How to Maintain Your Weight While on a Cruise

Vacations can easily cause the most dedicated dieters to eat poorly. Cruises have added danger for weight gain because they not only include all meals and snacks, but food is available and accessible to the passenger at all times, making overeating even more likely.

Things You'll Need

• Tight pants or shorts
• Paper
• Pen

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Instructions

Plan Ahead

• 1

  Before taking your cruise, try to eat more healthfully so you lose a few pounds before you leave. Weigh yourself right before the cruise so you know exactly how much you weigh. Even if you gain a small amount of weight on the cruise, it will be offset by the weight you lost before traveling. When cutting back before the cruise, make a list of any modifications you made that you would be willing to continue on the cruise, for example, ordering food without butter or skipping the bread basket at dinner.

• 2

  Pack an outfit that feels tight. Chances are you will not weigh yourself on the cruise. However, you probably have that one pair of shorts or jeans which fits just a little differently when you gain weight. Even if you do not wear that outfit, try it on during the cruise so you can get a sense of whether you are maintaining your weight. Sometimes just briefly feeling tight clothing against your skin gives you the motivation to be a little bit more calorie conscious when eating.

• 3

  Exercise on the ship. Most ships have gyms, but even if yours does not, try walking around the ship or taking part in an active shipboard activity. Some ships have basketball courts, tracks and ice skating rinks.

• 4

  Consider skipping the midnight buffet or going only when you are very full. Many ships have scaled back on daily late-night buffets and instead have only one or two a week. While the displays are beautiful, you are better off taking pictures instead of sampling the food.

• 5

  In port, spend as much time off the ship as possible, Since your food aboard the ship is included in the price of the cruise, many passengers limit food purchases when they are touring. Getting off the ship makes included food less accessible and you will probably not seek out food when it costs money.

• 6

  Write down what you eat. Even though you are on vacation and may splurge on some treats, keeping track of your food intake will make you think about what you are eating. You will be more likely to stop eating when you are full if you are accountable.

• 7

  Drink plenty of water. It will keep you hydrated and fill you up, and it's calorie free. Limit your intake of alcohol as those calories add up quickly and are not nutritious.