Currently writing this blog feeling completely refreshed & relaxed, not to mention totally accomplished & motivated, after spending a weekend away on my first - but certainly not my last - fitness retreat!
This weekend took me back home to the beautiful setting that is The Cairngorm National Park in the Highlands of Scotland. I took just 2 days holiday from work either side of the weekend and returned to the office feeling rejuvenated and ready for any challenge we face in our busy lives.
Totally worth it just for that feeling I'm sure you'll agree. In a world where we never stop; Our phones constantly a focus, work emails reaching us far beyond the office hours, we worry about daily chores which probably don't even matter that much, - it's never been more important to take a few days out and totally shut off. You owe it to your wellbeing - and with the health and wellness industry booming, more of us are realising how important it is to look after our bodies, enter Fitness 58.
'An unforgettable fitness experience in an unforgettable location' is the promise and I'm here to give you the guarantee. I genuinely loved every minute of the weekend and have spent the whole journey back down South thinking about how much fun I had and how needed it was.
It's easy to think you can book a holiday to lie on the beach for a week and that will be the answer to all your stresses, for some that will do it, for me, I love a challenge. A sense of achievement is a very powerful thing in terms of the mind and your personal happiness, pushing yourself to limits to see what your body can do brings a remarkable feeling of pride in yourself that you can't get any other way.
So here's 5 reasons you should do exactly what I did, and book your first fitness retreat;
- Shut out normality - I cannot express enough how refreshing it was to forget the usual routine, no worrying what to make for dinner or feeling guilty for chilling out and simply doing nothing! Although the retreat offers several workouts & physical challenges over the weekend, there's plenty of 'free time' to lose yourself in a book in the lounge, chill out in your room or even have a nap in the middle of the day - why not!
- Meet new friends - I met the loveliest bunch of girls on this weekend, having gone on the trip on my own it was so nice to be assured of the team spirit that the retreat brings. The group gelled instantly and we easily found common ground with each other despite all being from different parts of the country - one girl even came from Norway! Everyone pushes each other to work hard in the physical challenges and we got to know each other in the days chatting away while we walked through the picturesque mountains and in the evenings reflecting on the day in the cosy lounge after dinner.
- Push yourself - As I mentioned above, there is no greater feeling than achieving something you've worked hard for. Throughout the weekend there are a number of challenges to overcome, everyone's different and someone's everest might be another's mole hill! This is where the team morale comes in, Sam, the fitness instructor who heads up the retreat is the King of motivation! His enthusiasm is truly infectious and he instills a level of confidence in to the team that means no-one is left with any regrets come the end of the weekend. Challenges include hill sprints, a mountain hike & zip lining through the forest (I definitely overcame a fear of heights to do this and loved every minute!)
- Kick start a healthier you - We spent most of the weekend outside and it was gloriously refreshing to get outdoors! Something we often don't realise is how much we sit indoors, for some, it may be driving to work, sitting at their desk all day, driving home only to spend the evening sitting on the couch because you feel 'tired.' If you're thinking oh no that's me! Don't worry - we've all been there. However, if you take a step back and think of it like this, no-one is doubting you feel drained from a busy day, but your body has energy left to burn that your mind is blocking out with the powerful emotional messages and until you do exercise you won't know what you can do! It's hard to explain as you can probably tell from that terrible summary, in short, get up and go out even for a walk and I can guarantee your body and mind will thank you for it!
- Explore a new part of the world - I know I mentioned I'm from the Cairngorms so this point may seem hypocritical but I genuinely rediscovered my love for Scotland this weekend. I've been to all of these view points many times as a child, some I have stronger memories of than others, but I think until you visit and feel like a stranger, whether that be because you've left and returned or never been there before, you can't begin to take in the real beauty of the views where the retreats are held. We were so lucky with the weather but even if it had rained, the solace and peacefulness in these parts of the world is hauntingly beautiful and somewhere I believe everyone should see in their lifetime.
So that's my 5 reasons you need to go on a fitness retreat this year! I hope you feel inspired, and I would love to know if you've done something similar or are now going to book on after reading this post! Sam offers retreats in the Cairngorms throughout the year with the next dates coming up being the 8th -11th of June! However it doesn't stop there, Fitness 58 travels to Maderia in August and Norway and Iceland next year, all of which you can book on to now, all fitness levels welcome so what are you waiting for!? To find out more information about all of the retreats visit the website here!
Finally, why Fitness 58 in particular? From the seamless airport transfer to the base on Friday, to the stunning home cooked healthy meals all weekend I felt truly spoilt; Ensuite bathrooms in the lodge, warm homebaked cookies (yes cookies you read correctly!) provided after challenges and the constant personal customer service provided by Sam both through hospitality and motivation throughout the weekend is truly excellent, I left the retreat feeling motivated, relaxed and refreshed just as you would want to feel after a break. Cannot recommend this retreat enough!
I'll leave you with some pictures & videos of the best weekend of 2018 so far! Thanks girls & Sam for a brilliant experience.
L x
L x
