Loews Hotels Helps Guests and Their Pets Shape Up

As a travel aficionado, a wannabe exercise lover, and the owner of an overweight bulldog, I was excited to hear about a new program from Loews Hotels. The company has just debuted the Pumped-Up Pets package (starting at $124 per night), which includes a deluxe room, workout tips for both the guest and their pet, a Zisc dog Frisbee, and a specially-created and veterinarian-approved “Scratch My Flat Belly” meal for pets.

Studies show that people who diet and exercise with their pet stick to it, well, like a dog with a bone! In fact, research conducted by Northwestern Memorial Hospital revealed that more than 60 percent of people who began an eating and exercise program with their pets stuck to the program for a year. Loews is making it easy to get started—the package is offered at 17 Loews Hotels throughout the U.S. and Canada and is available through May 1, 2010. Winston and I can’t wait to sign up!

For more information, call (800) 23-LOEWS or visit www.loewshotels.com.

New Yorkers Can Enjoy Life on The Dealist

Before every Cuban wedding I attend—and being a Miami girl, I’ve attended my fair share—I always swear that I’m going to take salsa lessons to prep for the occasion. In my defense, I can hold my own on the dance floor, but there really is no method to my madness. I normally swirl and twirl as directed by whoever my dance partner might be and I always remember to smile. Well, taking salsa lessons was one of my New Year’s resolutions and, thanks to an email I received from TheDealist.com this week, I’m going to cross that task off my list soon.

“Something Great to Do,” is the tagline for TheDealist.com, a free, daily email newsletter for bargain-loving New Yorkers. My future salsa class—pole dancing is also being offered in case I change my mind—at Zack’s Dance Loft is normally $40, but I paid only $25. Much like the other offer this week—$59 for four classes at Pilates on Fifth—the site gives you great excuses to get off the couch and start tackling your New Year’s resolutions.

Not only is this site great for fitness fiends but it also caters to beauty junkies. Past offers have included a $99 Brazilian Waxing package at Boom Boom Beauty Bar, a $79 Body and Head Massage at Fine Living New York Ayurvedic, and $25 Hot Shaves and Haircuts from New York Shaving Co. Have any ideas for new promotions? Want to promote your business and get fresh faces through the door? Search for the “Submit Ideas” tab on the website and get ready to make a deal!

Living Healthy in the Lap of Luxury on Scrub Island

Although I have been fortunate enough to visit several resorts in the British Virgin Islands (B.V.I), I have always wanted to check out Scrub Island Resort, which is located on a 230-acre private island. And now, I have even more of a desire to escape to this Caribbean paradise with the introduction of the Living Abundantly package. Available April 15–19, this hands-on health and wellness program offers guests a getaway that will help them learn strategies for a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle in an unbeatable atmosphere. In addition to the opportunity to receive personal coaching on everything from nutrition to weight loss to stress management, for $5998, the package also includes:

• Five nights and six days in a deluxe ocean-view room
• Gourmet meals daily, with a focus on nutritious cuisine
• A pre-trip health assessment
• Up to three one-on-one personal coaching sessions
• Morning exercise sessions
• Half-day snorkeling trip
• Spa access

The package was developed in association with Gene Smart Wellness (GSW), a preventative healthcare company that pinpoints the connection between diet, exercise, and genes. The company’s chief scientific advisor, Floyd Chilton, will be attending the program and interacting with participants on a daily basis.

Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe Invites Spa-Goers to Get Fit and Fabulous

Honoring the natural glory of Tahoe, the Woods and Water experience at The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe will give spa-loving outdoor enthusiasts a true taste of what the area and the brand-new resort have to offer. Through April 11th, the package, which starts at $575 including overnight accommodations, invites guests to a one-hour snowshoe tour of the neighboring forest, which takes off from practically the front door of the slopeside spa. Once the blood is flowing (you can burn upwards of 500 calories per hour!), guests retreat to the spa where they can warm up and soothe any sore muscles with a Pinyon Pine Nut Organic Massage, which incorporates supremely soothing essential oils, such as arnica and pinyon pine, which are indigenous flora from the Lake Tahoe Basin. This tweak is followed up by an Energizing Body Glow & Rain Shower to wash away any remaining stress and sloughs away any winter-worn skin. The skin is revitalized with warm towels that are infused with the fragrance of lemon, lime, peppermint, and pine.

To read about my experience at this woodsy wonderland, click here. Also, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for a full-length feature in the February issue!

VH Spa Helps Clients Ring In the New Year

VH Spa for Vitality + Health is offering a healthy, fun, and affordable way for clients to celebrate the start of 2010. On Saturday, Jan. 16, guests and locals alike can enjoy a variety of spa services to help them kick start their year in a fitness-focused way, with time for relaxation, too. Guests can to select up to two fitness classes, one 60-minute spa service, and up to five 15-minute mini-treatments and attend lifestyle workshops throughout the day. The true gift? The entire day’s experience costs only $100. It’s an excellent—and economical—way to kickstart the New Year.

Bally Offers Stay-Healthy Tips for the Holidays

After pigging out last week for Thanksgiving and a December calendar filled with dinners, drinks, and holiday parties, I had almost resigned myself to gaining at least 10 pounds this holiday season. Thankfully, I just received an email from the folks at Bally Total Fitness filled with tips for fighting fat for the holidays. I know we’re all in the spa, health, and wellness biz, and we’re supposed to know better, but this list encouraged me to be a little smarter when it comes to holiday eating, drinking, and exercising, and I thought I would share the wealth. So here are some ideas from Dave Van Daff, senior director of education and development, Bally Total Fitness.

