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.

An Artistic Touch

Do you enjoy wearing basic pieces with an artistic touch? 

I knew this Covered Perfectly tunic would look great with jeans the moment I saw it. It's always good to take a tee and jeans to the next level. Even when I am dressing casually, I put some thought into what I wear.

This is the Covered Perfectly Limited Edition "In Spirit" top. The artistic design on the right side is by world-renowned artist Mindy Seeger. It is made in the USA from luxurious MicroModal fabric that feels buttery soft against the skin.

There are just a few of these fabulous tops remaining, and there will be no more when they are sold. Don't miss out!

Fifty, not Frumpy followers can get a 20% discount on up to two items! Use the discount code FNF20 when you check out at Covered Perfectly. Only one discount can be applied per order. There are several styles to choose from, and the discount will apply on up to two items; after that, you can take advantage of the buy 2 get 1 FREE special!

Suede Trench Coat

A trench coat is one of those pieces that always feel stylish and elegant. Create one from supple faux suede in taupe, and I am absolutely smitten!

I wore this fabulous trench by IC Collection from My Fair Lady to brunch on Sunday. Everyone, even my fashion-challenged Dad, complimented me on my coat.

I enjoy the mixing of textures in subtle colors. For example, I am wearing a long layered crepe tunic in black over faux leather front leggings and a crystal bead and gold chain necklace, all from Chico's. The coat's faux suede relates to the suede and animal print touches on the shoes, which are old from Nordstrom. The woven front black leather clutch from Saks Off 5th shows well against the faux leather of the leggings and contrasts nicely with the coat's suede.

The roll-tab sleeves are perfect for this time of year when the weather is just barely cool enough to need a coat. The hems are not finished, making the coat a bit edgier, but this also gives it a smooth hemline.

The epaulets and a back overlay are other lovely details that make this coat special.

We had brunch at the Blackthorn Club, which is always beautifully decorated with abundant flowers for each season.

There are so many fabulous pieces at My Fair Lady. I had a tough time choosing what to buy when I was there earlier this month. Thankfully, their website is easy to shop from. Jon and Julie, the owners, and their very professional staff are extremely patient and helpful.

Cleaning Q & A

I enjoy questions and comments from readers so much. Obviously, you do, too, because those are always popular posts. Here is a new suggestion for a topic from Peggy.

Good morning, Susan:

I read your blog daily and greatly admire all that you do.  A suggestion for a future topic would be caring for all the wonderful clothing you wear so well.  For example, laundering washable pieces and undergarments ... how and how often.  Dry cleaning other pieces ... how and how often. 

Keep up the fabulous work; you are a beacon of positive vibrations! 
Thank you!
Peggy 

I can tell you from experience that washing rayon and some other man-made fabrics won't always turn out well. I liked the tunic above a lot until I washed it and accidentally put it in the dryer. Now it is a small shirt in the to-go bag in the attic. Always read the care labels for appropriate cleaning tips.

Use the proper setting on your machine for the load. For example, my machine has a hand wash feature that I use to wash delicate bras and underwear items. I always hang those items to dry in front of a small fan on a rolling rack overnight.

From the Container Store

My rolling rack gets used for many different tasks, such as sorting items and putting together looks when I am packing for a trip. I use it to keep up with the items I need to do a review on. It is my hanging bar as I take items out of the dryer and then transport the items from the laundry room to my walk-in closet and hold items to air dry. I found mine at Home Depot, but you can also get them at The Container Store and lots more big box stores.

Fine knit fabrics such as MicroModal tops from Covered Perfectly and Ponte knits should always be washed inside out on the gentle cycle and then hung to dry. This prevents the items from pilling and or shrinking.

I love to wear white jackets and lightweight pale cardigans. I get them professionally dry cleaned at the end of the season. I leave these items on that famous rolling rack for a couple of days to air out before putting them back into their place in the closet. I always check pieces in natural light for stains or needed repairs before I put them away.

I always use a lint brush on the shoulders of every garment before I wear it. Isn't it amazing how much dust can find its way into a tiny room?

Items with trim such as feathers, velvet, faux or real leather or fur, suede, or reptile trim should be professionally cleaned as needed. 

Tip: Remove ornate buttons such as the one on the tuxedo jacket above before taking the item to the cleaner. Fancy buttons do not like to go to the cleaners! I sew them back on after I pick up the garment.

Jackets in dark colors can be worn a few times without dry cleaning, but at least once every season is a good idea. When an item is stained, I take it directly to the Dry Cleaner to explain the origin of the stain so that they can appropriately clean and have the best chance of removing it.

Garments that rarely touch your skin, such as coats and ruanas, can be cleaned once a year. My personal rule: If worn against my skin, such as pants, first layer tops, and underwear, it gets washed each time it is worn.

I turn jeans and other pants inside out and wash them in cold water. Then turn right side out and tumble dry for just a few minutes, if at all. I then hang them up to finish drying.

I clean shoes, wallets, and bags every season with black or neutral shoe polish, which cleans and protects the items.

Scarf Season

Cooler weather brings the addition of scarves to my look. In the humid summer weather, I switch to necklaces.

My favorite scarves are oblong and made from silk. Handpainted scenes from nature make them even more desirable.

My tying methods are simple and sleek in keeping with my style as a whole. The more fussy and complicated the tying becomes, the less likely I will feel comfortable wearing it.

My favorite tie is to fold the scarf in the middle lengthwise. Wrap the length of the folded scarf around your neck and pull the ends through the loop formed by the fold. These first three photos prove the versatility of this easy tying method.

Other simple ways to wear a scarf include wrapping the ends around your neck twice and letting the ends hang in front at uneven lengths. (Straight across lengths draws attention to the width of the area where they both end.)

Drape the scarf around your shoulders and let one end hang down in front and one in the back.

 

This fabulous silk shawl is from Tina Gleave at the Silk Squirrel. She is an incredibly talented artist who paints on silk. But, I have fallen in love with her affordable line of gorgeous silk scarves, shawls, and ponchos, all printed with her colorful paintings. She now offers an affordable line of quality silk reproductions done by a respected textile printing company. The resulting pieces have a great depth of color and the silk used has a wonderfully fine, floating quality.