s all about choices – choices that are good for you! Bon Appetite’!
See you on the NEXT Ruby Cruises CRUISE TO LOSE!
~ Terri