The cruise that will help you lose weight not pile on the pounds
CrUISIng used to be all about scoffing everything in sight 24 hours a day. ‘Board as a passenger and leave as freight,’ as they used to say. But all that’s changed. These days you can cruise to lose weight or even improve your fitness.
I went on a rhine cruise with Amawaterways, leaving from Basel, to try yoga, cardio, circuits and core strengthening classes.
Six of its ships have youthful on-board fitness instructors, so those looking to raise their game can sign up for personal training sessions at an extra cost of €35 (£31) for half an hour and €50 (£45) for an hour. A small fitness room with treadmills and stationary bikes had its devotees, while the outdoor pool always seemed to be empty, probably due to the weather.
The health drive continued on land where guests could choose from a programme which included guided cycling, hiking tours or jogging excursions. walking tours were graded according to ability, so there was no excuse to wimp out.
I quickly got into the habit of starting most days with morning stretches or joining a resistance band class. These thick, stretchy bands are designed to sculpt and tone your upper body — Michelle obama arms, here I come — legs, glutes and core. After lunch it was yoga or a strengthening class to offset the Black Forest gateau.
The biggest challenge, as ever, was resisting temptation, though there were gluten-free, low- sodium and vegetarian menus as well as regional wines on offer.
on this cruise local produce meant lots of dishes featuring sausage and roast pork, but healthy options were plentiful too — delicious soups, fresh fruit, yogurt and buffet salads.
There were also excursions to make the heart beat faster. one gave us the chance to explore historic heidelberg, germany’s oldest university town, where I visited the red-walled castle, home to the heidelberg Tun, the world’s largest wine barrel described by Mark Twain as ‘a wine-cask k as big as a cottage’. This 250-year- old giant can hold more than 45,000 gallons — so they say — and has a dance floor on top accessed by a staircase. I also joined the group hike along the Philosopher’s Path to enjoy the sweeping views across the top and, of course, more exercise.
Suffice to say, the only thing that’ll be weighing you down on the way home will l be your souvenirs.