Food for thought - Wave Holiday - 56 - 2002

Judith Fox heads off to the Algarve to try and lose weight

Each day we began with meditation and yoga and my body began to respond more easily to the postures asked of it.

Last summer, I went, with some apprehension to Moinhos Velhos. This was a health retreat offering a fasting and detoxification programme over a two-week period in a beautiful setting the Algarve. It also promised the opportunity for physical, mental and spiritual renewal.

I chose it, firstly to spend a healthy fortnight in the sun and secondly because I was desperate to lose weight. I liked the look of the simplicity it offered and I had been in nearly every spa and health resort money could buy.

I was also very apprehensive. I made several calls to Moinhos Velhos asking questions such as "I am not going to be surrounded by tree-huggers am I?" or "You can guarantee I am going to lose weight, can't you?"

On arrival at Moinhos Velhos my worst fears were confirmed. Within minutes Rebecca, one of the therapists who worked there, gave me a welcome hug. I was rooted to the spot.

My enjoyment of the beauty of the surroundings was a little tempered by the first meeting with some of the other guests to arrive that evening. In a conversation with four of the party of the eventual ten that usually make up a programme, I found myself talking to a New York cop from the Bronx, a homeopath from Chichester and two computer programmers. They were fun but not my types. In a telephone call home my husband gave me the perfect solution. If it's as bad as all that - get out of there and book into the five star hotel down the road.

We started the fast the next morning and for the next four days my body and mind rebelled. There were times when I found myself arguing the benefits of a good red meat diet with a group of people mainly committed to vegetarianism and there were times when I couldn't be bothered to even talk to anyone.

Until now my life had been a hectic one. I have never coped with a quiet lifestyle. I'm always in search of something new to keep me entertained. On my first day I wondered how I was going to cope with all this peace and quiet and healthy attitudes.

Then, here's the interesting thing, by day five I began to feel a change in me. In a phone call to my husband I heard myself answering his question of "how's the weight loss going?" with "Oh I've no idea, but it's not really about that - it's about detoxing your system and allowing yourself the chance to develop spiritual side.

I had realized how nice the people were and spent hours trying to learn more about the rubbish I'd put into my body. I took to going on solitary walks around the beautiful lake close by. I would find myself trying to meditate to gain more of the peace I had found inside

Programs	Programs Cost	Program Location	Daily Program
Juice Fasting	Therapies	Colon Cleansing	Detoxification
Juice or Water?	Meditation	Yoga	Bookings

Judith Fox heads off to the Algarve to try and lose weight

Each day we began with meditation and yoga and my body began to respond more easily to the postures asked of it.

Last summer, I went, with some apprehension to Moinhos Velhos. This was a health retreat offering a fasting and detoxification programme over a two-week period in a beautiful setting the Algarve. It also promised the opportunity for physical, mental and spiritual renewal.

I was also very apprehensive. I made several calls to Moinhos Velhos asking questions such as "I am not going to be surrounded by tree-huggers am I?" or "You can guarantee I am going to lose weight, can't you?"

The team of staff at the retreat were a wonderfully rounded group of people who gave their time to us whenever required. Their knowledge was immense and there didn't seem to be a question I couldn't get an answer to.

I left Moinhos Velhos on June 16th nine pounds lighter than the 12stone 9lbs when I had arrived. Today, as I write this, on October 7th, without dieting but with an eye to healthier eating habits and a digestive system that works perfectly - my weight is 9 stone 11lbs.