HelpMeEat

http://www.helpmeeat.org/archives/12 This blog is inspired by my parents. It’s their 35th anniversary on Sunday and they are going on a cruise to Bermuda. Cruises are the ultimate relax, no worries, don’t pay for a anything type of vacation. With that freedom also comes the potential of some major waist expansion. Think about it, endless buffets, fine dining with no price tag, and bar service around every corner. So with all of those obstacles starring you right in the face how in the world are you supposed to survive this rollercoaster ride? I will admit this is not an easy one, I struggle with this one also, but the key is to try your best to limit the damage. I think we can all agree that some damage is going to be done… Let’s start with breakfast, try to avoid the buffet. Go to one of the sit down restaurants. Even though all of their restaurants are all you can eat, mentally most people will not order seconds if they need to ask a waiter/waitress for it. So sit down, enjoy your eggs, pancakes, french toast, or whatever it is you enjoy, but limit yourself to one plate. For lunch try to eat outside. I would say at this point you are probably going to be lounging pool side, which will lend yourself to grabbing food from the buffet. But, if you get your food and leave the buffet and eat outside there is a better chance you won’t go back for seconds. Outta sight, outta mind…. Dinner’s are usually the crown jewel of meals on a cruise. It is fine dining, at its finest. My recommendation here is to have variety. They are probably going to offer some sort of steak or pasta every night, just don’t order it every night. If you can try to avoid anything with a cream sauce as well. For dessert, cut it in half. Split it with your better half. Nobody needs to have soup, salad, appetizer, entree, and dessert every night. Alcohol: This is tough. You don’t pay for booze up front. Everything gets charged to your room, so it is very easy to overindulge. So go lite when it comes to beer. Every cruise ship will serve Corona Lite, only 99 calories, Miller Lite 96 calories, etc..As for frozen drinks, I usually say NO to frozen drinks but…how do you not on a cruise? That said, try to limit the frozen drinks drinks to before 5pm, and try not to have more than two. This will give you a little more time to burn some of the calories off. Activities: Cruise ships are full of fun activities. Jogging tracks, fitness centers, basketball courts, rock walls, ice skating rinks, you name it, nowadays they have it. It is crucial to partake in some of these throughout the week. In addition they have plenty of dance clubs. What better way than after a days worth of eating and drinking than to burn a few calories off on the dance floor. The best part about it is you”ll be having a blast doing it. There you have it, not perfect, but it’s not supposed to be. You want to go on vacation to have fun, but you do not go on vacation to gain 5lbs. Happy Eating, Jason Fitness Nutrition Coach Boston MA