Health Stay slim on the high seas
Heading off on a European summer cruise? Here’s how to avoid bringing home excess baggage…
1 CHOOSE A QUIET ROOM
Avoid staying near the noisy Lido deck, where people gather for meals and entertainment; a lack of sleep increases the hormone that makes us want to eat, making those free croissants and muffins seem even more tempting. Choose a cabin that’s between passenger decks if possible, where there are far less distractions.
2 PACK SWIMWEAR IN YOUR CARRY-ON
If your togs are in your hand luggage you can get a head-start on day one in a quiet pool while the other guests are still waiting for their suitcases to arrive. An hour’s slow swimming can burn around 2000kj.
3 ALWAYS FACE AWAY FROM THE BUFFET
Research shows that people who sit further away from and with their backs to a buffet tend to be slimmer than those who have food in their eye line. And while you’re at it, use a side plate. On average, people who use a smaller plate eat 29 per cent less than those who use a big one, regardless of hunger.
4 EAT OFF SCHEDULE
With all-day dining available on board, blending mealtimes is an easy way to help you eat less overall – so skip breakfast and lunch and have brunch instead. “Lying by the pool all day only burns around 2500kj,” says Cruise Yourself Slim author Martin Shirran. “You won’t always need three main meals a day.”
5 FOLLOW THE COCKTAIL OR DESSERT RULE
There’s no cruise tradition quite like cocktail hour, but next time you raise your glass, think of the dessert stand. There’s more than 800kj in a single pina colada, the equivalent of a slice of chocolate cake. So if you’re drinking alcohol, skip dessert – and vice versa. It’s an easy way to stop loading up on extra kilojoules and waist-widening sugar.
6 DO A TASTE TEST
If you’re tempted by the different mains on offer, mix things up by asking for a half-serve of each. That way you’ll make the most of the experience without piling on the kilos with double portions.
7 TAKE THE STAIRS
You’ll do so much sitting and lying around you should try to grab the opportunity for short bursts of exercise while you can. Skipping the lift queue and using the stairs between decks will give your bum and thighs a workout while also burning 42kj a minute.
8 WALK THE PLANK
We know the lure of a comfy cabin can be hard to resist, but whenever the boat docks and that gangway comes down, always get off. Just 30 minutes of leisurely exploring can burn 750kj. Too hot? Sweating will increase your metabolic rate, while chilly evenings will help you burn fat too – so get outside whenever you can!
9 BUST A MOVE
Brush up on your moves and learn your steps for the nightly finale by signing up to a dance class. Cruise lines, including Norwegian and Holland America offer tuition, so you can make friends, look like a pro on the dance floor, burn kjs and improve your fitness, all in one go!
10 PLAN YOUR FINAL OUTFIT
Dressing up for your last night? Research shows we’re more motivated by positive thoughts than negative, so hang your favourite party outfit in your cabin in plain sight to increase your diet willpower. You’ll be less likely to pile your plate up high when you’ve got a visual reminder of how you want to look at the end of your trip.