Fitness spa

[Guest guest]

This post sounds so good. I've never been to a spa. I would love to

find an affordable spa where I could take a week, eat low cal but

well, exercise and get pampered a bit.

I know a place called Tennessee fitness spa which is affordable, but

not lux. Anyone had a spa experience?

BTW, I went on the carnival cruise hoping for a spa experience, as

they tout the Nautilus spa and cuisine program. Seems the low

fat/salt menu ran about 2500-2800 calories a day. They say they

prepare it differently from the same entree on the regular menu, but

hubby and I compared and it tasted the same (Nautilus fish was fried,

too, and portion was about 2 1/2 time palm size (recommended rule of

thumb portion size for protein)). I followed the plan, didn't drink

or eat sweets except for one dessert, and worked out in the gym,

walked the track and gained 3 pounds. Wish they had had choices for

a 1500 or so cal diet with good sized portions of healthy food as

opposed to veges being 2 pinkie sized pieces of deep fried zuchinni.

Also, much to my surprise, the gym classes were pay for events. Yoga

class, buns,abs thighs class, ball class were all $10 each

additional. The only free classes were those product promotions,

like facial stuff or sign up for a trainer, etc. This wasn't

mentioned in the cruise brochure...thought the spa pregram was part

of the package. Of course, treatments are for fee.

Those are my only 2 complaints which I feel are valid. We didn't

have good weather..rained at 2/3 ports and never got to see mazatlan

or cabo, but it can't be helped. Being inside meant being barraged

by alcohol, food and neon, but that's to be expected and I became

desensitized after a couple of days. Great shows and music in the

lounges. Bingo was $10/card (and lasts about 3 min) so I didn't play

that, but the family did build a ship for a contest.

All in all, it was a nice cruise...something for all age groups and

interests.

And I went horseback riding in Puerto Vallarta! It was redeeming,

and fun, too. All those weeks exercising on that leg machine where

you open your legs and pull them back together for the inner thigh

stretch and strength really paid off. I was the only one in the

family who could walk without pain afterwards. And I gloated, you'd

better believe it, I gloated over my kids and hasbeen. LOL.

Smiles,

Vicki A.

P.S. I bought my first pair of ski bibs yesterday...and they fit!

No turning back now. I'm going down that snow mountain this winter

one way or another. I'm now at 237 (up 2 pounds) and hope to drop 7

by New Year, although that's a tall order. I'll be satisfied with

any loss... a pound off the bod now is one less pound slamming my

butt when I wipe out later!!

> In a message dated 12/2/2002 7:38:51 AM Eastern Standard Time,

> Penelope@o... writes:

> > got cold and the girls played in the dining room with play doh

>

> Play Doh!!!!!!!!!!!!! Regina, girlfriend! You must just be

delirious if you

> are letting six kids play with playdoh in your house! God Bless

you sweetie

> - you need a retreat away from home.

>

> I think that you should leave the kids with Tim and check yourself

in to a

> spa for the weekend. Hot Rock massages (not too hot - you don't

want to

> burn) jacuzzi's, harp music, sleep!

>

> Time for you to get away baby! Shame you couldn't have checked

into Abington

> with me - we would have rocked those old folks!

>

> Marjie

>

>

>