New Year spa treatment at Grayshott Spa

What’s the programme?

Designed to leave guests feeling fit and healthy, it also addresses issues including weight management, nutrition, fitness, detox, and general body awareness The programme is flexible and personalised to your requirements and goals, and includes one-to-one consultations with the spa’s specialists.

I’m given a health consultation on arrival and get the chance to set out my goals and objectives for the programme. Treatments are recommended to help me achieve these and while these will vary from individual to individual, the main themes are detox, relaxation, stimulation and improved circulation, so I will have treatments like algae body wraps, olive stone scrubs, high pressure water jet blitz and a citrus detox.

Next I meet a nutritionist who checks my overall nutritional balance, talks to me about food supplements and gives advice on balancing hormonal problems, advises on weight management and how to eliminate food intolerances. She recommends some foods I should eat during my stay and offers advice on incorporating them into my lifestyle when I leave.

Fitness and exercise assessment

Then comes the fitness consultation (don’t worry, it’s painless!), which involves a high tech machine called the Body Composition Analysis. I change into a robe and then, using pressure-sensitive feet and hand pads, the machine basically looked ‘inside’ me, measuring fat, muscle and general body composition. Exciting stuff! Results of the reading are then used to put together my fitness programme, again offering advice on how to incorporate this into my daily life.

I was keen to try out some classes during my stay; I particularly enjoyed Body Balance (combined movements of Tai Chi, Pilates and Yoga) and Aqua Fit, which was surprisingly hard work and loads of fun! And, my body felt like it had a good work out afterwards.  I’ve continued with Body Balance classes at my local gym, as it helped me work on my flexibility and core strength.

Eating the right foods

The food is on offer is delicious and I looked forward to meal-times. The diet team offer options such as the Bento box, which is great for portion control, there is also a ‘light menu’ choice for evenings, so it is easy to manage your weight if that is one of your concerns.

I learnt several things about nutrition, my body and my lifestyle during my stay. For my body to function at optimal levels some changes were needed, so now I’ve cut down on my regular chocolate munching, and I’ve learned to chew more slowly. I’ve also swapped one of my gym classes for one that’s more cardio-based, to help burn off some calories. The experts really know their stuff, and they’re on-hand throughout your stay to provide ongoing dietary consultation, talks and support. There are also interesting daily talks in the cinema room about nutrition, fitness, and relaxation.

Top 5 tips for healthy eating

1. Omitting carbs completely from your diet simply leads to fatigue –complex carbs such as oats, rye, and millet, brown, red or wild rice, and barley are all packed with B vitamins - vital for energy production within the body.

2. Ingredient listings on food labels descend in order of their weight, with the largest ingredient first. This means that if the first few ingredients are high fat items, such as cream, butter, or oil, then the food item is in a high-fat food category. The packaging should always state how many calories, fat, protein carbohydrates, fibre, and salt there is in a single serving (100g).

3. Eat carbohydrates at breakfast and lunchtimes to help fuel your day and a smaller amount at night.

4. Eating small amounts of protein (approx 25-30% of what’s on your plate), such as turkey, chicken, fish, lean cuts of beef and lamb, pluses, butter and kidney beans, with every meal will slow down the digestion process and the release of energy from the food, ensuring you won’t go hungry soon after eating.

5. Be mindful when eating, slow down your eating pace; put down your cutlery between mouthfuls, and chew, chew, chew!

Price, booking and more information

The ‘New Year-New You’ programme starts from £1,200 per person for four nights, with accommodation in a Junior Suite, based on single occupancy. This also includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, and full use of the spa facilities. To book call reservations on 01428 602 020 or visit www.grayshottspa.com

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