Have a fun and healthy Atlantic crossing without packing on the pounds

So, you’re crossing the Atlantic Ocean by boat for 18-21 days? To many people, that sounds insane. To yachties, that’s just another September.

Yet even to the most seasoned yachtie, an Atlantic crossing is a long voyage. Here are some ideas for you to make any ocean crossing a happy, fun and active one.

1. Move. Keeping up with a simple fitness routine will not only keep you looking good it will also keep you feeling good. Bring a jump rope, small weights and yoga mat on deck and do any combination of routines.

For example, skip rope for 2 minutes, do 50 sumo squats, do 20 reps with some hand weights, 20 lunges on each leg, 20 pushups, then skip rope for 2 minutes again. Then try a variation of ab workouts such as a wall sit and some yoga stretches.

Even if you cannot get out on deck because of weather, there are plenty of routines you can do in your cabin. Just download your favorite YouTube workout videos, then turn them into HD videoMP4 files to listen to through headsets. (To do this, follow the steps on HD Transform, or watch a YouTube tutorial.)

2. Laugh. Don’t underestimate the power of laughter on crossings. There isn’t any other time where you will affect each other more drastically than when you’re on a long passage together.  Everyone is cooped up, everyone is tired and everyone needs some uplifting.

Be the person who is positive and happy, even when you don’t feel like it. The passage will be more enjoyable for everyone. Even if you don’t tell jokes, find a way to be a ray of sunshine on a potentially gloomy day.

How? Consciously make an effort to smile and have light, uplifting conversations. If you drone on about how seasick you feel or how much you can’t wait to be on land, you will bring others down.  Instead, enjoy the moment as much as you can. If you are sick, deal with it but don’t bring others down with you.

3. Learn. Download something to listen to or find something to spend two weeks learning. Is it time to finally learn some French after all these years working Med seasons? How about a podcast or even a good audio book? Movies are a great way to pass time, but you will feel a whole lot better engaging your brain to learn something new.
4. Play. Find some simple games everyone can join in on for a laugh. Some great board games include Cranium, Pictionary, Dirty Words, Monopoly and Risk. And poker is great for larger crews.
5. Eat well. Just because you’re at sea doesn’t mean you have to give up your healthy eating habits. Freeze bananas for smoothies and stock up on healthy snacks such as nuts, seeds and fruit. This will not only help you with cravings, it will also stop you from plummeting into low blood sugar depression. When you keep your blood sugar balanced, you can take on almost anything you encounter on board.

Have a challenge with someone else on board to stay healthy and fit on the crossing. Make the challenge focused around not losing (because there will be a penalty for everyone) versus winning so that everyone has a reason big enough not to give up.

Angela Orecchio is a chief stew and certified health coach. This column was edited from blog. Contact her through The Yachtie Glow, www.angelaorecchio.com.