• Don’t skip meals. You might think you’re saving calories before a big holiday dinner, but instead you’re creating a starvation situation to justify overeating later. Your body won’t like it and neither will your waistline. Instead, eat small regular meals to control your appetite.
• Hors d’oeuvres or cocktails – pick one. If you’re going to a party, make a decision to either eat the appetizers or drink instead. If you do both, you’ll end up overeating and consuming empty liquid calories. While it’s easy to overlook alcohol, the calories can add up over the course of an evening. If you forego the snacks and stick with cocktails, wine, or beer, eat a healthy snack before the event to avoid drinking on an empty stomach.
• Invite yourself to the gym. While the holidays are crammed with party invitations and social events, schedule your workouts on the calendar…and stick to them. Treat your gym visits as must-attend engagements. If you need extra motivation, RSVP to someone who will hold you accountable – whether it’s a friend, family member or personal trainer. Also, if you’re traveling, you can still exercise at a Bally Total Fitness club with a national membership. There are nearly 300 locations, which means you’re never too far from your next workout.
• Accidental Activity. If you can’t set aside time for a full-fledged workout, find small ways to include activity in your day. Skip the snow blower and pick up a shovel – a highly effective calorie burner. Take a walk with your family before or after dinner for bonding time and the chance to work off the meal. Shop in tennis shoes so you’re more apt to walk quickly and stay on your feet longer. Also skip the escalators, take the stairs and do calf-raises while standing in line.
• Ask Santa for gym shoes. When it comes to making your holiday wish list, add workout clothes, a heart rate monitor, or tennis shoes. When you have new gear that you’re excited to wear, you’re more apt to use it. The best gift is staying healthy and fit for the New Year!

“The most important thing is smart splurging and calorie burning,” says  Van Daff. “Indulge over the holidays with your favorite foods, but find a healthy balance between eating and exercise.”

What are you doing to stay in shape this season? Share your tips here and help make it a happy, healthy holiday for us all.

Reader Giveaway: Hit the Deck!

‘Tis the season for holiday parties, cheer, and merriment—AND, unfortunately, expanding waistlines. Help your clients fight the end-of-year battle of the bulge with PowerHouse Performance’s Hit the Deck fitness card system. Perfect for those on the go, this helpful retail item can provide your guests with efficient and effective exercises routines, which don’t require equipment.

•FOUR lucky readers will win their very own deck of cards. Please email us at spablog@americanspamag.com and let us know how you plan on keeping fit around the holidays. Good luck!

Treat Your Skin with the Clothes You Wear

Earlier this week, I was invited to an event launching a new line of accessories and active wear called SunSoul at Club H Fitness (New York City). This functional yet fashion-forward line relies on an advanced fluorescent technology and natural sunlight to treat a variety of skincare concerns. Shirts and hats featuring blumöd technology not only offer an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 50+, but they also amplify the sun’s blue light to the skin to help treat acne. That blue light is the same as that used by skincare professionals to treat blemished skin. Yelomöd technology is also available to help rejuvenate skin. After donning SunSoul shirts in either blue or yellow, myself and several other health and beauty editors were invited to an energizing Urban Rebounding class.

Coming Clean with BluePrint Cleanse

Although I try to live a healthy lifestyle, it’s not always easy. So when I first heard about the BluePrint Cleanse (BPC) six months ago, it sounded like a great way to rid my body of built-up toxins and give my digestive system a rest without having to disrupt my daily life. The company conveniently packages and delivers six juices per day (customers can choose a one-, three-, or five day cleanse) to a home or business. The juices can also be picked up at several locations in select cities, including Exhale Spa (New York City and Boston), which recently partnered with BPC and is offering a package of three days of juice, three days of core and yoga classes, and the choice of a spa treatment for $295.

I chose the three-day cleanse, which consisted of drinking six juices made from fresh fruits and vegetables daily and abstaining from food. By the third day, I have to admit I felt more energetic, I was sleeping better, my concentration level was up, and, as an added bonus, I even lost weight. Since then, I have been a die-hard BPC fan. So, when I was invited last week to attend Camp BPC, a media day in Southampton, NY, I was thrilled. I got the chance to meet the founders, Zoe and Erica, as well as enjoy an afternoon of swimming, yoga, Pilates, nutritional counseling, massages, and raw food cooking classes. The point of the event was the same point of the cleanse–leading a healthy lifestyle can be fun and easy, especially when you’re not the one in charge of planning. As the BPC motto states, “You Drink. We Think.”

Working Out Fitness Options at the Spa

Breaking a sweat at the spa is no longer relegated to the sauna and steam room. Fitness is getting fun at spas and guests are signing up for everything from Wii-guided yoga sessions to beachfront boot camps. Here are a few of our favorite packages that are helping clients achieve healthy minds, bodies, and spirits.

•Escape to Shape at The Tides Zihuatanejo (Mexico): In addition to a Restoring Massage, this six-night package invites guests to burn calories with surf lessons, sea kayaking, beach power walks, Vinyasa yoga, and Pilates-based body sculpting classes. For a true taste of Mexico, it also includes cooking lessons, and tequila and ceviche tastings.

•Wellness in Paradise at One & Only Ocean Club (Paradise Island, Bahamas): Guests can enjoy a five-night getaway, which includes a personal training session featuring Technogym technology, daily yoga, and a one-on-one tennis clinic with a resident pro. The Rituals of Touch ceremony offers them some quiet time with a 140-minute Swedish massage for two in a private spa villa.

For more on what spas are doing to incorporate fitness into their programs, check out “Shaping Up” in the June issue of American Spa.