Weighing it Up: Cruising and the Fear of Gaining

I’m a 5.5 ft. female. I could weigh 225 pounds.

Where did I come up with that number? When we first started cruising, I weighed 110. On each of our 23 cruises, I put on 5 pounds. If I add them all up, and tack them onto 110, I’d weigh 225.

But I still weigh 110.

I know some people are terrified at the prospect of major weight gain on a cruise. But it doesn’t have to happen. Below are a few of my tips to keeping those extra pounds to a minimum. Some of these are obvious, but they’re reminders for me too, as I’m about to eat my way through cruise #24:

Use the “StairMaster” to actually get somewhere. In other words, take the stairs. Not only is it good exercise, but it’s entertaining. You never know what kid is going to come screaming down it as you’re climbing up. And it beats waiting for the elevator, only for it to swoosh right by your floor. Or trying to cram in to that small space with 15 other folks.

Jogging track. This has got to be one of cruise ships' biggest secrets. Because it’s always empty. And often has great views. The one on Oasis class ships takes you the whole length of the ship (2.4 laps=1 mile), including past the dramatic wake at the stern. There are even some cutesy signs you can smirk at as you fly by.

 

Joggers to the left, walkers to the right on Allure of the Seas

There’s a gym too. You can take classes, or do the treadmill while watching TV, listening to music (bring your earphones) or watching the waves.

Don’t go overboard. Eat only what you really enjoy—skip the rest. Shrug off the temptation to “get your money’s worth.”

Lighten up. If you supplement some of your hard core eating with lighter stuff, you’ll feel better—like a martyr, even. Some examples: most of the ships have a restaurant with healthier food, such as Celebrity AquaSpa Café or Royal Caribbean’s Vitality Café.

Or, one day, just have lighter foods—fish, veggies and fruit. Cereal for breakfast. Or lighten up one meal a day.

Watch what you drink. The beverages we like best—booze, specialty coffees—come laden with sugar and calories. In fact, one study found that liquids account for 22 percent of calories in the typical American’s diet.¹

At the risk of depressing you:

• If the drink package is $57 a day (current price for Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package)
• If a Budweiser is $7.25 (price on Royal Caribbean ships)
• To break even, you have to drink 8 beers
• 8 beers x 150 calories = 1,200 calories

You’re consuming 1,200 calories just from beer. That’s before you’ve even eaten anything.

Walk in, around and out of town. Not only is it good exercise to walk into town at ports, but it’s the best way to get beyond the just-for-the-tourists attractions to see how the locals live. The kids in their school uniforms in the streets for lunch. Street vendors selling everything from fruit to underwear. The political posters.

Of course, you’re on vacation to have fun, and food and drink is a big part of the fun. But with a bit of moderation and a bit of exercise, you can still have a blast and not go crazy packing on the pounds.

And then—this is most important of all—the minute you get home, the party’s over. Go back to your regular eating. Those extra pounds will come off in no time.

¹Milk Processor Education Program, as reported by Reuters