One can have the purest intentions of losing weight but when it comes down to it, sometimes it takes a little - okay, a lot - of help, to not only reach a healthy weight but also adopt a new attitude and lifestyle to help maintain the new you. From economy to luxury, SpaFinder outlines some of the best spas who specialize in weight-management programs:
People who travel frequently for business face some of the biggest challenges in losing weight and/or maintaining an exercise regimen. Canyon Ranch's 20,000-square-foot spa at Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center is designed to equip business travelers with the same kind of wellness approach that distinguishes the world-famous Canyon Ranch resorts in Tucson, Arizona, and Lenox, Massachusetts. The comprehensive facility, featuring the latest in exercise and conditioning equipment also features individual and group fitness classes. As one of the largest convention centers on the East Coast, Gaylord Palms is a popular self-contained luxury complex, just a few miles from Walt Disney World. The SpaClub offers a variety of massages, hydrotherapy treatments, facials, and signature experiences created by the spa experts at Canyon Ranch.
The first Canyon Ranch opened in 1979 in Tucson where it since has become an award-winning oasis of health and vitality. In fact, it's defined all that a destination spa can be. The sprawling campus accommodates about 250 guests who are inspired to make long-term commitment to healthy living and are provided the tools to do so. The spa's wellness team is made up of doctors, nurses, health practitioners, nutritionists, exercises physiologists, and more. Guests indulge in fun physical activities, such as hiking or bike riding, try a cooking class, or enjoy a great massage.
Canyon Ranch's second location in Lenox opened in 1989 in charming Western Massachusetts. The unhurried setting, guests learn more about the state of their health and preventative care. With a bike ride down a country lane, guests jumpstart their fitness program, or hike a trail in the beautiful Berkshires. The property is also known for its renowned medical programs.
Located in the historic town of Port Hope, Ontario, The Hillcrest is set in an inviting Victorian mansion, set atop 15 acres of wooded trails overlooking Lake Ontario. Guests are treated to fine dining with an emphasis on organic and naturally-raised ingredients, a private meditation room, fitness facilities, and meandering walking trails. Golfers are invited to book a round at the Port Hope Golf & Country Club, just steps from The Hillcrest. Guests may also stretch their legs with a walk through the town's well-preserved main street, featuring antique shops and apparel boutiques.
Since its opening in 1940, Rancho La Puerta in Baja, Mexico, has been offering life-changing programs. Just over the border of Mexico, the weather is always warm and dry. Rates include lodging, activities, meals, classes, and programs. Sap services are optional extras. With a focus on fitness, Rancho La Peurta offers more than 75 mind, body, spirit classes, including yoga, Pilates, tai chi, dance, water aerobics, and strength and flexibility training. Organic dining treats guests to revitalizing and sustaining meals. Spa treatments include mineral-essential facials, herbal wraps, healing massages, and more.
In the Midwest, the Heartland Spa is nestled in Illinois farm country, just 90 minutes south of Chicago. Situated around a spring-fed lake, the Heartland Spa focuses on fitness and well-being. Staff assist guests in evaluating their health and making changes that they can take home with them. Specialized programs in nutrition and stress management are just a few of the choices offered to guests. In the three-level fitness center, guests are supervised by staff, or can take on the outdoor adventure course. Although activities are plentiful, guests may choose how much they want to participate or indulge in the luxurious spa treatments.
At Sanoviv Medical Institute in Baja, California, most spa treatments are prescribed by Sanoviv physician's as an element of therapy. The institute was built to be "the hospital of the future," a place where every detail contributes to the facility's overall healing project. Many patients come for the four-night Complete Health Assessment, a prerequisite for all treatment programs at the Sanoviv. The assessment is used to detect hidden illnesses or finding the root causes of illneses that have already manifested themselves. Diet and detoxification are used to combat and prevent illness. Included in the program are massage, hydrotherapy, fitness classes, and more. The facility has achieved dramatic results in the treatment of cancer, M.S., Parkinson's, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and obesity, among other autoimmune and degenerative diseases.
Overweight or obesity is an epidemic in the United States and in other developed countries. More than half of Americans are overweight—including at least 1 in 5 children. Nearly one third are obese. Obesity is on the rise in our society because food is abundant and physical activity is optional.
