Canadian World Traveller Spring 2024 Issue

80
The chef’s dinner, hosted once a week, was a
culinary experience not to be missed. Our
meal included multiple courses: smoked corn
chowder with lobster, roasted zucchini, sirloin
filet with mushroom sauce and cheesecake for
dessert. All for 600 calories. “It’s wizardry
magic,” declared one guest at the end.
Dizzying variety of activities: On Monday
alone I counted 28 different programming
options: core presentations that instructed
guests on eating and fitness strategies to take
home; classic fitness classes, including circuit
training, Zumba, TRX strength, aquafit and
yoga; and specialized conditioning classes
such as hula hoop, drums alive, isometrics
and shoulder mobility.
Ijmupo!Ifbe!Ifbmui!Sftpsu!
“Was there a wellness Kool-Aid that everyone
was drinking?” I wondered on my
first day at Hilton Head Health (HHH), an
all-inclusive wellness resort on Hiton Head
Island in South Carolina. Every guest I talked
to had been here multiple times.
“Twelve times,” said Linda from Chicago.
“Seven times,” said Pat from Vancouver Island.
And they were raving about it. “This place
saved my life,” Pat declared and went on to
say that when she first came to HHH seven
years ago, she had weighed over 300 pounds.
By adopting the philosophy and strategies that
were imparted during her initial one-month
stay, she lost half her weight and now returns
annually to maintain healthy habits, keep up
motivation and catch up with her newfound
friends.
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For others like Linda, weight loss was secondary,
and they came to take a break from their
hectic lifestyles and focus on their well-being
in a nonjudgemental and community atmosphere.
At first, I was slightly taken aback by the gushing.
But after my four-day stay here, I was
planning my return visit, too.
What makes this place so special?
Sumptuous healthy food: No food group was
off-limits and with rich soups, salads,
seafood, pasta, meat and vegetarian options
on the menu, I was always satisfied, despite
the low-calorie count. “The focus is on whole
foods,” said Chef T, when he was showcasing
one of his cooking demonstrations for guests.
“We even use butter and cream, just in moderation.”
On top of that were the wellness offerings,
like meditation, massage, mindfulness classes,
and a life balance assessment, which were
part of the ReNew Retreat. Anne, who facilitated
the assessment, explained that this program
was designed as a way for people to
check out of their busy lives and refill their
tanks. This struck a chord for me, and I
appreciated her insights on a gentle and
moderate approach to lifestyle changes.
Serene island property: Part of the resort’s
exceptionality is the locale itself on Hilton
Head Island. The 30-room Sweetgrass Inn
and its two- and three-bedroom villas are surrounded
by lush subtropical vegetation. Their
walking paths are fringed by both mossdraped
oak trees and tropical palms and
flowers. Streams and lagoons traverse the
grounds, and long-legged wading birds stand
motionless waiting for their prey. Amenities
include the full-service Indigo Spa, sauna, an
outdoor pool and hot tub. And then there’s
the proximity to the beach. Numerous scheduled
activities include yoga, kayaking, naturesighting
outings and beach walks.
Listening to the lapping of the waves as we
strolled on the sand that stretched endlessly,
while the sky changed colors with the setting
sun, I drank in the view. And the wellness
Kool-Aid, too.
www.hhhealth.com
World Traveler Spring 2024