Dont get fat on a cruise

Most of us put on a few pounds on a cruise holiday, but it’s not inevitable that you do so. To begin with, almost every cruise liner has a fitness centre that contains cardio-vascular machines and training equipment, as well as offering classes, some free and some requiring a small fee – take them!

Many cruise lines also offer personal trainers to help you with your fitness goals on a one to one basis too. Activity-wise, make it a point to use the stairs – on most ships the promenade deck is meant for running or at least walking around – three times round the deck equates to about a mile, but on superliners can be considerably further! It terms of food, allow yourself the first two days to eat whatever you want, and after that, limit yourself to one ‘luxury’ item a day, whether it’s lobster mayonnaise or the chocolate fountain. Fill up with salads and fruit, and focus on smoothies and other nutritious food and drinks rather than on the calorie laden puddings. Make sensible substitutions – sushi is as tasty as steak and has many less calories, pineapple juice makes a great dressing and saves you a lot of fat in oily salad dressings.