Anyone been to a weight loss retreat/Fat Farm success?

NewLIFEstyle4ME

Just thinking about it...they used to call these places "Fat-Farms" years ago (that sounds soooo, ummm...UGHish)--now I think they're called weight-loss retreats or spas or something more positive. I've done a wee bit of googling info and YEOW....they are super expensive, that much I've discovered. That said, I'm wondering if anyone has ever tried or been to a "weight-loss" retreat and how did it work for you?

How long did you stay?

Was it worth it?

Perhaps if you haven't been to one yourself, but know someone who has, what did they say about it? Just wondering and your replies will be greatly appreciated so much!

NewLIFEstyle4ME

Have you considered taking a two-week cruise, instead? You can find cruises specials for $100 dollars a day. Most cruises have full exercise rooms, plus several exercise classes a day. The onboard chefs are very accommodating to special food requests, so you could easily tailor your food to meet your calorie goals. The cruise would provide you with the get-away you need and let you just concentrate on yourself for a fraction of the cost. And with what you save, you could also indulge in massages and other utra-luxury items that aren't included in the Biggest Loser-type getaways.

You could probably visit some cruise forum sites and seek other people who want to do a weight-loss getaway cruise and find some people to travel with you.

There's also special weight loss cruises, but they can be as pricey as the "fat camps."

Just a thought.

:flowerforyou: :drinker: :flowerforyou:


I'm not the OP, but have been thinking about this myself and NEVER thought of this...I LOVE IT! Thanks so much for posting--you ROCK!!!!!! Woot!

ETA: I posted a similar question, and will post your wise and COOL reply to my post too! from thread:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/643963-gone-to-an-adult-fat-camp-fitness-weightloss-camp

finchest

i think the only problem with dramatic transitions like that is that once you return to your "normal" life, you return to your "normal" habits!
right?

there is one called the optimum health institute here in san diego that i occasionally consider, but i just think what is the point if i can't make the changes sustain in the longterm on my own! it's all about, as your name says, the new lifestyle -- right?!

SonyaCele

I thought long and hard about going to a fat camp, and decided against it because i didnt' want to waste the money without a personal guarantee to myself that i would continue this new lifestyle after the camp was over. I actually instead decided to take a cruise to alaska because of the cooler weather so i could hide in a jacket the whole time. While i was making plans, I started dieting on my own, and by the time i got all my passports and finances in order, it was 6 months and 65 pounds later and now i'm going to the carribean at the end of this month instead! And i'll be proudly wearing a bikini poolside! Sooooo glad i didnt' go to a fat camp !!

NewLIFEstyle4ME

I thought long and hard about going to a fat camp, and decided against it because i didnt' want to waste the money without a personal guarantee to myself that i would continue this new lifestyle after the camp was over. I actually instead decided to take a cruise to alaska because of the cooler weather so i could hide in a jacket the whole time. While i was making plans, I started dieting on my own, and by the time i got all my passports and finances in order, it was 6 months and 65 pounds later and now i'm going to the carribean at the end of this month instead! And i'll be proudly wearing a bikini poolside! Sooooo glad i didnt' go to a fat camp !!

:drinker: LOVE this reply--thanks so much for posting and super congrats on your awesome success too--I hope you'll have the BEST time/trip EVER!

detkalove

Me and my Husby stayed at HHHI - Hilton Head Health Institute 3 years in south carolina ago and that's my fav spot in the world after my home of course they teach u a lot and the stuff is amazing and u don't want to leave that place!!! I have been there 3 times bringing my friend there, it's expensive I know and with the toddler on my hands we can't afford it anymore but it was all worth it. That 20lbs that I loss with there help I didn't gain it back now I wish I can lose another 30 or so but if u have the money- goooooooooooo there !!!! They even had tv series recorded there few months ago. The show was "heavy".:) I met people there that stayed for a few months but we did 2 weeks with my Husby and then I revisited for next level fitness program for a week!!!! Good luck to u, if u have any questions - let me know!!!!!

