Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Qualities To Look For In 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.

Some retreats only produce temporary results by putting their participants through an intensive work-out and diet regimen, but they do not address each individual's personal concerns and help arm them with the fundamentals of healthy living needed for them to continue practicing what they have learned after the retreat. Only those which produce permanent changes in one's thinking and behavior leading to weight loss are worth attending.

Fitness should not be the main focus of the program, although important, it is only one aspect needed for successful fat loss. Instead, the retreat should encourage individual, personal growth and self-discovery, enabling participants to identify and address the underlying issues causing over-eating, and it should also aim to replace these patterns with healthy new ones.

The setting in which the retreat takes place should also be considered. Most of them are set amidst nature, such as in the countryside, as this atmosphere lends itself to tranquility and an appreciation of the outdoors and all the activities that one can enjoy there. It's a good place for a fresh start and is removed from temptations such as junk food vendors and restaurants.

Staff at the retreat should be fully qualified with a solid background in fitness and diet, however their relational skills to the participants are even more important. It's essential that a strong rapport and trust be established between the attendees and staff, with the former feeling they can view the latter as a friend who will support and encourage them through positive reinforcement, who has their best interest in mind at all times.

The approach to weight reduction should be a holistic one, which covers all aspects of the issue by focusing on the mind, body, and spirit. Addressing the "whole person" in this way turns the experience into a personal journey for every participant which if all goes well, produces permanent changes in attitude and behavior that will permanently impact future habits.

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.

Since not every retreat offers attendees the same results, it's important for those who are seriously considering going to one, to do their research and find out what others who have already attended them have to say. Choosing retreats that provide long-lasting results should be the main objective of anyone considering tackling weight problems in this manner.




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