Wellness Retreat FAQs – Top Questions, Updated Weekly (To Get To Know Us Better)

Some questions are so good, we can’t resist sharing them

Here we have it! Wellness retreat FAQs, updated weekly by yours truly, Cat Smiley. This is a round up of text questions, phone calls and emails from the previous week. Due to COVID (urgh, aren’t we all tired of hearing that reason), it’s often me replying to queries.

While I’ve trained Sarah up to answer some basic questions that are already on the website, we’re never going to cover everything. And some of these things that we aren’t detailing, are really important to the person asking. That’s why I’ve decided to repurpose questions we get asked every week – about our weight loss camps in B.C.  Sarah works from Australia so don’t be surprised if she replies at odd hours!

I’ll upload new images and questions each week to this blog post.

VANCOUVER ISLAND RESIDENTIAL WEIGHT LOSS CAMP (BIGGEST LOSER STYLE) – 1-4 MONTHS

Once you’ve confirmed your weight loss camp, book the ferry (well) in advance!

Last minute pricing

Do you have a last minute price for your weight loss camps?

Actually, just today I decided to put together a ‘bid list’ of women who’d like to be called if someone cancels their weight loss retreat. It’s up to the person cancelling to find a replacement guest if outside the cancellation window.

How this will work is they buy the trip directly off the person who cancels, at whatever price is agreed between them. I imagine it’ll be a super deal, as it would otherwise be forfeited. If you’d like to be on that list, let me know your bid price for one month weight loss camp. Also what months you’d join, if it became available.

Blender questions

Why do I need to bring a blender? Will a shaker work instead?

Great question. The wellness retreat food plan includes two delicious, full meal smoothies per day, otherwise known as Super Smoothies.

There’s a mix of strawberries, blueberries, banana and spinach which sometimes doesn’t blend very well in the cheapo blenders. As you can see in the photo above, West Coast Fitness Vacations has loads of blenders as we used to provide them to Whistler wellness retreat guests.

As the Vancouver Island wellness retreat location is now for Canadians who are, for the most part, driving – it’s a good investment to bring your own high quality blender. I recommend the Vitamix, but that cost me around $800 I think so it’s not something to buy on a whim. There are cheaper ones, but you get what you pay for. The blenders we provide at the weight loss camp are about $40 which is pretty entry level quality.

I’m more than happy to lend you one if you’d like, of course.

VANCOUVER ISLAND RESIDENTIAL WEIGHT LOSS CAMP (BIGGEST LOSER STYLE) – 1-4 MONTHS

Yesterday I was ‘route-mapping’ to find the best hikes for our wellness retreats. Loved this trail!

Support after your wellness retreat

Is there an Alumni group from past wellness retreat guests to stay on track with you if we feel ourselves slipping? I’m sure life changes will have some tips along the way that may need encouragement and motivation?

No, there’s nothing formal setup for weight loss camp guests anymore. Previously we used facebook groups but West Coast Fitness Vacations is no longer on social media. The best way is to directly keep in touch with other guests that you meet while on the wellness retreat. I’m always excited to hear from alumni guests, whether by text, phone or email, it’s always a pleasure.

Previously I offered post-weight loss camp coaching packages but since downsizing the company we no longer have an office – or office staff. This means that when I’m in the office my time is more limited than previously. The lowered cost of our weight loss camp is partly possible because of the extra things that are no longer being offered. Formal support systems after the wellness retreat is one of them. But, like I said, friendly phone calls and communications are warmly welcomed to keep me posted on your progress. And I’ll always be here for quick questions or trouble shoot sessions as you need.

I’m still in touch from weight loss retreat guests that were clients in 2008!

Preparing in case of emergency

If I’m injured or health (something happens) and can’t continue the wellness retreat, is there a refund?

No, there’s no refund or credit of any kind if you don’t complete your wellness retreat. Please ensure that you review carefully the terms prior to signing up. These are available in the Registration Room. 

NO GYM REQUIRED! CAT SMILEY’S WEIGHT LOSS BOOT CAMP IS 100% OUTSIDE (EVEN IN WINTER)

There are truly gorgeous trails to explore, here in Parksville!

Sunrise Ridge construction, and how it’ll affect our weight loss camp

Sunrise Ridge Waterfront Resort is expanding! During 2020, the Resort will be undergoing construction to develop the new “Residences” townhomes. These will be located between the main lodge and the waterfront villas. Please be assured that our staff and contractors will continue to work very hard to create minimum disruption to our valued guests.

