| Cruising makes you fat. If this were true, why are | | | | you sign up, you pay, (unless you remember to |
| there so many healthy looking people on cruise ships? | | | | cancel before the class) so you are more likely to |
| With a few tips and rules for yourself, cruising can be | | | | show up. |
| a wonderful way to vacation without upsetting your | | | | 6. Sign up for active shore excursions. Riding around |
| New Year's weight loss goals. Balance is the key in | | | | in a bus looking at things is not fun. Get out and do |
| vacationing where there is unlimited food and 24 hour | | | | something. Kayak, snorkel, hike or at least walk the |
| service. | | | | town you've docked at. |
| 1. Tasting is good thing. I'm talking taste, not | | | | 7. If the ship has a "swim against the current" pool, |
| committing to a meal of Mac & Cheese in the | | | | go use it. It is great fun. If not, get in the pool; tread |
| buffet, just because it looked yummy. They keep | | | | water for 15 minutes or more while you chat with |
| refilling the buffet all through the meal time. This is | | | | friends. Yes, you could chat in the hot tub, but save |
| not your home where it is gone when your brother | | | | relaxation for a reward after a workout. Sitting in hot |
| woofs it. Join a different club than the clean plate | | | | water is not a work out. |
| club. Taste some healthy veggie dishes and fish you | | | | 8. If the ship has a rock wall - Do it. What a rush it is |
| would not commit to at a normal restaurant. Talk, | | | | to get to the top. You are in a harness and they |
| relax, pause and you may find you are full enough. It | | | | walk you through it. Just remember hand, hand, foot, |
| is not your last meal, and don't get into the "gonna | | | | foot, and start climbing. |
| get my money's worth" frame of mind. The fruit and | | | | 9. Walk the promenade deck. Doing this as the ship |
| veggies are already cut up for you, yeah! Service is | | | | docks or departs is extra special. One cruise line has |
| the luxury of this vacation. | | | | weighted vest you wear to get extra benefits in |
| 2. Avoid the buffet - the dining room serves | | | | calories used and correcting posture. |
| user-friendly portions and the food is really better | | | | 10. Just dance, at every opportunity you get. Read |
| there. Try the fish. If you don't care for a dish that is | | | | the activity list in the little newspaper delivered to |
| the beauty of cruising, they will bring you something | | | | your room. See a conga line forming... get in it. |
| else, really, it's so cool! | | | | Activity staff teaching ballroom, or line dance, perfect |
| 3. Try to get the table to taste many desserts. Most | | | | time to learn. Sleep solid by finishing out your day |
| of the time, a bite savored in your mouth really | | | | with a few dances at the disco. |
| satisfies the craving. They got it right in kindergarten, | | | | 11. Take the opportunity to try out some pieces of |
| sharing is caring. | | | | work out equipment you have never tried. Don't |
| 4. Use the stairs. Would you ever want to be stuck | | | | forget the proper clothes to work out. Some lines |
| in an elevator? If you have a full dessert, use the | | | | are very strict about wearing appropriate athletic |
| stairs to get to the gym. | | | | shoes into their gyms. Your sports sandals might not |
| 5. First thing, first day, go to the Spa. Learn about | | | | pass. |
| what classes are going to be offered. Sign up - | | | | 12. To get a top of the line workout room, it is best |
| budget for taking classes on this trip. Some are free, | | | | to work with a cruise specialist to direct you to |
| such as Yoga or stretch classes, so go to those too. | | | | specific ships. The difference in gyms regarding size, |
| The more trendy classes like Pilates and Spinning are | | | | age of machines, etc. is huge, so work with someone |
| around $12. Class sizes are typically small and once | | | | who has at least toured the industries ships. |