You’d like to change your lifestyle but not sure how or where to begin? Want to lose weight?  Fancy a bit of a boost or want to focus on yourself for a change? Need help navigating the time leading up to, during and after the menopause? If any of that chimes, it could be time to go on a retreat.

Women’s wellness coach Juls Abernethy and semi-pro sportswoman turned fitness trainer Julie Brealy of The Body Retreat have created the kind of retreats they like to go on.

Run exclusively for women, by women, the retreats have the camaraderie of like-minded women, emotional support – and fun – at the heart. No soulless bootcamps here.

It’s a holistic journey, not a quick fix.  When it comes to losing weight, getting fit, managing stress or any other wellbeing goal, mental and emotional health is as important as physical health.  So Juls and Julie’s handpicked team of expert trainers, therapists and other professionals and practitioners  – many of whom have been with them since they started back in 2010 – cover everything from nutrition and fitness to psychology.

Retreats are small, so everyone gets individual attention, creating a bespoke retreat experience.

There are six different retreats – Weight-loss, Menopause, Sugar-Detox, stress and resilience Re-set, Conscious Cook and Tone, and Healthy Holiday – each designed around four central tenets:

• Mindset: hypnotherapy and NLP, along with mindfulness and relaxation.
• Menu: no extreme or faddy diets here; it’s more about how you eat not just what you eat – though the food is all local, seasonal, organic and delicious.
• Movement: more than just ‘exercise’; you develop strength and resistance, lower fat and build up bone density.
• Maintenance: taking time to rest and repair, with time in the spa and complementary treatments.

Retreats take place in two gorgeous locations: a large period cottage about 20 mins from Dorset’s Jurassic Coast (Weight loss, Cook & Tone, Menopause), and a roomy contemporary house on the Somerset/Devon borders (Weight loss, Re-set, Sugar Detox).

All accommodation, food, activities, workshops, treatments, recipes, meal and follow up plans are included. Retreats run from 5 to 14 days (most are 7 days) and cost from £1,850.