Recently I saw an ad for a long-term weight loss retreat. It was ridiculously expensive and luxurious and not really intended for normal people.
However, it got me to thinking...
1. Wow, would I love to do a 6-month weight loss retreat (emphasis on mindfulness and wellness and healthy food and hiking in the forest).
2. Wow, would I love to do a 1-month/2-week/hell, even a one-week retreat.
This would be a great way to soothe my soul and jump-start my weight loss at the same time.
Then I started researching the weight loss retreats and I saw the price tag.
*faints*
Also, I still have a teenage daughter at home to care for, as well as a dog, husband, etc.
I can't just run away from home. *shifty eyes*
This got me to more thinking...
Why can't I do an at-home retreat? Is this a thing?
I researched this, and discovered...Yes, this is a thing.
I read a bunch of articles discussing the concept for a staycation or at-home retreat. They touched on many aspects, including diet, exercise, good mental health. Some were appealing to me, some not.
I decided to custom design my own AT-HOME RETREAT. This is essentially to jump-start my weight loss, incorporate good habits into my daily and weekly schedule, and emphasize mindfulness and wellness in my life.
Here are the things I'm including...
NINA'S 2nd RATE AT-HOME RETREAT
(TRYING TO MAKE 2nd CHOICE A WINNER!)
1. The articles suggested trying a new fitness class. I like this idea. My daily exercise is copious walks--both inside (winter) and outside as weather permits. I've gotten into a rut with this. Same thing every day.
However, I don't belong to a gym. So I decided to stream some yoga videos to mix it up.
Maybe some other types of stretching/strengthening videos, too.
If any of you have favorites--on Youtube, or Amazon, or wherever--please leave a comment with your recommendations and links! Thank you.
2. I do the same walk every day, loops in my neighborhood. I decided that one easy change I can make is to vary my walks. Add more hills, go to new places--in my own town, and to other locations. As the weather gets better, this will be much easier. I can head off to nature preserves and do hikes in the woods.
Right now I'll do the best I can in my local area.
Flexibility for this: If the weather is bad/icy and I have to walk inside, I am going to add more stretching/strengthening exercises to my routine.
3. Diet: this is the big one. At a retreat, they offer perfectly balanced meals that taste delicious.
How I can recreate this at home when I have to cook for me, my teenage daughter, and my carnivorous husband?
I'm going to design a retreat diet for ME and implement it. This will take time, but I'll plan over the weekend and start on Monday morning. This plan will include breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, all keeping the carb count down (I'm trying to reverse my diabetes diagnosis).
I'm going to write out my menu in fancy font, print it, tape it up in the kitchen. Hee hee!
I'm also going to try some new recipes, but not too many. I'll keep most meals simple--salads and fresh fruit. If I try too many crazy things I'm afraid I won't be able to stick to my plan.
And of course, I have to cook for my daughter and hubby at the same time, but they will have a different menu. No fancy font!
4. Another sweet suggestion in one of the articles was to host a party. It made a point of saying that adding positive social events into your life was a great step towards happiness. I agree. I LOVE this idea!
So, at some point I am going to invite some friends over for a healthy evening of good food, good wine, and a relaxing time just hanging out. Maybe we'll do a potluck where everyone brings a favorite healthy dish and recipe printed up.
5. A big part of the retreats is pampering yourself...at a spa or pool or beauty treatments. I'm not really into that stuff to be honest. However, I like the idea of making an effort to schedule some appointments for myself.
I'm going to attempt to squeeze in a hair appointment, a nail appointment, and maybe even a pedicure. That's as far as I'm willing to go with the beauty biz, but it's a start.
6. Another big tip on all of the lists: TURN OFF YOUR SCREEN. Totally agree with this. It makes your anxiety go way down, and helps you with mindfulness.
Since I read on my phone, I will prepare for this by getting some print books in advance for reading material. Then, I'll try to block out Internet access for at least a day (baby steps), and see how that goes.
I have a feeling this will be incredibly liberating and good for my soul!
7. If this was happening in the spring/summer instead of winter, I would also add this bit of advice: do outdoor activities! Like biking, kayaking, hiking. Unfortunately, we're in the midst of our hideous New England winter right now.
Here is my winter alternative...do INDOOR activities that are fun, entertaining, and include walking around. I'm pushing for a trip to the MFA, maybe the Gardner Museum, and a visit to the Boston Flower Show. When the kids are home from school we'll head down to Mystic, CT to tour the aquarium. If the weather is okay, we'll also add on a day in Newport, RI and hike around Sachuest Point in Middletown.
*******
That's it. I'm working on new exercises, a strict (and yummy) diet, a party, some pampering, a screen-free break, and some new activities.
Although this is not the same thing as a real retreat--where it's all about you, hee hee!--I think it has a good and practical application.
I'll be developing good habits that I can continue at HOME.
Have any of you tried an at-home retreat? What did you do?
Let's chat!
Nina/Penny
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