Thursday, June 5, 2014

Guide To Choosing Weight Loss Retreats For Adults

By Lila Bryant


Losing weight is a task that can be more challenging for some people than others. There are those who can shed extra pounds by dieting and increasing their physical activity level, while others need a bit of extra help along the way in terms of motivation and support, it is this latter group that can benefit most from weight loss retreats for adults. These getaways equip participants with educational and inspirational tools needed for losing weight and are set in a relaxing environment.

Unfortunately not every retreat equips its participants with the knowledge needed for long-term results, some merely consist of a strict diet and fitness program for the length of their stay which may only produce temporary results. More importantly, they must treat the people as the individuals they are and help them work through personal issues, as well as teaching them useful healthy living strategies they can continue to adhere to after the retreat.

There must not be an over-emphasis of fitness in the program, since this is only one element in successful weight loss. Instead the main focus should be on personal growth and freedom from past modes of thinking which have lead to overeating and obesity. Participants should be equipped with a new awareness and knowledge that will continue to help them win this battle.

The particular setting of the retreat is another thing to consider. The atmosphere should be one that is notably different from one's usual environment, since this fact can help inspire change instead of nurturing old habits. Generally a more natural backdrop, for instance a peaceful countryside, is ideal, where the emphasis is on outdoor activity and living a healthy lifestyle, and there are not tempting places such as fast food restaurants all around.

While the staff need to be qualified and have a solid background in diet and fitness, how they personally relate to participants is just as important if not more so. They must have a genuine interest in helping each person successfully acquire the tools he or she needs to make permanent changes that will lead to shedding pounds, this should be done constructively using positive reinforcement and never by belittling or shaming.

There also needs to be a holistic approach to weight reduction, which means that the issue is addressed in terms of the body, mind, and spirit. When this approach is implemented, the process becomes a "journey" for each participant, and one that will hopefully bring about changes that last a lifetime. The focus should be on personal development rather than physical results alone.

A retreat can be seen as a learning experience and it must also acknowledge that people have different learning styles and provide a choice of various motivational and educational tools to appeal to these different preferences. These can be counseling, seminars, behavior modification, amongst others, and all participants should be given follow-up counseling after the retreat as well.

People who feel that attending a retreat will help put them on the road to losing weight should first do some investigation into the different programs that are available since not every one offers long-term results. It can be helpful to find some reviews by former attendees so potential participants know what to expect and if the retreat will meet their needs.




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