Destination wellness programs: Too good to be true?

Many of us — myself included — dream of visiting a wellness resort, where our sole focus is on ourselves. But do destination wellness programs work once you return home?

Among the many wellness programs that exist, a few are worth noting because they go beyond nutrition and fitness. These programs address the “whole” individual through strategic educational classes offered during the stay and, even more importantly, focus on emotional well-being instead of just physical changes.

While many people are familiar with the competitive and often dramatic ” Biggest Loser” television series which debuted its 16th season in September, fewer realize the Biggest Loser Resorts offer everyday people the potential for long-term lifestyle changes with a structured wellness program. In addition to locations in Malibu, California and Niagara, New York, one new resort opened in Chicago in September and another will open in Jacksonville, Florida in October. The properties’ settings alone — like 1,350 acres at the top of a barrier island off the Northeast Florida coast — can serve as a muse for change.

[Read: Is ‘Biggest Loser’-Style Weight Loss Healthy?]

According to Derek Johnson, executive nutrition director at Biggest Loser Resorts, what sets The Biggest Loser Resort program apart from other wellness resorts is a five-point philosophy that focuses on fitness, wellness, nutrition, relaxation and camaraderie. The goal of the program is to “provide guests with the tools they need to feel empowered,” both from emotional and physical standpoints, he says. It makes sense if you think about it: Many of us want to make the right decisions to lead a healthy lifestyle, but simply do not know how. The Biggest Loser Resort family says it offers both the resources and the emotional support for guests to finally flip the switch on their own journey.

[Read: How to Make Small Lifestyle Changes.]

While it is easy to imagine the changes that take place when someone guides you each day through your fitness and nutrition choices, how easy is it to continue that journey after your vacation has ended? I spoke to Johnson to find out more.

What is the No. 1 goal for guests coming to the Biggest Loser Resorts?

We hope that our guests feel empowered to create the healthy and balanced lifestyle that we know they deserve. Guests often arrive with blank stares and confusion, and our five-point philosophy teaches new patterns and tools to make long-term changes. One of the most rewarding things is to watch guests transform not just physically but also emotionally throughout their stay into a different shell of who they used to be. While it is inspiring to witness dramatic health changes in guests, emotional changes are powerful to witness. It is not uncommon to see guests who start the week not saying a word to anyone emerge as leaders by the end of their stay.

What should people be aware of when they leave the confines of a wellness destination and return home?

Many guests have been thinking about coming to the resort for years, but have put it off. There is a lot of fear — of food, of exercise and of the emotions that come with change. Often times, the struggles that individuals face during the week have to do with their fears, and those same fears can be factors when people return to their daily lives. We often say that tears weigh more than pounds, which is why there is so much focus on the emotional journey with the help of life coaches and wellness counselors.

[Read: Positive Emotional Psychology: Have a ‘Daily Diet’ of Positive Emotions.]

Before they leave the resort, we encourage guests to identify one goal at a time (from a list of seven keys to success) to work on at home. Trying two or three things at once does not work because you never know what is working or not. Consultations with our wellness team during the week are key to applying new learning to individual circumstances and to having the best chance of success at home.

Is there one change that has the most impact when returning to daily life?

For many, the biggest changes center around nutrition. I like to say that you are only as good as the foundation of your nutrition. Food has to be “on” to reach both physical and emotional goals. Because of that, one significant lifestyle change happens when you establish an eating pattern with a specific structure to meal times and snacks throughout the day.

[Read: How to Transform Your Nutrition Habits.]

Once at home, life can and will get in the way. One way to adjust to the variables of being home is to stay connected for support. Guests of the Biggest Loser Resorts can keep in touch with the wellness team through ongoing consultations. In addition to a binder full of resources, handouts and learning materials, in 2015, guests will be able to connect digitally with a new platform designed for ongoing communication. It is also important to create a local wellness team to help over the long haul. Changing your relationship with food, for example, can take months and months. Finding a local practitioner for support is crucial, especially when the demands of life, work and family distract us.

It is true that a trip to a destination wellness resort involves an investment of time, finances and emotional energy. But it is hard to argue with outcomes such as a healthier lifestyle and improved self-confidence.

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Destination Wellness Programs: Too Good to be True? originally appeared on usnews.com

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