Vacationing can be a great way to relax and unwind, but it can also be a quick way to put on unwanted pounds. With more options available in the growing market of health-related excursions, from spas and boot camps to weight loss camps and outdoor adventures, many vacationers are eschewing the time-honored tradition of sipping pina coladas by the beach in exchange for a more active getaway.
Health Spas
While health spas were once considered a luxury of the rich and famous, spa experiences for a wider range of tastes and budgets are springing up all over the world, according to a 2006 CNN article. Nearly 2/3 of spa-goers in the United States visit a hotel or resort spa while on an out-of-town overnight trip -- but day spas are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the spa experience. An extended stay at a destination spa can offer a variety of classes, guided fitness programs and spa cuisine education. Rates for spas in the Destination Spa Group (www.destinationspagroup.com) range from $800 to $1,000 per person for a seven-night stay at the Tennessee Fitness Spa in Waynesboro, Tennessee, to up to $7,500 per week at the Golden Door Fitness Resort and Spa in Escondido, California, according to CNN.
Boot Camps
The calm and serenity of a spa may be the ideal weight loss vacation for some, but others may want a more intense experience. At Vita Vie Retreat in Delray Beach, Florida (www.bvretreat.com), the Bella Bootcamp program is a group fitness retreat targeted toward increasing strength and endurance, gaining flexibility, increasing energy and losing pounds and inches -- all while enjoying white, sandy beaches. The boot camp has a structured schedule and includes five exercise classes each day. The schedule varies, and may include classes such as beach boot camp, Zumba, cardio kickboxing, yoga and mat pilates.
Weight Loss Camps
While people of all shapes and sizes can enjoy a fitness vacation like a spa or a boot camp, overweight or obese individuals may be looking for an excursion that is specifically tailored to their needs. Often referred to as fat camps or fat farms, weight-loss camps provide a more well-rounded and medically-supervised approach to weight management than other types of health retreats. Women-only camps such as Green Mountain at Fox Run in Ludlow, Vermont (www.fitwoman.com) offer a multi-faceted approach to weight loss, targeting three areas: nutrition, fitness and behavior. Green Mountain's goal is to "help women become normal, intuitive eaters who have a healthy relationship with food and their bodies and who stay physically active because it makes them feel good." In addition to its standard camp, Green Mountain offers specialized programs for guests who suffer from binge eating and food addiction, have had gastric bypass or lap band surgery, and those suffering from a variety of other medical conditions such as diabetes and PCOS.
Fatpacking
According to their website, "Fat Packing" (www.fatpacking.com) is touted as a a fun alternative to boot camps, fat camps, fat farms and day spas. During these weight-loss backpacking trips, Fat Packing staff guide guests on one to two week wilderness hiking vacations in order to lose weight and enjoy being in the outdoors. The program is targeted for people who are approximately 15 to 75 lb. overweight, but there are no specific restrictions. In addition, there is not a diet facet to the program, since hikers carry all their food on their backs and are encouraged to eat all they want during the trip since they will be burning a substantial amount of calories while hiking. "If you love the outdoors, but are a little overweight or older and prefer not to be rushed, Fat Packing could work for you," according to Fatpacking owner Steve Silberberg.
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