The Five Best Resorts for Weight Loss

Courtesy of Bask Spa by ExhaleThe gorgeous bathhouse at Bask Spa is designed for ultimate post-workout relaxation.

For some people, the ideal vacation involves digging their toes into warm sand and sipping on an umbrella drink. For others, it’s spending two weeks on an adventure—perhaps in a place where you’ll sample exotic foods, visit ancient temples and require a vaccination. Or, maybe it’s somewhere in-between.

What most people don’t consider a vacation is a week’s worth of 5 a.m. wake-up calls, two-hour hikes, 250-calorie breakfasts, yoga classes, resistance training and food education classes—all before dinner. Welcome to the weight loss retreat: Some call them boot camps and others whisper, “fat farm.” Such calorie- and fitness-managed vacations are not a new concept, but they’ve certainly improved from the deprivation camps of the ‘80s. YouBeauty’s top five picks will not only help you shed away a few pounds, but give you the tools to help keep it off. 

1. The Ashram, Santa Monica, CA and Mallorca, Spain (seasonally) 

The Vibe: A quaint and cozy two-story California home where guests share meals around a communal table and nightly chit-chat around the fireplace.

The Food: The all-vegetarian diet is organic, unprocessed and unrefined. Most components in the meals are plucked straight from the premises’ garden.

Why You’ll Lose Weight: This is hard core—subject yourself to 70 miles of hiking over a span of a week, in addition to twice daily yoga, resistance training and swimming. Lights go out at 9:30. Although many guests come for spiritual revitalization, if weight loss is your goal, then you can easily skim off six to 12 pounds within the week.

How You’ll Keep It Off: Guests live alongside the staff so they can be engaged at any time for advice and lifestyle tips.

Unique Tidbit: With only 12 guests each week, it's not only a bathroom you'll be sharing, but bonding as well. Eighty-five percent of guests are returnees.

Cost: $4,500 per week. All-inclusive.

QUIZ: Are You A Victim Of Bad Body Image? 

2. Miraval, Tuscon, AZ

The Vibe: There is some serious Southwest sophistication tucked into the picturesque Catalina Mountains.

The Food: The options are endless—from cooking demonstrations, to a private lunch with a nutritionist, all the way to champagne.

Why You’ll Lose Weight: There’s a big focus on mindful eating and the idea of “doing differently.” The people at Miraval believe that overcoming fear outside of the kitchen will help strengthen your end goal when you’re scoping out the contents of your refrigerator. Mind expanding pursuits include an equine experience and outdoors adventure challenges.

How You’ll Keep It Off: The experts at Miraval aim to provide guests with all the necessary tools to overcome emotional eating challenges at home.

Unique Tidbit: Exercise isn’t limited to the gym; you’ll be able to burn calories during photography hikes, ziplining and Rock ‘N’ Roll Tennis.

Cost: From $600 per person, per night. All-inclusive.