Retreats That Help Take the Pounds Off

1. I am by no means a spa aficionado. But I've heard enough to know that there is no better way to kick-start a weight-loss routine than a trip to a spa. So when I finally decided to get serious about dropping a few pounds before bikini season passed me by (yet again), I chose Cal-a-Vie.

Tucked away in a sleepy San Diego suburb called Vista, the spa lies smack in the middle of 200 verdant acres of hills, valleys and canyons, high among olive trees, towering oaks and fragrant flowering gardens. Only the haunting howl of coyotes and an audibly blissful family of frogs pierce the silence.

With a maximum of 24 guests at any given time, Cal-a-Vie has earned its distinction as the smallest luxury spa in the United States. The rustic country architecture and furnishings feel very south-of-France.

Up with the birds for a heart-rate-monitor-chirping hike
Whether you have fallen off the weight-loss wagon, taken a detour or simply need a new direction, Cal-a-Vie will put you squarely back on track. An extensive questionnaire helps the spa staff gauge individual health and fitness levels, and allows them to custom tailor an exercise, weight-loss or healthy-living program for you.

The food is nutrient-dense, mostly organic (often with spa-grown herbs and vegetables), lowfat and exploding with wonderful flavors.

Early morning hikes in the spa's backyard canyon are de rigueur. My heart-rate monitor chirped away as I headed for the crest, and I was rewarded by a stunning (if distant) view of the Pacific Ocean and neighboring farmland. Springtime trails are messy, so the housekeeping staff graciously cleans your mud-caked hiking boots each afternoon.