Mythbusters:
People Must Gain Weight on a Cruise By
Jeffrey Hauser
This article is
addressed to two groups of people: those who have cruised and those who
haven’t. Does that make sense? If you’ve cruised, you can relate to what
this is all about. If not, I’m preparing you for what to expect on that
fateful day when you do. Well, as a cruiser, I feel that an urban legend
regarding weight gain must be put to rest. The myth perpetuated by former
cruisers is that, during the course of the journey you will gain (a) 5
pounds, (b) 10 pounds, (c) 20 pounds, (d) so much weight, they’ll arrange
for a forklift on the other end. I can attest that this isn’t true.
But, people do add
additional girth because, once at sea, they have forgotten how to eat. Let
me explain.
This ‘out-of-control’
behavior is the direct result of the insidious cruise line. They make ‘food’
a destination by itself. By providing outrageous buffets, dining rooms,
snack areas, and unlimited cabin service, food is available in a nonstop,
never-ending, extravaganza that tempts even the best of strong-willed
travelers. One could eat continuously for the entire trip if one desired.
Normal people become transformed into eating machines with uncontrollable
urges, heaping outlandish portions upon their plates. It’s as if they were
hypnotized into a feeding frenzy, against their better judgment. Is there no
help for these soon-to-be members of overeaters anonymous?
Of course, and that’s
why I’m here. There’s a simple solution, which I will share. Begin with an
attitude that says, I don’t want to hate myself when I get home, but I still
want to have fun and indulge. Consider every meal as a personal challenge.
Think about how you
eat when you’re not on a vacation, where there is:
(a) less temptation,
(b) limited choices,
(c) an actual cost associated with each portion, and
(d) consequences with overeating.
Then begin with your
breakfast. Does a stack of foot-high pancakes, a dozen sausages and a whole
pineapple look anything like what you eat at home? Try to make a
relationship back to realistic needs. If you usually have a piece of toast
at home, then why would you require a tray-load of Belgium waffles, covered
with extra whipped cream, at sea?
It’s okay to treat
yourself with a dessert that you might not normally order, but try to keep
things in perspective. The temptation to overeat, because all the meals are
included, is attractive. But the reality is that one day, you’ll be back
home bemoaning the fact you have to diet because certain clothes you love
won’t fit anymore. Another way to stay fit on a cruise is to bypass the
elevator. Personally, I never use one. Even if I’m on the 5th floor and need
to get to deck 14, I walk the stairs. And walk the ship often. And when you’re
in port, walk there too. If you work out at home, use the ship’s gym: it’s
free. Then, when you grab the chocolate mousse dessert at night, you have a
fighting chance to keep your weight gain to a minimum, if any at all.
To recap, avoid
temptation and eat like you were at home. Walk everywhere and often. Treat
yourself in moderation. You may not lose weight, but you should at least
keep the status quo and you’ll thank yourself when you’re back on land.
Gaining weight on a cruise is not inevitable: Myth busted and Bon Voyage!
Jeffrey Hauser was a
sales consultant for the Bell System Yellow Pages for nearly 25 years. He
graduated from Pratt Institute with a BFA in Advertising and has a Master's
Degree from Monmouth University. He had his own advertising agency in
Scottsdale, Arizona and ran a consulting and design firm, ABC Advertising.
He has authored 6 books and a novel, "Pursuit of the Phoenix," available at
http://www.amazon.com. His latest book is, "Inside the Yellow
Pages." Currently, he is the Marketing Director for
http://www.thenurseschoice.com, a Health Information and Doctor
Referral site.
