Avoiding Putting on Weight
Banish The Vacation Belly!
by Nicole RebeiroVacations may be great for the soul, but they can be a nightmare for the waistline! Lots of lounging by the pool, indulging in sweet treats and perhaps enjoying a few too many sugary cocktails can mean you may find your pants a little tight by the time you get home.
While this is completely normal, it can prove a little problematic on longer trips, when you want to make sure you continue to look great in your swimwear for your entire vacation. Some of the longest trips travelers take are on cruise ships, where sailings can take anything from 2 to well over 100 nights. While cruises can offer some of the best opportunities for keeping fit, they also offer all-inclusive meals and all-you-can-eat restaurants!
Everyone wants to indulge on vacation, especially on cruises where there’s so many different eateries to try out, not just on board but in the ports, too. If you’re on a Europe cruise, traveling to a number of different countries, of course you’re going to want to try out the handmade pasta in Civitavecchia, the flaky croissants in Villefranche and the Spanish tapas in Cadiz. Dieting just isn’t an option, so keeping fit it is.
Unlike planes, trains and automobiles, cruise ships offer plenty of opportunities for exercise. No cramped leg room, no being confined to a single seat for hours on end, just unlimited time to do what you want, when you want.
If you’re on a mid-summer Mediterranean Europe cruise, take advantage of the great weather and get out on deck. Enjoy a morning jog around the track, or get harnessed up and try to reach the top of the climbing wall. Relax with a calming yoga session overlooking the blue seas or work those arm muscles while practicing your putting skills. There’s always the outdoor swimming pool, too. The best part is, on a Europe cruise under the warmth of the Mediterranean sun, exercise hardly seems like a chore!
What if you’ve chosen a non-Mediterranean Europe cruise, perhaps traveling to Russia, the Baltics or Iceland, and in winter, too? Don’t fear! Even if it’s a bit too chilly for donning your workout gear outside, there’s plenty of ways to keep fit indoors, with the added bonus of fantastic views. Many ships that follow Europe cruise itineraries include gymnasiums, stationary cycling, even full on military-style boot camps that’ll have you feeling body confident in no time.
Don’t forget the opportunities on shore as well. Whether you choose a relaxing walking tour through historic Copenhagen, a segway roll around Lisbon or a more adventurous trek up above Norway’s Seven Sisters waterfall, your Europe cruise needn’t mean a bad case of the vacation podge!
• Nicole Rebeiro
Nicole is a London-based travel journalist, and whilst she is not telling tales of her travels to the people of the local home where she volunteers, she is out discovering the world and creating new ones.
To see another article by Nicole Rebeiro about cruising see:
• The real cost of cruises
• Maintaining mental health while cruising
• Enjoying the outdoors on an Alaska Cruise...
