Worthy Wellness Spas

You check in to someplace fabulous, and a few days later you check out a whole new person. It’s an appealing thought, but is it a realistic goal? Not so much. Contrary to what TV shows would have you believe, a life transformation is a long-term project. On the other hand, if there’s something specific you’d like to overhaul—maybe your diet, your stress level, or your ability to squeeze into your favorite jeans—a spa sojourn can be the ultimate “nudge.” The very act of going away helps you make a break from the routine you’ve fallen into and establish new habits without distractions. So kick off your makeover plans with a trip to one of these get-healthy destinations. Over the course of a week—or just a few days—they’ll give you all the tools you need to change your life for the better. We like to call it Project You.

The Lodge at Woodloch
Hawley, Pennsylvania
You don’t go to this resort, located in eastern Pennsylvania, specifically to lose weight (in fact, you won’t even find calorie counts on the menu). You go to learn healthy eating habits you can maintain once you leave. At Woodloch you’ll find an emphasis on portion size, fresh ingredients, and the creative use of “superfoods” (spinach, berries, sweet potatoes, melons, salmon, and soy).

To show you how to use these ingredients at home, the resort offers some of the most professional cooking classes in the spa world. (You’ll work in a kitchen complete with an overhead plasma screen so everyone gets a close-up view of the demos.) You might learn how to make a turkey, sun-dried tomato, and avocado aioli wrap or pan-roasted herb chicken with sweet potato–apple hash. There are also chef-hosted educational dinners and courses, such as the Energetics of Food, that offer a deeper look into how your body reacts to the things you eat. Book a one-on-one with the resident dietitian ($150 an hour) to address questions about your eating triggers or get a diet specifically designed for your needs. Round out your days in one of 130 weekly fitness classes.

Details From $425 per night for the Intro to Spa Plan, including meals, group fitness classes, lectures, and cooking demos; thelodgeatwoodloch.com.