Weight Loss Camps For Adults

We have all either seen or heard about the weight loss reality show, "The Biggest Loser." While it raises the bar of adult weight loss camps by throwing in a competitive edge, it encompasses the basic concepts of real life adult weight loss camps. It shows the camaraderie of the contestants as they support each other, rejoicing in their teammate's weight loss. It displays the nutritional and fitness guidance the contestants receive from the personal trainers. Most importantly, it demonstrates how important weight loss is for optimum health.

History

Although summer camps have existed since 1860, the concept of weight loss camps did not evolve until 1963, when Camp Naponoch became the first weight loss camp to open its doors. Although it closed down only three years later, its concept lingered amidst a population whose obesity rates were on the rise. Through the sixties and seventies, weight loss camps for women began to pop up around California, and were an imitation spa whose focus was on rapid weight loss using a severely restricted caloric intake (400-900 a day). It wasn't until 1973 that the concept of adult weight loss camps changed, when Green Mountain Fox Run was founded. The theory of this adult weight loss camp was, and still is, that diets themselves cause obesity. It was a weight loss camp alternative for women who wanted to become healthier through weight loss, rather than desiring to lose weight as a means of improving their waist size.

Function

Today's adult weight loss camps focus on the treatment of the whole person rather than emphasizing the number on the scale. Their goal for the guests is finding a long term solution for a lifelong problem. They accomplish this through nutrition education, physical activity and self awareness. They offer their guests healthy food choices with a more reasonable daily caloric restriction, provide them with a variety of physical activities such as yoga, strength training, kayaking, and swimming, and help them determine what behavioral and/or emotional problems may be the underlying cause of their obesity. Many adult weight loss camps also offer an "after care program," which provides ongoing support for the guest once they have completed their stay.

Features

Adult weight loss camps offer many services to their guests, all of which are based on the guests' individual needs. Once checked in, the guest will complete a personal assesment with a nutrition counselor. This aids them in developing meal plans tailored to their specific needs, and will also develop an exercise plan with a fitness specialist. The weight loss camp professionals will then provide them with a schedule of meals and workouts, and set them up for one-on-one counseling to help them determine their long term goals and the problems that have stood in the way of those goals. Due to the busy lives that many guests lead, health specialists will assist them in developing a nutrition and exercise plan that will work for them once they have left the camp. In addition, there are group meetings which help provide support from people who are experiencing the same problems they are. This serves as a means of peer support for the guest while they are at the facility. Most importantly, the facility emphasizes having fun while becoming fit, and making lifestyle changes that will last them a lifetime.

Time Frame

Adult weight loss camps are open year round, and allow the guests to stay from one week to one month. There are some weight loss camps that state their guests lose, on average, four pounds a week. There are others who will tell you that for a two week stay, the average weight loss is seven to fourteen pounds, and for a three or four week stay, they can anticipate losing fifteen to thirty pounds. The length of the stay is dependent upon the individual and their personal obligations and finances.

Considerations

Before making your reservation at an adult weight loss camp, you should ask the staff questions about their services so you will know which one is better suited to your needs. You need to know whether or not they employ a full staff of licensed healthcare professionals to guide you along the way, how they view weight loss, and whether or not they provide an after care program to help you once you have returned home. You will also need to take into consideration the cost of your stay. On average, one week at an adult weight loss camp will cost you thirty eight hundred dollars, while a full month costs about twelve thousand dollars. There are some group health plans that will cover these costs, and once you have chosen a camp to attend, the admissions representative will help you determine if your plan is accepted. In addition, you can claim your stay as a health deduction on your taxes.