Helix Digi Labs
Life in the 21st century has never been easier: there are machines everywhere to do the tasks that we cannot and there is technology to make those processes faster and more efficient. Unfortunately, this means that many of us no longer have active lifestyles, resulting in alarming weight gains, obesity and other illnesses.
Gone are the days of summer camping. Instead, holiday weight loss camps have become standard for many people who are looking to tackle this problem head on but in a holistic way sans medical intervention.
Here are some of the best weight loss retreats for adults across the globe which will help you scratch that travel itch alongside getting healthier.
One of the best weight loss spas in the world (recommended by Condé Nast traveller, no less), Santani Resort and Spa is the crowning jewel among Ayurvedic retreats in Sri Lanka. They offer everything from holistic weight loss programmes, to immune-boosting programmes and treatments for stress, trauma and insomnia. It is a versatile resort that is just as welcoming to a group of friends as it is to the solo traveller.
A 100-year old refurbished colonial-style villa, the Plantation Villa is now a nature health retreat that offers yoga, clean-eating practices, meditation lessons and a whole host of other activities that makes for a great vacation or a soul-searching, life-changing experience.
This is one of the oldest destination spas in the Americas, having been in business since the 1940’s. The resort focuses on a high-activity schedule and prioritizes exercise for weight-loss. There is no restriction on meals but in order to keep the guests on track, no meat or poultry is served, and sugar is studiously avoided.
At the intersection of the West and East is the Six Senses resort that offers hydrothermal therapy as a main part of its weight-loss programme. The treatments are designed to promote a ‘live younger, longer’ mentality which is the main ethos behind its focus on anti-smoking and de-stress programmes.
Popular with celebrities and royals, this weight-loss retreat uses a method promoted by Dr. Franz Xaver Mayr. It involves a lot of back-to-basics approach to mealtimes, such as removing processed ingredients and trans-fats from cooking and chewing slowly to eliminate overeating. There are also oil treatments, detoxes, reflexology and mud wraps that pamper your soul as well as your body.
Image credit to: Destination of the World News
The white building with the clean lines seem to embody the ‘clinic’ aspect perfectly in this resort, a unique property in Spain that is owned by a man who practices what he preaches. The SHA clinic offers a macrobiotic diet – no processed foods, no meat and no dairy. In addition, there are yoga sessions, cognitive improvement and stress management sessions to name a few.
A romantic villa located on the shady banks of Lake Garda, this spa offers treatments based on a fusion of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medical practices. The best thing about this resort is the food: locally sourced, the meals are lactose and gluten free but full of flavour and verve, almost defeating the purpose of the extensive detoxes designed to optimum weight loss.
This eponymous retreat is one of the more regal-looking resorts in the world, offering a multitude of programmes including weight management, detox, yoga, stress management and rejuvenation. Programmes are offered for a minimum of 7 nights for maximum benefit, but you will walk away feeling reborn.
Another retreat on the same island, Kamalaya is an Indian-inspired Ashram that places more importance on yoga and personal stretching sessions than restricting your diet. It is an award-winning resort that offers a holistic experience to anyone searching for healthy means to losing weight.
True to its name, this retreat is the perfect getaway from your hectic work life. It is super affordable and located on a gorgeous Thai island that is known for weight loss holidays. There are two main levels of intensity for beginners and the more hard-core, so you are free to choose as you wish.
