
The Game Plan: A Pre-Cruise Cut
Rather than fighting the inevitable bulk that happens on vacation, I decided to lean into it strategically. One week before the cruise, I dropped my calorie intake significantly while ensuring I still hit my protein targets to preserve muscle. This approach allowed me to shed a bit of weight in preparation for the inevitable indulgence while cruising.
By the time we set sail, I was already in a leaner state, which made me feel better about enjoying the food without guilt.
The Cruise: Balancing Indulgence & Workouts
I won’t lie—there was plenty of good food (and desserts!), but unlike previous vacations, I was more mindful about what I consumed. The biggest shift for me was the realization of how far I’ve come in my fitness journey, which kept me from going completely off the rails.
On top of that, I prioritized workouts like never before. I managed to hit the gym twice a day on most days, which helped counterbalance the extra calories and kept me feeling strong and active.
Post-Cruise: Recovery & Reflection
Once I got back, work caught up to me quickly, so I focused on recovery rather than jumping back into intense workouts immediately. When I finally stepped on the scale, I wasn’t surprised to see an increase—but what really mattered was that my muscle gains remained intact according to my gym’s body composition test. That was a huge win.
Now, I’m planning to do another cut to get back into a rhythm and prepare my body for lower-carb eating again. However, this trip made me question whether a strict low-carb diet is truly sustainable for me. Maybe the key is balance and moderation—starting with cutting back on bacon!
This experience reinforced that vacations don’t have to derail progress if you go in with a plan and the right mindset. I was able to enjoy myself, push my body, and still come back feeling in control. Going forward, I’ll continue to explore more sustainable diet strategies that fit my long-term goals—without making me feel like I’m constantly in a cycle of restriction and overindulgence.

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