Your Perfect Weight Loss Retreat

healthy food, interesting exercise such as horse riding, would like to feel tired but not too exhausted e.g. boot camp style. would like to have access to nutritional info, expert talks maybe.

Obviously, there would be a range of activities on offer – to suit everyone’s abiltities and interests. In addition to the physical things (like swimming, walking, aerobics, dancing etc.) I’d like some psychological stuff about why we overeat and how we can cope wth temptations. Given that participants will be feeling a whole lot beter about themselves by the end of their stay, it would be great if they could put together some sort of performance just to show that their new found confidence is really working. It wouldn’t need to be anything fancy – it could be just getting up and telling sharing with others how they feel after the week.

Perfect retreat would be some hard work training, but with a choice ie walking, circuits or other class. Good healthy, slimming food that tastes naughty. Relaxation would be a quiet room with beds, candles and a warm blanket for snoozing. Surprise would be celebrity guest speaker or fun activity such as cookery school in how to make healthy snacks for example. Pefect day = healthy breakfast, no white bread, soda bread, free range eggs, porridge, soaked muesli. Bracing walk ie nordic style, back for break with snack.. Swim or dance class, then lunch. Pilates, stretch class, break then either a treatment – massage or cyle/circuit class. Dinner then relaxing evening, talk or if wanted stroll in beautiful grounds. Internet access in rooms. Small groups, well stocked library for those who choose to have an easier day depending on the requirment.

The retreat should be pampering, as well as pushing you to the limit – plenty of different types of ‘keep fit’ classes, as well as country walks following a set route maybe, then massages, sauna, pool and good healthy food, all waited on you hand and foot. Perhaps there could also be confidence boosting workshops and talks to compliment the regime. Maybe even a prize of a makeover for one person, as an incentive.

I would like to see one which covers all age groups from those my age (mid 20’s) through to those with more life exerience. Would love to do things that have never had the oppourtunity to as well as working on a home training plan so that the work at the retreat isn’t wasted.

I think nutrition is good but would like to see personalised food guidelines and an oppourtunity to learn how to cook some healthy meals.

And of course – make friends and have fun

I would like to start my day with a healthy breakfast looking out onto rolling hills and green fields.Then a long work out in the gym followed by a swim and jacuzzi.A nibble from my lunch box then a cylce ride or walk through a forest or along by a river, stopping off to admire the view and more nibbles from my lunch box.Then back for a full body massage. Then a delicious dinner with other people sharing how our day has gone. And so to bed!

Swimming, walking, horseback riding, fitness classes, spa sessions, cooking classes and the ability to speak with weight loss coaches and health professionals.

I would like to come home feeling relaxed an energised. Boot camp retreats don’t appeal because i have chronic arthritis in my knee, so gentle walks, cycle rides and stretching such as yoga and pilates would e suitable. Interesting, healthy food which we could make at home would be good. Comfortable beds and baths to laze in plus a reading room. Interesting talks covering health and well being, cookery demonstrations and motivational talks. Maybe optional extras like massages and hypnotherapy.

The complete package – if possible please! Nutritional advice, cookery classes (?), workouts, free weights, personal trainers, spa treatments, swimming, exercise classes, outdoor pursuits – horse riding, rounders (that’s always fun and quite competitive!)….not much then, eh?
Also, I’d love to have someone on hand in terms of motivational speaking – whether that be coaching, or a NLP practitioner – Helping those of us who have identified our emotional attachment to food, work through the challenges losing weight can bring – and help us deal with the crisis moments we all encounter on our weight loss journey.

I think all of the aforementioned are great ideas. How about some demonstrations on preparing lunchboxes. Some type of counselling to improve our relationship with food and medical testing or advise for hormmone imbalances, type 2 diabetesand health problems associated with being overweight.

I would like the psychological input to help me battle my demons with food. If there were workshops on how to improve willpower, how to make quick and easy lunchboxes (I know you have told us Simon!) for real – to make them ourselves I would really benefit from this. Fun and easy exercise ideas that will help me keep motivated.
Of course the opportunity to meet the brains behind this diet and listen to what he has to say goes without saying. This could be really exciting, can’t wait. Keep us posted.

The retreat would firstly need to be accessible to the majority, i.e. not too expensive!! There should be the option of single rooms so participants can have privacy if they want it!! I think lots of input on behaviour change/cookery demonstrations/classes for all types of eaters including vegetarians! Lots of different types of exercise from light to heavy. A good selection of food options that participants will be able to replicate at home. Maybe a 2 day meal plan prepared to take home after the stay so people can stay on the straight and narrow and have some time to shop and get organised once home. And lastly (I could go no forever!) lots of me time to relax/be pampered and enjoy this really special time!!

Hi Simon, I love watching The Biggest Loser and seeing all of the activities and challenges. I also like visiting Stobo Castle! Maybe a mixture of both – it would be good to be physically and mentally challenged as I feel the mental side is what often halts the physical progress.
Outside activities are great – ones that you can continue outside that would not cost people a fortune.
I also agree that a lunch box master class would be great and we could actually use those at the retreat – practise what you preach.
I would love to come along and be motivated and take that feeling home with me – can’t wait to hear more about it.

Variety. Different activities daily. I like the idea of being pushed hard to really test my boundaries. Also affordable, so many bootcamps are hugely expensive. Some psycology or nlp to help with understanding and changing habits. Maybe some health analysis along the way such as hair mineral analysis, live bloods. For me the idea of being woken early, working hard all day then going to bed happily exhausted is very appealing.

