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Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Would you take a fitness vacation?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For the past six weeks, many of us have wrapped ourselves in a blanket of rich foods, second helpings, hot toddies or general inactivity. But this week’s pleasant temperatures reminded me that those forgiving wooly sweaters can’t be worn all year long. It’s time to snap out of it and get active again.
Most people don’t associate weight loss with a week at the beach, but a growing number of “fitness vacationers” are finding you can do just that. Fitness vacations vary in intensity, results and locales, but their general goal is to help you kick-start a new healthy lifestyle. While you can find really exotic places abroad to shed your poundage and bad habits, you need not look that far. The southeast offers quite a few fitness destinations of its own that range from rugged or pastoral to luxurious.
Below are a few that are within a few hours’ drive or a short plane trip from Atlanta. Be warned, however, some of these trips can be quite expensive and are not for the faint of wallet.
If you’re serious about major weight loss and lifestyle change, the Hilton Head Health Institute creates personalized nutrition and fitness plans for its guests. The program is designed to help guests lose weight during their stay and maintain the weight loss back at home. Costs start at $3,550 for a one-week stay, and include accommodations, healthy gourmet meals, lectures, demonstrations, blood screening, nutrition assessments, and use of all fitness and recreation facilities.
The Tennessee Fitness Spa also offers classes, lectures, healthy meals and fitness facilities in a rustic setting about 95 miles southwest of Nashville. Weekly rates begin at $785 if you’re willing to share a chalet-style room with three other guests.
I think vanity might prevent me from signing up for anything called “fatpacking”, but it sounds pretty fun. Of course, I love to hike, and that’s the crux of this program. You just walk your way to fitness through long, intense hikes, eating whatever you can fit it in your backpack. One and two-week wilderness hiking vacations are offered throughout the country, with two southeastern treks coming up in April. Prices for one week are about $900.
A trip to Ft. Lauderdale can help you shape up for swimsuit season if you enlist in the Beach Boot Camp at Bella Vita Retreat. For $2495 per week, guests take part in cardio, strength and agility sessions; receive nutrition analysis and fitness testing, as well as all meals in a resort setting on a beautiful beach.
Have you ever taken a fitness vacation? Have you been to any of the above facilities or do you know of others you might recommend in the Southeast? Were your results worth the money?
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