Weight Loss Vacations
By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated on 11/19/2007 at 03:05PM
Statistics show that almost two out of every three American adults are obese or overweight. As the American lifestyle is changing, so too are our eating and exercise habits, and unfortunately this change is not for the better. As a whole, Americans eat way too much and don't exercise enough.
But not all Americans have given up on healthier ways of life. Every year, thousands of people from all over the Nation and from all walks of life take weight loss vacations in order to make the drastic lifestyle changes they need to make in order to lose weight.
Are you considering a weight loss vacation as a means to jump-start (or restart) your weight loss efforts? What can you expect from a weight loss vacation? Here’s a look at the ideology, food, exercise, staff and counseling programs that are typically available.
The Ideology
The idea of the weight loss vacation is to find a way for people who have allowed their weight to get out of control to learn how to eat and live while making better nutritional choices. Not surprisingly, most people that take a weight loss vacation can and do lose weight while they are at the vacation location. It’s easier to follow a sensible diet and exercise habits when you are living in a controlled environment. But will your weight loss results remain consistent once you return home? Before you take a weight loss vacation you should consider the long-term support resources that the vacation will provide once you are back in the real world.
The Food
Weight loss spas usually aim to serve a wide variety of organic, colorful, nutritious, and wholesome foods that are low in fat and calories. Most weight loss vacation packages include gourmet and exotic foods that will help you lose weight without starving yourself. However, if your typical diet consists of fast food or packaged dinners, the fare on your weight loss vacation may leave you feeling hungry.
The Exercise
Exercise plays a critical role in long-term weight loss, so most weight loss vacation programs will offer a wide variety of exercise options for you to choose from. Cycling, canoeing, kayaking, running, hiking, yoga, Pilates, aerobics, water aerobics, and walking on the beach are popular spa favorites.
The Staff
Most weight loss vacation locations will offer a variety of equipment and support personnel to help you improve your body image and lose weight. A good weight loss spa should be staffed with professionals such as kinesiologists, nurses, personal trainers, dieticians, chiropractors, physical trainers, nutritionist, therapists, and lifestyle counselors.
The Counseling
In addition to providing wholesome foods and a variety of exercise options, most weight loss vacations will provide some kind of counseling or support to help you get to the root of your weight issues. Throughout your counseling, you will likely be asked to question your relationship with food. Why do you overeat? Do you actually prefer being fat? What foods or situations trigger your weight gain?
Bringing It Home
A weight loss vacation is all well and good, but will the results last? Will you remember all that you have learned when you get back to your usual environment and routine? What will happen when you are forced to live among the temptations of fast food, doughnuts and cable television? Did your weight loss vacation prepare you to deal with these obstacles to permanent weight loss?
Weight Loss Vacation Locations
There are a number of locations that offer weight loss vacation packages. Here are a few that you might choose to investigate:
Spa Atlantis in Pompano Beach, Florida (954) 941-6688 or (800) 583-3500
Miraval in Catalina, Arizona (520) 825-4000 or (800) 232-3969
The Golden Door in Escondido, California (760) 744-5777 or (800) 424-0777
Green Mountain at Fox Run in Ludlow, Vermont (802) 228-8885 or (800) 448-8106
About the Author
Dr. Edward F. Group III continues to develop, sell and evaluate exclusively high-end natural and organic healthcare products to support a wide range of health conditions. The products we promote are free of toxic tag-along herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, heavy metals, fumigants, irradiation, liver-toxic glues, binders, or gelatin capsules with animal-source risk and toxic preservatives.
For all of your weight loss and obesity needs, natural remedies, tips, products, support forums and more please visit us at www.weightlossobesity.com or www.slimirex.com.
