Traveling to Warmer Climates

Are you on your way to a warm-weather vacation or maybe a cruise? When I am lucky enough to head south or out to L.A. during the winter months, this post shows how I pack for the trip.

A shirt that buttons all the way down the front and is generous enough in fit not to gap at the bust when closed is a great find. I love the option of being able to wear a shirt open as if it were a jacket with a whisper-light tank top in summer. This shirt, tank, and pants are all from J.Jill.

The cuff bracelet above is from S.M. Bradford on Hilton Head Island. The sandals were by Dolce Vita via Nordstrom last year. The tote bag was from T.J.Maxx last year. The straw hat is several years old. 

I only look for items of good quality with simple classic details that are not memorable or trendy. I always try to invest well to wear my items for several years instead of just one season. Please note that I have been wearing J.Jill items for several years, so some of the things I am showing you might not be available now.

Denim and white with tan accessories have been a life-long favorite color combination. 

A note about sandals: I look for the type that has a strap at the back so that they stay on. I am not a fan of flip flops of any style. I wear those only on the day I have a pedicure.

These slip-on sneakers are by Sperry. They would be perfect for a day of shopping.

Fit has become much more important to me as my body ages. Sixty is a whole different ballgame than fifty! I now look for tops and jackets that skim the body and fall nicely from my shoulders.

Linen has always been one of my favorite fabrics to wear in the heat of summer. It wrinkles, but as my friend, The Duchess, used to say, "They are rich wrinkles, just go with it."

There aren't many other fabrics that breathe or feel more comfortable in the heat and humidity. Wear a stunning piece of jewelry and awesome shoes with linen for a more polished look.

The video below shows the items I would take for a five-day cruise. You might also take a bathing suit and a cover-up, a sundress or skirts. (I rarely ever wear those items, so in the interest of being totally honest with you, I only included things I would actually take.) 

The key is to take things you can mix and match for different combinations that are appropriate for the occasion. (The same as my wardrobe at home but on a much smaller scale.)

These products were supplied by J.Jill.

How To Cruise Without Gaining Weight

Mr. Mickey and I are off on another fun-filled weekend getaway, so I asked my friend, Donna Hull, to share more cruise/vacation tips with you today. 

(Note: her tips work for me every day!)

Don’t Gain Weight on Your Next Cruise.

On January 4, 2015, I boarded a cruise ship for the 64-day journey of a lifetime. After months of healthy eating and plenty of exercise, I stepped onto that ship looking and feeling good. At the end of the voyage, I stepped off a ship that served gourmet food and endless pours of wine and champagne; having gained less than 5 lbs, and I still looked and felt good. How did I do that? 

A big thumbs up as I arrive on Silver Spirit. I made my weight loss goal with exercise and healthy eating.
 Now to keep up those good habits on the cruise.

First of all, let me clarify—it’s not about the weight. The main focus should always be on your health. But being able to fit into clothes at the end of the cruise is definitely a bonus. And staying slim while having fun is a double bonus. My healthy cruise strategy allows for both, and I’m happy to share it with you.

Develop a plan of action

Celebrate your health by bringing the exercise habits and sensible eating you practice at home along on the cruise. Do not follow the thinking: “This is my vacation, so I can eat anything I want.” Splurging occasionally is fine; overindulging on a nightly basis is not.

Create an emergency plan of action. If you splurge one night—and you will—know which measures you’ll take the next day to offset that splurge. Don’t wait until the cruise is over!

Pack a tape measure to record measurements every three days. As soon as you notice creep up, double down on self-control, eating habits, and exercise.

Print out a list of positive affirmations that inspire you. Tuck them into your purse. When temptation strikes, read an affirmation from the list before giving in. One of my favorites: “I feel and look great when I’m eating healthy.”

A hiking excursion in Dunedin, New Zealand, is a great way to work off calories and have fun!

Stay active

• Vow to use the stairs for the entire cruise

• Locate the gym and use it

• Take a fitness class

• Practice a water aerobics routine in the pool or swim laps

• Walk the outdoor track

• Walk the outdoor track for 3 laps after each meal (or at least breakfast and lunch)

• Book the most active shore excursions available

• Dance the night away

• Wear a step-counting device. Don’t go to bed until you’ve reached 10,000 steps. Hint: dancing will really up the step count, so boogie down. 

Eat (and drink) smart.

Frequent the buffet for breakfast. You probably won’t find Susan’s power porridge, but there are enough fruit, nut, and grain selections to create a cold version. Many cruise lines also offer protein smoothies.

Revisit the buffet at lunch. You’ll find plenty of ingredients for salads or fill your plate with fruit and hard cheeses. On my cruise, I preferred the small desserts at lunch to the ones served at dinner. I enjoyed a couple of bites and then walked off the calories in the afternoon.

Turn down appetizers in the lounge in favor of a bowl of nuts. Bonus points if they’re unsalted.

Fill your stomach with lots of water before starting an evening of drinking and dining. And I substitute club soda, and cranberry or pomegranate juice served in a champagne flute for my first evening drink. It’s fizzy and looks pretty in the glass.