NewLIFEstyle4ME

Me and my Husby stayed at HHHI - Hilton Head Health Institute 3 years in south carolina ago and that's my fav spot in the world after my home of course they teach u a lot and the stuff is amazing and u don't want to leave that place!!! I have been there 3 times bringing my friend there, it's expensive I know and with the toddler on my hands we can't afford it anymore but it was all worth it. That 20lbs that I loss with there help I didn't gain it back now I wish I can lose another 30 or so but if u have the money- goooooooooooo there !!!! They even had tv series recorded there few months ago. The show was "heavy".:) I met people there that stayed for a few months but we did 2 weeks with my Husby and then I revisited for next level fitness program for a week!!!! Good luck to u, if u have any questions - let me know!!!!!

Wow...that sounds super terrific and big ole high fives on the weight-loss and maintenance--you absolutely ROCK!
How utterly wonderful you and your beloved were able to go together, and before your precious child(ren) came into your lives too, that's sounds just wonderful to me! Thank you ever so much for replying!

dorianaldyn

I've never been to one - but here's my take... I think it depends on the person. If you could really use something to kick start your new way of life, if you need a lot of education about what food is appropriate, what exercises you should be doing, heck, HOW you should feel when you really push yourself, places like this could be perfect. As alluded to already, though, is what happens when you get back to your normal life? Can you stick with it?

If it were me - I would probably try to adjust my life and begin an exercise regime on my own first. I would tell myself that my reward for sticking with it for a given amount of time (say, three months - long enough to prove that I was really capable) would be to invest in a retreat. And, who knows - if I were able to be successful on my own maybe I would decide to take those funds and invest in a new wardrobe instead :-).

NewLIFEstyle4ME

i think the only problem with dramatic transitions like that is that once you return to your "normal" life, you return to your "normal" habits!
right?

there is one called the optimum health institute here in san diego that i occasionally consider, but i just think what is the point if i can't make the changes sustain in the longterm on my own! it's all about, as your name says, the new lifestyle -- right?!

See what I mean????!!!???!!! :laugh: :noway: :ohwell: :glasses: :sick: Girl, I know exactly whatcha mean big-time and it's something that crossed my mind too--for sure! Totally so many people do "dramatic" things to help with their weight-loss and bip, bop, BAM! It comes right back--how I so know that can and does happen more often than not.

But--and it's a big but...This new year, I'm asking myself two BIG OLE questions...NOT rhetorical question, but serious--no nonsense questions of:

What would I do if I could not fail?

What would you do, if you weren't afraid?

Doing something like this...a weight-loss camp/spa type of thingy is something I've NEVER ever seriously considered because of fear, dread, and all kinds of "I could NEVER do that--that's for "them"" not for me--what would "they" think, that's too (fill in the blank of REAL reasons/excuses/justifications of WHY I shouldn't even DARE consider doing this), and doggone it...I'm daring to push this "dream" of a "me-time--pampering/working hard" sabbatical-ish, outrageous (meaning something I've NEVER EVER done or even considered a possibility for me to do)-- doing something like this so totally and completely unlike me, an "adventure-ish" type of thing I've only dreamed of/fear out into the open and have the unmitigated GALL to dare inquire openly too. I some of the replies of going on a cruise and/or releasing the unwanted pounds and ounces (mentally as much as physically) it here at home via a "NewLifestyle" FIRST and rewarding myself with a big trip and other ideas I hadn't considered too. I'm just putting it out there for ideas, experiences et. al.

Love ya my friend!

SonyaCele

calculate the cost of a couple week long fat camp and compare it to a local dietician and fitness trainer, see how much time you get for the same amount of money spent. For me personally, the benefits of my weekly dietician appointment, and my fitness trainer five days a week, its the best money I ever spent. I have accountability and training week after week month after month, rather than just a week or two and then bam you're on your own.
If you are determined to succeed though, you will succeed no matter what.

NewLIFEstyle4ME

I've never been to one - but here's my take... I think it depends on the person. If you could really use something to kick start your new way of life, if you need a lot of education about what food is appropriate, what exercises you should be doing, heck, HOW you should feel when you really push yourself, places like this could be perfect. As alluded to already, though, is what happens when you get back to your normal life? Can you stick with it?

