So, you’ve decided to attend a fitness retreat. You made your reservation, requested the time off work and told your friends and family that it’s happening.
But what should you be doing in the days and weeks leading up to your departure?
How should you prepare?
Is there anything you can do to make your transition smoother and your stay more successful?
Here are some basics to set yourself up for a happy, inspiring experience during your wellness retreat.
Nutrition
A major part of your fitness retreat will be learning to fuel your body with more effective foods. Embrace the fact that you’re going to reset your relationship to food. “Last hurrah”-type binges don’t make your transition toward healthy eating any easier. Instead, start to straighten out poor eating habits before you attend your fitness retreat, so some of your cravings are under control before you show up. Here are some helpful tips:
- Stop drinking alcohol for at least two weeks prior to your stay
- Drink more water – at least 8 glasses per day
- Eliminate caffeine
- Cut back on the amount of salt in your food
- Significantly reduce or eliminate added sugar
- Replace soda or sugary/salty sports drinks with plain water
Learn the easiest way to break a bad habit.
Medical
Your physical health is the starting point for all the advice and planning you’ll receive at your fitness retreat. The medical team at your retreat will want a comprehensive understanding of your current medical status and history to make the best decisions for you. Here are some suggestions to make sure they have all the information they need to provide you with a safe and healthy environment:
- Bring medical reports that detail your health conditions or physical limitations, if any
- Bring a complete list of your medications
- Let your doctor know you’ll be attending a retreat. Schedule a physical at least 6 months prior to your stay.
- Stop smoking or cut back significantly
Wellness
Getting into the right frame of mind before you attend your retreat can help remove the roadblocks of resistance during your stay. Daily meditation for 10 minutes will help calm and center your mind, while the following activities will make your transition much smoother:
- Prioritize sleep. Make sure you’re getting enough.
- Start waking up earlier
- Embrace the idea of change
- Remember the reason you’re going. Start keeping a journal to help you identify any emerging anxieties.
- Discuss your plans with encouraging friends and family. Their support helps.
Exercise
Your fitness retreat will include lots of physical activity, which will be easier to integrate if you’re already accustomed to a regular fitness routine. Don’t overdo it. However, it’s helpful to start conditioning your body (and mind) to enjoy exercise as soon as possible. Here’s how:
- Get into a regular exercise pattern. Do some sort of fitness activity 3-5 times per week.
- Engage in light yoga or stretching daily
- Buy quality exercise shoes that fit and wear them often for a few weeks prior to your retreat to break them in
See why an integrative approach is the key to weight loss.
Knowing what to expect during your fitness retreat can go a long way toward calming the jitters. Review your retreat’s daily itinerary so you can get a sense of what your experience will look like on a day-to-day basis. Look for online reviews about guests’ past experiences. Double-check your packing list to make sure you have the materials, equipment, and clothing that are appropriate for the time of year and location of your retreat.
Remember, your fitness retreat should be an exciting and rewarding experience.
If you’re still unsure about any aspect of your upcoming retreat, don’t hesitate to call the retreat staff and ask. Enjoy your stay!