Think of dinner as an event. Focus on the ambiance, conversation, and dinner companions rather than the food.

Ask for small portions or a half plate at dinner. And skip the bread and starches.

Choose low sodium options whenever possible. My experience is that cruise lines over salt their foods.

Take advantage of the plentiful seafood offerings usually found on ships but ask for sauces to be placed on the side of the plate.

Savor your glass of wine and decline second pours.

Enjoy dessert but stop at 3 bites. Did you know that after 3 bites, your taste buds have been satisfied?

Substitute a decaf skinny latte—a green tea skinny latte is even better—for dessert or order from the low cal dessert menu. Yes, ships have them.

No drinking alcohol after dinner. Sip water instead.

Listen to your body. Suddenly switching from a lean, healthy diet too rich foods filled with fat and calories leads to health problems. Indigestion, heartburn, constipation, headaches, lethargy, and sleeplessness are signs of immediately getting back on the healthy eating train.

Swimming with stingrays in Moorea is my absolute favorite cruise excursion. I giggle every time they bump into me. It’s another fun way to stay active and work off calories.

Final tip: Once you let your guard down, it’s easy to overindulge. Concentrate on fun rather than food and drink, and you’ll return home a healthy cruiser. That’s how I did it. You can, too.

Donna L. Hull writes about active travel for baby boomers at My Itchy Travel Feet, The Baby Boomer’s Guide to Travel. This cruise lover has spent over 300 nights at sea.

Preparing for a Cruise

From My Itchy Travel Feet, Donna Hull has agreed to help me with another blog post today as I continue to get caught up after being away from my office for a week. 

Preparing for a Cruise 

Earlier this summer, I shared my cruise packing tips with you. Today, Susan has invited me back to show Fifty, not Frumpy readers, more about how I prepare for a cruise. I hope you’ll find my tips and tricks useful for your next sailing.

Before you go

Since I cruise about once a year, I use the trip as a reminder to replace old makeup—a healthy practice for your skin. And I also make an appointment with a skin expert or cosmetician for a makeup lesson to learn new trends. When making the appointment, explain your style and emphasize that you are looking for makeup tips for a mature woman.

If you’re going to change hairstyles, do so a couple of months before the cruise so that you’re practiced at maintaining the style. For longer cruises where you’ll need to schedule haircuts or color, take a photo of your hair looking; it's best to show the ship’s stylist (or one onshore if you choose to have your hair done in port). If you color your hair, bring the formula with you.

Who doesn’t try to lose a few pounds before a cruise? Raising my hand high here. But don’t forget about getting in shape for all of the fun excursions. You’ll enjoy walking the streets of Rome a lot more if you’ve been following a walking regime at home. And don’t forget about light strength training and stretching. You’ll be the one hopping in and out of tenders, zodiacs, and bounding up the stairs without any achy muscles.

Traveling with a partner? Cross pack. When my husband and I cruise together, I make sure that each piece of luggage contains items for both of us that cover all of the dress codes on the cruise. And we each pack a carry-on with an outfit for each dress code—even formal night—so that if our checked luggage is lost, the cruise isn’t ruined for us. 

Fifty not Frumpy travel tip: write down items as you pack them. If your luggage is lost, it will be easier to make a claim. And you’ll know what needs replacing.

Must takes

When you’re anticipating wearing your favorite outfits, it’s easy to forget the practical side of things. Yes, I have forgotten these, so here’s a reminder for all of us:

The weather won’t always be perfect so bring a raincoat. I prefer one with a hood. Umbrellas only get in the way and drip water on other people. Use a hooded raincoat instead.

Fifty not Frumpy travel tip: If you’re traveling to a gloomy or snowy climate, a bright-colored coat or raincoat will help you stand out in photos.

Everyone needs a break from all the fun. Bring your favorite comfy outfit for hanging out in the cabin.

Pashmina is one of my favorite multi-purpose clothing items. Use one as a blanket on the plane or to wrap around your shoulders in over-air-conditioned rooms. I bring two: a casual version for travel and a dressier pashmina that takes a basic black (or other neutral) outfit from ho-hum to wow.

I find that shampoos and conditioners provided by the cruise line dry out my hair so does the ship’s water. Consider having a keratin treatment to protect hair before leaving home or schedule one in the ship’s salon if you’re traveling on a long cruise. 

Fifty Not Frumpy travel tip: pack a shoe bag to hang over the bathroom door to hold toiletries. This puts items in easy reach plus frees up counter space in those small shipboard bathrooms.

Stay organized

A good organizational system keeps me from losing things when traveling. This applies to a cruise or any other type of travel. I keep the same items in the same place every time, whether in my purse or on the cruise cabin's nightstand. If you follow this practice, you won’t leave anything behind when it’s time to go home.

And my last tip for getting ready for a cruise—have a plan of attack when it comes to eating healthy and exercising on the ship. Stay tuned because that’s the next article that I’ll share with you here at Fifty, not Frumpy.

Donna L. Hull writes about active travel for baby boomers at My Itchy Travel Feet, The Baby Boomer’s Guide to Travel. Going on a road trip? She’s currently offering a road trip checklist to new subscribers.