If I went on a weight loss retreat I would expect plenty of exercise and hard exercise at that. Maybe starting quite early, say 6:00? Runs, weights, bodweight exercise etc., similar to the ones you do at your bootcamps. further exercises could be carried out during the day.

Hopefully the retreat would have areas withins it’s grounds to cycle and I think bicycles should be provided. Likewise I think there should be good areas to run/jog/walk.

Also throughout the day I would like seminars on nutrition, like the correct foods to eat, the correct amounts, when to eat, supplements etc. Maybe a few cookery classes to put what you learnt into practice!

Obviously, the food served at the retreat would be healthy.

Maybe seminars on exercise too to compliment the pratctical exercise done during the day. These exercise lectures would tell you how to exercise correctly, the best exercises to do, how often, warmups/stretches etc.

I think there should be periods during the day and evenings for relaxation maybe there could be a masseuse/Physio on site to ease aches & pains.

I would like the retreat geered to individual needs. A week/end of healthy eating (organic?) Lots of elective activitys would be great, Martial arts, horse riding walking swimming cycling rock climbing and some of the pampering stuff. maybe some culinary stuff, Id like advice about salad dressings and a lunch box masterclass sounds great. Some inspirational positive living stuff too, to challenge poor eating habbits and support with lifestyle changes. I would like to rest too! My work is pretty stressful, so a week of the good life would be great! Some people would want a boot camp others, myself less so, sign yourself up for want you want. I have a heart condition so overdoing it is not on my agenda. In a short space of time you can achieve quite a lot. The level of pro input physios trainers chefs massuse etc will affect the price. I think the theme should be life is for living, and simple food and fun activities are the way to go

The question of course is what would you be offering that is different than what is already on offer?
Personally, I would want skills that I can take home that will transform my life from unhealthy to healthy forever:
1)my own room without a huge supplement
2)a wide range of activities (horseriding, rock climbing, hiking,badminton, netball etc) so that I learn a rediscover or learn a new skill and find ways to easily incorporate exercise, healthy living into my life.
3)I agree a cookery class, with suggested food menu to take home.
4)list of clubs/gyms in your home area that you could join on leaving the retreat to maintain the momentum
Good luck and I look forward to hearing your plans…

I would love more ideas for lunch boxes as I haven’t started this healthy eatind diet yet!! Always thinking I will do it next week but I never get round to it as I always have an excuse. Massage, swimming, walking etc. Nothing too strenuous for someone like me that needs enthusiasm and encouragement to lose the weight I so want to lose.

Hi Simon,
lovely to hear that you are thinking of doing a new weight loss retreat. I think the surroundings are very important, they should be inviting and rooms should be calm and relaxing to chill out after a hard days work of weight loss activities. It would be nice to have single rooms as people generally like privacy once they go to their room. A wide variety of activites for different fitness levels. Nice places to go on long daily walks. Nutritional education made simple to understand and eating and exercise plans for visitors to take home and carry on their progress once home. Maybe more accessiable than others by keeping prices low, lots of people I speak to say the boot camps are generally too expensive. Maybe cocentrating on weight loss and less spa and pampering activities, just a nice room. Good luck!

Hi Simon – I’ve had to ponder this for couple of days!! Great daydreaming opportunity! Ok- Location: Calm and peaceful location with beautiful, inspiration views. Accommodation – definitely single rooms, comfy beds and nice ensuite bathrooms, couple of peaceful reception rooms for chilling and relaxed dining room with some communal dining tables. Physical Activities: many and varied – indoor and outdoor, hard core sweating, team games as well as relaxing stuff life yoga, etc. Wellbeing activities: group/individual life coaching, nlp, some alternative therapies/treatments like massage, reflexology, etc. Nutrition: individual assessments and eating plans to take away, good tasty and healthy food – with the opportunity for guests to take part / observe cooking of the healthy food with the retreat’s chefs. And finally – everyone will have different needs – it would be great to offer different packages based on individual needs i.e. some people would be more into fitness, others wellbeing – the closer the retreat is to meeting the person’s needs the more likely a successful outcome. I could go on and on but that’s all for now…! Good luck!

hi my perfect retreat would be
similar to boot camp style work outs but also some fun outdoor activities such as horse riding or bike riding
with plilates or yoga as well
relaxation with a spa and pool area
nutritonal advice with something like cookery lessons to get practical ideas

What is the address of this retreat? what is costs? please respond with exact address adn contact name and numbers…as well as cost.? Thanks
N

Relaxation should be a reward at the end of the session, the idea for a retreat to loose weight is hard work and determination, a big part of loosing the weight for me is getting focused. I would love a retreat that gives the dieter a choice as to what they want to change ie body shape, eating habbits, excercise etc. and also like the comment made before hand a mix of people of all ages but also to be given the choice of what activities you want to do this maybe gentle if a little older or more strenuous if you want results. basically a little of something for everyone but plenty of choice too. FANTASTIC IDEA btw

I am just about to start the lunchbox diet, made one up tonight as a matter of fact… I think the retreat is a very good idea, I think cost could be an issue for some people, as much as I would like a room to myself sharing options should also be considered. This worked well when i went on a juicing retreat… I definatley thinks lots of exercise and like the idea of a bootcamp but with the pampering side as well. Definately cooking healthy breakfasts/dinners would be a good idea so we can get some inspiration – particularly with spices and herbs, as I like hot spicy food and it is a bit of a challenge for me to how to do this with lunches…