8 unique weight-loss vacations
Updated: Mar. 21, 2021
Tired of lay-about vacations? Drop some weight, eat gourmet fare and take in a treatment or two with these alternative approaches to going away
Have an active vacation
Going on vacation to lounge on the beach? So 2011. One of the biggest trends for travellers right now is getting away to shed some weight, cultivate better nutritional habits and maybe enjoy a bit of spa time in the process. Here are eight destinations garnering praise for their ability to help visitors shape up.
The destination: Coastal Trek Resort in Central Vancouver, BC
What to expect: Hiking and lots of it. Trekking throughout Central Vancouver Island is a daily event, where you’ll follow trails through high mountain peaks, deep shaded valleys, lakes, alpine terrain, rivers and streams. Yoga and stretch classes that cater to all fitness levels are also on the agenda.
What’s included: One week of accommodations at Coastal Trek Resort, three meals a day, hikes and yoga classes, two full-body therapeutic massages, a healthy cooking demonstration and one-on-one nutritional consultations.
Cost: $2,695 CA per week
Photo courtesy Coastal Trek Resort
The destination: The Goddess Garden Eco-Resort in Cahuita, Costa Rica
What to expect: In the Yoga & Zumba Fitness Retreat, plan on a mash-up of dancing, posing, stretching and tropical adventure being par for the course.
What’s included: Six days and five nights spent at The Goddess Garden Eco-Resort, three healthy, organic meals a day, group trips to nearby beaches and towns, a group hike to Cahuita National Park, a full-moon beach bonfire party and more.
Cost: From $975 US per week
Photo courtesy The Goddess Garden Eco-Resort
The destination: Red Mountain Resort in St. George, Utah
What to expect: A personalized fitness plan that addresses your specific goals, from weight loss and improved athletic performance to stress relief or increased energy.
What’s included: Seven days at Red Mountain Resort, a fitness consultation, metabolic profile assessment, nutrition consultants, personal training session, specialty classes and activities, daily hikes through the Utah mountains, grocery shopping lessons, an intensive massage and use of all seasonal fitness amenities.
Cost: From $2,065 US per week
Photo courtesy Red Mountain Resort
The destination: The Body Holiday LeSport in Castries, St. Lucia
What to expect: A wide range of activities and rejuvenating treatments that could keep you busy from dawn ’til dusk. With an all-encompassing focus on lifestyle, nutrition and exercise so extensive, The Body Holiday aims to help set realistic goals that can easily be implemented once you’re home.
What’s included: Six nights and six days that include three daily meals, fitness and relaxation classes, one spa treatment a day (excluding arrival and departure days), golf and tennis lessons, a health and fitness assessment, four personal training sessions, two nutritional consultations, one lifestyle consultation, a take-home health plan and more.
Cost: From $3500 US per week, plus $450 for the Body Aware program
Photo courtesy lynng883/flickr
The destination: The Ranch at Live Oak, Malibu, California
What to expect: A complete overhaul of your health habits and fitness abilities. Each day at The Ranch is comprised of six-to-seven hours of moderate exercise, yoga sessions, afternoon massages, a daily nap and more. Food is organic and vegetarian, and the diet excludes alcohol, caffeine and processed sugars.
What’s included: A weeklong stay, daily activities, hikes and classes, and daily meals sourced from organic food grown on their sustainable farm.
Cost: $5,600 US per week
Photo courtesy The Ranch at Live Oak, Malibu
The destination: Fitness Bay Resort, Bermuda
What to expect: Continual movement, since five hours of the day will be spent exercising, whether in the gym, pool or across the island. Guests are also educated on how to make nutritious food choices that will serve them after they leave the resort.
What’s included: A one-week stay at Fitness Bay Resort, personalized fitness classes and hikes, nutritional counselling and three fresh, nutritious meals a day.
Cost: $950 US for a three-night/two-day program, $2,900 US for a week-long stay
Photo courtesy Fitness Bay Resort
The destination: Hilton Head Health in Hilton Head, South Carolina
What to expect: An overall focus on fitness, nutrition and goal-oriented transformation. Guests will have the opportunity to take on Beach Boot Camp, Broad Creek Kayaking and Pinckney Island Bike Rides, eat an individually tailored meal plan, and focus on lowering stress and increasing your sense of life fulfillment.
What’s included: A seven-day, six-nights stay at Hilton Head Health, three meals and snacks daily, a health assessment, unlimited access to fitness classes, nutritional classes and cooking demonstrations, group sessions on stress management and more.
Cost: $3,300 US per week
Photo courtesy Hilton Head Health
The destination: Rancho La Puerta in Baja California, Mexico
What to expect: The gold standard for fitness getaways – it goes down in history as the world’s first physical retreat destination – Rancho La Puerta has approximately 50 health and exercise classes each day to maximize results, and offers guests fare procured directly from their own organic farm.
What’s included: Seven nights and eight days of accommodation at the resort, three meals and two snacks daily, unlimited use of the fitness, spa and recreational facilities, scheduled group classes, guided hikes, spa and fitness concierges and evening programs and entertainment.
Cost: From $3,500 US per week
Photo courtesy Rancho La Puerta
Related:
• 15 steps to a healthier hotel stay
• 5 active winter vacation ideas
• How to stay healthy while you travel
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