For most people who are overweight or obese, the safest and most effective way to lose weight is to eat less and exercise more. If you eat less and exercise more, you will lose weight. As simple as that may be, there are multitudes of weight loss programs available and thus a bit confusing. To help you sort things out, below are steps you can use as guide in evaluating the program you may like to use:
1. Check What Weight Loss Programs Are Available.
a. Use the Internet to search for available weight loss programs.
b. Ask your friends what experiences they had with whatever weight loss program they have already taken.
c. The FTC report (Red Flag Bogus Weight Loss Claims) was released to help the public identify products that use fraudulent weight loss claims in their advertisement. Following are the seven warnings of the report. Use this list in discounting programs that have these characteristics.
i. Products that claim you can lose two or more pounds per week without dieting and exercise.
ii. Products that claim you can eat whatever you want and however much you want with no limits.
iii. Products that claim your weight loss will be permanent even after you stop using the product.
iv. Products that claim they will block absorption of calories or fat and lead to substantial weight loss.
v. Products that claim you can safely lose more than three pounds a week for more than four weeks at a time.
vi. Products that claim all users will lose substantial weight. No product can work for everyone.
vii. Products that are worn on the body or rubbed on the skin will cause substantial weight loss.
2. Find out about Cost
a. Ask for a detailed price breakdown of the program including any weekly or annual membership or program fees. If you are considering a program that provides food, ask for the average cost for a month's meals as well as additional food you must buy at the store.
3. Ask About Food and Exercise
a. Determine details about what foods the program uses and the number of calories you will be eating every day. Determine if the program encourages increased physical activity like exercise. Any weight reduction plan that promises permanent weight loss without changing how you eat or increasing your physical activity is a scam.
b. A healthy weight-loss program will encourage you to follow the government's Nutrition Guidelines for Americans, which includes at least five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, grains, lean meats and low-fat or non-fat dairy.
4. Ask About the Qualification of Staff
a. Ask if the program includes assistance from staff or counselors. If it is provided, find out about their training and credentials. Ask about what you can expect from them such as what type of help you'll receive (one-on-one or group support). Make sure to determine how often counseling or group support will be provided.
5. Make sure that enough calories are provided
a. Avoid any plan that encourages a drastic decrease in caloric intake. You will do best when you reduce your usual calorie intake and/or increase the number of burned calories by about 500 calories every day. You probably will not be able to cut or burn more than 1,000 calories a day than you are used to without feeling weak or overly-hungry.
b. A diet of 1,500 calories or less should be followed only with the approval of your doctor. No one should follow a diet containing 1,200 calories or less unless under medical supervision.
c. A calorie deficit of 500 calories a day allows you to lose about one pound each week; 1,000 calories cut each day will lead to a two pound weekly weight loss. Losing more than two pounds a week is not recommended.
6. Ask About Possible Side Effects
a. Be sure to ask about any potential side effects or risks that a weight loss plan may pose. Do participants talk with a medical professional? Does a medical professional oversee the program? Will the program providers work with your personal health care provider if you have a medical condition or are taking prescribed medications?
b. Check with your doctor before you take weight-loss pills, even if they are over the counter. Dietary supplements should also be reviewed with your doctor as he/she is aware of all medications you take and potential interactions.
c. Never participate in a weight-loss program that promotes questionable activities such as fasting, purging, or over-using laxatives.
d. Consult with your doctor before deciding on a weight loss plan.
7. Ask for References
a. Lastly, ask for contact information of three persons who had already taken the program. Call them up to ask their experience with the plan. What results did they have? How much weight did they lose and how long have they kept off all or part of their weight? Armed with this information you should be better equipped to avoid anyone touting empty promises or those that can't sustain long term results.
Important: Make sure you research on weight loss programs by reading articles about the subject. The website link below is a good starting point.
Larry Argente has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, Lose Weight. Larry Argente's main work is to study healthy lifestyles so he can write about them to help others live healthier lives. As a first step in locating all available weight reduction programs, head to the website link below. The website also contains a lot. Larry Argente's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.