By Dave Schreck

What a pleasure experiencing warm sunny days in the Caribbean after spending a winter in New England. However, the best part of our recent Zone cruise was attending Dr. Sears’ lectures and enjoying gourmet meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Many of the participants have informed us that they lost weight on the cruise, from 2 to 6 pounds. Not bad considering that the average weight gain for most non-Zone cruisers is 10 to 15 pounds in seven days! That’s only good if you want to become a Sumo wrestler. Weight gain is easy with the gourmet buffets, tea and sandwiches at 4, pizza and ice cream 12 hours a day, five-course dinners and a midnight chocolate buffet.

However, weight loss is also easy if you know the Zone guidelines, the Zone principles that allowed us to enjoy 5-star cuisine and maintain and even lose weight.

Awareness - the ability to be conscious when it’s time to eat. Awareness requires vigilance to focus your attention in a new way that will allow you to stop and think of the consequences when you consume various foods. At one dessert buffet I was curious at what was on display (really, I wasn’t going to take a plate). As I approached the mountain of unfavorable carbs, I was blocked by two very large individuals who with plates in hand piled on the puddings, cakes, pies and pastries.

Portions – we ate just like the French (who still look good in designer clothes). Small portions of lean proteins surrounding by non-starchy vegetables.

Balance - We adjusted the menus removing the breads, potatoes, rice, and pasta while offering family-style roasted, steamed and sautéed non-starchy vegetables.

Motivation – hearing the stories of others and how they took action and changed their lives with the Zone was inspiring. One participant told us how he was preparing to have his family take care of him because of various chronic disorders. For this individual, 30 days on the Zone with omega-3s changed his life! And Carol K. said, “I have to tell you and Dr. Sears that I feel GREAT! I have been following the Zone lifestyle since the first day of the cruise and can feel the difference in my clothing, mental clarity, and lack of hunger. I feel like a new person! I truly believe the information I learned while spending time with all of you saved my life!”

Knowledge – Your weight gain is not your fault! You were told to consume a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet. The experts were wrong. You were told the solution is to eat less and exercise more. Wrong again! The true cause of weight gain is not lack of willpower but the disruption of hormonal communication between your stomach and your brain. The solution? Realize that food is your drug, and the Zone provides you with the guidelines to reduce the risk of chronic disease and improve your health.

You can still benefit even if you missed the Zone cruise. All the resources to achieve your goals are at www.zonediet.com and www.drsears.com.

Perhaps next year you’ll be giving the testimonial of your life!

As Bobbi B. said, “We had a wonderful time seeing old friends and making new ones. Enjoyed the lectures, the stories from other Zoners, the ship and great food. It’s hard to believe you can eat so well and still lose four pounds while cruising — that is Zone Cruising. Looking forward to next year’s cruise.”