Motivate yourself in 24 hours!

I’ll admit it. I’m one of those people who likes to think they’ll get super healthy once the Christmas blow-out has passed, then gets a bit defeated by hibernation syndrome in the gloomy days of January. So it was interesting to see how an overnight stay at Champneys Forest Mere helped me feel a bit more motivated, even in the run-up to the festive season.

The setting of this old favourite in the health-farm-world is lovely – a beautiful lake with ducks, geese and mature trees creates a view that calms you instantly. But the sights and the sounds as you walk through the car park to reception are the real story here – pairs of friends power walking, small groups cycling, people working out in the aerobics studio. This is a no-nonsense place dedicated to getting you active, trying out new spa treatments and eating healthily.

Will it suit you?

If you’re after a down-to-earth wellbeing break, where you can catch up with friends, try different fitness activities and enjoy spa treatments, this is a good place to come. Plus there are lots of deals that offer great value for money. It’s busy with groups of women, mothers and daughters, and the odd couple, all getting the most out of their time.

As there’s such a wide range of activities on offer – from fitness classes to swimming, beauty treatments and alternative therapies - there's enough to keep everyone in a group happy and you can all meet up at meal times to compare notes. If you’re after gourmet food, 5-star luxury furnishings and romantic afternoons in your room, this isn’t the place for you. But if you want to re-ignite your get-fit resolutions, it could be just the ticket.

Getting organised

You’ll be welcomed with your schedule – everything here is run on strict time slots, so be prepared to stick to a regime  - and a show around. You’ll need to book in for meal times and fitness classes - choose from Zumba, yoga, aerobics, stretching and more. Finally book your spa treatments and you're ready to get going!

How to make the most of your stay

Get out there

The countryside around Forest Mere is perfect for walks and cycling trips, as it’s part of the South Downs National Park, so get out there and enjoy it. Pick up a map from reception and choose a one, three or six mile course. If your sense of direction is not great, take an OS map of the area as the guides from reception are descriptive and don’t have pictures. Or you could join a guided walk or cycle. Otherwise, take a friend and chat as you go, reminding each other to push yourselves so you feel a bit puffed! We crunched our way through carpets of crispy red leaves in the nearby woodland, listening to the birds, smelling that delicious tang of wood smoke, and enjoying the fresh air as we did the three-mile circuit at dusk. Remember to pack a decent pair of walking shoes and wet weather gear, just in case.

Try something new

Whether it’s a vegetarian meal in the evening, a form of exercise you haven’t tried before, or an intriguing option from the spa menu, use the opportunity to do something different. Whatever the outcome, it opens you up to the possibilities of doing new things and gives you something to laugh about as you hula hoop your way around the exercise studio, or dancercise your way into a lunchtime conversation about school disco hits!

I tried the resort’s signature ‘Sound massage’ therapy. Fully clothed and lying on a couch, I was ‘massaged’ by the vibrations created when my therapist placed metal Tibetan bowls on my body and stuck them. After an initial fit of the giggles, when my mind’s eye pictured me being ‘gonged’ into relaxation, I actually found it very soothing.  The tones of the bowls were rich, deep sounds that didn't challenge my ears, but encouraged me to focus on the sound, emptying my mind of distractions.  The therapist encouraged me to drink a lot of water during the rest of the day, to flush out the toxins released by my muscles relaxing post-vibration. I felt sleepy afterwards, best to try this late evening.

If you’re looking for other unusual experiences, you can try everything from ‘dry’ floatation, to palmistry. And you can also enjoy manicures, pedicures and make-up lessons. Remember – before trying a new exercise, or spa treatment, make sure you tell the instructor or therapist about any health issues or concerns you have. This is really important as the Champneys system assumes you will tell them, rather than asking you. You will also be asked to sign a piece of paper agreeing that you’ve been talked through the contra-indications for any treatment – so you need to read the information leaflet and ask any questions before you do this. Be prepared to check that whatever you’re trying will be suitable for you.

Don’t panic – you don’t need to sneak in bread rolls!

Don't worry - you won’t be forced into eating seaweed protein shakes or giving up bread. For breakfast there’s bread a plenty, butter, jam, bagels, many familiar branded cereals, porridge and tinned fruit, alongside the home-made Champneys granola, fresh fruit salad and selection of teas (yes, that does include caffeinated). And lunch brings a hot and cold buffet packed with favourites like new potatoes, coleslaw, rice, poached salmon and leafy salads, alongside home made hummus and kidney bean dips, cottage cheese, chickpea and butterbean casserole and veggies such as beetroot, carrots and cucumber. You can even choose a healthy hot dessert (rice pudding in our case) or fruit and yoghurt to finish.
The a la carte dinner choices are slightly more restrictive, although the vegetarian food is imaginative. The portions are small (but we didn’t feel hungry) and there’s not a lot of sauce, so the wine list is a welcome addition.

The trip made me realise that the way I eat at home is actually healthier than I thought. The food at Champneys is quite homely and filling and features the sort of ingredients I already use – pulses, cottage cheese, salads, wholegrain bread – which helped me feel motivated to keep up with the regime once I got back.

Some people do pack extra bottles of wine and treats like biscuits and chocolate to enjoy with a DVD at night (bring a selection of your favourites, or hire them at £4 each from reception), and no-one’s stopping you having a bit of a ‘Pink Ladies’ pyjama party! We packed 'The King’s Speech' and some Green & Black’s organic chocolate. Another good tip is to book into the Terrace restaurant – big windows with views over the mere - which feels more relaxing.

Prepare for relaxation

Forest Mere is geared around activity and runs a tight ship in terms of scheduling, so it can feel like you're on a conveyor belt if you book too many classes and treatments. The lounges, cafes, restaurants are also often busy so schedule long lunch breaks for chats, and plan your evening before you go. Take DVDs or a good book, plan to paint each other’s nails, have a late swim - whatever helps you enjoy the time-out most. Staff will be able to tell you what are the quietest times for a swm in the pool.

To help you relax, Champneys asks you don't use your mobile in public areas and encourages people to roam about happily in their bath robes and slippers. Many of the rooms are functional rather than luxurious (the resort was built to be a health farm and not a luxury spa), so if you love your little home comforts take them with you (the spa provides lovely Watermint shampoo and conditioner however).

Book a bargain

Forest Mere offers good value deals throughout the year – use this link to find out more. Or try websites such as www.lastminute.com for its spa break section. Be aware that cooked breakfasts, drinks other than water, and some classes will cost extra. Choose a premier room or package to avail of parking close to the main house, a contemporary room with fruit basket on arrival, a Champneys gift set, an extra-fluffy bath robe, priority dining and a premier therapist assigned to you during your stay. Find out more here, bearing in mind these perks only apply if you pay full tariff for your stay.

Explore the local area

If you’re planning on a longer stay, enjoy a change of scene with trips to the lovely local market towns, such as Petersfield (farmer’s market the first Sunday of every month, and great boutiques), or bustling Midhurst with the stunning ruins of the Elizabethan manor Cowdray House and the Cowdray Park farm shop.

See last month's spa review - New Year treatment at Grayshott Spa