Most people know that obesity in America is on the rise; perhaps you are finding your waistline is a bit thicker than you want it. Fad diets and monotonous trips to the gym have failed millions of people. If you live in Oregon and are looking for an alternative to traditional weight loss tactics, look into your options for weight loss camps. Whether you attend a residential program or just a fast-track daily regimen, you can see some drastic results.
Benefits
They may be known traditionally as "fat camps," but weight loss camps are more about lifestyle transformation than simply dropping a few pounds. The best programs take a holistic approach to help you with your nutrition and exercise so that you will leave camp with a better self-image and healthy lifestyle. Jean Huelsing, R.N., and colleagues of the Living Well Foundation showed in a 2009 article in "Pediatrics" that campers who attend residential programs between four and eight weeks long show substantial drops in systolic blood pressure; body mass index, or BMI; BMI z-score; body weigh; and one-mile run times.
Residential Camps
The most intensive weight loss and lifestyle change programs are those that take campers overnight. Some are just retreats over a weekend, while others take campers for a whole summer. Most programs in the U.S. are geared toward overweight children and youth who can dedicate long periods to a camp environment away from home. Ongoing overnight camps are hard to find in Oregon, but if you do not mind a drive or a short flight, try Adventure Chicks Tahoe in California or Wellspring Camp La Jolla.
Nonresidential Camps
Most adults are unable to take enough time away from family and careers to go to a residential camp. Fortunately there are a number of trainers who offer "boot-camps" or intensive training sessions every day for several weeks. Most are scheduled in morning hours so that you can finish your workout before work. Fitness routines are often outdoors and are intense and nontraditional so that exercise is exciting. Specialized trainers will also work with you on nutritional counseling and motivational training. There are hundreds of success stories at clinics like Southern Oregon Adventure Boot Camp and Better Body Bootcamps in Oregon City.
Women's Camps
A growing market in the fitness industry is geared toward women. Women's weight loss camps in Oregon are nonresidential but produce success stories. Fitcamp in Portland does custom-designed outdoor workouts to boost your metabolism, build muscle and strengthen your core as a woman, including cardio, yoga, Pilates, cross-fit and track-based workouts. Adventure Boot Camp provides a non-intimidating environment for women of all fitness levels, and trainers give personal instruction and motivational training.
Other Out of State Alternatives
If you are unable to find the type of camp you are looking for in Oregon or nearby, many camps out of state regularly see visitors from all over the country. Residential camps for all ages range from one week to all summer. Some provide scholarships and assistance with your travel costs. Camp California in Canada and Wellspring Camps throughout the United States are examples of popular destinations.
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