So right now, I'm in decent shape. About 8-9% BF, I lift 3-4 times a week and also run and do martial arts. I'm going on vacation next week and I'm concerned. Basically, I'm wondering roughly after how long do you start losing muscle gains and pack on the fat over my 6-pack? I'm going on a cruise for a week and a half and my diet will be average with a decent amount of drinking. Can I lose a six-pack in that time??

Ask yourself a different question: you're going on a cruise for a week and a half on a cruise ship that more than likely will have a gym and a wide variety of food. Why would you abandon all your good habits when you don't have to?

I vacationed in the Dominican Republic and they had a fantastic gym!! I kept right up with workouts!

A week and a half won't have any huge detrimental effects... you're not going to lose your six-pack in a week and a half off schedule. However, it would be best if they tried to keep the nutrition decent, as opposed to just eating and drinking whatever. Hit the gym if you can get access to one, there is usually a gym onboard.

I've been on quite a few Royal Caribbean cruises, and ecspecially on their Freedom and Voyager class ships, they have very nice gyms. If you're concerned about your diet, they have 24/7 eating areas that have tons of fruit and other yummy healthy food. I doubt many other cruise lines would be much differant.

You'd have to try really hard (going on a see-food diet, esp. with sugary & fatty foods) in order to lose a 6-pack in 10 days -- but it can be done (so don't worry).

I'd say to improvise some workouts to do in your cabin or on a deck with a gorgeous view and think ahead of time about how you're going to eat. Then, just know that when you get back, you will get on your typical program again.

I took a longish trip to Europe a summer ago and while I was there, I didn't eat out a lot and I joined a gym for the equivalent of about $100 U.S. (My hotel didn't have a gym.) I did do a lot of walking while I was there, but I also wanted sweaty cardio. People that I know said that that was crazy, that when you're on vacation you shouldn't think about exercise and you shouldn't do things there that you can do at home. But I think most of those people tend to rationalize away the notion of exercise. Anyway, on that trip, I maintained everything. On other trips of similar or longer duration, though, I lost muscle when gyms weren't available to me, but I picked up a tiny bit of other forms of muscle because of other types of workouts that I did to offset not visiting a gym. It sort of all worked out in the end and when I got back, I got right back on it and redeveloped what little I'd lost.

It's a lot about mindset, I think, and knowing that you might have tiny temporary setbacks. But if your habits are ingrained and if you're dedicated to it for strong reasons, you'll be fine in the long run. Good luck. Enjoy yourself!

sage advice everyone! I'll make sure my diet is the best at what it can be and I will even take a few gym breaks. It is reassuring to know that I won't become a blob if i put in at least a little effort