If it were me - I would probably try to adjust my life and begin an exercise regime on my own first. I would tell myself that my reward for sticking with it for a given amount of time (say, three months - long enough to prove that I was really capable) would be to invest in a retreat. And, who knows - if I were able to be successful on my own maybe I would decide to take those funds and invest in a new wardrobe instead :-).

This is such an excellent idea as well--thank you so much for replying

Pohudet

I spent a little over a week at the True North Health Center in Santa Rosa, Ca. I did water fasting, and I lost weight and kept it off for 6 months after that. Also, it made my face look so much younger, my friends thought I had had a secret face lift.
They teach you to cook vegan without any salt or fat, and it is a really rejuvenating diet. I learned many wonderful recipes.
I am thinking of going there again.

NeverGivesUp

I did one of those when I was a kid for 6 weeks. The only thing I got out of it was a friend. I gained the weight as soon as I left. Actually is was on a college campus and by the end my friend led me astray and we were sneaking junk food from the campus vending machines lol. I remember I lost about 20 lbs in the 6 weeks I was there. They couldn't accommodate vegetarians so they gave me cottage cheese morning noon and evening. Needless to say I can't stand cottage cheese anymore lol. You can only do what you are ready for.

Bobby__Clerici

Bully to anybody who went and realized lasting results...:drinker:

I never saw much value in fat farms or such things, because I always knew what to do.
..eat less...move more...drink a lot of water...
Yes, I knew what to do; it's actually quite simple but just hard.
I bucked up, got serious and made it happen.
It took 2 years to lose all the weight, and this last year I maintained and lost inches.
I need something sustainable for life, so the battle continues!

NewLIFEstyle4ME

Bully to anybody who went and realized lasting results...:drinker:

I never saw much value in fat farms or such things, because I always knew what to do.
..eat less...move more...drink a lot of water...
Yes, I knew what to do; it's actually quite simple but just hard.
I bucked up, got serious and made it happen.
It took 2 years to lose all the weight, and this last year I maintained and lost inches.
I need something sustainable for life, so the battle continues!

Most excellent post sir! I too raise an admiring glass to those who have done this and maintained--WOOT to you guys big time:drinker:

I also equally appreciate so much those who have shared and admonish not doing this--but instead hunkering down here (first), etc. I also REALLY am encouraged at your saying it took you two years and you are yet working on it--that gives me such, ummm...shall we say hope of all things and helps me in the area of "patience" of all things too. Thanks so much for posting!

Bobby__Clerici

Bully to anybody who went and realized lasting results...:drinker:

I never saw much value in fat farms or such things, because I always knew what to do.
..eat less...move more...drink a lot of water...
Yes, I knew what to do; it's actually quite simple but just hard.
I bucked up, got serious and made it happen.
It took 2 years to lose all the weight, and this last year I maintained and lost inches.
I need something sustainable for life, so the battle continues!

Most excellent post sir! I too raise an admiring glass to those who have done this and maintained--WOOT to you guys big time:drinker:

I also equally appreciate so much those who have shared and admonish not doing this--but instead hunkering down here (first), etc. I also REALLY am encouraged at your saying it took you two years and you are yet working on it--that gives me such, ummm...shall we say hope of all things and helps me in the area of "patience" of all things too. Thanks so much for posting!

We've all seen people like Oprah who lost weigh and looked fabulous, then gained it all back.
I feel her struggle!
I do not want that yoyo battle when the actual fight is just as tough, but the results are lasting.
Few people are impressed when I tell them my "secret"....lol

NewLIFEstyle4ME

calculate the cost of a couple week long fat camp and compare it to a local dietician and fitness trainer, see how much time you get for the same amount of money spent. For me personally, the benefits of my weekly dietician appointment, and my fitness trainer five days a week, its the best money I ever spent. I have accountability and training week after week month after month, rather than just a week or two and then bam you're on your own.
If you are determined to succeed though, you will succeed no matter what.

Fabulous idea and post...thank you ever so much for posting this--you ROCK!:flowerforyou: