Breeze_Issue_001_ChildrenOfTheSea

HEALTH
balance of fitness, organic nutrition and mindfulness
techniques. Author of The Physique Transformation
Book, he sees his retreats and his books as indicative
of his approach to wellness. “The book is a simplified
guide to living better through adopting a more
organic and active lifestyle, and just like in my wellness
retreats, my methods of training and nutrition are all
about making health fun,” he explains over a nutritious
breakfast.
As I don my dusty trainers and head over to Coco
Palm Dhuni Kolhu’s yoga pavilion for a private fitness
session, I can’t help but feel nervous. My relationship
with fitness has always been sporadic and my relationship
with food is, well, a full-blown love affair. However,
as soon as I arrive I realise that my trepidation was
unfounded. Dave instantly puts you at ease. His fitness
methods are straightforward and his encouragement
is genuine. By the end of the high intensity 35-minute
session, I’ve definitely awoken some dormant muscles
but I’ve had fun doing it.
Yes, each day of a Tranzend retreat does revolve
around physical fitness activities but replace visions
of dreary half-hearted cardio with the possibility of
professionally designed fitness routines, beach yoga
and water activities in the inviting Indian Ocean. Add
to the mix educational workshops that touch on
everything from detox nutrition to hormone
optimization, seminars on topics such as stress
management and even a class on whipping up your
very own raw vegan superfood smoothie and you’re
much closer to what Catudal has in store.
Correct nutrition is naturally one of the key elements
of the retreats and prior to his residence on the Coco
Collection islands, Catudal worked in conjunction
with the resort’s chefs to design a menu for retreat
participants that is not only healthy and perfect for
losing fat but also mouth-wateringly delicious. “I like
to prove to people that eating healthy doesn’t have
to be boring! This is a great opportunity for guests to
learn how to change their diet to include more healthy
meals, and it’s inspiring to experience fine-dining that
is also completely healthy,” he explains over a lunch of
grilled fresh reef fish and steamed vegetables,
followed by citrus fruits and shaved coconut.
Later that day, I sit with Dave for a nutrition
consultation and his suggestions seem manageable
and realistic. He understands that I’ll never give up my
afternoon latte, so instead recommends that I work on
swapping my toast with jam for some poached eggs
in the morning. He also explains that stress can be a
major factor in weight gain, and we discuss stressreduction
techniques.
“When it comes to the health of our bodies, we
must also exercise the health of the mind. I can’t
think of a more ideal location to experience a holistic
wellness retreat than the Maldives,” he says. “My aim
is for guests to go home with a lighter, leaner and
more healthy body, and a more balanced and peaceful
mind.”
As I return to my windswept beachside villa (a
sanctuary in its own right) I reflect on my priorities. In
a world where time is a commodity, pausing to focus
on personal wellness is often mistaken as a luxury.
Yet Dave has reminded me that an unhealthy life is a
life half lived. And after just one day, I’ve learnt how
to have more energy, more mental clarity and maybe
just lose a few pounds along the way. I feel inspired to
inculcate change in my own less-than-active life.
And with those prospects on offer, leaving the
poolside and dusting off my trainers has never looked
so appealing.
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