I contacted them directly and here’s what they said:

For construction, they plan to finish the first townhouse by the end of this year. In the last few days they have been working on the roof, so I imagine by October they will be mainly working on the interior, but as with construction it is almost impossible to nail down a timeline. They won’t be starting the next townhouse until the first one sells so we won’t know if there will be any construction early next year until this one sells.

The Developer tries to keep us updated and the information is shared with guests on our website here: https://www.sunriseridge.ca/construction-update/

Spa treatments

Should I start booking spa treatments for my health retreat?

Yes – it’s a great idea to plan well in advance of arriving at your wellness retreat for spa treatments. Massage is definitely a good idea, as you’ll be training hard! Call the Tigh Na Mara directly to book appointments. This is not included in your weight loss camp fees. View health spa menu at grottospa.com and call 250-248-1838 or email relax@grottospa.com to book your visit.

Why is there no meat? I’ve got zero desire to be vegetarian.

Love your weight loss camps but am concerned about when I get back home (as we are meat eaters) and how this will affect my success in the long term. Are there any carnivores in your groups? Do you teach your groups how to adapt?

Yes, absolutely – nearly all of our guests are meat eaters in their normal life at home. The weight loss camp is full of challenges, and this is one of them I think for some, but it’s also a worthwhile challenge to try, even if for a month.

The meal plan is carefully designed for those who are used to meat, using meaty like ingredients wherever possible. Yes, we encourage guests to reintroduce meat into their meal plans at home after their time with us. Sometimes our guests are eating up to 12x too much meat for their bodies to digest. Going without meat really jump starts powerful change in their lives.

No, I wouldn’t say that I teach groups to adapt back except for a few recommendations but nothing formal.

WHY WELLNESS RETREATS IN B.C. ARE WORTH STAYING LOCAL FOR

From the hiking yesterday, Top Bridge trails.

Room configurations

What are the room configurations at the Tigh Na Mara?

Guests of West Coast Fitness Vacations are booked in the log cabin, one bedroom private guest room. This is in a forest setting, with a separate bedroom. The bedroom has a Queen bed, double futon, kitchen and a wood fireplace.

Medical adaptations

Would you consider this a “medical weight loss retreat?”

No, probably not. We don’t treat, diagnose or advise on medical topics and are not trained medical professionals. However if you’re asking whether the physical activity might be suitable for the restrictions described, possibly. If this is the case, let’s hop on a call and chat more about what her restrictions are in regards to exercise, and the precautions recommended by her doctor.

For health concerns, it’s often helpful to know in advance some information (by email) in case research or extra planning is required for the call. We welcome women from all stages of modifications, however due to restrictions with registration being limited to 4 guests per session, it’s important to place them in a session that has other guests of compatible pace.

What does a regular day look like at your weight loss camp in B.C?

We’ve added information to the website – it might not have been there when you were last on the site. Here is the direct link.

I’m just wondering why some weight loss camp months are $10,000 and some months are close to $13,000? I had sort of made up my mind on the 10,000 per month rate but it seems there’s only one other slot like that that isn’t sold out.

Yes, there were only a couple of spots for that pricing available as the ‘pioneer rates’ of launching a new weight loss camp. These came with restrictions of special pricing being offered, such as full payment being due within 7 days of deposit. As our wellness retreats will be in the groove with business operations by the third month, rates will increase to a more profitable bracket. Those that signed up with the $9995 rate had several inconveniences already, with clunky signup, documents not ready, and delayed replies. Answers weren’t available for them, as often I had to wait to hear back from various partners about certain things related to their questions. Additionally, the lodging is different, and they are not extending the same rates to our wellness retreat program.

WHY WELLNESS RETREATS IN B.C. ARE WORTH STAYING LOCAL FOR

Am I fit enough to join one of your health retreat programs?

I’m 58 and have limited mobility. Do you have any wellness retreats for me?

This was a great wellness retreat faqs, and Sarah answered it really well:

Absolutely, we welcome those with limited mobility, as long as it can maintain group pace. Depending on your restriction, we place you in the best group based on compatibility of fitness, pace and comfort. Can you share a little more about your restrictions please? How far can you walk comfortably, what is your starting point – weight, height and activity level, what is the pain level if any, what might restrict you in our program. Alternatively you can call the office to speak with the fitness director.

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