A weight loss camp is a destination for children or adults who are wishing to lose some weight. Beginning in the 1960s, fitness camps, which were known as "fat camps" at that time, have undergone a complete overhaul. The camps have changed their methods in order to place less focus on the extreme methods used for cosmetic reasons and more focus on teaching healthy techniques for weight loss. While attending a fitness camp can help you lose weight, it is important to find the right camp for you.
The Beginning
While ordinary summer camps began in the 1860s, weight loss camps would not appear until 1963. The first weight loss camp was Camp Napanoch in Napanoch, New York. Although Camp Napanoch was out of business after just three years, more weight loss camps began to sprout up. These camps were primarily located in the northeast. According to FatCampsinfo.com, there were 84 weight loss camps by 1988, mostly in the areas that surrounded New York City.
Early Weight Loss Camps
The focus of the early weight loss camps was to lose as much weight as you could in as little time possible. These camps mainly served young ladies who did not want to lose weight for health reasons, but rather for their appearances. These camps generally used methods for losing weight that were considered extreme, including very restrictive, low calories diets. Beginning in the 1970s, weight loss camps began to lose their popularity. According to Fatcampsinfo.com, one of the reasons for the popularity drop was that women were starting to concentrate more on their careers and less on their appearance. Additionally, since these camps used unhealthy methods for weight loss, many campers regained the weight they had lost once they returned home.
Today
Fatcampsinfo.com states that out of around 10,000 summer camps that are currently operating, only 15 to 20 of them are weight loss camps. These camps are completely different from the camps that were run in the 1960s. Today's camps have a strict focus on helping you to lose weight in an effort to reduce your risk of future health problems. This is accomplished by completely changing both your lifestyle and eating habits. This includes learning the proper physical fitness techniques, how to diet properly and nutrition basics.
Fitness Camps
There has been a recent shift from weight loss camps to fitness camps, states fatcampsinfo.com. Camps have gone from having campers doing large amounts of exercise and severely limiting the amount of calories consumed to basing their methods on science. One example of these camps is Wellsprings Camps. Wellsprings offers 12 locations and features an advisory board with leaders in the obesity field. At Wellsprings, campers are responsible for keeping track of their own exercise and food intake. By taking this route, campers are taught how to eat a proper diet without having to rely on anyone else. One benefit of a camp like Wellsprings is that they offer after-care counselors. During the months after the camper returns home, a counselor keeps in contact to make sure that the camper is retaining their healthy habits.
Selecting the Right Camp
Weight loss and fitness camps can be useful for those looking to lose weight. When selecting a camp to attend, be sure to look into camps that are focused on long-term lifestyle and diet changes. Each camp offers a variety of atmospheres, experiences and activities, so you should look for one that features things that interest you.
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