Secrets of a skinny seafarer
By Patti Covello Pietschmann

One of the most common excuses I hear from people who are afraid to take a cruise is fear of gaining weight. And unless you're an absolute glutton who has to eat everything in sight of your fork, it's purely unfounded. You can cruise, eat well, enjoy the good life and disembark the same size and weight as when you boarded the ship.  Here's how in 10 easy lessons.

1. The most obvious:  eat the same as you do at home, considering that you eat prudently. Sure you can have all you want to eat on a ship, seconds even thirds. But would you have more than one entree or dessert at home or at a restaurant. I doubt it. So savor each meal but don't overdo. If you must go for seconds because it's something you never had before, just taste it. I'm big on tasting, and as a restaurant writer and cruise guru with more than 350  voyages under my size 21 belt, I can honestly say it works.
2. Walk. Take the stairs, not the elevator. Climbing stairs not only burns calories but keeps your thighs and butt super tight. Really, especially  on mega-ships with lots of decks. Walk in ports, too, if feasible. You get to see more that way and burn calories. Use the jogging track to  walk or run.


3. Use the fitness regularly. Every  ship has a gym equipped with cardiovascular and weight training tools. There are also exercises classes offered which you should consider. Crystal has a paddle tennis court  as do a few other lines, use  it.
4. If you're not  sure if you're over doing the food, try  on the tight jeans or outfit you brought on board. If it's suddenly  too tight, cut back.
5. Stay away from any buffets. But if you must take only what fits loosely on one plate and do not go  back for more. Okay  those  desserts are tempting, so again just taste or share with your ship mates.
6.  Do not  slather tons of butter on bread, and while we're at it, limit bread  to one slice. Some ships put out out such tasty breads this can prove difficult. But is it worth another inch on the hips or tummy?
7. Watch the sauce, both on  your food and drinking.  Ask for sauce on the side when it comes to food and use just a dab here and there. Drink wine or martinis not high calorie pina coladas or mai  tais etc.
8. If  you have very limited will power when you order in the restaurant, dine in your cabin. Chances are you will order much less food and of course won't be able to request additional servings unless you call room service and then have to  wait for it to be delivered. Almost every ship lets you order food in the cabin (there are a few exceptions).
9.  If you're really serious about maintaining your weight and health order no salt, low fat meals before you take the cruise by going to the line's web site after your cabin is booked and filling out "special dietary" requests. When you're tempted to reach for or request another serving or additional desserts, take a deep breath, count to 10, visualize a slim body and say not going to do that.
10. Book active shore excursions when possible such as hiking, kayaking, biking,diving or snorkeling in lieu of more sedentary tours that keep you locked up on a bus for long  periods of time.
Okay now TAKE the Cruise Guru Challenge
Weigh yourself before getting on your ship, follow all  or some of  these tips. Check weight at cruise's end. Let me know  how you did at [email protected].